Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1897-01-21
pioueer Character Sketches.

n-ncle Billy" King, of the Pal"use.
who died last week, was one OF type
~ nioneer politicians. My acquain'
touce with him began in the 7O's. He
w.s then an old man in appearance.
ue tottered about on unsteady legs and
his features were concealed in shock
of orizz]y hair and beard, except a
uhsrp nose that stood out like a stake
in hay cock aud a pair of restless eyes
that glittered like jewels set in ball Of
tow, He was not intelligent but he
was bripht-a natural leader of class
of society that was not small In that
dsy; nor at the present time for that
matter. He reeled of yarns of the bar
room and the torecastle as naturally as
the magpie chatters to its nestlings.
He was at the campfire and In the
Bachanalian haunts, u court jester.
His Palouse home was a floOrless cabin
of logs, with mud chinks and fire.
place built of stones, clay and sticks.
His hospitality was blessing to many
and the Nez Perce I dian or the liz
Auencial politician shared alike his
bunk and his tiapjacks, bacon and
beans. He was the republican boss of
all that part of Idaho north of the
Clearwater till after the election of
1878 He represented Nez Perce county
in the legislature in 1889. This was
the year of the historical deadlock in
organization, the two parties being Il
tie in the house. Billy King, because
he rollicked and joked like child aud
because he seemed TO have no very
strong party ties was made an especial
object Of attack by the democrats in
their efforts to cause dissensiOns, or
absence when vote was taken. He
was offered Inducements" which a
man possessed of a higher sense of
honor would have resented and a
more corrupt man would have accept
ed; but he laughed ut bribers, or prom
ised compliance with mock seriousness,
to vote with his part the next day at
loo'clock. "Uncle Billy" got drunk
every night, but never failed to occupy
his seat and vote with his party when
the roll was called. In those days the
Hot Springs five miles from Boise was
afavorlte resort for convivial spirits;
1t was the proper thing for the iaw-
makers to visit that hostlery on Sun
day. The liquor was very potent in
It's effects and the rules OF "etiquetl"
were literally construed to say the
least. "Uncle Billy" was flattered till
he believed he was the guest Of honor
OF" one occasion during the deadlock
and he distinguished himself hy get
''"K dr""ker tha" his frien9s. The
spree was rrotracted till the small
hours when "Uncle Billy" was put to
Ted to sleep the sleep of the drunkard.
The friends who had flattered and
'easted him, rs soon as "Uncle Billy
sh"red deeply departed for the city and
made certain that no possible convey.
shcr was available for the use of the
legislator, If he should arouse before
the hour for voting arrived. He did
awake and was of course grieved tt
'earh OF his betrayal and his sad plight
~ was after eight o'clock and the vote
would be taken in less than two hours
ne rushed from the house with the
gray hair of his bare head and hi.
"eard whipped by the wind while hi
naslened on foot through mud and
''ush toward the city. He arrived al
'"e nall, bespattered aud flushed like
an escaped maniac, in time to save hi.