Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-12-11
The Lunatic Austins.


So many of the exploits of politicians
who are not insane appear to be the re.
suit of disordered intellects that the per.
formances of man in New York State
who is undoubtedly demented do not
seem to be very strange.
Eugene c. Austin is well-to-do far
MGR in Wyoming County, who imagines
! that he is great statesman and politi-
cal leader and whose father, now nearly
| 80 years Of age, shares his delusion.
The old gentleman is rich, and he has
never yet failed to contribute literally
to the campaign fund used by his son.
In 1879 Austin's crazy idea, which had
been growing on him for some time, led
him to announce himself as an indepen-
dent candidate for the Assembly. He
made the canvass with brass band,
and both he and his father spent money
with a lavish hand. After his defeat
he made arrangements to secure the
Republican nomination for Vice Presl-
dent. Acquaintance living in the neigh
borhood discovered his weakness, and
on the pretense of assisting him secured
large sums of money from him. Failing
to make an impression on the Repub-
lican National Convention, which he
attended with hired party of retainers
at great expense, he was led by prac-
teal jokers to believe that he could Sc
cure Cabinet position from Garfield
by asking for it. Once more great
party of friends was organized and con-
| veyed at his and his fathers expense to
Mentor, but of course they accomplished
nothing
Some time after this, two men who
claimed to be from Canada appeared
on the scene, presumably in collision
with local swindlers, and represented
that the Governor General had heard of
him and desired 10 secure his services.
The old man insisted that his son should
go TO Ottawa, and agreed to pay all ex-
penses of the trip. While Austin was
absent i'll the company of the two
swindlers he frequently wrote home for
money and it was sent him. At last he
returned disappointed, having been de-
serted by his new found friends. As
the time for the national conventions OF
1884 drew nigh he received from jokers
who knew him letters ostensibly from
prominent Republicans in all parts of the
country promising him their support as
candidate for Vice-Presdent, and
once more he and his father sent big
delegation of leeches to Chicago. Fail
ing at the June convention and also
July. Austin swore vengence on both OF
the old parties and announced himself
an Independent candidate for President.
! While he and his father were preparing
TO make a tour of the country with a
special train and brass band another
son got out an injunction and broke up
Austin received a letter from some
humorous friend signed by Grover
Cleveland asking him to withdraw
and promising him foreign mis-.
sion. This the lunatic did, and last weel
he went to Albany with a lot OF friends
to see the President-elect. His brother
followed him and made him go home
and has now instituted proceedings Il
have him and his father placed under
the care OF a conservator.
Except that Austin and his father
have not had very substantial founda
ton for their aspirations they have gone
about the business of getting office in {
very natural way. Many man also
with not much better basis for his am
bition has obtained Office by just sucl
means. = Chicago Herald.