"The Kansas City Times" (Missouri) Friday, February 19, 1915 MR. SHELLEY LOST HIS TEMPER. In a musty, little, old shop in a forgotten business quarter at 411 Delaware Street was enacted yesterday afternoon one of those tragic events which are made possible by the city, but of which the city, going its roaring way, seldom hears. At 411 Delaware Street is the dry goods and notion store of George M. SHELLEY, once big in the life of the town, twice mayor, thrice police commissioner, president of the board of public works at one time; of George M. SHELLEY, aged 65, who lives in lonely fashion in a room behind his shop, cooking his own meals, seeing few friends. But, as he bent above a ledger at his desk just inside the window yesterday, an old friend entered. "Charley" OLDHAM is a big man, solid and prosperous appearing. A few years ago his was a name known to all men who gambled on races in this Middle Western country. Now he sells farm lands and lives at 2014 Linwood Boulevard. His hand on the latch, OLDHAM paused inside the door. "Mr. Shelley," he said, "can you let me have that $260?" They had been friends years before. A score of years ago "Charlie" OLDHAM had lent $22,000 to SHELLEY, who then was a big merchant with a wholesale house at Ninth and Central streets. But SHELLEY fell upon hard times and, several years ago, went into voluntary bankruptcy. More than $10,000 of that $22,000 still was unpaid, and the debt was wiped out by the bankruptcy proceedings. But just before those proceedings OLDHAM had lent SHELLEY $260 to finance an Eastern trip that promised to rehabilitate SHELLEY's fortunes, and it was a liability not itemized in the proceedings. "No, I cannot," SHELLEY cried, rising from his desk. "You're the third man who tried to collect from me today." Suddenly, in futile rage, he struck, hitting OLDHAM in the face. OLDHAM threw his arms about the other. "The best friend you got, Mr. SHELLEY," he said. "The best friend you got." SHELLEY struggled futilely. Someone burst in the door and struck OLDHAM on the head. Then he grasped OLDHAM and pushed him from the shop. It was Max GILSEY, who had run from his store across the street. SHELLEY shut the door on the gathering crowd and went back to his ledger. ====================================================== (I have no connection with this family but I'd appreciate knowing if you found this posting helpful.) johnobrien@kc.rr.com ======================================================