The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-05-26

LOVE FEAST
Grand Evening Meeting in
Honor of Victor Murdoch
THOUSANDS WERE PRESENT
Men of All Parties Spoke for
the Candidate
DRIFT OF SUGGESTIONS
Was to be Unanimous as Pos
sibIe Today
THOUSANDS WERE PRESENT
DRIFT OF SUGGESTIONS

The non-partisan "love feast given by
the citizens of the Fourth ward last night
in honor Of Victor Murdoch was an un-
5000 persons were present, a very credit
able percentage of them being ladies.
The function was held in the three acre
lawn of Colonel NJ NJ. Murdoch, on Muir
dock avenue, between st. Francis and
Emporia, in the premises so long the
I scenes of the memorable boyish exploits
of the candidate in whose honor the peo-
pie assembled. A stage twenty by twenty
was erected for the accommodation of
Innes' band and a large field of five
/ minute takers. The trees in the neigh
horhood were decorated and the lawn in
| the vicinity of the forum was illu-
| minated by extra electric lamps Through
I the kindness of Mrs. Murdoch several
barrels of lemonade were made for the
refreshment of the guests, and it was
very highly appreciated.
The craftsmanship of the crowd how
ever, was the most striking feature of
/ the evening. Republicans. Democrats and
/ PopulistS spoke their hearts out and all of
them was for Victor Murdoch. The first
| Republican. and the first Democrat who
]
! J. r. Mead and William Mathewson-
| were both present, and it is a matter of
/ regret that Colonel Mathewson could not
remain to speak, owing TO the illness of
! Mrs. MathewsOn. The face and form OF
! this venerable pioneer would have been
! the sequel of a mighty cheer had he been
! able TO remain TO tell the people-the
neighbors who love him so weIl-about
/ the times when his green apples came
Val
p f~"@v' congressman. To find veterans like
Colonel Mathewson and J. R. Mead side
by siuc working for Victor Murdoch is
/ an incident that is truly inspiring.
The meeting originated in the minds OF
a few genial fellows n the section Of the
city surrounding Ollie Goodin's drug
store, in the second and central pre-
cinct of the Fourth ward. They selected
] John KOontZ for manager of this love
] feast and Ollie Goodin for director. The
enthusiasm and ability with which their
plans and designs were carried out was
( testified TO in no uncertain way by the sue
I cess Of the meeting and the large at
/ tendance.
Mr.. Ollie Goodin was chairman of the
meeting and he performed his duties in d
/ highly commendable manner.
The orators had a hard time of il,
| especially those who talked earliest, on
/ account of stiff wind blowing against
/ their voices and the noisy movement of
/ the trees. Besides, it is a mighty hard
thing to have one express himself
adequately in five minutes. Everything
however, went along nicely and the people
We're very much pleased.
The speakers spoke in the following or
/ der: David d. Leahy, Victor Murdoch.
! Senator O. H Bentley. Joseph Brubacher,
James r. Mead, Captain Fishback. Judge
! Jacob BalderstOn. Judge /. 3. Wall. Paul
! Brown, Representative John w. Adams,
| ex-MayOr Finlay Ross, ROdOlph Hatfield,
| Judge Thomas c. Wilson, s. 5. Ashbaueh
and Jonathan Fisher. 1t was the intention
/ to call for other prominent men in the
audience, but time would not permit. The
| feature of the close of the meeting was
| an enthusiastic demand that Col. NJ. Nj.
! Murdoch should address the crowd. Col.
Murdoch was never known before 10 make
a speech, but he yielded gracefully TO the
wishes of the crowd and made quite a
happy reminiscent talk that greatly
pleased his hearers. James r. Mead
talk was also noticeably interesting in
this. that he quoted some history Of
! pioneer days in Wichita, and told of some
! incidents in the boyhood of the candidate
that made quite hit.
! The tendency of all the speeches was in
the direction Of urging the people of
! Wichita TO go to the poles this morning
a Wichita man for congress. Some strong
I points were made why they should do so.
! points that were conceded to be sound by
everybody present.
! One thing was settled in the minds of
those present, especially the public men
who are critics of oratory. that the candi-
I date Victor Murdoch. although a writer
all his life, and never a public speaker.
! has in him the elements OF an orator and
I viii. within a year or two. rank among
I the best public speakers of Kansas. lie
/ surprised his best friends and gratifed all
I his friends by the way he acquitted m
/ self. without the least thought or prepara-
ton last night.
The polls will be open at 8 O'Clock this
morning in every precinct. and viii re
main open TIL O'Clock in the evening. Ii
is sincerely hoped that Wichita viii give
| Victor Murdoch big lift during the day.
/ and that when the polls close tonight the
/ vote Of the city will be found 10 he prac-
/ tically unanimous Tor him. This is the
! way the people. as matter Of fact. look
! at il. and nothing Is 10 prevent Victor
| achieving a victory in his home town
/ that will give him instantaneous prestige
1 throughout the country II al the voters
I turn out He = a young man, home
( grown and home-educstcd. and genuine
product Of Wichita he IS in the public
/ eye row on account Of being the only con-
! crossman TO be elected this year. ard Il
he sets "a big and unusual majority. espe-
| cially in his home town and home county
| il viii he Of incaIculsble service to him
and viii be a big influence IN giving him
a standing in the next congress