The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-16
HAD A BIC NIGHT
1000 Soldiers at Dedication OF
New Recreation Building.
Arkansas Hall Is Largest
Structure at Funston.

Camp Funston. Jan. 16.-Tuesday
night is one that win go down in Kan
sas history a notable event. 1t be-
ing the date on which the recreation
hall OF the au-kansas regiment. the
353rd infantry, was dedicated. The
building stands as monument to the
generosity and liberality of the Kansas 5
people and as a token of appreciation
for their. soldiers.
More than 1000 officers and men
were present at the dedication. Ca pit
c. j. Massecl>. adjutant, acted as
chairman. Col. James n. Reeves the
commanding officer OF the au-Kansas
regiment. made the opening address.
telling how the hall was built by
funds donated by Kansas people. He
stated that as he stood before the stall
wart Kansas youths on this occasion
it was the happiest moment of his
life.
Gov. Capper congratulated the Kan
sas troops on the splendid building
BY authority vested in him as COVER
nor of the state and as token OF ms
esteem for the commander of TINS
regime he drafted Colonel Reeves
as a citizen of the Sun lower state IN
good standing altho the colonel here
totore has been a resident of south
ern state.
Praise Soldier Work.
Brig. Gem Frank L. Winn, com
mander Of the nth brigade. hlgnIy
praised the aII-Kansas regiment for
the splendid work it has done He
stated that the officers and men or
the 353rd were making record that
would make the mother state proud
of them
William Allen White told many in
teresting things about his trip in Eu-
rope and of the coI1dition under which
the present war is being waged. Sem
ator william Howard Thompson. who
was here about a month ago when the
recreation hall was under construc-
ton, returned to pay tribute to the
Kansas boys. Bishop James Wise of
the Episcopal diocese of Kansas. high
" praised the all-Kansas troops on the
completion Of their new home.
One of the features or the dedica-
ton was the music by the 353rd ia
fantryg band. under the direction of
Bandmaster E. Meyer. 1t was said by
authorities on music to be the best
concert ever rendered on such an oc-
casion by a regimental band The
recreationsl hall has the largest seat
ing capacity of any building in Camp
Funston
Governors Address.
Governor Capper. as the states exc
eutive, brought the boys warm mes
sage from the people of the state. He
M entail building and said the men of
Kansas were worthy of it
Every patriotic cirfzens one
thought at this hour is the war-taat
IS the one, big vital thing" he said.
Every loyal Kansan is putting the
successful prosecution of this gigantic
conflict above and before everything
else Yours is q big part and because
we know that you will do your part
vigorously and nobly we wish for you
everything possible in the way of
comfort and good cheer. When you
go over there. where the battle is
raging. our hearts go with you and
we will back you>up in every way that
we can We viii pay our income tax
cheerfully and buy liberty bonds and
subscribe to the Red Cross and the
Y NJ c. A and do all the other things
that are given US to do, that your lot
may not be harder than the grim bust
ness you are engaged in must be of
necessity. You are fighting for US
and Well we know it, and we who
stay at home will give you every sup
port that is within our power"