The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-09
Early Fruit and Gardens Hard
Hit by Frost.
Concerning J. A. Lukens, Old.
Timer and Business Man.


Wednesday night.
The gardeners who had radishes and
other small produce planted inthe open
woke up this morning and found that
the frost had damaged it not little
1t is a pretty general belief that
most Of the peaches have been killed.
Whether or not this Is 30, cannot be
said for sure. Many Of the gardeners
and fruit growers are optimistic AZ to
the results of the frost.
The loss of the peach crop-if it is
lost-will not serve to discourage the
fruit growers. There has not been a
general crop Of peaches in the north
ern part of the county for the last four
years.
Many are grubbing out their peach
orchards because tho ground can be
made to pay better If 1t is used for
some other crop.
One man living near North Topeka
recently grubbed out an orchard OF 500
peach trees because the output did
not more than half pay the interest
on the price Of the land.
j.. "A. Lukens, Oldtimer.
North Topeka was, indeed, small
when ]. A.. Lukens first came here
and started q hardware store In the
building just south Of the one now oc-
macy.
That was in the year Of 1869. There
were no business houses north OF the
Union Pacific railroad tracks and only
few between the tracks and the
river. To use Lukens' own expression
. one could lose himself from all the
world in the grapevines which grew a
block west Of the old Adams hotel,
which stands on the southeast corner
of North Kansas avenue and Railroad
street.
Some time after Mr.. Lukens came
to North Topeka he sold his hardware
store and engaged in the grain bust
ness with w. S. Charles. Their office
Thomas Lumber company's office. In
1871 he built the Lukens building IN
North Topeka, quit the grain business
and established the Lukens hardware
store. He has been in business In this
building ever since that time. He is
now in partnership with his brother.
Charles Lukens. They now sell fur
naces and gas plants.
| J. A. Lukens is IS years of age. He
is one of the North sides oldest and
most respected business men. He Is q
modest, gray haired man who shuns
publicity, attends strictly to his bust-
ness of selling furnaces and Is one OF
I! the few men who can do things worth
| inform the world Of his power.
And It's Frank Simms' Birthday.
Although there are not many people
who are aware of the fact, Frank
Simms, county commissioner from the
North district, IL IS years of age today
Simms said this NnornanG that sh4speas
going to celebrate the event by 60fng
to the grocery store and buying the
cheapest spring chicken the grocer
could sell him.
whether or not Mr. Sinn1s did this
cannot be said. At any rate Simms Is
great on economy. 1t was not long
ago that this same Frank Simms saved
Shawnee county something in the
neighborhood of between 5000 and
IS, 900 in connection with some bridge
contracts.
| He is well known in Topeka and
doubtedly wish him many more happy
birthdays.
Bitten by q Dog.
! While little Evelyn Doyle was on her
way to a grocery to- purchase some tea
for her mother this morning she was
attacked by a small white dog which
| bit her on the right arm. The wound
is not serious but painful to the little
girl The matter was reported to the
police station by her mother and the
police are trying to locate the dog. At
noon today it had not been found. The
little girl is about 8 years of age and
lives at 1173 North Kansas avenue.
At the Methodist Church.
A short Easter program will be given
at the Kansas Avenue Methodist
church during the Sunday school hour
next Sunday morning. Special music
will be furnished for the Sunday morn
ing preaching services.
The evening services at the church
will be composed Of musical numbers
Personal Mention.
Maunday Thursday services at the
Church of the Good Shepherd. Laurent
/ and Quincy streets, will be confirmation
4 and holy communion at s o'clock. The
Right Rev. F. r. Millspaugh. d. d..
will officiate.
The choir of the Lyman Sunday
school will hold a rehearsal at the
school house this evening.
The choir of the North Topeka Bap-
tist church will hold q special rehearsal
at the church Friday evening.
o. c. Myers. carrier of the North
side postoffice, is taking a few days va
cation.
1 Mrs. James Wade of Rossville il
spending a short time in North Topeka
visiting Mrs. w. b. Wetherholt Of the
North Topeka hat shop.
Progressive Sunday school class
food sale Saturday at Buechner's gro
Miss Martha Massey of Granville i,
amending a short time in North To
peka visiting her sister, Miss Maud'
Mrs. S. K. Burroughs Of Grantvill.
IN spending a short time in Nortl
Topeka
Peter Meyer has returned to hi
home in Elmont after a business tril
to the North side.
II E. NJ. Martin Of Silver Lake has re
turned home after spending shor
4 time in North Topeka on business.
J. w. Taylor of Maple Hill is il
North Topeka on business.
I A. M. Petro, druggist--Adv.
]. G. Mitchell of WestmOreland i
spending a short time In North Topeka
on business.
Mrs. Maude Smith has left for HELIX
Ore, where she will visit friends an