The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-31
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A Kansas City, Kan, man was in
quiring around the state house the oln-
er day where he could get copy CT
Webb Wilder's Annals of Kansas. He
wanted the book the worst kind out
met with poor success in his quest
This gentleman has it figured out that
copies of the Annals are now worth
from s12 to SIS each and are cheap at
the price.
The value and merit of the Annals
comes too late to benefit the author anu
the man who made the publication Oh
the book possible. Kansas has ION
derful history. but the story OF tnt
birth and death of the Annals ana me
lofty monument now erected IN the
sentiment of the public to the memory
OF this book, which was so shameIu'lS
neglected when it was living nope III
the mind of its publisher, Is the
strangest story in the record.
George Martin, secretary of the state
historical society, entered into CONTRACT
and sank SO. 600 in the venture. Tne
edition was printed at the old state
printing plant It was placed on SAFE
in 1874 at the price of IS per copy But
few copies were sold. There was aD-
sOluteIv no demand for this valuable
compilation Of all the essential and in
teresting facts in connection with TINS
state since Coronado marched across
its praiFiss in 1914. one copy sulhced
for community. Everybody read Il
destroyed.
It is wonderful book in that the
record of the events of the earnest
times in this state are set forth in its
pages clearly and plainly with abso-
lutte accuracy. All disputes that arise
over early Kansas history are settled
by reference to Wilder's Annals and
the verdict is convincing and final
There is no higher authority to Whl-h
an appeal can be taken.
The a11thOr dedicated his book to Sec
rotary Martin in the following Ian
guage: To George Martin, a Kansdn
of eighteen years residence, who with
his customary nerve has assumed me
financial risk of becoming the publish
er of this book it is gratefully dedi-
Gated"
This dedication was written in 1873.
Geo. Martin had then been resilient
of the state for nearly twenty years.
Since then he has performed many val
liable services for the state, but in AS
Stunning the risk of publishing Wild
er's Annals he did the state greater
service than any other one man and
received less reward.
Mr.. Martin tells the following story
of how Governor Robinson, in common
with most other people, regarded this
service to the state at the time it was
performed:
Secretary Martin had been appointed
state printer during Governor Martins
administration and one day the gov
ernor and a party Of friends visited the
printing plant. As they were leaving
the building Secretary Martin. as was
his custom. sought for a chance to give
away a copy of Wilder's Annals, and
called the governor to the counter and
offered him one of the books The gov
ernor declined with thanks. stating
that he had bought a copy and paid s.
for it.
so you were one of the fools who
bought the book?'' remarked Secretary
Martin in a half questioning. half jok-
ing way.
YES responded the governo~, but
was not a big enough fool to have
had any hand in its publication.
In his efforts to give away these
books Secretary Martin resorted to
many expedients, one of them being
to give a copy to each member of the
legislature one session. ana then they
accused him of substituting that body
in order to be confirmed as state
printer.
Ed Howe of the Atchison Globe re-
CARDS Wilder's Annals as the greatesr
book in all the literature of the state
There has been talk at different times
of re-printing this book but the plan
has never gotten very far past the
stage of discussion.
Wilder, the author of the book. *
living in Hiawatha and is hale and
hearty, notwithstanding the fact that