The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-02-03
he GBNE IO TINE
interesting Story About EIec-
ton of a Western Senator.
FOR SIX LONG YEARS
His Wife Had to Invite Men,
bers Wife TO Receptions.

Old Uncle Brr' Bradley had been
state senator as long as the Oldest en-
ploye Of the state house could remember.
Like the soldiers monument and the first
state house. now tumble-down brick
building, he was one OF the landmarks
Of the capital He had his own desk in
the senate chamzer and a big leather
chair in the lobby of the Jones house, the
legislative headquarters. was always re-
served for him during the sessions. Dur
ing the evening. when he had finished
supper, ''Uncle Bill" sat there until 10
o'clock, when. with unfailing regularity,
he went up stairs TO bed.
One Of the first duties of every new
member Of each succeeding legislature
was to get acquainted with Uncle Bill
And it must be admitted that he was well
worth knowing. He was a unique char
was that he had never worn 'biled
shirt" His invariable substitute for that
garment was a flannel shirt of the most
vivid red, worn without necktie or other
adjunct to mar its brtliancy. When the
weather was warm ne wore neither coat
nor vest, so that his presence in the
lobby of the hotel, was equivalent TO an
unexpected display of northern lights.
Uncle BIZ also persisted in wearing
"his trousers in his boots" in all sorts
of weather. His hair and beard were
both long and white. and altogether, he
was easily the most picturesque character
one might find in a years seeking.
Uncle Bills chief accomplishment was
his ability to bark like wolf Each
new legislator was given chance to hear
him give an exhibition and few evenings
passed during which he did not put his
wrinkled hand to his mouth and fill the
hotel with the echoes of the long drawn
howl Many youthful statesmen listened
to the old man and went away with the
conviction that Uncle Bill" was either
in his dotage or a natural born fool. This
conviction most Of them later found good
reason to change.
incidentally, it should be stated that
Uncle Bill was rich. Many exaggerat-
ed stories were told Of the vast fortune
matter of fact, he did own several thous-
and acres Of fertile farm land and a
couple of three-story buildings in his
county seat. He was worth several hun
dred thousand dollars. He was by no
means miser He had been known to
play a game of poker with the boys" in
which he rarely lost; he drank his toddy
with the rest; the experienced members
of the legislature counted "Uncle Bill"
a good fellow" who was far from be-
ing such a fool as he looked and acted.
One thing the all knew or soon learned.
When anything crooked was going on
"Uncle Bill' could not be counted on.
''Uncle BIZ was in his seventies and a
confirmed bachelor when a strange thing
happened. He came down to the capital
one session with a pretty young wife His
cronies were astonished, but the mere
fact that he was married apparently
made little difference in "Uncle BilIs"
peculiarities. He still wore his red fan
mel shirt and his high boots. He was
still anxious that everybody should hear
him give his justly celebrated imitation
of the gray VOLTS howl At the same
time he was devotion itself to his young
wife. People who tried to jest with him
on the subject quickly discovered that he
could bite as well as howl ike a wolf.
The wife developed social aspirations.
It happened that the leader Of society in
the capital was the wife Of one Of the
longtime United States senators from
the state. On one occasion Mrs. Brad
law, to whom Uncle Billy had given
free rein in the matter of expenditures,
sent out invitations for a reception at the
hotel. The wife Of the United States
senator was invited. She did not come
and failed to take any notice whatever
Of the invitation. No one in the smart
set at the capital put in an appearance.
Instead. they talked about "Uncle Bills
offrontery in expecting 70 foist his for
mer hired girl'' into polite society. Tn
Gle Bill heard this talk and kept It all
carefully from his wife But he stored
it all in his well-trained old memory. All
through that session Mrs. Bradlaw made
vain and pitiful attempts TO break into
society All she got was snubs, which
"Irncle BIZ" did his best to explain away,
A year later the term of the United
States Senator whose wife had been one
Of the chief offenders. expired. He want
ed to be reelected The legislature was
close. Every vote counted "Cncle
BiH's" was one of those which were bad
" needed
Then the wife Of the United States
senator sent out invitations for a recep-
ton. This time Mrs. Bradlaw was on
her list. Uncle Bnl' would not let her
20 He even refused TO allow her TO send
regrets.
@wait few DAYS, he said. land see
what VIII happen.
In a few DAYS one o. the managers OF
tho. senator's campaign came around to
have a talk with Uncle Bill"
Mrs Lansing" 10 said was sorry
that Mrs Bradlaw could not come 70 her
recertiou. Senator Lansing asked ne 90
say thar he hoped both you and Mrs
Eradlaw would come 70 the next recep-
ton on Thursday"
wei. we wont" said "Uacle Bll-"
IT Senator Lansing has anything n say
Il re he had tetter come around an5
say it himself 7 haven't eor tizne q
waste tsIkin O. YOU. Kindly teu the
senator that 7 have long memory ana
that I've been in politics TOO Ions 90 blta
or a hare book
a day Il two iater matters came 70 e
climax in the senatorial fSht Senate
IansinS needed o couple OF votes t7 sr-
sure his election and he was hard pressed
10 dnd them one evening he ozme n
The Jones house and asked for 'Ine-
Bin" re was directed 20 the big chair
IN The lebay whe~e The old man o1clple3
his unusual place.
scuss nay nor zu up, said ~T-nclo
EL Hw are sou THIS esenin