The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-11-02

foe. They fought as if for the very love
And Funston gave them undying fame.
sumter and Marian. Pickett and Custer
are remembered Their glory viii not
fade. No wonder San Francisco throng-
ed the way and shouted ringing well
come Those men belong to all the states
Funston was very modest about it all.
He didn't want to accept a triumph he
ting Colonel MetcaIf have the glory of
leadership all TO himself. You see. run n
ston IS no longer IN actlaI command o.
those men whom he led to glory through
a general now. and Colonel Metcalf has
the place at the head of the column
So it took everybody in the regiment
and many out of it to convince him that
anybody in San Francisco cared a hang to
ton Of the fact that he is one Of the show
pieces of the war-that he belongs with
Dewey and HobsOn in the nations gallery
When asked the night before If he was
answered: why, no. It was the answer
Of a man who has no notion of how great
become And in t1issame shirt ne couldn't
see why San Franciscans should care to
look at plain, go-ahead fighting man
from Kansas.
But they pulled him into line at last.
dissQaded him from going to Oakland.
and before he had gone far ne knew lust
what his fellOw-cOuntrymen think Of him
his hat going Continuously and it may be
set up as a hero. He looks and acts the
part-a very Alan Breck of fighters
1t was well along in the afternoon be
fore eEeryt hing was in readiness for the
Decentralization from the Tartar. Mean
time. men, women and children had been
for hours bothering the policemen along
their homes. their restaurants and their
clubs at the noon luncheon hour 10 take
Fred Funston and his men" The wo-
men got out their banners and arranged
their bouquets The Kansas sunhower
was conspicuous on many a fetching
At last the vail of 1.-The Examiners
siren announced that the parade had
& q +l LIS gaI1 m ~ f tlsLH a3d 70
the mastering out day.
Funston rode on ahead. just behind the
escort of infantry. On his right rode
Governor Stanley of Kansas and Cover
Calumpit hadn't fairly started before he
knew how much of the whole show he
shouting like mad He looked at Cover
nor Stanley, as if he thought the cheers
why don't you acknowledge those
cheers?' asked the governor
For me?" inquired Funston with a look
of surprise.
'Of course
as well have carried it in his hand all the
rest of the way up the now historic route
he was ssi1ted WITH the same bursts Of
cheering. the same waving of flags, bang
the men who made history with him, each
with his sunfiower and his bouquet, were
transport tartar had quite an inDosfns
reception and a gay escort of tugs and
launches as she steamed from her anchor
age to the government dock. Then came
the government tug Fearless with Gov
ernor Stanley and the Kansas delegation.
A little later the Sea Queen followed, then
the Governor Markham, crowded with
friends of the regiment. The Caroline,
ing small flags, came up with band on
ernor irwin was the last of the fleet, and
as she rounded to under the stern of the
played Home, Sweet Home
Nearly every boat that went out carried
filled the air. The fruit was dextrously
caught by the soldiers and eaten with re-
and they capered about the deck like chill
dren turned loose for a holiday
ed by a number of officers, stood on the
upper deck greeting their friends on the
quets were passed up to Mrs Funston
Finally the quarantine embargo was
raised and the friends of the soldiers were
greeted By their loved ones
Scarcely a transport arrives in port
without a protest from the soldiers re-
tar there was a roar of Indignation from
the officers on this score, and the soldiers
forget to kick themselves.
There was one very sad case on the
Inns Her husband was killed in the Phil
ippines and the unfortunate woman brood
But there was little thought of death
or misery the men and women of the
Kansas reception committee went among
the siinfioWer Of their state All were
eager to olsen bark and stretch their legs
along the Streets-tO get safely upon the
good home land again
So they quickly lined up in regimental
formation on the wharf. Then the re-
ceptiOu committee slipped a little bouquet
into each gun barrel and they were ready
for the order to march.
Meantime the escort of heavy artillery
took
right Of line and swung into step with a
welcoming tune the kansans came
along trying to get rid of their sea legs
and accustOm themselves to the din of
the whooping of whistles and the firing
guns.
General Funston. riding a fine black
horse, took his place with the two gov
sas men got the order to march. Colonel
Metcaif making a gallant figure as he
The siren of the Eureka Planning mills
musical prodigy, piped up an erratic but
soulful rendition of Home Sweet Home
and then WhOOped and walled away at the
patriotic airs dear to every American
led in to place behind the ambuIances.
in which were the sick and wounded of
the Kansas and platoon of the l'C5al-
Looping Sixth" cavalry brought up the rear
of the procession
rOared for Funston and then pressed IN
upon the troops. shouting every possible
word Of cheer and good will. All the
ing OF other regiments were re-enacted
Men and women broke away from the DO
lice guard to go out and hug the fight
ers- Small boys carrying flags proudly