Newspaper Items

KIDNAPPED A KANSAS GIRL

A 5-Year-Old Adopted Child Stolen at a Revolver's Point Near Lebo

Lebo, Kas., July 11 --- A man giving his name as J. H. McClain went to the house of N. S. Fewqua, twelve miles northwest of here, yesterday afternoon, and at the point of a revolver took possession of their 5-year-old adopted daughter, Violet. The kidnapper drove a small white horse to a road wagon, was about six feet tall, of light complexion, with a heavy mustache, had a broken nose and wore gray clothes. The little girl wore a red calico dress. The sheriffs of Coffey and Lyon counties are following him east. A reward has been offered for his capture.

Mrs. Fuqua and Peter Oakley were at the house when the child was taken. She was adopted from the Home Seekers' society of Topeka eighteen months ago. Her mother is not known. The kidnapper claims to be her father.
(Kansas City Star ~ July 11, 1899)

The Doctor Killed Him

Prominent Kansas Physician Attacked by a Coal Miner

Emporia, Kas., Dec. 29---Word reached here tonight from Arvonia of the fatal shooting of William Blake, a coal miner, by Dr. Mullen, a prominent physician of Lebo, a small town a few miles east of here. Blake had been drinking and, picking a quarrel with the Doctor, attacked him with a knife and club. The latter retreated as far as possible, then turned and shot at Blake five times, each ball hitting him. He fell dead. No attempt has so far been made to arrest the doctor.
(St. Louis Republic ~ December 30, 1894)

KANSAS BANK IS ROBBED

BURLINGTON, Kan., May 2----Three men robbed the Citizens State Bank of Gridley, fourteen miles southwest of here, Friday and escaped with about $2,000 after two of their number had locked bank employes in the vault.
(Dallas Morning News ~ May 3, 1930)

MOTOR CAR FLYWHEEL KILLS

Piece of Metal Penetrated Head of a Kansas Man

BURLINGTON, KAN., Jan. 1---Emil E. Cartwright, proprietor of the Ozark Trail garage here, was killed yesterday afternoon when a piece of metal from the flywheel of his motor car flew off. It entered his right eye, fracturing the skull at the back of the head. He had put in a new carbureter and while adjusting it was racing the engine, when the accident occurred. He was umarried. (Kansas City Star ~ January 1, 1917)

SUICIDE BY LAUDANUM (WILLIAM H. BEAR)

Judge Bear of Burlington, Kan., Takes His Own Life

Burlington, Kan., Sept. 2 – William H. Bear of this city committed suicide yesterday by taking a large dose of laudanum. He had carefully written instructions and statements and letters to friends and relatives. Continued ill health and financial troubles were the causes. During the past twenty years Mr. Bear had been six times elected and once appointed register of deeds and three times elected probate judge of this, Coffey, county. He leaves a wife and one child. (The Guthrie Daily Leader; Guthrie, Oklahoma; September 3, 1893 - Transcribed as written by D. Donlon)