The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-25
NORTH SIDE NEWS
J.H. FOUGHT Tells of His First
Thanksgiving Here.
Walked From TecumSeh to To-
peka and Back.
WEATHER PLEASANT.
Reasons for ThankfulnesS on
North Side.
Other Items of Interest About
First Ward Affairs.

]. H. FOUGHT this morning recalled
his first Thanksgiving in Kansas forty
years ago, when he was teaching
school at Tecumseh. He also spoke
of his experience in the early day
school.
How did 1 spend my first Thanks
giving here?" said Mr.. FOUGHT in re-
ply to a question.
1--WE dismissed school that day, as
1t was legal holiday. 1t seemed very
nice to me that because of the Kan
sas law we could have this holiday
and get paid for it just the same. 1
wasn't used to that. as it wasn't the
case in Ohio where 1 had been teach
ing. There we were required to teach
twentyfour days in the month and
had to teach every other Saturday TO
make up the required number.
''As there was no school, my assist
ant, a j. NJ. Perrin, and I loafed in
our room until after dinner and then
we walked to Topeka. We also
walked back that evening. AS we were
time 1 thought that the walk would
do us good. The weather was nearly
like it is today.
"Our school was conducted in an
old Southern Methodist church. There
was all kinds of seats for benches
none two alike. The first day of
school. September 1, los pupils were
enrolled. BY the end of the month
the average attendance was 135. l
taught alone at first and then secured
an assistant.
Among my pupils was Mrs. NJ. U.
Nudge, the wife of the general man
ager of the Rock Island. She was
then Miss Dolly Morris. AS a girl
she was exceptionally bright, good
all around student and one OF the
leaders in all of the affairs of the
neighborhood.
What has the North side to be
thankful for?
tions the following. for reason of graft
tude:
"a dixie, which will protect the First
ward from any high water equal to the
flood of 1903.
THE voting of the Melan bridge ex-
tension bonds which will give further
flood protection when the work is done.
The reooering OF the western wooden
mills which will employ 60 hands and
bring new men to the town.
"A mile of graveled road north OF
town and the prospect of more of such
improvements.
New Central avenue bridge which
will be finished in the near future, with
an IRON span with fireproof concrete brick
floor in place ofethe old wooden struc-
lure. -
Many improvements in Garfield park.
Prospects of the Rock Island yards
Icing removed to Shorey.
Repairing of the approaches of the
Granville wagon road bridge.
THE new Santa Fe railroad and foot
bridge across the Kaw.
1.-THE interest attracted to the North
side by these improvements.
1.-The besutif1ed lawns and reprinted
houses.
1.-The filling up of the empty houses.
1.-The spirit of optimism and coop
GRAFTON with the city at large which
is being manifested more and more"
Hearing Victor's band at the Audi
torium last night recalled my own ex-
perience as a band man" said a North
side man this morning. Not that our
band was to be compared to Victor's-
nay, nay Nathan. only that the Ital-
dams played some pieces that we made
a stagger at playing brought back
memories which have been long on the
shelf.
From leader to jaritor my country
Rome town band was unique, even for
a country band.
1.-THE leader was a Presbyterian, sang
IN the choir regularly on Sundays, and
acted both as our musical instructor
and chaperone. Yet we all liked him
and swore by him and for him. even
If he would never drink beer with us
when we were away from home on our
trips 10 log-rolling and such at neigh
boring towns.
ION such occasions we had great diff
player, old Richards. who was always
out of sight when he was needed. At
times we threatened to tie him to the
bass drum.
''This instrument was played by a
good-natured F-enchman whose waist
the rim of the Grum. His appetite cor