The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-19


being filled. but there are probably
many names yet that should be added
to the list of those who took special
ly active part in the Identification OF
Topeka on bygone Arbor days. Every
contribution has definite value and
all Of them are interesting to every
person who cares about Topeka. 1t has
probably not occurred to the younger
generations Of Topekans that the
spreading trees in the city's parkings
are all the result of some pioneers en-
ergy and farsightedness.
Following are several interesting let
tiers from State Journal readers who
have something to contribute to the
story of Topeka's tree planters:
To the Editor of the State Journal:
Oscar Swayze's Arbor Day piece re-
minds me that I planted tree in
Capitol Square, as a member of the
Commonwealth staff. I had been a
country correspondent Of that paper,
and was at that time reading law
with Peak, Ryan & Johnson. 1 loafed
around the Commonwealth Office, and
occasionally wrote some gems OF
thought for the paper. 1 was invited
by the Commonwealth force to join
in the Arbor Day program The pro-
cession included about forty, with
F. p. Baker at the head, followed by
Net, Cliff and Ike. Colonel Prouty,
Colonel Rossington, typesetters, press
men and all old and new employees Of
the paper were in line.
The trees were planted in a dia-
mond shaped plat, near the west end
of the present library building. One
morning, years afterward. 1 saw the
late Edward Wilder. standing up in
his buggy, wildly gesticulating, and
yelling at some men who were begin
ming to cut down the trees in the
northeast corner of the grounds. OBJ
serving me, he said, in an impetuous
tone: Hold my horse, and I'll stop
on every - fool on the state house
square" That was probably the only
time he ever used that expletive. He
had given time and thought and mon
ey to beautify the city. and was deep
ly interested in our lawns and trees.
and was thoroughly exasperated at
what was going on. A violent quarrel
with the foreman enSued. Finally an
armistice was declared. the state au-
thorities appealed to, and Mr.. Wilder
won. The trees near the library were
not disturbed. although a good many
have been taken out since When
peace was restored, 1 told them that
had a cherished pet at the other end
of the building, that I had watched
for years. We walked over there and
1 identified my tree. All were in good
humor then. and Mr.. Wilder mirth-
fully quoted the old lines:
Woodman. spare that tree.
Touch not a single bought
In youth it sheltered me
| And I'll protect it now
The arbitration committee decided
that my tree should live, and the
''woodman" tackled a card on it. upon
which he wrote: Don't cut this
one" 1t is the first tree east of the
Van Buren, street entrance. 1t was
at the north point of the Common
wealth diamond, and easy to keep
| track OF as the years passed
Soon after the Wilder war, an
amusing incident took place. The
grounds were plowed and graded and
the diagonal walks abolished. The
authorities posted notices against tres
passing. and stated that all "diago-
nal" pedestrians would be arrested
John A. Daily. the Saturday Night
clubs Gentleman from Utah." was a
clerk in the Santa Fee Offices. and had
| "cut across the grounds for a good
| many years He printed a card in the
papers, which he headed: "A Defi:"
and announced that at a. m the
| next day he would walk from the
northwest corner of Capitol square to
the Santa Fee Offices. over his accus-
toned route. In the ornate and pic
turesque vernacular of the Saturday
iNiRhters. of that sanguine era. he
told the state house gang where t.
head In. The whole town was with