The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-01-02
GEO. PECK IS HERE
Old Man Eloquent Comes to
See Topeka Friends.
Reception and Renaissance
at the Topeka Club.
NEW YEARS DAY A DELIGHT
He Would Not Submit to an
Interview
But Host of Friends Want 10
Hear All About Him.
NEW YEARS DAY A DELIGHT

We'll. I'm glad to be back in To-
| peka-wish I could come back TO
live declared George R. Peck, ex-
general counsel for the Chicago. Mil
waukee 6 St. Paul railroad. who is a
guest of the Charles Blood Smiths.
Don't interview me-lets just talk
! I'm taking a vacation from every
thing. Haven't been in Kansas since
several years ago, when 1 made an
address at the Editorial association in
ETnporia. 1 have scores of old friends
| in Topeka, and it seems pretty good
to see them again
FIR. Peck is a Topeka ido1-every-
body admires him because he is a
man of action, man who has done
things. versatile, successful. soldier,
lawyer orator and energetic citizen
in a nation of doors.
He is a delightful gentleman to
meet-but he won't talk about him
self. He is a famous story teller, hut
he would rather hear somebody else
tell stories. When a reporter inter
viewed him in the library of the
Smith home, he inquired about all his
old friends in town, commented on
pictures of his fayorite cronies and
refused to say a word about himself.
ASK me no questions, I'll tell you
no lies he said, pleasantly, settling
comfortably in big chair, then OBJ
served in conversational tones,
ing, isn't it?''
Mr.. Peck dropped in at the To-
peka club to celebrate New Years.
Several of his old friends also dropped
in and welcomed January, 1913, with
good cheer. They exchanged remi-
niscences and recounted stories
about Mr.. Peck much to his delight.
The attorney has had a varied career.
He has packed the SO years of his
life with attainment He was born
near Cameron, n. Y, in 1S43. moved
to Wisconsin several years later and
was attending Milton college when the
Civil war broke out. He enlisted as
a private in the First Wisconsin
heavy artillery, was promoted to the
rank OF captain, accompanied Sher-
man on his march to the sea and re-
turned to the study of law in James
vile, after the capture of Peters
burgh. He was admitted to practice
in SO, moved to Independence, Kan,
in II and continued his profession
there until 1874, when he was ap-
by President Grant. He was reap
pointed by President Hayes, but re-
signed to accept the general solicitor
ship of the Santa Fe, a position which
he held for about fifteen years. His
adroit defense of the Transmississippi
Freight associa ton, which had been
arraigned by the attorney general un-
der the antitrust act, brought him
prominently before the public, and he
resigned his Topeka position to ac-
cept similar one with the Chicago,
q St. Paul Railroad COM
pany.
Before leaving Kansas Captain Peck
was offered the appointment of L. s. |
senator by the governor of the state, |
to succeed Senator Plumb, who had |
died. But he declined. His duty was
to himself and to the railroad and at
that time the office of q. S. senator. |
great as it is, was not compatible |
with it.
Captain Peck has written books
which rank high in literature. When
in the vigor of health he was in great
as a lecturer, and delivered /
addresses before universities, literary |
tons. war associations and |
other civic societies. He has been the /
intimate friend of presidents, senators, |
representatives in congress, judges of l
the supreme. court, and learned men /
he world over.
One of the stories that is oftenest |
told about him relates, not to success,
but to lGmentable failure. He lost the I
first public office for which he ran.
A friend of the captains was run /
ming for county office, and suggested
hat Peck become candidate for dele
gate in the county convention. '-AlI
light. III do it" promised the young
attorney, and began canvassing the
district with unalterabIe zeal.
II mis- friends. humorousIy inclined,
nominated rusty colored man, Col
lmbus johnson, to run against him.
roluE bus accepted the nomination
With the nonchalance of his race.
9eck's friends worked for Columbus
and when the polls were
.losed it was discovered that the darby
lad won by an overwhelming ma
GRITTY. He who laughs last laughs
lest- Captain Peck was nothing
haunted by his first defeat. and ac-
epted the joke good naturally. When
lie became United States district at
orney he told the story with joy.
Mr.. Peck is in Topeka only for q
ouPle of days He lives, noninally,
n Chicago. but his heart is in KAN
as. and wherever his heart is, there
5 his home. For Mr.. Peck won his
equation in law, literature and poll
les in Kansas. and although he has
cen away for some twenty years, Oh
riends and early memories bind him
o the state as with links of steel. All
i'd kansens know Mr.. Peoks career.
tut new generation of men and wo-
men have come on since he left the
tate, and TO revive pleasant recolIec-
ions in the minds Of his friends, this
tory about him was written.
SAEaG aAEER lxsHNRRR EAEs