The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-06-27
FRIEND TO KANSAS
Smedley Darlington Who Al
ways Stood by Her Is Dead.
NEVER LOST FAITH IN HER
He Believed She Was Destined
to Great Things.

Mr.. smedley Darlington Of Pennsyiva-
MIA, died at bis beautiful country home,
Faun Brook, near West Chester. last Sat-
1rday after a short Illness, aged Il
About six weeks ago Mr. Darlington
was in Wichita and appeared as hale and
hearty as he had at any time IN the past
ten years, during which period his visits
to Wichita have been frequent. On his
last visit he was greatly pleased over the
Frightening prospects Of the city and
state, and spoke hopefully Of the pros
perity to come.
1t was Mr. Darlington who bought the
first bonds ever issued by Sedgwlck coun-
ty. In early Kansas. when the east was
not favorable TO Kansas securities and
Kansas counties were se/rching for a
friend in the east, Mr.. Darlington proved
to be the champion Kansas so much need
ed. The first bonds issued by many Kan
sas counties were bought by him and
there was time on Wall Street when
the name Darlington and Kansas were
synonymous, almost
The first bonds OF sedgwck county in
the amount of 500. 600 which Mr.. Darling
ton purchased, were 10 aid Wichita in
securing the extension of the Santa Fe
ard for this Mr.. Darlington always held
a warm place IN the hearts Of Wichita
men and, in many respects, Mr.. Darling
ton was the greatest friend the state OF
Kansas ever had Years ago he became
convinced OF the rich future in store for
Kansas. He believed In Kansas, believed
that she was 20 become one of the very
greatest states in the union IN wealth and
population. He was convinced that her
soil was superlatively. fertile and that a
Kansas farm was gold mine. Through
his friendship for Kansas. millions and
millions were invested in Kansas securi-
ties Millions of Mr.. Dar1ington's own
money was put into Kansas property and
bonds, when there were other channels
inviting investment.
But Mr.. Darlington remained fast and
true to Kansas. When the post-boom
collapse came and deferred or defaulted
interest on Kansas mortgages was being
advanced to eastern holders by Mr.. Oar
iington. he never lost ,aith in the state
out all right in the end.
The latter part Of his life was not,
In material things, prosperous, but It VIII
please everybody to know that before his
death Mr.. Darlington believed in the
Frightening days In the land, that he
would recover whatever he had lost fnan-
cially, saying: Give me ten years and
III leave my children independent" No
one who knew his vigor. his ability and
bopefulness doubts that this he would
have done had he been spared, for ne
had already begun prOspering again.
To the last there was nothing moroee
in his disposition. He always looked on
the bright side OF things, and always took
a healthy, vigorous view OF life and its
responsibilities.
He had much JOY In his family, his wife.
who SO often visited with him Mr.. and
Mrs. S. W. Cooper OF this city, being a
woman OF great gentleness and nobility
OF character, his children. 1--WE daughters
and a son, all being Of vigorous mentality
and self-rehance, each capable of making
his or her way unafded II necessary.
Mr. Darlington was a thorough Ameri-
can. In his own state he was leading
spirit in public affairs and served at one
time in congress. where he was one OF
the foremost figures on the floor.
He was well known at Wichita Unlike
so many eastern men, he was thoroughly
at home on the streets here, and in the
day when he was one OF the richest men
IN the United States and rated as one
OF the most influential men in the nation,
he was more easily approached than any
man OF like note who ever came out OF
the east
Mr.. Darlington was OF a very old Penn
sylvania Quaker family. and in the reun-
ion OF the Darlingtons three years ago
several representatives OF the family from
England attended He was OF splendid
character personally. 1t has been said II
him that he had but one habit-devotion
to his family. He never took an outing,
an European trip. a vacation that he did
not have his family along 10 share he
pleasure
Mrs. s. W. Cooper Of Wichita his
daughter, left for Pennsylvania Sunday
morning.