The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-06-22
knights and Ladies of Security
Decide on Topeka Site.
Will Build Handsome Structure
at Martins Hill.
Topeka GIVES 315 ACRES
Land Donated to Organization
Valued at $4,000.
Hard Surface Road Will Be
Built to the Home.

Topeka was chosen as the site of
the Knights and Ladies home and
hospital for the aged and orphans of
their organization at a meeting of the
home commission of the Knights and
committee of the Chamber of Com
merce Thursday night.
The Chamber of Commerce, spur
red on by offers from Cape Girardeau
Mo-, and several other towns, offered
the organization a 315-acre tract at
Martins Hill, including portions of
the sherman farm, Martin Hill tract
and the Walker place. The home will
probably be started within the next
three months.
The knights and Ladies have prom
:sed the city and the business men of
Topeka to erect four buildings on the
site, costing between 100000 and ST.,
100000 within the next thirty months.
The initial expenditure for the build
ings will amount to $35O,000. The
present plans of the organization calls
for the erection of four buildings, an
administration building, hospital, or
phanS' home and home for the aged.
New Hard Surface Road.
From an unofficial understanding
between the county and the knights
also be among the improvements that
, the home will bring to Topeka. Will
liam A. Billy said this morning that
| altho there was no official agreement
between the society and the county,
that such a road would in all prob
ability be included in the inducements
offered the organization. An oiled
| boulevard to the home was offered
| by Cape Girardeau. Mo-, which was
Topeka's closest rival for the home.
The land donated to the knights in
cludes 315 acres of the choicest land
| in the state, lying partly on the high
| crest of Martins Hill and partly in the
| low rich river bottom valley land. One
| hundred and eighty-five acres were
I given from the Martin Hill tract 80
acres from the Sherman farm. 10
acres from the Walker place and 25
! acres sliced from adjoining farms to
complete the requested acreage of 315
acres The estimated value of the
! land is $4,000.
The tract selected is the one on
which an eastern syndicate, in plan
/ ming model addition to Topeka. spent
So0'oOo- Cedar groves, broad ave-
nueS and sidewalks were included
in the improvement made bv the
eastern concern before their project
tailed These improvements will all
De used in the planning of the home
of the Knights and Ladies.
Site an Ideal One
Mr. Blby, national treasurer of the
organization, said this morning:
| "A pSIteI place Tor the home could
not be found in the country. The
selected site is truly the Garden OF
Eden finished with the American
1rllls. The knights and Ladies of Sc
| cur1ty wish to express their deepest
thanks for the favor that the city OF
topeka thru the Chamber of Com
merce has bestowed upon the organi-
cation. In time we will make the
business men of Topeka, as well as the
residents of the community, more
than proud of their service to the
knights and Ladies. We will dc
everything within our power to show
our appreciation of the favor and in
time we will make Topeka proud OF
the home"
The benefit to Topeka of having
the home in her vicinity cannot be
measured in dollars and cents nor in
persons. Thousands of persons will
be attracted each year to visit the
home and Topeka Merchants will
profit and at the same time Topeka
will be advertised extensively by the
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