The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-17
IN AN IDLE HOUR.
Random "reminiscences of Men Who
Were Kansas Pioneers.

Nearly forty years nave come ana
gone into times devouring NAV since
the writer OF this "reminiscences came
into the sunshiny and glorious en-
yironment of this resistleSsly progress
sive state. Those were the days of the
hardy pioneer and his retinue OF tow
headed, blue-eyed children tucked
away in his canvas covered prairie
schooner" who came to make Kansas
the great and glorious state it now is.
They were animated with the spirit
that developed in all adventurous ana
progressive people-the people who
dare and do, who risk life and limb
to subdue a savage land, to found
therein a home and rear children into
whose minds they can instill their no
tons of freedom Of speech and action
along right lines to the end that all
men shall have their legal and their
civil rights conserved and thereby
found a great and glorious state de-
veloped by virile men, resourceful
and alert in mind and action. Who
can say in view of this states resistless
onward march in development of ma
teria1 wealth and mental resources,
that these progressive pioneers did not
understand, nor ever swerved from
their we'll defined purpose. Their
motto then was afterward blazoned
on the walls of the state capitol
monument of their personal efforts
and belief and a tribute to their per
sistence in their allotted work, TO the
That the pioneers were besteged
with battalions of difficulties, those of
us who survive can bear ample testl-
mony. They were brave men who
bore their burdens; the Kansan of
that day was too restless and too
active to know that such word as
content had ever been coined. The
writer, then small lad. knew by
reputation, personally and by sight
many Of the then prominent men of
this state; knew their characteristics
and the anecdotes rife about them;
that they were of interesting and
forceful personality, a moments con-
versation with them was convincing
The group that interested me, when
a boy, and with which 1 was most
thrown at the time. by reason Of
intimacy with one OF the clerks, was
composed of Noble Prentis, Judge
Kingman, Abram Hammatt, Judge
Valentine, George Peck, all dead but
George Peck. All these men were in
the meridian of their days, glorying
and rejoicing in their young manhood
and the mutual pleasures of each 9TH
er's companionship. They were the
state house group and were wont to
meet at frequent intervals in merry
Jest and playful FRANKS Secure in
each others confidence and esteem.
they were like unto group of school
boys just out and away from their
arduous studies. exuberantly happy to
meet, exchange the news of the day,
or swap just the newest and best story
extant-
Noble Prentis was probably the best
story teller of the group; telling his
story with becoming gravity to the
end, and then exploding in unison with
the others, with a laughter that made
the walls of the old supreme court
rooms echo and re-echo.
Peck would then follow with his"
stories that were always good
Judge Kingman then would venture
few remarks. or stories that were al
ways seasoned with the dry droIlery
so characteristic of him and so little
suspected of him by those who knew
him only by his venerable and hand
some judicial precence.
At in frequent intervals Abram
scribably funny observations that
those who knew him at his best most
heartily approved and enjoyed.
Judge Valentine Joined the group,
but when he did. he seemed to enjoy
the unrestrained merriment with
which each versatile artist was
GREETED.
They were a noisy group of the
best Fellows" you ever met. Each
| and all of them were hard workers at
their nfework. but like all good fell
| lows liked their hours of recreation.
The curtain rings down on all good
fellows and all good plays These
men, typical of their times, played
their various parts in life to a perfec-
| ton few attain. Their memories are
fragrant of their acts. To have known
! them was an education in itself their
friends will testify. This is a sketch of
| them in their moments of well earned
| ease and enjoyment; other and better
qualified pens will have to be en-
ployed to depict them in their many
hours of strenuous labor.
These few men are selected and
sketched In this light vein, not to the
excursion or many other men of the
| time. but to illustrate that staunch and