The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-05-30
His Train Was Twenty Minutes
Late.
Parker Shows Didn't Reach
Topeka Till Today.
DECORATED GRAVES.
Ceremony of Devotion at Ceme-
terfes This Morning.
Streets and Houses Are GaiIy
Decorated.

Never was a Memorial Day brighter
than that which dawned this morning
The sky was cloudless and it seemed
an auspicious beginning for Kansas
Semi Centennial. Following the disa-
greeabIe weather which has prevailed
off and on <ar several days the sun
shine this morning was great relief
Although the high water brought up
memories of a year ago, and the state
of the river attracted the attention OF
many, the news that the flood was sub
siding above tended to allay any appre-
tensions of danger.
Early this morning people began to
make their way to the cemetery to lay
their floral tributes of love on the
graves of loved ones. This custom was
interfered with a year ago by the ter
rors of the flood, but today hundreds
made the customary pilgrimage to
the. cemetery laden with beautiful flow
ers.
The preparations for the Semi-Cen-
tenniaI celebration took final shape ear
ly this morning A few buildings were
decorated on Saturday. but the major
itv of merchants waited until today to
put out their decorations. Early this
morning. however. the decorations be-
gan to appear, and the city took on its
4 holiday attire. All UP and down Kan
sas avenue this afternoon flags are hut-
| tering and there is bunting every
/ where.
The interior Of the state house has
| been decorated as never. before In the
center of the rOtunda long strearngrS OF
/ bunting reach from the gallery in the
| dome to the pillars on the ground floor
4 Flags and other gay decorations. are
hung through isll the fices. In the main
room of the governors suite single
1 flag covers the entire side of The room
1t is a garrison flag of immense proper
tions.
| Ieavenworth Sunday to take part IN
the celebration. There are two troops
of cavalry and a battery of light ar
/ tiIlery- They were covered with mud
land presented a sorry appearance
when they reached Topeka, but this
is part of soldiers life. They went
into camp at the fair grounds
Parker's pike" did not reach To-
peka until this morning 1t was
scheduled to arrive yesterday, but on
its way up from Chanute it encount-
cred a Washout on the Missouri Pa
ciffc. It was necessary to go back to
Garnett, switch to the Santa Fe and
come to Topeka by way of Lawrence
Consequently the morning was put IN
locating the various amusements
within the stOckade on the state
house grounds and the adjoining
streets. Wagon load after wagon
load of tents, apparatus and cages
we're hauled up. and the interior OF
the stOckade presented busy ap-
pearance all the morning
Aside from the high water, the indi-
cations are auspiciOus for the celebra-
ton. The high water may keep some
people from coming in from over the
state, but the floods Will probably sub
side rapidly.
Graves Are Decorated.
This morning delegations of old
| soldiers from the G. A. r. posts and
the w. r. G. visited the cemeteries
and decorated the soldiers graves.
/ Early this morning people began
going to the cemeteries and by 10
O'Clock more than half of the graves
in Topeka cemetery had been deco
rated. The roads to the cemetery
were many inches deep with mud and
the heavy rains had weakened cul-
verts and bridges. Trips to the Gem
etery by either street cars or car
| worked on the street car track on
East Sixth avenue and on the bridges
and culverts. The Inconvenience OF
/ travel. however. did not seem to deter
| anyone, and from early morning until
noon the people going and coming
from the cemetery kept up a constant
procession. Each soldier grave was
marked by a flag and none were
missed
old soldiers were not the only
veterans who took part, for among
the gray heads were many young
men who served in the Spanish war.
This has not been a favorable spring
for flowers but everyone seemed TO find
| them somewhere and jasmine from
Texas was mingled with roses peonies
J and otnCr carly flowers from local gar
denS. At s o'clock the members Of the
q. a l. and W. Il {. met at Lincoln
Post hall and arranged the flowers. At
. o'clock the delegations were TO leave
! for the cemeteries but there were de-
I lays and tne start was not made until
: 10 o'clock Those who went to the Calvary
ana Catholic cemetery west OF town.
I and to Rochester cemetery north Of
town made lie trips in carriages and
wagons.
At Topeka cemetery Department
Commander Harris had charge of the
services, assisted by J. Z. Pennfck. Of
; fcer Of the day. and J. E. Sidwell.
chaplain. D. F. Wyatt was in charge
or the old soldiers who went to the
Catholic cemetery a boys chorus, un-
! der direction cf Professor Jones, fur
nished the music.
At the Kansas avenue bridge a sail
ors. memorial was held under the di-
. rection of Rev. ~. n. McKirahan, Elias
ShuII. chaplain, and w NJ Swartz, Of
7 ncer of the day. A chorus Of high
z school girls sang Battle Prayer" sol
diers' Rest" and America" Taps were
Continued on Page Six)