The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-14
Marshall's Return After Three
Years. Absence.
PLAY FIRST CONCERT,
Finest Natural Park in City
Filled With People.
Great Band Proves as Popular
as Ever.

pie listened to the second free concert
which was given by Marshalls band.
in Garfield park last evening and APP
plauded every number on the pro-
gramme though they wede unsuccess-
full in getting an encore in return. It
is one of the rules OF the band that will
be observed at these concerts that
there viii be no encores, as it would so
lengthen the programme that it might
become tresome along towards morn
ing.
This was really the first entertain
ment of any kind that has been given
in Garfield park since the flood of
three years ago which devastated
North Topeka and almost ruined Gar
field park. which up to that time had
been the most popular resort in or
about the city
Garfield park is tract of fifteen
acres thickly studded with a natural
growth of oak, elm. ash and walnut
trees and without doubt the prettiest
little plot of natural timber near the
city.
Before the flood this was the only
park which was accessible to the city
and naturally was the popular resort
for old and young Last night many
faces Of the older residents of the city
were to be SEEN They had sought out
Garfield park which contained many
bright memories of their youthful days
just for another look at the old play
ground of their childhood.
The park was alive with the sound
of children as the youngsters romped and
raced about. while the older members
of the juvenile faction contented them
selves with less noisy pastimes. There
was another class just breaking into
man and WomanhOOd to whom the
darkened walks appealed. And there
~ IN I,r low r7,0Vi
its intensity for there was no moon to
lend its rays to the darkened hooks and
corners and the immense trees with
their thrifty foliage made these places
midnight
The park was poorly lighted. even the
bandstand was so dark that the musi-
clans had trouble reading their music.
There was a string of arc lights
strung from the entrance where the
street cars stopped around the band
stand and over towards the casino but
there were not one-fourth enough lights
for the comfort of the patrons of the
park
There were hundreds of carriages and
vehicles of different kinds, among them
Is automobiles. For these an entrance
had been arranged on Quincy street
which was entirely without lights and
extremely dangerous unless the great
est caution was used. AS it was there
were several minor accidents which re-
being scraped from the vehicles which
collided.
The bandstand is the same size and
style as the one recently built in the
City park, having been used as a model
for the structure recently completed.
The buildings which have been con-
structed from time to time from the
money received from benefits given by
Marshaps band in years gone by, with
stood the food and are in a fair state
of preservation and a coat or two of
paint would place them in nearly as
good condition as when they were
built
At the time of the flood the seats with
which the park was plentifuIly supplied
were stored on the stage in the casino
and most Of them were saved. These
were scattered about the park last night
and furnished accommodations for a
portion of those present though there
were not enough of them for half Of the
crowd
The marks of the flood have been
nearly Oblterated though all along the
bank of Soldier creek there are immense
trees standing with their roots in the
air, indicating that some awful power
has at some time been q work There
were number of boats on the creek last
night, but they We're rented in the early
evening and were lnonopolized until long
after the concert closed by their for
tunate occupants.
The soil of the park is naturally sandy
did not benefit it in any particular
though there is a luxuriant growth of
grass over most of it.
Garfield park was recently purchased
by the residents of the First ward
who created a benefit district for the
purpose and levied a special tax to raise
the $500 which was paid for the prop
erty. 'ghe city will come into possess
sion of the property next June when it
will come under the control Of the park
1t..f.,
steps to improve it and place it in first
class condition.
While majority of. the crowd which
attended the concert last night were
from North Topeka there were a thou
sand OF two from this side of the river
who either drove or went over on the
street cars The five cent street car
had its effect on VineWood Park which
was almost deserted the people seem
ing to prefer to visit Garfield park
where the fare was but five cents and
where they had the benefit of a free at
traction.
1t is the intention of the residents of
North Topeka to have a free concert in
Garfield park at least once every two
weeks for the remainder Of the season
if arrangements can be made and there
is no doubt that the park will receive
more than a liberal share of patron
age.
The next free concert will be given at
the city park next Thursday and one
at Garfield park the week following
Though the crowd was more than
again as large as was anticipated by
the street car company it was handled
in fair shape considering the fact that
they have poor track facilities for hand
ling cars at the park. Ali of the old
cars of the system were pressed into
service as well as a number of big
Vinewood cars which were idle last
night and most Of the crowd were home
by half past eleven o'clock.
japan Win Take Our Cotton.
San Francisco. Cab, Aug. I4@Y
Sakri has just arrived from Japan in
the infaresfS of the cntfor merchants