The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-01-21

away. But we do not put in such things
merely to serve the purpose OF the story
We put them in, because, II we did not put
them in, the story would not be true to Life
-Edwdrd Everett Hale, In N. y Independent
N-
LECoMPTON's FALL.
Kansas Town That Recalls Goldsmith Z
Story of swoet Auburn.
| About midway between Lawrence
and Topeka is located the old town OF
Lecompton. which was the Territorial
capital of Kansas from 1866 to 1861.
The Sante Fe railroad skirts the base
of the hills upon which the village is
built, and as the train nears the place
the attention of the traveller is arrested
by large structure of yellow sand
stone. which occupies n commanding
position on the rising ground south Of
the Kaw river. This edifice is Lane
University, an institution of learning
established under the auspices of the
United Brethren church, and which
was erected some years ago upon the
foundation of what was to have been
the State house of Kansas.
The glory Of the once ambitious city
has departed. Not a vestige of its early
pride remains to tell of tho strange
mutations of its history. Indeed, so
quiet is the spot, so far removed, it
seems, from all the Gin and strife of
busy life, that the stranger from the
outside world might almost fancy that
the beautiful and touching story of
Sweet Auburn, Loveliest Village of
the Plain" had been repeated amid the
rural scenes of this somnolcnt hamlet.
''Thc plans for the capitol contemplated
an imposing structure" said Judge FL
lott, of Lawrence. The original ap-
propriation by Congress for the con-
struction Of the building was $50,0OO,
and an addition of $3.50 was subse-
quently made to this amount. The
money was all used in the purchase of
material and the employment Of labor.
The building was completed as far as
to the top Of the first story, and then
the enterprise was abandoned. An en-
tire boatload of iron pilasters, window
caps. cornices. ETC., was brought to the
mouth OF the Kansas river and hauled
to Lecompton by teams. ! remember
that for years after the removal of the
capitol to Topeka acres of this material
lay scattered over the ground, exposed
to the weather and covered with rust.
The first State Legislature authorized
the sale Of this stuff by auction. The
iron was broken up and sold to the
foundries at Lawrence and Leaven-
worth. Part of the foundation of the
building was afterward used in the con-
struction of the Lane University, and
the remainder still marks tho grave Of
Lecompton's departed hopes.
The triumph of the freo-state ele-
ment at the election in 1857 was the
doom of Lecompton. As the seat of
the convention which formulated the
notorious constitution which bears the
name of the town and the provisions
Of which gave Kansas to slavery, the
place was intensely unpopular with the
frce-state people. and from 1857 until
the time of the establishment of the
capital at Topeka in 1861, it was the
custom of the Territorial Legislature to
convene ut Lecompton, in accordance
with the law, and then to forthwith ad-
journ to Lawrence, where all of the
business of the sessions was transacted.
Lecompton was named for Judge Le-
compte. who now resides in Leaven-
worth. He was Chief Justice of the
first court appointed under the Terri
torial organization in 1854. The town
in its palmiest days had population
of 1000 people.
Leconpton has . population to-day
of 800 souls, and no town in the State
has more slightly location. OF the
old historical landmarks there still
remain the land office, the Rowena
hotel building, and the residence of
Governor Shannon. The walls Of a
stone church built by the Southern
Methodists are still standing, though
the cditlce has long since been given
over to ruin and decay. There is not
place of public worship in the town,
outside of the chapel of Lane Univer- |
sity. The misanthrope, searching for
q paradise, might find it here. and he
who would be in the world, but not of |
it, may realize all of the conditions of
such an estate in Lecompton. which. to
the world at large, exists only in the |
annals of the past. City Star.
Hugh Johnson's Brunswick Stew:
One pound fat bacon, one broiling-
sized chicken, one dozen medium-sized |
Irish potatoes, one-half dozen onions, |
one-half dozen ears Of corn, one quart
tomatoes, piece of butter size Of a
goose egg, three slices of loaf bread. |
black and red pepper to taste. This is
the famous and favorite stew Of Virgin
ians, and is found at all their preach
ings and picnics. II one can get squir-
rels instead Of chicken it ia more tooth.
some. - Good Cheer.
--Butterscotch; One cup Of molssses.
one cup OF sugar, one-half cup Of but.
49, Ill