Abilene buries a general-and
By RICK PENDERGRASS
Kansan Staff Writer
ABILENE - This quiet Kansas town was the site last week of one of the greatest military exhibitions in the history of the state.
The funeral for Dwight D. Eisenhower brought with it soldiers, sailors, secret servicemen, FBI and CIA agents, and scores of reporters and photographers.
When the General died March 28, Abilene was a gentle community of 8,000 known to the rest of the nation as a rowdy cow-town of the last century.
The next morning, the Army had moved in. By 8 a.m. Saturday, the Eisenhower Center was surrounded and closed to the public by 40 Military Police carrying nightsticks and rifles. That afternoon, the town was virtually under martial law.
The 5th Army had set up field headquarters at the National Guard Armory, and were patrolling the streets.
By Sunday morning, a cordon of Army sentries had been posted at parade rest surrounding the train station. The sentries were posted along a rope barrier at intervals of 20 feet.
By the morning of the burial, the military had literally overrun Abilene. Throughout Tuesday night and Wednesday morning truckloads of 5th Army personnel continued to pour into the town.
During the night also, an estimated 25,000 civilians had arrived to watch the arrival of the train carrying Eisenhower's body.
As the train pulled into the station at 6:50 a.m., all that could be heard outside of the sound of the creaking tracks was the clicking of cameras and the distant barking of orders for the changing of the guard.
The ceremony in front of the Eisenhower Library twelve blocks away began shortly after 10 a.m. when the procession marched slowly into Eisenhower Center.
The ceremony was an exhibition of military grandeur at its finest. The procession was led by the 5th Army band, followed by a detachment from each of the four branches of the service.
After them came a black limousine carrying the ministers to conduct the service, then another carrying the honorary pallbearers.
The flagbearers followed the cars with the hearse carrying the simple military casket directly behind.
After the hearse came limousines bearing scores of dignitaries and the funeral party, including President (Continued on page 18)
'I have always loved
my wife;
Dwight D. Eisenhower 1890-1969
I have always loved
my children;
I have always loved
my grandchildren;
I have always loved my country. '
Apr. 8
1969 KANSAN 9
By KEN PETERSON Kansan Staff Writer
"There was always something about him that told us he would go far," the small, gray-haired woman reminisced. "He was a boy of action, and always carried out what he began. He was marked by honesty. He couldn't be pushed around, yet was thoughtful of others. These traits grew with the years."
Eisenhower made several trips to Abilene, where Miss Picking lives, and never failed to acknowledge her.
ABILENE - To the thousands who paid final tribute to Dwight David Eisenhower in Abilene last week, Ike represented a man of distinction, hope, integrity and honor.
For Lelia Picking, Gen. Eisenhower's death was all this and more—the loss of a personal friend. Miss Picking graduated with Ike from Abilene High School in 1909.
In her collection of her famous friends' remembrances, Miss Picking has many pictures of the former President and herself, personal letters and Christmas cards from the Eisenhowers and the complete set of books written by Ike. One book, "Waging Peace," was given to her personally by him.
Always referring to Eisenhower as "Dwight," Miss Picking pointed out that the 1909 class prophecy picked Ike to teach at Yale and his older brother, Edgar, to be President.
"I would like to pay tribute to Dwight David Eisenhower," Miss Picking eulogized, "for his untiring efforts through the school years; his strenuous days in the army as commander of the Allied Forces, who while in war hoped for peace; his interest in education thereby fostering friendships with other people and his efforts to bring about
peace when he became President.
"These moments in Dwight's life—the prayer on the lone hillsides before the Invasion of Sicily and on D-Day, his prayer at the inauguration and ritual of dedication at the Gettysburg home—portray the real Eisenhower: one who has endeavored to keep intact the tenets on which our country was founded."
Why Do You Read So Slowly?
A noted publisher in Chicago reports there is a simple technique of rapid reading which should enable you to increase your reading speed and yet retain much more. Most people do not realize how much they could increase their pleasure, success and income by reading faster and more accurately.
According to this publisher, many people, regardless of their present reading skill, can use this simple technique to improve their reading ability to a remarkable degree. Whether reading stories, books, technical matter, it becomes possible to read sentences at a glance and entire pages in seconds with this method.
To acquaint the readers of this newspaper with the easy-to-follow rules for developing rapid reading skill, the company has printed full details of its interesting self-training method in a new booklet, "How to Read Faster and Retain More," mailed free. No obligation. Send your name, address, and zip code to: Reading, 835 Diversey, Dept. 167-013, Chicago, 60614. A postcard will do.
Don't Worry About The Motion Of The Ocean...
Just Be There When The FRESHMEN & SOPHOMORE Classes Conceive A CLASS PARTY Notion!!
And they definitely got a party notion this Friday night, April 11th, from 8-12 at the Lawrence National Guard Armory. The featured performer is none other than the BAR-KAYS, Stax recording stars of "Soulfinger" fame. Also on hand will be the Happy Medium, one of KU's favorite musical groups. Also on hand will be an UNLIMITED supply of Budweiser Brew flowing into cups, pitchers, tin cans, waste paper baskets, empty coke bottles, shoes, hands or anything else that can hold or absorb liquid refreshment.
BUT a word to the wise on this thirst quenching brew—it'd be better to bring your own pitchers for very obvious reasons. Official reports gathered by O-Nor Research Company from the death beds of former class party participants indicate the following:
various forms of violent pushing, hair pulling, eye gouging, kicking, scratching, rabbit punches above and below the belt (often thrown by thirty females at hapless males carrying full pitchers of brew) and other unprintable tactics employed by students waiting in line for thirst quenching beverages would actually cripple and stop the Jolly Green Giant in his tracks. So for your health and date's sake (who would escort the delicious dolly home if you became disabled??) bring your own pitcher. The less time in line—the better.
Now all these fun games and hazards are free with a class card. If you don't have one and can't get one, through legal or illegal means, then $1.50 at the door will get ya inside. It is definitely worth the worry'n, fight'n and struggle'n.