The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-08-24
Frank Holster Was Attracted
by a Burning House.
His Interest Caused Him To Be
Picked Up by Sheriff.
DIDN'T LIKE kIENE'S LOOKS
But That Didn't Bother the
Good Natured Officer.
Complaint From Farmers Near
City on His Actions.

Like q moth, mysterious Frank Ho1-
stem nuttered around a mysterious
fire, and IL he had possessed wings
they would have been singed.
AS it is he is in the county jail while
county officials investigate to deter
mine whether or not he had anything
to do with the burning of the Dilatush
farm home Wednesday afternoon. The
cause of the fire is unknown and Hol-
stem is not only unknown but appears
to be determined to remain that way.
He was picked up Wednesday after
noon by L. L. Kiene, sheriff. and Hugh
Larimer, undersheriff. He refuses to
answer questions but he is able to
take care of himself in any sort of q
talkfest.
"I believe he is mentally unbal-
anced" says Sheriff Kiene-
The house that burned is the farm
home of Mrs. J. J. Dilatush near Fair
view school house northeast of town.
1t burned to the ground and attracted
neighbors from that whole section of
the county.
As a matter of fact the two off,
GERS went into the country to find the
man who gives his name as Holster.
They knew nothing about the fire I'M
til they drove up to it and while they
were watching it Holster hurried up.
Since then they have been trying to
have failed completely.
Holster resented the questions first
put to him by Larimer.
"You have no authority to question
me-" he said. ST have molested no
body"
Some people suspect you of start
in this fire. said Larimer.
That's the way it goes" he flared
up. "Just because 1 don't tell every
body my business and happened to be
around here they lay this fire up
against me. I'm not going to talk
at ALL
Then Sheriff Kiene tried question
ing Holster.
why not be reasonable and talk
with us?" he asked. I'll treat you
fairly If there's nothing wrong you
will not be harmed in the least"
Didn't Like Kiene's Looks.
'T'll not talk to you because don't
like your looks" said Holster. You
don't look good to me, not a little bit.
You make me sick about being fair.
You're showing how fair you are right
now by picking me up. Oh yes, you'll
be fair all right"
E. B. Stotts, steward at the Topeka
state hospital, walked up and recog.
nized Holster as man he had seer
last Sunday in the woods near the
asylum.
why, hello" said .stotts. you're
back again, are your"
Eyes, I'm back" relied Holster. but
I don't know you and don't care any
thing about getting acquainted"
II saw you last Sunday in the tim
Der near the asylum" said Stotts.
And I suppose you have been fol-
lowing me ever since" came back
Holster.
The officers went after Holster be-
cause farmers in that section tele-
phoned in complaints. They stated
that a strange man was stopping al
houses and acting peculiarly. He
stopped at one house and asked for
a glass of milk. He drank it to the
last drop then remarked to the house
wife:
81 don't think much of that milk, u
and walked away.
| County officials do not know wheth-
Ell to connect him up with the fire
yesterday or not. They ara unable to
get any facts about his past. He re-
fuses to talk upon personal matters
| Holster will be held few days for
| Investigation