Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-05-17
DICK YATES.
Interesting Facts About This Son of
His Sire

Peoria, Ill, May 11.-Probably the
prOudest woman in the state is Mrs.
Catherine Yates of Jacksonville,
widow of the war governor and
mother of Richard Yates, republican
nominee for governor. Dick Yates,
as everybody calls him in Jackson
vile, has a little cottage out on the
west part of that city. 1t has a vine
covered porch, bay windows, and
big lawn in front. There he and his
wife and their two daughters live in
q quiet, substantial way
down in Egypt one stormy afternoon
in February, and while the wind was
whirling the snow around the cor
ners of the dingy old courthouse, that
Dick Yates, in addressing delegates,
suddenly broke down. Seldom, if
ever, did he refer to his fathers great
career in any of his speeches, for he
never felt like asking support on &C
count of what his father had done.
But in this instance the audience was
typical of southern Illinois, and in
the front row sat a number of old
soldiers from the war of the rebel
lion. He made the usual speech of
a candidate on this occasion, and was
trotting along at good clip. He had
been telling the audience why he
wanted to be elected governor when
his voice gave out and his eyes filled
i
after he had regained his composure,
among other things, tC take my old
mother back with me to the COVER
nor's mansion in Springfield, where
she presided forty years ago." Yates
is intensely loyal to his mother. Her
home is not in his house, but it is
near by, and when IN Jacksonville
never a day passes but he goes to see
her. In Jacksonville every man,
woman, and child knows Yates. His
habits and characteristics are in some
respects singular. While he is a man
perfect accord with the poorer people
in the town in which h. resides
Everybody feels perfectly free to go
to Dick Yates and tell him his or her
troubles. He shares their joys and
their sorrows, and no one has ever
yet accused him of demagogy or Of
making capital and seeking support
by reason of his charitable acts. His
personal character and his private
life are pronounced fiawless by those
who know of his charitable acts
He is strictly temperate and an
active member of the Methodist Epis-
copal church. He was for a long
time superintendent Of the Sunday
school and when not superintendent
he taught a Bible class.
Mr.. Yates is in the prime of life, a
| man of good physique, and of good
| personal appearance. Many candi-
dates who start out to achieve politi-
| cal success cannot do so without re-
| laxing, for the time being at least,
| the details Of personal appearance.
| But it is not so with Yates. Through
! the campaign he has worn a frock
/ cat and nobody ever saw his shoes
when they were not polished. AS a
| speaker he has made a reputation.
He can adapt himself to a condition
as it arises. At home he is a prime
card at all public gatherings, whether
| political or pertaining to the church
or the social organization of which
he is a member. At old settlers
| picnics in Morgan and surrounding
| counties Yates is always a shining
| star.
Richard Yates is only SO years old.
| He was born on Dec u, 1860, in
Jacksonville, where he always has
resided. He entered WhippIe acad-
envy at Jacksonville in 1873 finishing
its course in 1876. At the academy he
showed marked ability as a speaker,
and when he entered Illinois college
at Jacksonville he took an active
| part in oratorical work. He was
graduated in the classical course In
| 1880, and was selected as the class Or