The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-26
MECHEM IS BACK
TOpekan Was a SOldier-EditOr
While in France.
Got Out Observation-Disclosures"
for 18th Infantry.

Among the returning soldiers in
New York is Corp. Kirke Mechem, a
Topeka boy. who fought with the S5th
division in the Argonne forest. He is
a member of Company NJ. 18th in
fantry, and editor of the 'Jayhawker-
infrance,' little newspaper desigpat-
ed as "the unofficial organ of the
137th infantry" Corporal Mechem
was educated at Washburn and for
several years carried a paper route for
the State Journal.
For about a year prior to his enlist
ment he edited a trade paper in Kan
sas City, previous to which he lived in
Wichita for about a year. He was
also in the office of the Bell Tele-
phone company in Topeka for some
time. His mother, Mrs. L. A. Mechem,
lives at 1892 Polk street
His Paper Breezy.
The Observation-Disclosures is re-
markably breezy" little paper and
the ability of it's editor is evidenced in
every paragraph. 1t contains not only
the serious, up-to-the-minute news in
which the men of the 137th are nat
urally interested, but all the sharp wit
and irresistible humor characteristic
of the Yankee soldier. The editor ex-
poets to publish one more number
homecoming edition-which will be
issued in Kansas City.
limited to editorial qualifications-his
poetical gifts are evidenced in the fol-
lowing stanzas, revealing the eager
ness of the Kansas boys to return to
their native state:
Home Thoughts From France.
In Kansas now it's Spring, boy,
Lord. don't you wish today.
That you were walking up the street
Down which you marched away!
The manles and the elm trees,
The cottonwoods and oaks,
And all the trees upon that street,
Are Just plain common folks;
But l have seen enough now
OF evergreen and pine.
And poplar trees along the roads,
All standing in a line
And tho the trees in Kansas
Are not so trim and neat
As some in France, l can't restrain
An itching in my feet.
And now that it's come April
And all those trees green,
1 wouldn't trade that memory
For any foreign scene.
For we've been long away boy,
Each month has been year,
And we've been introduced to Death,
And we have met with Fear,
And with such gay companions
As anyone can tell
A man forgets the streets of home,
In learning those of He'll.
! And there were times l wondered
Out where the star shells cleaned,
| If home were not a fancy.
Or something l had dreamed.
But now that they are saying,
We soon shall sail for home.
Today l turned my mem'ry loose,
And gave it leave to roam.
And it went straight to Kansas,
| And marched right up my street,
And meath those trees bowed right and left
To all it CHANGED to meet.
And that is why l say, boy:
"Oh, Lord, l wish today.
That l was walking up the street,
| Down which l marched away
! In Kansas, long before March blows
Ere the first soft tint of green
On the naked trees is seen,
| There's a blithe and mellow voice
| Jaunty Sir Robin chirps on the lawn
Urging the lettering springtime on.
Now in Kansas, in the cold
| OF March mornings, you can hear
| Brave and bold,
| Rich and clear,
| How the cardinal
| Sings his msdrigal:
| Behold. behold, behold,
| Springs here, it's here, it's herei
/