The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-02-19
TALK OLD TIMES
Semi Centennial Presbyterian
Banquet Is Reminiscent.
Mrs. j. ID. Mcfarland Makes In
teresting Address.
THEY ATE 30 TURKEYS.
Modern Presbyterians Evidently
Hungry Lot.
Every One Has a Pleasant EX-
perience.
THEY ATE 30 TURKEYS.

perience.
| Six hundred people sat down to the
six O'Clock dinner at the First
| Presbyterian church which was given
under the auspices of the Ladies' Aid
society in connection with the celebra-
| ton of the fiftieth anniversary of the
church. Although the new basement
dining room is extremely spacious it
was necessary for half of those who
attended the banquet to eat at the
second table. 1t took 32 turkeys to
| feed this great assembly.
| The people present who included
many members of other churches aside
| from the Presbyterian, adjourned to
the main body of the church and while
they were assembling informal talks
| were given. Mrs. A. K. Rodgers made
the first address of the evening and in
an interesting manner she told of the
extension of the church work.
Miss Caroline Deming told of "Our
Foreign Missionaries" speaking of
Miss Ella Mcguire who went to Japan
in 1889, and who is now engaged in
educational work in Chicago. Jean
Dick was the second on the list. She
died in Sierra Leon after a happy So
journ in that far off country of but
six short months.
Annie Adams Baird, who is engaged
in work in Korea was paid high
tribute. She is supported by the mis-
sionary society of the church. Rev.
J. E. Adams. who was a professor in
Washburn college, was also mentioned
as having sailed to Korea with his wife,
Nellie Dick Adams, who so recently
died in that country.
The youngest one on the roll was
mentioned as Louise Ogilby Norris.
who when but Is years of age went
out to Korea to assist Mrs. Baird. DR.
Paul Todd, who was not long connect
ed with the church, was the last name
on the list Of those who had gone out
from the church. He was sent to
Canton, China, where he is connected
with a hospital.
Mrs. McFarland's Address.
Mrs. J. D. Mcfarland, who made the
principal address of the evening, IS
daughter of the first pastor, Rev. John
A. Steele. She said in part
"In the autumn oof 1859 when my
father was travelling through much
talked of Kansas to see the country,
for bleeding Kansas had been adver-
tised by the anti-slavery struggle and
the John Brown tragedy, he preached
/ in Topeka. Auburn, Lecompton, Te-
cumseh and other places. He had
larger and more pretentious place
than Topeka.
"a state house was being built there.
or at least had been commenced: but
Va. twenty years before, because Vir-
ginia was a slave state, he liked To-
lDeka better because it was made up OF
free state people. During the early
part of that winter he stayed in To-
peka. assisting the ministers then on
the ground in religious revival, and
when urged by some Presbyterians to
gather the sheep into one fold and
become its pastor he consented
He returned to his home in Illinois,
and in the spring of 1860 brought his
large family to live in Topeka. Not
having a church where could they
worship? Some meetings had been
held in homes but more commodlous
place was desired.
"The Episcopalians were already on
the ground and prosperous enough to
have an upstairs room furnished. 1t
was on Kansas avenue near the cor
ner of Sixth street, in the south end
of the building then known as the
Richey block, three story building.
Three stories certainly exhibited
spirit of progressiveness in a town
which hoasted of but 2S4 voters.
This room was known the
Episcopal halr and through the cour-
tesy of these brethren the Presby
terians were allowed the use of it for
services
In mentioning the days of the civil
war the speaker said:
1T was time that tried mans souls
and made the preservation of the coun-
try of more vital interest than spirit
ual things. 1 well remember when
good many women kept their few valu-
abies done up in bundles, ready at a
moments notice to flee and hide in
the tall weeds.
-'All the cash belonging to the minis
ters family was carried on the body
of the little lame boy of IL with in
Structions to what part of the woods
to hide in case of surprise.
I'm the spring of 1861, bought lot
on Kansas avenue. between Eighth and
Ninth, and on it built the little brick
church where We worshipped until
1859. The pastor furnished the mater
ial and superintendent the work.
I'VE were net without music. The
lastor bought a sweet toned melodeon
and brought it down from Leavcnworth
Gays of small things and the instru-
nent was in fashion. Our organist was
a blind man and good musician
From this point in her address Mrs
| Mcfarland told of the ministers who
succeed ed her father. They We're: Rev.
S. T. Mcclure: Rev John Ellxin in
| 1866; Rev. F. S. McCabe, 1868: Rev.
Henry George. 1882; Rev. Edward C.
Ray, 1887; Rev. S. B. Anderson, 1892;
| Rev. J. D. Countermine, 1896; DR.. S. S.
Estey. five years ago.
All services at the church as has be-
| fore been announced will be of an an
niversary commemorative character to-
| morrow.
Captain May Beat His Crew.
Justice McAvoy, of the city court,
decided yesterday that a sea captain