The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-09-19
Trail of Numberless Packages
From Memphis to Kansas.
Arrest of a Garage Watchman
Who Worked in Topeka.
$500 WORTH WITH EXPRESS
Charge That o. V. Bower Sold
Morphine to Fiends.
Bower Also Stole Gas and Sold
to Jitneys, Is Charge.

Thru the arrest of o. V. Bower or
o. V. Benner today on petit larceny
charge. county officers believe they
nave uncovered the trail of number
less packages of morphine and other
drugs from Memphis. Tenn, to To-
peka. They believe they have discov-
cred the local distributing agency for
numerous drugs prohibited by the
federal drug act
Bower was arrested by Thomas
Morgan, city plain clothes man, upon
complaint of the management OF the
Kansas Motor Car company on Quincy
street 1t is charged that Saturday
night he left the garage where he mas
been employed for eighteen months
with all the collections for the night
amounting to from $12 to $40.
He was turned over to the county
and his actions indicated he was un-
der the influence of some kind or
drug. Questions brought out the fact
that he is addicted to the use of NOR
phine. His left arm furnished all the
evidence the officers needed The in
QUESTION turned from the charge
against him to the matter of drugs.
Tells of Purchases.
"Yes, sir" he said in answer to a
question. Il have been buying drugs
by express I send to G. d. Harris in
Memphis, Tenn. and get them when
ever I need them. 1 send IS and he
sends me the amount that much
money buys I address him at gen
eral delivery in Memphis.
Bower denied he had sold any OF
the drugs but the man who filed the
complaint against him told what he
knew and Bower weakened :,
''The day before he left my garage,
said Mr.. Haney. his employer, ''he
t: d to borrow SIS of man I know.
He told him he had $500 worth of
drugs at an express office in town
and that if he could get the SIS he
could get the drugs out of the offlce
and sell enough to pay back the 10
in no time
Was a Good Employe.
Bower has been employed at the
CARA ge for nearly two years, and mas
been trusted by all of the various
owners of the place He has served
as might man." has collected tne
money for cars taken out during the
night, and for gasoline sold after the
office closed Patrons of the garage
know him as Dad" and have had g
great deal of confidence in him. al
though he has been known to be
user of drugs.
Siphoned Gas From Cars.
Il did not suspect him of anything
although l had frequent complaint:
about things being missing from theii
cars" said Mr.. Haney. Recently
patrons have been complaining tha
a part of their gasoline disappeared a
night while their cars were stored IL
the garage l employed a man Il
watch during the night through {
back window. He reported to me tina
Dad went through the garage with {
bucket I; / bose siphoned the gaso
line from private cars out into thu
bucket and sol it to jitney drivers.
Bower made a sworn statement IL
the presence of w. Z. Atclison, count.
attorney. I others today and it viii
be turned over o federal officials. 1
deals with Lis alleged purchase o
morphine and drugs from Harris il
Memphis. The Harris referred t.
formerly live @eka. He il
known to county Officers. Bower sait
ne made the arrangement with hin
before Harris ent to Memphis.
A warrant was issued for Bower
charging him with stealing none,
from the Kansas Motor Car company
but Mr.. e said today he had n,
desire tc push it; that all he wanted
was his mor However, the count,
officers wanted the warrant issued il
order to hold Bower for fedora
officials