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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (July 17, 1913)
Colonel TAIUi kT of Missouri By RIPLEY D. SAUNDERS Copyright. 1911. by the Bobbs-Merrl Company CHAPTER IX. Colonel Todhunter Takei the Stump In Rural Missouri. . 1 S a result of Colonel Todhunter's picturesque prosecution of the Strlckla ml campaign in St. Lou is he was unanimously chosen by the Hon. William J. Strickland's managers to invade the Yancey strong holds throughout the state. "Todhunter's a champion vote getter. Strickland," said old Governor Leslie, "and that's a mighty rare gift Any ordinary spellbinder can keep a candi date's own friends in line during a campaign and get 'em to the polls on election day. But It takes a man of uncommon qualities to steal friends away from the other fellow. Todhun ter's that sort of man. lie's a natural born campaigner, and the sooner we put him right on the firing line the bet ter." This fitted in admirably with the colonel's own wishes. It was at the big barbecue in Dunklin county, where he met the redoubtable Bedford Giles on the stump, that Colonel Todhunter made himself famous throughout the length and breadth of Missouri. Bedford Giles was probnbly the finest living master of the old school of perfervld political oratory that once so powerfully swayed the minds of men in the south and middle west It may be true that he lacked the sense of humor; but, offsetting this delin quency, ho possessed a sort of leonine earnestness that had never failed to score tremendously in the campaigns of which he was a conspicuous figure. The announcement of a speech by Bedford Giles was in itself sufficient to concentrate Missourians at one given point from a radius of twenty miles around. And they were never disappointed, because this renowned spellbinder, in his temperament a rant ing tragedian of the old Edwin For rest type, Invariably tore their emo tional beings to tatters and left them convinced for all time that they had assuredly been listening to the most irresistible orator of their day. Against this man was Colonel Tod hunter pitted on the day of the bar becue, and the certainty of witnessing a great encounter attracted to the scene of their meeting the biggest crowd ever assembled at a political gathering in that county. Enthusiasm was at fever heat. The fact that it was largely Yancey enthusiasm placed the colonel at a decided disadvantage, but Instead of depressing his daunt less soul this seemed rather to key him up to his best fighting mood. During the forenoon, as was not un common, there had been a generous flow of good liquor. The orators of the day were naturally expected to give a satisfying account of them selves in disposing of this democratic output. Both were seasoned veterans at the task. It was a peculiarity of Bedford Giles, however, that when he reached a certain stage of exhilaration hi? mental horizon so widened and his imagination took such wings to itself that his spellbinding eloquence soared more in the realm of fancy than of fact. His figures of speech became overwhelming in bold poesy of concep tion and application, and, for the time being, tho sonorous rounding out of his excited thought Into splendid sen tences was of far more importance in his estimation than the structure of truth upon which they were supposed to be bnscd. His Missouri hearers en Joyed this phase of his oratory keenly. By' the time he was primed to such gorgeous flights they, too. were simi larly 'primed to accompany him. so that tbe conclusion of one of Bedford Giles' speeches never failed to witness a scene of magnificent emotional pro portions. Upon this occasion, mellow as a peach, Bedford Giles fairly outdid him self In his burbecue tribute to the vir tues of the Hon. Stephen K. Yan cey. Now, in reality, Yancey was not a candidate of the "magnetic" class. He bod many friends, he was known a a steadfast party man, and It was con ceded that he possessed a particularly shrewd knack of always "lining up" with the stronger faction in party di visions. It requires more than these things, however, to make of a candi date one of those formidable political figures for whom the party rank and file delight to cheer for sheer "love and affection's sake." as the old phrase has it. But Hcdford Giles, the cockles of his heart warmed by liberal potations, idealized the Hon. Stephen K. Yancey, and the peroration of his speech was one of tho Onest and most typical ex amples of Gilesian eloquence. "I nin not asking you. my fellow cit izens." he declared sonorously, "to nom inate Stephen K. Yancey to the proud office ut chief executive of the imperial 'oimiiL.rnv,.;,;t, f Missouri at the sani fi'e of others (Mjually deserving No. "iy friends, ir this were tho onc I "'"'Uld. not feel the supreme conliilcnr,. mm 3n A thafTdTT'now feel fiTyour entfre wil lingness thus to honor him, nor in the wisdom of your decision in his favor. "But fellow Democrats. I speak no more than the simple truth when I sol emnly declare, here and now. that the gentlemen competing with Stephen K. Yancey for your suffrages lire no more to be compared with that peerless lead er than the tallow eiuidle of our fore fathers is to be compared with tho Al mighty's own handiwork of universal Illumination, the, glorious orb of day that now c hlnes so benignly down upon this representative assemblage of the sovereign American people. "I have no hesitancy, my friends, in placing the Hon. Stephen K. Yan cey before you today as the unri valed product of a civilization, of a nation and of a people that have in their splendid conjunction produced the most godlike development of the race of man known in tbe world's his tory, my hearers. Stephen K. Yancey, my fellow Missourians, is more than a mere Democrat, high though that title may Justly place him in the scale of human progress. lie is the spotless archangel of American democracy. Ills garments are as pure as the driven snow, and his flaming sword of battle is the weapon of righteousness. His mind is the abiding place of political chastity, and bis soul cherishes the untainted thoughts of the sweet mind ed child, or of those celestial clieru blms who are the heavenly parallels of earthly infancy. And I say to you now, my fellow citizens, that when the mighty Gabriel, with his awakening trumpet, sounds that awful blast that shall summon us all to the Judgment bar for a final accounting, supreme among the elect who shall arise ou that great day and make answer to their records on the open scrolls of the re cording angel, the man without one mark to bis discredit made by that angelic pen, the man not one Jot or tittle afraid of the unfolding of those august registers, the mau against whom may be pointed neither the ac cusing fingers of men nor seraphim in condemnation for the deeds of bis do ing, will be the Hon. Stephen K. Yan cey of Jackson county. In whose be half 1 now ask your vote at the ap proaching primaries. I thank you for your kind attention." It was a titanic effort. Bedford Giles had puffed and perspired freely in its deliverance. His arms had cut wide swaths out of Missouri's atmosphere. His hands had bludgeoned emphasis into his words .with' mighty ' blows. More than once he bad crouched as If to spring upon the presumptuous ri vals of the Hon. Stephen K. Yancey, only to rise again to bis full height and hurl forth, with all the effectiveness gained by such bodily exercises, the crushing conclusion of some tremen dous sentence. The speaker's Missouri audience could not but respond to such an appeal. Thunderous cheers greeted Bedford Giles as he bowed and seated himself. He received them modestly, swabbing his heated countenance with a big handkerchief already dripping with the honest sweat of oratorical toll. Colonel Todhunter rose to reply. Dis may was in his face. "My friends of Dunklin county," he began hesitatingly, "I hardly know what to say in reply to Mr. Bedford Giles' magnificent tribute to the vir tues of the Hon. Stephen K. Yancey, his candidate for the Democratic nom ination for governor of Mlzzoorah." Here the speaker paused, almost gropingly. Then he resumed. "Fellow citizens, you all know uid Bill Strickland of Nineveh as well as I do." Ono derisive hoot sounded from the outskirts of the crowd. Tho speaker seemed hurt, but not surprised. "And, knnwln' him," he continued, "you know as well as I do that ho ain't fltten to run for office against no spot less archnnsel." A profound silence fell iion the as semblage. Sadness rested on Colonel Todhunter's visa go. "My hearers." he said, "I reckon I eot to face tho music and take my medicine m;e u man. uia ism Strick land of Nineveh somehow don't seem to stack up the rh.'ht way against the Hon. Stephen K. Yancey of Jackson county." From somewhere In the heart of the crowd there came Just one snort of aritirtu'lutl vp Iniu'lilor It wna mili llv ViV irllSSHS'S ooni I IIUULLU 'L'cniiine IIIUJ i I ii 1 v 1 m i'7 "My friends of Dunklin county," ht began hesitatingly. Tranglefl. "I hate to confess It," continued Colonel Todhunter, "but old Bill Strick land ain't uo celestial cherub, neither, like Bedford Giles describes the Hon Stephen K. Yancey." An apprehensive uneusmess crept into the faces of the local Yancey man agers on the speakers' platform. "Fellow citizens." spoke Colonel Tod hunter. "old Rill Strickland aiu't got no business settlu' himself up in oppo sition to a man who meets all the mor al requirements of the heavenly sera phim, like Bedford Giles says the Hon. Stephen K. Yancey meet 'em." In the very rront rows or the crowo facing the speaker broad smiles of hu morous comprehension began to be vis ible. "And old Bill Strickland ain't got no business," conceded Colonel Todhunter. "askin' you to give blm your votes 'stead of glvln' 'out to a man that'll shine at the Judgment bnr on the lust day at the blowin' of Gabriel's horn, like Bedford Giles says the Hon. Ste phen K. Yancey's agoin' to shine." "E-yow-wow-wow!" came a raptur ous American whoop of tickled approv al from somewhere In the crowd. "A man," said Colonel Todhunter, "who'll face the recordln' angel hisself without the flicker of an eyelash se cure in his consciousness of his own immaculate perfection." A great underwave of laughter, held in leasb, swung to and fro through the confronting assemblage. And then Colonel Todhunter rose to his full height of nix feet, thrusting bis right band into the bosom of his nmplc skirted coat. "My friends." he announced, "all I can say in excuse for old Bill Strick land Is that he thought he was runnin' against Just n plain human lielu' fni tbe Democratic nomination for gover nor of Mlz.oorah." Suddenly he Imwed hN head, threw out his hands de'tivcailiiuly nr' then lifted his eyes i;ioiini!'ii!!,y ,i ,e .i.i.h once more erect. "Fellow I lemocrals." he cried. "I hereby nmoimci lh . Itlnlra r: o't'i lion. William .1. sti m-UImivI 'ru iV race, and I wish to state thai the with drawal Is made. In favor f the Mom. Stephen K. Yancey on the strcnutli o-' the description of Mr. Yancey Jast eu by Bedford (J lies." . There was n moment of ustunisli, t silence. Colonel Todhunter remained stan 1! v.: Again ho lifted his b md. Provided.'1 he said, "that Bedford Giles can fur nish proof of the truth of the claims h: has Just made for the Hon. Stephen K. Yancey, coverlu the spotless arch angel business, the sword of righteous ness, the celestial cherub, the heaveu ly seraphim, tbe unfolded scrolls of the recordln' angel, and so forth and so forth, straight down to the garments pure as the driven snow and the mind of political chastity, and includln' tbe whole blamed outfit, my hearers!" A mighty roar of pent up laughter burst forth. It was like an explosion. Men rock ed to and fro on their feet In uncon trollable mirth. They smote one an other on the back, shouting in gar gantuan chorus. In the midst of the demonstration Bedford Giles, stricken by tbe thunderbolt of ridicule, sprang from bis seat and actually fled the scene. Colonel Todhunter gnzed after his disappearing figure In such apparent astonishment that the cyclone of laugh ter Increused in its overwhelming vol ume. But tbe colonel stood unmoved, his face absolutely impassive. And when the sun set on that mem orable day a new record had been made in tho colorful history of Mis souri political campaigning. Colonel Todhunter in a five minutes speech had battered down the walls of the Yancey stronghold, until then thought to be the most Impregnable in all Missouri. ( in He Continued. iiml uhi-n 11111.1, iiinl out Deafness Cannot Be Cured bf I'M-nl il.'llnn, an ii(.y innrt iviuh mwHKi-d pommi nr int- our. iiuti' la only una wny In run- di'ittni'M, mill tint In liy ciwmtltutlnn. al rrmeilii-H. lii'iiTm' Ih neurit ty titi Inlltiincil cH.inili inn ,,f tin. n, m lining of tin- Kuii.'n l,n TijIi,'. W Ihmi thin tulip la I ti 11 h in i . 1 j-mi Imro i iiiiiiiiniK i""iim "r mi hti i-i i firm in). It Ii i-Milri-ly iI.ikiiI liMiitui-ai In tin- linlinit tlio Ihtliilnuiiltiiill fun 1h t ii In-r. tula tnl.ii ri'itnnil tn lt iinrniiil ruiiillllini "'i ik'-i i ip i-n iiiii-vit; mm1 chhi' out or Ii.ii n... 1... !'....... I. ...I.I..I. I. .....I ..... . . .... .... ii. nin, ..nun n MiiiiiniK im nn i n ii iiin-ii i-iiiiiii i inn nr inn iiiiii'hii nir pi-i'm. I W w ill iflvn I 'nn llmiilri'il Id. Hum f.T imv u 1 ii....r. ...... .....i i. ..... t. . ...... : . . i " - ' ---i ii, ii.iiiiiu, linn i-iiiniir hi i nip ii ny iinu i ncii rii ure. N nil fur I Iiim, fni'. : . r. .t. rnr.NTY & co.. t.i. .1... ! Sold tiy IiMKninlH, 7.V. ) Tu I, ... liiill'i i uuilly I'llW (or C"Utlutlvu mill Iniir- nut of l'iutt.-inmitli, Neli., July 15, l y l . ll.iai .i met iiursitiint tit ail ioui titneiit. ricM'iu. (.'. I;. Jordan. C. K. Il. in....- Htnl Julius A. I M til. I'tiiintv i' in. Niuiuis: t. t Moi'khii, County Clerk. .Minuter of pieviou.s heHsion read and aci'iovoil, when tlio fdlluwiii liusi ness wits trunsactoil In regular form I'ouutv Cleik tiled liU roimi-t if earned for sei-end iiuarter ll;t Couniy Juilue tiled his recoi-t of f.. earned for scoond iinarler 19111. The followiiiK claims were allowed on the ienei nl tund : liny ratleison, lielpliiK count v surveyor ; g M Wioi'lni; Water Ki'luililiiaii. printini; ceninilssioiier pro- I ced inns o,i i Michael llild, mdsc. to county farm i lr. K. I), t'uminlus, insane Nellie Majors 0 oo I. M. I.cyda. same a mi James i.ohertson, same 300 t rei! I ntel sen, work on sec tion line between See. 7 and IS. T. U It 14 15 nn C. I). Uulnton, servlnir road notice on Henrv Vette a 7r. Julius A. 1'ltz, salary and mile- "ji' .. 18.10 0. I;. Jordan, same :t5 60 1.. B. Kireiiliei'Ker, mdse. to Jail and lenson it nn C. R Foniyee, Co. l'hys. salary. 1st mmrter 1913. 4th district Iftnn S. F. Crirardet. indse. to Mc- Glnnis 5.30 Klopp & Hartlett Co., supplies to county 178.96 E. U. Dovey & Son, mdse, to county farm ki ?i Sheldon & Sheldon, mdse. to Mrs. Alien 3.00 C. E. Heehner, salary and mlle- K 20.30 Tim following claims were allowed on the Koad funds: Johnson & Jones, blacksmith work, Koad District No. 13.... $ 13.30 John Murtey, material for Koad District No. 6 20.24 C. F. Vallery, roud work, Road District No. 1 29.30 (I. W. (.each, same, No. 14 2280 Sheldon & Sheldon, material for Koad District No. 14 4. 80 Perry Cook, rond work. Road District No. Ill 29.40 John Murtey, material for Itoad District No. 16 122.47 K. Stone, rond work, Road Dis trict No. Hi 2.00 Chas. Sutton, same 7.00 John Smith, same 60.00 John Adams, lumber, Road Dis trict No. 16 20.60 C. II. Spoh n, road work, Road District No. 13 229.00 lien Heekman, same, No. 10.... 65. GO City Treasurer 1'lattsmouth Cltv, proportion road fund Road District No. 17 1,400.00 The following claims were allowed on the Commissioner Rond fund: C. F. Vallery, road work, Road District No. 1 $ 87.00 The following claims were allowed on the Bridge fund: J. Adams, bridge material 37.44 John Murtey, same 295.84 John lverson, roads and Iron for concrete work . 3.85 Nebraska Construction Company, bridge work t 1,789.68 Hen Heckmnn, bridge work .... 51.10 Board adjourned to meet Tuesday, Augusct 5th, 1913. D. C. MOKOAN, ounty Clerk. TWO REASONS Why the Platte Mutual Insurance Company solicits your business: First. Because they have saved the policyholders one-half the cost of their insurance. Second. Becalse they have never had an assessment for fifteen years. J. C. Petersen. Secretary. Office in Dwyer Blk. Sell your property by n ad In Journal. km Stark Bro's have not nearlv as making $25 weekly as thev want henri they are asking for more men. The hichpl aces" in this snlendid fni hardly been touched to sav nothino- rf the trritnrw a whole. Any Energetic, Reliable Man Can Make fiOf T vr . ijxso rer weeic veiling SI AKK TREES There l a ritl sim7m f,r tblo cti- .... n 1.1 - oj. iv . M VI lilU acil III 1 liere ii Seldom such nn nnnnrtiinitw fni- ...,...,. ,.. r.,t.. - tr .v.. tiMiiKUlllie JUKJ ... r,., . As an order petter, our new Fall Price List is 100 per vv stronger than any other ever offered. Expense '-" ';. New literature. Prompt reply neeessar)-. 3TAKK BRO S NURSERIES & ORCHARDS CO. Louisiana, Mo. Lock Box 22 y x 1 1 AUDI X 6. J? Local fJevvs From Wednesday's Dally. James B. Tipton, the bridge tender at the Platte river bridge, came down this afternoon to look after some trading. Mrs. S. T. Dean ...i La Platte was in the city today for a few hours looking after some trading with the merchants. W. IF. Wherbein of near Mur ray was in the city last evening looking after some matters of business for a few hours. Mrs. A. L. Baker of Murray was in the city today for a few hours mid departed on the Builin:,'t'Hi train this afternoon for Omaha. John Cory departed this after noon for Pender, Neb., where he will make a short visit with his daughter, Mrs. Kd Branlner and nil nil y. James Hainoy of Union came up this morning and was a passeng er on the early Burlington train for Omaha, where he visited for the day. V. B. Porter and daughter of Mynard returned last evening from Omaha, where they were looking after some matters of business. The Ilev. Allan fl. Wilson, who has been in Lincoln for the past few weeks resting, came in this afternoon on No. 2i to look after some business mailers for a few hours. H. K. Kwing of Plymouth, Neb., has arrived in the city to accept a position in the barber shop of Charlie Martin. Mr. Kwing is a llrst-class barber and a most genial gentleman. James Holmes of Murray and Charles Spangler of Weeping Water departed this morning on No. fl for Dallas City, Illinois, where they will visit the Burg automobile factory. "diss Lillian Jelimk departed on No. 23 tlii-i afternoon f u- Mc ("ook. Neb., t, mak't her home there in the fatuiv. Her sister. Mi.sj; Mary, .uvo:iinnied her as far as Omaha on her journey. Miss Edna Peterson departed last evening for Davenport, Iowa, where she will visit her sister, Mrs. Barger, for a short time, and then go on to Chicago to visit her brother, Charles, for a few days. R. C. Bailey, the Maple Grove blacksmith, and E. L. Finch of this city departed this morning1 for Osmond, Iowa, where they will visit at their old home for a time and then go to South Dakota, re turning home in about a week. Automobile Bargain. For sale, my Chalmers 36, 1912 Model, with 1913 Self Starter, ful ly equipped, used nine months. Car in perfect condition, looks like new and cost $2,100. A BARGAIN for CASH, or will take NOTE from responsible party. T. II. Pollock, Plattsmouth, Neb. Commercial Club meets third Thursday evening of oach month. - The Best Flour on the Market i FOREST R03H VVAHOO MILL CO WAHOO, NEB. Fonrcr d r;r . noun o. This Hot Weather Sure Does Make Me Feel Energetic Every time I pick up the morning paper the boss says, "get to work Sonny." This morning we unpacked several boxes of extra large Italian lemons large and juicy just what you want for that cooling drink. Don't fail to see our window display of Pork and Beans we carry besides Sniders, Heinz, Van Camps, Monarch, Campbells and Yours Truly brands. We have just received a fresh supply of Holland Tea Rusks They are simply delicious for breakfast and can be used in so many different ways. Don't forget that we carry a full line of Dry Goods, Motions and Quccnsware. CALL 54 or 322