The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-11-03
AT WASHINGTON.
A kansan Describes His Pleas
ant Visit.

Hello, Kansas" This was the in
variable enthusiastic greeting that got
at almost every step in washington
anywhere that went, thanks to the
sunfiower badge worn on the lapel Of
my coat. The sunfiower was the token
that elected more genuine hand-shakes
and pleasant smiles than any other
talisman worn in our national city dur
ing the recent G. A r. encampment- a
radiant diamond was passed by unno-
ticed, but the beaming sunf1ower made
It's Wearer a synosure Of all eyes on the
streets, in the cars. on steamer, or
wherever its petals cleaned.
No matter what sort of weather 1T
was. sunshine or clouded gloom, the
sunfower shed its radiance and kim
died enthusiasm on all occasions.
And thus it was that l am indebted
to that unassuming, yet cheerful emb-
lem for welcomes in many places that
but for it the portals would be forbid
ding If not actually closed
[ was doubly fortunate in having for
my companion and guide that never tir-
ing old Yankee friend, Dr. A. Patten,
formerly of Beloit Kan, and well known
all over northwestern Kansas,-who IS
in one of the divisions of the postof1ce
department, and who has lived IN
Washington for more than ten years,
and knows that city and environs better
than his Bible-and he is a good Biblical
scholar
Although I saw more Of Washington
III the eight UayS Jlat ne devoted u III
than I had ever dreamed that I could
in a year. it was done without that
fatigue and sore soles that thousands
of visitors get as the penalty for doing
the caDital alone. He knew just when
and where to board a street car to go to
some spot where we could alight and
leisurely walk along and see many
points of interest conVerging in and
close to that point, and then, by walk
ing a short distance board another car
and repeat, thus giving miles and miles
of easy travelling for niclxle each, that
would have cost others unacuuainted
| doubtless ten times as much
Besides having this ubiquitous gen
tleman for our daily guide, I was the
guest of his estiTnable family in their
beautiful home in Brookland, pleasing
suburb.
l was shown through the celebrated
Smithsonian institute by the doctor 5
son-in-law, Mr.. Timothy Stanton, Phi. D.,
who is at the head of the geological part
of that great institution.
We visited the National library, more
generally known as Congressional Ii
brary Here is pile of marble on
which millions of money has been spent,
in whose walls are treasured all sorts of
bOkS, magazines, papers, maps, etc.
From Washington monument eastward
to the capitol is about one mile-a sue
cession of luxuriant gardens and parks
through which run drives as hard as
granite. Washington monument is a
which it may be-e0 feet square at the
base and running up 555 feet to an apex.
Eugene Ware, pension commissioner,
marched the whole length of Pennsyl-
vania avenue, on foot, declining to ride
the real live horse that was rendered
him. He marched at the head of the
Kansas delegation.
On Sunday evening We attended SER
vices in the Congregational church, and
listened to a patriotic sermon delivered
by Rev Mr.. Newman. This sermon was
made more effective by reason of the
points being illustrated with war scenes
of the rebel1ion~east upon a curtain by
a stereODticon, and the thrilling music
played on the great pipe organ by the
celebrated blind organist, Mr.. Bischoff,
who, by the way, is the husband of
Kansas girl, Miss Elsie Bond. formerly
of Americas. We fortunately met Mrs.
Bischoff, who introduced US to her sis
ter. Mrs. David Roberts, the wife of
another Kansan who has been rapidly
promoted in the government printing
department.
Every employee of the government
from president of the United States
down to the smallest salaried messen-
ger boy is paid in brand new crisp pa
per money, so that worn and crumpled
currency is a curiosity in Washington