The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-05-09
IDEA IS GROWING.
Kansas Towns Preparing to
Welcome Twentieth Ham
Sas Companies.

The Twentieth Kansas regiment, its
different companies and the individual
members can not receive too much at
tention at the hands of the Kansas peo-
pie when that organization returns
from the Philippines.
SaIina has started out on the right
idea But the big reception for the en-
tire regiment will be held in Topeka by
the Kansas people. The Salina company
will be entertained at it's home by the
loyal people of that town. The Sallna
Union has the following to say:
The members of Company NJ should
be given a grand reception in Salina on
their return from the Philippines. Ihe
reception should consist of a banquet,
appropriate exercises, and general re-
joicing. The excellent work performed
by Saline county's volunteers is deserV-
ing of the best of recognition, ana thelr
safe return Will be additional cause Tor
Major Bishop would not have had an
opportunity to distinguish himself as
captain of Company M if the boys un-
der him were not, fighters. Therefore II
is hut fitting that Salina should honor
her heroes.
The Twentieth Kansas is the pride
of the United States, and the Saline
county boys who have performed their
part to make the regiment famous
should be thought as much of at home
as the regiment is in the nation.
and make preparations for receiving
Company NJ. The boys were given a
good send Off when they left here and
they should be given better SEND OF
when they return
The Kansas City papers are still sput-
tering about the way the regiment was
treated while in camp at Topeka and
the conditions under which 1t left.
The following letter from Rev. NJ. r
McKirahan is to the point. He was one
who tramped day after day between
the depots and the camp with the squad
of old soldiers who acted as guard of
honor to the Sc companies that came
here:
Much is being said of our treatment
of the Twentieth Kansas last summer,
now that the regiment has become
famous. 1 was in position to see all
that was done and had part in the
reception given the troops gathering
here, their treatment while here and
their departing.
While the authorities at the state
house seemed to be Indifferent, their
shortcomings were more than atoned
fer by the citizens of the city and
especially the G.. A. r. and their kim
pany was met by a delegation from
Lincoln Post No. l, G. A. r., with a
drum corps and escorted in good style
to the camp. except in a few cases
when we could not hear when they
would arrive. Several times we went to
the depot to meet a company, only to
discover that 1t would arrive at some
other time or over some other road.
The boys appreciated this attention
very highly and were prOfuse in praise
of their kindly reception. A Christian
commission was organized to see that
everything the boys needed was pro-
vided. When the Twentieth was about
to leave for San Francisco, we arranged
to give them big send off. and had an
escort in waiting, but Col. Little refused
to accept our offices. and instead of
marching the regiment in a body to the
train he sent it over by squads and
battalions, without giving us a chance
to do them the honor we desired. A
wagon load of provisions was in wait
ing at Lincoln Post hall but were not
sent for. We took them over and dis
tributed them to the boys on board the
train. A great crowd was at the depot
to bid them good-by, and everything
was done that could be done to treat
them right while here and send them on
their way with proper honor and re
spect When they return the old boys
of Lincoln Post will be ready to accord
them a royal soldiers welcome.
(Signed), NJ. F. Mckirahan.
The Commercial club will meet Wed
nesday night and appoint committees
to commence the arrangements for the
reception.