davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-10
WARNED To FLEE
Big Flood Crest En- Route
Down Oklahoma River.
Three Foot Rise Expected Sum
day or Monday.

Oklahoma City, June 16.-Police to-
day warned persons residing along the
North Canadian river, which is at
flood stage north of here, to be pre-
pared to flee on a moments notice.
A three foot rise in the North Cana
dian river was reported today in ad-
vices to the weather bureau here from
Canton, Blaine county, Oklahoma. The
rise is expected to reach the central
part of the state Sunday or Monday
and weather officials said whether the
river leaves its banks depends on the
amount of rain locally along its course
before then.
Oklahoma Flood Reoedes.
The crest of the flood reached Ada
last night-150 miles from Bridgeport
where it was first reported. A rail-
road bridge was swept away at Ada
and other minor damage done, accord
ing to advices reaching here.
Telephone and telegraph communi'
cation with that section of the state
which was severed by the flood waters
yesterday. was partially restored to-
day. Wire officials predicted norma
service would be restored within
twenty-four hours.
Train service thruout Southwestern
Oklahoma was seriously hampere6
with bridges and miles of track
washed away. Wrecking crews were
sent into the flood district today and
work of relaying rails begun.
Damage to crops and property by
flood was estimated at approximately
$4,000 by county officials.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-10

A strange story of an army con-
spiracy, with himself as the victim,
was related today by William Cunning
ham, prisoner in the federal peniten-
tiary, in a petition filed in the federal
court here asking writ of habeas
corpus to obtain his release.
Cunningham prepared the petition
himself with a pen and ink, stating
that he is unable to hire an attorney
to represent him. He declared that
he was convicted by a court martial
in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. in De-
cember, 1920, on charges trumped up
by one Lieutenant Aldsworth. He
has been in the army for twenty-five
years. he states, and his record was
always marked excellent"
Not Allowed To Speak.
He asserts that because he was
known to be honest and was going to
expose a conspiracy between Aids
worth and some other officers, that
he was arrested June~5, 1920. and not
allowed to speak to an attorney or
communicate with anyone. He was
not allowed trial until October ID
he declares. He says he retained an
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-10
OPEN REST ROOM JUNE 1S
Mass Meeting of Shawnee County
Farmers Is Planned.

The new rest room for the use of
rural business visitors to Topeka will
be opened in the city auditorium Sat
urday, June Is, in connection with a
mass meeting of Shawnee county
farmers who will gather here to con-
slider the marketing plan of the United
States Grain Growers, Inc, to be pre-
sented at that time.
The rest room has been furnished
by the Merchants association. and will
be maintained jointly by the Chamber
of Commerce and Shawnee county. It
will include two hospital beds for the
use of anyone suddenly taken i'll, and
two beds for children.
A matron, Miss Louise Krigbaum,
will be in charge of the room from 10
o'clock in the forenoon until O'Clock
in the evening. Babies may safely be
left at the rest room while their
mothers shop. In the main rest room
there will be four tables which may
be used for serving lunches brought
to town, and a hot plate will be pro-
vided for warming coffee and the like.
The management of the rest room
will be in charge of a committee of
rural women, to be appointed by the
Shawnee county farm bureau
The opening of the rest room will
be celebrated with a program, OF
which the details have not yet been
arranged.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-10
Death Comes Suddenly to Ober-
lin, Kansas, Banker.
For Thirty Years Prominent
Figure in Sixth District.
RATED IN MILLIONAIRE CLASS
Took Active Part in Political
Battles IN Northwest.
Gave $4,000 to Washburn Col
lege Day Before Death.

Otis L. Benton of Oberlin, one of
the wealthiest and most widely known
bankers in northwestern Kansas, died
suddenly in Kansas City Thursday
night following an attack of apoplexy.
His death followed within a day the
announcement of a gift of $4,000 to
Washburn college.
Benton was in attendance at the
graduation exercises at Washburn
college Thursday and displayed a great
interest in the program. Following
the exercises he spent considerable
time visiting with old friends and was
apparently in the best of health. Late
in the afternoon he left for Kansas
City.
For more than thirty years Benton
was one of the prominent and ag-
gressive business men and bankers in
the northwest country which produced
such well known bankers as Burrow,
Ames, Cochran and Sawyer. Politics
as well as business gave Benton promi-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-10
SHE HIRED THUGS ARE 1870 MISSING
Only Forty-Seven Bodies OF
Flood Victims Found.
City Put Under Strictest of
Military Regulation.

Pueblo, June 1O.-Arriva1 yesterday
of federal troops to aid the national
guard of Colorado rangers marked a
new step forward in the restoration of
normal conditions. following this city's
most disastrous flood.
Army trucks and mule trains, ac-
companied by corps of laborers, are
expected to facilitate the task of re-
moving dead bodies and debris before
decomposition has brought new dan
ger of disease.
Martial Law Strict.
Martial law regulations have been
made more stringent. No one is per-
mitted to enter the restricted area
without military permit signed by
the adjutant general commander of
the military here and commander OF
the rangers. Passengers are not per-
nitted to leave trains without a mill
tary pass.
Col. Patrick Hamrock, adjutant
general. said it would be two weeks
before martial law would be ended
He said the public utilities would be
in full operation before the troops are
withdrawn. Water must be made safe
for human consumption and every
cellar, store and public building must
be cleaned out before municipal au-
thorities: again assume control.
All relief work. reconstruction and
rehabilitation of business and indus
try has been placed in the hands OF
the Red Cross by the civilian commit
tee to which all contributions will be
sent.
Only Forty-Sevcn Bodies Found.
Rapid progress has been made in
clearing the streets and business
houses. Several stores filled with wa
ter as late as Sunday are now doing
business. Railroad tracks have been
dug out from under mud and passen-
gers are being taken out of the city by
train daily.
Inc death list, compiled from the
morgues, was at forty-seven TODAY
with 130 names on the official LIST ot
missing persons
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-10
Army Prisoner Charges
Illegal Trial in Service
William Cunningham Tells Strange Story of Army Con-
spiracy and Trial on Trumped Up Charges-Asks Writ
of Habeas Corpus Obtain Release.

able attorney named Meyers and that
when It seemed apparent that he
must be acquitted the case was ad-
journed. Meyers had to go to Mexico
on a case. While he was gone, Cum
ningham asserts, he was compelled,
under threat of death, to ask that his
trial be resumed. Meyers was not
notified. He says about thirty wit
nesses who would have testified to his
innocence were sent out of the coun-
try by Aldsworth and other officers.
Says Testimony Was False.
By introducing false testimony and
bullying and brow-beating witnesses,
Cunningham says, Aldsworth succeed
ed in getting him convicted. He de-
clares that prior to his trial he was
beat up by Aldsworth's men when,
Mrs. Cunningham, hearing of her hus-
bands Imprisonment, laid the matter
before Senator Hiram johnson. Sena-
tor johnson, Cunningham says, pub
licly denounced the alleged conspira-
tors.
Cunningham alleges that his con-
viction and his Imprisonment were IL
legal and asks that he be granted a
fair trial.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-10
may have GAS SHORTAGE
Survey OF Conditions Made by Public
Utilities Commission.

Some ofethe troubles of a pending
gas shortage have been sounded thru
the public utilities commission which
has recently made a survey of condi-
tions in the Oklahoma fields. Be-
cause of federal regulations and Okla
homa state laws. the gas supply from
that state will be limited next winter
and Kansas may be forced to provide
new fields.
Government regulations prohibit
taking of more than 20 per cent of
the supply from the Usage fields. The
Empire Gas and Fuel company, which
provides the supply for Kansas thru
its own and subsidiary companies. is
also limited by Oklahoma state laws
to rs per cent of the available supply
outside the district controlled by gov
ernment rule. The open flow Of the
Empire company amounts to 100000
600 cubic feet a day. But with the
regulations affecting transportation
from the state. Kansas may face gas
famine.
Slump in oil prices have recently
reduced development to a minimum.
Now the states gas supply from Okla
homa threatens to be cut to 100000
cubic feet or less. The cold weather
demand in this state is approximately
130, 100000. OF this the state must
seemingly produce 60,O00.0O0 cubic
feet
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-10
Get INTO TOPEKA
L. & T. Asks For Bond Issue
For Traekage Rights.
Another Effort to Enter Capital
City, Says Cutler.

Plans of the Leavenworth & Topeka
railroad to enter Topeka over indie
pendent tracks from Meriden were
outlined today in a bond application
before the public utilities commission.
Officers of the road asked permission
to issue $4,000 worth of seven per
cent ten year gold bonds for the
project.
Of the issue, tho, $4,000 would be
used by the road to retire indebted
ness to F. L. Wells. The remainder
would be for construction, acquisition
of property and new equipment. The
road owns its own line from Leaven-
worth to Meriden, but has no indie
pendent trackage into this city. Be
fore reorganization of the road the
company operated over tracks be-
tween Topeka and Meriden under a
contract with the Santa Fe.
Otto, Cutler, of Topeka, head of the
road, stated that the action was an
other effort to make Topeka connec-
tons
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-10
Want RATE hike
Utilities Commission Taking
Testimony in Phone Case.
Hearing Affects Telephone
Charges in Six Towns.

The public utilities commission is
today taking final testimony in tele-
phone rate cases affecting six Kansas
cities. 1t is the same case in which
the Southwestern Bell Telephone COM
pany recently secured an injunction
against a rate advance and restrained
Interference by the commission.
Affects Six Kansas Towns.
Cities of Arkansas City, Winfield,
Atchison, Hutchinson, Eldorado and
Lyons are affected by the rate hear
ing. Some months ago the industrial
court ordered a wage increase for en-
ployeS of the telephone company in
these towns. The Bell company asked
for a rate increase to meet additional
expenses. When the commission did
not take up the application the COM
pany secured an injunction against
tn rate advance. The writ was
granted by the Shawnee county dis
trict court
Recently the Reno county district
court issued an injunction against rate
increases for Hutchinson. The Bell
company appealed and the appeal was
argued Thursday before the supreme
court.
Employees of the Bell company to-
day testified that rate increases were
asked on valuations below 1920-21
construction and equipment costs.
valuations as submitted by engineers
Tor the utilities commission were based
on pre-War reproduction COSTS The
case may be concluded late today. At
! torneys for cities affected are here for
the hearing
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-10
new HOTEL DIRECTOR
j. B. Walker of PelIetier Stores Com.
pany to Head Organization.

A new director and three trustees
for the Topeka Hotel company, were
chosen at a meeting Of the board of
directors of the company, held at the
Chamber of Commerce at noon today.
Filling the vacancy caused by the
resignation of Charles P. Adams, ]. B.
Walker, of the Pelletier stores organ
ization, was elected to the directorate.
The selling and financing plan for
the hotel project, worked out by the
directors and submitted to the Topeka
Clearing House association for ap-
proval by that organization, was final
ly adopted today by the directors.
The names of the trustees selected
were withheld until they have been
notified of their election and have
consented to serve.
There existed difference of opinion
among the directors. as to whether
the trusteeships. which are for the
protection of the preferred stock in
the project. should be held by indi-
viduals or by trust companies. A vote
of the directors was in favor of elect
ing individual trustees.
Plans for the Inauguration of the
drive for the sale of the stock, were
also taken up and tentatively discussed
ct the meeting. which lasted until late
this afternoon.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-10

Washington, June 10.-Settlement
of the bonus question is at hand. Early
enactment of the soldiers adjusted
compensation bill. with five optional
plans to reimburse the 100000 men
war, has been predicted today by Sen
ator Penrose, chairman of the senate
finance committee.
Since the first cash payments, pro-
vided in the bill will not begin until
july 1. 1922. Senator Penrose said
there is TO necessity to await the
enactment of the tariff and tax re-
vision measures. Revenue raising
features which must originate in the
house, having been eliminated from
the measure, the senate will soon have
the bill before it.
Practically Same Form.
The bill is in substantially the same
form as when first introduced. ELM
ination of the time limits for the elec-
tion of a plan by the veterans is the
chief change.
No definite plan for raising the reve-
nue. to meet>the requirements of the
measure has been settled upon, ac.
cording 10 Penrose.
The plans included in the bill are:
1. adjusted service pay" 81 per day
for each days service in the United States
and $1.25 for each days service abroad.
2. adjusted service certificates" insur.
ance on sum 40 per cent greater than
his cash compensation, payable in twenty
years with interest at AZ per cent, com
pounded annually.
3. vocational training Id at gov
ernment expense at an amount equal to
his cash compensation plus 40 per cent.
f. Farm or home aid" adjusted service
pay, plus 40 per cent for home or farm.
5. Public land preference" giving vet.
Grams first choice of government lands. now
or hereafter opened.
If all the veterans should accept
the cash plan the total outlay would
amount to $1.560,166, $50, according tc
latest estimates. The 1922 appropria-
tion would be $456, 100000 with a
sharp decline for succeeding years.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-10
DISCONTINUE TRAIN SERVICE
No Trains Being Operated Between
Ellinwood and Kinsley.

Train service on the Santa Fe be-
tween Ellinwood and Kinsley was dis
continued Thursday night on ac-
count of the high water which has
covered several miles of the track.
The district which is inundated is
not on the Santa Fe main line, and
stub service has been inaugurated
to serve as much of the district as pos
sibIe. Thru trains are not disturbed.
Reports to the general offices of the
Santa Fe today stated that the high
water in the Arkansas river is reced-
ing in Dodge City, and that the crest
has reached Hutchinson. No serious
damage has yet been reported there.
The Arkansas Valley Interurban
Railways bridge at Wichita has been
struck by drift and knocked out OF
position The Santa Fe tracks al
Wichita are not in danger.
1t cannot be stated what damage
has been done to the Santa Fe tracks
in the district which went under wa
ter Thursday night. until the water
has receded.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-10

nence and he was active in every cam
paign in the Sixth district during the
last quarter of a century. He took
characters developed in business and
public affairs in the district.
Extensive Banking Interests.
Extensive banking interests in De-
catur, Norton, Sheridan, Rawlins and
other northwestern counties were
owned by Benton at the time of his
sudden and unexpected death. His
development in banking circles came
largely thru Identification with the
Oberlin National bank, of which he
had for a number OF years been presi-'
dent. He was an officer or stock
holder in a string of strong banks in
the Sixth district. Most of these banks
are located in the smaller northwest
ern counties and have in recent years
yielded big returns in dividends to
stockholders.
Head OF Investment Company.
Benton was also head Of the BEN
ton-Hopkins Investment company OF
Oberlin and had been identified with
a score of enterprises for the develop-
ment of Decatur and surrounding
counties. Perhaps the most spectacu-
lar feat of Benton in recent years was
his system of supplying seed wheat to
growers in his district. He spent
thousands of dollars for seed wheat
which seldom brought returns in thS
fContfnued on Page Two1
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-10
KANSAS LOSES APPOINTMENT
Adjutant General Martin Was En-.
dorsed to Head Militia Bureau.

Kansas lost the position of chief of
the militia bureau when Secretary of
war Weeks this week named Col
George C. Richards of Pennsylvania to
the oft1ce. Charles I. Martin, adjutant
general of Kansas, was a candidate for
the position and had been endorsed
by members of the Kansas delegation
and number of governors.
colonel Richards was appointed to
the office several months ago, but his
confirmation was held up by the SEN
ate. Secretary Weeks this week gave
him the office and his name will again
go to the senate
Information from Washington re-
Gently pointed to the selection of
colonel Richards over General Martin
and was indicated in political dope
stories regarding patronage distribu-
tion
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-10
TODAY IN CONGRESS-
In the senate.

Military affairs committee takes up
nominations in the army.
Ford-Newberry investigation con-
tinues bofer elections committee.
/ Judiciary committee considers CO.
operative marketing bill.
Agriculture committee to conclude
hearings on Capper-Tincher grain
gambling bill.
Interstate commerce committee to
consider railroad valuation bill.
In the House.
Consideration of Porter peace reso-
luton expected to start late in the
afternoon following passage of the
Sweet bill consolidating government
agencies dealing with ex-service men
Representative Volstead asks rules
committee to expedite passage of his
supplemental prohibition bill.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-10
HUNDRED MINERS TRAPPED.
Fire in Illinois Mine Threatens Lives
OF AlI-Rescue Crew on Job.

Peru. ILL.,. June 10.-More than 100
miners were trapped in the mine of
the St. Paul railroad at Mark, ten
miles south of here by fire which
broke out shortly after noon. The
mine rescue car from La Sale is on
the scene.
Company officials are checking
their lists to determine the exact num-
ber of miners at work in the shaft
The rescue crew, equipped with he'll
NETS is attempting to reach the level
where the majority of the men are
believed to be caught
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-10
SHOT BY MASKED MEN.
New York Politicians Death at Day
tona, Fla, Expected.

Daytona, Fla, June 1O.-Tba da.+b
OF Lorillard Reynolds. for more than
Inlrty years intimate associate of Big
nm Sullivan, New York politician n,
was momentarily expected TODAY as
the result of wounds received when a
MOP MOP or masked men severely beat and
shot him last night at Seabreeze y
Lashionable beach resort in the sub
urbs Of this city.
REYNOLDS received a bullet in the left
tt tUtreast which missed his heart by less
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-10
BONUS BILL DEAD
But "Adjusted Compensation"
Act Likely To Be Law.
Chairman of Committee Dis
liked the Old Name.
new BILL LIKE the OLD
Five Fold Plan to Reimburse
100000 Veterans.
Would Cost Billion and Half If
All Demanded Cash.
new BILL LIKE THE OLD

Washington, June 10.-The ''sol-
ciers' bonus bilp' is dead. The SOL
diers' adjusted compensation bilp'
is very much alive and likely soon
to become a law.
Senator McCumber of North Da-
kota, chairman of the senate sub
committee which worked out the
provisions of the bills, issued an
appeal today for the use of the new
name.
'It is not bonus or a gift to
the ex-service men," declared Nc
Cumber. SIT is distinctly a bill to
pay the veterans of the World war
for their services to the nation and
for the sacrifices they made to
serve"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-10
TO HOLD CONCLkVE HERE
knights Templar Will Meet in Topeka
May 16 and II.

Arrangements have been made by
DIR. J. A. Steinmeyer, acting for To-
peka Commandery No. 5, knights
Templar, and Arthur J. Carruth, grand
commander of the Knights Templar
of Kansas, whereby the next annual
conclave of that order will be held in
Topeka May 16 and IT, 1922.
This conclave was held at Hutchin-
son this year and over 500 uniformed
Knights were in the parade. Topeka
will doubtless have a much larger at
tendance as every effort will be made
by the local knights Templar to make
this the largest gathering of the order
ever held in Kansas
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-10
HILLS WIFE WANTS DECREE.
Similar Suit Against Noted Railroad
Mans Son Dismissed.

Los Angeles, June 1O.-Walter Hill,
son of the late James ]. Hill, multi
millionaire railroad man, is the target
of divorce suit just launched in the
Los Angeles county superior court by
his wife. Dorothy B. Hill.
similar suit in the Ramsey county,
Minnesota, district court has been dis
missed. according to Mrs. Hills attor-
ney, w. r. Miller
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-10
GREEK STEAMER GOES DOWN
Struck Rock En- Route to Smyrna
Only Two of 13O Aboard Saved.

Athens, June 10. The Greek
steamer, Bouboulina, has gone down
with. 13S passengers, according to
dispatches here today.
The Bouboulina, en- route from
Smyrna, struck a rock and went down
so quickly that only two lives were
saved
The vessel carried many soldiers
from Smyrna in addition to civilian
passengers. The Bouboulina was 3,132
ton iron vessel built in 1878.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-10
GOV. ALLEN TO GEORGIA
Kansas Governor VIII Speak Before
National Advertisers Association.

Governor Allen left this afternoon
for Atlanta, Ga, where he will speak
Sunday night before the convention of
the National Advertisers association.
Responsibility of the State for Indus
trial Justice" is the subject of his ad-
dress. He will discuss the Kansas in
dustrial court law in his speech.
The governor will return to Kansas
immediately after his speech. He ex-
poets to return to Topeka next Tues
day.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-10
NEW GOLD RUSH STARTED.
Vein Sixty Feet Thick Reported II
Manitoba by Prospectors.

The Pas, Manitoba, June 10.-The
expected gold rush TO the Elbow Lake
region was on today.
Within the next few months, hun
dreds of prospec. )rs will invade the
district where it is said. huge vein
of gold has been found.
Prospectors returning here said the
vein ran sixty feet wide and that free
gold was freely scattered about
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-10
Firenen Matched
For the Honor of
SaDing Woman

Cleveland, June 10.-An appeal for
volunteers for blood TRANSMISSION was
answered by 372 out of 500 members
of the Cleveland fire department on
duty yesterday. The call went out to
save the life Of Mrs. Davis Wilson.
who was in a serious condition follow
ing an operation a week ago.
The firemens matched coins to see
whose blood would be accepted ans
Charles L. Trinkner won.