The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-10-30
CAIN IN HOMAGE
He Pays Tribute to Character
of Francis A. Kiene
On Occasion of That Gentle
mans Birthday Anniversary.

The other day Francis A. Kiene, a
widely known farmer near Valencia
celebrated his birthday anniversary
1t was his seventy-sixth birthday and
one of the finest remembrance of the
day was a tribute from Cullen A. Cain
former managing editor of the State
Journal, to L. L. Kiene, sheriff, and
son of the Valencia man.
In the days when Cain was a re-
porter on the State Journal, Sheriff
k1ene was the managing editor of the
paper. Then Kiene entered politics
and Cain succeeded Kiene as head of
the local room. Cain looked up to his
former chief as 1.-The greatest man in
the world'-but that was in the days
before he knew the elder Kiene. Then
one day Cain spent a DAY at the big
k1ene home in the country and some
of the admiration for the present
sheriff was accorded the father
Now Cain is in st. Louis, homesick,
lonely and away from his old friends
and haunts. The other Gay he read a
brief news item concerning the Kiene
birthday. 1t was after the reading of
the simple little news item that Cain
sent this classic tribute to Sheriff
Kiene:
My Dear Friend:
The brief and formal announcement of
the gathering together of the house of
k1ene moves me nightly. 1 used to think
that you were the greatest man in the
father. And this father of yours on a
recent date celebrated his seventy sixth
of three score years and ten allotted to us
by the prophet was not meant for such
men as your father. This Frenchman of
the old school has an iron body and a
gentle heart. The thews of D'Artagnan
and the noble soul of Athos
L would wish, through you, to send him
my humble respects on his birthday cele-
bratfon. 1 am only a weary, half broken
but l would like for him to know that 1
am the better and the drawer for having
the valley where the bright sunshine kisses
the grass and the constant winds sing in
the trees. will remember always the
stately courtesy his sincere welcome, his
gentleness, his kindness. One could not
help but know that strength of character
tatious manner. One could not help but
know that he was brave in spite of his
His seventy sixth birthday All, he has
seen the splendor of the morning and
known the MONDAY passions; now 1t is
evening and the sun dips to the western
hills. The old Frenchman sits in his chair
the world just before him, even as he looks
at the world behind.
tell you, Kfene, my friend, and I tell
you true, that if your father had his barn
loft full of gold and his scrap album full
of clippings. of praise from the writer's of
the great of earth these things would be
but the mockery of a FOOLS paradise com
pared with the wealth he now has in his
lap and the crown he now wears on his
head.
L came to his house once, and was half
sick. 1t was cold day. He took me to
his cellar and gave me to drink of an
ancient liquor and he favored the drink
with a smile and his gentle hospitality
made a perfect blend of the strength in the
glass.
He lives in house where the doors have
no keys He has the affection and respect
of all the people of his countryside. His
age rests lightly upon him | should think
it would. He is proud of his big-limbed
sons, but. they are proud Of him: They
came to sit at his table on the anniversary
of his birth. They ought to be proud
of their birth. The table that the old
chronicler wrote of, at which king enter
tanned a thousand kings was not. to my
mind, as fine 4 table the one at which
you were given to sit the other day in the
valley.
1 am only an outsider and I live in
far land from there, but l want to send
my little weak and simple word to this
fine old gentleman on this happy occasion.
] can only barely claim the honor to know
him that he has ever given me thought
since last we met. l cannot pretend to be-
lieve. But his son has been kinder to me
than any man has ever been or ever will
be. and through him 1 take heart to send
my most respectful and admiring greet
ing. CULLEN CAIN