The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-09-19
Bring the Old Soldiers Over
From LeaVenWOrth.
Topeka Is Going to Spend $780,
900 to Entertain Kansas.
We've Got the Men, Energy and
the Cash.

Tt will take 10000 men and women
working all of next week to prepare our
beautiful capital city for the Fall Fes-
tival and Soldiers Reunion.
And 10000 men and women are ready
for the work.
No western city, not even in CalifOT-
MIA where hothouse flowers grow wild
and where they have had carnival
pageants for many years will be more
beautiful than Topeka will be when the
work of the decorators is completed.
Kansas avenue will be a dream of
beauty from one end to the other. The
whole length and breadth of it viii be
festoOned and garlanded with flowers,
ribbons. flags and banners.
The entire city is enthused and the
entire city will do the work. When 1t
is done, there will be $4,000 visitors here
TO see it.
The people of Topeka have generous
" raised over 81, 600 in one lump for this
Festival and Reunion and in the next
seven days they viii spend $4,000 more
as individuals each out of his own
pocket for festival purposes
The best of all this is that our money
goes back again into the hands of our
own people, our merchants, working
men and others. 1t is not taken away
out of the city.
Beginning with next Monday morn
ing we shall have to work almost night
and day to have the city in readiness
for the following Monday. 1t behOOves
each and every citizen to put aside all
his ordinary business that he can, and
devote his time and labor to helping
the scores of committees now in need
of help.
This is a time when each should feel
personal pride in his city. This is
our city, we are all brother citizens to-
gether and let us make of this affair
not only q reunion of the old soldiers
of Kansas, but a. reunion of the people
of Topeka and Kansas.
It is to be an era of good feeling;
old grudgeS are to be forgotten and all
chickering's. political or otherwise to
cease Topeka is to have 3 grand fes-
tival Of humanity. Even some of the
minor restrictive laws and ordinances
are to be held in allegiance. relying on
the patriotism of the citizens them
selves to observe what is right and
proper.
The result of this festival will last
through the year. It viii give Topeka
an impetus that viii help it in a com
mercial and social way.
So let everybody labor heart and soul
for the good of all. Hold up the hands
let them want for funds If you have
given something for the Festival fund
give again if it is needed.
The city should put uD one or two
arches across Kansas avenue. This is
matter that ought to be provided for
by private subscriptions if it cannot be
done any other way. Our local lumber
dealers might donate the lumber, or
part of it, for the frame work, while
the carpenters union perhaps would do
the work Our energetic, hardwOrlIing.
tasteful ladies of Topeka who have
done so much for this Festival, could
be depended on to take care of the
work of decorating the arch or arches
after the men build them
Another matter that ought tC be pro-
Vided for Is the bringing OF the old SOL
diers of the LeaVenWOrth home to To-
peka free of charge if possible. This
would be the crOWning act of the whole
Festival and Reunion and would for
ever silence the calumniatOrs of O11r
city. The railroads by providing trains
could make themselves forever beloved
OF the old soldiers, and it would be a
long time before an old soldier would
be heard abusing the railroads again
A little kindness can often go farther
and do more good than a million of
dollars.
If the railroads will bring the old
white haired veterans of the home to
Topeka, Topeka viii see that they are
properly cared for
It is now certain that Topeka will be
visited by tens Of thousands of strang-
ers next week.
Where shall we put them? The bo-
tells viii be jammed, boarding houses
and tents OvercrOWded, private houses
1ul TO overfiOwing, vacant store rooms
at premium.
The Committee of Public Comfort
needs help. Instead of receiving names
and addresses Of parties who have
rooms TO rent, canvasseFs should be ap-
pointed to canvass the city and get the
4ocatlon OF every available room in pri-
Nate houses that can be had The Dri-
Vate houses should accommodate at
least $4,000 people.
These are a few of the matters that
require immediate attention
Festival week is going to be the great
est week in Topeka's history.
Oh, WHAT A RUSH OF WORK
Committee of Fifteen Already Head