The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-09-17
Special Trains Will Be Run in
Addition to Regulars
Which Will Be Run in Three.
Four and Five Sections
AT LOWEST ESTIMATE
Number of People Brought by
Rail Will Be $4,000.
%, 200 More Coming by Wagon
From Surrounding Counties.

The two Topeka men who have had
more experience in handling Kansas
crowds and estimating attendances than
any other two men in the state-GeneraI
Passenger Agent w. ]. Black of the
Santa Fe and Assistant General Passen-
ger Agent T. ]. Anderson of the Rock
Island, state that by far the largest
crowd that ever visited Topeka will be
here during Festival week. that the at
tendance will easily double that of last
year, and that the Kansas railroads will
be rushed to their utmost to provide
equipment to accommodate the people.
The attendance last year by rail was over
10000 by actual count.
why, simply consider the conditions
in Kansas this year and the conditions
that have existed for several years." said
General Passenger Agent Black today,
land you will readily see why we expect
a big crowd in Topeka Festival week.
For three or four years the people of
Kansas have practically been unable to
travel. Hard times have kept them at
home and while we expected a good
crowd last year, yet we were surprised
at the attendance at the festival simply
because times We're hard and money
scarce. This year it is different. Crops
have been good. and for their wheat alone
the farmers of Kansas have received
over two million dollars during the past
two months. The majority of the farm
ers have money this year, and prosperity
to the farmers means prosperity to other
people. Kansas is coming to Topeka this
year because the opportunity is afforded
and because a week of big attractions has
been prepared.
My experience in dealing with Kansas
people, continued Mr.. Black. has shown
me that while the average Kansas man
is by no means a spendthrift, he is in no
way a miser, and likes to get away and
enjoy himself with his family and friends.
The average Kansas man, anu in fact the
average western man, will pay for en-
joyment far more readily than will the
eastern man. With the week of attrac-
tions that has been prepared, it is nat
ura1 that the people of the state should
come to Topeka. now that they able
to travel and spend few days or the en-
tire week in enjoyment.
I'VE are now canvassing the matter of
attendance over the state, and the indica-
tions are that we will be rushed to pro-
vide the equipment that will be demand
ed. On all regular trains will run
V.
nesday and Thursday we will have special
trains from Kansas City Newton and
Mcpherson. Last year we ran special
trains from Emporia, but from no other
points, and the fact that We will extend
the service west this year and also run
trains from Kansas City shows that
expect a far larger attendance. All trains
will probably have to be run in several
sections"
Said T j. Anderson, assistant general
passenger agent of the Rock Island:
1.-The thing above all else that will bring
the crowd here this year is the splendid
week of attractions which win be provid-
ed for them. AS member of the Com
mittee of Fifteen I am in a position to
know just exactly what is going to hap
pen, and 1 want to say that there have
been few festival weeks, if any, in this
country that will compare, everything
considered, with the Topeka festival this
year.
''Of course, another strong reason why
we will have a big crowd is the fact that
times are better in Kansas this year than
they have been for several years, and
everybody is feeling good. The farmers
have sold their wheat to splendid advan-
tage the railroads are all doing good
business and things in general have an
appearance of prosperity. The people of
hanSaS, OF Ino majority OF lnem at ledSl,
have money to spend enjoyment this
year. and they are going to come to To-
peka and spend it.
How many people will be here? Well
that is pretty hard to say. but you
confidently count on over twice the num-
Der that was in attendance at the festi-
val last year. Anywhere from $4,000 to
1900 is what I would call conservative
estimate of the number that will be here
this year, and the attendance may go
over this estimate. I know one thing
sure, and that is that the railroads will
have to hustle to provide equipment for
the people coming to Topeka.
''On the first five days of the week the
Rock Island win run special trains, in
addition TO extra equipment on all regular
trains from St Joe, Belleville and Hor-
ton. The trains will arrive in Topeka at
1880 and II O'Clock in the morning and
returning leave Topeka at lis at night.
Topeka will derive greater benefit from
the festival this year than it did last
year. said Major Anderson in conclusion
THE crowd last year was made up large
ly of old soldiers. who are all poor men.
The people who will attend the festival