25 Aug 1897
Page 1
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Newspaper
Topeka State Journal
Location
Topeka, Kansas, United States of America
Date
Aug 25, 1897
Page
1
Topeka hosts 15000 for a citywide barbecue and celebration by grocers and butchers. Seven steers, twelve sheep, and many pigs roasted. crowds fed by fifty white apron workers. Parade crowds formed before daylight and packed Garfield Park, with police and volunteers managing access as vendors, rides, and entertainment drew thousands into a historic community event.
The parade review on the Copeland hotel balcony featured judges Major Charles A L Finlawa Thomas F. Doran W B H Davis Chas T Metahe and Milit Stoker. As the review passed Ninth Street the crowd cheered and the judges debated, with Chas Yellows and Charlie McCabe handling boxes and decisions while Tom Dern waved a parasol and smoked. Wells of Wolff Packing aided the proceedings and comments for decisive judgments were heard as grocers and others observed.
A large crowd witnessed a procession of grocers and butchers described as a jetty style display on Quincy Street. The event drew about Teo thousand people, with colorful carts and banners marking the Dutch themed march through town.
A Topeka parade featured 118 walkers from packing houses and meat shops, with 110 in line from Chas Wolff and colleagues in white duck jackets. The procession opened with Chan Wolf and James Lancan, followed by Marshall's Military band, Geo Weaver the cake walker, and the Mid-Continent band. Local representatives wore distinct costumes in grey, red, white and blue as bands played and crowds of about 10,000 cheered from sidewalks and windows.
The Preirie Pullman enfi band, composed of girls from Otto Kuehne's factory, led a lively procession to the park. Their four-horse band wagon faced mischief as spirited horses tangled, wheels and harness were damaged, and the crowd watched as the girls regained order with cheers and occasional screams.
A grand procession led by dignitaries including Mayor Charles Fellows and speakers Thomas Doran and Charley McCabe graced Garfield Park. The crowd cheered as the 61st carriage arrived, Fellows bowing to all, while Doran acknowledged the crowd with hat in hand. An uproar followed the incomplete song search, and Mitt Stoker used a improvised prop to see over the heads toward a tent marked Kilgndtl.
Thomas Doran recounts early grocers and butchers forming a trust to corner food, deliver freely, and ease debt collections through courts. He jokes about spare ribs from Adam and Cain and Abel, noting the grocer Dutcher’s primitive trade and the social center role of the grocery store in old villas.
The Tuesday barbecue at Garfield Park showcased long fires, coal doles, and wood piles with meats roasted on ground pits. Company M KN U and Wolfiment troops led a formal procession of 110 men in white jackets, maintaining precise, flags and standard carriers as onlookers enjoyed beef and mutton and ham.
Forty five officers including specials guard a large crowd at the park as Tim Donovan outlines mobilization plans for the picnic. The regular force with sight men and specials will handle the event with potential assistance from the Commissioner of Seven to be called if needed. Chief Steele, Sergeants Donovan and Owen lead the operation with about 43 officers present.
The Topeka Retail Grocers' Association, formed three years ago to correct weights and debts and influence legislation, now has 116 members led by President Frank Newland and Secretary Wm Cransfield. The Grocers and Butchers picnic invited city butchers and commission men, who supported the event and may push for a broader Grocers' and Butchers' Association.
William Green introduced banners at the beetecut tables to guide diners. One banner warned no one may take food from the tables, and another urged guests to finish their meals before leaving the enclosure. Diners reportedly remained until fully satiated.
A fragment describes a bar scene where a joke named Elondize appears to offer free beer to the elect. A waiter tilts a faucet, foam beer pours, and a thirsty individual is present, with the moment poised to provoke laughter.
In Topeka chaos erupts as dinner hour nears and lines form. Guards struggle to hold back crowds outside a barbecue as missing corkscrews halt service. Otto Kuehne and Ed plead for order while Milt Stoker offers a makeshift tool to calm the scene.
Otto Kuehne hosts a crowded street event north of the barbecue featuring a large lineup of exotic animals in tents. Reform School band led by Charles Gormley performs while steamy scent and loud acts draw attendees.
William Dransfeld known as Sandy in Topeka heads the grounds headquarters tent during the parade. He calms anxious workers and delegates when chairs and programs are scarce, promising order and assuring attendees that everything will turn out right. He is regarded as an excellent executive.
Marshall's band performs in the band stand while the West Side Mid-Continent band plays. Steinberg's orchestra accompanies both round and square dances. The dance platform sits at the park center as crowds enjoy wooden horses and river excursions on Soldier Creek with the Annie steamer. The Topeka Dude wagering and a nickel in the slot draw nickels. The race track draws entries and sprint trials are under way with Frank Jacques challenging all comers. Tule and skiff races precede the cake walk as a baseball clash between the Fats and Leans looms near the race.
A fragmentary account of a cake walk contest with characters Babe Weaver and Andy Jordan. The text depicts boastful claims and playful banter about performances and luck, mentioning Tennessee town and a Tuesday near four o clock. The passage is garbled and lacks clear actions or outcomes.
Bob Marshall boasts of his cake walking prowess amid a tense scene at Arnish. Judges Milt Stoker Chas Fellows and Charley McCabe discuss fair play as onlookers debate outcomes and race.
A fevered scene unfolded as attendees surged for opening at noon. Tickets sold rapidly, crowd crushes loosened posts, and guard rails, while 529 diners filled 110 by 10 foot enclosure by 1 PM. Henry Dinwiddie praised for meat cooking. supplies flowed, with dozens of local firms donating tents, wagons, wood, and other essentials to support the lavish barbecue amid a festive parade.
A long donor list shows Armous Packing company J. Doitt Packing company and Chas Wolff Packing Co among meat donors. Topeka mills and bakeries provide flour bread and ice. Kansas Creamery and Meriden Creamery supply butter. tea crackers sugar and other supplies are donated by Paalkhorst-Davis Mercantile Symas Grocery Nave McCord and others. J Thomas Lumber Chicago Lumber and W J Miller offer free lumber for tables and platform.
The Topeka Hallway company ran 18 trains on the Garfield park line from 10 o clock. Each train hauled 125 to 150 people and the number at 2 o clock was reported as a little over 10 000. Many walked to the park or rode in carriages while electric cars with trailers ran every three minutes and were heavily loaded.
A Topeka asylum transfer turned chaotic when inmate Hamer collapsed into an epileptic fit in the street while being escorted to a picnic. Attendants moved him to the transfer station floor as terrified onlookers screamed and scattered. The event involved harmless ward residents and ended with the crowd dispersing.
The entertainment committee logged visiting grocers, though many did not register at the headquarter tent. Named attendees include Gus and John Arbacher St Marys George Hart Overbrook D M Wells Hessville H J Santort Nortonville W Higeinbotham Rossville Milo Emery Overbrook Duncan Bell Scranton H Perry Welland Jose Moore says nearly every town within 20 miles of Topeka is represented.
Garneia park drew a great crowd with hundreds of buggies and wagons hitched along the south boundary for three blocks. Many also filled Garfield park, then officials barred further vehicles from entering and moved those already inside.
Mayor Fellows praised Topeka’s picnic calling it the biggest he ever saw. He credited gritters and butchers for their effort as the crowd packed the town hall area. He was interrupted by an invitation for a milk shake.
Wm Green oversaw pre barbecue arrangements like a general directing troops The crowd pressed near the fence as the smoking rush began An earnest gatekeeper held the line while Green led the planning to feed 15000 people with orderly efficiency
Today’s program lists a morning parade along Kennas and Gordon avenues with judges for cake walk and dancing. Merchants and clerks compete in numerous races and contests with prizes including soap, tea, maps, and household goods, followed by a baseball game, lunch, grand march, and a band concert ending at midnight.
Hundreds of farmers from Osage County and surrounding areas arrived by wagon and on foot for a town park picnic. James Sproat noted the event drew an exceptional rural turnout with large crowds at the transfer station and brisk traffic on electric cars to Garfield Park.
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