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Newspaper
Topeka State Journal
Location
Topeka, Kansas, United States of America
Date
Jul 28, 1897
Page
3
A fragmented report describes Grace Allen traveling from Fredonia to Chandler to visit Miss Eckes and her mother, leading to a poisoning case. The text recounts alleged romance with W. Ch. Smith, schooling history, and efforts by clergy and police to curb saloon influence amid a looming public response and upcoming trial.
Kansas City Kansas churches mobilize in July to confront the liquor industry as a religious war debate intensifies among Protestant and Catholic congregations. Clergy fear secret meetings and vow to defend moral standards, while authorities brace for public scrutiny and potential resignations amid a citywide crusade.
A Kansas City gathering of wholesale and retail grocers from Atchison to Independence discussed equitable freight rate adjustments. Spearheaded by W M Todt of Leavenworth, the group sought impartial railroad reforms after blanket rate changes July first by Missouri Pacific and Union Pacific, with Santa Fe and Rock Island opposing discounts. Todt noted plans to appoint committees to negotiate with railroads.
Sheriff Prange plans to rearrest Willie Sell in Lansing if Governor Leedy denies clemency. Reports say Leedy may act soon on the case. Sell, charged with murder of his family, faces renewed arrest for his sister Inez’s death if pardon is refused. Local chatter centers on new evidence and missing pants at the time of the crime.
About twenty years ago John W. Birsell vanished after a trip down the Mississippi River. Claimed to be drowned, his wife and community mourned him as dead, while rumors or later reports suggest he may have deserted his family and resurfaced in Leavenworth.
A widow's pension claim fails after three years when her husband is found alive at Leavenworth. The tale shifts to a government note asserting Prof Carleton remains at Kansas State Agricultural College and that department work with cereals and corn diseases continues in cooperation with the college.
July news reports a church clash after a trial by the justices where young Methodist members allegedly bought and drank beer at a Joint. Rev Woodward sharply attacked a sound man and a Congregation member over abstentions and an engagement, urging the woman to break off. The minister warned of trouble upon the man’s return.
Miss Constance Ingalls daughter of ex Senator John J Ingalls demonstrates electric street car operation on Main Street Atchison to prove feasibility. She secured a permit from Superintendent Bender and ran a mile long Main Street route amid busy traffic, earning generous praise from friends for her motorman work.
Pittsburg officials issued an order to remove gambling slot machines not tied to value received, targeting all chance-based devices. Despite pressure from cigar dealers and machine sellers, many shops already display or use slots, with some reportedly hosting money games as authorities tighten enforcement.
Judge McDonald remains serene after a two day trial in Girard. Fr. Scott and a Crawford County bar committee charged Judge McDonald with unprofessional conduct for allegedly compromising a mining explosion damages case without knowledge or consent. June Mill, associate counsel, and W T Cogenwell led the prosecution amid a tumultuous local political backdrop.
Wichita July 28. Miss Florence Buckeridge rode 32 miles on country hills in under three hours, a record for long distance endurance. The ride occurred between 6 and 9 am on a rough road, with hills and few straightaways.
Milburn Theatres little Ola was bitten on the ankle by a copperhead snake as she stepped on it. The city of Newton suffers water shortages with the dam out and fire protection at risk. An engine collapsed a bridge near Atchison injuring Henry Schrader. Brookville plans a public picnic on August 18 led by Woodmen. County commissioners pay bounties for 263 wolf scalps. Phillipsburg builds a creamery from a skimming station. Downs hosts its annual celebration with record rail excursions. Kansans head to Alaska fields and local health and crime notes close the round.
ROM KANSAS TOWNS. Pittsburg Henry Cresson shot firer smothered to death at Kink wood mine No 2 last night. His body found between 1 and 2 o'clock. ABILENE family of undersheriff J P Hutchinson harmed by cramps and vomiting Monday, likely from contaminated canned supper. improving today. NEWTON Joe Pennington, charged with holding up Jake Claasen at Walton, captured at Emporia. Clausen's watch and chain found on him. preliminary trial held. LARNED Joan Tevard, son of W A Bevard, shot arm near off while chanting. drove miles home with bleeding remains. recovery doubtful. WRELLINGTON board of high school trustees elect T W Butcher principal, E J Kelly math, Maude Price English and drawing. WELLINGTON Sumner county Republican convention nominates Shoritt, Dan Holliday for county offices. non-partisan high school trustees endorsed for reelection.
Washington July 25 The tariff act pamphlet runs seventy pages for circulation. House members receive 25 000 copies while senators get 10 000 and the senate finance committee 15 000, totaling 50 000 copies to be distributed by Congress. Charles Wolff Topeka packer lands big contract for all buttons and streamers for state institutions.
A new fast Santa Fe service reduces the Chicago to Kansas City run from about 44.5 hours to 11 hours 39 minutes, carrying mail and passengers and overtaking the California-bound line at Kansas City. The Lone Star Line trims Galveston Bates to Kansas City schedules as workers exceed five thousand on the Mexican railroad project. W R Rich of Minneapolis, on the steamer Ching Tromi, returns from China after scouting the Peking Hankow route with cost estimates and notes construction challenges amid rivers and hills.
Atchison July 28 The Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe reports a survey near the east approach of the Atchison bridge to reestablish two miles of track on a right of way challenged after the Missouri river changed course The Santa Fe may ask an injunction to protect its use of the Burlington track between Atchison and Rushville with a two year rental in place The Burlington claims prior right to the old Santa Fe right of way and opposition to the new construction continues
Col J M Hampson, president of the Mexico Cuernavaca and Pacific railroad, has returned to report on progress. Construction is rapidly advancing and the road is expected to be completed and in operation to this city within ten weeks. About 3,000 workers are at various camps. The line aims to be the first transcontinental railroad in Mexico north of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, with the Pacific terminus at the Port of Acapulco.
The Galveston rate war heats up as Lone Star issues a new tariff meeting Mallory cuts with 1 cent class to Galveston 7 cents fourth class and lower class rates. The Texas rate lines committee will report to the Southwestern Association in St Louis. Also the Santa Fe adopts Brown system of discipline to take effect August 1 under General Superintendent Mudge.
The arcanes give two porch concerts tonight starting at 9 at Mrs Katharine Hughes 516 Harrison Street and at Mayor Chas A Fellows Lincoln between Seventh and Eighth. Next Wednesday two more will be at P J Bonebrake and ALB Woolverton residences. The Modocs stage these events for residents enjoyment and entertainment as they move between locations.
Hall of Wilson county had four years trimmed from a ten year term by Governor Leedy after a penitentiary fire incident. Sentenced in 1891 for assault with intent to kill, Hall’s term was reduced to June 1, 1844 as a reward for bravery in extinguishing the blaze. The governor cited courageous conduct to encourage other prisoners.
Dave Leahy of the Kaness City Times writes a fanciful tale claiming Topeka’s Fall Festival will crown Queen Mary Lease. Mayor Fellows and the festival committee deny any offer or intention to appoint her queen. Local papers credit the ad with drawing attention to the event.
Richmond editor expresses little sympathy for inviting the Grand Army of the Republic to hold its encampment in Richmond in 1898. The Times argues the invitation appears insincere and notes potential sectional implications and business considerations without asserting a firm plan.
Congressman Curtis says Case Broderick and W. J. Halley will run in the new district. He praises Broderick’s record and plans a district trip next week to assess ground. Curtis notes Batley is a gentleman and expects a hard battle if anyone defeats him.
Washington reports Britain has taken possession of Palmyra Island, a small Pacific isle about 1,000 miles southwest of Hawaii, listed as a dependency of the Hawaiian group. Official notice reached the state department, with London noting the island has been British since 1853 and linked to a recent visit by H M S Wild Swan.
The Pittsburg discussion clarifies that the gathering is not to end the strike or fix mining prices. The second day ran late as progress staggers toward a plan of uniformity, with final settlement still to be resolved by arbitration if an agreement is reached.
Tomorrow morning around 7 o'clock an annular solar eclipse will briefly darken part of the sun. A dark body will appear within the sun's disk with bright sunlight forming a bordered halo. It will vanish by around 9720 and needs a strong telescope or glass to observe clearly.
The article notes a hot wave with 87 degrees recorded on Kansas Avenue at 2 90 o clock and a zero degree reading on the CalumMan building. Weather Observer Jennings forecasts possible showers tonight with little change in temperature tomorrow. The minimum last night was 10 degrees.
The document appears to be a sworn affidavit or statement related to Central National Bank of Topeka Kansas. It references demand certificates, checks, and bonds with names and signatures including KUWIN KNOWLES and CANNING. The form includes a notary location in Shawnee County and a commission expiry date, with several illegible sections from OCR.
Washington July 2 President McKinley signed an amendment to the civil service rules extending competitive examination requirements to more positions. The changes affect head of department appointees and staff in customs houses and classification offices, with protections for applicants and a shift to include more employees under classified service.
July 16 marks a preliminary trial day for Mine Grace Allen a Kansas schoolteacher accused of attempt to poison rival Miss Rieke. The courtroom at Chandler is crowded with sympathetic onlookers as testimony focuses on powders found in Allen's Satahat said to contain traces of poison but in tiny amounts.
The president announced several posts across states including Glen Miller named marshal for the Utah district. Other appointments cover Cork Ireland consul Daniel Swiney of Ohio, New York poet Thomas Fitchie, Arizona Indian agent Charles McNiciwls, and Alaska federal roles for John W. Dudes and Charles Johnson.
President Mokhin Tey departed Washington for a vacation likely extending eight weeks. He travels with Secretary Mukinlay, Mrs. Algere, Mr. Porter, Assistant Private Secretary Pruden, and Executive Clerk Cortelyau. The White House steward and a maid accompany, while Mrs. Porter and her children join the party in Jersey City.
Cheyenne Wyoming reports that a Washington notice directed Colonel Randall of the Eighth Infantry to suspend the Alaska expedition. The dispatch notes supplies required for the venture are not on hand and portions of the mapped region previously explored are said to be freeing up under harsh conditions.
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