The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-05-05
FROM LAWRENCE.
LAWRENCE. KAN. April 25th, 1881.

LAWRENCE, KAN, April 18th, 1881
In no portion Of the year does Lawrence present .
finer appearance than in the spring. Any one visit
ing here at this time of year, will agree with the
statement that It is the prettiest city in the State
Every citizen to feel it his first duty, after
building n house, to sow his yard with blue grass,
and set out shade trees. As result, the yards and
sidewalks are well shaded, and the hot Of sum
mer loses much of its terror. Many families from
Kansas City make this place their summer residence.
The two great points of interest to excursionsts
visiting here, Bismarck Grove and Oak Hill
Cemetery. The former have described in n former
letter. Oak Hill Cemetery is situated half mile
east of the city limits. high mound forms the CEN
tire of the grounds, taking gradual slope in every
direction. This is arranged into terraces, covered
with bluegrass, and ornau ented with shade trees
At the summit of the mound is the flower garden.
appearing, in summer, like one vast bouquet of
choice flowers. few yards west of this is q fine
marble shaft, marking the resting place of Gen
James II. Lane. At the eastern extremity Of the
grounds buried the heroes Of the Lawrence mas
sacre. Providence seems to have been unkind to
John Speer, for read the family monument, that
two Of his sons were killed by Quantrel and two
other members of the family have been accidentally
killed, since that time. Much attention is bestowed
by the city upon its cemetery, especially upon Deco
ration Day.
Great preparations are being made at the Univer-
sity for Commencement week. Already the excite
ment attendant upon the final exercises is beginning
to show itself Like all previous classes that of 81
will be the finest that has left the University"
Among the graduates will be two Dsniphan County
boys-Pliny Soper of Troy and Scott Hopkins, for
merly . student at Highland. Both able schol-
srs. The present collegiate year ends June sth.
The past session has been auspicious for the
University. Most of the departments have been
largely overcrowded, requiring q number of extra
elssses Next year the Faculty will admit only those
preparatory students who have not facilities at home.
The preparatory department will also be entirely
separate from the collegiate.
The appropriation bill for the completion of the
observatory and the bill for granting life certificates
to normal graduates failed to pass the last Legisa
ture, as expected The normal bill, I understand,
failed on account Of amendments attached, giving
every one horse institution in the State equal priv
ieges By courtesy of the State Board of Education,
State certificates granted to graduates from the
normal department
valuable historical relic has been placed in the
Regents room, at the University. Amos Lawrence
bought and sent to Gov. Robinson the old table of
the Massachusetts, Emigrant Aid Society. Around
this table sat Sumner, Lawrence, Thayer, Phillips,
Brooks, and many other famous men, when discuss-
ing the subject of Free Kansas. As soon ss the
rooms of the State Historical Society Topeka
finished, the table will be sent thither.
Easter Sunday was observed with unusual ceremo-
nv by the Lawrence churches. The decorations were
quite profuse.
OF course, the remark in my last about peach-buds
being dead was all ''croaking." Every one Of them
is alive and blooming. An immense peach crop may
be expected.