The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-09-20
Col. Tom Seward Pays Can
didate a Fine Tribute
AT ANAOARKO REUNION
Future Delegate Made No
Reference to Politics.

al the territorial reunion in giving Bird
s. Mcclure an enthusiastic reception
when he appeared in this city yesterday
to address the old soldiers and others on
the reunion grounds. Hundreds OF peo-
pie assembled early in the afternoon at
the park south Of the city for the purpose
of hearing the congressional candidate.
The speakers stand was crowded with
men and women prominent in c. 4. R.
and W. f. c. circles. The large number
Of seats provided for the comfort OF lis
teners were inadequate to seat the crowd
and many persons surrounded the stand
while Mr.. Mcclure was speaking. The
program OF the afternoon was preceded
by music from the Anadarko band. Fol-
lowing this Colonel Tom Seward, the elo-
quent old soldier of Noble county. who
has known Bird S. Mcguire since his
bcyhood days, introduced the congress
sicnal candidate to the audience. 1t was
with considerable feeling that Colonel
Seward spoke of the early life of the
man who is now a candidate for congress.
one OF the highest offices TO which one
can aspire in Oklahoma. Colonel Seward
spoke of the time when the man-then a
boy-came to what is now Oklahoma
for the express purpose of making
enough money as a cowboy to secure an
education. He told of his success in life
thus far and then presented him tc the
audience. Mr.. Mcclure paid tribute
to Colonel Seward, the man whom he has
Inn CO +T,ar, III oh,
He did not talk politics, but discussed
matters which are always of interest TO
the men who braved the battles Of the
civil war He told Of his heritage-that
OF a soldier father-and stated that hav-
ing soldier father he felt that he was
nearer the flag Of this great country;
knew more of patriotism and felt closer
in touch with the men who wear the
bronze button than would have been
the case otherwise
He referred to the bravery Of the Amer
lean soldier, not only in the Revolution
sry war, but the struggle later on. He
spoke of the bravery of the American
men in the Spanish-American war of
recent date, and stated that they had re-
ceived their inspiration and love of lib
erty from the teaching of the soldiers
who had participated, on either side, in
the civil war Mr.. Mcclure spoke of the
eradication of sectional feeling and that
there is no longer north and south,
but that it is now one country and one
flag. The men of blue repeatedly cheered
such utterances as these, as they came
from the speakers lips.
Owing TO the condition Of his voice Mr..
Mcclure spoke only thirty minutes. He
was repeatedly forced TO cease talking
until the enthusiastic applause from the
old soldiers died away. His audience re
sponded readily TO his every utterance.
and the splendid impression which he
made here yesteray among the old sol
diers and others. is one that will last for
years.
At the conclusion of his speech Mr.. Nc
CURE was surrounded by veterans and
others anxious to shake hands with him
and TO congratulate him on his effort of
the afternoon. He was kept busy until
tain time meeting people and demon
strated here that he knows how to meet
people to mix with them: gain their
good viii and leave pleasing impression
with them. y number of the old soldiers
escorted Mr. MCGUIRE 10 the station and
repeatedly thanked him for having spent
one day OF busy political campaign
for the benefit Of the old soldiers OF the /
territory.
\ large delegation of old soldiers and (
citizens were at the Rock Island station
yesterday to meet Mr.. Mcclure when
he arrived in the city of Fl Reno. Hands 1
were outstretched 10 grasp his. and 1t
was some time before he found an oppor- /
tunity to start for the American hotel /
IN charge Of the reception committee. a (
reunion badge was pinned on him at the F
station. and from thar hour. every
minute or his time was occupied in meet 7
ing the people Of the city and the Old 4
soldiers who had gathered here for
successful reunion.
The present week has been an event in
the history Of the city. The twelfth an
nual reunion Of the territorial G. a. r
he's been fin progress here since Tuesday (
afternoon and hundreds OF old soldiers
their families and other persons have
been IN attendance The visitors came
tom all parts Of the territory and they
have been having an enjoyable time. in
the citv whose citizens style II the gate
way TO the soutlwsst." The city has
been thrown open to the old soldiers and
the blue coats of the men who compose
the c. A. r OF the territory have been
visible in every portion of Anadari0o.
The reunion grounds are located in the
south part OF the city and nave been
well cared fo- by the citizens q Ana
aarSo.
4