Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-12-06
Preserve Kansas Relics.

future. Only here'and there has there
been one who thought Of the pride
and inspiration associated with the
ancestral treasures OF eastern homes
and endeavored to preserve some
thing OF value in the beginning oil
things in the newer state.
The average Kansas town takes Q
ierocious delight in seeing the first
house built on the townsite 60 up In
flames, as II 1t were the severing Of
an undesirable tie that bound it tt
the too humble past. Despite the
efforts OF the State Historical society
the same sentiment has been abroad
In the commonwealth. The society
has saved what it could; 1t has
bound up the files Of newspapers
and preserved the books and
pam phlets Of thinkers, but 1t could
not and can not do everything. Some
OF the truest wealth the state
possesses in historical suggestion IL
beyond its reach at present and can
only be preserved by the efforts and
pride OF the people themselves.
For instance, along the line Of the
Union Pacific In the Fort Riley reser.
vation, a mile east Of the station,
stand the first capitol and the first
governors residence in Kansas his
tory. They are all that is left OF the
illfated town otPawnee, to which the
legislature came in white topped
prairie schooners, spent two or three
days and adjourned 10 Shawnee Mis-
sion. The state house, used as such
but a short time, but yet the first, Is
roohess, hoorless, windowless. The
walls are tumbing as the winds and
storms weaken the mortar that has
held the stones for iorty-six years.
In a few years 1t will be merely q
rock pile and then the stones will be
used to build a stable somewhere and
Kansas will have lost something for
which older commonwealth would
give fortunes-a picturesque remind
er Of the first days Of territorial ex-
istence. No effort has been made to
care for this ruin and the wonder is
that it has stood so long and in SO
excellent q state OF preservation.
Oi all the six capitals the state
has possessed before building the
present one none is so well fitted
for preservation as this first one,
and none appeals so strongly to
the State. Then down around Osa.
watomie are reminders Of John
Brown. Kansas worships the mem.
Dry of that sturdy old enthusiast who
stamped his impress on the history Of
his time-yet is it doing anything to
preserve the visible and material re-
ninders Of his presenceP The first
house built in the State, as old as
1884, is said 10 stand in Leavenworth
Could not Kansas do better
han allow it to pass awayP There
IRE buildings in Lawrence, in Topeka,
n Lecompton and elsewhere that
lave rich historic value. They are
lot expensive structures mostly the
'ude architecture Of early days. The
State ought to own and protect them.
Il ought to give the State Historical
'ociety enough money to buy and
AXE care Of buildings and places that
ire associated with the States early
history. 1t is doubtful II anything
would pay a larger or more satisfac-
DRY interest than money spent in
his way or in building a few monu-
nents where they would stand as re-
ninders Of glorious pages Of Kansas
history.
The average Kansas town has a
constant quarrel with the first settlers
they did not start park or
public library or something else
hat would have grown with the mu-
and become in these years
IN inspiration and apride. The COM
ng generations will have a righteous
quarrel with the people Of today II
hey do not do what they can to keep
Ind preserve those things that are
part of the States early lie. 1t is
thrilling to be an iconoclast, but there
s such a thing as overdoingit. Kan
las has INDUCED in that pursuit SUI
iciently to demonstrate that she can
make tolerably good success at it.
Now shp would hotter look in another