The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-29
Negroes Celebrated Soldier
Homecoming Here Today.
Marched to State House, Then
to Garfield Park.
ADDRESS MADE BY GOVERNOR
Negro Colonel Principal Speak
er on Program.
Triumphant March Headed by
JacksOn's Band.

Headed by George Washington
JacksOns famous Twenty third regi-
ment band the black heroes of the
Ninety-second division marched the
triumph trail in Topeka at 2 o'clock
this afternoon. And all along the way
the negro citizens of Topeka and
Shawnee county rent the air with
cheers for the men who so ably de-
Tended the liberties OF the United
States fighting shoulder to shoulder
with the white men.
More than two hundred returned
negro soldiers were in line this after
noon marching with cadenced step
close behind the automobile in which
a negro colonel rode The parade to-
day was the triumph march accorded
the men OF the Ninety-second division
and tho Il was somewhat belated,
owing to the inconSiderate attitude of
a troop train commander. yet il was
all the better for the additional time
given for preparation.
Formed ut Auditorium.
The parade formed at the city audi
forum and from there marched to
the state house where Gov. Henry J..
Allen In a short talk extended the Of
fetal welcome Of the state to the re-
Aliens speech OF welcome the parade
reformed and marched north on Kan
sas avenue to the south end Of the
Melan bridge. At this point the
marchers took passage in a line of
special streets cars and rode in state
to Garfield park where the real ceIe-
bration of the day was to be held.
In the line Of march behind the
column OF overseas fighters were the
drill team of the Knights and Ladies'
Of Tabor and the ladies Of the Red
Cross auxiliary. The big ladder truck
department was in the parade.
Change I'm Program
A change in the program for the
afternoon at Garfield park was an
nounced at late hour this morning
by 5. E. J. Watson. chairman of the
special entertainment committee. The
soldiers OF the division of negro fight
ers were to be decorated with the
honor medals Of Shawnee county at
5 o'clock this afternoon instead Of af-
ter shutdown as had been planned. The
medals are the same kind as are
awarded to the white soldiers and are
a memorial 70 the bravery and patri-
the same qualities OF the whites. The
medals were TO be pinned on BY the
ladies OF the Red Cross auxiliary.
At S o'clock Col. Charles Young. a
negro graduate of West Point, was to
deliver tho speech Of the day. Colonel
Young Is one of the two negroes who
have attained the high rank of
colonel In the army Of the United
States. Colonel Young will proba bly,
be the military attache of the United
States at fhe Liberian embassy in
Africa within the next few months
Eat Fried Chicken.
Fried chicken and cakes and pies
and all sorts OF good things to eat
were to be served to the negro soldiers
at the close of Colonel Youngs talk
by the ladies of the Red Cross auxiI-
larry. Cigars and soft drinks were to
be distributed TO the soldiers by the
Civic league an organization of po-
liticai significance in Topeka.
A souvenir program for the day was
distributed at Garfield park by a spe-
ciai corps OF Red Cross eanteen auxiil-
aries. The programs were furnished
by the War Camp Community service.
1t was estimated that fully five thou
sand Topeka negroes were at Garfield
park this afternoon waiting and anxf-
Gus to take part In the Homecoming
celebration in honor OF the negro sol
diers