The Washington times., 1902-12-21
SENATOR KENNA ONCE
TRAVELLED WITH CIRCUS
Made Political Speeches in
the Big Tent
HOW He HELD SPECTATORS
By Agreement With Robinson, Animals
Were Not Fed Until After His
Address.

IN" IlIi Et.ltlNI NhNN Es- NHH..a
statue reminds me of how that dis.in-
cuishcd man first became known 7oHu-
cally." remarked a well-kuown Senator
from West Virginia as hc passed through
the Hall Of Fame" the other day az the
Capitol.
How IS that. Senator"
"WeU. &c was back I'm the early seven
ties. Kenna then was a beardlcss young
attorney. living in Charleston. vs.. Va. BE
had just hung out bJs zlingle. and ]
doubt if he possessed a single client
Ex-Congressman Romeo IT. Frecr. now
attorney general OF West Virgia.a had
an Office across the haU from F.raa.
don't think he had one more client than
his brother in the profession
Fight For State Capital
"The two became warm friends quick
II. for they had lots OF time TO visit
each other. At tho time there was q
hot fight on between Wheeling aud
Charleston as to the location OF the
State capital. Wheeling possessed that
honor. and Charleston wanted 20 wrest
~ At NtA tA|A AAhAAa AA' Nt.tNNNNNIN VI as ~
be decided at the next meeting Of the
state Legislature, so both cities en-
tered into the campaign on that issue
alone
Speakers were sent out through the
State. Kenna and Freer not being busy.
the citizens Of Charleston hired them
10 make a joint canvass OF The lower
-
start, John Robinson's circus arrived.
At that time it travelled overland. ard,
by the way. it was one Of the first Cir-
cuses TO enter the State.
Anxious TO have big crowds. the
thought struck Kenna that it would De
a good scheme TO travel with the cir
Gus and address the crowds at each point
Of exhibition. A conference was held
and a special committee was sent O.
Cincinnati TO make an agreement with
the management Of the show. For 81 .OJl
Robinson agreed to give the speakers
the use Of the tent each afternoon Tor
an hour for three weeks. and not to feed
the animals until the speaking was over
Joined the Circus.
"Kenna and Frcer Joined the circus
al Huntington. OF course their meetings
were largely attended. for every person
wanted to see the animals fed. I won
v0uch as 90 the number of animals. but
it Is said the mcuagerie consisted OF a
black bear. a lion. tiger. and two
camels- The young lawyers were ora
tors. however. and the people were car
ried away with their appeals for Charles
ton as the proper site for the capital.
"Or course, the speakers had 10 make
the best OF the trip. and as no travelling
accommodation had been provided. they
slept In the band wagon under a lot
OF canvas. They were young and healthy
however, and enjoyed the novelty OF tho
trip. Neither was a millionaire and
neither possessed but the suit OF clothe.
he wore on tho trip.
cone night. the show was going from
Logan Court House TO Madison Tn,
road was over three mountains. Whor
the circus started that night the weather
was perfect. Kenua and Freer crawIet
under the canvas and were soon fas
asleep. They had Travelled about Ter
miles when a heavy rain fell Tn,
road was or red clay, and soon became
almost impossible because OF the Ions
train Of horses and wagons.
0beyed the Driver
Both young men were unmindful o.
the elements until they were rudcl
awakened by the driver Of their wagon
who summarily ordered them TO aTak,
and get out and push. They objected
but the atmosphere became sulphurous
and they acceded 20 his demand Wiu
q longing look at their best clothes
the two climbed out and dropped dow
into the mud.
at one step they were I'm the mire ~