The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-06-03
A CURIOUS CHARACTER.

one n. II. l.. writes TO the
New York Journal about a curl
Gus incident of American institu-
tions in this latter age of our
remarkable civilization. 1t will bear
reading. The subject Of the article,
John r. Tanner, was nominated the
other day by the Republican party of
Illinois, Lincoln's party and Lincoln's
state,) for governor:
1T was few years prior to the civil
war when the Tanner family removed
to Missouri, and they would seem to
have set up their lares and penateS in
hOtDed Of secession. When the war
broke out the Tanner household, man
and woman, boys and girl, was seized
on, as of union sympathies. The two
boys and the father were hurried
South to rebel prisons. The mother
and daughter forever Disappeared and
till this day John Tanner has never
had trace nor trail of them. Not one
word tloated back from the black past
to tell Of the grim tragedy OF their
taking off.
Tanner went through the war a
private and came out at the age OF %,
knowing good deal about war and
men. and little about books. He
could shoot better than he could
read. 1t would seem, too, that his
moral nature was at that time as
backward as his book lore.
Ginning from the civil war, Tanner
settled IN Clay County, in swamps Of
lower Illinois. He became sawmill
owner and made boards Of the timber,
and moderate money of the people
round about. He developed taste
to hunt. and. enlisting pack OF
hounds, he chased his prototype, the
fox. 1t was then, too, he grew skill
full as tiend at the relaxation known
as draw poker and was better &C
quainted with the local value Of q
flush" or "full" than any who met
him across the table. The neighbors
then bes slowed upon him the nom de
gucrre Of Poker Jack Tanner" for
the same reason, doubtless. that men
set up signs marked Danger" where
ice is weak. To this day Tanner is
hailed as Poker Jack" in Illinois,
Tanner, like others of the Illinois
peasantry. worked his poll tax by
blowing and shoveling the turnpike.
One day, while SO engaged, fellow
man, also obliterating his Ioll tax,
had an affray with Tanner. The lat
ter suddenly SlnOte the other with
his shovel, and with such verve and
sincerity that the victim fell dead in
his tracks, thrust into eternity in
moment.
Tanner fed from Indictment for
murder in the first degree. The au-
thorities posted bills Offering great
riches to any who would capture him.
Tanners brother rode about nights
fraternally tearing down the bills.
At last Tanner came back, was tried
and convicted and sentenced to hang.
He got new trial and was acquitted.
Then Tanner became sheriff him
self. and did what hanging there was
to do in that region. THIS is not
pleasant assignment. but it is better
than being hanged oneself.
From sheriff Tanner began to
spread as vine Of politics through
out the state. At first he fought
with Cullom. Then they made up,
and Tanner became, as it were, the
architect Of Cullom, and constructed
him into the Senate. He has kept
CullOm there ever since: on days, too,
! when Cullom could do naught for
himself.
In 1886 Tanner became a state SEN
ator. Later Cullom caused him to be
made United States marshal for
southern Illinois, under Arthur. In
1886 Tanner succeeded as state treas
urer, and is said to have made $lO0,O)O
loaning the states money He loaned
some OF it, by the way. to an eminent
journalist Of Chicago; not Kohlsaat.
be it known.
In 1892 Harrison, yielding to Col
lum bunch, named Tanner subtreas-
urer at Chicago. He was also chair
man of the state Republican commit
tee, and as such originated an ingen-
Gus and gratifying poster anent John
Hopkins, Mayor of @ licago, and was
therefore sued by that unworthy for
$40, 1000. 1t was a waterhaul. Hop
kins took nothing from the litiga-
tion.
Within a year Tanner gave signif
icant proof Of his power. They start
ed hastily to arrange an invest CATION
OF the state treasury at Springfield.
Tanner had personal as we'll as politi
cal reasons for distrusting the up
come Of such ceremony. He abode
in Chicago at the time, and, charter
ing a special engine, he was instantly
and betimes at the state capital.
Once there lie crushed the proposed
investigation like an eggshell.
Tanner has been married; his wife
is now dead He has two children, a
son, "Mack," just graduated at the