The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-06
TOPEKA'S BIRTHDAY.
City Federation Celebrates the Event
With an Interesting Session.


One of the most interesting events that
has transpired in club circles for some
time was the joint meeting of the City
Federation and the Daughters of the
American Revolution which was held in
Unity church Wednesday afternoon To-
day is the regular day for the December
meeting of the Federation but as We'd
nesday was the f0rty-sixth birthday Of
TOpekait was decided that a joint meet
ing be held in order that the day might
be observed in an appropriate manner
The programme, decorations and the
social hour were IN charge OF the
Daughters of the American Revolution
and they deserve much credit for the
manner in which they carried out their
arrangements The place of honor on
the platform was occupied py large pic
lures Of George and Martha Washing
ton Graped with flags; the walls were
draped with immense flags and hagS
served as pOrtieres- 4 feeling OF envy
was aroused in many hearts by the old
fashioned hand-woven coverlets which
draped the ratings and which are the
SWEETEST thing for porieres, probably ow-
ing as much to their rarity as anything
else The desk was graced by a bunch
Of exquisite chrysanthemumS sent by
Mrs. Hague. one Of the members OF the
Federation.
gramne were seated on the platform
with Mrs. Thompson, the federation
president
The forty-sixth birthday of Topeka
was observed with an interesting as well
as appropriate programme. It was OPP
ened by a piano solo by Miss Mabel
Martin. Mrs Thompson then made an
introductory speech in which she intro
duced Mrs. J. D Mcfarland who gave
an informal talk on the early days IN
Topeka Mrs. McF'arland's talk was H.
teresting especially 10 the old settlers
present, as she told many personal rem
iniscences which included them
m SreG king the t2uanTFel raid she
said that for days there was so much
fear of the raiders in Topeka that the
people were afraid to undress at night,
but went to bed in their clothes vita
small packages Of ya1uableS with which
they were TO escape II possible MIS-
Mcfarland still has in her possession.
the little carpet-bag she was given then,
containing her mothers wedding dress
and various other articles and a number
Of these she showed to the audience.
Following this was a vocal solo by
pupil of Miss Spencer at Washburn col
Mrs. D. c. NeIlis then read an original
poem entitled. Topeka which was de-
cidedly humorous; she did not come 10
Topeka until 1870, and on that account
she was rather patronized by the old
settlers because she had missed so many
of the haTdships Of frontier life She
compared the customs Of 1870 with those
likely TO prevail in 1854.
Miss Ruth Collins violin solo was fol-
lowed by an interesting talk by Mrs
Noble Prentis of Kansas City, formerly
of Topeka She strongly advocates the
organization of local societies for the
perpetuatiOn OF old historical spots She
says that all over the state are interest
ing historical places which are rapidly
being destroyed as no one takes enough
interest to look after their preservation
At Larned she says that the citizens are
putting up markers along the old Santa
F'e trail. and she suggests that this be
done all through the state Mrs Prentis
mentioned a library which was founded
IN Topeka many years ago with seven
hundred volumes and which had disap-
peared; there was only one person in the
room who could tell that it had been de-
stroyed by fire. and many had never
even heard Of it's existence
At the close of the programme the
guests were invited into the lecture
room which was fitted up with all kinds
OF local historical curiosities. There was
priceless old china and silver, spinning
wheels, old manuscripts and books, but
the most curious OF all was an old
fashioned baby coach which belonged to
the grandfather Of Mrs Thomson and
Mrs John E Lord
Mrs n. F. Handy, one of the d A R.
dressed in a quaint Martha Washington
costume, served coffee at charming
little table fitted up with odd candle
sticks and old silver.
Preceding the programme a short bus
mess meeting was held; the roll was
called and the minutes of previous
meetings read and approved Mrs
Humphrey announced that the mid-wfn-
ter meeting of the Federation had been
condition of the programme. The Rus
kin Art club was admitted into mem
given up this year owing to the crowded
bershfp.
Among the out of town guests were
Mrs. Humphrey and Mrs Mcknight Of
Junction City. Mrs Minnie D. Morgan
of Cottonwood Falls and Mrs. R A
Black OF Ottawa
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