davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-25
ON THE STREETS OF K1oND1KE
Otto Kuehne's Feature Is Drawing
Card.

''The Streets of Klondike.' which
are situated just north of the barbecue,
have attracted immense crowds all
day. Otto Kuehne is the originator of
the scheme, and unlimited expense
and trouble have brought together one
of the largest aggregations seen under
canvas" AT one end of the street the
Reform School band under the leader
ship of Charles Gormley, plays the
"Cooche Cooche'' and "A Hot Time"
Inside the "a tents can be heard the
keepers in vain endeavor trying to
quiet the carniverous animals.
The smell of the barbecued meat
sets them in a frenzy The manager said
that the keepers had been advertised to
go into the dens OF the ferocious beasts
but owing to their maddened condition
the event would be called off.
Among the different animals on exhi-
bition are the Spotted Zebra. Atocet,
Missouri Mossback, Kansas Monkeys,
Armadillo Grampus, Mastodon, (very
gentle), Furry Feline, Wild Canine, Man
Eating Gorilla, African Swan, Rubber
Neck Ostrich, African Civet, Stake
Bear, Five Legged Calf and South
American Kiouse. Besides these the
regular old plantation negro songs and
dances are to be heard and seen.
The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-25

The Thompson Hardware company has
donated 3 kegs of nails for use in build
ing the tables, etc.
VIM. Schick has donated the use of "a
tents, 12x14, and the Kansas Tent and
Awning company have donated the use
of two large tents.
V Kaczynski has donated two cords of
hickory wood for the barbecueing of the
meat, and sprinkled the park early this
morning.
c. c. Nicholson has offered to sprinkle
Kansas avenue, from Gordon street to
Garfield park.
Huntoon, have each donated the use of
two large wagons with four horses at
tached to each for the parade.
Messrs. Adams Bros. have printed and
donated 5000 barbecue tickets, and also
printed the programmes.
Crosby Bros. have donated one bolt of
muslin in addition to donating the use of
their windows on Monday and Tuesday
to display the prizes to be given away.
The Topeka Cash Dry Goods company,
Barnum & Co., Kemper & Paxton have
each donated one bolt of bunting.
C. States, the plumber. has donated the
use of pipes for carrying the water to the
grounds and put them in free of charge.
Kitchen & Marburg, Culver & Bailey,
Griggs & Co., Wolff Bros. & Co, each,
150 feet of wire fence to enclose the bar
becue stands; Davis & Nicholson, E. P.
Ewart and Gabriel & Co., the use of the
boards for the barbecue tables; Fleish-
man & Co., yeast to the amount of SO
for the bakers to use in baking the bread.
A telephone has been put in at the park
free of charge for the use of the COM
mittee.
The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-25
TRIUMPRAL ENTRY
OF Thomas Doran and Mayor Fellows
Into the PICNIC Grounds.

Thomas Fall Festival Doran's tri-
umphal entry into Garfield park was
one of the grandest sights since Caesars
hosts entered the gates of Rome. The
carriages containing the speakers and
other notables were directly behind the
butchers in the parade. The first car
riage was occupied by Mayor Charles
Fellows, Charley McCabe, Milt Stoker
and Thomas Doran, the speaker of the
day.
The thousands of people who arrived
at the park before the parade were
massed on each side of the road and
as soon as the carriage reached the
park the ovation commenced Charley
Fellows thought, of course, it was all
for him and bowed right and left, but
the crowd was not satisfied until
Thomas Doran arose and, with hat in
hand, bowed to the multitude like
veritable Chesterfield. In the excite
ment the speech was lost and an up
roar commenced. Diligent search for
long time failed to bring the missing
document to light, but at last it was
found. Milt Stoker, who is much
shorter than the rest of the notables,
used it to sit on, so that he could gaze
over the heads of the crowd toward the
tent labeled "Klondike.''
The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-25
NOTHING LIKE A COOL HEAD
To Manage $4,000 People, and Will
liam Dransfield Had It

William Dransfield, who is known
among his grocer friends by the name
of Sandy is in charge of the head
quarters tent. He has the reputation of
knowing more about the picnic than
anyone in Topeka, and one of his
friends said: He carries most of it in
his head
When Mr.. Dransfield arrived at the
grounds after the parade, the perspira-
tion was streaming down his face. There
were half dozen men waiting for him
each with some want to urge. They
are carrying away all the chairs" said
one. I'VE have no one to distribute the
programmes" said another. Who
knows anything about this dancing
business?" said third.
Dransfield took off his hat and care
fully wiped his bedewed face. 81 will
attend to you,'' said he. There is no
use to get excited about these things.
Everything will turn out right" Then
he satisfied each one of the questioners
with a word or two and they went
away happy. He is an excellent ex-
0cufiVR-
The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-25
SOME OF THE ADJUSTMENTS.
Two Band Concerts Going on Stimuli
taneously in the Park.

MarshalPs band plays in the band
stand. On the west side of the park
is the Mid-Continent band. The dance
platform is in the center of the park,
and Steinberg's orchestra of 16 pieces
plays both round and square" dan
ceS SO that all can be suited. Major A.
p. Shreve is the prompter. Next to the
dance platform comes the merry-go-
round and young and old alike seem to
find as much amusement in riding the
wooden horses as ever they did.
On Soldier creek the steamer Annie
is in readiness to take excursionists up
and down the creek and the row boats
are always in demand. 1.-The Topeka
Dude gets hit once in awhile and the
lucky one gets a forty rod" cigar. The
wheel of fortune is there and vies with
the Observation-Disclosures machine in see
ing which can collect the most nickels.
The race track is in good form and a
number of entrys have already been re-
ceived and others are to come. Frank
Jacques, the largest man in Topeka
has been trying his Sprint and is ready
to meet all comers. The tub races and
skif races take place just before the
cake walk.
The base ball game between the Fats
and the Leans takes place near the race
track.
The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-25
TOPEKA. KANSAS. AUGUST 25. 1se

when looked to see if should go home
to dinner lit was IL minutes past and
today when I looked it was A minutes
past. Lose? Why son I can't lose on
dat combination
Bob Marshall was there early in the
morning, he said: II am a getting kind
a used to dis hay fever atmosphere out
here in de park. You see Ise got to
keep my wind in good shape so as to be
in at de finish on dat cake walk and Ise
gwine to erase my ankles and be in de
best orb trim. I doesn't need no Jonah
but Ise gwine to win dat cake on my
style. Ise got style to burn and dem
common niggers aint going to carry
away no ten pound fruit cake from me.
No chile not from me-
Milt Stoker, Chas. Fellows and Char
ley McCabe are the judges of the cake
walk. They have been reading up on
the rules and say a fair and just decis-
ion will be given and no mistakes
made.
The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-25
PACKING HOUSE BOYS.
VOLTS Employees Excellently Drilled
Made Handsome Sight.

Company M of the K. N. G. might
take lessons in marching from the
Wolff Packing House employees, who
appeared in the parade this morning.
The Wolff men made the finest ap-
pearance in the procession. Captain
John A Lee has been drilling them for
several evenings in anticipation of the
event. One hundred and ten men
marched in eight rows.
They were dressed in white duck
jackets and caps and kept in line in
excellent fashion. AT the right of each
broad line a staff carrier held a flag
of yellow on which appeared the letters
&C. w. P. CT
T. f. Sabine, Chas. Ruling and S. A.
Hogue acted as lieutenants. The step
was apparently perfect and the lines
were kept even and straight. It was
a distinguishing feature of the parade.
The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-25
STREET CARS HAUL 10000.
This Was Loose Estimate Made at
2 O'Clock Today.

The Topeka Railway company ran Is
trains on the Garfield park line con-
tinuously from 10 o'clock. Each train
hauled from 125 to $50 people. Assist
ant Manager Chas. Hixon said he
thought the number handled at 2o'clock
was something over 10000. In addi-
ton to these several thousand people
walked to the park, both from North
Topeka and from the south side of the
river, and other went in carriages.
Electric cars with trailerS attached
were run every three minutes and at
most times were heavily loaded. So
far no accidents were reported on the
road, and this is remarkable owing to
the fact that many clung to the sides
of the open cars in order to get over
early. The Topeka Railway company
had Switchmen at the transfer station
and at Garfield park to. attend the cars
as they reached destination. Chas.
Hixon attended to the traffic at Eighth
street and Jos. Patten at Garfield park.
The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-25
REVIEWING THE PARADE.
Seen by the Judges of Sports From
the COPELAND Balcony.

On the Copeland hotel balcony the
parade was reviewed by the judges,
who were Mayor Charles A. Fellows,
Thomas F. Doran, w. H. Davis, Chas.
T McCabe and Milt Stoker. As the
parade passed this reviewing stand,
the grocers and butchers bowed pleas
antly to the judges. AS soon as the
parade had passed Ninth street, the
Judges were taken in a carriage to their
place in the parade.
The Judges had lots of fun which
they took along with their duties. Chas.
Fellows was given charge of box OF
cigars, while Charlie McCabe claimed
that he held the balance of power on
all decisions Tom DOran waved Ja-
panese parasol and kept cool with
green fan He smoked four cigars
while the parade was passing, which
showed the excited state of mind he
was in.
Harry Wells, of the Wolff Packing
company, acted as steering committee
for the judges and did his work Wen.
Now, if we were to judge about the
girls in the wagons" said Charlie Eel
lows, Il think we could give some
mighty fine decisions
You bet we could said Tom Dor
an Let US do something like that
and we will give you learned decis-
ions"
Say" said Charlie McCabe, s'I think
it was a capital idea of the grocers
and butchers doing away with gro
Gerry and meat wagons in the parade.
'.It looks a good deal nicer to see the
men walking"
The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-25
TOM DoRAN's SPEECH.
Says Adam Was the First Man to In
dulge in a Spare Rib.

Thomas Doran's speech to the grocers
and butchers was entertaining. Referr-
ing to the extraction of rib from
Adams side Mr.. Doran said:
This transaction is also the first re-
corded history of the product of the
butchers art SO well known in later
the rib which has undoubtedly caused
his descendants to journey through this
vale of tears, forever, one rib short.
After Cain killed Abel" said Mr..
Doran still referring to biblical story,
"he' absconded to the Strip, east of
Eden, in the land of Nod, where he
built a city, in which a Grocers' and
Butchers association was organized. A
trust was formed by Jubal. Gains son,
who was a butcher and Seth, Gains
brother, who was a grocer. The object
of the trust was to get corner on the
good things of life; to establish the free
delivery system; to prevent the adul-
teration of food; to extend credit judic-
iously by means of the blacklist, and to
escape the rigors of collections through
justices courts; in short to do away
with that article of commerce common
ly known to the trade as the dead beat.
The association became very popular on
account of it's pure food; its prompt de-
livery system and in the facility with
which persons properly rated in the
book of Job could get grub without
cash."
Mr. Doran continued: '1n the early
days of the organization the business of
the grocer and butcher was carried on
in a very primitive and simple manner.
The grocer usually kept a small collec-
ton of dried herrings, some dried ap-
PIES a box of petrified prunes, a few
soda crackers, an antiquated cheese a
Ixeg of sorghum rnOlaSSeS, and several
barrels of good old Kentucky whisky.
The grocery store was the social center
of the village The primitive grocery
store, God bless it, it is gone forever
hut its memory lives, an oasis in the
desert of the past, the day dream of
many a green old age. Cities have
sprung up over our land and with them
has come the modern grocery store
with its solicitors. who come for your
The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-25
HOW 1T WAS ORGANIZED.
The Retail Grocers' Association Was
the Original of Today's Affair.

The Topeka Retail Grocers' associa-
ton was organized three years ago. 1t
at first was rather a small organization
formed for the purpose of correcting
false weights and measurements, guard
ing against bad debts and influencing
legisla ton on behalf of all business in
terests, especially the grocers'.
The association has grown until now
its membership is ITO. Frank Newland
is president of the association and VIM.
Dransfield secretary. The Grocers' and
Butchers picnic today was gotten up
by the Topeka Retail Grocers' associa-
ton The butchers and commission
men of the city were invited to join in
the picnic, and they have come forward
with great enthusiasm 1t is proba BILE
that a Grocers' and Butchers associa-
ton will be formed as result of this
picnic, which will in a measure cover
the field of the Retail Grocers' associa-
ton, but will go farther.
The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-25

ard moved to Kansas avenue from
Tenth street. Otto kuehne was mar
shall of the day. He with his aides,
Messrs. Chas. Wolff, Dell Parker. Jas.
Lannan, John Green, Grant McCray
and Sam Cunningham, were mounted
on horseback and wore a striking cos
mel shirt, linen trousers, canvas 1eggings.
cavalry hats and marshaPs saShes OF
red, white and blue.
At the head of the procession were
Chas. Wolff and James Lannan- Inn
medtately following them MarshaIS
Military band in fatigue costume, play
ed the finest kind of music, as usual,
just the right swing to it to make Geo.
Weaver, the colored cake walker, who
followed behind in duck trousers, silk
hat and cutaway coat, step fanclfully-
Following these was the retail gro
GERS delegat ton. There were 201 gro
cerymen in double line. They carried
Japanese parasolS. They made a fine
showing, and they were kept busy bow
ing to the crowd on the sidewalks, for
when a marcher spied his or her IA
vorite groceryman he was yelled at and
he had to bow in return.
The Continent band followed and
played a lively march. Representatives
of the packing houses of Kansas City
clothed in long duck overcoats and
carrying white umbrellas on which the
name of their firm was painted headed
the butchers procession. Chas. Wolff,
Swift & Co., Armour, Dold and Fowler
were thus represented. All five men
wore white caps. Mr.. J. E. Kennedy
represented the Swift company.
Eighty-six butchers of Topeka dress
ed in white duck Jackets, wearing white
duck caps and carrying green fans fol-
lowed.
The Reform School band in new mill
tary uniforms played we'll and kept
music in the air during the line of
march.
Following this were the Chas Wolff
packing house men. There were 110 of
them in line dressed in white duck
Jackets and caps.Next came the judges
in carriages and two large Prairie Pull
mans" held Al big and little girls in
white who assisted in serving the peo-
pie at the picnic.
There were 518 men walking in the
parade, and it was composed entirely of
Topeka grocers and butchers. Nearly
10000 people on the sidewalks and in
windows saw the procession so by.
The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-25
OTTO KUEHNE's GIRLS.
The Four-Horse Team to Their Band
wagon Gets Skittish.

Who are we?
Who are, who are,
Who are we?
We are the girls that
Work for Otto Kuehne.
The Prairie Pullman and band wagon
loaded with girls from Otto Kuehne's
factory were the merriest crowd in the
procession and all the way to the park
their merriment and wit were directed
at the gazing crowds along the street.
The band wagon was first and had
four horses. The leaders were a pair
of spirited horses and thought it was
their place to keep step to the music.
On the North side they became fright
ened at passing street car and COM
menced to rear and plunge. They got
thoroughly mixed up and for a fewmin>
utes nothing but badly frightened girls
clambering out of the wagon and an
excited tun1uIt of shouting men and
trampling horses could be seen in the
clouds of dust. The horses were final
ly quieted and the broken harness
mended. The girls climbed back in the
wagon, but there was no more merry
shouting, but once in a while girlish
screams filed the air if the horses COM
menced to prance.
The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-25
SOME OF THE VISITORS.
It Was Hard 10 Spot All of Them in
the Vast Crowd

An effort was made by the entertain
ment committee to keep tab on the vis-
iting grocers but the attempt was fail
ure. Many did not go to- the head
quarters tent at all and others who did
go did not register.
The following visitors were seen by
John Arbacher of ST. Marys, George
Hart of Overbrook, d. M. Wells of
Rossville, H. J. Sanfort of Nortonvillei
C. w. Higginbotham of Rossville, Milo
Emery of Overlook, Duncan Bell of
Scranton, E. H. Perry of Volland.
This does not by any means include
all the grocers present from other
towns. June Moore says that nearly
every town within 80 miles of Topeka is
represented.
The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-25
ACRES OF VEHICLES.
Three Blocks of Wagons and Buggies
Outside the Park.

The crowd in Garfield park was a
great one, but one of the biggest show
ings made was on the south side of the
park, where hundreds of bugg;eS and
wagons were hitched. To the fence on
the south boundary of the park people
had hitched their horses as closely as
possible and this line extended for three
blocks east.
Such solid line of buggies and We
hicles has not been seen for a long time.
In addition to these many had gone to
Garfield park early and had taken up
space inside the park with their vehi-
c1es. After the crowd began to arrive
all vehicles were prohibited from enter
ing within the gate and the carriages
already in We're removed.
The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-25
Getting the Japanese Parasols.

AT the Implement store at the SOUTH
west corner of Sixth and Quincy street
before the parade a large crowd gath
cred to form in line. In a huge box in
side the building the Japanese umbrel-
las were being given out to the gro
GERS. Men pushed through the crowd
to receive one of the souvenirs and the
who had objected to the wearing of
badges, hurried about asking first
one. then another, where his badge was.
Being reminded that he had opposed
th. wearing of badges, he exclaimed:
80, well, if they are going to wear them
I will have to do it too" This man
used to live in Junction City
The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-25
Rush at the Transfer Station

The transfer station corner was
busy one all day. Electric cars in large
numbers were in waiting to take the
people to Garfield park. People scram-
bled onto the cars, seeming to be intent
on being among the first to arrive
there The cars were loaded to the
footboards, women and children cling
ing to the sides in their effort to be in
time for the free feed. In some in
stances people climbed into the cars
before the seats could be turned, and
they accordingly had to ride backwards
to the park. 1t was a busy time for the
Topeka Railway company, and the peo-
pie were hauled over in large numbers.
The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-25
THE CAKE WALK.
What the Contestants Said Before
They Began the Walk.

The cake walk takes place at four
o'clock and each one of the contestants
says he will win.
Babe Weaver said: 'fWin it? Well
you nebber did see me lose out did you
honey? Ise been in lots OBJ cake walks
in dis part OBJ de country and I never
has1oosed out yet. Jest you keep your eyes
on me chile I'll show you how to cut
de mustard and do de ole buck step
up right. I can't lose. Ise got me a
new rabbits foot and all de odder mig
gers in Tennessee town couldent queer
me-"
Andy Jordan was surprised to hear
that Babe ever had an idea of car
rying away that cake and said: HE
aint got no more show dan a white
mule has in coon hunt. 1 tell you jest
how tbs. Monday I looked at the clock
at minutes past eleben and Tuesday
The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-25
TAKING LUNATICs.
One of Them Being Escorted to the
Picnic Falls in a Fit

This afternoon as Topeka asylum at
tendants were taking a small party of
insane men to the picnic an inmate
named Hamer fell suddenly to the pave
ment in fit. Women screamed and
drew away from the form of the pros
trate man.
Two of the attendants carried Hamer
back into the rear of the transfer sta
tion and laid him on the floor, where he
writhed in an epileptic fit. He soon
recovered and the crowd which had col
lected~ to see the horrible sight dispers-
ed. The lunatics were taken over to
the picnic to see the sights. They are
from the ward of harmless inmates.
The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-25
MR.. GREEN'S GREAT TASK
It Was Like That of a General Com
manding an Army.

Vim. Green was In charge of the pre-
liminary arrangements for the barbe-
cue. He walked up and down the
fence separating the tempting and snnok-
ing food from the multitude directing
the arrangements like a general.
Occasionally he stopped to tell some
man hungrier than the rest that dinner
would be ready as soon as possible, but
he had very little to say.
Don't let anyone in that gate,'' said
he to to the doorkeeper, and the door
keeper kept the crowd out. 1t was a
trying position to Superintend the ar
rangements to feed Il, 600 people, but
Mr.. Green was equal to the task.
The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-25
THE JOKE IN "KLoND1KE..
1t Looks Like Beer, But It Isn't Any
thing of the Kind.

Otto Kuehne appreciates a joke and
he is always ready to turn the laugh
on others.
At the end of his Streets of Klon-
dixie is a. large tent. At one side of
the tent stands a barrel The door is
carefully guarded and when a victim
is marked he is steered into the tent
with a hint that there is free beer for
the elect to be had.
A cup hangs by the side of the bar
rel and the attendant turns the faucet
and draws what looks like foaming
lager. But the thirsty individual is
The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-25
FARMERS BY HUNDREDS
Drove in From the Country to Attend
the Picnic.

James Sproat, who is a member of the
entertainment committee, said this aft
ernoon that nearly all the farmers in
the country came in to attend the pic
mic.
MANY farmers from Usage county
are here" said Mr.. Sproat. "They came
from everywhere and wagons with
farmers began to arrive very early in
the morning and they have been COM
ing ever since. I never saw such a
general turnout of farmers at an ordin-
ary celebrat ation in Topeka
The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-25
POLICE DUTY AT THE PARK.
Forty-Five, Including Specials. Look
ing After the Enormous Crowd.

Tim Donovan being asked what police
arrangements had been made for the
picnic today, said that the regular
force together with the night men and
the specials would be used. Then he
added with a twinkle in his eye:
IF there should be need of any more
we will call on the Committee of Sew
enteen to help us OUT
In all about As policemen are on duty
today. Chief Steele, Sergeants Don
ovan and Owen are in charge of the
men, and it is thought that the num-
ber is large enough to attend to the
crowd.
The Topeka state journal., 1897-08-25
BIGGEST He EVER SAW.
Mayor Fellows Certain the Whole
Town Was at the Picnic

''This is the biggest picnic I ev-
er saw in Topeka said Mayor Fellows
just after he had made a tour of the
grounds.
'sThe grocers and butchers surely de-
serve a great deal of credit for what
they have done. When I heard this
thing talked about, I did not dream
that it was going to be such an affair
as this. The whole town is here
Mayor Fellows would have said more
if someone had not just then come up to
invite him to drink a milk shake.