Return to the rangePaying tribute

By Mike Hall

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

It is one thing to read a book about early days Kansas settlers and something else to hear the stories told by someone who actually lived it - or at least the next best thing.

As part of Frontier Days at Washburn Rural Middle School on Friday, Jack Williamson portrayed a Jayhawk - a free-state advocate of the 1850s. He wore clothing typical of the period and even showed students the process of loading a musket and firing a blank load. The loud report made a big impression on the students.

After Williamson's presentation, seventh graders Jacob Bohlender and Mason Tillman were talking about the gun shot.

But the students also picked up on the larger history lesson, too. Nicole McKinnon said it was more interesting hearing it from Williamson than reading it in a book.

Jake Clark was impressed with Williamson's description of the Battle of Gettysburg. Williamson explained that a corps of soldiers marking four abreast, followed by its baggage and equipment wagons would stretch 141/2 miles - about the distance from the school to the Kansas Statehouse. He then explained that seven corps of Union soldiers fought at Gettysburg.

In all, 90,000 Union soldiers and 70,000 Confederate soldiers fought there.

He also explained why Kansas was known as "Bleeding Kansas" in those days. Holding aloft a Civil War era short sword, he explained how John Brown and his followers used such weapons to hack to death pro-slavers.

"The eyes of the world were on us," he said. "Can you imagine people in Paris, France, reading the newspaper wanting to know what was going on in Lecompton, Kansas?"

While Williamson was speaking to groups of seventh graders in front of the school, others were engaged in a variety of activities in the school gym.

Dan Brooks, a teacher at the school said those activities normally are done outdoors, but were moved inside because of the cool, windy weather. This was the third annual Frontier Days at the school. Before that the school held an annual Renaissance Day for nine years.

On Friday, students and faculty were encouraged to wear western or frontier clothing.

In the gym, a number of students were engaged in a tug-of-war. Brooks said it was used to symbolize the tug-of-war between free- staters and pro-slavers. One side portrayed the pro-slavers, the other the free-staters. But it also was an example of a typical game school children of the period would have played.

Others were doing sack races and three-legged races. One group was doing a variation of cow chip toss, but using large sponges rather than the authentic projectile.

Topeka USD 501

Topeka West High School, 2001 S.W. Fairlawn, will have its fine arts show, Best of West, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today.

Whitson Elementary fourth graders will take part in the Starbase program this week.

McCarter Elementary, 5512 S.W. 16th; Bishop Elementary, 3601 S.W. 31st; and Whitson Elementary, 1725 S.W. Arnold, will celebrate Cinco de Mayo today.

Chase Middle School, 2250 N.E. State, will have a band and drums concert at 6:30 p.m. today.

Orchestra and vocal students from French Middle School, 5257 S.W. 33rd, will perform at 7 p.m. today.

Jardine Middle School, 2600 S.W. 33rd, will have an orchestra concert at 7 p.m. today.

Topeka High orchestra will perform at 7 p.m. today at the school, 800 S.W. 10th.

Topeka West will recognize students who have exhibited excellence in academics and extra-curricular activities with an awards ceremony at 7 p.m. today.

Avondale West Elementary, 3229 S.W. Westview, will perform "Annie Jr." in a dress rehearsal at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

The District Citizens Advisory Committee will have a final meeting and thank you dinner at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Hope Street Academy, 1900 S.W. Hope.

French Middle School's band and strings will perform at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The band from Jardine Middle School will perform at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

McCarter Elementary kindergartners will perform a music program at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

The fifth grade band, vocal and strings students from Stout Elementary, 2303 S.W. College, will perform a concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Topeka High will have its annual spring fling vocal concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Parents of students at Robinson Middle School, 1125 S.W. 14th, will thank the school's staff with a special lunch on Wednesday.

Highland Park High School, 2424 S.E. California, will celebrate their fine arts program at the annual Arts in the Park event from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

The Topeka High band will hold its annual Dogs on the Lawn and Band on the Veranda fundraiser and concert at 5 p.m. Wednesday. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. The hot dog dinner will cost $5.

Jardine Middle School's band will visit its four "feeder" schools to perform for the students on Thursday.

Topeka High's Marine JROTC will hold their annual change of command and awards ceremony at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Avondale West Elementary will perform "Annie Jr." at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.