Free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1888-1908, 1902-06-28
IN a 40 acre TRACT,
OUerIoOkan9 the CStg.
Natural Outaroaoth of the
Kansas School system

e. N Wilkinson, President
VIM S. Picken, Principal,
Anna Keller, Assistant Teacher,
Jas, E Crawford,
Special teacher for summer session
| Promptly at 1870 on Monday
morning June 23d 1902 Yost's
mill whistle sounded 1t glad well
come, all eyes turned to old Fort
Hays, Prof. Picken pulled the
rope earring a bundle of bunting
to the top of the IS foot pole, his
daughter pulled the knot and a
beautiful 12 by 90 American fac
unfolded and floated to the breeze
with three cheers from the ladies.
gentlemen and children present,
and the Western Kansas State
Normal on Fort Hays at Hays city
had commenced.
At $3.50 crowds Of our citizens
assembled there accompanied by
the Band which rendered fine mu-
sic, the scholars. headed by the
first scholar to arrive at the school
Monday morning, Miss Jennie
Ward, carrying large handsome
American flag, marched from the
school room, Rev. Brown made a
prayer, Rev Harpstel a short his
tolicai and eloquent address, Pres
ldent Wilkinson made a stirring
address, band played, songs sung,
the tag again unfurled and he de-
cIared
The Western Branch of the State
Normal School of Kansas open for
studeots.
In lis remarks Prof, Picken
said: 1t has been my pleasure to
introduce Prof Wilkinson as the
President Of the State Normal
school but it was his great pleasure
now to introduce him TO this large
Iaudienca as President OF the State
| Normal Schools of Kansas and the
crowd welcomed him with hear
| ty cheer He left for Emporia
heartily pleased with tie send off
the citizens gave the school and
that SO thorough. a Principal as
Prof. Picken is in charge.
He also thanks the Catholic and
Public schools for running up their
flags of welcome to the new school
and to Yost for his whistle and
the citizens generally.
Tie Topeka -kveaiag journal
has this account of the opening.
Back in 1868 Fort Hays, IN
central western Kansas, was loea-
ted ou the Uniou Pacific r r. and
the big American flag foated from
a GO foot pole and for 30 years
could be plainly seen by paasen-
gers on the railroad, while troops
could be seen going to and fro and
the beat Of drums and blow of the
bugle heard on the bill top
This lasted 90 years, and was
visited by Generals Custer, Miles.
Sheridan, SchofeId, Col Yard and
ICoppenger, and all the noted army
Officers and troops and Gen. Scho
field, in bis report, recommended
that Fit, Hays and Ft. Leaven-
worth be made the great army
headquarters of .he vest Bot the
people Of HAYS and western Kan
sas ss4w different futnre for the
! beaifis'uI 1900 acre tract of land,
| objected. aod Fl, Riley wa named.
| In 1887 the For; was abandoned
ana troops sc3f t. the Indian conn
trr wcst, and the FLAG came down
This beautiful summer morning.
June 23r,i 1902, as the train came
| from the west bringing more chi
dren TO educate, Il handsome &c
foot flag again foated from Sc
| foot pole IN front of the building:
of the Western branch Of the State
Normal School, located on the nc
ted Fl. Hays parade ground.
| Instead Of troops and tbe CLASH
OF arms could be seen groups oi
merry Young men and ladies old
lGlosy' having just been flung tc
1.-THE breeze in the presence OF Prot
| Wilkinson, the President of the
State Normals of Emporia & Hays
city, Prof. Picken, principal OF
the Hays Normal the teachers,
scholars aad friends. al. bands join
ing n singing Hail Columbia, the
Star spang'ed banner, while the
Hays Dand. in luIl uniform, play
ed Sousa's march, The Stars and
stripes forever aud .Rcmembel
the Name while cd Normalites
and teachers, led by Mrs Picken.
sang College songs wi.,i the col
Iege call and hearty cheers
AnG rs the ffao 4ifurled Yost'e
mill whistle ~aiuIed the old flag
. with .oag and hapisy notes, flags
foafed from the Public and the
: ECaibnhc schools, court house, the
Free Pres; Office and other buiid