The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-03-03
COL. FUNSTON HERE.
The Brave Young Kansan Who
Fought For Cuban Lib
erty Arrives.

Col. Fred Funston, the battle SCARED
and fever marked Kansan who recently
returned to his native land from an IS
months campaign with the insurgent
army in Cuba, arrived in Topeka at
noon today, and will lecture at Hamil-
ton hall tonight. He will be introduced
by David Overmyer.
This entertainment is given for the
benefit of the Elks and the members of
that organization are doing all they
can to make the occasion one of i'm
pOrtance.
Mr.. Funston was highly pleased when
he aHghted from the train and was Ia
ken to the carriages which were to es-
cOrt him to the hotel, because a Cuban
flag was hanging from one of them.
THAT is the prettiest flag on earth
except our own" he exclaimed. This
was the first time he had seen the en-
blem of Cubas struggle for independ-
ence since he was compelled, by his
wounds, to give up his place in the
army and return to the United States.
Cuban independence is coming" he
said. 1T will be within two or three
months I think. too. There will in my
opinion, be intervention of some kind
on the part of the United States which
will lead to a settlement of the difficult
ties. Presidents Cleveland and McKin-
ley do not deserve criticism for having
waited so long before doing something
for the Cubans, but things are in such a
condition at this time that something
must De QOno. Inc CaDanS want I'D
erty and they will die trying to achieve
it."
Mr. Funston was met at the depot by
David Overmyer, Robert Pierce, John
F. McManus, w. F. Roehr, Pick Smith,
w c. Hamilton, George Chase, Major
Tom Anderson and Charles Samson. He
was driven to the Copeland where he
received callers during the afternoon.
The lecture tonight will be of a general
character, reciting briefly the causes
which precipitated the revolution, the
struggle so far as it has proceeded, de-
ScriptiOnS of the country, climate and
the people. closing with a summary of
personal experiences.
This lecture business does not suit
me at all" said Mr.. Funston I
spent eighteen months in Cuba and find
that 1 must turn to something for a
livelihood. 1 have gone into the lecture
field and am now booked so far ahead
| that don't know when I'll get through.
1 am extremely f1attered by the encOur-
agement which has been offered me in
this direction.
Il want to say" continued Mr.. Fun
Justice Doster who had called to pay
their respects to the young warrior,
that am mighty glad to get back on
Kansas soil A man passes through
some fearful experiences in that cOun-
try. Fever, Spanish bullets and the in
sects which get under ones skin make
life a burden but those men who are
fighting for independence do not take
note of these minor matters. They are
simply struggling for freedom and Moth
ing but that will satisfy them. Unless
President Mckinley desires to stultify
himself 1 think something will be done
soon to aid those suffering people in
the conflict in which they are now en-
gagged
Colonel Funston was in command of
a battery of artillery. This part of the
insurgent army was subject to the most
powerful attacks on the part of the
Spanish. When one of our batteries
would open up on them, everything
they had in way of building material
ammunition, shells, in fact everything
/ ina ginable would be coming our way.
They would simply drop everything else
and go after the artillery. Yet, the
patriotism of the insurgents knows no
bounds and they will not relinquish the
STRUGGLE in which they are engaged,