Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-15
NEW SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
Romantic Life Story of the Successor of
Thomas Bracket Reed
DAVID BReNNER HENDERSON At HOME
Part Played by Chance in shaping
His Destiny-Incident that Induced
His Parents to start for
America,

Copyright 1889, By s. s. Mcclure Coz
DUBUQUE, Ia, Oct 12.-Betwcen con-
gressional sessions, Colonel David Brenner
Henderson, now virtually speaker-elect OF
the house of representatives, lives at Du-
buque, la. There the colonel, with Mrs
Henderson and a young unmarried daughter,
stay at the city's chief hotel 1t has been
a genuine Mecca for pilgrims ever since the
decision was made in caucus last summer
that the colonel should have the important
place vacated by the resignation of Thomas
Bracket Reed.
Colonel Henderson, reputation among his
neighbors is very like his reputation in the
house OF representatives. He is spoken
OF as well nigh tireless worker. sympa-
thetic and cordial, friend to a friend and
foe to foe. Among the people at large
there is some suspicion that should he fail
In any degree in his new position, 1t will
be because he is less firm than his prede-
cessOr, but in Dubuque where his every
action has been closely watched for more
than century's third part, there is no such
feeling AS speaker Colonel Henderson
will display the same open frankness and
the same neverfailing bluff courtesy that
have always characterized him, but should
It be called for he will be like a rock for
steadfastness While his touch Is likely
never to be rough or brutal, his hand will
be hand of steel whenever occasion re-
Quires.
Colonel Henderson as He s.
Colonel Henderson has two workrooms
In Dubuque. His office is in big building
which is almost wholly occupied by law
yers and railroad officials and insurance
men, on the main street. His den" is in
the Henderson suite at the hotel. He gem
orally spends the day from in the morn
Ing till at night at the office. Unless q
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 husband and has
made almost close a study of public
affairs as he delights to assist him
There the colonel does most of his news
paper reading, which must necessarily be
extensive. Mrs. Henderson's help is in
valuable She selects and clips all sorts of
articles which she fancies will interest him.
1t is in the den that he generally writes
such of his campaign speeches 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 for
speech making is confined to close reading
and hard thought. He does the reading
hIol, anu WueH nc has acquired IDe 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 his points in his mind, he
relies almost wholly upon the impulse Of
the moment for its form, his written refer
ences being memoranda, so brief that they
may be jotted down upon bit of paper lit
tie larger than a mans hand.
He Sings in His Campaign.
Colonel Henderson is almost an ideal cam
paigner. There Is no lack of intellectually
in what may be termed his stump speeches.
yet their most noticeable characteristics are
heartiness, obvious personal belief in what
he himself says, and enthusiasm. His
habit of livening up the proceedings occa-
sionally by asking the audience to join him
in singing the Star Spanged Banner"
Marching Through Georgia." or some other
patriotic song, has long been famous. On
such occasion he leads the singing himself
In strong and really musical voice, while
everybody joins In. Many a time the
coonels singing has been highly effective
In rousing the audience, as well himself,
and doubtless he will continue to sing at
his campaign meetings as long as he 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 Colonel 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 tho 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 Corlnth. His hand is big one
and his grasp on meeting friend is a real
grip. His conversational voice is pleasant
and his talk shows wide and varied informa-
tion. He Is a capital story teller and he
holds pronounced views on most topics
though he doesn't advance them with the air
OF one who can't change his opinion should
good reason for change be put forward
He doesn't like to talk about himself. His
memory of his mother is vivid and his rev.
erence for her is pronounced. No one could
be with him half an hour without perceiving
that he is positive character in every
sense of the word,
From Scotland tn Iowa.
Yet chance has played most Important
part in the new speakers life. Had mo-