davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-08-21

ana nearly every member was interested
in the outcome. Just at the time when it
seemed the friends Of the veterinary SUR
geOn would triumph, Senator Leedy intro
duced q bill 60 abolish the commission It.
self This electrified the Senate. He spoke
when the Senate adjourned for dinner half
the Senators were really IN favor Of abOl-
lShing the commission. Senator Lee0y also
served notice that he would have q great
deal more 70 say about the necessity or
abOlisniDg the commission. De had MS
opponents so badly scared that Scion
Inacher camem TO him and said;
Leedyi are yOu really ineaTnest about
aD9lishiDg this commission
Il never had any intention Of doing any
thlng o. the KIND until saw the members
on the moor lobbying in favor Of that morse
Doctor and then i concluded that IL they
had no other way to spend their time tnelr
am IN earnest about u now and when the
bill comes up for q third reading ] viii
tell them some things they think no one
knows"
'sWell. II you will let up On the commits
sion We will let the horse doctor 60, said
Uhacher.
'Wm you promise me that the bill viii
go through, the House ana become a laWs
asked Leedy.
After some hesitation Thacher gave. the
required promise The bill passed both
branches, and the horse doctor had to 60
The State Of Kansas was saved an eNpeA-
dlture Of $500 annually and Leedy gained
his point.
As a strategist and tactician Leedy gained
reputation second 20 none during ms
service IN the Senate, and this experience
VIII stand him in good stead Wheh lhe
people o. Kansas elevate him TO the guber-
Material chair.
The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-08-21

army, if not in the army, he had acquired
considerable education, 1t qualified him for
the position Of a clerk in a store at Prince
ton, Ind. He stayed there three years, but
he was not accustomed to indoor life and
his lack Of health compelled him to seek
other employment.
II wanted a JOB, and wanted It bad" said
Senator Leedy, discussing the time when
he concluded he would not make a good
clerk, ''and at that time jobs were hard to
get. I landed al Carltnsville, H., and with
some clothes in a carpet sack l started on
down the road. asking everyone whom
met if anybody wanted hand, / was slim
and pale and many were the gibes and Jeers
cast at me by the young giants Of the rural
districts through which I passed. Finally,
to play joke on Squire Gore, who is now
auditor of the State of Illinois, someone
told me he wanted a hand, He did not
want one, but I went to see him, with the
impression that he did. and that would
not go away until he gave me trial,
What can you dog was the abrupt in
quiTy with which my prospective employer
answered the tTemuloUs statement l made
to him about my desire to get work.
." I can work at anything you will give
me a chance at / said, and it was finally
agreed that I should go TO work, with the
understanding that at the end of two weeks
I was to be paid what l had been worth to
my employer. 1t might be imprudent to
make such 4 bargain in these days, but
never had cause TO repent of it. l remained
with Squire Gore until I had accumulated
a little money, which thought was enough
to justify me in getting married. 1t was the
Wisest act of my life,"
The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-08-21
".

The last assertion made by Senator Leedy
in the foregoing chapter caused smile OF
pleasure to illuminate Mrs. Leedy'S cOun-
tenance. There was a moments silence,
which neither realized, for their thoughts
were back at the old farm at FREDERICK
town, O., where a lOVe-making that mas
lasted ever since was begun, Sarah J, Boyd,
now Mrs. Leedy, was belle of the com-
munity. She was of Irish parentage and
a member of the Presbyterian church.
Possessed of all the wit of the Celtic race,
without the temper for which II IS SAID
natives of Erin are noted, Mrs, Leedy mas
exercised 2 wonderful influence over her
husbands life, He attributes whatever
courage he may have used in overcoming
the obstacles in his pathway to her in
1 fuence, and then says he does not give her
half the credit due. Mrs. Leedy IS much
beloved by the people OF Leroy, and IS noted
for her kind actions. She is considerably
Younger than her husband, and girlish
beauty has developed into matTOnly grace,
A half dozen neighbOrs had stopped by
the fence to talk politics with Kansas next
Governor. He was in the middle of an
exclamation Of the merits or free silver
when he glanced toward the house. There
was a sudden interruption 10 the discussion,
for a wan pale-faCed boy years OF age
/ reclined in the chair at the window. Little
Jack Leedy has been sick for a long time
with typhoid fever He has lowered be-
tween life and death, In vain the State
committee urged his father to come TO
his little son was hanging in the balance
and the man who has seen his property
swept away without saying one word, and
who has stood the VenOmous shafts OF
Kansas Senators with a smile on his face
was incapable of doing anything until he
knew whether Jack would live or die,
Today was the first the little fellow was
able to sit up and when his father saw
him he forgot all about votes and ran away
to bestow a smile and CHEEKY word upon
the little invalid. He was unmindfUl of
those at the fence, who were waiting for
the glad hand" but when he came back
to them his face wore a happier look than
it did when they told him he was nominated
for the highest office in the gift Of the State
of Kansas.
This incident may serve to explain why
] the people around Leroy say Leedy is the
biggest-heaTted man in the entire State
He is strong in battle, but merciful to the
unfortunate and he is in his element when
aiding or protecting the weak.
Miss Clara Leedy, aged 19, is a graduate
Of the excellent graded school here and is
an accomplished musician. She possesses
much natural musical ability and is an
ardent lover Of all musical instruments
People of Leroy, who have heard her play
/ ing, believe she is destined to attract some
attention IN a musical way when she com
pletes her course of study, which is now
being arranged.
Miss Alice Leedy, Is years Of age, is at
The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-08-21

& and pathos. 1t shows in bold re-
be possibilities Of human achievement,
proves that John Whitman Leedy de-
the honors he has attained. He is
bier, yet he never struck an enemy
t was unnecessary, It Is only in
rnees where he believes the rights Of
BAN people are being usurped by the
8nd powerful that the real ferocity of
saillre is apparent.
ang in his convictions Of right and
81 he realizes the fallibility of human
thing, and no one ever made an enemy
fsGy by showing him mistake he had
Here at his home his name is a
.ayn for affabiiity and integrity. He
snds the respect Of all who know him,
s1ere are few residents Of this vicinity
sfli not east vote for him. Up and
54hs Neosho valley it is said that every
8 Ter Leedy, ana there are other COM
Eas near here of which the same IS
Fotsaking agricultural pursuits less
SIX years ago because he could not
!. living for his family, he deter
( to Investigate the causes Of the finan-
depression, and in doing SO he fought
s TO fame, He is the veteran Of
& forensic skirmish, and those who
The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-08-21
wAsHINGToN SOCIETY," Dull.
The Capital Almost Deserted Thes
Warm Dnvs

The Capital Almost Deserted These
Warm Days,
Philadelphia Times: Washington just now
is about as dead, socially, as it is possible
to imagine. No one, who is able to get
away, will remain in the place where the
heat from the glIttering ssphaltum streets
makes a promenade during the day almost
uncomfortable. From The White House down
through Cabinet, Senatorial, diplomatic and
Congressional circles there Is one vast void
of notables, and the hotels are not paying
expenses. One politician, however, knows
how to take advantage OF time, Tor Senator
Eikins has just purchased new home and
is having il fitted up in perfect order for
his occupancy in the fail. The house is
situated on K street, opposite to the home
of Secretary Smith and adjoining the resi-
dence of Senator Quay. II is a peculiar
mansion of yellow brick, built in the old
colonial style, with long, low porch and
pillars in front. Strange TO say, the house,
which was built by a Western man, was
never occupied since its erection, more than
a year ago, so that the Senator will have a
new home Yet from its appearance, one
would think it had been built ten years at
least
Secretary Olney and his family are at
their summer home at Falmouth, Mass.
where they make frequent trips to visit the
family Of the President at Gray Gables
Secretary Carlisle and his wife are out Of
town, being absent on a trip to see the
Clevelands. They left town a few days ago
on board the lighthouse tender Maple.
Secretary Herbert and Miss Herbert eX-
pect to sail for Europe on board the St.
Louis on Wednesday next, and VIII be alb
sent on a two months tour Of the cOnti-
nent The various TumOrs Of the intended
marriage of the Secretary prior to his de-
parture are not much credited at the cap
ital.
Postmaster General Wilson and his wife
will also soon sail on a foreign tour. The
time of the debut of their daughter is set
for next winter. and she, with Miss Her
bert and Miss Harmon, viii be the only
young ladies in the Cabinet.
The family Of the Attorney General is
down at Bays Head in Jersey, and at
present Mr.. Harmon is spending some time
there Mrs Edmund Wright Of Philadei-
phia, the married daughter Of the Attorney
General, Is also visiting the Harmons al
their summer home.
The japanese Minister and his family
have taken a pretty cottage at Casanova,
near Niagara Falls, and VIII not return 10
town before the last Of September. Nine.
HOshi TOru is busy studying English 90
that she may be able 10 converse with call
ers during the coming social season al the
capital
The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-08-21

ear. Certain sDeeious arguments made by
the eFTfng young hopeful, coupled with the
solemn threat that he would run away
again, induced Mrs. Leedy 70 let him go.
She commended him to the good Ofiiees OF
his cousin, the captain, and went home,
realizing that there is a vast amount or
stubbornness IN boys which is called de-
termination after they become men
Captain Leedy would not take his cousin
John as a soldier. He just let him hang
about the camp and make himself useful,
but many night young Leedy, at his own
earnest solicitation, obtained the privilege
Of standing guard OF doing picket duty. De
regarded Il as a pleasant task, relieving the
monotony Of life and making him forget ne
was not a real soldier. as others were.
They went up James river and unIoaded Ii
front Of Bermuda Hundred. They saw
much Of the fighting IN front OF Petersburg
and considerable active service. Before ne
came home the boy who ran away develop
ed into a man who had~stOOd much hard-
ship and who realized the horrors OF war.
Senator Leedy, however, when imBof-
tuned to tell Of his experiences in the army
merely laughed and said he was never a
soldier. Had 1t not been for the kindly OF
fees Of his wife the story would have re-
NAMED untold. For Once-tn his life Sena-
tor Leedy listened patiently to the state
ment Of facts without questioning the au-
thenticity or moving the previous queS-
ton.
The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-08-21

Leedy's methods Of campaigning are pecu-
har- Being an lnVeterate opponent or the
ticket on ali trains on which he desires
to ride, and he viii expect every one work
ing for him TO do the same, His en0rtS TO
have the pass system abolished are part OF
the history of the State of Kansas.
why some or these little narrOW-minded
fellows who carry pass With PeckS name
signed 10 IL come down TO Topeka imagining
II is patent OF respectabliity,' says SEN
atuF Leedy,
He always returns the passes sent to
him, and a courteous letter 10 the officials
Of the railroad accompanies them, for SEN
atOr Leedy never Oftends any one when
he can help il, yet he does not hesitate 70
attack the highest official as quickly as the
humblest citizen of the land.
His nomination was the result or MS Mt
ness Tor the Ofiice hrSt, aud his lack OF
enemies second, Those who favored Lew
elliBg fought those who favored Harris with
such bitterness, which was fully returned
by those who were in favor OF Harris
that neither side could decenuy yield 10
the other without loss of selt-respect Leedy
was the second choice Of both LeWellng
supporters and those of Harris. Senator
Leedy refused Internationally TO take the
nomination II he had to give single pledge
TO any person. He is now candidate who
is unhampered by promises and, as he him
self expresses il, he viii not have twenty
i've applicants where there is only a place
for one, His foresight is shown by the ract
that he maintained strict neutrality IN
the LeWeling-HaTrlS light, merely promls-
ing TO give his hearty support to the nOml-
nee of the convention, This ne is doing
/ with a hearty good will, and long before
the convention was called he had good rea-
son to believe that the nominee would be
Leedy.
ApTopos of his unusual methods Of con-
/ Quoting a campaign, when Leedy tele-
! gTaphed for quarters at the hotel during
/ the convention the proprietor inquired
whether he wanted the quarters engaged
/ in the name of his manager OF himself
Put them IN the name or my manager
/ whose name is J. W, Leedy. / was unable
/ to obtain any other manager ne tele-
gTaphed back.
Notwithstanding the fact that Leedy was
/ his own manager, he does not underest!-
| fully sensible of the fact that without their
| cooperation he could not have obtained
| the nomination. Every one who attended
| that memorable gathering remembers the
l fight that was made by Leedy'S friends 10
allow each candidate few minutes IN
which to address the convention. Harris
| friends opposed ii, but LeWellings Eeuten-
! of the OTatOTical hOnOrs, and favored the
! plan.
! Senator Leedy's speech vas the surprise
] of the convention. 1t was short, but 4
/ was so plain and practical that boy might
| have understood ali he sad, There was
! little Of OTat0Ty, but the arguments adj
/ vanced were automatic to the Kansas farm
] own number was telling them things they
/ themselves knew to be true. The ballots
/ after the speech show that Leedy wa!
right when he said he thought u would
/ do him good to have a little talk with the
/ delegates. J. c. M.
The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-08-21

There was a broad smile on his face as he
said;
No, never worked for any corporation.
I worked for contractors, and was just close
enough TO being a corporation servant 10
enable me TO understand the methods of
the mOnOpOlies. When the railroad was
coming through this part Of the country l
obtained most Of the right Of way conces-
siOns. That was in the region up along
NeOshO creek. / think 1 may say there IS
not a man had dealings with me in those
days who will not vote for me now.
wanted TO see the road 80 through, because
ii would increase the value of all our farms,
1 paid them as much as / could, and what
ever I told them 1 would do, l did
This answer seemed to be eminenuy salts
factory to the railTOadeT, who said:
Il know that when our committee went %
Topeka TO find an advocate Of our interests
The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-08-21
CAREER AN INSPIRATION TO YOUTH.

home, know he has had his share Of trou-
bies, There is a world of respect in their
demeanOr as they pass by and return his
cheerful matutinal salute. Once the owner
Of the finest farm IN all this fertile valley,
and goodly store Of personal property he
is today a comparatively poor man, but his
creditors are not poorer for having put
their faith in him. The struggle to pay mis-
debts was a hard one but difficulty is to
John Leedy merely an incentive to action.
Unlike the Republican candidate for the
Presidency, Leedy had no Cleveland mil
liOnaire to liquidate his liabilities, and no
one ever dared 10 breach to him the idea
of a popular subscription to pay off private
obligations. When reVerses came Leedy
pulled himself together and went to work
with a perseverance which has charac-
terized his whole life, to make the best Of
a bad situation. He is on his feet again
now, but it was hard struggle. 1t dem
Onstrates his sterling honesty, however, and
honesty Is eternal as the first of cardinal
virtues. The people OF Kansas want just
such a man in the Governors chair.
There was nothing unpleasant in the in
tTOspectiOn, as Leedy summed up the prin-
cipal events Of his life, Slowly, yet with
an accuracy of detail that showed marvel
Gus powers Of memory, he briefly traced
his career from early bOyhO0d down on an
Ohio farm to the present time. There
was a total absence Of all cOGceit, and
many interesting parts Of the narrative
The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-08-21

conversation, but was dubious about be
ing able to talk to an audience. The night
Of the speech came and 1 did my best, l
found il was easier than / eXpected5 /
liked to do it, and I have been at it ever
since, When the time came for me to go
to Topeka 1 had the same misgivings. l
had never attended the session Of any
legislative body in all my life. BY watch
ing the others, however, found there were
many who knew as little as myself. 1
learned a great deal from Scion Thatcher.
There was a vast deal that he knew that
he did not tell I soon found that out.
When I began an investigation to ascertain
what he might have said and did not say, l
learned many things that furnished me
with campaign material I was literally
forced into politics. Hard times drove me
to investigate what caused them, and in
that way I got in the swim. Now they call
me a politician"
The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-08-21

boy, Kan, Aug. 15.-In this little city,
Ihone Of John Leedy, the people say
che Democratic and Populist parties
tAe wisest thing possible when they
mated Leedy for Governor. Those who
known him ever since ne came to
state believe he is a man whose popu-
vi! grow with the rapidity of geo.
s1eal- progression from now until the
sat kind Of adversely which is not mis-
Ine made a statesman and the central
- 10 Kansas politics Of Leedy. Finan-
rsEsrses brought out the strong points
2 character. He himself did not dream
Possessed the ability to become, within
b years, a past master in the most in
ste OF ali sciences. His indomitable
: and bulldog tenacity conquered appa-
81 iHsuperable obstacles, and the WhilOm
er IS now the fusion nominee for
s5nor Of the State.
e story Of mis- evolution from the plOw-
&c the popular idol of the people of
slnfower State is one Astounding in in
The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-08-21

into line and are giving Senator Leedy
their hearty support. Kansas editors real
lie that It is bad business policy TO oppose
q champion Of the peoples rights and 20
light Tor free silver and that is what Leedy
stands for.
madonna ticl-et ana Rs1,o ~, and PoDu-
list platforms, say il viii be unsafe to elect
men who stand for such principles said
Senator Leedy, but when one comes %
think Of IL one knows that the country VIII
be safer with Bryan in the Presidents chair
than anyone else. Men OF his cgli6re and
patriotism are not going to DO anything
that VIII bring down upon them the male
dictiOns Of their cOuntFymen. The issue
is patriotism against the money power. 30
one doubts that Bryan is sincere while NC
Kiniey's course has proved him 10 be SIM
ply a creature Of Mark Hanna and man
who is afraid to come out and talk 20 the
people"
The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-08-21

concerning the blacklist law, you were the
only one who had the courage 10 get US our
rights, and l wondered if it were possible
that you, too, were identified with corpora
tons. did not believe it, and now I
know il is untrue You Will get a big rail-
road vote this fall, Senator Leedy."
Those are the kind of chickens I ike to
have come home to Toost," quoth the Sena-
tor, with a chUckle Of satisfaction, 'FheTe is
nothing so satisfactory as to have the peo-
pie understand for whom and what they are
voting. Why, we carried on work here in
the school houses until there is no school
district in this vicinity where a man can
not be found 10 answer the most oily
tOngued gold bug the East can produce.
We have so many practical demonstrations
here that everybody knows that the policy
of the gOldites is one which will rob the
common people of their rights Silver has
an advocate everywhere here. The gold
bugs of the East do not realize the univeTs-
Atty OF the sentiment, but a great surprise
is IN store for them. The people will not 90
back on their own interests, and that is
what Hanna and Mckinley are asking
them to do. There Is no further argument
! to be made to a man VINO sees that his
family is in need Of the comforts Of life
because Of a legal!zed robbery by the gold
bugs and bankers"
The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-08-21

Forty-seven years old, Senator Leedy
looks his age. The cares and struggles Incl
dent TO his political life during the past
five years, il is said, have aged him more
rapidly than the ten years prior to that
time. He is a man Of medium height, with
an inclination 10 stoEtness. Some Of mis-
energetic ana ardent temperament is no.
ticeable IN MS quick movements. A short,
gray beard, which his political opponents
designate as a billy goat beard, adoTRs
his countenance- In conversation Senator
Leedy looks his auditor in the eye, and
there is q certain convincing glance from
his keens gray eyes that carries conviction
with t. While not fastidious about matters
of dress, his apparel is always scrupul0Usly
clean. He generally affects a suit Of some
sort of figured gray, and his clothes are
tailOr-made. Notwithstanding the many
statements made By opponents, he has due
regard FOR the amenities Of life. he pos
sesses tact, which has been developed to
the highest degree. Kesnly sensitive and
quick with q hsif-hidden meaning, ne is
always ready with g reply that turns the
snatt hsrmiessly from himself and many
times in the direction Of the enemy.
The daily routine Of his life while he Is
Ct home IS uHYaFying. lie rises early. aud
The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-08-21

tractive and vivaciOus, and is quite a belle
here. She is attending the Leroy school.
It is very happy family altogether TO
which the tired and care-Wern candidate
viii return from his labors On the stump
during the coming campaign.
Mrs, Leedy and all the members Of the
family, except Senator Leedy, are church
members. While he attends church Tegu-
larly he is not affiliated with any particu-
lar faith. The preacher whose sermons are
the best, is the one who usually has Sena-
tor Leedy for q listener.