The record-union., 1899-06-22

"dS Idte5eu Ol It's peueSte1 III Tie ~
peka cemetery no individual soldier
had done SO much for the men who
found death by his side
Within few hours the granite senti-
mel will hold guard over the last rest
ing place of the man who put 1t there.
The generous nature that was manifest
in its building passed out with the
death Of Guilford G.sGage at his horne
in this city Friday afternoon.
In the days of its infancy the city of
Topeka had many good man to help
it into a iourishing existence, but no
better man than the dead capitalist
and philanthropist. When existence
was at last assured and it blossomed
into prosperous life there was no stead
ier or more substantial hand to guide it
in it's course than that of G. G. Gage
In later years there was no move
ment for public good or philanthropic
purpose in which he did not participate.
Mr.. Gage came to Topeka from Ohio
when but y years of age, and the
wealth which he enjoyed for years and
which he turned to such good account,
was the result of his individual efforts
in this locality. His first employment
a thrifty and observing young man that
in two years time he was able to start
kiln of his own. That was the COM
mencement of his success When he.
enlisted for the civil war as a private
in the Second Kansas Regiment he was
the proprietor of a prosperous brick
plant.
For 10 years Mr.. Gage continued in
the brick business. During that time
he acquired city property from time to
time, and later this brought him big
returns At the opening of the Gov
ernment land in the Pottawatomie res
ervation he secured a valuable farm of
l60 acres. and this he held up to the
time of his death. Another farm just
west of Topeka, which is well known
as the location of Cages Lake" was
also secured and held Some time af
ter Mr.. Gage came into possession of
the latter piece Of land bituminous coal
was found there in great quantities,
and this discovery resulted in a big in
come to the owner
Mr.. Gage was proud of the fact that
he got his start in life by hard labor.
He built the house on Van Buren,
his own hands, working after he had
completed the days work for some one
else. He owns several business blocks
on Kansas avenue and was the largest
tax payer in the county. His estate
is probably worth 100000.
During late years Mr.. Gage was
enga ged in no business other than that
OF looking after his large holdings Of
real estate and occasionally loaning
money. He was never an ordinary mon-
ey loaner, for thousands of dollars pass
ed through his hands without security
and with no contract for interest.
Many Topeka men have much to re-
member Of Mr.. Cages generosity, and
worthy charity always found in him a
ready contributor
AS a recruit to the Second Kansas
Regiment Mr.. Gage took part in the
famous Battle of the Blue. The SOL
dier's monument in the Topeka Gene
terry is a tribute to the men who fell
in that battle, and in commemoration
of it Mr.. Gage had a history published.
A part of the history of the famous
stand of the 800 Kansas was told by
Mr.. Gage himself
Mr.. Gage was member of the bat
terry commanded by Captain Ross
Burns He remained at the gun with
several of his comrades until captured
by Prices force. Afterward he escaped.
but not until he had endured horrible
suffering from hunger and thirst In a
narrative Of the march south with
Prices raiders, DR.. Huntoon who was
also taken prisoner, says that it would
be impossible for human beings to suf-
fer more than the Kansas prisoners suf-
fered. He says that from want of food
and water the majority of the men were
in condition bordering on acute mania
and mentions an attempt made by Mr..
Gage in his frenzy to dig into the earth
with his hands for water.
The monument erected by Mr.. Gage
cost $4,000 1t was unveiled on Me-
mortal Day, 1896, and General j. c.
Caldwell, now United States Consul at
Vera Cruz, delivered the principal ad-
dress. The press in all parts of the
United States commented on the ac-
ticn of Mr.. Gage, and complimented
him in the highest terms.
Mr.. Gage leayes a widow, formerly
Miss Louisa Ives of Allegany County,
New York, to whom he was married in
1861. There was one child born to Mr.
and Mrs. Cage daughter, but she
lied When but one year of age.
In all his dealings Mr.. Gage proved
an honorable and substantial
citizen. He was a man of decided opin-
ons, but yet ever ready to respect the
opinions of others.
Two brothers of Mr. Gage are living,
and both will probably be- here to at
tend the funeral. One, N. L. Gage,
lives in Chicago. and was here but a