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Newspaper
Topeka State Journal
Location
Topeka, Kansas, United States of America
Date
Feb 23, 1897
Page
3
Two boys exploring a brick nook near a law office found a tin cylinder about three inches long with a short fuse. An explosion occurred when one boy struck a match against the fuse, injuring Ira Baloonover and severing a finger. The blast scattered metal fragments and wrecked nearby property as rescuers rushed to aid victims.
In Benedict a robbery at Sprague’s general store led to a siege at the depot. Three men fled but were pursued. Elliott and Morris resisted as officers moved in. Morris was wounded, losing an eye, during the confrontation while one suspect was later captured and jailed.
The large frame house of William Kemble on the east side of the short road at Mound Valley burned between nine and ten Wednesday night. Firefighters saved little. contents valued at about 300 dollars and 340 dollars in furniture. A $500 greenback bid by Kemble from cafe help is noted. Building and furniture valued around 300 dollars.
The passage recalls a February day in Atchi son where John J. Ingalls walked with a companion and an observer notes the weather as unusually calm for him. A woman asks about the weather, prompting a terse reply about its typical conditions.
Atchison's three elevators operated Sunday for the first time, with coal and grain firms reporting heavy business. The Santa Fe elevator run by the Ateh-Jean Grain Co. shipped 30 to 40 cars daily to Mexico, while Greenient & Maker and Washer also shipped many cars to Hogland.
Fourteen years earlier George W. Wilson then agent at Downs and Central Branch at Lenora faced a Lenora man at cards. Ayres, playing cards, won steadily while Wilson left a safe open leading to a later arrest following the Lenora incident.
A dispute over a substantial sum tied to Ayres and Ayres wins. Ayres fled the country amid a confrontation with Wilson. Wilson later saw Ayres arrested in Downs after returning for his father’s funeral. Ayres posted bond for appearance. Callison water removal threats spark town water concerns.
A digest of Kansas town items reports bank mortgage drama near Monrovia, duck hunting observations at Leavenworth, a burglary at Pratt Peak’s drugstore, and legal cases in Abilene, Atchison, Dodge City, and Fort Scott. Notable names include Joe Blwerner, A W Long, Trewin and Walker Long, Daisy Burbee, Jennie A John.
Word reaches here of a fatal snow slide in the Montezuma district believed to have buried William Conway and eleven jacks. Conway was last seen loading a pack train from Campbell and Cra Nam line on Col Ler mountain. a search party found them overwhelmed. About 14 miles from Dilton the slide buried the area and roughly 20 men work to rescue or recover.
A promotional claim states preserving hair preserves youth. Ayer’s Hair Vigor is advertised to prevent hair loss restore normal color or reactivate faded gray hair and keep a woman looking younger.
A grand Topeka railway ball jointly organized by the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen drew over 500 attendees. The event featured a locomotive bell, festive decorations, and a two a.m. finish after a program of dances led by Clarence Hopes and Mrs Ed Gunselly, with many out of town visitors and notable local and Argentine guests in attendance.
Denver February 23 J Frey 18 general manager of a great transcontinental railway system visits Brown and Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe official. He tours Knnsee registration and asserts loyalty to the Santa Fe empire and its advertising role in Western commercial improvement.
A railroad official touts Kansas strength, noting increased wealth and investments across the state. He highlights rising prosperity in New Mexico and Arizona, robust through freight to Guaymas, and a busy winter in California travel. The Chicago to Kansas City extension gains, with 150 miles of new steel and frequent fast service, as recovery from prior downturn continues.
Superintendent W A Gerreut reports a remarkable Wabash railroad record at Moberly Missouri on February 8. The wrecking crew assembled, notified, and composed the wrecking train within 21 minutes of the dispatch order. The roundhouse, foreman, crew, and engine joined the operation quickly and the train departed for the wreck site shortly after 10 a.m.
Capt P Tt Smit, promoter of the Deming Pacific Southwestern railroad, reports secured Chicago and New York capital to begin construction from Guaymas north in six weeks. Iron rails to be used, with work to start from Deming southward by May. The line will pass through the Bols or Bletra Madre range, promising a southern link.
Fort Collins Colorado February 21 A Denver passenger train bound from Loveland plowed through a flock of birds near the Readlight causing many to be killed. The engine and tender were damaged and fell behind as the train continued to Haswell then to Port Collins. February 23 reports say a western run will be altered after March 4 with waterworks work influencing repairs at the round house.
Snowy morning brings thirteen crowds of fee to Arkansas City for Santa Fe ice. The station reports ten inches thick and crystal clear ice, best seen here. The ice plant holds 40 tons, while the old house carries 400 tons and the Santa Fe has 1 20 tons on hand.
The ballot recount in the Dowells county Biggs-Stuart contest shows Biggs gaining 6 votes in Douglas county while Smart leads overall with a 36 vote district majority. The process was conducted by the contest committee to certify figures and indicate election outcome.
In Washington on March 4 1897 the Santa Fe Route promotes its Home road tickets for a round trip priced 2925 with sale dates March 1 and 2 and good for return March 10 Mineral Water advertised The Snest in the west and Liver complaints allegedly cured by Brechan's Pills by W Phillips 62 W Pickin Ave The Paiges TN "Caste" tonight
Populist senate caucus to meet tonight to decide on the Harris railroad bill and a possible change to the maximum freight rate statute. Some members favor the old bill while others push a more radical approach, with senators Mouseholder and King leading opposition and Harris supported by a majority. The outcome hinges on tonight’s caucus vote and potential replacement by a committee bill.
The Grain Inspector Bill eliminates inspector appointments by boards of trade in Kansas, creating a state grain inspection department. The governor appoints the chief inspector, with a $2000 salary, and stipulates monthly pay for assistants and weigh masters. The chief inspector sets Kansas grades, fixes sampling and weighing fees, and must provide a $10,000 bond. penalties include misdemeanor charges and fines for neglect or bribery. An arbitration board of grain men will hear disputes over inspections with final decisions.
The house passed the judiciary committee’s bill setting filing periods for civil suits. Actions on written contracts within five years, nonwritten contracts within three, real property trespass within three, personal property harm including fraud within five, libel slander and similar within one year, and official bonds or injunctions within five years. The measure also notes penalties for failing to match time limits and allows five years for unspecified relief actions.
The Senate and Secretary of State back a $2.30 per copy purchase of Judge Webb’s General Statutes two volumes to equip public offices across counties. Aimed to cover all needs, 4007 to 5000 copies of the 1897 session laws are deemed sufficient, with Senator Well ing pushing to reduce the stock from 6000 to 5000 while the bill advances.
The Senate passed Lewelling's bill providing for the $11,420 collected from fire insurance companies to be distributed among state departments. Allocation depends on years continuous funds and adequacy of department accounts, with only those showing substantial need included. The funds will be placed into the relief fund as a result.
A committee appointed to revise the senate calendar presented a report this morning. Appropriation bills for state institutions head the general orders, with Mallraad telegraph and Stockyard measures following. A law authorizing 513,006 10 to be used by Judge Webb for compiling and delivering the General Statutes to the Secretary of State by November 1, 1597, was approved.
A Kansas debate centers on a measure requiring wages to be paid in lawful money of the United States. Proponents claim the bill ends the “company store” practice under corporate control. Speaker Wetlep and others travel to Salina for the A. D. UL. W. grand lodge meetings before returning to Topeka.
Mrs. Salvini, widow of actor Salvini who died in Florence on December 1, has arrived in New York aboard the American Line and stays at the Hoffman House. She was Mand Dixes before marriage. The death upsets plans to perform Romeo and Juliet and other romantic plays in America this season.
The Adriatic arriving from Liverpool under Captain Sneden faced a dire crossing with 48 cabin and 95 steerage passengers among nearly 400 aboard. A gale damaged cargo and engines for six hours, forcing crew to reel from danger before moonlight repairs allowed a safe approach to New York.
At a Colonial club dinner in New York on February 22 General Woodford denounced political spoils and urged defeating Tammeny while criticizing a crime linked to Gultan. A chaotic scene followed as Col. Wittarm L. Brown and others shouted, Woodford refused to sit, and his remarks were largely drowned by noise. Commodore Hicard spoke briefly before leaving as the disruption persisted.
The Jenkins divorce suit reveals allegations of long estrangement and threats. Mrs Jenkin claims coercive influence and neglect while describing a tense living situation and protective actions by authorities. The husband, W. H. Jenkinx, ends ties with local affairs as a registrar candidate contemplates histories.
Reports say R A Minckwite may succeed Principal Buchanan of Central High School in Kansas City Kansas. The probate successor would be selected from among teachers and board members with candidates named including Aline Wits and Professor Hermanne of Denver. Uncertainty remains as the board contemplates the vacancy and potential interim arrangements until a permanent appointee is named.
Unclear text references a March event on March 1 with a home road match and pricing. Names Vickers and Grefore appear with a $2.25 round trip. Details are fragmentary about dates, locations, and participants.
Fragmentary OCR note reports a local dispute or event labeled as a bout involving Howsenoi and hatata oats in Erie with unclear context on participants or outcome. No clear dates, organizations, or place details are readable.
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