The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1896-07-18
The Young Man Bryan

The other day in the law offices of
Talbot. Allen & Bryan. on the third
aoor Of the McMurtrys block. the senior
member Of the firm chatted in an in
teresting manner about his conspicu-
Gus partner.
"Win Bryan and 1 were class mates
in the Union law college in Chicago.
We entered the college the same day,
in 1881, and we left 1t together. We
usually occupied adjoining seats. and
during two years we were the closest
of chums. / first met him the year
before in Galesburg at an oratorical
contest. He represented Illinois col
lege in the contests and took second
prize. 1 don't remember his subject
now, but he made a deep impression.
Even then he had q considerable repu-
tation as a public speaker. He had,
while attending college, stumped the
state Of Illinois for w. M. Springer,
with whom Bryan was always on the
most intimate and friendly terms.
Congressman Springer. you know, got
Bryan a place on the ways and means
committee. Even then he was
well known as ready. witty
talker, and he was much in de-
mand. His utterances were usually
carefully prepared In advance, and
were always polished and graceful.
While We were attending the law col
lege he delivered an address on Abra-
ham Lincoln that was generally COM
mented on"
Did you then regard him as cut out
for a public MANI"
Il did not. / knew he was a bright
fellow, who would get on in the world,
but I never thought Of him as destined
for a great career. As a matter Of
fact we were both poor boys, strug-
Cling to make our way, and neither
one Of us thought much Of the future
then. 1t kept us busy taking care of
the present. We were both utterly
without means and had to work our
way through college I worked in one
law Office and Will in another-Lyman
Trumbulrs by the way-for$5 per week.
We paid all our expenses out of that
In those days We lunched pretty regu-
larry on a nickePs worth of crackers
and apples.
What happened when you left the
college?"
I'VE were graduated in June. 1888
Will went to Jacksonville to engage
in the practice Of law, and I came to
Lincoln Immediately. / didn't see him
again till 1887. when he came west
on some legal business. He stayed
in Lincoln with me over Sunday. 1 was
away a part Of the day, and SO did not
see much Of him. but before saying
goodbye l suggested that he come out
to Lincoln and go into partnership
with me. 1 told him would guaran-
tee him a living, and that was about
all he was getting in Jacksonville. 1
told him he was just the kind of a man
to come out west and grow up with
the country. He didn't have very
much to say, but shortly after he
reached home he wrote and wanted to
know II I was in earnest when 1 made
him the offer of partner
ship. I replied that I was. and in q
few weeks he came out again and re-
manned thirty days. At the end Of
that time he returned to Jacksonville,
closed up his business there. and came
back with his family prepared to stay
Soon afterward he purchased a lot on
d street for $500 or $500. His father
in-law. Mr.. Baird. sent him the money
to build . house. $z.700 think. He
settled down to the practice Of law.
but he devoted some attention to poll
tics almost from the first. and within