Mexico weekly ledger., 1900-06-28
N OF NOTE
Willis D. Oldham, Who is to Place
Bryan in Nomination at the Kan
sas City Convention.


The Sunday Republic has the follow
ing 70 say Of willis d. Oldham, Of Ne
braska, who married Miss Belle Fem
tenn, formerly OF Mexico;
Willis d. Oldham, the accomplished
young Nebraska lawyer and States
man, who lie to make the speech
nominating William J. Bryan for
President Of the United States, In the
Democratic National Convention at
Kansas City, lie former Missourian,
having resided for a number Of years
at KirksviIle,i in this State. He is 3
son OF the late Judge Oldham, for
many years connected with the once
of the Auditor Of State at Jefferson
City, where his widowed mother stfll
lives. He is . brother Of Charles B.
Oldham, the well-known newspaper
writer for years connected with the
St. Louis Republic, and Of Ralph e.
Oldham, ex-superintendent OF the
Jefferson City public schools, who ID
now q seeker after gold in the Klon-
dixie.
The young gentleman upon whom
the honor OF nominating Col. Bryan
has been so worthily bestowed has al
ways been q most consistent and en-
thusiastic Democrat. At the time Of
the last Democratic National Oonven-
ton in st. Louis, he game down from
Kirksvine, where he then lived, as the
leader OF q most active and vigorous
boom for Judge Allan q. Thurman, Of
Ohio. The hotel corridors Of st.
Louis still reverberate with the echoes
Of his eloquent and seemingly inspir-
ed appeal In behalf OF the "Noblest
Roman of them ALL" and the graceful
wavings OF his bandana handkerchief
which accompanied his remarks are
still remembered BY those who were
present at that notable gathering.
Shortly after this event, Mr.. Old
ham removed from Kirksvills to Kear-
ney, Neb., where he has since resided
and followed his profession. he lie
now the Assistant Attorney General
of his adopted State.
At the Democratic National Con-
vention, held in Chicago four years
ago, Mr.. Oldham was one Of the
large from Nebraska, and
his Missouri friends entertained fond,
but delusive hopes that for Aud Lang
Syne he could be relied on to control
the delegation of his State in the in
terest OF the candidacy of Richard
Parks Bland for the presidential
nomination. Colonel Bryan was al
that particular time not generally
known or considered as a possibility
For reasons very mysterious to those
not "on the inside" Mr.. Oldham was
found to be exceedingly reserved in
his expressions as to the outcome o.
the convention, and was found to bs
not at all disposed to commit himself
In favor OF Mr.. Bland or any othel
candidate. Il was noticed, however
that In the early hours of the eonven
tlon there were frequent and vocifer.
Gus calls for Colonel Bryan to address
the assembled hosts, among which thu
young Nebraska lawyer'ssilvery tonel
were easily distinguishabie. Also a
stated periods a large and eleganI
banner was borne c~onspicuously
through the crowded amphItheater
and on this banner was Inscribed III
gllttering characters; "The william
]. Bryan Club Of Lincoln, Neb.n Fl
nally after repeated calls, and amIt
, great applause, Dol. Bryan crowded
lhia way 70 the platform. Then caml
the ismousseseeR ssnalss sns
historic words; "You shall not pres
down upon the brow Of labor thiI
crown OF thorns; you shall not crucif,
mankind upon q cross Of goldl" Ans
then, when $1,000 people a
one man and rent the air with deafen
ing cheers, It became known for thI
FIRST time why "BiIly" Oldham hat
been noncommittal upon the subjee
Of the nomination. On the following
day William Jennings Bryan, of Ne
, braska, was nominated as the stand
ard bearer of the Democratic party II
the great campaign Of 1895, and therI
was no happier man in Chicago thai
the young lawyer from Kearney.
Mr.. Oldham came from old Virgins
stock, and In matters political is ''t'
the manor born" his ancestors hav
i, ing figured prominently in the affair
Of the Old Dominion. His reputation
Is an orator Of the young class ex.
, tends throughout the west, and 1t i
; safe to say that his presentation o
. Col. Bryan's name to the Nationa
, Convention will be the greatest effor
of his life.
Aside from his intellectual ability
great lung power IL requisite upoI
the part Of an orator to make an eff.
fective speech in a large Nationa
Convention amphitheater.
1t may be said Of Mr.. Oldham tina
! he possesses, in addition to all otheI
qualifications Of a graceful and i'm
Questioned public speaker, q good
strong pair OF western lungs, with
which to carry to the hearts Of th.
delegates ct Kansas City 3 conviction
Of the peculiar fitness of the "Plumet
Knight" Of Nebraska as the candidat.
Of the great Democratic party fol