The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-04-07
IN TERROR REIGN
Kansas City Elections Ruled by
Gangs of Thugs.
Repeated Attempts at Fraud
Are Charged to ''Bosses."

Kansas City, Mo. April Mayor
Cowgirl and most of the Democratic
ticket were reelected yesterday by
majority of about 1000 votes. nearly
complete returns today indicated. Two
years ago Cowgilrs majority was
around 1000.
Defeated reform" leaders insist the
present city administration perpetu-
ated its hold on city affairs thru fraud,
the big Cowgirl majorities being piled
up in river wards. The "anti-boss"
spokesman say there was evidence of
repeating and fraudulent voting in all
the boss" wards.
Was Reign of Terror.
Tactics employed by the heavy ar
tillery division of the Dem ocratic ma
chine in Yesterdays municipal election
label the contest the dirtiest and most
brutal in Kansas City's history.
Casinir j. WEIGH, a justice of the
peace and chief lieutenant of Joseph
Shannon, led the thugs of the Eighth
ward. In the afternoon WEIGH led his
gang to a polling place at 1929 East
Nineteenth street and personally as
sauited James H. Knapp, 1872 Van
Brunt boulevard, a Republican chal-
lenger. beating Knapp into a SEMI
conscious state with brass knucks.'s
sections of lead pipe, revolver butts
and "blackjacks."
Thievesl Yeggmenl Motor car
I
bootleggersl Criminals of all kinds,
types and descriptions! Everyone de-
pendent on the vice bosses for protec-
ton delivered election day aid yester-
day. Motor cars loaded with repeat,
ers''-the far-famed flying squadron"
added it's bit"
1t was a gala day for the thugs
fight at the drop of the hat for any
one caring to drop the hat.
Negro Repeaters the Cause.
Knapp, who is So years old, was left
PROSTATE on the floor Of the voting
place, suffering from broken jaw, a
deep cash over his right eye. His
kneecap was broken and he also suf-
fered internal injuries. WEIGH was as
sisted by the gang Of cutthroats and
thugs who loaf about Welch's court
room at TIT East Fifteenth street and
'cadge' their livelihoods from pris-
oners arraigned before WEIGH by
Seeing Welch for them.
During the morning WEIGH APP
peared at various polling places, &C
companied by his gang, and made
open threats that Republican election
officials were "going to get their I'LL.
Late yesterday afternoon five negroes
entered the voting place of the Four
tenth precinct of the Eighth ward at
1929 East Nineteenth street, and at
tempted to vote. Knapp Immediately
challenged their votes, declaring that
of other men. The election officials
agreed with Knapp that the negroes
should not be allowed to vote and they
were ordered to leave the voting place
wen see about YOU" one of the
negroes threatened. Judge WEIGH
later on"
Brutal Attack on Judge.
The negroes then left the voting
place, threatening and growing. A
| half hour later motor car loaded
with men drew up across the street
| from the voting place. Eight men
headed by WEIGH alighted from the
car. All were armed with short lengths
of gas pipe. and advanced toward the
voting place. Detecting the presence
of Welch and his gangsters, one. of
the election officials advised Knapp to
| flee. He refused.
WEIGH entered the voting place
closely followed by his gang and
walked over to where Knapp was
standing with his arms crossed. With
out a word Welch's right hand. wear
| ing q gliStening pair of brass knucks, p"
shot out, striking Knapp heavy blow
over the right eye. Blood spurted
from an ugly wound caused by the
blow and Knapp staggered against the
wall. WEIGH followed his advantage
! by delivering another sledge hammer
blow to Knapp's right jaw and Knapp
dropped to the floor, his jaw shattered
| by the blow. WEIGH then turned to
his fellow-thugs.
"Sic EN-" he said.
The gangsters then followed with
their part of the attack and bounced
on the unconscious man with fury,
kicking him +. the abdomen and face
and stamping his face With the heels
of their shoes.