The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1892-10-28
SOUTHERN CHIvALRY.
An Interesting Interview With
Mrs. Lease.
story of the Populist Invasion of the
South as Told BY One of the Invaders
Mrs. Lease Talks of Southern
Democrats.

The following interview with Mrs.
Lease was first published in the Chicago
Inter Ocean, it being the outcome of
her southern trip. She speaks earnest
ly and with her accustomed vigor, and
her words should be read This inter-
view should not be confounded with
the one which she has denied, in which
she was reported to have said: IF a
vote for Weaver means half a vote for
Cleveland, then my friends should vote
for Harrison" The interview as pub
lished in the Inter Ocean was submitted
to her after it was written in order that
it might be strictly accurate.
The following is the interview in full,
sent from ST Louis, under date of Octo.
Der -, by correspondent of the Inter
Ocean:
Mrs. Mary L. Lease, the Kansas
woman, who has during the present
political campaign become such con-
spicuous figure, owing to her courage
Gus attitude and the mastery manner
with which she has been doing cam
paign work in the interest of the peo-
pies party passed through st. Louis
last evening on her way TO Terre Haute
to Join Gen. and Mrs. Weaver. She was
1T the Union depot, awaiting change of
trains for two hours or mere, and your
correspondent was fortunate enough to
see her and talk with her. Mrs. Lease
is a woman of remarkable strength of
character. and the first characteristic
that strikes one on being presented to
3. I.
ent determination to go through with
anything she undertakes 20 do. She is
. cautious and careful woman. almost
to the degree of being suspicious; but
once convinced that she is to be fairly
treated. or that the person with whom
she Is in conversation is as honest of
purpose as herself. her manner becomes
as frank and as free as that of child
almost to the extent of becoming con-
tding.
Mrs. Lease has but recently returned
from the south, having just taken
brief rest of two days at her home in
Wichita, Kan. Endeavoring in some
degree to recover from the effects of
the ordeal through which she passed in
the southern states-an ordeal which,
from her own statements, must have
been terrible, indeed.
When first approached she was re-
luctant TO talk for publication, as she
said the southern press had treated
both her and Gen. Weaver with such
unfairness, and the southern CORE
spondents had sent broadcast such I'M
truthful reports of her doings and say
h. Il.
a newspaper man. She said thcre were |
many things she would Ike to see
printed in the great cau~c of truth and |
justice, but she was especially anxious |
to be convinced that what she said |
would be printed just as she said it
While in this hesitating state of mind |
she was asked if Senator PETER had |
spoken truthfully when he declared |
that Gen. Weaver was coward and |
hurriedly left the south because he was |
afraid to face the righteous indignation |
OF the people.
SHE CHAMPIONS GEN. WEAVER.
This question served as a match to |
kindle the fame of the lady's wrath. |
Her indignation well nigh got the bet |
ter Of her caution, but not sufficiently |
SO as for one minute to cloud the clear |
ness OF thought or in the least impede |
the quicllness of perception that are
. her most noticeable mental character |
istius
No she said with emphasis. lie |
did not speak truthfully, and he knows
ii. Gen. Weaver is not coward: fear |
did not drive him ont of the south. He |
daring man, between whom and the |
sku.lling paltroon PETER there can be |
no COMPARISON.
THIS answer served as an opening, |
and The correspondent was emboldened |
to seek further information concerning |
this remarkable wonan's experiences |
in the south. In order to lead up to |
the desired object the question was
asked:
Mrs Lease, under what circum-
stances did you enter upon the cam
paign work in the south, were
you employed by the peoples party to
go with Gen. Weaver?"
Il was" she replied About July
"a I received instructions from our
Chairman 20 cancel all previous dates
and be prepared 10 accompany Gen.
Weaver and party during the campaign.
These instructions were followed by
Others from headquarters and
obeyed.'
Mrs Lease here seemed suddenly 10
arouse to the fact that she had strill.
ing story TO tell. and by her manner
evinced willingness to tell it Sc the
correspondent ventured further ques-
ton:
did you or Gen. Weaver in your pub
lie addresses or private conversation, or
by your action or conduct, say or do
anything calculated to arouse antago-
nism?"
Most emphatically, no!''
Mrs Lease arose from her seat and
took few steps up and down the room
in manner that in a weaker woman
would be called nervousness: but in
her it was the evidence of agitation,
born of her realizing sense OF the |
wrongs inflicted upon her. AS she |
pronounced the word Mo- she paused |
and drew herself up to her full height, |
almost six feet, and squarely faced ths |
questioner. There was honest indigna= |
ton in her voice and in her every |
action, and it blazed from her eyes in 4 |
look that burned like living fire as she
raised her clinched fist and closed hep |
firm mouth with a snap.
Ibid anything on your part in any |
way justify the discourteous treatment |
accorded your
mo, sir; we both spoke in the belief
that all true reforms must come from |
the higher impulses of the heart We /
anna Led To .hair sansa Of i,,S.:n,. d.