davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08
HE RAN SALOON? /?
Authorities Claim Wealthy Alb
sconder Violated Dry Law.
Safe in Mexico, VIII Fight Amy
- attempt at Deportation.

Chicago, Aug. S.-With the trail of
Warren C. Spurgin, missing president
of the wrecked Michigan Avenue Trust
company, apparently lost in Mexico.
federal authorities today turned atten-
ton to reports that the private vault
of Spurgin in the bank, where SIC, 600
worth of liquor was stored, was in
reality a downtown saloon" for
wealthy business men.
''It has come to u.s." said District
Attorney c. F. CIyne, that there were
a number of well known business men
who did not have boxes in the safety
deposit vaults, who nevertheless paid
regular visits there"
Chihuahua City. Aug. s.-Warren c.
Spurgin, missing Chicago banker, in
hiding not far from this city, and go
ing by the name of w. c. Scott, will
fight any movement made to extradite
him, and if apprehended will appeal to
authorities for permission to remain
IN Mexico as a permanent resident. ac-
cording to men here who are keeping
in touch with him.
A number of American detectives
are here looking for Spurgin and Spur
gin has been told of their presence and
furnished with their description, it is
said,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08
WATCH FOR SMALL
Sheriff Expects He VIII Try to
Resist Arrest.
Declares Chief Executive Must
--Gome-to>4+is 0ffices-----

Springfield, Ill, Aug. S.-An air Of
expectancy pervaded the state capitol
today as every move of Governor Len
Small and Sheriff Henry Mester was
being watched for what it expected to
be the break" in the governors de-
termination to resist arrest.
The chief executive returned quietly
to Springfield and refused to be
seen" AT the executive mansion, it
was announced that the governor
would go to the capitol building some
time today.
Sheriff Mester, of, Sangamon county,
who holds three warrants for the gov
ernor's arrest, charging embezzlement
of state interest funds, said he had
not been notified of the executive s
return.
81 have said all along that I would
treat the governor fair and square"
declared the sheriff when asked what
move he planned to make. Il believe
the governor will furnish bond. The
warrants for his arrest will be served
in my office, and before that is done,
I can think of no legal action the gov
ernor can take.
IF the governor does not submit
himself here, I probably will call at
his office and ask for an appointment.
I will go to the capitol, however, with
out any warrants but will ask that he
accompany me to my office"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08
MOVIE BOARD may STAY HOME
Some Doubt as to Course To Be Taken
by Kansas Censors.

Some Doubt as to Course To Be Taken
by Kansas Censors.
There is more doubt as to the course
the state movie censor board will take
regarding its proposed trip to Cali
fornia as guests of a producing Som-
pany. The question was made a bit
clearer today when Dwight Thacher
Harris and Mrs. B. L. Short, members
of the board, came to Topeka today
for an interview with state officials.
Mrs. Short had been questioned Ea-
garding the trip. She had stated that
the Kansas board would be repre-
sented at the making of & new film
of the Pacific coast. Harris was dis
posed to deny the report.
Ibid you state that the board would
be represented" Mrs. Short was
asked.
Yes, said So" was the reply. "But
il you noticed 1 winked when 1 said
it."
Complications arose when some of
the state administration papers
jumped on the plan with both, feet.
This action followed approval of the
trip by Governor Allen.
Today Mrs. Short made clear she
had said that the board would go to
California. But she didn't go into de-
tails as to the exact meaning of that
wink. Anyway, it was such a shy lit
tie wink that some of the reporters
didn't see it.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08
DEATHLIST CROWS
Only. Twelve Identified Dead
From Wreck of, ALASKA"
Bodies of Seventeen Brought In
-Thirty-One Are Missing.
THREE ARE NAMED As HEROES
Captain, Stewardess and Chief
of Rescue Ship.
"AnyOx," at Great Peril, Saved
1876 Crew and Passengers.
HREE ARE NAMED As HEROES
Former Topekan Victim

Frank L. King. formerly Of Topeka.
was among those who lost their lives
when the steamer Alaska" went down
off the coast OF Oregon Sunday morning,
according to a wire received Sunday by
his brother. T. L. King, city passen-
ger agent of the Santa Fe in Topeka.
King left Topeka. twenty years ago and
has been a sea-faring man since that
time. He has been for a number of
years with the San Francisco and Port
land Steamship company. He was chief
steward on the Alaska" at the time she
went down. The vessel is thought to
have been off the coast from Eugene,
Oregon a spot long known to be dan
gerous for it's rocks.
M p. Neiswender, Route 5, a mer-
chant of Shorey, was one of the passen-
gers of the ill-fated steamer Alaska
who was rescued by the steam Anyox.
after the vessel had struck on Blunt's
Reef, California, Saturday night.
A telegram received by Mrs. Neis-
wender from Eureka, Calf, this morn
ing merely stated that her husband
was safe but had lost all baggage. Mr..
Neiswender had been touring Yellow
stone Park and was en- route to Los
Angeles. The telegram was the first In
timation Mrs. Neiswender had that Mr..
Neiswender was making the trip by
boat.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08
DEFEAT AT POLLS CAUSES SUIC
Oklahoman Beaten for Justice of the
Peace Cuts His Throat.

Pawhuska. Okla. Aug. S.-Despond-
ency over an election defeat. it was
declared today. was the cause of the
suicide of H. c. Brooks, justice OF the
peace at Newkirk, who yesterday
slashed his throat from ear to ear.
Brooks was the nominee for county
assessor in Kay county and was de-
feated at the last election by his
Democratic opponent. The defeat. it
was alleged. was the result of his par
ticipation in a kangaroo court" at
Ponca City last summer when promi-
nent citizens were hailed before him
and fined on charges of neglect about
automobile licenses.
The procedure was held to be illegal
in Pcnca City as his jurisdiction did
not cover that district. He had brood
ed over the defeat since the election
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08
Britain and France at Logger
heads When Council Meets.
Rhineland Penalties and Turk
War Chief Topics.
QUESTION is CONTESTED
Lloyd George In Hurry to Fin
ish the Business.
Ambassador Harvey VIII Rep
resent America at Table.

Paris, Aug. s.-with Great Britain
and France at loggerheads, the allied
supreme council met here today to
settle the Upper Silesian issue.
1t was expected the allied states
men also would discuss the advisable
ity of removing the Rhineland pen
alties. the Turko-Greek war in the
Near East, the fighting between the
Albanians and. the Serbians and the
Russian famine and plague-scourge.
America re-entered allied delibera-
tions, George Harvey. the American
ambassador to England taking his
seat at the council table as observer.
Ambassador Harvey conferred with
l'Premier Lloyd George during the
morning. Later the British premier
received a communication about the
Sim Fein request for the release of
John McKeown, a member of Dali
Eireann at Dublin, but had not replied
to it at noon.
Differ on All Questions.
There are divergent views between
Great Britain and France on practi-
cally alb OF the issues on the agenda.
France wants to send reinforcementS
! to Upper Silesia at once. Great Brit
ain holds that this is not necessary.
I
Rhfneland penalties and to Withdraw W
the allied troops from Dusseldorf and
ada cent territory. France is opposed.
France supports the Turkish Nation
| alists in the Near East. Great Britain
supports the Greeks.
| The meeting will last thruout the
week but Premier Lloyd George of
! England is anxious to wind the most
important business and then hold p
second meeting few weeks to COM
plete the details and take up second
ary matters.
Meet in Clock Room
The sessions will be held in the
great clock room of the foreign office
where the peace conference sat.
The first actual business on the
Ordep of the day was the presentation
of the agenda agreed upon by Premier
Lloyd George and Premier BRAND
The final details had been discussed
between the two on Sunday night
/ Then comes the question of sendine
| allied reinforcements to Upper Silesia
i This issue promises to bring about
| some stormy discussions with the Ital-
ians and the BIRTHS standing together
against the French. The French are
certain they will win and the predic-
tfon was made that the supreme coun-
Gil will have approved the sending OF
more troops within "a hours and thai
the French soldiers will be crossing
Germany towards Upper Silesia before
midnight tomorrow night.
U. S. To Keep On Inside.
Washington, Aug. s.-No meeting
of statesmen in Europe since the dis.
Continued on Page TwoI
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08
II Street Car Service Is Resumed
Fares May BE Cut.

Des Moines, Ia, Aug. S.-Whether
street car service is to be resumed In
Des Mofnes NAV be known tomorrow.
r. C. Chambers, general manager OF
the company and receiver for the
bondholders. IS expected to leave here
tonight for Chicago and present to A.
w. Harris. owner of the system, q
proposition which calls for putting the
cars into operation again with re-
duceds fare of seven cents Simultane-
ously. the busses which have replaced
the street cars. would be forced off
car line streets.
The busses claim to have esta blished
new record. Sunday. by carrying be-
tween $4,000 and 10000 persons. The
largest number of passengers carried
on any previous day since the cars
were taken off the streets was esti-
Gated at $1,000.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08
NOTES OF The FIRE

Colored firemen exhibited bravery
when the first steepIe of the church
fell. They were in charge of a hose
directly beneath the tower and not un-
til IT had toppled to a angle of As
degrees did they scamper to safety
and then the force of the fall was
broken by the trees. The second
steeple fell into the church ruins and
the firemen made no effort to escape.
Long before the flames had died
down Boy Scouts and church men,
hers We're into the church rescuing
dishes and Sunday school equipment.
The crowds walked right over the
floors covering the burning coal, burt
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08
THE LIST OF DEAD

The list of Unidentified or partially
identified bodies is as follows:
Passengers.
Thomas Johnston, Brooklyn N. Y.
E. Pickall, Hubbard. Ore.
A. w. Hutchins, Portland, Ore.
S. kumazawa, steerage passenger.
Crew.
Chief Stewart Charles Herne.
Stewart F. R. King.
- Frank Comm,
Ralph j. Mockett, seaman
- Larsen. engineer. Portland,
Deokhand, name unknown.
Waiter, name unknown.
Bell boy, believed named Baldwin,
of Oakland, Cal.
Eureka, Cal, Aug. S.-PasseDgers
and members of the crew of the
steamer Alaska were blown from the
decks of the vessel into the ocean
when the ships boiler exploded as
the Alaska started sinking after twice
hitting on Blunts Reef Saturday night,
survivors brought here said today.
Estimates of representatives of the
San Francisco & Portland Steamship
company here today checking the sur
vtvors placed the number OF dead be-
tween forty and forty-five. Figures
early today stood at forty-eight. but
they said they had found five or six
pSISOlIS iASLt0 dS HAlsbAIlS WIN WGAN
among the survivors.
The steamer Anyox today brought
166 survivors of the wreck to Eureka.
Seventeen dead were also brought
here, including three women and q
child. There were thirty-one others
missing and believed dead. Twelve OF
the dead. had been identified. The
list of missing may be changed for
lists of passengers and crew aboard
have not been verified.
The full story of the sinking of the
Alaska did not become known until
survivors had landed here 1t was
brought out the Alaska was proceed
ing toward San Francisco in a dense
fog when she struck a submerged
ledge of the reef This shock was al
most Instantly followed by another as
the vessel struck an outcropping OF
reef above water.
Reseuers Faced Peril.
The Alaska struck the reef shortly
after 9 o'clock. Immediately wireless
distress signals were flashed. Five
miles away the steamer Anyox OF Van
couver. B. c.. picked them up and dis
regarding fog and hanger of striking
the same rocks, as the Alaska, put on
full speed to the wreck.
At $3.50 O'Clock the Anyox received
the Alaska's final message: I'VE are
sinking by the head"
BEFORE the AnyOx couid Iedch INV
stricken vessel, the latter had sunk.
In the fog the Anyox came upon a
lifeboat with survivors from the
Alaska. The boat was partially filled
with sea water and oily scum The
oil, survivors said, had been thrown
over them and in their boat by the
explosion of the boilers which wrecked
the Alaska amidships.
Three Are Heroes.
10 oh -fio1fm
of the disaster are the names Of three
| Capt Harry Hobbey. of the Alaska; !;
Mrs. Grace Campbell. stewardess OF
[ -- Con lined IN Page Elxel
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08
Note to Mexico Is Denied.

Washington, Aug. 8.-Reports print
ed in Mexico City newspapers that a
new American note had been handed
to President Obregon by George T.
Summerlin, the American charge, are
inaccurate. 1t was officially denied at
the state department today that any
new communication had been sent to
Mexico City.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08
CHINA ACCEPTS U. S. DATE.
Japan's Agreement to Disarmament
for NOxemher II Believed on Way.

Washington, Aug. S.-China official
ly notified the United States today that
November IL is an agreeable date on
which to assemble the international
conference on disarmament and Far
Eastern problems.
Japan's official acceptance had not
been received at the department as
yet, but it is believed to be en- route.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08
AND TELLEGEN SILENT
Attorneys for Stage and Grand Opera
Stars Jockey for Position.

New York, Aug. s.-Jockeying for
position in the Lou Tellegeu-
Farrar separation suit continued with
both principals silent today and the
lawyers for both parties waiting for
the other side to make the first move
At the office of the attorney for
Tellegen it was stated today that, bar
ring surprises by Geraldine's attor-
neys, papers in a suit for separation
would be filed Wednesday. Tellegen's
side, however, expected some move
from the opposition before then.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08
DEATH OF W. ]. STRODEL
Former Assistant Document Clerk OF
House Dies at Bunker Hill.

Rev. John A. Bright. chaplain of
the house of representatives. today re-
ceived e. telegram announcing the
death of William J. StrobeI. of Bunker
HILL Kan, who was assistant docu-
ment clerk of the house during the
legislative sessions of 1915 and 1917.
Strobel was an Odd Fellow and a
Mason. Reverend Bright left this af-
ternoon for Bunker Hill to conduct the
funeral services which will be held
Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08
FIRST M. {. CHURCH IS
DESTROYED BY FIRE
Loss of 5OOOO on One of States Largest Ed6ces-
Blaze Started From Spontaneous Combustion in Winter
Coal SuppIy-Spectacular Fall of Burning Steeples.
BOIL CITY WATER NOW!
Fire Pressure In Mains Stirs Up Sand
Harrison Pumps Used.

The city issued a warning at 10
o. clock this morning to all persons US
ing water that for drinking purposes
the water will be unfit for at least two
days. Twenty-one lines of hose were
used on the fire at the First Metho-
dist church and the Harrison street
wells were pressed into emergency
service. A pressure of 100 pounds
was maintained thruout the morning.
up the sand in the mains and
making the water unfit for drinking
purposes.
BOIL the water for drinking" is the
warning.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08
MISS ROBERTSON APPOINTED
VIII Be Official Reporter for Indus
trial Court.

Announcement was made today of
the appointment of Miss Edith Rob-
ertson as official reporter for the court
Of Industrial relations She had for
merly been a reporter for the public
utilities commission.
Miss Robertson will be succeeded by
Mrs. Cora Johnson, formerly law re-
porter for the commission. Mrs. Well
man will succeed Mrs. johnson.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08

Burning shingles and debris sprin-
kled the roofs of houses and the Uni
versity club across Sixth avenue and
property owners were out with gar
den hoses dampening their roofs.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08

The children Of the Sunday school
brought hundreds of articles they had
made for the Free Fair to church
Sunday. The many hours work were
lost in the flames.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08
SUMMER RESORT WEATHER

Near summer resort weather, with
clear skies, are on the list for Topeka
during the next twenty-four hours.
according to S. D. Flora. meteorolo-
gist of the local weather bureau. No
rain is expected and low mark of IS
degrees tonight will make sleeping
comfortable again.
The high mark in Topeka during
the last twenty-four hours was 50 de-
grees at 5 o'clock Sunday afternoon
and the low mark 60 degrees at s
o'clock this morning. The highest in
the state was 96 at Goodland and the
lowest So at Anthony Hanover, Gar
den City and Scott City. Phoenix.
CONTINUED on Page Two.l
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08

Street car service was blocked near
ly all morning on the West Sixth,
Gage Park and State Hospital lines.
Fire lines were strung across Sixth,
Harrison and Topeka boulevard.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08

The crowds were under control
while the steeples were burning but
after they had fallen. it was an effort
on the part of the police to maintain
their lines.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08

they seemed to be spurred on by the
presence of the firemen within the
building.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08

Members of the church board were
out early rushing thru the smoke
filled building attempting to save rec
ords and equipment. The records and
music were saved.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08

Topekans did not know there were
so many boudoir caps in existence.
Shortly after the first general alarm
motor loads of persons from all sec
tions OF the city rushed to the fire.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08

for miles around Topeka. Residents
from surrounding towns and suburbs
called The State Journal for many
hours today seeking information con-
cerning the fire.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08

For some time after the fire was
discovered it was not considered seri-
Gus by onlookers The smoke from
the coal in the basement seemed to be
the only trouble and it was thought
that the streams of water soon would
control the fire. When the gases ex-
ploded within the church-all in the
space of a few seconds-it was seen
that nothing could save the edifice.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08

Four firemen narrowly escaped
serious injury this morning at the out
break of the fire when gasses from
the coal exploded, knocking them from
a window One man weighing 200
pounds, was thrown across the alley
bodily and only suffered a sprain about
the ankle and limb.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08
Church Knew of SmOuIdering
But Didn't Send Alarm.
Chief HanIOn Says He Was Not
Notified of Danger.
FOUR fIREMEN ARE INJURED
Chief Also Overcome by Smoke,
But Stuck to Post.
Pipe Organ, Valued at $4,000,
Wrecked by Big Blaze.

Walls and Part of Sunday
School Room, Only Remains.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08

Both church and Sunday school
services will be held next Sunday, as
the church official board will not al
low the fire to interfere with the rou-
tine of the church. it is announced
by John V. Abrahams. superinten-
dent of the Sunday school. The Of
ficial board neld an informal meeting
at the Chamber of Commerce at noon
today to make plans necessitated by
the fire. Members of the official
board present at the meeting were;
John Kinkel. James Troutman, j. P.
Slaughter, E. H. Anderson, c. G.
Blakely. ]. G. Strickler. E. F. Keeler,
J. P. Davis and c. E. Bascom-
you can announce that we most
certainly are going to have church
services and Sunday school services
next Sunday" Abrahams said.
The place of meeting has not been
decided upon. The. Orphenm .theater,
Grace cathedral and the First Chris
tian church have been offered as
meeting places. The official board is
considering the use of the city audi
torium If it cam be secured.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08

The pipe organ fell thru into the
basement at 10:45 o'clock this morn
ing. 1t is a total wreck.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08

The men of the University club,
across Sixth avenue north of the
organized a garden hose bri-
gade this morning and extinguished
several little blazes that had started
on the porches of the club house.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08

Street cars were forced to discontinue
service on West Sixth, Gage Park and
State Hospital lines because of the
hose lines of the fire department
across the tracks. A traffic police
man was necessary at Sixth. and Har-
rison streets TO manage the thronging
motor cars full of persons witnessing
the fire.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08

Contiued on Page Five.J
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08
Three Are Heroes

Written brightest in the high-lights
of the disaster are the names of three
Capt Harry Hobbey, of the Alaska !;
Mrs. Grace Campbell. stewardess OF
(sonffued IN Page Ffyel
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08

The loss of the memorial windows
is a staggering blow to the church
and to the many families who have
donated them. 1t brings to mind the
need of some sort of hinged fastener
that would make it possible for fire
men to remove such valuable windows
in event of a fire in a church edifice.
Many windows were broken by the
fire and the water pressure that could
have been saved if they had been re-
movable.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08

It is estimated that there isn't
church in Topeka that is insured for
more than three eighths of its value.
Churches with heating plants at
tached apparently have been negligent
in this precaution.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08

I'VE could have saved hundreds of
dollars of additional equipment if on
lockers would consent to help u.s." a
member of the church board said this
The average spectator at a
fire isn't anxious to risk his life and
his clothing in this manner.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08

Women who have been in charge
of church affairs for several years in
an effort to remove the Indebtedness
of building and equipment watched
the fire in tears this morning. The
lack of sufficient insurance to cover
the losses was a distinct blow to the
workers, who have spent so much
time. energy and money.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-08

All of the church records were
saved from the fire. Miss Grace
wolfe, office secretary for Doctor
Kulp, attempted to get into the burn
ing building to get the records, but
was prevented from entering by the
firemen. She directed the firemen
and managed to save all the valuable
documents. Ralph McEntire rescued
the Sunday school records before the
fire had swallowed up the Sunday
school room.