Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-19
THE WORLD is SMALL
At Least the Following Story Would Make
It So.
Fred. Funxton's Badge. Lost In Alaska
Found Under Flooring OF Coh-
yention Hail!

This is the story of a lost badge-a true
story. and a mysterious one at that
When Col. Frederick Funston OF Kansas
was a college boy he was rusheo III Ii d
ternity parlance, by the Phi Delta omesa
fraternity, and in due time was admlt'eu ~
the secret conclaves OF the cfapter house VI
that organization. He was an enthusiastic
frat man." and was recognized IN the COL
Iase as one of the leading lights in secret
organizations Col Funston, up to a Few
wears ago. always proudly wore on MS vest
inst over his heart the badge of his fra5er-
nitv-a handsome affair of gold and jewels,
and he always prided himself upon mem
bership in that body. Some years ago COL
Funston visited Alaska on government ous-
mess and during one o. his trips III an opt!i
boat was overturned ana LOST an " u h
fects Among other things was his much
nrized fraternity pin. and he mourned lts
loss a great deal. He Thought 81 IL thoa-
sand times and pictured 1t resting on ms
choicest waistcoat in the frozen waters OF
the north.
Found Under a Floor.
sbo-+ time ago a workman engaged in
tearing up the floor of the old Ice rink at
Convention Hall found a badge of curious
design The possession of such badge ne
raslized would cause a suspicion of dishon-
esty on his part and he promptly handed
il over 10 a dispenser of liquor. who reigns
s11prene behind modest Lar IN the north-
east section of the city Inc bartender saw
on the back of the badge the name rreus
Funston engraved, and wondered 10 HlhiseiA
If II belonged to that brave Kansas boy
who had set the world ringing with his OAR
ing in swimming river N the fhlllppihes,
under fire. and successfully defeating
large force of rebels. They have way OF
talking these things over in the northeast
and il was not many hours before the nnder
of the badge was relating to Capt. Filler of
rffiR he ttudluP
and its subsequent disposition. Convinced
in his own mind that the badge really be,
longed TO Col. Funston. Capt Fller Vlslleo
the bar room and possessed hlnlsell OF tile
badge Sure enough. on the oack was the
name Of Fred. Funston, together with
mystic character. supposed to be symbol
of the fraternity. Capt. Filler Immediately
wrote a letter and inclosed a pencil sketch
Of the badge. Col Funston at that time
was on his way home from the Philippines,
and the letter was directed to San Fran
cisco. with instructions to the postmaster
to deliver it TO Col. Funston Immediately
upon his arrival. The letter was delivered
shortly after the regiment arrived
A Mystery. Sure Enough.
Sure enough il was the missing badge
the badge that had been lost in the far
north wears ago: but bow it ever found its
way back to civilization again remains a
mystery. Col. Funston thinks so. anyhow,
and those who read this story will surely
gin with. that the badge was actually lost,
for Col Funston saved nothing that
trip but his Uniform. But how 1t got back
TO civilization will always be a TayStery
unless some one who reads this story can
supply the missing links. 1t has been sug-
gested. by way of explanation. that perhaps
the trunk containing the clothing of Col
Funston was washed ashore and picked II
by native. who sold the badge. among the
other effects. and In that way il came back
to the states. and later the owner of the
badge evidently RECALLED himself the arti
feial ice at Convention Hail and dropped It
ice 10 the floor below, where il was found.
Col. Funston'. Letter.
The following letter from Col. Funston
in reply TO Capt. Filters inquiry, was re-
Ceived short time ago:
''Tb. badge Of which you speak in you
recent letter was lost by ME IN Alaska sev
cral years ago. 1t is certainly very muci
OF :. mystery how It ever reached Washing
ton. | recognize it from the description yo'
have given me. 1t is the badge of a colleg
fraternity 20 which / belong ! would b
under the greatest obligation 10 you II yol
would get hold of IL and send ii TO me: eve
IL IL is necessary to pay something to tn
man who now has il, although he Is in n
way entitled TO il. and has right to wra
the badge of society of which he is net
member. Thanking you most sinceI ely TO
your kindness, i am