West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-03-27
His Rag Time Songs Captivated the
People Like Prince Henry.
Opponents Shaw And Davis Will
Have to Whistle Yankee Doodle
And Old Dan Tucker.
The People May Expect to be Roy
ally Entertained While the Cam
paign Lasts.

paign Lasts.
1t is really surprising the number
of people who expect me to keep
them before the public. Others ]
find who have host of friends who
insist on my inscribing their favor
ties name on the tablet of fame. |
have received score of letters from
prominent men of Valley district,
who contend that / am ignoring
their favorite son. With all due re-
spect to their contention | must
deny the soft impeachment. NV
motto is impartiality The fact is
that we have so many prominent
men before the public to-day that
1t takes some time to call on them
for an interview. This week | had
the pleasure of calling on Hon.
John Sanford Dunn, president of
The County Court, one of the most
popular men in the county of Pres
ton, and man, who if left to the
voters of Valley district, would
make Teddy Roosevelt vacate the
Presidential chair. His legion of
friends have persuaded him to an
nounce himself as candidate for
the House of Delegates. 1t was my
good fortune to meet Mr.. Dunn last
week.
"Mr. President" began, "your
fellow districtites have resolved to
send you down to Charleston on a
mission of glory and profit, and
The ARGUS desires to congratulate
you in advance on your prospects
on reaching the goal of your ambi-
ton and illuminating the Valley of
Preston with your Craftsmanship, "
and paused for his reply.
"The people of Valley district
have been very kind to me in my
laudable ambition to serve them, "
said Mr.. Dunn. "But the greatest
factor in placing the stamp of inn
mortality upon the brow of man is
the Press. And the greatest of
them all is The ARGUS. Your other
interviews with distinguished candi-
dates have been both stimulative
and instructive to myself. / have
longed to place myself under your
descriptive pen," and the President
hesitated as if searching for words
to express his gratitude.
"You are not the oldest inhabi
tant of Valley district" continued,
in order to relieve his safety valve
and to learn from whence he came.
ono, am a product of Old
Mongerhail." Like all great men
who have won distinction in the
financial world | started my ca.
reer as a peddler. If you are a
student Of history you will recall the
fact that the elder Vanderbilt used
TO peddle vegetables. Jay Gould
travelled around over the country
peddling mouse traps, an invention
of his own. In my early days /
used to peddle pictures. In my
wanderings I drifted into Valley
district / became infatuated with
the beautiful Valley. 1 bought a
farm and settled down among the
West Virginia hills. / was not ONLY
a past master in the art Of peddlinq
but I had won fame as a warbler.
Ny good friend, Poet Henry Reed.
was at this time known as the swee,
and melodious singer Of Valley Dis
tricL No one had the temerity to
dispute bis title until / arrived on the
scene. 10 was a spirited and good
natured rivalry between myself and
Poet Reed The people locked
from far and near TO hear us
sing. finally won out. The
people decided that Reeds songs
we're the oldest songs known to the
Pilgrim fathers. Mine we're the
latest and up-to date rag time songs
and they caught the people" and
the President chuckled heartily at
the remembrance Of his victory over
Poet Reed.
] suggest that it would not be a
bad idea for the President and Poet
Reed, while making his canvass for
The House Of Delegates, to enter.
tain the people with a few lively
songs.
"Your suggestion clearlyindicates