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POPS OUTDONE - Stanley Has the Biggest Rally of the Campaign at Parsons
Parsons, Kan., Oct. 31 - The Republicans held the largest and most enthusiastic meeting of the campaign in this
city tonight, with W. E. Stanley and R. B. Welch as speakers. No candidate for Governor of Kansas ever received
a more royal welcome than that accorded to Stanley. Special trains from Chetopa, Oswego and Mound valley, accompanied
by brass bands, were run, and over a thousand people came to see and hear the next Governor. Two hours before the
arrival of the special trains the opera house was packed to its utmost capacity, and when those from abroad reached
the city they were unable to hear Stanley, but on the principal street corners meetings were held and addressed
by local speakers. Not excepting the memorable campaign of two years ago has such an outpouring of people invaded
Parsons on a political mission.
As compared with the free silver rally of Saturday conservative men of all parties frankly admit that the rally
of tonight eclipsed that of the Populists. Put Labette county in the Stanley column. (The Kansas Semi-Weekly Capital,
November 1, 1898, page 1)
EX-POSTMASTER ARRESTED - F. W. Frye of Parsons Charged With Making False
Returns
Fort Scott, Kan., April 26 - Frank W. Frye, ex-postmaster of Parsons, Kan., under Cleveland and at present,
editor of the Parsons Palladium, was arrested and brought here yesterday on a federal warrant, charged with making
fraudulent returns to the postal department. His case is a novel one as it is alleged he reported the business
done at his office in excess of what it really was in order to keep his salary up to that of the preceding year.
The arrest was kept secret, but leaked out this evening. His trial will be held Thursday. (The Kansas Semi-Weekly
Capital, April 29, 1898, page 3)
CHARGED WITH ARSON - Parsons Man Said to Have Set Fire to His Own Home
Parsons, Kan., Dec. 13 - The home of J. H. P. Tarr, on the corner of Fifteenth street and Partridge avenue,
caught fire at 7 o'clock last evening during the absence of the family. The fire was discovered by neighbors who
turned in an alarm but before the fire company reached the house the fire was extinguished. The damage was very
slight.
After the arrival of the fire department an investigation was made to ascertain the cause of the fire and it was
found that the interior of the house smelt of coal oil. A further investigation led to the discovery that oil had
been sprinkled over the carpets and wood work of the house and that the doors and windows were locked and bolted.
Chief H. F. Hall of the fire department who personally conducted the investigation, was so positive that an attempt
had been made at arson that he swore out a state's warrant against J. H. P. Tarr, charging him with an attempt
to burn his own house. Tarr was arrested last last night and is now an inmate of the calaboose.
Tarr is an old citizen, having resided in his present quarters for many years and has always borne a good name
among his neighbors and acquaintances, who will regret to hear of the grave charge with which he stands accuse.
Tarr denies the charge and will fight in the court to clear his good name Chief Hall, in speaking of the mater,
said that he was positive that, he could sustain the charges against Tarr; that the whole interior of the house
showed that an attempt had been made to burn the property. The coal oil, he said, could not have been accidentally
spilled, for it was all over the room in which the fire organized.
Whether the house was heavily insured could not be learned. (The Kansas Semi-Weekly Capital, December 14, 1897,
page 7)
BIG VERDICT FOR DAMAGES - Parsons Man Awarded $25,000 Against Railroads
Parsons, Kan., May 29 - Probably the largest verdict ever rendered in the state of Kansas against a railroad
company for personal injuries was that given to L. T. Merrill in the court of common pleas at Kansas City, Kan.,
Friday against the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroad companies for $25,490. At a former trial the plaintiff
was awarded $20,800, but the case was reversed by the higher court upon an error. The jury Friday decided that
Merrill was entitled to nearly $5,000 more than was first given him.
Merrill was employed as a switchman when he fell between the cars while crossing the Chicago, Great Western over
Jersey creek bridge and had his legs crushed off at the knees. After being run over the man clung to the trestle-work
of the bridge and saved himself from falling into the river until the train had passed, when he drew himself up
and waited for the other trainmen to come to his assistance. Suit was brought against the two companies because,
it was claimed, both of them were responsible for the condition of the car that plaintiff was injured on. (The
Kansas Semi-Weekly Capital, June 1, 1900, page 3)
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