The Topeka state journal., 1906-06-02
FOR A HERO GONE
Memorial Tablet for Edward
GrafstrOm Unveiled.
Santa Fe Official Who Lost Life
in Flood.
ON MISSION OF MERCY.
Rescuing Others when He Sank
in Torrent.
Governor HOch's Eloquent Ad-
dress for State.
ON MISSION OF MERCY

This afternoon at O'CLOCK Une
afstrom memorial tablet was pre-
sented to the state of Kansas and plac-
ed in the collections of the Kansas
state historical society. The presenta-
ton speech was made by James A
Troutman. and the speech Of accept
ance on behalf of the state by Cover
nor E W. Hoch.
The memorial tablet is a ponderous
bronze rectangle, the cost of which
was about $1,000. The money for the
mem oriaI was raised by the many
friends Of Mr.. Grafstrom throughout
the mechanical departments of the diff
ferent railroads of the country
On this tablet appears this in
scripdon:
I'm Memory of
EDWARD GRAFSTROM
son Of
Col. Carl Axel and Cecilia Grafstrom
Born in Motola. Sweden Dec. 19s
1862
HE was educated at Oreboro uni
versity, and Boras institute of Tech
nology, where at the age of nineteen
he received the degree of mechanical
engineer, and at the time of his death
was chief mechanical engineer of the
Atchison. Topeka & Santa Fe railway.
During the great flood of 1903, which
swept over North Topeka, he designed
and built a. small side wheel steamer in
which, with a VOLUNTEER crew of six
While making the last trip on the
night of June 2, 1903, the boat cap
sized. and Mr.. Grafstrorn was drowned.
His noble personality endeared him
to all
This tablet Is erected in. grateful
appreciation of his heroic sacrifice in
giving up his life to save others
GOV. Hoch's Speech.
Governor Hoch's speech in accepting
the handsome tablet was as follows:
mo more certain is it true that all
the world loves a lover that is it true
Deny it as we may and often do it is
true nevertheless, that to A large extent
we are all hero Worshippers Deeds of
valor command our admiration and we
yield instructive homage to those who
lift themselves above the common level
by acts of heroism. In all the realm of
human endeavor, in all the field of
fierce conflict, in military and in civil
walks alike, noble spirits have aDpeal-
ed to this innate love of the courageous
within US. All our hearts beat faster
when we think of Spartan vaIor at
Thermopylae; of the desperate daring of
the Light Brigade; of Pickett's historic
charge; of Lawrence of Don't give up
the ship fame: of Nelson and the
worlds greatest naval battle;of Farra-
gut laShed to the rigging of his flag
ship. Or in civil realms. of General
Gordon in the Soudani of Livingstone
struggling merely to continue an ex-
istence against a fatal disease until
certain explorations could be completed; !;
Of Grant under similar circumstances
battling against his last and final enc
my, an incurable disease, beating back
the foe only long enough to complete
his Memoirs; of the Irish patriot En-
NETT, hinging defiance in the face Of
his accusers. These and an innumer-
able host of other inmortals thrill US
with a record of lives heroic. A great
and grateful people have just honored
themselves in honoring the memory Of
the noble men and women whose ser
vices and sacrifices, whose heroic vaIor