The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-07-07
MONSTER FREE LUNCH.
All the Old Soldiers Are to Be
Fed Free
On Old Soldiers Day of the Fal
Festival.
Fifteen Thousand Cups of Coffee, Fiji
teen Thousand Plates of Beans,
Doughnuts, and More Cof-
fee and Good Things
for the Visitors.

After fifteen minutes talk with the
Committee of Fifteen last night repre-
sentatives from the Committee of
Twenty eight decided that a carnival
on Kansas avenue commencing at
o'clock would in no way interfere with
the celebration of Friday as Old Sol
diers' day. Before they left the coun-
ell chamber they expressed the opinion
that the carnival would be a particu-
larly attractive entertainment for the
veterans and that they would enjoy it.
Rev. NJ. r. McKirahan, t. M. James
and E. G. Moore appeared before the
committee as the representatives of the
Committee of Twenty-eight. Mr.. Moore
spoke first. He said:
AS far as the Committee of Twenty
eight is concerned, we would like to
have Friday and Friday night for the
entertainment of the old soldiers. We
want to know what the wishes of the
Committee of Fifteen are in regard to
the day, and are here for the purpose
of finding out
Major Anderson-What this commit
tee wants to find out is whether the
carnival on Friday night would inter
fere with Old Soldiers day. If it
would, guess we will have to give you
another day.
Mr.. Moore-what other day were you
considering?
Major Anderson-TueSday is the only
day we could give you. 1t is the only
one that could be changed.
Mr.. Moore-All notices that have so
far been sent out have stated that Fri
day would be Old Soldiers day. We
have also written General Lew Wal
lace asking him to come here and speak
on Friday, and we would not like to
make a change if it could be avoided.
Not at least until we heard from Gen
eral Wallace, as he might not be able
to come on another day.
Rev. M. F. McKirahan-The Commit
tee of Twenty eight wants to be ac-
commodating. We appreciate the cir
cumstances of this committee. I think
we would much prefer Tuesday to Fri
diers in and get them settled, but this
would be impossible. Friday, then, is
the only day to be considered, and to
split the thing up by having General
Wallace at the fair grounds and car,
nival up town would be unfortunate.
Major Anderson-Lets look at all
sides of this question. You cannot get
more than 1000 or 5000 people in a tent,
and we expect to have so, 900 or 60 600
people here that night.
Mr.. James-The Committee of Twen-
ty-eight is not inclined to be obstinate,
and think is ready to make conces-
SiOnS. But we are pretty well settled
in the opinion that it would be impos-
sible to do anything with Tuesday. Fri
Personally I don't think carnival
would interfere with the campfire at
the fair grounds.
Mr.. Miller-I don't want to be con-
consider. I4eavenworth has peddled it
over the state that Topeka is getting up
a reunion in opposition to the state re-
union. While this is not true, neverthe-
less Leavenworth has started the
port. Now to mix UP the day set aside
as Old Soldiers Day with other enter
tainments, Leavenworth will peddle
over the state the report that we are
making a sort of side show of the
veterans day. 1 don't believe it would
be policy to hold the Carnival on Friday
night.
Mr.. Greenwald-Has anyone heard
whether there will be large attendance
of soldiers at the Festival.
Mr.. Moore-I was in the southern part
of the state a few days ago and I met
a number of old soldiers who told
that they heard so much of Topeka last
year that they meant to let the Baxter
Springs reunion go this year and come
to Topeka during the Festival. I be-
lieve we will have a big attendance of
old soldiers.
Major Anderson-There will be plenty
of old soldiers at the Festival. You will
find that this non-partisan reunion bus
mess will take.
Mr.. Miller-I am president of the Ohio
Volunteer association in Kansas, and
mean to send out letters to members of
the association and interest them in
coming to Topeka. think we viii
have thousands of old soldiers here that
week.
Major Anderson-WeI now, gentle
men, let's decide this matter. Suppose
you have your parade in the morning.
Then you will have your first camp fire
at O'Clock, and say another a o'clock
General Lew Wallace and the other no.
ted speakers you secure could talk at
the camp fires, and by o'clock in the
evening everybody will be tired of
speeches and ready to come up town
and enjoy the fun of the Carnival We
can hold the Carnival off until 9 o'clock
and for the life of me I can't see how
1t will then interfere with the old SOL
diers in any way.
Mr. McKirahan-I don't think the
Carnival will interfere with Old Sol
diers' Day. AS Major Anderson says
we can so arrange our camp fires SO as
to have them over by o'clock, and by
that time everybody will be tired of