The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-26
VETERANS AND VISITORS.

Mrs. Eva Wheeler of Norton, past
grand matron of the Eastern Star, is
a Topeka visitor this week. the guest
of Mrs. Grant Harrington. whose hus-
band is private secretary to Governor
Hodges:
Commander Harrison today received
telegram from Col. A. r. Green OF
Stevenson. WASH, extending greetings
and hearty best wishes to the Kansas
veterans. Although he is 1000 miles
away, Col. Green desired that the de-
partment commander tell his comrades
that his thoughts ard we'll wishes were
with them in their big encampmept and
the dedication of the new Memorial
hall Col. Green was formerly depart
ment commander of Kansas and has
the personal friendship and acQuaint-
ance of hundreds of the men who are
attending the encampment in Topeka
this week. -
Candidates for state offices are TAX
ing advantage of the opportunity to
shake hands with the veterans and this
week Topeka is the natural stopping
place Of the men who are candidates on
the various tickets. Charles Curtis,
rated as the old soldiers friend in con-
gress, was one OF the most active men
in the milling with the veterans in the
state house. Then there were Major,
Harvey, Judge Frank B. DOster, JUS
tice A. w. Benson, Arthur Capper, w.
o, Reftzel and e. j. Brewer, not to.
mention the regular state house officials
who are candidates to succeed them
selves.
Several dozen members of the To-
peka Boy Scouts are being pressed
into active service for the encampment.
These boys have been appointed as
guides and pages and stationed in the
state house and Memorial hall. They
have a busy week ahead OF them. but
they are performing faithful service.
One old soldier came to Topeka today
wearing the bugle that he carried dur
ing the Civil war. another veteran
brought camp stool with him and
still another carried the trusty musket
that he used in the war of the re-
bellion.
Checks stands were established this
afternoon in the rotunda of the state
house under direction of ]. Will Kelley.
| secretary of the Commercial club. and
| arrangements made for checking the
| luggage of the veterans without extra
expense.
This afternoon nearly 400 veterans
marched from the state house to the
Auditorium to attend the g. A. r. bust
ness meeting Headed by Commander
Harrison. members of his official fam
lily and a drum corps Of fourteen mem
bers, the old soldiers marched east on
Eighth avenue to the Auditorium.
| Hundreds of members of the Wom-
ems Relief Corps Of Kansas are here
for the encampment. Many Of these
women came to Topeka accompanied
by their husbands. But in the crowd
are scores of widows and veterans Of
the Civil war; who came to participate
l in the Memorial hall dedication.
E. b. Jewett Of Wichita, former war
den OF the state penitentiary, is attend
| inx the reunion. He is accompanied by
Mrs. Jewett and both will spend the
week in Topeka.
| Colonel A. w. Smith tells an incident
of the passing of the boys who wore
the blue and the gray During my
first session in the state Legislature. In
1873, more than two-th thirds Of the MEM
bers of both houses were old soldiers. y
said Colonel Smith. I'VE maintained
| that two-thirds majority for several
years. Then. in the sos. we had only
a majority. Then we lost control" In
the 1913 session. there were but five
old soldiers In the house.
A-A-