The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-30

Kansas have for their state. Once a
kansan, always Kansan.' 1 nave
been led to inquire the reason and I
think this is the answer. First, it is
a splendid and strenuous history-the
history of Kansas. 1t is the story of
great possibilities realized, of obstacles
overcome, of trials endured. of dreams
materialized, of ambitions attained.
And the great body of men and wom-
en- who have written Kansas history
and are still there to enjoy the full
fruition of splendid statehood, and the
prairieS upon which they settled, that
are now their happy homes, are bound
to them by ties that money cannot
measure or that money cannot buy.
The people of Kansas are a modest
people. and are not given to fuIsome
boasting by exaggerating the resources
ana possibilities of our state. l have
heard 1t intimated by those who are not
INFORMED that this were not true and
that Kansas people when speaking of
their state could not always be depend
ed upon This grows from the fact that
the simple truth told of Kansas. with
all possible exaggeration eliminated.
sounds, to those not familiar with her
history or her possibilities much like
a fairy tale. So we excuse them for
TINS wrong impression, conscious that
investigation will prove by facts and
figures Kansas to be ia reality one of
the greatest commemorative in the
Union The last available statistics
those of 19O3-as given us by the de-
that year Kansas produced 94,041. .902
bushels of wheat which at the avera ge
price for the year sold for $50, ,426, 355.
The same year we produced 169, ,359, ,769
bushels of corn worth over So, 900 900
and there was sold in 1908 for slaughter
animals valued at S54, ,644, ,272- And the
same report shows that the butter,
cheese, milk, eggs and chickens sold by
the Kansas housewives brought on the
market $15,175, fillmore than the cost
of Louisiana Purchase, so if France has
anymore bargain counter territory, the
women of Kansas have the money to
do the buying. One single wheat crop
of 1903 brought to our state more than
three times the price paid to Napoleon
for the Louisiana Purchase 100 years
ago; our corn crop more tSS& four
times the amount and the aggregate
amount received for all the agricultural
products sold in 1903 would be enough
to finance Is such deals and leave the
farmers of Kansas with $163, SOC, 900 as
capital
while agriculture is and always will
be the great source of the states wealth
and commerce. yet each year brings
new and unsupported possibilities Twen-
Of the state was only $4,000, 900, and to- |
day it is over 100000, 900. For several |
years gas and oil have been produced |
but not until the past two years has |
In 1902 Kansas produced 800. 900 barrels |
IF petroleum, in 1908. 100000 barrels, and |
based upon this present daily production, |
she will produce this year 5000. 900 bar |
-els of oil. And with the present rate !
Of increase within two years Kansas |
will be the greatest oil producing state |
n the union. Gas wells measuring from |
-wo to forty million cubic feet per Cay |
ire constantly being brought in and |
he Kansas gas belt promises to become
he great mid-continent manufacturing
.enter.
II have thus modestly and hurriedly
Doken of Kansas material and COM
nercial greatness. OF this record and
history we are all proud, but my hear
RS, the real greatness of Kansas is not
Ter material wealth. It is not in her
,illowy prairies of grain. it is not in
Ter countless herds, il is not in her
mines of wealth; is takes them all to
make Kansas, but the crowning glory
f Kansas is her churches and her
chool houses. her splendid manhood
nd womanhood and in her happy
lomes."