The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-24
THEY GOT BRYAN.
How He Was "Indueed" to At
tend Log Rolling,
First Positively Declined the
Invitation.
AN ALLURING BAIT.
Tt Was Furnished In a $3.50
Draft.
Capacity of the Little Town
Taxed by Crowd.
An ALLURING BAIT.

St Mary's Aug. 24-When the Mod
ern Woodmen of Pottawatomie and
Wabaunsee counties, planning for the
annual log rolling, started the prelim-
mary work it was the unanimous opin-
ion that the celebration of 1899 should
be a record breaker. To accomplish
this the necessity of having an attrac-
tion extraordinary was at once appar-
ent 1t was agreed that William J.
Bryan would draw the crowds. Mr.
Bryan was invited but he notified the
committee that he could not accept the
invitation from the WOodmen. But the
log-rollers are '-WoOdmen" only in
their connection with the fraternal or
der A ''job''-a genuine Kansas poiti-
cal job-was put up on Mr.. Bryan and
he was trapped. but only after a
tempting financial bait was put out.
AS Mr.. Bryan is this year deliver
ing political speeches. and has a tender
place in his heart, because Kansas was
carried by him in the last presidential
campaign, the Woodmen devised a plan
TO have a political speech. A -bi-
metallic league with August Erbacher
as chairman, was organized. This league
has no members, but the title did the
work. Mr. Erbacher was not elected
chairman of the league, but acted as
tion which really existed in name only"
as one of the promoters of the plan eX-
planned to a Journal reporter Mr. Err
bacher and James Graham, after let
ters from the Democratic leaders of
Kansas had failed to secure Bryan's
consent to visit St. Marys went to To-
peka and called on David Overmyer-
He was asked to take a hand but Mr.
Erbacher solved the problem He said
to Mr.. Overmyer;
DO you suppose Bryan is waiting for
money!"
That's it." said Overmyer.
Mr. Erbacher then went to the Bank
of Topeka and secured a draft for $3.50.
This was forwarded TO Mr.. Bryan, then
in Iowa, for travelling expenses" as
the letter explained Mr. Bryan, in
due time. wired his acceptance of the
invitation with the understa nding that
he could talk politics.
While the effort to get Bryan was
showing signs of failure, NJ. NJ. Lee.
William True and H B. Tracy. went
to Topeka and secured Governor Stan
ley's pledge TO be present August %,
changing the original date, which was
August "a. Then a telegram from Mr..
Bryan announced that he would be here
August "a So Governor Stanley is not
and viii not be present, owing to an
engagement to speak at Cherryvale.
Mr.. Bryan and his staunch friend, John
Sullivan, of Kansas City, are the only
speakers. Mr.. Sullivan, by the way
was boosted out of the fat office of
collector at Kansas City by Grover
Cleveland, because Sullivan had been
8ullly OF -OfTenS1Ne part1SanSh1p. in
hobnObbing with Mr.. Bryan. while hold
ing a position under gold standard
president
The speechmaking did not begin un
til O'Clock this afternoon, Mr.. Bryan
arriving direct from Lincoln on the
Union Pacific at PA this afternon. He
has rooms at the hotel, and will re-
main here until Friday morning, when
he goes to Upton. Mo.
During the forenoon the WOodmen
had possession of everything in sight. a
parade in which everybody participa ted.
was the first attraction. The town is
crowded, the surrounding counties and
towns all having large representation.
1t is estimated that there are 10000
people in town and on the grounds. The
crowd commenced coming yesterday
and rooms and meals were at a prem
ium in a few hours. However, the peo-
PIE here are doing their utmost to care
for the multitude.
The parade was for the Woodmen,
and was creditable in every respect
Prizes were offered and will be awarded
tonight as follows:
Woodman camp having largest num-
ber of men in parade, $40.
WOodmen camp making best appear
Royal Neighbors making best appear
ance, SO.
Best WoOdman float $40.
Best private float $40
Best business float $40.
Best novelty SO
After the parade reached the grounds
a J Beakey of St Marys delivered an
ADDRESS of welcome to the visitors
Prof D. Wilcox of Onaga responded
l he Maple Hin glee club and a half
dozen bands furnished the music.
After dinner the crowds loafed
around and listened to Mr. Sullivan-s
speech, while waiting for Mr. BRYAN
Immediately after mis- address which
was entirely political. the programme
which completed the afternoon. fol-
lows:
Forester teams competitive drill
Drill by Wamego girl cadets
Exhibition drill by Sunhower team
Topeka
Band contest, log saving. log chop-
ping. tug of war between -Pottav-a TO-
Inle and Wabaunsee county WOodrnen
the prize being a wagon load of water
melons. A special detail of police has
guarded this load of melons since i
came to town. Then there is the s-rsae
ed pole and the baby show. the bali and
Dand concert and the cake walkers
Irom Kansas City to close the pro-
gramme tonight.
Men who have had to do with this
celebratiOn are as follows.
Executive cOmmitte@W Fl Tr,7a
august Erbacher. T. J. Byrnes. J. A
Aupert, j. A Steinmeyer, c. o. Helm.
A. L Bell
Finance-A. Erbacher. T. J. Byrnes.
:; n olelhneyer, A F. Armstrong, w
n 1rue, A l. Bell. The membership
OF the remaining committee was made
up OF the following citizens. 7
Beakey- A Urbansky- James Graham
9 r. Anderson. NJ. NJ Lee. Clint Welsh
FRANK BourbonniaS. William SiDeo 7
T. Van Dusen, John Erbacher T 7
Ryan, James Cunneen, Frank Fair
James Cass. ". H. Rannister. Oscar
Berschelden, H. Amelunven. Oscar Al
len. Wm- Beseau, Frank O'AIera, Geo.