The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-10-15
MAYOR WON 1T.
His Interesting Contest With
Evangelist Howard.
Preacher Wanted q Half Ton of
Coal.
WAS VERY EARNEST.
Told to Go to Albert Parker or
Someone Else.


man. I'm Howard the evangelist; How
ard, the good old fashioned shouting
Methodist. Jesus Christ told me to
come and see you. and get you to give
US a half a ton of coal for our church.
Yes sir That's it-half a ton of soft
coal. Come now, shell out Give
something to God. You're able
The colonel was played off his feet
in the firsh rush. The evangelist went
through him for good gains on every
down
Yes. sir; like you. colonel, I like
your continued the evangelist, still
playing his guards back with good
effect Il don't preach to aristocrats.
I'm the man who breaches hell fire and
birthstone 1 stand for the old time,
shouting religion. He'll is a lake of un-
there who does not cling fast to God
Almighty. Now. how about that coal.
colonel2''
The evangelist stopped for lack of
breath, and Colonel Hughes took the
ball on downs. The colonel played for
wind and darkness
'.Er-um- Mr.. Howard-ah-who are
you, anyway, and where do you hold
forth?''
This was a bad tumble and the evan
gelist fell on the ball.
Il was a wicked sinner once. lived
in Norton county. They all know me
there My father was a minister. /
was a drunkard, a horse jockey,
gambler. 1 went down to the depth of
the bottomless pit I lived there 10
years got converted by a reformed
policeman, and for seven years 1 have
been preaching God and hell fire.
preach to the cOlOred people at Four
teenth and Washington streets church
They like it. They are not stuck up
I'm after the capitalists / want them
to dig up. There's a man worth $4,000
down here on East Fifth I have been
praying at his house for two days to
get $50, and he has promised to do
something for me-
The prospect of a two days session
reused the colonel. and he made a de-
termined stand, and got the ball on his
twenty yard line He tried to punt out
of danger
''Well-er-Mr. Howard. I'm sorry
but I can't possibly give you any coal
today. I can't get it fast enough to
fill my customers orders. Come in
some other day"
But, colonel, Jesus Christ sent me to
YOU said the evangelist as he blocked
the punt but lost the ball on a tumble.
go to some of the other coal deal
ers,'' said Colonel Hughes, beginning
to put up a strong offensive game
Go and see Mr. Devlin. He's got lots
of coal. And say" added the colonel
wickedly, working a criss-cross for a
twenty yard gain, go and see Albert
Parker. He is one of the rich men of
Topeka
The evangelist was losing ground
rapidly now, and appeared to be get
ting ratified.
Il tell you what. colonel" he said.
I'll take 500 pounds of coal and call it
square. What do you say to that:
Come on"
The colonel was forced to punt again.
Il don't see how can. just now. Nc
Howard. Very sorry, indeed am
The evangelist had the ball. and play
ed desperately for a touchdown. Time
was almost up
Colonel, I worked hard for you in
the Second ward during the election
You ought to help me now Tell you
what I'd do. You give me 500 pounds
of coal 1 will have it hauled myself.
Give me an order for it And say, 1
will get up before my congregation, and
I viii say to them. My brothers and
sisters, Colonel Hughes, the mayor of |
Topeka, has given US some coal to |
warm our church. He is friend of all |
you colored people. He is the kind of a |
mayor we need And that would help |
you, colonel, you know it would
Colonel Hughes got the ball, and did |
some fine team work with Ananias- He |
said:
Mr. Howard. one time I was run
ming for the legislature and got beat |
by one vote. The night before election |
I went to a meeting in a church. Var |
ious speeches were made A man got /
up and said, Gentlemen, was sick last /
winter, and man who is a, candidate /
THIS y ear kept me IN coal anu groceries
and paid my doctors bill / want you 1
TO vote for that man. and send him to /
the legislature. He is the friend of the /
poor man. He is ]. w F. Hughes
Well sir, before breakfast on election 1
day, the man who made that speech |
was out working for the other fellow
at the polls. And he did good work
too, and the other fellow got there No.
Mr.. Howard I don't believe 1 can spare
any coal today Come in again, sir, |
come in again
Just then the whistle blew, and the
contest was over. The ball was in Col
Hughes hand in the middle of the field
Score. to o. A large crowd was pres
ent at the game. l.