The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-07-23
CAMPAIGN ON MULEBACK.
Novel Scheme of a Kansas Celebrity
for Winning Votes and Favor.
The Pittsburg Dispatch.

for Winning Votes and Favor.
From the Pittsburg Dispatch.
Topeka, Kan, July 1S.-Kansas has
produced the most unique character as a
candidate for Office to be found in any
state in the union. This man, Hugh
Cameron, one of the picturesque figures
of Kansas since the days of Jim Lane,
announces his candidacy for congress in
the Second congressional district, sub
iect to the will of no convention, but TO
the people when they shall 90 into the
Australian booth to cast their votes. He
declares that he is neither a republican,
democrat nor populist, but he proposes to
go to the homes of all the voters and con-
vince them that it will be to their inter-
est to send him to congress.
His plan of campaign will be as novel
and peculiar as have been his habits of
life for the past third of a century. With
his old and faithful mule, that has been
his friend and companion for more than
10 years, he intends to penetrate every
neighborhood in the nine counties in the
district and appeal to the citizens to cast
off the party yoke and vote for their best
interests. Until forced TO do so by the
early frosts. he will wear no shoes, hold
ing to his established custom of going
barefoot during the summer months.
THE PRAIRIE STATES HERMIT STATESMAN.
Hugh Cameron is the most eccentric
character that Kansas ever produced.
His home is three miles northwest of
Lawrence on the banks of the Kaw
river, at what is known as Cameron
Bluff. He is at once scholar, a soldier,
a vegetarian, a celibate, q whilom states
man and withal hermit.
Little is known in Kansas of his early
history, although he has lived in his
unique cabin at Cameron Bluff since the
early territorial days. When he first put
in an appearance in Lawrence the place
was merely an outpost Of civilization. He
was then IN The full vigor Of early man
hood, being about 30 years of age With
little delay he selected a homestead in
the wilderness, and, building q small log
house. began the development of farm.
He mingled little with his neighbors, and
at first took little part in the stirring
events that followed his arrival.
Finally he was drawn out of his seclu-
sion by Jim Lane, when that leader, IN
1855, called a convention of national dem
ocrats. This convention proved a failure,
and again Gen. Cameron was lost to sight.
When the war broke out he was COM
missioned captain Of Company +, Second
Kansas volunteer cavalry. He served
through the war. coming out as lieuten-
ant colonel and brevet brigadier general
AS late as 1870 he IS again found as a
participant in the labor union state con-
veutiOn at Leavenworth, where he was a
member of the executive committee.
Every winter he makes a pilgrimage 10
Washington to LOOK in upon congress, but
with this exception he never leaves his
home at Cameron Bluff save TO visit Law
renee or Topeka to obtain supplies.
PENNSYLVANIA CAMERON.
Hugh Cameron comes from Pennsyl-
vania stock He was the son of well-to-
do parents and relative of the Cam
erons. who have for many years held com
mandiag places in the politics of the Key
stone State. In his youth his hopes, as
pirations and ambitions were in common
with those of the ordinary young man Of
good education and more than ordinary
mental powers. Then, as might have been
expected, he fell IN love. The maiden of
his choice is said to have named the wed
ding day and all was in readiness for the
ceremony when the Dflue disappeared.
Cameron was Tilted.
This changed the whole current of his
life. He declared that he would never
marry, and he has kept his word. He
swore that he would work twenty hours
a day, sleep four aud never eat meat, and
he never has. He said he would never
shave or cut his hair, and he has faith
fully adhered to that declaration. He
does not admit that his early disappOint-
ment is in any way responsible for his &c
centricities, but has scientific eXplana-
ton for each oddly. He follows the same
routine each day.
Arising at o'clock IN the morning he
prepares his breakfast and puts his cabin
in order by which time IL is light enough
10 90 out-of door work After caring for
his stock he proceeds 10 work in bis field
or in his garden. orchard or vineyard
he continues bis labor ~ long as there Is
enough light 70 see. stopping a. midday 20
prepare his frugal meal Of fruit ana FeR-
sta6les. Al the conclusion 81 his manual
labor be lights bis lamp and deyOtes
what time remains before midnight. bis
regular hour Tor retiring, ~ study and
writing The walls 81 Dis cabin are lued
with choice books, the accumulation VI
lifetime.