The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-12
CHAPTER CuL.
1.-THE Reeall-of Old Times.]

Quoted under crude methods The
first paper with which the writer was
connected in Kansas years aft exsath at
newspaper was founded was estab-
lished fifty-five years ago by the late
Senator P. 3. Plumb.
Plumb had recently landed" at
| Emporia from Ohio where he and
! Whitelaw Reid were fellow compost
tors on the Xenia News. Plumb
| west west; Reid went east. Both grew
up with the country and became great
men.
| Jacob stotler was the first foreman
of the office. A few. months later he
became the partner of Preston b.
! Plumb and within a year he bought
him out.
The type, Washington hand press
| and material for the paper were
! hauled in a wagon from Lawrence.
Oxen drew the load and Stotler drove
the oxen. AS he was not a profane
man. it may be imagined he was some
time in making the trip. Nineteen
years after that this writer became an
employee upon the paper and three
years later the partner of Stotler.
When Plumb edited the first num-
Der which appeared on the 9th of
June. 1857, it was called the Kanzas
News. 1t was considered an "up-to-
date" paper although much of the
news it printed one week was gathered
the week before Plumb. on foot,
horse back or by such conveyance as
he could catch, secured the country
round about for twenty-five or more
miles for something "to put into the
paper
In those days. as Stotler used to
relate the incidents, Plumb, sturdy
and vigorous afterwards was then in
delicate health and indomitable and
energetic, as those who knew him
later always found him. He might
have a severe hemorrhage of the lungs
in the morning, but in the afternoon
he would say: Il believe 1 will go to
Lawrence" This meant trip of sew
eral days, so he would mount a pony
and canter off to the northeast, max
ing his first stop about twelve miles
away on Duck creek at the home of |
oliver Phillips, a pioneer. All were |
pioneers then. Here he would spend |
the night. gather up what news he
could. and pursue his way the next
morning.
At Lawrence Plumb would find a
large wooden box in which had been
deposited the letters and newspapers
addressed to Emporia, waiting until
someone came along as Plumb came,
to take the mail to it's destination.
Plumb rambIed up the Neosho valley
on missions for news. going as far as
Council Grove, sometimes afoOt, some
times ahorse. En- route, he would
stop at the home of the wife of the
writer, whose father was a Kansas
pioneer. living at a point on Rock
creek, near where that classic stream
emptied into the Neosho river. Plumb
would stay over night, going and com-s
ing, taking up what news, refresh
ment and rest were Hospitality offered.
The head of that house was Elishaj
Goddard. who had come overland f.
from. Indiana and Iowa and later bell
came the sheriff of breckenridge. nowfE
Lyon county. when Plumb was be-tf'
coming a noted lawyer and Politician
with ambitions which were afterward-
sratifed by his election to the United
States senate.
The newspapers of the state and of
he country still continue to reflect
he strong and growing sentiment
favorable to President Taft's nOmina- +.
ion. Judging from the press and !
rom what people say, for you can :
scarcely talk to a. group of men in : :
Topeka or any portion of the state
II to men who have recently visited :
my part of Kansas, but the prevailing
eminent is favorable to Taft. =
1t is the writer's honest conviction :
hat the state today is overwhelming
or Taft and if a fair expression could >
'e voiced, it would practically be all :
he way among the Republicans.
his means that the people are dis .
'osed to give Taft credit, for it is due
lin; give him fair play, for he is
Untitled to it; give him the nominal
ion. because he should have an en- a
orsement-and the third term handi- n
APP would and should be eliminated =
Aside from a few of the bosses like T
Governor Stubs and William Allen
White, there is no strong third term A
eminent in Kansas. This office has !,
very means for judging of sentiment =
n the contact of it's reporters and staff
nth the public and the papers. 1t is
reposterous for our governor to say or :,
nply that he finds that the interests :,
nd the office holders and office seek =
RS are the only ones lined up for Taft
lutte the contrary. 1t looks to US as
the office holders and office seekers y
ere lined up for Roosevelt. II
The man who holds the biggest office II
1 our state and who is after the big L
est office in the gift of the state is
ne of the seven Board of Managers of
ne Roosevelt campaign.
That Taft-of1ice holding sort of talk -
) all in the hat, and the hat is in the