The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-05-30
BRIDGE WAS ABLAZE.
Structure Being Built in Central Park
Soaked With Oil.

A few minutes before 4 o'clock this
| morning citizen walking in the neigh
borhood of Central park, noticed that
the bridge in course of construction
in the park was on the fire. He immc-
diately notified the fire department
Chemical No. was sent to the park,
and the fire was soon put out. 1t was
found that the frame work for the con-
crete of the bridge had been saturated
with coal oil.
The damage did not amount to a
great DEAL but indications point TO
resentment on the part of some one who
is opposed to the erection of a stand IN
| the park. The people are considerably
excited over the virtual destruction of
the beautiful little island in the lower
lake which will follow the erection of
the bandstand.
The skeleton for the bridge across
to the island in the south lake at
day crowd of children romped up
and down the island. while the swans
and ducks. driven from their home,
spent the day on the water. This idea
of building bandstand on the island
and connecting the latter up with the
main land appears to he a piece of
foolishness. 1t is true that there is no
loss of money for the taxpayer in
Volved; no great issues are at stake; it
threatens no serious results to the pro-
gress of the city. But 1t shows re-
markedly bad judgment on the part of
one of the city commissioners. The
extreme measure 7of destroying the
bridge by fire can not be counte-
nanced, however
The swans are the main attraction
at Central park. Of this there is not
the slightest doubt The trees and grass
and flowers ard lakes are verv fine.
but it is the swan family that the peo-
pie talk about when they go to tho
park and the swans draw the crowd
and the interest all day long. The
swans have lived on the island in the
south lake ever since they were placed
in the park. The old swans raised
their first family on the island unmo-
Tested. A few weeks ago six little
swans of the second brood were
Matched out and are now being cared
for by the old swans.
The island was their home and only
always plenty of trouble to threaten a
swan family in public park not patrol
led day and night by watchmen. Hun
dreds of boys and girls throng the park
all summer long. These young folks just
The old swans show fight when molested
and this is nuts for the average boy. Then
there are few vandals among grown up
folks who. strange as it may seem, make
still more trouble for the swans. Some
miscreant went to Gage park the other
The swans recognized the fact that the
island was a place of safety and they
to few days ago. Now they do not
know where to go to escape from the an
noyance of the people. They see their
home invaded by hundreds of yelling
scampering children. Sunday they swan
around the lake all day and showed plain
ly by their actions that they We're worried
and uncertain what to do. Their six little
baby swans had to stay with the old
folks. They did not dare go back to their
old and quiet home on the island It is
a bedlam now. There is a miserable
bridge across to the little isle and planks
are strewn all over the grass and pile
of sand is by the flower beds.