The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-12-31
IS A BIG CELEBRATION.
COlOred People Of Topeka Hold
Ing an Industrial Exposition
In the Thacher Building
Specimens of Work
On Exhibition and a Notable Display
Many People Attending.


This is the biggest week OF the year
for the Afro-Americans of Topeka and
vicinity. Daily and upon each of sew
eral evenings a grand jubilee has been
held at the Thacher building on East
Eighth street which is the most elabor-
ate ever planned by these people. Hun
dreds have attended the festivities. and
the big time is yet coming
This unusual affair has been adver-
tized largely as an Afro-American Cy-
clorama and Exposition. to be held I'M
der the auspices of the St Johns A. NJ.
Z. church the Shiloh Baptist church,
Lane chapel. G. III. f., Brown chapel
and Jackson's Military band"
Among the entertainments advertised
were Lectures to instruct, music to en-
chant, oratory to please and genius to
inspire. " The object of the whole thing
was stated as being TO give to the citi-
zens of Topeka and Shawnee county
q series of entertainments above the
ordinary. And, too, YOU viii have an
opportunity to see the intellectual and
mechanical progress the negro race has
made since 1913"
The first of this "cyclorama and ex-
position" was opened on Tuesday. In
the morning a Chinese dinner was
served and in the evening there was
music by Prof Geo. w JacksOn's full
band There was also a deelanat0ry
contest in which Miss Gertrude Aber-
nathy won first prize and Miss Leoia
GrandpTe second.
Yesterday was the second day Of the
celebration and it was fittingiy observed
by the presentation of several IableauN
representing the subject, From Slav
cry 10 Freedom"
Andrew Sims Jordan was the prin-
cipal actor in these
The different stages of slavery were
shown by people in costume, and the eff
Lea ff47 1n
which filed almost the entire second
floor of the large Thacher building APP
preciated them much, as they also did
the music by JacksOn's band and the
GOndOlier mandolin club
The Rev. J. r. Ransom, pastor of ST
Johns A. NJ + church, acted as mas
ter of ceremonies. He is chairman or
the committee of arrangements. With
him are Rev D. w. Cakes, pastor Of
the Brown chapel; Rev. WI. H.. Grant,
pastor Of the Shiloh Baptist church,
John NJ Brown. and last, but not least,
Prof Geo W. Jackson.
A fair is being held in connection
with the celebration. and there is an
art corner which contains many hand
some pieces of work. The people who
have this department in charge are
Misses Mamie jenkins. Mollie Jen-
nines Mrs. y. Ridley and Mr. Lewis
Slaughter
The ub-committee-the one which
has a good deal Of work to dO-c0nsists
of W Osteen, c. Pillows. H. Monroe,
r. IIightower. L. Ridley and Tobias
Hughes.
IL the rear Of the hail many tables
have been set and refreshments OF all
kinds We're served.
Today is "sta1as" day. At noon Q
soldiers lunch was served with
menu of American diets" And tonight
national drama, The tOrty-IOuF
States" viii be presented under the di-
recti0n of Prof. Jackson. There Will be
"A young girls dressed in fancy costume
and the whole viii be in the form OF q
drama with, of course, lots OF music
The "Prophecy'' viii be rendered by
Miss Carrie Parker
Tomorrow is Emancipation day, ana
the festivities viii close tomorrow nls n5-
This viii be the climax Of the cyctO-
rama and exposition "A better IDEA
can be conveyed by a glance at the
programme, which is as follows;
IL m.-Dinner. New Years entertain
rnent Baked OpOssum roasted coon
fried cartridges, turkey palatable ana
chickens fried. are among the barbe-
cued fowls that are secured
8 p m-Reception in special parlors
where calls may be made
n 4n-Address t.TOussainL Lover
ture." Prof n Sawyers- 1ntermisslon
F-vening-7 .30-Singing. Chorus. Spe-
ciaI rendition by JacksOns Dahd, ENec-
objections of the W ar
8 %. n-Introductory address by Rev
w H. Grant Reading emancipation
proclamation. Prof. s. G. watkins. who
win be followed by Governor T. n n NOT
riH and Colonel J. NJ Brown Gov
ernor-elect Leedy and Attorney Cen
eral-elect Boyle are invited to be pres
ent also.
The following persons are invited 10
a seat on the platform: Major j. r.
Hudson, Hons. Harold Chase, r. H.
tfs1e,7 Aaron Tetnaore. Chas. McCabe,
Robt. Kepley. F. B. Dawes, Geo. smith,
w. T Mcknight G.. A. Fellows, FREQ
Roundtree, w. r. Stewart, Fred stone
street. ReVs. p. w Barker, q. D. Ol-
den D. D.; w. P. Tomlinson- Mitchell
King. Rucker, M. I. Thomas, -. n. :
a. s. Fmbree, Hons. J. NJ Simpson. -
F7lennilzen. A Barton, F. Jeltz ana j.