Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1912-05-31
PAWNEE ROCKS GREAT DAY.
Unwilling Of the Monument Was a
Distinct Success.


such a gathering Of persons been
found at the historic spot Of Pawnee
Rock, as was to be seen there on
Friday of last week, the occasion be-
ing the unveihng Of the monument
which was erected by the loyal wo-
men Of Kansas through their various
organizations. The gathering Of last
week was so different from amy gath
ering Of the days gone by. There
were the folks from round about,
come In their autos, it being estimat-
ed that there were a thousand cars
to be seen, instead of in the covered
wagons and ON bronchoS. There were
the smartly dressed ladies instead
of the blanketed Indian and the plain
ly dressed woman with her husband
travelling to the westward seeking a
new home. There we're the business
men, the professional men and the
prosperous looking farmer instead of
the Indian with his tomahawk and
feathers or the rough dress for all
kinds Of service pioneer, or the cow
boy with a brace of six+shooters. In,
stead of the war dance and the rop-
ing Of a wild brOncho for amusement
there was the merrygoTourd, q hum
dred other things, and the bah
game. Could the Rock but have
spoken to the multitude assembled,
what a contribution to history would
have been made.
The people Of the little city amply
provided for the crowd, estimated at
about 5000. and every thing worked
off in easy fashion. The day w2s
an ideal one, except a trifle warm.
At one O'Clock the procession to
tn huge rock began. And such a
picturesque prOces sion has probsJ'y Y
Fever been seen in amy town. Looi-
ing at it from the marvellous va-t2ge
point of the gigantic rock, 1t was
something never to be forgotten
Autos and carriages by hundrds, in
the road, aud pedestrians literally
by thousands, on the walks-they
made the pilgrimage to the monu.
ment that Is really a shrine. The
newer organization of Dodge City's
famous cowboy band, and the gaily
painted Pratt Indian band, with the
scarletcoated Woodmen and Lar
ned and Greensburg bands, the Lar
ned crack militia company and the
Great Bend Boy Scouts, all KHAKI
clad, with the bright tinted dresses
OF the women, made a many -colore'
moving picture.
F. c. Woodbury., cashier Of the
Farmers and Merchants Bank o.
Pawnee, made an eloquent address
OF welcome, and introduced Mrs
George Barker Of Lawrence, as mis-
tresS Of ceremonies. Mrs. Barker Il
vice president Of the Woman's Kan
, saS Day Club, and took the place o.
Mrs. Scott Hopkins OF Topeka, tn,
president. In a speech that toucheC
most gracefully upon the inception
OF the monument idea and fund, an(
drew attention to the contrasts o
Pawnee Rock Of long ago and now
she also alluded to the part playeC
by women In the slow but successful
gathering Of a monument fund t
comply with the terms OF a contrac
offered by Benjamin UnTuh, whc
decided the five acres 0 ground sur
. rounding the rock for park. Il
the name Of all the loyal and patri
otic women Of the state, the monu
ment was then presented to the stat
by Mrs. Barker, and out in tn,
brilliant sunshine, beyond the ten
that sheltered the spectators, Mis-,
AIDA Simmons, daughter Of Mr.. an'
Mrs. ]. S Simmons Of Hutchinson
pulled the ropes that held the con
cealing flags. Six girls caught then
as they fell, and the shaft that repre-
sents a New Kansas Of monument
> . and things shone in the summe
sunshine.
In the absence of Gov. Stubs
from the state, Leut.-Gov. Richar
Hopkins received it and the nev
park for Kansas. His speech Of &C
ceptance was worthy the occasion
He touched on the famous NOM
ments Of the country, briefly-th
Washington shaft, Bunker Hill an
that majestic piece Of sculpture 4
which st. Gaudens caught and hel
the noblest likeness Of Lincoln, tn
monuments In the lovely Arlingto
cemetery Of Sheridan, and Of Gel
Joe Wheeler, who won his place 1
that national cemetery by servic
under the Stars and Stripes in th
Spanish-American war; then he pal