The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-27
TX.


The spring OF 1899 drew near. The district
school at Canton closed Young Palmer re-
turned to Alton and driited down TO st. Louis.
His brother Elihu had married entered the
ministry. and was preaching to Baptist con-
gregation in Carlinville Macoupin County.
John walked over there from st. Louis. He
arrived in town on March 49, with an indifer-
ent suit OF clothes. an extra shirt. and fourteen
dollars. Through tho influence OF his brother
young Palmer entered the offce Of John L.
Greathouse. n lawyer OF repute in Carlinville.
He studied hard, and in less than two mon tbs
was involved In local politics. At the request Of
leading Democratic politicians he became the
party candidate for the office o. County Clerk.
He canvassed the county. but was beaten by l2l
majority. The total cost OF his first election
eering trip was less than s.. 1 remember" no
aterward said. OF asking four men to drink
In tavern Kept by an old man named Tilley.
ana what do you think the five drinks cost me p
quarter Of dollar. suppose" was the
Palmer smiled. They cost me picayune
anu no more, he replied. penny glass
IoT whlskey. Ia those days the County Com
mlssloners made the prices Tor drinks and beds
IN hotels. The list Of prices WAS posted up
IN barrooms, and a landlord was required
70 Keep accommodations Tor at least four
travellers"
In subsequent canvass. years afterward
many many oil the boys came came ia from the
brought IN loads OF watermelons to pay ex-
penses. Palmer was elected, and at night was
presented with n bill OF seventy live cents. The
boys mad charged all their unsold melons
70 hlm' The bill was promptly paid,
aspirant greatly increased. At this time Cairo
money was deprecated In value. The rate OF
discount was twenty cents on the dollar. Palmer
made speech in a country town. and as
was usual walked over to tine tavern followed
1y ms DEMOCRATIC constituents. Laying $40
Cairo bill on the bar he made the stipulation
2 "a q a
the dollar. When his horse was saddled the
whole town was joyful. This WAS before the
stationed in every house and the liquor was
used almost as freely as water.
X.
At the outset OF his career Palmer was not
successful orator. He was a great sufferer.
and the expression OF his thoughts was
damned by this impediment. He was natur-
ally bashful. and lost his ideas in the presence
OF ladies'. His first attempt address the public
was made at the celebration Of the 4th Of July
1889. in Chesterfield. Judge PEBBLES was Chair
man. The platform was crowded with rosy
checked girls. John had his argument all set
in his mind. and started of In good shape.
Suddenly he lost himself in a sea OF soft blue
eyes and lutternR Donnets. He began TO
stammer, and made o frantic effort to clutch
the broken thread Of his argument Il could
not recall a thought or form a sentence" he
says. Ny mind was vast prairie, and not
tree on IT," He broke down. and dropped INTO
bis seat in painful confusion. John Chestnut. n
nuent young lawyer, took the stand and made
graceful apology for young Palmer " He was
my warm friend, said Palmer aiterward in re-
calling the incident, but when he finished that
TO kill him"
That summer, although he had not applied
iior license, he made his first appearance at
the bar. II was the case Of Broderick against
Walker. The latter was member of the Ban.
tst Church In Carlinville. He had n dispute
with Broderlck who came toward him with
small penknife aud ms Broderick came within
reach coolly gashed him across the forehead
he dld THIS until his sallants eyes were filled
with blood, and he was forced to give up the
neld. Walker WAS brought before Dewitt
Clinton Fay, wild but brilliant maglstrate
whose parents had sent him away from Albany