davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-07

master Treynor, for it was greatly due
to the latter's interest and assistance
that Mr.. Shaw came into prominence
as soon as he did, though man of the
ability of the Denison statesman would
undoubtedly have forged his way to
the front of his own accord in due
time. 1t all came about during the
presidential campaign of 1896, when
MT. Treynor was secretary of the re-
publican state central committee at
Des Moines. Up to that time Mr..
Shaw, though he had long been recog-
nized as successful attorney and
banker in the little town of Denison,
was almost unknown outside of his
own county.
His law partner, Carl F. Kuehnle, to
whom is due the chief credit for first
discovering" Mr.. Shaw, went to Des
Moines during the summer of 1896 to
suggest to the state central commit
tee that Mr.. Shaw be placed on the
stump. Mr.. Kuehnle, himself, had had
considerable experience in the politi
cal world and had also acquired prom
inence as grand chancellor of the
Iowa Knights of Pythias He declar
ed to the state capital politicians that
Mr.. Shaw could make speech on the
financial question, which was then the
vital question, that would prove a win
ner in the Iowa campaign.
At that time the republican leaders
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-07

were extremely cautious of the men
they placed on the stump to discuss
the financial question, for the cam
paign was being so holly contested by
both sides that no risks would be
CHANGED in putting novice on the
stump. Consequently the state cen
trail committee was about to decline
Mr.. Shaw's services, when Secretary
Treynor endorsed his proposition, with
the result that Mr.. Shaw was assigned
at several small towns in Monona
county.
AS soon as Mr.. Shaw got on the
stump and began to deliver the finan-
cial speech which has made him fam
GUS reports of his great success com
menced to come in regularly to Secre-
tary Treynor and further assignments
were given the Denison orator. Mr.
Shaw, too, continued to enthuse over
his work and volunteered to make two
speeches a day wherever possible in
stead of one.
About this time Congressman Hep
burn fell i'll and could not fulfill the
speaking dates in his own district. He
accordingly asked the state central
committee to send some speaker Of
prominence into the eighth district tt
assist him. Secretary Treynor at once
| decided that Mr.. Shaw would be the
proper man and SO advised Congress
| man Hepburn.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-07

The latter, however, had hardly
heard of Mr.. Shaw, and protested
against his going on the eighth district
stump, declaring that he needed an or
ator of at least statewide reputation.
Secretary Treynor responded that he
could do no better, and accordingly
Nh. Shaw was scheduled to speak in
southwestern Iowa. Congressman
Hepburn was SO afraid of the result
that he had his name placed above
that of Shaws on the bills, though he
was too i'll to talk.
The first meeting at which. Shaw and
Hepburn appeared on the platform to-
gether lae latter was completely en-
tranced with the powerful discussion
which Shaw gave the financial ques-
ton. He forthwith wired Secretary
Treynor that the new speaker was
wonder and then went home. leaving
Shaw to cover the district alone.
Since that time Shaw has had no
trouble about getting engagements for
experimenting, and his fame as an or
ator has spread to every state in the
Union. But it was this first recogni-
ton that started him on the political
road which his friends declare will
Head him to the White House. In any
event. he has already arrived next
door to the presidential mansion with
his appointment as secretary Of the
! treasury.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-07
MY OLD TEACHER.

One of the pleasant incidents of the
Christmas season has been the re-
ceprion of letter from my old in
structor, VIM. Smith, of Greenfield.
Ohio. He is very rare and genial
old gentleman, who has led useful
life, and who now in his eighty-sev-
enth year enjoys the respect and love
of a wide circle of friends. l was
one of his pupils for seven winters
from 1887 to 1874, in the primitive log
school house on the corner of my
fathers farm. got from him my
earliest lessons in arithmetic, geo
graphy, pennanship and grammar. l
recited to him the multiplication table.
He set the copies in my first writing
book in the bold coarse hand then in
vogue. The passage of more than six.
ty years has not made me forget some
pleasing incidents and some abiding
impressions of those early days. Hun,
dreds of times l brought to him my
goose quill for him to transform into
a pen A hundred times l stood uL
in his august presence in the early
morning and recited to him the task
which had memorized the night pre-
vious at my home. He was thor
oughly competent teacher, according
to the standards of that day-the best
teacher in that part of the country
Yet he never attended an institute OF
a normal, and knew no more of ath
letics, or kilograms OF typewriters
than did Noah Webster. What won
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-07

derful reach of history and of pro
gress has come within the compass of
his long and active life. He was a
man of fine physique, the years of
middle and later life being devoted to
farming. Naturally social and jocose
it was only by effort that he could put
on and maintain the severe, unsmil-
ing dignity of the schoolmaster.
The chief article of school furniture
was the rod. 1t was not applied often
or heavily. 1t had way of coming
unexpectedly across the room to an
idle boy with the command Fetch
that here" The master had a way of
being very busy Just then examining
a copybook, Or looking over some ur-
chin's slate, while the victim stood
there holding the rod and fully aware
that three score smiling eyes were fix
ed upon him.
The heavy walnut ruler was worse
than the rod. Three claps of it upon
a boys outstretched right hand was
a thing not to be forgotten The old
master probably still remembers the
time when the boys barred him out
1t was on Christmas day about sixty
three years ago. Upon arriving al
the school house the teacher found the
door securely closed and barricaded
and some big boys inside claiming OF
him treat. Smith was not the mar
to grant favors under compulsion, anG
so declined. After accommodating fol
a minute or two he disappeared into
the woods near by, returning shortly
i with six good persuaders in the shape
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-07
}COLONEL DICK ROOT HAPPY

you are being groomed for secretary
of war;" observed Senator Mason,
without hint OF smile.
Shows Greatness of Iowa.
Colonel Root ignored the remark
and his face took on semi-serious ey-
preston. Look at Iowa." exclaimed
he, Just look at her You gentlemen
ought increasingly to give thanks that
you live next to Iowa. Look at her;
there she stands. There's William b.
Allison at the head of the greatest
committee in the senate. Without his
consent you cannot get cent out of
the treasury; you cannot get your pay,
you cannot get your apollinaris water;
your mileage: you couldn't move with
out the sanction of Allison; you are
mere slaves"
Mason began to look serious and
Cullom's countenance took on grin.
How is it in the House?" continued
Colonel Root. Dave Henderson with
his fingers on the leading strings of
legislation, controlling the situation.
What can you do in the House with
out Iowa? Nothing; you are helpless,
cropping along after the leaders"
Senator Cullom was now laughing
softly, while his rotund colleague drew
back in his chair.
Mentions Orators of State.
When your great commercial and
social and educational organizations
want to be thrilled spellbound, in
structed, entertained, enthralleG. and
elevated, to whom do they go? To Dol
liver and Cousins"
Cullom was holding his sides with
suppressed mirth, while Mason's lower
jaw had fallen and he settled yet far.
Their back into his chair.
when the House is against it;
when the emergency comes; when
knockout blows must be delivered
when the coup d'etat must be admin
istered to the other Fellowship is
the man called upon to swing the
blade? You know him; / need moi
mention his name; it is Pete Hep
burn-he is from Iowa, too And who
controls the military arm, the mighty
army Of the United States, and says
what shall and shall not be? His name
is Hull and he lives in our state
Senator Mason had skunk back into
his chair until he seemed to be only {
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-07

Empire state had the Presidency, the
secreraryship of the treasury through
Manning and Fairchild and the secre-
taryship of the navy through Whitney.
And yet prospects are good for Iowa
outstripping even New York in it's in
fluence over national affairs.
owa's Big Five.
What might be called "Iowa's Big
-Four" is composed of the present
governor, Leslie M. Shaw, who will
soon be secretary of the treasury; Da-
vid B. Henderson, speaker OF the
house; James Wilson, secretary of ag-
riculture, and Iowa's grand old man, y
William B. Allison, the chairman of
lions, the most important committee
from among that august body. The
position held by Congressman William
P. Hepburn, that of chairman OF the
house committee on interstate and for
eign commerce is just now one of the
most important chairmanships in con-
gress this season owing to the fact
that this body will take up the matter
of the Isthmian canal. This is the
greatest measure upon which congress
VIII be called upon to aCt ana conse-
quently Mr.. Hepburn can be placed on
the list and called one of "Iowa's Big
Five"
Power and Influence of Treasury.
AS secretary of the treasury COVER
nor Shaw will hold the most RESPONSE
BILE position in the government next
to the President.
There are under the secretary of
the treasury at this time twentysix
thousand Office holders. A rash word
from him would throw Wall street in
panic and probably convulse the
finances of the world. A single act
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-07
OoocGOoooOOCoc0G 5000

Washington, D. c., Jan. 4.-Looks
as though Colonel Dick Root would
have to be ''hooped."
Colonel Roots exuberance is due to
the recent draft upon Iowa for addi-
tional mental machinery with which
to operate the government, and to
other things
Y One of the most picturesque figures
in Iowa today is Colonel Dick Root.
"A resident of Keoiuk for nearly half
"a century, he has filed every politi-
cal office, from United States marshal
to town marshal. Taking hold of the
late Senator Gears campaign, when
the latter ran for congress the first
time, he was largely instrumental in
the election of Gear in district no.
toriously democratic at that time. He
was made postmaster of Keokul, and
when Cleveland was elected promptly
resigned. He came to Washington a
couple of years later and accepted a
position in the United States senate,
where he is now in charge of the SEN
ate messengers.
Acquainted With All in Senate.
Colonel Roots acquaintance in the
senate wing of The capitol is limited
only by the number of people in the
senate wing. He not only knows ev-
cry senator and officer and clerk init.
mately, but is a sort of privileged
character, as it were. His peculiar
knock Is the open sesame to every
comitteeroom, ana no council where
humor and good fellowship reign is
complete unless he is there in the
flesh. Affairs of state will at any
time temporarily yield to one of Col
onel Roots "reminiscences.
Senator Cullom and Senator Mason
were INDUCING in "a conference in the
committee room of the former on Fri.
day when who should drift in but Col
onel Root. The. two Illinois senators
saw a merry twinkle in the Colonel's
eye and knew something was doing.
OF course the conversation imnedi
ately turned upon the selection OF
Governor Shaw to be secretary of the
treasury-in fact, that has been the
topic discussed in Washington for 3
week to the exclusion of all other top
les.
What is there in this report that
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-07
Meifii,,,,,,,,,.
NyiiEsI'''""

might prevent a panic and save the
public credit. No other cabinet officer
has so much power, and no one is call
ed on to use such good Judgment and
wise discrimination as he is in time
of public crises.
The department of agriculture is
generally regarded by the public as an
insignificant place. Those not familiar
with it have come to look upon 1t as
sort of fifth wheel to wagon. Yet
it has been taking place rapidly as a
very influential position in the gov
ernment. Under Secretary Wilson it
has brought the farming class of the
country in direct touch with Washing
ton.
Since Thomas B. Reed, of Maine,
showed the country how great power
the speaker of the house could be, that
Office has come to be regarded as the
most commanding in the legislative
branch of the government. Speaker
Henderson has held the influence that
the Reed rules and the Reed methods
give the presiding officer of the lower
house.
Senator AlIison's High Place.
Senator Allison occupies another po-
stion of power He is chairman of
the committee on appropriations. He
is also one of four or five men who
when acting together can dictate in
large part the policy of the senate.
After Allison comes Hepburn and
after him ]. A. T. Hull, the chairman
of the house committee on military af-
fairs. Our own" John F. Lacey holds
the important positien of chairman of
the house committee on public lands.
Robert G. Cousins is not far behind,
with his Craftsmanship of the house
committee on expenditures of the
treasury department, and George E.
Roberts is director of the mint.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-07

of hickory rods in hand. 1t was easy
for him to climb to the roof of the
house and make his way to the top of
the chimney. 1t was capacious
stone chimney large enough for
South Ottumwa's largest man to go
UP or down. And it was then unused,
having been superseded by ten plate
stove. Then occurred the descent of
the schoolmaster down. the stone
chimney, to the dismay of the impris-
oned rebels. One of the boys. Coffey
Douglass, made brave but fruitless
resistance to the down coming The
door was too securely fastened to be
opened in hurry and so the offend
ers were barred in" and obliged tc
take what came. The heft of the pun
ishment came upon Douglass but moi
more than he had earned. A year OF
two later Smith married the boys sis
ter. Douglass became a graduate Of
! Yale and a lawyer at Leavenworth
Kansas. Some years ago when On 6
visit to Ohio I had the pleasure Of
meeting him at the home of his broth
er-in-law, our old school teacher. Ii
the course of conversation allusior
was made to that barring out scrape
Douglass remarked 4 promised Viii
liam a whipping when got big
enough" The old teacher replied
with a twinkle in his eye, Hes mo-
big enough yet
Congratulations and good wishes t.
my old teacher. He still remember
his old pupils, and the boys will neve
forget him. ]. N. McElroy.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-07
IOWA'S INFLUENCE.
Hawkeyes Will Hare Much to Say About Government.
..,,,.,,,,,liftN


Places Iowa Will Have When Shaw
Takes Office.
Secretary of the Treasury-Leslie
M. Shaw.
Secretary of observation-disclosures
Wilson.
Speaker of House of Representatives
David B. Henderson.
Chairman of Senate Committee on
priations-William B. Allison.
Chairman of Senate Committee on
Pacific Railroads.. P. Deliver.
Chairman of House Committee on
Interstate and Foreign Commerce
William P. Hepburn.
Chairman of House Committee on
Military Affairs-John A. T. Hull.
Chairman of House Committee on
Public Lands-John F. Lacey.
Chairman of House Committee on
Expenditures of the Treasury Depart
ment-Robert G.. Cousins.
Director of Mint-George E. Rob-
erts.
When Governor Leslie M. Shaw be-
comes secretary of the treasury of the
United States Iowa will occupy a posi-
ton in the legislative affairs of the ma
tional government that will be almost
without an equal in history. Iowa S
influence will be more varied and far
reaching that was that of Maine when
Blaine was secretary of state, Reed
was speaker of the house and Senators
Frye and Hale and Representatives
Dingley, Boutelle and Milliken were
chairmen of important committees in
the senate and house of representa-
tives. The position of the Hawkeye
state is more nearly approached by
that of New York during the first
Cleveland administration. when the
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-07

small man, while Senator Cullom's
eyes were running tears and he breath
ed in gasps.
Shaw to Hold the Money Bags.
Nov, who is to hold the money
bags; where must you go if you want
a dollar or million? To Shaw-he's
from Iowa-he holds the key, his HAND
is upon the throttle; you cannot make
a move without his consent.
and there is George e. Roberts, di
rector Of the United States minis, he
makes your money, tells you what ii is
worth and what you are worth, makes
the standard; you couldn't get on with
out him, could you? Where is he
from? Iowa"
Senator Cullom at this juncture lost
control of his physical man and fell
upon the cushioned floor, doubled UP
with uncomfortable hilarity. Mason
had almost disappeared in his chair
but had placed his hand to his brow
as if to word off blow.
Don't take it so hard, Mason. You
were born in Iowa. l knew your folks
in Van Buren, county; you had nothing
to do with leaving the state.
Power of "Tama" Jim Wilson.
''Who's secretary of agriculture:
Who examines your soil in every state
in the union and tells you what to raise
and how to raise it; controls the
weather, slaves off the storm, ant
brings the glad sunshine? Who is
he?' you say. Well. he's from lowe
james Wilson, known at home as
'Tama' Jim Wilson"
Senator Cullom was rolling on the
floor gasping and wiping his eyes ant
laughing softly, while Mason's heac
had fallen over on his shoulder and hi
leaned on the side of the chair.
Then there's M. D. O'Connell o.
Iowa, solicitor of the treasury" con
tinued Colonel Root But l will be
merciful; won't carry this too far,
and with that the colonel drifted ou
into the corridor.
In the course of time both Senator:
Cullom and Mason pulled themselve!
together, the former bathing his face
and reaching a state OF calm, while
the latter expanded to normal size an,
shook off that agonized expression
But the conference was postponed.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-07

Bob helped himself to the biggest
piece on the plate, and, turning to
Bill, remarked: Bill, allus take pie
when pie is passin'."
The Governors friends saw the ap-
plication of the story to the Treasury
situation, and all were thoroughly con-
WINGED that the Governor would not
decline the portfolio.
A prominent Des Moines lawyer was
once employed to defend case in a
county adjoining that in which Gov.
ernor Shaw, then practicing attor-
ney, resided. The Des Moines man
enjoyed reputation in his profession,
while Shaw was almost unknown out
side of his home county, SO that the
former, when the case was called and
he had surveyed the somewhat unso
phisticated appearing figure of the op-
posing counsel, concluded that he had
snap and settled down to the enjoy
ment of cigar.
In relating what followed the Des
Moines lawyer said that Shaw without
doubt realized that he was being held
lightly, and determined to allow him
to rest secure in that belief.
Shaw offered few objections during
the early part of the trial, and those
he made were feeble efforts such as
might be expected of an inexperienced
attorney. The Des Moines man swept
on with his side of the case, taking
advantage of the supposed greenness
of the opposing counsel, and adopting
tactics that he would not dare to in
troduce if confronted by an old prac
titioner.
When matters had gone far enough
for Shaw's purpose he jumped into
the case, showed the fallacies of the
Des Moines mans argument, fairly
blistered him for his unprofessiona
conduct, presented the entire case in
a mastery manner, and when he had
concluded it was plain to every one in
the room, the Des Moines man includ
ed, that he had won the jury. And
this was the case, for decision in
Shaw's favor was rendered by the
jury, that body not even leaving the
room to make up a verdict.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-07
TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS OF THE
MIDDLE WEST. a.

Among the topographic maps
which the United States Geological
Survey has recently issued are several
of the middle western states Some
of them are reprints of previous edi-
lions which have been exhausted, and
others are now printed and issued for
the first time. There are three from
Illinois: The Joliet Sheet of the city
of Joliet and that part of Will county
lying to the north; the Ottawa Sheet
of the section along the Illinois river
in the viciniey of Ottawa in Lasalle
county. There are two of parts of
Iowa: The Rock Island Sheet or
quadrangle including the city of Rock
Island in Illinois and Davenport in
Iowa and that part of Scott county
which includes the towns of Durant
Whitehead, Delmar and Dewitt; the
Stanwood Quadrangle showing the
country adjoining the Rock Island
Sheet on the west, like the latter, the
map shows all the towns and villages
water courses, roads, and even the 10.
cation of farmhouses in the outlying
districts; the last named maps are
new.
In Wisconsin The Dells Quadrangle
is published for the first time. 1t shows
the narrow gorge of the Wisconsin riv
er near Kilbourn, known as The Dells
and also the country to the west. The
st. Paul Sheet in Minnesota shows the
territory covered by the city of st
Paul, and the country to the south
The relief or topographic feature:
are clearly indicated by contours;
most of the maps are drawn on the
scale of one inch to the mile. They
can be had at the regular rate, S cents
each, on APPLICATION to the director Of
the geological survey.
The U. S. Geological Survey is still
rapidly publishing new sheets of the
topographic map of Indian Territory
The three last issued are the Ardmore
Denison and Nuyaka Quadrangles
The Ardmore and Denison sheets
show areas in the southwest part o
the Territory, whose nature is that O
an extended plain with intermitten
streams. The Nuyaka sheet depicts ;
section located in the northern par
which is continuation of the SAM
plain, but is shown to be less thlckl.
populated. These maps, by the use o
contour lines, show the relief of lit
tie known country, and are of interes
in view of the future opening up O
the Territory for settlement.