WYANDOTTE COUNTY, KANSAS
Newspaper Items
LAW PROFESSOR
ENTERS LOWELL ANDREWS CASE
TOPEKA---Richard C. Allen, law professor
at Washburn University, has entered the case of condemned murderer Lowell Lee Andrews.
Allen said he entered the case at the request of Andrews' court-appointed attorneys, Buford Braly and Harry Hayward.
He added that he is preparing for a habeas corpus hearing in federal court in Kansas City on March 16.
Andrews, 20, was convicted of shooting to death his parents and sister and sentenced to hang. The Kansas Supreme
Court set the date of his execution as March 9, but the execution was stayed Tuesday by the federal district court.
Allen said he had followed the Andrews case from the beginning. He added, "and I am in this case now until
Andrews' life is saved or lost."
The professor also teaches a course in law and psychiatry at the Meninger Foundation School of Psychiatry.
"I became interested in the case first of all because I am a lawyer and secondly because I am a teacher of
law," Allen said. "And I am concerned that the state of Kansas is going to executive a sentence of death
on a boy who committed murder by reason of his mental illness."
He said he would attempt to show that the former University of Kansas student's constitutional rights were violated.
He said one example was that the court received the young man's confession as evidence in the trial. (Great Bend
Daily Tribune ~ March 9, 1961)
COURT SETS NOV. 30 FOR EXECUTION OF LOWELL ANDREWS
TOPEKA, Kan., ---The state Supreme
Court has set a new execution date for Lowell Lee Andrews, former University of Kansas student convicted of killing
his family.
The court Thursday set the date for Nov. 30.
Andrews was accused of killing his parents and sister during the 1958 Thanksgiving day holidays. He was convicted
Dec. 22, 1959.
The two previous execution dates were delayed by appeals.
In the latest appeal Andrews was unsuccessful in asking the U. S. Supreme Court to issue a writ of habeas corpus.
James Ahren, a Washburn University law school professor who is one of Andrews' attorneys, said he is considering
an appeal from the latest decision. (Moberly, Missouri, Montor ~ November 2, 1962)
'MODEL BOY' IS HANGED IN KANSAS
LANSING, Kan.,---Lowell Lee Andrews,
the "model boy" who said greed led him to murder his family four years ago, died on the gallows today.
If he repented his crime, he didn't show it.
Calm and composed, even a bit aloof, Andrews stood silently on the gallows trap, lighted by the glare of a single
unshaded bulb.
Warden Sherman H. Crouse asked if he had any last words.
"No, I don't believe so" replied the 22-year-old killer, smiling slightly.
The warden repeated the question.
"No," Andrews said flatly.
The Protestant chaplain of the State Penitentiary, the Rev. James Post, removed Andrews' glasses. Guards slipped
the noose around his neck; the death mask over his fact.
At 12:21 a.m., the trap covering a hole in the concrete floor of the execution chamber-- corner of a rambling prison
warehouse--was sprung. Eighteen minutes later, Andrews was pronounced dead by the prison physician. He was the
11th man to die since Kansas resumed capital punishment in the 1930s.
In his signed confessions, Andrews said he killed his father, mother and sister because he wated his father's 240-acre
farm and $1,800 in a savings account.
But the utterly senseless violence of his crime cast doubt upon this motive. Using two guns, Andrews fired 24 shots.
Seventeen bullets hit his father, William Andrews, 50. His mother, Opal, 41, was shot four times. His sister, Jennie
Marie, 20, was hit three times. (Hight Point, North Carolina, Enterprise ~ November 30, 1962)
KANSAS POSTMASTER COMMITS SUICIDE TO AVOID PROSECUTION
Kansas City, Kan., March 15---To escape arrest for embezzlement of government funds, Frank Mapes, postmaster of this city, committed suicide this morning in his own residence. On Thursday last two postoffice inspectors arrived here and began an investigation of the office. Upon their arrival Mapes showed no uneasiness, but as they pursued their investigations through Friday and Saturday he became nervous and depressed in spirits. The inspectors finished their work last night and their investigation proved the postmaster to be an embezzler from the general funds of the office to the amount of probably $9,200. Mapes undoubtedly knew the condition of his trust and it is evident he feared arrest today or tomorrow.
He decided upon death. At breakfast he complained of being ill and retired to his room. Soon afterward he had his wife send for three men who had been friends of long standing. When the men arrived at the house, Mrs. Mapes met them at the door. No sooner had she swung open the door than a pistol shot rang through the house. Mrs. Mapes and the three men ran to her husband's room. They found him in the agonies of death. He had blown out his brains and died almost instantly.
Mapes was appointed postmaster by President Cleveland three
years ago. He had long been prominent in local and Kansas politics. He was under $20,000 bonds to the government,
with local business men as sureties. The funds embezzled are said to have been squandered in gambling and drink.
He belonged to the Knights Templar and Elks. His family is provided for by $10,000 life insurance.
(Inter Ocean ~ March 16, 1896)
MISS ALMA BUESCHE OF KANSAS CITY, KAS., DROWNS HERSELF
She Worried Over a Pain in the Head as a Forewarning of Approaching Insanity---The Daughter of a Wealthy Retired Merchant
From his home at Tenth street and Ann Avenue in Kansas City, Kas., at 9 o'clock this morning Allen Stoner saw a young woman, dressed in a light wrapper, run down the steep embankment of a large pond in the ravine that skirts Tenth street and pitch head foremost, into the water. As she struck the water she screamed.
Stoner rushed to the water, but the body had disappeared. J. A. Ott, one of the city firemen, dived into the pond, half an hour later and recovered the body. Coroner Stevens had it taken to Raymond's morgue. While he was there examining it for marks of identification, D. L. Buesche, a retired and wealthy merchant, one of the best known of the old settlers of old Wyandotte, pushed in, accompanied by A. G. Talbot and stooping down over the body, cried, "My child, oh my child! My darling baby! Why did you do it! What have I done to cause this!"
When Mr. Buesche had composed himself, he told Coroner Stevens that the body was that of his daughter, Alma Buesche, 19 years old. She went upstairs early this morning to do the light chamber work about the family home at 1025 Armstrong avenue. An hour passed and she did not come down. Her father went up to see what kept her so long. He found her room in perfect order but she was not there. On the stand was a note written in German. In it Miss Buesche said she feared she was going to lose her mind and intended to drown herself. She begged her mother and father to forgive her as she could not bear to live. When the full import of the note flashed before him, Mr. Buesche was stunned. He at once began a search for her.
Mr. Talbot who lives near by had heard of the suicide of a young woman in the pond and told Mr. Buesche. The pond is only two short blocks from the Buesche home. The two men went to the pond, but the body had been removed and they boarded a cable car and went to the undertakers.
The girls seemed to be of an exceptionally cheerful nature.
Her parents never noticed anything about her to alarm them. Last night, however, she sat with them and was so quiet
that her father remarked it and asked her why she did not join in the conversation. She said she was not feeling
well and complained of a dull pain in her head that had annoyed her all day. She complained also on arising this
morning. It is supposed that she brooded over the pain in her head until she was seized with the deadly fear that
it was the forewarning of approaching insanity. When the news of Miss Buesche's suicide became known it caused
a shock in Kansas City, Kas. Mr. Buesche and his family were known by almost everyone in the city and many expressions
of sympathy were heard.
(Kansas City Star ~ July 26, 1895 ~ Submitted by Lori DeWinkler)
AWFUL SUFFERING OF INNOCENT BABE
KANSAS CITY, DEC. 6---For twelve hours throughout the coldest night here this season, little Earl Campbell, two years old, was locked in an apartment in Kansas City, Kansas, alone with the dead bodies of his father and mother, both slain with the weapon found in the dead man's hands.
The child's plight was discovered yesterday by neighbors, who had been disturbed all night by his crying, and finally investigated. Forcing the door they discovered that Joseph Campbell, 32 years old, had shot and killed his wife Saturday night when neighbors were at a theater.
The couple had quarreled frequently. The position of the bodies showed unmistakably that it was a case of murder and suicide.
Their one child, Earl, was the only witness and stains on his dress and hands indicated that he had tried to arouse his murdered mother.
When found yesterday he was almost exhausted from cold.
(Salt Lake Telegram ~ December 6, 1909)
MOTHER AND BABE BELIEVED DROWNED
CLOTHING FOUND ON RIVER BANK---NOTE INDICATES
KANSAS CITY, KAN., OCT. 8---Police here Monday were investigating the disappearance Sunday of Mrs. Rebecca Schiefelbein and her 22-month-old child. Articles of her clothing were found Sunday night strewen along the bank of the Kaw River here. In her automobile, which stood near by, there was a note, indicating that she might have drowned herself and baby.
The note, addressed to the husband, said:
"We wait ed for you until 7 o'clock and you did not come. We ended it all in the river. I love you so much my heart aches. I hope your mother is satisfied."
George J. Schiefeibein, her husband, who disappeard Sunday night and who was thought to have commited suicide upon finding the note, returned to work about noon Monday. His lunch box was found beside the note. He is employed at the Santa Fe shops here.
Mrs. Schiefelbein was sentened to thirty days in jail and fined $100 Sept. 7 on complaint of neighbors, who charged her with cruelty to Adrian Schiefelbein, a step-son. She was paroled the next day and the child was ordered into the custody of his grandmother, Schiefelbein's mother, in Topeka.
Schiefelbein told the police Monday he knew nothing of the
disappearance of his wife and baby until he returned from Topeka Monday morning. He said that a friend met him
at the station and informed him of conditions.
(Dallas Morning News ~ October 9, 1923)
Kansas City, Kan., Dec. 20---Dr. E. Y. Baker, an old resident
of this city, committed suicide at the St. Charles hotel. Dr. Baker has a divorced wife in Missouri and has prominent
relations in Ohio. He had been dissipating and was temporarily insane.
(Kalamazoo Gazette ~ December 21, 1898)
He Attempts to Obtain Money at the Pistol's Point
KANSAS CITY, MARCH 11---Kansas City, Kan., goes on record with the most youthful bank robber ever reported. A 9-year-old boy attempted to force the paying teller of the Wyandotte National bank to give up his funds at a pistol's point and failed because he was so small that the other employees were not afraid to tackle him. Thursday afternoon a boy named Haacher stepped to the teller's window and asked the teller if he had any coppers.
SNAPPED THE PISTOL
Receiving an affirmative reply the boy pulled out a pistol,
and presenting it at the teller's head, called out in a oud tone: "Hand them out. Hand them out." The
teller was slow to obey, and the boy pulled the trigger, but his pistol snapped, and the other employees, who had
been attracted by the noise, jumped the railings and grabbed the youthful bandit. His weapon was wrested from him
and he was allowed to go home.
(Kalamazoo Gazette ~ March 12, 1892)
Gov. Hoch of Kansas has signed the bill providing for separate
high schools for whites and blacks at Kansas City. The whites demanded separate schools as the result of a stabbing
of a white pupil by a negro boy. Gov. Hoch in his message says that while in its general aspect the bill appeared
to be a step backward, he believed local conditions made the law advisable. Gov. Hoch said in the course of his
message touching on the race question, "I am in hearty smpathy with the negroes in their great struggle for
higher and better things, and in perfect accord with the Roosevelt idea that every man should have a square deal,
regardless of race or color. But the local conditions are peculiar."
(Springfield Republican ~ February 24, 1905)
KANSAS SIDE CHILD PREVENTS SISTER FROM DROWNING
Seven-Year-Old Anna Van Pieghem Falls Into a Well--Younger Sister Gives Alarm--Mother Summons Father, Who Rescues Child
A lifesaver when two years old.
That is the record made by Mary Van Pieghem, daughter of Julius Van Pieghem. Saturday, Mary saved the life of her sister, Anna, 7 years old. The Van Pieghem family live on a farm two and a half miles west of Argentine.
Anna, carrying her baby sister, went out to the well, fifty yards from the farmhouse, to draw a bucket of water. The father was in the field. The mother was in the house preparing supper. Anna started the bucket down the well. The well is unwalled. Down the bucket sped toward the four feet of water. Then the rope parted. Anna reached out to catch the rope, lost her balance, and fell.
"Anna, Anna," the mother heard the baby crying. She saw Mary coming toward the house. The mother ran out. The baby started back toward the well. The mother looked into the well and by the dim light saw something clinging to a rock ledge.
The mother ran to the field and called the father who, with
the farmhands, hurried to the well. The father tied a rope around his waist and was lowered. The child became unconscious
and fell into the water. The father rescued the child from the water and was drawn up to the top of the well. Anna
did not regain consciousness unti yesterday afternoon.
(Kansas City Star ~ July 20, 1914)
Parents of Lillie Miller Sue Kansas City, Kas., for $10,000
Lillie Miller, aged 3, daughter of Robert Miller, a painter of Kansas City, Kas., employed at Armour's, went out of her yard to play on June 15 last, at about 6 o'clock in the evening. Her body was taken from a pond of stagnant water on the south side of Split Log avenue, between Eighth and Ninth streets a few minutes later. She had slipped off the sidewalk into the pond six feet below and drowned without making an outcry.
Robert and Lizzie iller, parents of the dead child, yesterday
commenced suit in the district court to recover $10,000 damages from the city. They allege gross neglect on the
part of the city official who, knowing that the pond was dangerous, failed to put up a hand or guard rail along
the sidewalk to prevent pedestrians from slipping into the water.
(Kansas City Star ~ July 31, 1894)
Girl on Kansas Side Had Narrow Escape From Drowning
Miss Hazel Warford, 277 Stewart Avenue, Kansas side, and
a party of friends were in bathing at Klamm Park last night when she fainted after someone had splashed water in
her face. Although the water was not deep, the girl toppled over and was almost drowned before she was rescued.
Members of the fire department arrived with a pulmotor and succeeded in reviving her. She was removed to her home.
(Kansas City Star ~ July 10, 1919)
Marshal Hare received Monday a telegram from Argentine, Kansas,
announcing the drowning of Arthur Foster, formerly of this city. No particulars were given. Arthur Foster is a
son of Mrs. Clara Wilson of 219 North Church street, and formerly run a barber shop on Water street. He married
a daughter of S. S. Baldwin, the drayman. On January last Foster created a little diversion among his friends by
disappearing from the city very suddenly. His wife thought he was going to Paw Paw but instead he went to Omaha,
and finally to Argentine, Kan., a suburb of Kansas City. Mrs. Wilson says her boy probably went in bathing as he
is in the habit of doing, and was accidently drowned.
(Kalamazoo Gazette ~ May 27, 1896)
Galvin Smith Second Victim of Accident in Klamm Park Yesterday
Galvin Smith, 11 years old, was drowned in "the old swimmin' hole" at Klamm Park, Kansas side, late yesterday afternoon. He is the son of Mrs. Emma Smith, a widow, 1850 North Sixteenth Street. No one saw the drowning. The boy was heard to call for help, but sank before any one could reach him.
The "old swimmin' hole" is an artificial lake made to represent the place fro which it deserves its name.
The drowning of Galvin Smith was the second accident in the "swimmin' hole" yesterday. Clarence Johnson, 12 years old, son of J. H. Johnson, 2017 North Seventeenth Street, caught his foot in a wire while swiming there and tore it so badly that he may be unable to walk for several months.
Dr. J. W. Hayward, coroner of Wyandotte County, will investigate
the drowning today.
(Kansas City Star ~ May 31, 1918)
Two Kansas Side Lads Gave their Folks a Terrible Trial
Roxie Tagencamp, a patrolman, stopped two little boys who were running excitedly along Kansas Avenue on the Kansas side, yesterday afternoon, carrying two pairs of overalls, two straw hats, two blue shirts and two pairs of shoes.
"Where'd you get those clothes?" asked Tagencamp.
The two boys turned tear-stained faces to the policeman.
"They belong to our brothers," they said. "They just drowned in the river, an' we got to tell mamma and papa about it.
The boys were Raymond Stipp, 10-year-old son of C. H. Stipp, a real estate dealer, living at 1323 New Jersey Avenue, Kansas side, and Ralph Russell, 10 years old, son of T. M. Russell, a switchman, 1236 Virginia, Avenue, Kansas side.
Tagencamp called police headquarters and made a report of the drowning.
Joseph Downs, a motorcycle patrolman, was sent to notify the parents. Tagencamp took the other boys back to the river and started a search for the bodies.
The boys said the last time they had seen their brothers was when both started to swim the Kaw near the Eighteenth Street Bridge. They said their brothers, John Stipp, 14 years old, and Roy Russell, 13 years old, disappeared on the other side.
Later, while neighbors were in the homes of the parents, trying to comfort two frantic mothers, the telephone in the Russell home rang.
Mr. Russell answered it, fearing the worst. A peeved voice said over the wire:
"Say, pa, what'd ya think! Ray and Ralph took our clothes, and we're down here on a sandboat without any clothes. Won't you bring mine and Johnnie's clothes down here?"
Mr. Russell gasped.
"They aren't dead--they are alive!" he shouted.
An hour later the boys were eating supper at home.
(Kansas City Star ~ July 17, 1914)
Daring Grave Robbers Captured in Oak Grove Cemetery
THEY ARE MEDICAL STUDENTS
One Gives His Name and Confesses, and Others Silent
CITIZENS VERY MUCH EXCITED
Zimmerman Says the College Faculty Gave Its Consent
ONE BODY PROBABLY REMOVED
A. C. Zimmerman, a student in the University Medical college of Kansas City, Mo., was arrested at 12:30 o'clock this morning in Oak Grove Cemetery, Kansas City, Kan., charged with grave robbing.
An hour later four other men, who refused to give their names, but whom Zimmerman says are Durant, Hinton, Klopper and Ryburn, junior students in the same college, were captured at the foot of Lafayette street. All are not at police station No. 1.
At 12 o'clock last night word was received at No. 1 police station, Kansas, City, Kan., that grave robbers were at work in Oak Grove cemetery. Sergeant Tarpley, Officers Morris and Palmer and a Times reporter immediately drove to the scene in the patrol wagon.
A search of the grounds was made, but no signs of the robbers were to be found. The party started back, but were stopped a few blocks from the cemetery by a man who said he couldl guide them to the right place. He led the party to the eastern outskirts of the cemetery. A motley crew of armed men was found there awaiting the guidance of the police. They were the dwellers of that vicinity who had learned what was going on. Search was commenced and in a few minutes a man was discovered sitting in a buggy on the east side of the cemetery. He was searched and relieved of a revolver. He said that he was hired to drive two colored men to a neighboring house and awaiting their return. He was questioned and cross questioned until he broke down and told what he says is the truth.
He said that he was A. C. Zimmerman, a freshman of the University Medical college of Kansa City, Mo. Zimmerman says that the party consisted of Students Durant, Hinton, Cloppin and Reyburn of the junior class of that university. He was to hold the team until the rest returned. They had gone off with three spades to dig the bodies. He was made to show the direction which the grave-digging party had taken and the search was recommenced. The whole party, with the exception of a guard to hold Zimmerman, scoured the cemetery.
The robbers had fled, but had left traces of their work.
There were two newly-made graves on the eastern outskirts of the cemetery. One of these had been opened. The other was untouched. After the party had searched for an hour and a half, Zimmerman, the buggy and team were taken in charge and carried to the station. At the station Zimmerman stated to The Times reporter that the work had the sanction of the faculty of his college. The body-snatching had been contemplated for some time, probably, as the neighbors in the vicinity of the cemetery say that for two nights previous they had noticed men prowling around the place. It is believed that at the time when the robbers were interrupted in their work they had already succeeded in getting one body. One of the graves had the appearance of having been dug up and then refilled. People who live in the vicinity of the cemetery were the cause of the arrest. They have been on the lookout for them for some time and when they were heard to drive past the houses at midnight the alarm was immediately sent to the station.
After the police had practically given up the search J. H. File and C. T. Moore continued the work on their own account. Each was around with a shot-gun. At the foot of Lafayette street they saw four young men standing together. They ordered "hands up" and captured the entire party.
This quartette was sullen and not disposed to talk. Each positively refused to give his name.
All five men are well dressed. Zimmerman is about 21 years
old and is from Lawrence, Kan. The others range in age from 20 to 35 years.
(Kansas City Times ~ November 23, 1894)
GRAVE ROBBERS BELIEVE TO BE STILL COMMITTING DEPREDATIONS
A Vililance Committee Said to Exist for the Protection of St. John's Cemetery--What Detective Cahill and Two Other Men Saw One Night Last Week
Notwithstanding the recent exposures of grave robbing outrages in Kansas City, Kan., it is believed that this ghastly work of medical students is still going on. To prevent these depredations in St. John's cemetery, a vigilance committee, composed of a score of determined men, has been formed. The members of this committee will take turns in watching the graveyard several nights after each burial, and make it warm for intruders. As an indication of the committee's sincerity, this sign was posted at the main entrance to the cemetery yesterday afternoon:
"Warning---Any person seen in this graveyard after nightfall
is in danger of being shot.
"By order of Vigilance Committee."
The organization of the committee was the result of an experience which followed the interment of Mrs. Mary Clancy of 519 Armstrong avenue. Mrs. Clancy was buried at St. John's cemetery Sunday, December 2. At the request of her husband, Mike Clancy, the grave was guarded that night by Detective Thomas Cahill and Policeman James Walsh. On the following night the watchers were Cahill, Walsh and Deputy Constable Newt Harding. Tuesday night Detective Cahill, James Cahill and Mr. Clancy stood guard. On this occasion the watchers went out in a buggy. They passed the cemetery at 11 o'clock, intending to leave the conveyance at the home of Ed Hollicker, a few hundred yards beyond the graveyard. Everything seemed quiet in the cemetery as the party passed by, but Clancy, who held the lines, insisted on examining his wife's grave before going to Hollicker's with the horses. His companios argued against this, but in spite of their advice Clancy turned the horses' heads back toward the cemetery.
When the north gate was reached the party alighted and hitched in a clump of bushes. As the watchers were about to enter the graveyard two negroes, one with a beard, the other a younger man, were seen skulking along. It was evident that the negroes had seen the guards first and were endeavoring to pass unnoticed. The moon was shining and the men were plainly visible. The older negro had a sack under his arm, while the younger one used an iron bar as a walking stick. As their presence had been discovered by the negroes, the watchers halted the suspicious characters and had a short interview with them. The negroes claimed to be on their way to Indian Springs, two miles west, and the watchers played the part of fox hunters. Little satisfaction could be gained from the interview, so the negroes were allowed to pass on. Detective Cahill and his men then secreted themselves. Within twenty minutes after the negroes passed a two-horse carriage, built like an undertaker's wagon, but without lettering, came down the road from the direction of the city. In the wagon were two heavily-clothed men, wearing slouch hats. The carriage slacked its speed as it approached the cemetery, and when it was opposite Mrs. Clancy's grave, which is near the fence, it almost stopped. Apparently the occupants were expecting to meet the negroes, and when disappointed they applied the whip and went flying down the road.
The two Cahills and Clancy remained almost motionless in their positions until 3 a.m., hoping the supposed body snatchers would return, but the wait was unrewarded. EAch of the watchers expressed it as his conviction that the men seen at the graveyard were intent on stealing Mrs. Clancy's corpse. The cemetery was watched by the men on Wednesday and Thursday nights also, but nothing further happened.
James Cahill claims to have recognized the two mysterious
negroes one day last week at a livery stable in the western part of Kansas City, Mo. He also believes he saw the
horses and the wagon which was used by the alleged corpse stealers.
(Kansas City Times ~ December 10, 1894)
Three Girls Are Watching Cemetery Congress Ordered Sold
Kansas City, July 25---Helena, Ida and Linda Conley, Wyandotte Indians, began an armed guard today over the graves of their ancestors in Huron Cemetery in Kansas City, Kan., recently ordered sold by the Government. The sisters threaten to shoot the first person who may attempt to remove bodies.
Congress authorized the same of the cemetery, set aside for many years as a tribal burying ground, and a division of the money among the remaining members of the Wyandotte tribe, first removing the bodies. The Conley sisters say they will not permit the graves to be touched, and today they began the erection of a shanty near the cemetery. Miss Helen Conley said:
"From this time on, one of the three Conley sisters will be here in the daytime. At night all three will sleep here and guard. In this cemetery are buried 100 of our ancestors. The blood of the ancient royalty of France flows in my veins. My grandfather owned the whole State of Ohio. Why should we not be proud of our ancestors and protect their graves? We shall do it, and woe be to the man that first attempts to steal a body."
We shall keep right on asking bids on the property,"
said H. B. Durant, chairman of the Government commission which is trying to sell the cemetery. "The Government
is behind us."
(Sun ~ July 26, 1907)
The Rev. Mr. Bodwell Wanted His Grave Where His Family Struggles Were
The body of the Rev. Lewis Bodwell, one of the first Congregational ministers who ever preached in Kansas, is on its way back to Kansas for burial in Oak Grove cemetery, Kansas City, Kas. The Rev. Mr. Bodwell died three years ago at Clifton Springs, N. Y., at a green old age. Many times in his life he made the statement that after his death he wanted his body laid to rest in the soil of Kansas, where he in life saw his early struggles and those of the state before the war. His widow survives him and lives at Clifton Springs in too feeble health to accompany the body. The arrangements for the burial when the coffin comes will be carried out by Byron Judd of Kansas City, Kas., a brother-in-law of the dead preacher. The body is expected to arrive in Kansas City early this week.
The Rev. Mr. Bodwell dedicated the First Congregational church
at Topeka and for many years he had charge of the missions of that denomination in Kansas.
(Kansas City Star ~ April 2, 1899)
Cemetery Sextons in Kansas City, Kas., to Be Given Police Powers
At the request of the mayor and council, the board of police
commissioners of Kansas City, Kas., at the meeting Saturday night issued a commission to Henry O'Dell, sexton at
Oak Grove cemetery, giving him authority to act as a special policeman. This step was taken as a means of stopping
the practice of grave robbing which has been carried on somewhat extensively in recent months by medical students
from the college in Kansas City, Mo. The sextons at other cemeteries in Kansas City, Kas., are to be given police
powers by the board while those outside of the city will be commissioned as deputy sheriffs or deputy constables.
(Kansas City Star ~ February 25, 1895)
back to index
Copyright © 2009 to Kansas Genealogy Trails' Wyandotte County host & all Contributors
All rights reserved