The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-17
A STRANGE KANSAS COMPACT.
How One Is TO Provide For the 9th
er's Burial.

Topeka (Kan0 Correspondence st. Louis
Globe-Democrat.
1t is not often that man in perfect
health makes every possible preparation
for his funeral. and for the care of his
body after death. But that is what has
bene done by sam Radges, a well-known
citizen of Topeka, under circumstances
that render the incident remarkable and
interesting Several years ago Mr.. Radges
performed valuable business service for
MIR. John r. Mulvane, president of the
Bank OF Topeka, and refused to accept
any compensation for IL. Mr.. Mu.vane
offered to pay him for his time AMI labor,
but he declined all reward for his service
on the ground that he was accommodating
a friend, and scorned to put the transac-
ton on a financial basis. The banker ten
dered him a check for a liberal amount,
and insisted rather strongly upon liquidat-
ing what he considered to be a legitimate
obligation, but Radges was equally obdu-
rate and continued TO protest his absolute
freedom from mercenary considerations.
Finding that his friend persisted like an
other Caesar. in refusing the pronered
crown, and, unwilling to rest under debt
SO obviously Just, the banker came back at
him with this kindly proposition; We'll,
sam there is this much l insist upon do
ing for you-you will be able to keep your
self during life all right. but when you
are dead l promise 10 see that you have a
Christian burial"
ITS a bargain" Radges promptly re-
piled, and at his request the promise was
reduced to writing and duly signed, the
banker binding himself not only to fur
nish a suitable funeral, but to provide for
the care and safety of the body of the
party of the second part for reasonable
period of time
The banker is one of the wealthest men
in Kansas, and so universally honored ana
respected that Il is readily admitted that
he will keep his promise, even IL no con-
tract had been entered upon, but both par
ties are such sticklers for correct bust
ness forms that each felt sense of re-
lief when the written agreement had been
approVed by an attorney and declared not
to be in violation of interstate commerce
or the antitrust law. The fact that the
banker is several years the senior of his
comrade adds a feature of grtmness to
the deal, as no condition is made respect
ing survival The banker has lived long
est already, and the evident supposition
is that he will continue 20 do so.
Something in the conversation over the
negotiation of this strange contract led
Mr.. Radges to think more seriously of
death than he had ever before done, ana
it was not long until he had purchased
beautiful lot in the Topeka cemetery and
built a substantial and imposing vault
to serve as his final resting place. De
termined to be eccentric to the last, he
has already arranged to have the interior
of the tomb illuminated at night by cleo
trio lights after he shall occupy 1t, ana
copy of the leading daily paper of the
city delivered at his door each morning
When competed, the bank president was
invited to inspect the vault, in considera-
ton of his legal and personal interest in
the matter. Mr.. Mulvane is a great lover
of flowers and plants, and offered many
suggestions with a view to ornamenting
the place and increasing its attractiveness.
1t was during this visit that happy idea
came to Radges. Uncle John" he said,
addressing him by a familiar title, sup
pose we change the wording of that con-
tract a little. / have already constructed
my own tomb, as you have seen, so that
part of the work you were to perform has
been lifted from your shoulders. Let's
make the contract read that you will take
care of me while l am alive, and leave me
to hustle for myself after death"
The banker refused to accede to this re-
quest, but fell back on a strict construc-
ton of the contract. which contemplates
only post-mortem expenditures, including
obsequies of the best class the facilities OF
the town may afford at the time of demise
"a fun military band and respectable
number of carriages
Il can grant you the usual extension,
Sam" he explained. in language easily
comprehended, land I am not averse to a
reasonable discount, but under no circum-
stances will permit an overdraft."
"In any event you will see that the prop
er caper Is done for me?" inquired Radges.
1T is so nominated in the bond,' the
banker assured him.
"Then l am as good as elected" re-
ba 20 ~ he ne
he took the arm of his financial hacker
and led him back to the carriage.
Don't forget to order that Boston ivy
I was telling you about" Uncle John re-
minded him as they were leaving the
grounds; 1T will be perennlally green and
beautiful when trained artistically over
the walls" he added, in open enthusiasm
us ivy the correct thing?" doubted Sam.
Don't you think IL would be more APP
propriate to get moss; it's for a mauso-
leum, you know?'
The story of the tomb and the odd cir
cumstances connected with its erection
got into the newspapers. and the sudden
~ famous citizen of Topeka was soon
deluged with propositions from all parts
Of the country for supplying him with
everlasting embalming fluids imperisha-
bic collins, and time locks set to open at
the first faint "call of breathing
morn" Finally an agent came all the
way from Cincinnati to tempt the tomb
builder with an entirely new pattern Of
casltet, made of aluminium, deliberately
finished and decorated. Sam was attract
ed by the symmetry and magniheence Of
the box as we'll as by It's interior comfort
and apparenA,durability and closed a
trade for one of the elegant receptacles
under conditions that still further illus
trates the peculiarities OF the man.
The price mutually agreed upon was
$1,000, and under the terms OF the contract
the casket is not 10 be delivered until the
year 1890. unless sooner demanded by the
exigencies Of the case At the time Of de-
livery, n the purchaser be still alive In
1900, the casket is to be placed in the
vault, there 10 be preserved and displayed
TO the public until required for actual use:
provided. that In consideration Of the dis
play. and the consequent benefit TO the
manufacturer In advertising, the purchas-
er is 20 receive a rebate at the rate of 500
year for ten years II he shall live until
1910 the article Is to become his individual
property without payment OF the purchase
price. On the contrary, should his death
occur az any period between the years 1900
and 1870 there shall be deducted from the
original cost price the said annual amount