LOOKING FOR OLD LANDMARKS.
George W. Young Finds a Few
Changes in Fifty-Eight Years.
George W. Young, one of the pioneers of Kansas City, who had not been back to the old home since he left here, fifty-eight years ago, is fully aware of the miraculous change. No more did he see the Chouteau warehouse, and he inquired for the Kaw Valley hotel in vain.
Mr. Young, now 78 years of age, and living in Seattle, Wash., came to Kansas City a day or so ago. Yesterday he was wandering about over the old "stomping ground," and stepped into the office of R. L. Gregory, president of the upper house of the council. As he entered the office he noticed a picture of Mr. Gregory's father, taken when he was mayor of the city, many years ago. Mr. Gregory was not acquainted with his visitor, and when Mr. Young turned to him and said: "That's a picture of your father, is it not?" Mr. Gregory was astounded. Choking down his astonishment, he managed to reply in the affirmative.
"When I was a youngster he was my guardian, but that was over fifty-eight years ago," said Mr. Young. Then, noticing the amazed expression on Mr. Gregory's face, he introduced himself. Straightway Mr. Young inquired for the old landmarks, places which Mr. Gregory had never heard of, which so confused the councilman that he took the visitor over to see Mayor Crittenden.
But the mayor denied knowledge of the early history of Kansas City, so Mr. Young is now looking for some of the early settlers who can tell him about the old bank down on the river front and explain just what has become of all the steamboats which used to ply up and down the Missouri.
