The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-07

Occasions come to make or mar man
forever; that stamp him everlasttngly as
either patriot or a churl in the hearts OF
his countrymen. Such a crisis took place
at Kirksville during the barbecue there
last week. OF the many things that oc-
Cured on that celebrated day in the pleas
ant country village. this will perhaps be
remembered the longest. Every man has
realized. some time in his life. dreadful
moment of decision when something has
to be done. He must act quickly and ac-
curately or forever hold his peace and be
content to take his place among the lower
strata of society.
There were upward of 500 young doctors
who, after looking forward with keen eyes
to the future when they could take their
books. saws, monkey wrenches. etc.. and
relieve suffering humanity. or send their
patients promptly upon their last long Jour
ney, attended this great barbecue, given
in honor Of the famous osteopath. Doctor
A. T. Still They were all happy and hi
larious Early in the day they established
the rule that no osteopath nor any one In
any way connected with osteopathy should
wear collar and cravat that day.
Some few Of the serious learned profess
sors objected to having those articles or
adornment removed 1t Is said that one OF
the doctors knocked down several of the
students in his efforts to assert his right
to wear those adjuncts Of civilization-but
the collar and tie. as well as. good por-
ton of his shirt, eventually came OF. Judge
Andrew Ellison, who lectures to the stu
dents on medical Jurisprudence. was thought
to be good enough osteopath to ball into
the regulations without protest. He was
politely told to take his collar and tie Off.
He just as politely said he would like to
see the man who dared to make him take
it off. They were taken off. and the Judge
looked like he had been up against wind
mill after the operation was. performed.
Just how mad he was, no one knew. He
was billed for a speech that afternoon ana
there were many ladies present. none OF
whom had ever seen the dignified ex-jurist
of the Second District minus collar, neck
tie and quarter section of shirt before.
The Judge got up looking bit like Corbett
did after the last round with the red-head-
ed Cornishman some years ago. Many of
the students felt that 1t was an awful
thing. to do, and that in his great embar-
rassment the Judge would score them heav-
lily in his talk. The culprits anxiously
awaited the blast. Looking over the sea
of faces" the Judge pathetically placed his
left hand on his collarless throat, and. his
voice quivering with the intensity OF mis-
emotion, said:
.Fellow-C Citizens: Serious matters have
occurred here this afternoon that render 1T
necessary for me to express myself IN as
plain English as am able to command
(There were no pins dropped, because you
could have heard thenl) My sense Of self
respect impels me to make declaration
which. to those who know me, shoald be a
work of entire supererosation. i am a
freeborn American Democrat. And as such
I am here to tell you that wear no mans
collar around my neck. Az.
The effect was electrical. A park full of
young doctors who had been anticipating
denunciatory whirlwind threw their hats
high in the air and shouted. 1t was the
Judges OCCASION and he was equal to 1t.
Harry B, Halves and Billy Flynn have
RECALLED ST. Louis friends the past few days
with stories Of the delightful time they mad
at fish fry at what is known as the cut
OF" fishing resort and picnic ground IN
Charlton County not far from Salisbury
| They attended the fish fry as the guests
of Congressman W. w. Rucker OF the Third
District. whose home Is in Charlton County.
It was the first venture Of the two st.
Louis statesmen into this particular line OF
enjoyment so common in many parts OF the
State. When they left town over the Wa
bash with the ayowed intention OF going to
| Charlton County to attend fish fry the
| wise ones said they were trying to make
ga sneak' to Jefferson City to see Cover
nor Dockery, and that they would leave the
Wabash at Mexico and cross over the in-
| tervening fifty miles to the State Capital
via the Chicago and Alton. But the wise
ones were fooled. They went straight to
| Charlton County, and they say they never
| enjoyed themselves better in their lives
The fish fry was arranged by Congless-
man Rucker, ]. B. Cameron. p NJ. VIII
| liams, Judge L. Fl. Herring George w.
! Rucker and a number Of other: residents OF
| Charlton County. and an invitation extend.
ed to q number OF prominent Democrats OF
st. Louis to attend. None went but Messrs.
Halves and Flynn. Now good many oth-
/ ers wish they had accepted the invitation.
Senator E. B. Shields of Linn County. w.
! F. Rothwel of Moberly. Virgil Conkling
and Will Tuli Of Carrollton and 9 number
| Of Democrats from a radius OF fifty miles
were present While not a political gather
! ing, 1t was. nevertheless. an assembla&e
| largely made up OF Democrats. half dozen
OF whom are prominent in State politics.
| There was plenty Of political talk sand
] wiched In between bites OF tootnsome cat
! hsh rolled in cdrnmeal and fried brown.
| There was an abundance OF hsh for every
|! body and enough politics 70 make ME.
/ Halves and Mr.. Flynn feel that they were
not beyond the reach of the influence q
The JEFFERSON Club. They both declare that
i "a. tho future country people who; do not
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