The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-01-17
TOLD OF SENATOR vOoRHEEs.
The Tail csm or the Wabash IN His
Earlier snd Later Years.
Prom the Chicago Record.


The Tall Sycamore OF the Wabash .. His
Earlier snd Later resrs.
Prom the Chicago Record.
TrRRE HAUTE. Jan. Little has been said
about the warm friendship that existed for .
number OF years between Senator VOORHEES, and
Chester A. Arthur. When Arthur succeeded
Garfield as President of the United States he
had no other companion In Washington who was
quito so close to him as was Voorhees,. This was
true despite the antagonism OF their political
views. They were peculiarly harmonious per-
~sonally. Arthur had great confidence In voor-
hees's judgment on delicate points Of executive
policy, and he would talk TO the Senator with as
much or more freedom than he talke I'd to any
other person.
The President was continually inviting Sena-
tor VOORHEES, to the White House. He consulted
tho great Hoosier Democrat in regard to In
dian. patronage as freely as he consulted any
bottle Of wine together In the Presidents pri-
vate onice while discussing matters Of state
other questions which interest sympathetic and
enlightened men. II Ia known that Arthur al
Sna tr rsSssn;fy Induced n1a the hSO Senator ree 10 .p s,%di
the night At the Executive Mansion.
senator voorhees, was jpst as deeply attached
eentieness OF disposition. The affection OF these
men " thCuO tutE Wht blnkulhElf llke tuhI OE
brothers. and Il continued throughout the life
Of Arthur. When Arthur was candidste for
the Presidential nomina,ion before the MIME
Soor6ss,. The Senator took an satraordinsrS
seemed to hope that his friend would win.
When his disappointment game II 10 said by
those who were with Voorhees, AT the announce
msnt Of tho news that he broke down and cried
No man Is better known among the old
timara nf ths Tara HAntR CDnRfeaAiOna dtatFirf
than Is Senator Voorhees,. Indeed, IT IL doubt
full II any other person. ever connected with the
politics of this part OF the State had q purely
SycNmore OF tho WABASH He knew and still
their chSisSi.n names lie has stopped over
night at their homes and has made himself
familiar not alone with their families but with
When young Mr.. VOORHEES, was = candidate
for Congress ia the days before, tho war he can
vassed the district ON horseback. frequently
travelling with his rival on the opposing ticket.
This Was true in 1860. when he aud the late
SIi; n IN Ss sndiaas n,M inr 1on 70 mn u s ,ha
Democratic and Republican tickets respec-
lively. They were speaking In Joint debate In
One night they appeared at Rockville. and
they were billed to speak on the following night
afternoon Of the next day Col. Nelson left for
tho little town alone. On the way he stopped TO
talk TO an Old farmer who wa, ploushing IN a
team at the corner OF his land " near the fence.
aud climbed up and sat beside Nelson on the
side. While they sat there talking voorhees,
rode mp and spoke TO them In his usual most
have become somewhat awkward. but voorhees,
did not permit. anything OF the sort. lie dis
mounted and tied his horse 70 the fence. chat:
ting pleasantly meanwhile with the farmer aud
hts rival. Then Voorhees, got over into the
neid. throw the farmers lines about his shout
He pioushsd q round" with as much ease
and skill as any rustic In The country could have
SShs Nelson I and r. ,S Ss% voter S's we're % Ill. M taking; taking.
and the politician made another circuit OF the
tield. As he nearsd the place OF beginning tho
and voorhees, overheard the following;
You say your names Nelson :"
Wei. ! Amt got nothin' sg,in you, Mr.. Mel.
son. and ! must SAY you know how 70 gas bout
lsi smS No, a. fer an You ts''f Ike Ssst the ss Style sa OF this teller
Voorhees, better. Of you don't mind mo sayin'
so. He's show ed a willin'ness to help me out
time when he gits to Congress. GOOD lay"
Nelson got into. his buggy and drove away.
handlea. and tho old farmer. with mis- straw hat
on the back OF his head and his arms folded.
s~tandins in tho furrow and eying the young
lawyer with admiration.
When senator Voorhees,. as n young man, WAS
beginning the practice OF law in this city. 9, good
many years before the war, he had an onlce In
tho second story OF an old building on Main
street. near Third. There were other lawyers in
the building, among them old John Baird, q
close friend OF Voorhees,.
North of town lived a young fellow who was
known as the bully OF the county. He was fond
not like him." and Of doing his best when NEG
essary, to live up to his boast. He generally
he rode into the city. and whoever incurred his
displeasure was lucky II he got away unscathed
II happened that the young lawyer found It
necessary To deal with the horsowhipplng bully.
Voorhees became attorney for q mar who was
In litigation with tho hully or with some ono
with whom tho bully sympathized. At ali
events, when Voorhees, made u stirring speech
ia caustio terms to the other parties to the
cause. the pugnacious individual felt aGGrieved
and sMS,s y ,s.s i. so %fs'n nSrs sSs bl p ycerh. IL:
Voorhees, knew the bully. and was perfectly
very best 81 Tho toueh's ability: He went over
to his Main street office. entered tho room and
whole matter over. lie came to tbs conclusion
that II he allowed the bully to whip him the
CIRCUMSTANCE would be to him a professional
disaster. lie was only n young lawyer. Just
beginning to get a few cases. and n blow OF tho
kind impending would be a thing from which
Old John Baird, Voorhees's friend. had an
oficc across the hall. Ho had heard OF the
threat had seen Voorhees, enter his once. and
career OF tho young lawyer. 40 Baird stepped
to tho l%atter's door and turned the knob. 1t
Dan" he called out. "let mo In"
Voorhees, was deeply absorbed In his renec-
tions as 70 the proper course TO pursue, and paid
no attention.
sharper and higher tone, "lot me In or I'll kick
this id door DOWN."
voorhees, admitted Mr.. Baird without further
delay. The latter looked at him In an inquiring
fashion. but for . moment neither spoke. They
sat down facing each other. and then the old
man said:
you've heard OF that blufr2"
yes" Voorhees, replied.
What are you going to do about II ?"
well" said the young man, I've been think
Ing the matter over pretty carefully"
"Yss?" .
And l have made up my mind TO kill him"
Old John Baird got on his feet without another
word and beckoned Voorhees, TO follow him.
The men passed into Baird's ONCE, where the
old man drew out a large drawer containing AN
assortment OF revolvers.
"Tabe your choice" he said, pointing.
Voorhees, picked out AN ugly looking weapon
and made All examination OF II.
This one will do" he said.
The old man tshed around until he found
| some cartridges for the revolver. Then he
loaded II mp aud, handing It to voorhees,. rc-
marked;
Now, stop him: do II for your own good and
for the good OF the community"
All this occurred on u certain Saturday MORN
ing. The afternoon OF the same day Voor bees.
with Bairi's revolver in the side pocket OF his
anpk cpuf went dawn Ils AIfeoI To hly8 IL ant