The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-04-04
BattlOship Kansas Silverware to
BE Displayed by Crosby Bros.
Wonderful Solid Silver Dishes
VIII Soon Leave Kansas.
SHOW in OTHER TOWNS
May Be That a Silver Service
Tour Will Be Made.
Wichita and Other Towns Want
n Glimpse of the Gift.

Arrangements have been made by
the Crosby Bros. dry goods concern OF
this city to place on exhibition for one
week in one of their big display win
dows the $4,000 silver service-now
worth $6,50O-purchased by the state
for presentation to the battleshlp
Kansas
1t is the plan to set forth the mag
nif1cent collection of solid silver, the
aggregate weight of which is about
900 pounds, on mahogany banquet
table, in somewhat the way II woulo
appear at an official function"
Crosby Bros. will give bond to the
state for the full value of the service
for its safe return. When the service
was bought it cost $1,000, but 1t Is said
that since that time the value of silver
has increased so much that the ser
vice could not be duplicated for So
500. Although many hundreds or peo-
pie have called at the office of Cover
nor Hoch during the past three
months, and have seen this princely
gift from the state to the battleship,
there are thousands of other people
right here in Topeka who have never
seen 1t, and who probably would not
see it unless It should be placed on
display in some public place ike
store window.
Since the navy department has re-
fused o allow the battleship Kansas
to go to Galveston for the purpose or
receiving the $4,000 silver service pre-
scented by the state. and there Will pc
small opportunity for very many or
the people of Kansas ever to see this
really wonderful creation of the silver
smiths art. This has given rise to
some talk of taking the silver service
on a tour of the state, provided there
are a sufficient number of towns that
manifest desire to see the display to
warrant the trouble.
The state has no money to pay Tor
this excursion, and it has been sug-
gested that some merchant In the town
who is willing to pay the expense OF
bringing the service to the town should
have the privilege of exhibiting II IN
his store window. In this way the
trip could be arranged without ex-
pense to the state. and many thousands
of the people of Kansas, who would
like to see the display, would be ac-
cornmodated. When the battlesh1p
once gets possession Of it, the chances
are that mighty few Kansas people
will ever see it again.
Edward Vail of Wichita, the 1eweler'
who secured the contract for furnish
ing the service, will also have the sill
yer service on display at his store In
Wichita for a week, and if the service
is taken to Wichita 1t Will propapIy De
exhibited at other towns en- route
OF course great precautions would
have to be taken in travelling about the
country with such a valuable piece OF |
proparty. 6. G. drummer, private sec
retary to Governor Hoch, is the official
custodian of the silver. If taken out |
on a tour of the state. it would pro-
babiv be accompanied by Mr.. drummer |
and several armed guards and assist |
ants who would watch over the valu-
able property night and day. Every /
store in which it might be exhibited |
would have to give bond, or If the peo-
Die of the town raised the money to
provide for an exhibit. they would be
obliged to pay the cost of a bond.
Even while the silver service is in
the office of the governor, locked up in
a glass case, it is protected by an in
surance policy against burglary, to the
full value of the service.
June the Probable Date.
1t is probable that the magnificent
silver service will be presented to the
oattleship on June s. This is the date
by ]. E. Junkin of Ster-
ing. president of the National Editorial
.ssocia ton, which is meeting in James
own at that time, and Governor Hoch
s trying to arrange to have the cere-
nony take place at than time.
Governor Hoch is now making ar
for the party of distinguish
ID Kansans who will go east with him
or the presentation ceremony. 1t is
likely that all of the members of the
executive council will be invited to at
end in the governors party, together
With his official staff of gentlemen in
clothes. The executive coun-
III includes the secretary of state, state
auditor. attorney general state treas
rrer and superintendent of education.
Arrangements are now being made to
nut the splendid 5000 silver service on
Exhibition.