The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-07-27

Laurent's idea was to avoid as much as
possible of this trouble, and he was
generally successful.
CIarice Laurent, one of his daughters,
who lives at S25 Clay street, although
not old enough to remember the be-
ginning of the life of the family in this
place, relates a number of interesting
incidents. Among the first incidents she
can remember was when her father
observed the death of President Lincoln
by draping the front of the building in
black.
In reciting the incident, she says that
she saw the front of the building drap-
ed in black, and asked her father for
the reason. He informed her that the
president had been killed by an as
sassin's bullet and that he and the en-
tire country mourned his death and
showed such sentiment by draping the
front of the building.
Indians Traded There.
The big stone building, as it is refer
red to, was made base of supply for
the Indians. The red men from many
points west and south, come to Tope-
ka to buy supplies and to trade with
the business men. 1t was customary
for them to get drunk while in Topeka
and they insIsted upon loafing around
this building while in the city. On ac-
count of this, fights often occurred or
some of the white ruffians would seek
to treat them cruelty. Mr.. Laurent
would not permit this if he could pre-
vent it. If he saw Indians intoxicated,
he would insist that they go to sleep
for a while, thus causing them to forget
their imaginary troubles and probably
preventing bloodshed in the neighbour
hood of his home.
Rode Horses Up to the Bar.
Many white men, and practically all
of them in those days were rough.
Gun men predominated and they lived
up to their reputation, especially when
under the influence of liquor. Some
would even insist upon riding their
horses in the store and insist upon re-
naming in the saddle while they drank.
On one occasion two men rode up IN
front of the store after Mr.. Laurent
had closed for the night. They woke
him up and finally induced him to
come down and open up. He did so
and they insisted upon riding their
horses through the door. Mr.. Laurent
would not allow them to do so and one
OF them drew aim, intending to shoot
him but a friendly neighbor knocked
the gun out of his hand. The same
man who drew the bead on Mr.. Laurent
afterward became a prominent and re-
spected citizen of Topeka.
Mr. Laurent and his family lived in
this building until between 1870 and
1875 when they moved to North Topeka
They lived on the north side of the
river until a few years ago and then
moved to the south side.
Andy Dupree Held Forth There.
About 20 years ago Andy Dupree and
a number of other negroes who are or
have been prominent in police court
operated in the building. 1t was Gus
tomary for them to maintain a rest
aurant or lunch counter in the front
room on the ground floor and den of
vice in the rear part and on the sec
ond floor. Operated with it but not
same system, was the next door north
which was known as Wright's 400
club Both were two story buildings
The upper floors were cut up into small
rooms which were frequented by crimi-
mails. Each place was a rendezvous
for the criminal element and a num-
peka and vicinity at that time. The
during the day but as busy as a bee
hive at night.
Home of the "400' Club.
Criminal characters of every descrip-
ton, but mostly of the negro class in
tested the building and that of the 40e
club, and especially after committing
crime. They preferred this as a place
to sleep or hide from the officers and
many were successful in avoiding ar
rest or detection at least for a time
At night, those who made this
rendezvous would assist in making bus
mess as good for the keeper as was
possible, dancing, fights, suppers and
al kinds Of hilarity occurred in the