Evening star., 1896-10-03
The Populist Candidate for Governor
of West Virginia.
some OF HIS CHARACTERISTICS
Challenges His Rivals and Studies
Phrenology.
DAYTON MAY BE BEATEN

Special Correspondence of The Evening Star
TERRA ALTA, W. Va, September %, 1896.
The most picturesque. If not the most
prominent figure, in West Virginia politics.
and one that is likely to come into national
prominence. II populism survives this elec-
ton, is Col. Nat Ward Fitzgerald. former
ly of Washington, later of New York. and
latest of West Virginia. Washingtonians
will remember Col. Fitzgerald as claim
agent. who had an extensive pension claims
business. from the profits Of which he en-
tertained public men handsomely In fine
house on 18th street. Becoming involved
with the Secretary Of the Interior over
some nice points of professional ethics. he
sold his business and went to New York,
opened a dining room, made the venture
profitable and sold out for $4,000 at least
so the story goes. From New York city to
Terra Alta, W. Va, was radical transit
tion but for a man seeking rest from an
exciting career 1t was sensible move But
the colonefs energetic temperament could
not long stand bucolic life. so, after BOOM
ing Terra Alta to the extent Of locating
here a wooden mill and selling on most
of his farm in town lots, we now find him
launched in politics as the peoples party
candidate for governor of West Virginia.
1t was in this capacity that 1 interviewed
the colonel in the interest of The Star and
his many acquaintances in Washington
found him in a pleasant home place, built
at the foot of the hills. which have made
Deer Park and Mountain Lake Park so
popular as summer resorts A beautiful
sloping lawn of bright green stretches In
front of the house, and the wooded hills,
with their autumnal tints. form an effective
background. From the front veranda the
view takes in a long sweep of valley. with
the ambitious and bustling farming town
of Terra Alta in the center.
Personal Characteristics.
The color el is of the leonine type, but
with a nervous activity not usually found
in men of large frames. He Is apparently
no older than when in Washington fifteen
years ago. His eyes are small, but ex-
pressive, his jaws heavy and square. and
his hair falls over square. but not hish
forehead. In appearance. manner and con-
versation he seems an ideal popuiist-a
man calculated to win his way, especially
among the mountaineers, who constitute
SO large a proportion of the populace Of
West Virginia. The colonel had just re-
turned from two weeks trip through the
state, speaking twice day, and every
where receiving, so he said, popular ova-
tions. He was frank in admitting that ne
does not expect to be elected governor un-
less the democratic nominee should De
withdrawn. and as General Watts Is not
popular and is not making strong cam
paign. it would be good politics to fuse
on the populist candidate With Watts and
Fitzgerald both in the field, the colonel
was willing to admit the strong probability
of Atkinson carrying the state. He is posi-
tive, however, that Mr.. Bryan will secure
the electoral vote of the state. He not
only firmly believes in free silver. but is
confident that Mr.. Bryan is the inspired
leader of a winning cause. The colonel fig
ures that the populists will hold the 1al-
ance Of power in the next state legislature,
in he is he logical IL
date for the senatorship. He has issued
challenges for joint gubernatorial canvass
In the state to both Atkinson and Watts.
He tells General Watts that he wants to
show the people that he is a better silver
man than any candidate who six months
ago said the free silver craze was diving
out In West Virginia. He is confident
that II joint debate can be ARRANGED be-
tween Atkinson. Watts and himself that
1.-The choice for governor will fall on him.
and thus West Virginia be placed in the
front rank of the free silver states and her
beacon light as a peoples party state Will
shine forth in resplendent brilliancy As 9
guiding star"
ITO Hon. G. W. Atkinson, the colone
thus addresses himself: You want to bt
governor of West Virginia There arr
others in the same boat Gen. c. c. Watt:
also has yearnings in that direction, while
not only desire the opportunity to become
the chief servant of the people Of this granC
intermountain state, but I feel confiden
that 1 can make my calling and election
sure, provided the people have fair op
portunity to compare my merits and abil
tiles with those Of yourself and Watts-is
name
This is fairly representative of Col. FttZ
gerald's style and modesty. That neithe
of the gentlemen challenged will unite il
the plan which. according to the colonel
will secure his election, goes without say
ing.
PhrenOlOEy.
The populist candidate says he ha
studied phrenology. and from his knowledg
of this science he is able to discover tn
dispositions of the mountaineers of Wes
Virginia, and while their 'inhabitiveness
indicates a disposition to change thei
minds slowly, their ''perceptives' enabl
them to solve knotty questions for them
selves and come to correct conclusions
All they need is to have the facts presente
to them as they can be by the colone
who Is a graduate of Coins Financia
Sc chool, and is therefore thoroughly ground
ed in the facts of finance and the coin O
commerce The colonel Is the first popo
crat or democrat i have found who is posj
tive that Bryan will carry West Virginia
but should add from my own observatio