The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-05-19


boomers. Coburn, are The rulers. They
always VIII be.
Probably never did little town WELD
greater political influence than Medicine
Lodge. The Seventh congressional dis
trict OF Kansas has Sc counties, among
them the great counties OF Sedgwick,
sumner. Reno. Harvey and Mcpherson.
yet since 1891 and At least until 1913,
sparsely-s Barber viii have had the
representative continuously.
The struggles between Long and Simp-
son have made the town famous. These
battles began in 1sSS when Simpson was
q candidate Tor the legislature and Long
stumped the county against him. In 1858
Long was a successful candidate for
state senator ana Simpson gave opposi-
tion. In 1880 Simpson was first nominated
Tor congress. -ong stumped the district
against llrn, and Simpson won In 1882
each was his party's congressional can
didate and Simpson AGAIN won Al lisa X
was Longs turn. il 1895 simpson was
elected for his -hird, though not success
I've. term, and ia 1S9- Long was the victor
In 1860 Long was renominared and though
not a candidate against him. Simpson
nevertheless stumpe the district. But
Long won again. and so honors are even.
These two Medicine Lodge statesmen
have made much political --4story. and
the nation knows the little town as the
home OF an eccentric and conspicuous
representative in congress- Simpson. ard
Of an exceptionally clever and weighty
representative Long
Long came to Medicine Lodge IN 1855
He had just completed his course "a the
law with the firm of Peck. Johnson and
Mcfarland Of Topeka The young lawyer
cast about for q place to locate. George
r. Peck. his instructor and friend. sug-
gested Medicine Lodge, though he knew
nothing Of the town. So 10 Medicine
Lodge Long came. He passed through
the crucial period. az all lawyers. good.
bad or Indifferent do, and stood the test
1t was hard shedding, but his wonderful
strength and determination conquered in
the end IN a town where there was a
brilliant bar DE began 10 secure clieatsge
and Drosrered. His ability was recogniz-
&C. and had ne STAYED out Of public life
and in the law. Longs name would st.u
be known TO men. In 1859 he was nomin-
ated 20 the state senate ard elected. de
was only % but In the sessions Of the
legisla ture he soon made a place. Hs
was nominated for congress in 1S92. and
though defeated made q splendid cam
paign. Sic had the fight az his lie for re-
nomination. buz was finally named prac-
ucallv without opposition. and since thea
his only real dincuIty has been az the
polls. In 1855 he was elected and took a
+ conspicuous place in the House on account
Quoted contested election case on the
floor. But his real triumph has been in
the recent congress. Here he was placed
/ GA the committee Of ways and means.
ana has taken front place in the halls Of
congress
such. then. has been the rise OF one q
f Medicine Ledge men.
simpson came here earlier than Long.
He farmed for years. ard when Tom Nc-
NsaI was elected mayor he brought
+ Simpson into town 90 be made marshal
+ Those who knew him then say Simpson
made good marshal Whel TIE ALI
/ ence r-oveE1e began, Simpson on ac-
count II his wiz Lls cieverness and his
f leclar-at1rr skin. suon became q leader.
He was rwice q canditare prior 70 This,
/ however. or the labor ticket. for member
af the legislas-lre and twice defeated E1is
rst election 90 congress came somewhat
IS surprise, ard wen did he advertise
himself Ee was smooth ard clever
T quick to see g point ard quick 70 take
advantage Of &, ard soon wen name
fcrhimselg as g roush-ard-truhie dehat-
er on his retirement from cozgress
simpson want 60 bis ranch east al tow-
ana made money. he let politics alone
save q stump the state ard district last
year and rake a futile race t1r his gar
rs ezFty honor Tor the caDcls noulila-
toa for Cnite5 States senator last win
ts- and the1 returned 90 his place
Simpson sels his ranch scr -s.eoo asa latei
h.s catLe ard stock f1r uore tran tha'
SUITS s. it wi4 Be seen he has p1csreres
faancislly. IS wen IS politically Locat
rs ia gN l-hi,a. Simpson IS nov said 70 3
s-ocsssful II the I've stock commission
business
Bur Eedicine Lodges political oeieari
tees ara 70 condnsd exclusively - Lol'
ane Simpson Ten McNeai was -1ga
az tae tsH1 and iatsT served two tsru
le LEGISLATURE ans E4s before b
{ -ecaus tae wst and sage - The state