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SEDGWICK COUNTY, KANSAS

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DOZEN TO TESTIFY AT INQUEST CALLED IN WOMAN'S DEATH

Miss Letha Howell is Dead of Gunshot Wound suffered on March 30

PUSH INVESTIGATION

A dozen witnesses will be subpoenaed to appear Friday afternoon when Dr. L. E. Knapp, coroner, holds an inquest into the death of Miss Letha Howell, Federal Land bank employee, it was said Wednesday afternoon by Grey Dresie, deputy county attorney.

Miss Howell died yesterday in a local hospital from a gunshot wound in the head.

Officers, called to a camp cabin at 6140 Legion on the evening of March 30, learned that Miss Howell had been found in a cabin there with the bullet through her head, fragment of the slug in her brain. A .22 caliber rifle was beside the bed upon which she was lying.

Sheriff Al Bertrand said Miss Howell had gone to the cabin with Doss Loyd, who told officers he was in the yard when the shot was fired.

Dresie and Deputy Sheriff Ralph DeWitt worked on the case Wednesday afternoon.

Dresie said he expected to subpoena Loyd, Mr. and Mrs. Pete Reiff who live near the cabin, physicians who attended Miss Howell, Sheriff Bertrand, Deputy Sheriffs DeWitt, Ernie Johnson, Sam Heiderbrecht and Lou Leibrand, Earle Morris, head of the sheriff's identification bureau, and any other person knowing about the case.

"I do not know whether or not we will call Miss Howell's mother," Dresie said.

Funeral services for Miss Howell will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Gill mortuary. The body will be placed in the Old Mission mausoleum.
(Wichita Eagle ~ Thursday ~ April 25, 1940 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)

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HOLD INQUEST TODAY

Coroner's Jury to View Body of Letha Howell at Gill's Today

Deputies for Sheriff Al Bertrand said last night they had secured service on all witnesses wanted by Dr. L. E. Knapp, coroner, for an inquest to be held this afternoon into the death of Letha Howell.

The young woman was found lying on a bed in a cabin on Legion, north of the city, three weeks ago with a gunshot wound in the head. She died Wednesday.

Among those subpoenaed were Dos Loyd, who allegedly went to the cabin with the girl; Estella Howell, the girls' mother; Dr. Sherburne McLeod, attending physician; Mr. and Mrs. Pete Reiff, Sheriff Bertrand and numerous officers.

The jury will view the body at the Gill mortuary at 1:45 p.m.

Funeral services for Miss Howell will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Gill chapel. Burial will be in Old Mission mausoleum.
(Wichita Eagle ~ Friday ~ April 26, 1940 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)

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MISS LETHA HOWELL, SHOT ACCIDENTALLY IS REPORT OF JURY

Consider Much Evidence, Including Two Notes Left by Wichita Woman

END INVESTIGATION

A coroner's jury returned a verdict late Friday afternoon finding that Miss Letha Howell, Federal Land bank employee, met her death by accident.

The jurors deliberated about an hour and a half before returning the verdict to Coroner L. E. Knapp.

The verdict probably will end further investigation into the death of Miss Howell.

Members of the jury were Sam Smith, Fred Mankoff, H. O. Adams, Alice Siginer, Elta Hartsell and Ruth Smith.

Highlight of the hearing came when three puzzling notes were introduced into evidence.

NAMES PALLBEARERS

Two of the notes were attached and were found in the safe at the land bank in the office of R. H. Jones, vice president.

A typewritten note gave funeral instructions. It asked that pallbearers be Putt Schaefer, Lawrence Salmon, Glen Zimmerman, Roscoe Williams, Boyd Kooken and named a couple of alternatives to serve in case some of those selected could not be present.

This note went on to say that the bearers and a few close friends should join in drinking "to my memory" and stated that the more drinking the better.

The note asked for short and simple funeral services and requested that the body, if placed in a mausoleum, be placed as low as possible.

As to relatives, the note specified that the writer's parents could attend, but asked that other relatives remain away. However, a qualifying phrase said it might not be possible to keem them from the services.

A note in writing was found attached to this note. It read: "So you thought I didn't have the nerve. Maybe this will prove that just once in your life you were mistaken."

IDENTIFY WRITING

Attached to the notes was a list of insurance policies held.

Both Jones and Mrs. Estella Howell, mother of Miss Howell, identified writing on the outside of the envelope as that of Miss Howell and the writing of the written note as that of the dead girl.

No hint of suicide is carried in the notes. Authorities said they had puzzled over them for several days. It is not even known who they were for.

The third note introduced into evidence was written on a piece of toilet paper and was found in the cabin on Legion road in which Miss Howell was found with a gunshot wound in the head. It read, "You are a liar." Witnesses said the writing was not that of Miss Howell or of Doss Loyd, salesman who was at the cabin with Miss Howell on the evening of March 30 when the tragedy took place.

First witness on the stand was Dr. Sherburne MacLeod, attending physician. He described the nature of the wound.

Pete Reiff then took the stand and testified that he went to the cabin and talked briefly with Miss Howell and Loyd. He said he arrived there about 5:30 p.m. from his home which was close by. He said he saw nothing unusual, about the girl or Loyd. The three had a drink, he said.

FOUND RIFLE

Reiff said he went home and that later Loyd ran to his house and said Miss Howell was hurt, that she was shot. He went to the cabin and found a .22 caliber rifle leaning by the side of the door to the room which held a bed. He said Miss Howell was lying on the bed with blood on her shoulder.

Mrs. Reiff testified she called an ambulance and went to the scene. She saw the same as her husband.

Loyd testified he had gone to Miss Howell's apartment in the Skirkmere where he met her, her mother and a man from Anthony. He said that a couple of drinks were mixed but denied there was much drinking.

According to Loyd, he and Miss Howell then went to the cabin, which he had leased some time before. He said they changed clothing and he went into the garden to work. Loyd said Miss Howell chatted with him and was in and out of the cabin.

Loyd said that when he heard the shot he ran into the room and found Miss Howell on the bed.

Asked if he saw the gun, he said he did not remember.

DENIES WIPING GUN

Loyd denied emphatically that he wiped off the gun and said he moved no furniture.

He said he called the Reiffs and then went to the cabin with them.

At this point, Grey Dresie, deputy county attorney, introduced signed statement made by Loyd to Sheriff Al Bertrand and Deputy Raph DeWitt shortly after the tragedy. The statement was not read to the jury.

Fred Cochran, of the Cochran Funeral Home, testified that when he reached the cabin with an ambulance Loyd was there and told him not to touch anything. He saw the gun leaning by the door, J. W. Renfro, ambulance driver, saw the gun and said Loyd told him not to move anything.

Mrs. Howell then took the witness stand to testify that Loyd and her daughter came to the apartment on the afternoon of the tragedy. She said she was busy packing and did not notice who drank, saying she did not think she took more than one.

Mrs. Howell said her daughter never spoke of suicide. She said that some gross exaggerations had been made because after Miss Howell had been ill from "strep" throat she was rather upset by the ordeal. She said she told an elevator girl to be sure and call her if anything happened, but said that she had only casually made this statement after her daughter had made some remarks.

Mrs. Howell then identified the writing on the envelope which held the notes found in the safe.

GIRL NOT DESPONDENT

She said her daughter was not despondent on the afternoon of the tragedy and appeared normal.

Jones then testified about finding the envelope. He identified writing. Jones said he consulted land bank counsel after finding the envelope and it was decided that the notes be turned over only court order. He said there was a conference with Tom Harley, county attorney, later and the envelope was left with him.

Mrs. Loyd testified she was at home the night of the shooting.

DeWitt testified as to what he saw when he went to the cabin.

Deputy Sheriff Verne Scott told of finding a pint of liquor hidden in a wood pile.

Deputy Sheriff Earle Morris testified he examined the gun and could find no fingerprints. He said he called in an expert to look at the gun and he could find no prints. Morris testified that if gloves had been used to handle the gun there would have been cotton smudges. Morris said that in his opinion the gun would have carried fingerprints.

The hearing ended after the jurors were shown pictures of the room in which the tragedy took place.

Sidney L. Foulston, attorney, was present at the counsel table but asked no questions at the hearing.

Funeral services for Miss Howell will be held today at 11 a.m. at the Gill chapel with Rev. H. Clarkson Attwater officiating. Burial will be in Old Mission mausoleum.

Pallbearers will be Boyd Kooken, Jack Powell, Glenn Zimmerman, Ralph Parr, Norman Wilson and Dolpha Schaeffer.
(Wichita Eagle ~ Saturday ~ April 27, 1940 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)

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CENSUS-TAKER BECKER FINDS 16-MEMBER WICHITA FAMILY

Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Roets of 229 South Fern are Parents of 14 Children, 12 of Whom Reside with Parents Who Were Married in 1912

Census-taker J. E. Becker walked in at 229 South Fern yesterday and struck the biggest bonanza (nearly $1 worth of business) of the current population quest in Wichita.

At first incredulous, the enumerator heard claims, which were easily substantiated, of Mrs. Phillip Roets that she has the biggest family in Wichita, bar none.

With 14 living children, Mr. and Mrs. Roets carry off highest honors in the "family derby" in the city for the 1940 census, easily outdistancing Mr. and Mrs. Milton Rogers and Mr. and Mrs. Mike Werbach, earlier mentioned as the biggest contributors to the city's seize with 11 children each.

"It takes," Mrs. Roets said in answer to the question of how it felt to have the largest number of offspring in the city, "a whole lot of hard work---but it's worth it!"

The children are Gracia, ten months; Patricia, three; Katherine, four; Clara Ann and Alfreda (twins), five; Thomas, six; Sylvester, nine; Lucille, 10; Nellie, 11; Mary, 13; Francis, 14; Sister Ambrose, Mrs. Cecelia Umdenstock, and Phillip.

Twelve of the children live at home; Phillip is now attending a seminary in Kirkwood, Mo.

The parents were married in 1912, and have lived their entire lives in and near Wichita. He is a retired farmer.

Confessing that she has to take a roll-call at breakfast to see if all her kids are there, Mrs. Roets said it is her belief "It's just as easy to raise a big family as a small one."

When census men here have transcribed a number of families of seven and eight children, there have been only three with more than ten progeny.

Five of the youngsters attend St. Joseph's school.

All of the girls except the baby have blond hair, and Mr. Roets laughingly remarked that he has enough daughters to make a feminine baseball team. The pretty twin girls are identical.

"Yes, there are troubles with a big family," the mother admitted.

"At dinner, it's 14 plates around the table, and washing comes three times a week. And when all of them are in the house in the evening, you ought to hear the noise."
(Wichita Eagle ~ Friday ~ April 26, 1940 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)

DID NOT AGREE

The Coroner's Jury Count Not Agree On A Verdict Yesterday

The coroner's jury could not agree yesterday in the Frank Pixley shooting matter. The attorney for Baldwin had handled the witnesses in such a manner that no evidence was produced to show who fired the pistol. The jury stood as follows:

E. E. Enoch, N. S. Morris and Harry Thomas found that Pixley came to his death from a gun shot wound in the left eye, the said wound being produced by a pistol shot, said pistol being held in the hands of either George Baldwin or William Mack, the said shooting being without malice aforethought or premeditation to kill, but with culpable criminal carelessness."

W. A. Frances, G. Ritche and J. T. Holmes found that Frank Pixley came to his death from a 32-calibre pistol bullet in the left eye, said pistol being fired by some one unknown to the jury, the evidence in the case being insufficient to convict either George Baldwin or William Mack."

The county attorney counciled that Baldwin be held by the authorities and he was locked up in the county jail. It will take another trial to settle the matter.

The coroner has refused to sign either one of the above findings, so there really exists no verdict at all. Max has been released and Baldwin has been taken to the county jail.

Coroner McAllister said this noon that he had understood that Baldwin's attorneys were going to habeas corpus their man out of jail this afternoon.
(The Weekly Beacon ~ Friday ~ July 13, 1894 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)

COURTHOUSE BELL WEIGHING 2 TONS TO SALVAGE PILE

Affair of Bronze Was Placed in Steeple by Officials Over Half Century Ago

IS VALUABLE SCRAP

The 4,000-pound bronze bell in the steeple of the court house is pealing its last notes this week and will be taken down and sent to one of the nation's smelters to be melted and used in war munitions, it was announced yesterday by Ezra E. Beard, chairman of the board of county commissioners.

The bell was placed in the steeple in 1890 and its sound has warned thousands of persons over the more than five decades of the hour of day and hustled children off to school and officeholders to work.

The bell was furnished in 1890 by Edward Vail, early-day jeweler, and the county commissioners at that time were Charles A. Duncan, chairman of the board, Charles A. Van Ness and Thomas H. Randall. Jacob A. Aley, a former commissioner, had his name inscribed on the bell, along with William R. McPherson, architect. It was constructed by the McShane Bell Foundry in Baltimore, Md.

Hal Redmon, county chairman of the salvage committee, in accepting the bell yesterday said the bronze and alloy would be worth two or three times more than the mixed scrap being sent from this county to the smelters.

The Cessna industrial guard will dismantle the bell, using torches. this work will be supervised by Nat Hull, Jr., captain of Company A, of the guard.

Donating the bell for the war effort were County Commissioners Ezra E. Beard, Will Aldridge and Claude W. Epperson.
(Wichita Eagle ~ October 16, 1942 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)

FIRST OIL DERRICK IN WICHITA FIELD GOING UP

First active work toward drilling for oil or gas in Sedgwick county will be started this morning on the county poor farm, south of Wichita. A force of workmen will build a derrick for A. D. Longfellow of Bradford, Pa., who has a lease on the county farm, and will put down one or more wells. His machinery arrived Friday night from Bradford, and it will be transferred as soon as possible to the farm.

H. H. Karnes, driller and foreman for Mr. Longfellow, will have charge of the work. Mr. Karnes and two tool dressers, Henry and Otto Roggenbaum, have been there several days. Mr. Karnes will superintendent the erection of the derrick, which will be 74 feet high or 8 feet higher than derricks used in the Augusta fields.

The first well will be drilled about 35 rods east of the residence on the poor farm. It will be started 14 inches in diameter and will be put down at least 2,500 feet if oil or gas is not found in paying quantities before then. For putting down the first 1,000 feet of the well, including the freight on the macinery, the cost will be about $5,000.

Mr. Karnes stated Friday evening that he was having trouble getting good timber here for the derrick. The power for the drilling will be furnished by a steam engine. Coal will be used for a fuel. One car load has been shipped. It will be about ten days before the drilling will be started. It will take about that long to get the machinery installed.

When once started the drilling will go on day and night. Two shifts of drillers and tool dressers will be employed. Mr. Karnes stated that he had not decided who would be the other driller beside himself. Manila hemp and steel cable will be used in the work. The "drill", composed of steam, bit, etc., will weigh about 2,600 pounds and is more than fifty feet long.

"I visited the Augusta field one day and I found the gas to be practically the same as that in Pennsylvania," stated Mr. Karnes. "I found that the average depth of the wells there are around 1,400 feet. I don't believe that we will have to go much deeper in the vicinity of Wichita to get a good flow of oil or gas. From indnications it is here and if wells are put down in the right place, it can be found."
(Wichita Eagle ~ Saturday ~ March 28, 1914 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)

PUT BELL ON CHURCH

ELDER OF FIRST PRESBYTERIAN THINKS OLD ONE SHOULD BE USED

Judge D. A. McCanless is an advocate of bells on churches to ring on Sunday mornings and evenings and during the week when services are held. The judge, who is an elder in the First Presbyterian church, has been trying to get that church to install a bell in its tower. The church possesses a bell, a big one, too, that was used in the old church which stood at the corner of First street and Lawrence avenue, where the Butts building now stands. This bell is now reposing on the southwest side of the new church at Pine and Lawrence avenue.

"The other elders thought it was not citified or modern to have a church bell," stated Judge McCanless, in speaking about the bell. "But I believe there is nothing sweeter than a church bell. It would also serve as a reminder on Sunday morning and in the evenings of the services, and more people would attend."
(Wichita Eagle ~ Saturday ~ March 28, 1914 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)

KEEPS HIS EYES ON COUNTY DANCE HALLS

Sherrif Charles Ohrvall Asserts Laws Are Being Violated iin This Area

Sedgwick county dance halls were under careful observation by deputy sheriffs last night as the result of a campaign launched by Sheriff Cahrles Ohrvall to rectify what he declares is open violation of the law in such establishments.

"Dance halls," Sheriff Ohrvall declared Saturday, "have been a source of trouble to this office all winter. Just because the dancing season is near an end, we are not going to let up in our endeavors to make certain that they comply with the law."

In his campaign against the dance pavillons, Sheriff Ohrvall has as his right-hand man Car Reyer, undersheriff.

Recently special officers at the various pavillions were instructed by the sheriff to confiscate any liquor they might find. The result was the seizure of several pints of alleged intoxicating beverages which were labeled with the license numbers of the automobiles in which they were found. These numbers later were forwarded to the secretary of state at Topeka and the names of the owners obtained. Prosecution of liquor law charges may follow, according to County Attorney William J. Wertz.

Sheriff Ohrval declared yesterday that the climax in the difficulties with dance halls had been reached when four women and one man were brought to the county jail early one morning last week after it was alleged they had made themselves obnoxious by becoming intoxicated. One of the men and a woman were lodged in jail on drung charges, but later were released. The man was the husband of one of the women in the quintet.

"I personally am not in favor of the operation of any dance halls," Ohrvall declared. "They not only are a source of trouble, but in many instances serve to degenerate the morals of the younger generation."
(Wichita Eagle ~ Sunday ~ September 8, 1929)

SIX-YEAR-OLD YOUNGSTER ANTICIPATES FIRST CHRISTMAS SINCE LOSS OF SIGHT

Pretty, blonde Christine Larsen, 6, is happy Christmas is near. She remembers last Christmas, Santa Claus and the excitement of opening her gifts.

She's anxious for Christmas day and more gifts this year.

But, Christmas 1963 won't be the same for Christine. She won't be able to see Santa Claus or her presents.

Christine is blind. Malignant tumors in both eyes ended her sight this year. One was removed in February, the other in April. Artificial eyes replaced them.

LEARNS BRAVELY

"She been real brace," said her father, Lloyd Larsen, 1034 Blackwill. "She's kind of independent and has learned to dress herself, listens to television and plays with her two sisters, ages 5 and 2." Both sisters have normal eyesight.

Lack of sight hasn't stopped Christine from attending school. She's a kindergarten student at Kelly Elementary School. Besides her regular studies, Christine studies Braille 45 minute each day. A special teacher provides the instruction at Kelly.

PARTY ATTENDED

Christine was one of about 85 blind persons who were guests at a Christmas party Monday night. The Wichita Society for the Visually Handicapped sponsored the third annual party at Broadview Christian Church.

More than 175 visually handicapped persons attended. About half were totally blind.

"These people really appreciate everything that is done for them," said Mrs. Minnie Dalton, 1522 S. Pershing, association treasurer.

The society primarily helps the visually handicapped with social events. Besides the Christmas party, a Halloween affair and several picnics are held each year.

The society also helps financially when it can. Mrs. Dalton said the group helped purchase a seeing-eye dog for one person and also helps some with Braille.

The society bought $250 worth of gifts for the blind at Monday's Christmas party. It also furnished a meal.

Gene Gairrens, 1018 S. Elizabeth, is society president. He's blind.

But one doesn't need poor eyesight to be a member. "All one needs is an interest in the visually handicapped," Mrs. Dalton said.

About 56 persons belong.
(Wichita Eagle ~ Tuesday ~ December 10, 1963 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)

FIRST CHRISTMAS WITHOUT SIGHT

Blind Girl Tries New Bike

WISH FULFILLED--Christine Larsen, left, and her sister, Linda, try
out the bicycle a Buffalo, N.Y., man sent Christine for Christmas

This is little Christine Larsen's sixth Christmas, but it's not like the one she remembers.

Christine, 6, lost her sight this year after malignant tumors claimed both her eyes. She's not spending a lonely Christmas, though.

More than 125 Christmas cards have been mailed to her since her story appeared Dec. 10 in The Eagle and later was picked up by the Associated Press and distributed across the country.

A Buffalo, N.Y., man sent Christine a present she was hoping for. He mailed her a 20-inch tandem bicycle which arrived Sunday.

Her father, Lloyd Larsen, 1034 Blackwill, put it together and Christine and her two sisters, Linda, 5, and Julie, 2, were playing with it Tuesday.

Christine, and her sisters opened several gifts Christmas Eve, but still have plenty to get to Wednesday.

The family was to leave Christmas morning for Christine's grandparents, Brig. (Salvation Army) and Mrs. l. J. Larsen, who live in Kansas City, Kan.

Christine's grandmother called recently and said her home was filled with gifts from friends and relatives.

Mrs. Larsen is trying to answer all the cards that have arrived since the Associated Press spread Christine's story.

Two men, one an inmate at the Missouri Penitentiary and another from Indiana, have offered their eyes so Christine can see again.

But doctors say there is no way the eyes can be used because they do not know how to attach the optic nerves. She now has artificial eyes.

Christine's handicap has not kept her from attending school, however. She attends kindergarten classes at Kelly Elementary School, where she also receives special instruction in Braille each day.

"She's sort of independent," her father said. "She can dress herself, and likes to listen to television."

Her mother said Christine was thrilled with the bicycle. "She really thinks it's something," Mrs. Larsen said.

Her sisters and neighbor youngsters help her ride it.
(Wichita Eagle ~ Wednesday ~ December 25, 1963 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)

BARN WARMING

Friends of horse trainer Clyde Seitzinger did the expected but unusual this week after he moved to 5325 S. Seneca.

Instead of a house warming, 24 friends arrived early for a barn warming. They repaired corral fences, nailed loose boards on the stables and put the grounds in order.

At the close of the work period, the trainer, who has operated in Wichita the past nine years, treated his guests to dinner.
(Wichita Eagle ~ Wednesday ~ December 25, 1963 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)

ACTOR IN WICHITA AWAITING BEECH PLANE DELIVERY

Veteran screen editor, Vince Barnett, was a visitor in Wichita Saturday and Sunday while waiting for delivery of a Beech Bonanza airplane.

Barnett said he was waiting for the plane's owner, Vance Breece, to arrive and together they would fly back to Los Angeles. The short comedian said he was returning to the coast after a business trip to Detroit where his business agents had sold one of his invention to the Ford Motor Co.

When asked about his movie career, Barnett said his first role was with Paul Muni in "Scarface" in 1931. He was Muni's "Sekitary." He has played in 325 pictures as a comedian during his 26 years in the movies.

Barnett said he learned to fly in 1921 and has always been a flying enthusiast. He said the last time he was in Wichita was in 1928 when he picked up a plane from the Swallow Aircraft Co.

Even though he described himself as a business man, Barnett still appears in pictures. His most recent picture is "Ring of Fear," written by Mickey Spillane, directed by John Wayne and starring Pat O'Brien. Barnett plays the part of a hot-dog stand vendor in a circus. The picture was filmed in Phoenix, Ariz.
(Wichita Eagle ~ Monday ~ March 22, 1954 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)

RETURNS FROM A SAD JOURNEY

After Burying His Son A Father Tells the Sad Story of His Son Suicide and Killing of His Wife

E. E. Skaats, who left last Monday for the scene of the suicide of his son, Marion, at Alton, Ill., has returned after burying his son. The old gentleman is rather feeble in health and the trip has been hard on him. He says, however, that the people everywhere treated him with the utmost kindness.

He found the true state of the case to be this: For some time there had been contention in the family, which arose from this; his second wife leaving every Sunday for St. Louis and not telling where she went. Last Sunday Marion decided to follow her. When the train stopped at a small station near Alton, Mrs. Skaats and her daughter and a strange man saw the husband, he absconded. He then stepped up to his wife and said, "explain your actions."

"This is no time nor place to explain, we will settle this later" said she.

"We will settle it right now," said the husband, with which he drew his revolver and shot the woman who bore his name through the head, turned and shot himself in the ear. They both died.

The son brought two of his children home to Wichita last December, and while here joined the Baptist church. His wife wrote for him to return, which he reluctantly did. He tried to join the church there but did not, owing to the clamoring of his wife and her daughters.

Marion's son was not allowed to stay with his father owing to family disturbances, but had to board with another family. Mr. Skaats brought his grandson along back to Wichita with him.
(Wichita Daily Eagle ~ Tuesday ~ March 20, 1894 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)

OFF TO THE ASYLUM

Quiet Notices of a Cloudy-Brained Couple From the County Jail

Sheriff Royce left last night for Ossawatomie with E. O. Lamberson and Ida V. Deam, two insane occupants of the county jail. Ida V. Deam is the wife of a gambler who has deserted her. "Trouble has driven her crazy. She imagines someone is trying to kill her and moans for home and for her children."

E. O. Lamberson is the compound oxygen man. His insanity runs into his "big head" as he thinks he is superintendent of the jail and that all the people are his servants. He talks about a "remoteness" which he will bring to prove that he is above all. He cuts many queer antics such as turning the hose on the other prisoners to baptise them, and dancing in order to make music with his foot irons. He grew violent the other day and tried to kill himself but was quieted by the voice of the guard, whom he greatly fears.
(Wichita Daily Eagle ~ Wednesday ~ March 21, 1894 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)

FIRE BLAMED ON CANDLE OR CIGARETTE

The "human element" was said to be responsible for a fire that gutted offices of Slane Decor, 540 N. Emporia, a decorating firm, after an office party Tuesday morning.

Chief Fire Investigator Paul Beard said it could have been either a cigarette or a candle that ignited shelves in the northeast corner of the building.

The alarm was turned in at 2 a.m., Beard said.

Walter K. Slane, 2303 Victoria, lessee, told Beard the party had ended and the group had gone to a restaurant before the fire started.

An early estimate of $60,000 damage to the contents was high, Beard said. "It looks like they are going to be able to salvage a lot of tools, records, electric motors and other equiipment."

Damage to the two-story building was estimated at $20,000. Owner is Merite N. Lygriss.

"The building probably will have to be torn down," Beard said.
(Wichita Eagle ~ Wednesday ~ December 25, 1963 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)

NEWMAN COLLEGE TO UNDERGO NAME CHANGE

WICHITA --- Kansas Newman College will become Newman University on July 1, school officials announced Friday.

"We want students to understand that an education at Newman is equal to that of other four-year degree institutions with baccalaureate and master's programs," said Sister Tarcisia Roths, the Roman Catholic school's president.

"This name change will make that more clear to students."

The "Kansas" part will be dropped, officials said, because the school now has programs in Oklahoma and is planning to expand its programs into Nebraska as well.
(Hays Daily News ~ February 24, 1998 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)