Memorial Hall. These are only a few; many tablets, monuments, and markers have been erected in Kansas, but by far the greatest number of them are monuments in honor of the soldiers of the Civil War. Many of these are very handsome, and they have cost, in the aggregate, thousands of dollars; but this recognition seemed insufficient, and it had long been hoped that a handsome and serviceable building might be erected as a fitting and worthy recognition by the whole State of the honor due the soldiers and sailors of the Civil War. The fulfillment of this ambition finally became possible when the United States paid to Kansas an old Civil War debt amounting to nearly a half-million dollars. The money was used for the construction of Memorial Hall. This beautiful structure, built of white marble, stands near the grounds of the State Capitol at Topeka. Part of Memorial Hall is used as headquarters for the Kansas Department of the Grand Army of the Republic, and the rest by the State Historical Society.

An Old, Double-edged, Spanish Sword,

Found in Finney county some years ago and presented to the State Historical Society. The sword bears the name of one of Coronado’s officers, Juan Gallego. On the blade, in Spanish, are the words: “Draw me not without reason; sheathe me not without honor.”

The State Historical Society. The State Historical Society was organized in 1875. From that time until the present the Society has gathered and kept books, writings, narratives, maps, relics and other matter relating to the history of Kansas. In these collections may be found information concerning the explorations, the Indians, the overland travel, the settlements, and the condition and progress of the State in its various departments. Volumes of clippings, files of newspapers, and thousands of books, provide a very complete record of all phases of the State’s history. One of the interesting features is the collection of relics, among which are: an old Spanish sword supposed to have belonged to one of Coronado’s soldiers; the pistol of the Jayhawker, James Montgomery; two cannon used in the border troubles; and the cap, saddle, and sword of John Brown. There are many Indian pipes, ornaments, implements, arrowheads, and a war bonnet. The historical collections, which have increased from year to year, are very interesting and should be seen by every citizen of Kansas. The Historical Society had rooms in the State Capitol until the completion of Memorial Hall, when it was moved into the new building. Thus Memorial Hall stands as a tribute not only to the soldiers but to the entire history of Kansas.

SUMMARY

In late years Kansas has taken many steps to preserve its history. Some of its most prominent memorials are: Pawnee Rock; Pike Memorial; Santa Fe Trail markers; Pawnee Capitol; John Brown’s battle-field; monuments to commemorate the battle of Osawatomie, the Marais des Cygnes massacre, and the Quantrill raid. Many other monuments and tablets have been erected in different parts of the State to commemorate important events. Memorial Hall, completed in 1914, was built in honor of the soldiers and sailors who served in the Civil War. This building provided fitting quarters for the Kansas Department of the Grand Army of the Republic, and for the State Historical Society which has a large and valuable collection of original historical material.

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