The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-18
JESSE JAMES' MOTHER
And Jerry Simpson the Attraction at
a Missouri Picnic.


s'I did not expect too see all Missouri
at this picnic and did not prepare to
meet such a crowd
Thus spoke Congressman Jerry Simp-
son as he gazed at the 5000 faces gath
cred around the speakers stand at the
famous Lone Jack picnic, Tuesday.
The occasion was the thirty-first an
niversary of the battle of Lone Jack,
one of the most desperate and bloody
conflicts of the civil war. For the past
IS years the event has been commeEn-
and, in fact, by all Aaissourians within
so miles of the historic battle ground.
The occasion is regarded as the annual
fete day for residents of Lafayette and
Jackson counties and the farmer who
does not attend the Lone Jack picnic
is regarded as lacking in patriotism.
Tuesdays crowd was record break
er and, in spite of the heavy dOWnpour
of rain in the morning, the roads from
Lees Summit and Pleasant Hill were
lined with conveyanees of all kinds By
II o'clock fully 5000 people were in at
tendance and, as the sky cleared more
arrived, all well provided with edibles.
The battlefield resembled
A Circus Ground
as ''merry- go-rounds,' a Flying Dutch
man." cane and knife racks, red lemon
ade, sandwiches, lung and strength
testers, niger baby racks" and in
fact all of the stock in trade of the ia
kris" was provided.
All that was lacking to make the af-
fair an old fashioned country fair was
a speed ring and few sulkies.
The Lone Jack picnic, besides being
the annual outing of the country folk
is regarded as a field day for politi-
clans and candidates for office. AS the
farmers for miles around attend the
picnic the candidates take advantage
of the occasion to become acquainted
and solicit votes. For years only the
Democratic candidates presented them
selves at the Lone Jack picnic, but
Tuesday the Republican candidates
outnumbered the Democrats.
Colonel L. H. Waters. Walter Powell,
r. ID. Vert, M. r. Wright, Judge c. w
Clark, J. P. Maxwell, John B. Stone
and several other Republican canCi-
dates mingled with the crowd, and Col
onel L. H. Waters delivered the opening
Tom Crittenden, Henry Stonestreet
Martin Gossett, Charles Renicke, Judge
James Gibson and numerous other
Democratic candidates made their pres
ence known
Mrs. Samuels For Crittenden.
Mrs. DR.. samuels, mother of Frank
and Jesse James, attracted considera-
BILE attention on the grounds and de-
clared to party of friends that al
though 73 years of age, she had come
for Tom Crfttenden, because he helped
Jesse James, Jr., and his mother
Mrs. Samuels said:
"Old Tom Crittenden pardoned the
could not step inside my house, but
young Tom has helped US. He held a
mortgage on Mrs. James home for six
years, until little Jesse could pay it
That makes me his friend and do
not hold him accountable for his
fathers acts
Gathered about Mrs Samuels, as she
related how her arm was shot off, her
8-year-old child murdered and her hus-
band hanged by soldiers who were
searching for the James boys, were
Is gray-haired, but rugged looking men,
members of QuantrelPs band of guer-
rillas. BY Mrs. Samuels' side was Geo.
Shepherd, who was Quantrell's first
lieutenant. The incidents of the war
were reviewed, by the little party. which
held itself apart from the crowd pres
ent. A letter from Frank James to
Mr.. Shepherd was read by the latter,
and proposed the holding of a
Reunion of QuantrelFs
men at Blue Springs, Mo, in Septem-
Der. The idea was Endorsed by the fol-
lowers of QuantreH, and the meeting
will be held.
AS Major Henry Newman of Ran
dolph declared: t'I am not an ex-con-
federate. I am a confederate, just as
I was 35 years ago" Mrs. Samuels and
man declared that when General Joe
Wheeler was leading his men in the
charge at San Juan he forgot himself
for a moment, and yelled; ION men,
look at those Yankees run, or I mean,
Spaniards." This pleased the old con
federates present, and they let forth a
cheer.
Geo. Noel acted as master Of cere-
monies at the picnic, and his pretty
home was also thrown open to the
guests for dinner. Anyone who went
away from Mr. Noers hungry could
blame only himself. All sorts of good
things to eat were provided and served
by Is or 20 young ladies.
Congressman Jerry Simpson of Kan
sas, in a characteristic speech caught
the crowd present, and made himself
popular The speech was not a pOliti-
cal one but a talk in which the farm
ers present saw why Mr.. Simpson was
popular among the agricultural classes.
Congressman Will Cowherd was greet
ed warmly, and delivered an eloquent
address.
SHERMAN SEES RIIIM