Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-01-30

seven capitols. But rev know 'ne
conditions in which these statehouses
now are, or how romantic has been
the history Of the seven buildings
which have served the common
wealth as headquarters. The most
noted Of these, perhaps, is the old
Pawnee house, the first capitol, out
| in the center Of the state near juno
ton City. 1t was a large two-story
building Of stone, erected for the first
territorial legislature on promise OF
Gov. Reeder that he would order the
session to be held at the boom town
Of Pawnee, then Just started, and in
which it was thought Gov Reeder
had an interest. The Legislature
thought SO, for the members went to
the meeting in prairie schooners and
cooked their own meels, refusing to
patronize the hotel. They stayed
two days, organized, and, getting in
to their wagons, went to Shawnee
Mission, which then became the
capitol of the state. The resolution
to adjourn was the only business
transacted. The Pawnee house still
stands, a roohess, windowless ruin.
1t is the states most picturesque
ruin and many visitors look it over
every season.
The legislative body met, according
to adjournment, at the Shawnee
Manual Labor school, at Shawnee
Mission, July l6, 1858. The mem
bers were more reconciled to this
place and we're not so much inclined
to boycott the town. The Legislature
had already dethroned the governor
in effect, and he had no choice but to
follow it from place to place as il
should dictate. The session at
Shawnee was stormy and disastrous,
marked chiefly by deadlocks with the
governor. The building was a long,
barrack. like structure, erected origin
ally for a schoolhouse. 1t has been
destroyed.
The next capitol was Constitution
hall, Topeka, in which were held the
sessions OF the first free state consti-
tutional convention. Subsequently
the sessions Of the legislature were
held there. The structure, plain
brick building, remodeled and made
into a business house, still stands on
/ Kansas avenue, and few OF the
thousands who pass it realize that
the first constitution Of the state was
adopted there.
Then came the Lecompton capitol,
in which the second territorial legis-
lature met Jan y, 1857. 1t was a
two story building, entirely guiltless
of ornament and indifrerently suited
to the small needs Of the members.
The next meeting-place was at
Lawrence, where the session Of the
third Legislature was held. This was
a store building and used only for
present convenience. The fourth
legislature met at Lecompton and
adjourned to Lawrence, where it oc-
cupied shabby two-story store
building again.
In 1855 congress had made an ap-
preparation of $4,000 for a new
capitol, which was begun at Lecomp-
ton. The money was squandered and
little of it used as it should have been.
Walls were begun and the appropria-
ton ran out. No more was forth
coming and the workmen left. The
foundation was utilized as a fortress
and barracks by the pro-slavery
soldiers. Late the site was secured
by Lane university, a United Brethren
college now located at that place.
Topeka was finally chosen as the
permanent capital and on Dec. %,
1869, the east wing Of the present
capitol building was ready for oc-
cupancy. For several years it stood
alone Then the west wing was
built and now the main structure
connects the two and 100000 more
will finish a $4,000, 900 building, one
Of the most imposing in the West and
well suited to the needs Of the state.
-Mous dearth Of lumber is report
II q