The regular meeting of the Susannah French Putney Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was held on Jan. 17, in El Dorado, at the Butler County Historical Society (BCHS).
Special guest Lori DeWinkler presented a program about William Allen White. She is the Director of the William Allen White Home in Emporia. His home is lovingly called “Red Rocks” and was his home for 45 years. It is a state historic site and a national landmark.
White was born in 1868 in Emporia, but raised in El Dorado. He attended college in both Emporia and Lawrence, but never finished his degree. By chance, he was hired by the editor of the El Dorado newspaper where he learned the printing and newspaper business, thus his career began. How do you think the printing and newspaper business has changed from then until now?
In 1895, White bought the Emporia Gazette for $3,000 and became its editor. White was also a politician, author and leader of the Progressive movement, a spokesman for middle America and an advisor to presidents.
One of White’s editorials was titled “What’s the Matter with Kansas.” Even though he never published it (It had been written in haste after a heated argument), it drew the attention of the head of the Republican National Chairman who had it reprinted and distributed around the country. White found himself famous. Republicans sent out hundreds of thousands of copies of the editorial in support of William McKinley who did win the presidency over William Jennings Bryan in 1896. White had gained national exposure with his writing and the public liked his warm sense of humor and articulate writing which made his editorials popular around the country. He became known as the “Sage of Emporia.”
White had promised, in his first editorial as owner of the Emporia Gazette, that he would seek no political office. Yet, in September 1924, he announced his gubernatorial candidacy. He was deeply troubled by the influence of the Ku Klux Klan in Kansas and called them a menace to peace and decent neighborly living. His campaign in large part was anti-Klan, but included a number of other issues as well. Though he did not win, White’s efforts led to a Kansas Supreme Court Ruling that outlawed the Klan in Kansas.
White married Sallie Lindsay in 1893 and they had two children. William Lindsay White (19001973) was an American journalist and writer, and Mary Katherine White (1904-1921) who died in a horse- riding accident. Peter Pan Park in Emporia was created by the family as a way to honor their daughter.
Are you familiar with the William Allen White Children’s Book Award? It was established in 1952 and is a set of two annual awards for books. Since 2001, two winners have been chosen each year. The books are voted on by Kansas students in grades three to eight. Visit your library and find out more. Watch for award-winning stories when your children and grandchildren bring home their school library books and read them together.
There is so much more to learn about this interesting man. Start with your local library for books about White, or just Google him. You will not believe all the information that is available. See if you can find out which president was his best friend. How many presidents visited Red Rocks? Are there any ghosts at Red Rocks? When was Red Rocks built? Finally, plan a trip to Emporia to visit Red Rocks. (Be aware, they are closed for the winter, but will open in the spring. Google “Red Rocks State Historic Site” for more information.)
Kay Catlin presented the Conservation Minute sharing information about the “Great Backyard Bird Count” occurring February 14-17, International Zebra Day is on Jan. 31 and on Feb. 28 will be “Skip the Straw Day.”
Visit the website, birdcount. org and find out how to participate in counting and sharing information about the birds in your backyard. It sounds like fun and will be contributing important information to the Audubon Society. If you are a novice, search for apps that will help you identify birds and/or their songs. For Zebra Day, find out why they are endangered, visit the zebras at the zoo, list some fun facts about zebras to share with family and friends, tell some silly zebra jokes. Why is there a day in February for skipping plastic straws? If you do not use a plastic straw that day, what alternatives can be used instead? Why are plastic straws a hazard to our environment?
New officers for the 2025-2027 term were approved. They are: Regent- Teresa Bachman, Vice Regent- Sharon Mc-Clure, Chaplain- Ann Wimberly, Recording and Corresponding Secretary-Janet Green Treasurer-Catlin, Registrar- Sharon Decker, Historian- Catlin and Librarian- McClure.
SFP Members present: Bachman, Catlin, Carla Cook, Patty Goedecke, Nancy Gordon, Green, Deb Keplar, Susan King, McClure, Kim Ring and Nita Whiteman.
The next meeting will be Feb. 21, at the BCHS in El Dorado at 1 p.m. This is a special meeting where the chapter will be honoring the American History Essay and Good Citizens award winners. Guests are welcome.
