Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1896-09-11
PUBLIC BENEFACToR.
CkIahoml Genius MAIDS Trip to
Washington by Map.

When the Oklahoma country was
opened TO settlement one OF the FIRST
to get on the ground to get his pick
of lands and town lots was Dave
Harvey. This man was born under
a lucky star. Things came his way
while he lived in Topeka, and he had
not been in Oklahoma six months
until he was a candidate ion con-
gress. He was nominated and elect
ed, serving one term.
While Harvey resided in Topeka
he schemed around and secured an
election to the Office of probate
Judge In those days the probate
judges Office in Kansas was rated
along with the best-paying gold
mines. 1t was when the Vance pro-
hibition law was doing business
through the medium of the Kansas
drugstore. Under the law each
druggist was supposed to put up five
cents with the probate judge for
every sale of red, vinous or malt
liquors made for medical, scientific
or mechanical purposes. In those
days all a man had to do was to
state the nature of his infrmity to
the druggist, who recorded the fact
in big book, and then proceeded in
company with the invalid and his
companions to the rear room, where
the entire party cxcmpliGca the
Kansas system Of irrigation. Such
diseases as in-growing toe nails,
corns, rheumatism, malaria, indi-
gestion, kidney complaint and liver
trouble yielded to this treatment.
There was a great deal of sickness
during the two years when Harvey
was probate judge, and had it not
been that Dave saw greener fields in
the new Ell Dorado he would have
yielded to the demands of the peo-
pie and served another term.
After Harvey had passed through
the Oklahoma boom and had settled
down to the law business in Okla
homa City, his good luck did not de-
sert him. Two years in Washing
ton was all that he wanted. He
confessed that the opportunities for
making money there were not the
best, and he was not satisfied with
the paltry salary of $4,000 q year.
Harvey isn't a man of tempestuous
temperament. In comparison with
his usual calm demeanor q mild
June morning is a raging cyclone
But, to use the Kansas vernacular,
he manages to get there with beau
tiful regularity.
Harvey went before the last ter
ritorial legislature with proposition
to work with the government to get
school lands set aside for the use OF
the territory out of the reservation
soon to be opened to settlement. He
said he would undertake this difficult
and arduous labor for ten cents for
each acre reserved. The legislature
snapped up this bargain and ten
dered a vote of thanks to the ex-
congressman for his liberality and
willingness to aid the territory in
securing lands that the people of
Oklahoma might be able to educate
their children. 1t was the offer of a
public benefactor. His name was
embalmed in the memory of the peo-
pie of the territory by the local
newspapers.
A few days thereafter Harvey left
Tor Washington. What he did there
is not known, but q few months
later when the Kickapoo county
was opened it was found mat 1O0,-
900 acres had been reserved for
school purposes. Harvey had not
left his law Office in Oklahoma City
during all this time, but with ter
ritoriA map and the use of blue
pencil trip to the Kiciapoo coun-
try was rendered unnecessary. 1t
is related that not q wave of trouble
appeared to roll across HarveSKtl
peaceful breast as he drew his - Il
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