attested here to-day by this spontaneous and loving testimonial of your confidence and esteem. Gentlemen, I thank you again and again for it. This cane evidently shows it is valuable, and I prize it for its intrinsic value. I prize it for the physical comfort it will afford me in getting around in my enfeebled condition, but I prize far above and beyond everything else because of the way and manner it is given, and the spirit and motives that have prompted the generous givers. It says that I have a place in the hearts and affections of this people, and I had rather leave as a heritage to my children a knowledge that I lived in the hearts and confidence of my people than to leave them houses and lands, or silver and gold, for while the latter will soon perish, the former will endure and last as long as time itself. Gentlemen, my most earnest wish and trust is that you shall never have occasion to feel that your love and esteem has this day been misplaced, and I assure you that in the future, as in the past, I shall devote whatever of energy, ability and influence I possess in striving to advance every interest and enterprise, both public and private, connected with Lee's Summit and vicinity."

On the head of the cane was inscribed in old English letters: "Citizens' token to W. T. Hearne, Lee's Summit, Mo., Dec. 25, 1888."

Rev. W. B. Cobb, pastor of the Methodist Church, South, then said: "Mr. Hearne, I take pleasure in extending to you my heartfelt congratulations upon this happy occasion. I suspect that your feelings are akin to those of Asa, king of Judah, when he was met by the Lord's prophet on his return from his victorious campaign against the hosts of the King of Ethiopia, who said unto him: "The Lord is with you while you are with him.' When Asa heard this he took courage. So after this token of appreciation, I have no doubt that you feel encouraged, and you may rest assured that so long as you continue to work for the interests of this people they will appreciate it, and be with you while you are with them in building up the interest of the town and community."

In concluding this part of the history which is pertinent to myself, I deem it well to give something of the ancestors of my wives, as well, as all such early history is a good deal the same with the Hearne family, only on different lines of blood, etc., we being nearly all descendants in all collateral lines through Virginia,

[Continued on page 375]

Thanks to Catherine Bradford for transcribing this page.