The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-04-18

1 U Jdttudis, 1o4o-StIy near the DAY U
| the month that subsequently became the
| birthday Of Kansas. Our first instruction
was given by F. J. Obiinger, for many
years pas: connected with the press OF
Toledo. Ohio. He was soon succeeded
in the for5manship Of the office by j.
u. Reeder, now on the editorial staff o:
the Dayton COhio) Herald, under WHOSE
direction We worked for more than four
years. or until July, 1852. Reader used
TO be fond of describing US. as we enter
ed the Office, 70 learn the trade. For
particulars, consult him. At the date Just
mentioned. July, 1852, in connection with
fellew-apprentice, We bought the Office
giving our nota and bill of sale on the
office as first payment, made the paper
Wing in palitics, and supported General
Winfield Scott for president. At the
close Of the campaign, we were tly
surprised 10 find that our influence had
not elected scott-in fact, otherwise 20
the contrary, he was hardly in the race
at all. We made tf;e further discovery
thai the paper was rot half paying. To
add to our discomfort, our partner was
religious, and KEEP, worrying US because
we did not become converted, join
cnurch and tell our experience IN class
ineeting. Finally, one misty, foggy night
IN December, We split the difference by
attending revival meeting that had
been in progress for some time, and was
creating e-eat excitement, leaving our
partner in the ollice. We were just be-
coming iE,ere-teJ I quarrel that was
going on in from Of the pulpit between
a preacher ard one CT his members, BE-
cause.-the member shouted so loudly that
ne drowned the preachers voice, when
the town fire bell sounded, and the cry
OF fire emptied the church. We could
never account for It, but at the very
first alarm we made I'D our mind wnera
that IRE was, and what had caused it.
we We're right. It was in the building
containing our Office, and in a garre,
over the office. The building was saved
but there was a bad mess of ''pi" in that
Office. Shortly after, our partner alb
seconded, to conceal his emotion. To our
appeal TO subscribers in arrears to come
forward and help US out, most OF them
came in with receipts from our partner,
nigera, ne had been diligently collecting
all the accounts that were collectable,
never mentioning it to US, lest it should
disturb the religious meditations which
ne thought we ought to be engaged in.
Only one thing kept US from total ruin
we had nothing TO ruin. The man set
adrif1 naked, need have no fear of his
clothes being stolen. We never changed
cur mind as 20 The origin of the fire.
But there was still more trouble in store.
When it was rendered caI-:a:n that ne
had absconded, three different women
came srifflirE and bawling around, say
ng he was under promise to marry them |
and one, a young widow, said the day |
was already set, only a short time dis |
ant. We knew We were legally response |
Die for the debts of the firm. but we did |
lot think We could be compelled to mar |
y tnosa three wonderland We didn't |
They are all dead Eow, but neither OF |
hem died Of broken heart. But we /
must not omit 10 state that the infamous |
'coundrel afterwards told an acquaint-
lnce who met him, that the reason he |
an away was, that he was broken
hearted, because young lady who had
promised to marry him, was about to be
carried TO another mani He afterward |
urned up as a publisher of a paper in
Lssourig Oscar Leonard, who frequent
y tramps along this way, was an ap- l.
'rentice in his Office. Oscar ought to
re better man. considering he had such
pious BOSS
In those days we taught class in
sunday school, and tried to do honest
york. We explained all the knotty points
ully and literally. in plain English. We
elieve the boys were Interested although
hey may have INDUCED in a little toe
luch hilarity, whereby they disturb
d the class on the bench on the oppo-
tie side Of the aisle. Those were the
avs when the thought first came TO US
nat we ought TO have been a preacher
hat dear old church, The last time
7e saw It, il was used for a tobacco
Tarehouse, and the bumblebees had a
est in the bell. There were seven boys
/ our class. They are all yet living,
nd have been successful. Two are pros
erous druggists, with license to sell
pirituous liquors: one is the leading
u.cher in mis- town; the fourth is a prac-
cal grocer, who has broken up so often
nat people say he is /" well fixed and
sady to retire: the fifth has been a po-
ceman in a large city for more than
years. the sixth is a preach
:, high UP in mis- profession, but a little /,
saf in one ear, so that he can hear the
ais 20 preach only with the other ear,
hich he keeps turned toward the veal |.
ly congrega tons: and the seventh, We .
ave been told. is the best poker player /.
all the country. Who can estimate .
lie far-rea ching influence OF early teach !;
g?
Well. We fingered along. in an indiffer-
It sort Of way. for some three years :
niger. Business being slack. in order
fill in the time, We got married, in ,
eptember, 1S5. Had We not made the
lie then, We doubt whether we should
'er have found time for the business ;
forwards. After the campaign of 1856 .
lie pioneer passion. which had lain DOR !
ant in the family for many years. :
'oke out all over us with great viru- n
nee. Kansas was open for settlement; n
Id so, as our 'forebears" had done for 4
lie hundred and fifty years before, We a
lcked up and struck out for the new :
unity arriving here in the early spring >
1851. And here We have been, ever Il
nee. II any new country should be q
and opened for pioneers. no Il
'ubt younger member OF the family z
IL be found ready 70 go TO the front 9,
Our exploits or kansas are 50 we'll n
lown that we can spare the reader {,
1m the narrowing details. During the =
n. we served in the Price raid, by Il
bststute: but we have never been eject Il
to the presidency on that account. But Y