The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-09-19
ADDRESS TO TOPEKANS
Committee of Fifteen Now Calls
on the People
For One Grand PinaI Effort For
the Reunion
And Fall FestivaI-Much to be Done
and Work and Money Needed

The address to the citizens of Topeka
from the Committee of Fifteen has been
issued. The address is the production
of Eugene Ware, Samuel T. How and
Tom Anderson. 1t is as follows:
To the Citizens of Topeka:-Your
Committee of Fifteen just now finds it
self in a rather embarrassing predica-
ment-if it may be called a predica-
ment. Upon US has fallen the duty of
angling for the coming Reunion and
Festival, and we are enjoying the work
very much indeed. We are all unani-
nous in the opinion that we would like
to get up something like this every
year-if there was more money in it
and fewer sleepIess nights. We don't
mind the worry, but the wear and tear
on our clothing has been considerable.
We have seen this undertaking grow
from an idea to something that is now
appallingly great. When we began we
never dreamed that events would
shape themselves as they have. They
have multiplied until now they are
crowding US, pushing US, almost crush
ing US. We can manage the Reunion
and the Festivities all right but we
will not be able to look after the
crowds, or to entertain our guests as
they should be looked after. Hence we
must cry out help Our citizens
must now wake up and prepare for the
coming crowd.
The Committee hopes that the people
of Topeka will at once become stirred
by the revival of their old time activity
and public spirit, and that they will
now without further solicitation join
in preparing for the event so near at
hand and will each and every one press
to the front as volunteers in the good
work.
The committee will make some sug-
gestiOns as to what in the judgment of
its members should be done at once by
the citizens and the Committee trust
that these suggestions will be received
in a like spirit with that which prompts
them, and will at once arouse a hearty
cooperation along the lines suggested
OF course every one having friends
and acqua1ntanceS outside of the city
has already invited them to Topeka, and
will prepare place for them to stay
If they have not done so, they should.
The programmes are lOng-tOO long
to be given here. They have been fire.
quently published in our newspapers
and are doubtless known to all citizens
Copies for mailing to nonresident
friends and acquaintance can be had
upon application to this committee. The
attra ctiOnS for each day and each even
ing cannot be surpassed.
On Friday evening at O'Clock will
occur the great Midway Parade to
eliminate in a carnival masquerade. 1t
will not be over by O'Clock; curfew
will not ring that night until u. In the
language of the committee, heretofore
used, Everybody is expected to turn
out and make a nOise-peopIe who are
not handsome will wear a mask" Most
all Topekans will wear one. Tom An
derson and a few others who have no
head covering will not-they are hand
some you know" Prizes given for the
best costume, the noisiest sound and
the biggest Iunatic-mOst everything
goes. AS there will be noise enough
that night to last the remainder of the
year all horn blowing and raising of
what Mrs. Lease recommended, will be
reserved for that occasion.
The city should be decorated as never
before. No building should be omitted.
Let every one display "Old Glory at
least, and as much more red white and
blue as is possible.
The proud, prancing war steeds, the
tramp, tramp, tramp" of the regulars
of the veterans and of the militia, to
the sound of martial and instrumental
music through ways resplendent with
the bright colors of the national en-
bIem will create an impression never
to be forgotten in this life. The blood
will fire, as it did in days of old when
By the rude bridge that arched the
flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurIed,
Here once the embattl'd farmers stood,