Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-10-14

to a foe. As Speaker Gen Henderson will
display the same open frankness and the
same never-failing bluff courtesy that have
always characterized him. but should it be
called for he will be like a rock for stead
fastness. While his touch is likely never
to be rough or brutal, his hand will be a
hand of steel whenever occasion requires.
Gen. Henderson rs He Is.
Gen. Henderson has two workrooms in
Dubuque. His office is in a big building
which is almost wholly occupied by lawyers
and railroad officials and insurance men, on
the main street. His den is in the Hen
derson suite at the hotel. He generally
spends the day from in the morning to 5
in the afternoon at the office. Unless a
social engagement prevents, he spends the
evening in the den. At the Office he has
his congressional secretary to help him;
when working in the den Mrs. Henderson,
who is devoted to her h,.-band and has
made almost as close a study of public af-
fairs as he, delights to assist him.
There the general does most of his news
paper reading, which must necessarily be
extensive. Mrs. Henderson's help is inval-
liable. She selects and clips all sorts of ar
tcles which she fancies will interest him.
1t is In the den that he generally writes
such of his campaign speeches as are sent
out on paper in advance, though few of his
addresses and, in his own judgment none
of his most effective ones, have ever been
written at all As a rule, his preparation
d.
ing and hard thought He does the reading
first, and when he has acquired the in
formation he desires he goes to his office
locks the door and sees no one until the
speech has been completely thought out.
| Having fixed its points in his mind he re-
lies almost wholly upon the impulse of Uhe
| moment for its form, his written references
being memoranda, so brief that they NAV
be jotted down upon a bit of paper little
larger than mans hand.
He Sings in His Campaipu.
Gen. Henderson is almost an ideal cam
pagner There is no lack of Intellectual
ity in what may be termed his stump
speeches, yet their most noticeable charac-
teristfcs are heartiness, obvious personal
belief in what he himself says and enthu-
siasm. His habit of livening up the pro-
ceedings occasionally by asking the audi
ence to join him in singing the Star Span
gled Banner. Marching Through Georgia
or some other patriotic song has long
been famous On such occasions he leads
the singing himself in a strong and really
musical voice, while everybody joins in
Many time the generals singing has
been highly effective in rousing the audi
ence, as well as himself, and doubtless he
Will continue to sing at his campaign meet
fngS as long as ne makes campaign
speeches. He is now in the midst of the
campaign in Iowa, where an important
state election is to occur in November.
Personally Gen. Henderson is a Jolly
good fellow. He is taller and heavier than
the average. His shoulders are broad. his
chest is deep and he will be an impressive
figure at the Speakers desk. He walks by
the aid of a cane with limp, due to the
loss of the left leg at the knee. He was
shot at the battle of Corinth. His hand
is big one, and his grasp on greeting a
friend is real grip. His conversational
voice is pleasant, and his talk shows wide
and varied information. He is a capital
story teller and he holds pronounced views
on most topics, though he doesn't advance
u afr of -n.A
change his opinion should good reason for
change be put forward. He does not
like to talk about himself. His memory
of his mother is vivid, and his reverence
for her is pronounced No one could be
with him half an hour without perceiving
that he Is a positive character in every
sense of the word.
From Scotland to Iowa.
Yet chance has played a most important
part in the new Speakers life. Had not
Thomas Henderson, his father, been more
trustful over half century ago than most
men are, David Bremner Henderson might
never have been an American citizen at
ALL The course of his whole career, since
early childhood, was changed by one act
of confidence on the elder Henderson's
part.
For generations the Hendersons dwelt in
Old Deer, village attached to the Earl of
Buchans estate in AberdeenShire, Scot
land. AS the general is now, so was his
possessed of voice which made him gen.
eral favorite The old Earl of Buchan a
bachelor, who received much company and
lived high, of those who took
pleasure in Henderson's voice, and often
had him at the castle for the diversion of
his guests. Henderson had the additional
gift OF improvising rhymes readily, and fire.
Quently composed new songs the spur
of the moment, adapted them to old airs
and sang them, to the immense entertain
ment of the earl's visitors. On one occa-
sion when Henderson's efforts had been
particularly pleasing the earl told him he
might occupy good-siZed strip of land at
the head of Old Deer's main street, proms-
ing that the land should remain rent free to
three generations of his descendants. Ac-
cordingly Henderson built a row of six
small stone houses, investing virtually all
his savings in their erection, and became
a landlord and a man Of substance among
his neighbors. David Bremen Henderson
the youngest of the children. was born in
one of these houses on March II, 1910.
Kicked Him Into the Street
After heavy dinner the old earl dropped
dead one night. and the estate passed into
the hands of strangers who knew not Hen
derson. A few days later the dead earl's
younger brother called at the Henderson