The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-31

lanta. and Early from the Potomac To
the good Lord only knows where, 50
they rolled back mile by mile to the
eastern border OF the great AmeTlca1 li
I desert, until not vestlse of the dread
imaginary line remains
They went right along cultivat1ng
i the soil, building school houses ana
churches and railroads. raising hogs
cattle, horses, sheep, and children
never stopping or looking back, only
occasionally slowing up for a swarm or
gresshorpers from the western desert
a few months of hot winds from
Missouri or Texas. a dry spell of
few months duration only increases
the bank deposit and the percaPlter
Even the banks of poor old missouri
are loaded down with Kansas money
and farmers are riding to town IN ruo-
Der tired buggies and automobiles
In speaking of the accomplishment
of Major Anderson locally. it should be
mentioned that he was active in the eff
fort to make the Melan arch bridge
reality.
Left Endorsements for Son.
Years ago Major Anderson Was Mas. q
States pension agent in Kansas. He pro
cured the signatures of 10000 G. A K
men in Kansas who wanted to see hln
in the position. The authorities at
WASHINGTON refused to consider the
signatures so upon their return MAJOR
Anderson nailed them UP in box with
the stipulation that his son was TO open
the box when he becomes q years OF
age-he is now 16 years old
Member Sons OF Veterans.
Major Anderson was chaTter mem
Der Of Old Abe camp No 10 sons OF
Veterans, and one of the most active
members of the organization. All menu
bers of the organization are requested
by the officers to attend the funeral
How He Was Named Postmaster.
p. l. Bonebrake tells the following
story of how Major Anderson became
postmaster of Topeka:
1.-The major was a member OF the
legislature of the session of 1881. AT
that time the term of the postmaster
at Topeka was about to expire, and an
animated contest was on between sew
eraI persons for the appointment. The
major was not a candidate one DAY
during the session / had telegram
from Washington offering me the APP
pOfntment as postmaster. and II
could not accept it, then to suggest
the name of some one whose appoint
ment would be satisfa Glory to the peo-
pie generally. I had just been elected
as auditor of state for my third term
and could not accept the appointment
II thought of Major Anderson, |
whose appointment would be accepta-
BILE to all parties. I took the telegram
and went into the house of which the
major was a member. I asked him if
he would like to be postmaster of To-
peka- He answered, Sure I would.
Nothing further was said.
II wired a telegram suggesting the
name of Major Anderson and few
days thereafter his appointment came
to hand. He filed the Office to the
satisfaction of all the people. He was
not aware until after his appointment
how it came about.
Helped Save Old Tree.
Let me sdd a little sketch concern
ing the old cottonwood tree on tie state
house grounds, the preservation OF
hi. Not,
was instrumental.
When the foundation for the east
wing was being laid the stone used
was from a quarry not far from the
cemetery. Exposed to the air, the rock
being used showed that they would
slack like lime almost and of no value
whatever, and that other stone must
be used for the foundation. As a cor
sequence, large amount of rock and
fragments laid around the east end of
the proposed building. This cottonwood
came UP among those fragments and
when the grounds were cleared It was
a good sized shrub and was let alone.
when they had an Arbor Day trees
were planted all over the grounds and
become so frequent that they were OIL
dered cut dn@n by the executive coun-
Gil. The cottonwood tree come within
this order. When this fact was ascer-
tanned some of us. including Major An
derson, went to Governor Morrill, and
asked that this tree be exempted from
/
made an order to that effect And
thus the old tree was preserved.
THE only objection to the tree ever
offered by anyone was that it shed it's
leaves the season through and Uttered
the ground, but it stands there now |
and it should stand forever.
ION that Arbor day I planted an
elm tree about midway between the /
northeast corner of the capitol grounds !
and the state house and I wanted that
tree to remain. I went to David Nay |
lor, superintendent, whom I knew |
very well, and told him not to touch
that tree and he let it alone. 1t is a
beautiful tree today and I am proud
of it and I look with a great deal of
pleasure upon that every time 1 pass. |
I wish there was some way I could
put my name on it as a memorial of
those times.''
Commercial Club at Funeral.
1.-THE members of the Commercial /
club said President S. ]. Hodgins |
this afternoon, ARE requested to meet !
at the club rooms at half an hour be- /
fore the funeral and march to the /
place of holding the ceremony in |
body"