The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-11-03
EXERCISES AT STATE HOUSE.
Gen. Funston Receives His Sword
and Flags Are Returned.

The people who thronged the state
house grounds and waited all the after
noon We're just as enthusiastic when
the head of the procession turned in
the grounds at o'clock as if they had
but just arrived there.
The mighty yell that went up when
the head of the column was sighted was
enough to show the feelings of the peo-
pie. Everyone watched for the Twen-
tieth and General Funston. The car
riage bearing the general and his bride
was sighted, the yell was terrific. 1t
went up against the state house, bound
ed back, Toared across the open space.
bounded from the Santa Fe offices and
then mixed with the Rock Chalk! Jay
Hawk! K. U.," muff1ed roar. Funston
bowed. His wife smiled.
The general and Mrs. Funston were
escorted to the stand on the state house
steps to review the parade He shook
hands with those on the stand; Chief
Justice Doster, Governor Stanley, ex-
Governor Morrill,, Gen. j. X Hudson,
Mayor Charles Drew, Mrs. Funston, Mrs.
Stanley, Col. Perry NJ. HOisington, Ad-
jutant General Fox.
Then came General Metcalf at the
head of the Fighting Twentieth Kan
sas." General Metcalf rode handsome
white horse.
General Hudson waved his hat. The
crowd took up the shout. 1t was tre-
mendOus. The police could no longer
keep back the crowd and the passage
When Gen. Aetcalf rode on the crowd
fell back. Another cheer went up when
Lieut. Col. Little, riding a black horse,
appeared.
The torn and stained battle flags of
the regiment appeared. The solid blue
field of the Kansas flag was faded and
burned They told of the hardships and
sufferingS. OF the brave men who gave
their lives for the flag that never came
down. There was a hush for mo-
ment then a cheer that swelled into
roar like the roll of thunder. Now and
then the strains of THE Stars and
Stripes Forever could be heard above
the din as the band men played, lUud as
they could.
The Twentieth regiment was given
a place in front of the stand. Every
time the stars and stripes went by they
cheered with the ardor known only to
those who have fought under its folds.
The different organizations in the
parade were given places and the exer-
cises commenced with MarShaPS band
playing America and the school chill
dren on the steps and the crowd sing
ing it.
Chief Justice Doster stepped to the
front of the platform and raised his
hand for silence. He said:
Ladies and Gentlemen: Speaking is
not in order at this occasion. The hour
is too late, and nothing will be said ex-
cept what is incident to the ceremonies.
The deeds of the gallant men whom we
meet to greet, and whose vaIor we have
read of. are more eloquent than any
words at my command. (Cheers).
have only to say, as the fullest and fit
test expression possible for Kansas,
Cheers for the living and tears for
the dead I now have the honor to in
trOduce to you the colonel of the regi-
ment, and the colors. and the governor
Of this state.''
General Metcalf and Governor Stan
ley stepped to the front of the stand.
The color sergeants appeared with the
battle flags The cheering was COM
menced again. When quiet was re-
stored General MetcaIf said
Il had a long speech to make at this
time, but it is too late. I simply wish
to say for myself, and for the regiment
CONTINUED on Sixth Page.9