The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-02-12
Proffer Assistance to Firm
Which Suffered Disaster.
WORDS SPOKEN.
Great Importance of the Bust
ness to Topeka.
Hope to Have 1T Made Greater
Than Ever.

sion no matter how great was attested
at a meeting of the merchants and
jobbers of the city called at noon to-
day at the Throop hotel to lend
sympathy and aid to the firm of Park
hurst and Davis, which for the second
time in five years suffered a total loss
by fire last night. The Merchants
and Jobbers' association has a mem
bership of fifty and every member
who was in the city responded to the
call although it was made less than
two hours before noon.
A number Of prominent business
men Of Topeka were also included in
the invitation and sixty business men
sat down to the noon day meal dur
ing which the welfare of the firm of
Parkhurst and Davis was the supreme
theme of the talks and conversations
Numerous short talks were made by
the men present and various SuggeS-
lions made looking to the assistance
of the firm which has suffered so
heavily.
A committee of fifteen was ap-
pointed to confer with Mr.. Parkhurst
and Mr.. Davis and ascertain from
them of what assistance the COM
nittee can be in aiding them to again
resume business, upon motion of J. R.
Koonts general freight agent for the
Santa Fe. Mr.. Parkhurst attended
the meeting but Mr.. Davis was not
were said of the firm and individuals
must have been sweet balm to the
feelings of Mr.. Parkhurst.
The meeting was called TO order by
S. F. Lux, president of the Mer-
chants and Jobbers' association who
outlined the purpose for which it was
called. He was followed by number
of members who made short ad-
business interests of the city and
state.
There was no hesitancy or uncer-
tainty in the tone of the talks which
were made and every speaker after
extending his sympathy to the mem
bers of the firm volunteered his best
efforts to assist in rebuilding one of
Topeka'S greatest industries which is
now mass of ruins. Sites and build
ings were offered, nor did the prom
ises of aid end here for men amply
able offered all the financial assistance
the firm wants If they care to accept
il.
The opinion prevails. however. that
it is not financial aid or sympathy that
the firm needs at this time but a place
in which to transact business until
such time as they can again get into
a commodiouS and Comfortable build
ing. If the business interests of To-
peka have their way about it Park
hurst and Davis will be conducting
business almost as before the fire
within a very short time.
President Lux Talks.
s E Lux in opening the meeting
said: I'VE are called together today
to extend TO Parkhurst and Davis our
sympathieS on account of the appal-
ling disaster which has just befallen
them Not only last night have they
suffered an almost total loss, but five
years ago the firm had the same thing
to contend with. We want to see the
firm rebuild greater and better than
ever before and we are here for the
purpose of devising means by which
we may assist them"
Charles Wolff, president of the
Wolff Packing company said; LAS
member of this association and citi-
zen of Topeka. am here today to lend
all possible assistance to Parkhurst
and Davis. We all sympathize with
them but they need something more
than sympathy. and we are here for
the purpose of aiding them in every
possible way"
Mr.. Crosby's Cheering Words.
E H Crosby said: 'I do not believe
feel this calamity as greatly as 1 do
for we have been business associates
for years; have grown up together. L
know of their struggles and trials and
them. First the flood and then fire
and now another one. The name or
Parkhurst-Davis is as familiar to the
residents of the city as are the names
be perpetuated in Topeka. They have
sustained a great loss and if they need
financial aid we will secure 1t for them,
all they want of it and that in ten
minutes time. One of the greatest loss
will be from business which cannot be
handled and we must place them in
business again at the shortest possible
time even though it is in temporary
quarters.
until such a time as they again get
back their supremacy and If we can
not secure temporary quarters let us
build them a sheet iron building along
some railroad track, mile long if
they need it. If there is any worth
in lifelong friends the firm has them
here in Topeka and in this city the firm
must be perpetuated sympathy ap-
peaIs to the heart but this is a cold
business proposition and We must get
down to business at once
Mr. Thomas Ready to Help.
Jonathan Thomas said: Il have talk
ed with neither member of the firm
since last nights occurrence and know
nothing of the particulars more than
1 have seen in the newspapers knew
one member of the firm when it was
started in North Topeka with a capital
stock of less than $500. I know of the
trials and tribulations of the early days
of the firm and of the attempts of COM
petitors to put them out of business
1T was my privilege to assist the
firm when it was young and in need of
it and I stand just as ready to do so
again today. The members have pluck
and have overcome every obstacle and
thew will do so again. They have had
hard luck in the past five years but
during it all their financial RESPONSE
bility has never been questioned and
am willing to do anything in my pow
er to aid them in their plucky fight for
supremacy
Mayor Green's Speech.
MAYOR William Green said: This
is a serious calamity with which we
are confronted at this time, not only