The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-10-22

of Philadelphia, New York n hose
1 other manufacturing cities.
TON Johnson is a faker." continued
| Stodel, s~ententiously. H may have
a small three cent street railroad in
Cleveland, but it is hidden away ST
that very few people find it and ride
on the street cars that charge five
cents. That's all there is to that"
Stodel also works as a tailor and
says that he can escape the efrects OF
travelling in a box car all night ana
look just as spick n span as If he
had occupied a berth in a Pullman.
h is Stodels recipe: use a little
benzine to remove the spots. I always
for a minute that I had come out of a
box car after 1 fix up a little" said he.
81 nave had some good jobs since leav-
ing New York. The further west you
go the better the wages that are paid,
and 1 don't find that the cost of living
increases any with it either. The west
is the place for a young man to get a
foothold and 1 am thinking somewhat
of coming back to Kansas and settling
here. I have relatives at H~oisington
and I will stop off there on my way to
the coast"
This is what Stodel thinks of Topeka.
couched in his own language:
"Of the different cities seen by the
undersigned on his industrial observa-
tion trip westward across from the
Empire State I think this city of To-
peka, Kansas, a capital city as well as
a capitol one, judging comparatively
from its general appearances. When
1 immigrated into this city last We'd
nesday night at seven O'Clock from the
Santa Fe depot, l inquired of a stranger
# he would inform me where h main
artery of the city was situated and he
pleasantly replied that Kansas avenue
was about five blocks ahead of me. As
I was about to 'hoof' toward this deS-
tination alone, there being no reception
committee to meet me, a wage-slave.
1 heard the melodious ringing Of a bell
and 1 thought that a fire had occurred
but 1 was mistaken as it was no fire
call but a local digestive call to sup
periteS of a restaurants patrons. After
Q delightful walk through a quiet street
which was principally lighted by the
moeR I Teacheds h uIerchandiSe street
of the states executive city. While 1
looked down Kansas avenue recollec-
tions of Broad street, Philadelphia, Pa.
entered my memory as this avenue was
so similar in it's ead Other streets
of this city seem to resemble the MAN.
if not just as wide and busy, they are
more beautiful to the eye If not to the
bank. My trip to the capitol building
was certainly appreciated and shall
not be forgotten especially the large
stone pillared fronts similar to the
front OF the old state house which was
in the City of Films, New Haven, Con-
necticut, my recent home. The pretty
and interesting group figures on the
rotounda can be enjoyed by the artist,
artizen, the man or woman of science,
the mechanic, and those who follow
truth, courage and bravery, excluding
those of bogus patriotism. Although the
trip to the capitol's dome is somewhat
dizzy, nevertheless reward greets the
upper taker,' when the grand view that
is seen stretched by nature and labor,
is revealed. The surrounding country
is encircled with pleasant looking resi-
dences studded with trees graced with
the autumn rust, while in the distance
the billy inclinations appears eager to
proclaim it's agricultural reserves.
This evening a house took fire on
Seventh street at which the local fire
department proved it's activity and
bravery, entering the most dangerous
places at the fire and, now it remains
for the building and health depart
ments Qife departments) to prevent
the building of wooden attachments to
buildings so the fireman and undertaken
can have a rest.
Best wishes to the workers of To-
peka, 1 am yours truly,
SAMUEL J. STODEL.
1T Clark ST., New Haven, Conn"