Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-10-03
ROBERT e. LAWRENCE.
The Republican Nominee for the
Legislature of the Ninetieth
District

But few men in::Sedgwick county are better
known to the older settlers than the gentle
man who received the Republican nomina-
ton of the Ninetieth district to the House of
Representatives, and it is probable, if not
quite certain, that few men could be named
who would more intelligently or acceptably
represent the people of that district in that
honorable body. His intelligence and enter
prise are backed with an abundance of that
phenominal kind Of pluck which pulled this
city and valley through the dark days when
nearly one-half of the original settlers gave
ii up and turned their faces eastward to their
old homes. As farmer he has been not on
" industrious but successful. His home
place speaks for itself ard for him. As a
citizen Sedgwick county boasts none more
true. more honest, or more enterprising.
He is, and always has been, found at the
front in every public matter interesting his
township or the county, liberal with his
time and liberal witlfhis money. We can
not recall an instance in which We ever
heard Bob Lawrence unfavorably criticised
as man or citizen. Being well educated his
views have alwsy, been comprehensive and
logical. II is with pleasure that we often
recall his cheering letters published at an
early day in the EAGLE over the name of
eEbon.n in which he evineed his faith in this
country by the warmest words, the strongest
terms and columns Of good hard sense. If
ever a man did, by his consistent course,
unwavering faith and untiring work, earn
the confidence of his neighbors and the res
pect of men generally without regard 10 par
~, and by such course did become worthy
Of such recognition and honor as is now
proposed, surely Robert T. Lawrence is that
man. As Republican no one will question
his record. II is without flaw. We do
not suppose that Lawrence ever bol:ed
Republican ticket outright in his life, where
it was regularly nominated,nor for that mat
ter, no one who knows him can expect that
he ever will. L: is an honor TO vote for such
a man. He stands squarely upon the plat
form Of his convention and as to the pro-
hfbitory amendment will heartily favor its
resubmission TO the people for a final settle
ment, believing that after tbeexperienoe had
with the law every man in the state will be
ready when it is resubmitted TO cast an in
telligent and emphatic vote one way or the
other, thereby removing all doubts from
both sides. He is for Ingalls, for U. 5. Sem
ator and will enter into and cheerfully abide
the decisions of all Republican caucuses.
That the Republicans of his district could
ask or will ask more we do not believe.
A little sketch Of his life in this connec-
ton might not be uninteresting. Robert
was born in Litchfeld, Connecticut, in ls47.
His father removed to Berkshire county,
Massachusetts, when he was eleven years of
age, where he went TO school at the South
Berkshire Institute, Marlboro, from which
institution he graduated in 1868. He
spent the next Two years or nearly SO in
teaching, when he turned his face Kansas
ward, arriving at the mouth of the Little
Arkansas in May, 1870, when Wichita con-
tanned but four houses. He took claim on
the west side of the river, which has been his
ever since, and which he called maple
wood" and which is one of the best farms in
Kansas. He was the first trustee of Delano
township, holding the Office in all six years
and which Office he holds to-day. That fact
fixes his status among his neighbors. Robert
told us once that when he arrived at Wich-
tia and commenced to work his claim he
stiil owed 500 on his schooling. As a
farmer and stock raiser he is almost an en-
thusiast- Within year and half he has
put $4,000 in imported thoroughbred stock
He has been on the school board of his dis
trict ever since 1872 or ever since the district
was organized twelve years ago. He not
only held his own original claim and I'M
proved il, but be added surrounding lands
until his farm now consists Of 515 acres. In
1873 he married Miss Laura l. Smith of
Berkshire, Massachusetts, and at their pres
ent home, which is only one mile west of the
big bridge, his children have been born and
from which he has buried two. In the Old
Settlers Society, he takes great interest, as
he does in the Arkansas Valley Fair Associa-
ton, being secretary of one and treasurer OF
the other. In fact Bob Lawrence Is one of
our own boys-for he was but boy when
he came here--ss he is Sedgwick county
man; his life experience has been passed
here, and his every interest, now and for the
future, are thoroughly bound and identified
with those of the men whose support and
vote he will appreciate for all time, be his
public life long or short