The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-10-03

Not speak as They Pass-Troub,e Was
Caused Beca use a Few Wanted to Bxsk
In the Reflection of an Eminent Man
AmIdon Was Going to stop the w heel
. If He Wasn't In lt-How 1t All
Happened
The arrival Of Mr.. Bryan in the city
last Friday has been the cause Of rent
ing friendships which have been warm
and existing for years. All the Pops
and Democrats. with the exception of
two or three men, are as angry as an
Infatuated Dull VINO has been tantalized
until near crazy. Men who have been
the closest Of friends both socially and
politically do not speak to each other
now as they pass by.
The trouble was all caused because a
few Democrats tried to monopolize Mr..
Bryan while he was here. Tom Fitch,
Sam Amidon and H. G. Toler wanted 10
bask in the reflection of an eminent
man, thinking that they would be seen
by the people as somebody out of the
ordinary, and thus turn the notoriety
gained to their own political help in the
future.
The usurping OF Mr.. Bryan by the trio
was high handed and mas been univer-
sally condemned. The three Democrats
virtually carried him off and would not
let anyone get near him. The Pops and
their leaders were totally ignored. The
L. af la aH .
TO be exclusive and to hobnob with the
Wichita Democratic aristocracy who
were bedecked in patent leather shoes,
fine clothes and red neckties. No man
who resembled workman or any one
else. unless ne was especially known TO
them, could get even a hand clasp Of
Mr.. Bryan, much less being allowed to
talk with him. They wanted 10 he the
cynosure Of all eyes and 10 be seen TO
be talking with Mr.. Bryan.
Tom Fitch, Sam Amidon and II. G.
Toler, each thinking that the other
might get a little more radiated glory
than himself, began to quarrel among
themselves as to who was to be the
principal man and have Mr.. Bryan ex-
clusively in charge. Tom Fitch was the
first one to get angry ard then Amidon
and Toler. 1t was a pretty mess Of
Things and was the actions OF a little
had become mad il was then that each
one tried TO carry Mr.. Bryan off by
force of eloquence.
The Pop committee got lost in the
shuttle at the beginning. and although
they hung around on the outside, they
were never considered in it from that
time on. Mayor Ross, with the COM
mittee of the city council. composed of
Messrs. Schell, Smith and Minick, were
on hand to welcome Mr.. Bryan. It was
the duty Of the mayor to make a few re-
marks, but they were left to cleave in
his mouth unuttered. The audacity that
then took place was too much for the
mayor. He had just been presented TO
Mr.. Bryan, when brushing all aside and
bowling like a subject before some po-
tentate, Mr.. Toler took the liberty TO
say: This is exclusively free silver
day and the city is yours"
Mr.. Bryan quickly saw the predica-
ment that Mayor Ross was placed in
just as he was going to extend the hos
pitality OF the city to him. Mr.. Bryan.
with a coolness that made the men
about him think they were in Klon-
dixie, remarked: 81 am glad to be here,
but l came as an American citizen"
The short sentence was said with such
frmness. such GOODNESS, that it was sew
eral minutes before they realized the
import OF the meaning. The words did
not convey much, but the tones. They
were enough.
When Mr.. Toler got turned down, II
was then that Tom Fitch and Sam Am
idon laughed IN ghoulish glee. They
would be more careful. They had been
in politics and would not be so bold
and rorash. The others saw that Mr..
Amidon was consuming all OF Mr.. Bry-
ans time. Hhis happened when Mr..
Bryan was taken over tn the CONNER
cial club, where select few surrounded
the silver orator. When Sam Amidon
saw that there were more getting Into
the club house than ne thought ought 10
be there he escorted Mr.. Bryan into an
other room and put a guard on the door
with positive instructions that no one be
admitted, 1t made no difference who ap-
Piled.
Mr.. Bryan had not up until this time
appeared to know that ne was being
kept in for special few. He soon came
to a realization OF the fact that a club
member who was refused admittance by
-he doorkeeper pushed by him and broke
he door in. Then it came to light
Then Mr.. Bryan became indignant and
rom that time on others could see him.
L was then that soma Of the committee,
n order to appease Mr.. Bryan's indig-
nation. said ID him that they had kept
aim there 50 that the people could not
zee him, so that al OF them would come
o see him in the afternoon at the fair
grounds. Mr.. Bryan saw tina; he had |
,een worked, but made the best % a
lad surrounding, but he was not kept |
n the house in one room With just two |
II three about him. He went riding.
Il is said on the street that one or |
wo OF the Jealous ones tried 20 get AM |
don away from Mr.. Bryan, bur he gave |
hem 10 understand that he was the !
losest man - NJ. Bryan on that &C. |
aston or know the reason why. There |
vas gambling wheel on the fsir |
rounds. ard il is said thai Mr.. Ami |
lon told the president OF secretary OF |
he fair that ne would stop the wheel |
rom working, as i; was contrary - Law |
ma he was county attorney. That sex
LED Il. and M. Sam Amidon rode in he |
arriage with Mr. Bryan. When the |
'arty SO TO the ground and got up on
ne platform Mr.. Amiaon was IN front |
Z the speaker squat;ed down where al |
ould see him. OLA Mr.. Pia;t was a very |
important parsonage snd undertook Il /
ommani the crowd. The crowd paid |
10 attention 10 him and ne. too. 60, on /
0 the stand very near knocking DR.. |