Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-08-19

brows and ferOcious mustaChe, observ-
ing his constant pugnacity Of manner,
and listening to the frece, raucous
voice Of him, II is easy to picture him
upon the forward deck Of some black
low-lying schooner, while .he half.
gale huns in the booming canvas and
the skull and crossbones whip over his
head. No one knows how old he is.
For many a year he has refused to state
his age to the compilers Of the Con-
gressional Diroctory-that remarkable
work wherein congressman write their
own biographies and say warmly
praiseful things OF themselves. No
doubt some member OF his family
knows, but the secret Is carefully
guarded. He has seen, however, more
than eighty summers and a correspond
ing number OF winters. lie is unique.
His eye still CLEANS kindly for a pie lty
woman. He still preserves and uses
the most wonderful swear-word vocab-
ulary east of the Rocky Mountains. He
Is still game for a Neutrality-suspicious.
sitting when II takes Jacks or better to
open" and the limit is the ceiling
He still contends that the pharmaeo-
peia holds no medicine like eight
year-old Bourbon, and gives daily proof
Of his belief In its virtues. Ills long.
long term In the legislative service Of
his country has taught him one thing:
He does not make speeches. He has
no time to give TO set orat' t'l-- Oc-
oasionally he has his secret NY write
one and prints It In the Congressional
Record, but he does not waste his voice
on f. He saves that organ for harass-
ing and browbeating his opponents
HIS innuence-whieh is greats re-
served for work In the committee
rooms. He knows the inner ways of
legislation thoroughly. Hts mark is
upon many OF our statutes with which
his name was never publicly connected.
He Is an acute manager Of debates, and
his advice Is always listened TO and
frequently taken by his party associ-
ates Many times, when the fate OF
a motion is in doubt. he will take the
floor and attempt to carry II OF defeat
Il by aggressiveness. "Bulldozlng" Is
the common name for II. lie Is in
grainedly honest. His word Is as good
as his bond. He is not popular even
in his own state. but he is respected
and largely feared. Free coinage OF
silver is his shibboleth. He has been
steadfast champion of the white
metal since II got into difficulties more
than twenty years ago.
For his honesty: When the Federals
got possession Of Tennessee, Harris,
who was governor, disappeared with
SEQ, 900 belonging to the state. Parson
Brownlow put a price on his head.
More than a year after the war ended
Harris walked into Brownlow's Office.
The "Parson," who was near 10 deaths
door, was stretched on a sofa. "Hello.
Harris" said Brownlow. Hello.
Brownlow," !" said Harris Where's that
SEQ, ,OOO?" said Brownlow. Here II is"
said Harris. laying the money in bills
on the table. Il was determined that
you d-d Yankees shouldn't get it."
"All right" said Brownlow, and turn
ing his face to the wall went 10 sleep.
Harris had carried the sum on his per-
son for a long time and then had taken
1t with him to the City Of Mexico. Not
a cent was missing. More than cnce he
had lacked food. but the states funds
were sacred.
Joe Shelby Of Missouri came to
Washington in 1898 to press his claims
TO the United States marshalship OF
the western district OF his state The
two men had not met since 1866, when
they were members Of the "Carlotta'
colony near the City Of Mexico. Shelby
ran across Harris in the marble room
Of the capitol and spoke to him effus-
lively. "D-n you, sub. didn't know
you" growled Harris. why, I'm
shelby-Joe Shelby" "Ah, how do
Shelby" he responded without en-
thusiasm. They talked awhile Of old
times and the Missourian went away.
Oh that Shelby" old Harris said
as the tall form of the soldier dlsap-
peared through the door. Il don't see
where he got the impudence 10 speak
to me at all. Ne an Pap Price an
Governor Allen Of Louisiana were
down at Carlotta when that rebel
chicken stealer came along We had
fixed up a little distillery an / had
made 90 bottles Of the finest liquor
sub, you svah tasted. This Shelby
drank one bottle of It the fust day.
Next mornin we had to ride ovah the
plantations. We lef him at the house
an he drank two mo- bottles OF II.
sub"
What became Of the other bottle,
senator?" asked a listener.
"We aged II an drunk Il, sub"
"How long did you keep II, senator?"
"Fo' days, sub"