The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-02

referred to as Jake Smiths birthday
party.
Jacob Smith in whose honor the
the old residents of Topeka and one
of the old, young men of the city.
He came to Topeka more than half a
century ago and this has been his
home ever since and he is known to
practically every ''live wire in To-
peka. 1t is true that he is somewhat
older in years than many of his COM
panions, but on the other hand he is
younger in feelings and sentiments
than most of them.
This onion party is true to name.
Onions and more onions form the sub
stantial part of the feed of the even
ing and there will be onions served
in dozens of ways, receipts having
been imported from the chefs of nu-
merous foreign lands. OF course,
menu of the evening; things good to
eat and plenty of water-to drink
for Uncle Jake has always insisted
that a person who would live on a
diet of onions and water would live
forever and the theory has never
been disproven.
Ever since he can remember Uncle
Jake insists that onions have been his
favorite fruit" and will be as long
as he lives. The markets of the world
were searched for the most palatable
offerings of the onion kingdom. It
was O dozen years or so ago that a
Texas onion was introduced in the
Topeka markets and Uncle Jake
heard of it and hunted up a speci-
men.
He tasted of it and pronounced it
good from the outside, thin skin to
tt juicy center and since that time
this white onion of the sunny south
has been first ON the bill of fare for
the annual event. known as Uncle
| Jakes onion party. AS soon as he
was sure that he had found the su-
preme thing in the onion kingdom
he summoned about him a few kin
dred onion loving spirits and BAN
quet was held and the affair has
been held every year since that time
The Invitations issued two years age
summoning the onion eaters of the cit!
for the event were written by Mr.
Smith and read: 1.-The Pyramids were
built by men whose only food was on
ions, that is the only possible explain
alton for the great strength displayed
by the workmen who set those gian
stones in place. If they could eat then
all the time surely you can eat on,
each year. so come out tonight"
Last years invitation read: New
onions are mostly water-and the fluid
that goes the best with new onions, IL
mostly water also. Few people drinl
water enough to keep them thorough,
we'll. Won't you please come to tn
Topeka club this evening. May 8, an,
help me demonstrate how easy an,
pleasant it is to consume water com
bined as above"
Mr.. Smith is in Ill health and con
fined to his home and will be unabl
to attend to the details of the annua
onion party. The arrangements hav
been attended to by his friends VIII
cannot forget the date for the annua
event. 1t is more than likely that tn
seat at the head of the table will b
filled by another than Uncle Jake to
night.
However he will be as near and dea
to the hearts of those gathered t
celebrate the annual event, which h
has given to Topeka members of tn
Topeka club, as though he were abb
to be present. If he could but hea
the speeches that will be made in hi
honor he would undoubtedly drop OF
to sleep along towards the mornin
hours feeling that perhaps he has don
his part toward adding to the gayet
of the world.
He fills a place In the hearts of thos
who know him best that will never b
filled by another and long after h,
with many of those who win gathe