The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1890-04-24
DICK WlNTERSMlTH OF KENTUCKY.

DICK WINTERSMlTh OF KENTUCKY.
Two Stories About Him Which Mako Con-
| grossmen Laugh.
WAsHINGToN, April 17.-Hard fight
ing Oh the floor Of the House produces
good stories. The roughcr the ground
the better the crop At the end of o
vicious spat in the House some sol
cmn statesman usually secures the
tloorand dulls the intellectual atmos-
phcre with platitudes. This drives
the bright fellows into their restau-
rant or elsewhere. The pie cater of
the West, tho bean consumer of the
East, the "chitling" masticator OF the
Gulf States, the terrnpin admircr of
the Eastern Shore, retail many an
amusing story while smackins their
lips over their beer, ice wator, whis-
key or champagne. There were IL
great many OF these storioh told in
the restaurant during the Oklahoma
debate.
One good story Of Il good man
| always brings another Of the same
| man.
One of Col. Dick Wintcrslnith of
Kentucky was rctuilcu. 1t is said
that not long ago he went to John
Chamberlin's hotel for breakfast. He
mdulged i'll breakfast and onions. The
steak was gucculcnt and the onions
were crisp and not greasy. The Col
oncl On joyed tho meal hugely. After
swallowing an extra cup of coffee he
called for his check. 1t amounted to
over S2. He protested strcnuously,
saying that it was mn outrageous
price. John Chnmbcrlin laughed ut
hlm and offered to "chalk his hat. ="
The Colonel, however, with true Ken
tucky hauteur, refused the favor He
paid the bill. Not long aftcrwartl an
acquaintance entered. Turning to the
Colonel, he said:
My appetite il n little of thi,
morning. l hardly know what to or
der for breakfast
The Colonel advised him to try
beefstcuk and onions.
"There IL nothing more palatablc," -"
his friend responded, "nnd nothing
that would satisfy my appetite 30
well, but have to attend several ra
ceptions this afternoon, and am afraid
that that tho onions will tuint my
BREATH
That needn't trouble YOU" the
Colonel replied. "Sit down and or
der your steak and onions When
you get the check for it, it will take
your breath away"
Another story told Of Colonel Win
tersmith is well worth repeating.
When the Colonel first went to Wash
lngton, many years ago, he strollcd
up to tho Capitol. While wander
ing through the corridors no acci-
dcntaliy stumbled into the public
gallery Of the United States Sen
ate.
The galleries were packed. Charles
Sumner was making II speech, Every
body listened with breathless interest.
When MIR. Sumner closed Garrett
Davis arose. Mr.. Davis enjoyed the
nickname OF Garrulous Davis. AS he
began to speak there was rush from
the galleries. Colonel Wimtcrsmith
was astoundcd. He recognized Mr..
Mr.. Davis and became indignant.
Drawing u brace of rrvolvcrs he
said:
"Gcntlcmen, you will please keep
your seats. The Senator from Ken
tucky is talking, and you must hear
him"
Every man resumed his seat i'll
stantly. Among the number was an
old Jcrseyman, who was wcdgcd in a
front scat between two negroes Gar
rctt Davis talked for three hours.
The Jcrscyman drew many long
breath, but he never swcrved. When
the speech was ended no walked up
to Colonel Wintcrsmith and with
some emotion said:
Did / understand you that it was
the Senator from Kentucky who was
addressing u.s.
eyes, sir, responded the Kentucky
Colonel; "hc was Senator Davis from
Kentucky. Have you any fault to find
with his spccch!'
"N--n-no,' tho Jcrscyman STAN
mcrcd, "but l want to usk ono favor
Of you. The next time you catch me
in this gallery when the Senator from
Kentucky arises to speak, please
don't warn me, but shootr-shoot
right off--the quicker the better"