The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-05-28
The "Short-Grass League of Red
Heads" Conducted Fervid
Campaign in Kansas.
PLURALITY overwhelming.
Congressman Longs Successor Is
Managing Editor of the Wich-
tia Eagle and Comes of
Noted Family.
REPUBLIC SPECIAL

REPUBLIC SPECIAL
Wichita. Kas., May 21.-Eictor Murdoch OF
Wichita. Republican. was elected 10 Con-
gress in this district, the Seventh, yester-
day by an overwhelming plurality over c.
T.. Clyne. Democrat. and Judge ". ]. Babb.
Populist.
Tn election was to fill the vacancy caused
by the resignation of Chester l. Long, who
was elected to the United States Senate.
The issue which Murdoch forced to the
front in his campaign was one not men
toned in any State or national platform
ever written-that of red hair.
His fight for election was carried on by
an organization, which has been dubbed
THE Short-Grass League of Red Heads"
Two months ago, when Congressman Long
was transferred to the Senate, twenty men
announced themselves as candidates to sue
coed him.
Two of them-State Senator Fred Dumcnt
Smith and Victor Murdock-had red hair.
Victor Murdoch was attending the Legis-
lature for the Wichita Eagle. of which he
was managing editor, and a warm friend
ship existed between him and Smith, who
was geographically the strongest candidate
in the race for Congress, The field. with
Smith.
One night, in a ocular mood. Mufdock
said:
RED HEADS ORGANIZE.
Smith. do you know that the red-headed
men of this county have never been fairly
treated? Notwithstanding the fact thar ten
out Of every 100 Americans have red hair
We have never had a red-headed President
since the time Of Thomas jefferson. we
must organize"
And they did organize. Next day Smith
announced in the lobby of the principal ho-
tel at Topeka that the next Congressman
from the Seventh District must have red
hair. The political experts exploited the
Idea, and the red-haired men of the Seventh
District. regardless of politics or prejudices.
took the matter semiseriously and became
enthusiastic over 1t.
As the campaign progressed Murdock's
chance became bright. Every red-headed
Republican in the district worked strenu-
ously to be made a delegate. and when the
good 20 per cent of its members had red
hair, and one of the most remarkable
Cured. Murdoch was nominated on the
first ballot against nineteen other candi-
dates.
Fred Dumont Smith Withdrew from the
race and threw his support to Murdoch and
a stampede followed the like Of which had
never heen seen in the State.
To show his recognition of the men who
he felt had brought about his nomination
Nj. Murdock's first &C, was the designation
of Judge Thomas c. Wilson of Sedgwick
Connty-a red-haired man-to be bis cam
paign manager and committee chairman.
He also appointed a red-haired stenographer
for campaign headquarters.
Chairman Wilson at once set to work to
recognize red-haired local workers in every
precinct. Fred Dold., son of the Buffalo.
\. Y: packer. a red-haired Democrat, was
the first to contribute to the campaign
fund, sending his check for 800.
FROM FAMOUS STOCK.
Young Murdock-he is now only 32-came
| from a stock famous in Kansas. His IA
Their was a printer on the Herald of Free
dom when Quantrell made the raid on Law
renee that ended in the historic massacre.
Quantrell's gang chased him to a well.
where he caught hold of the rope and slid
| down. Several shots were fired into the
we'll at him, but none hit him.
Victor Murdock's mother. who is a niece
of one of the early Governors of Maryland,
was a very handsome young woman. and
when the war broke out she rode on horse
back over Douglas: County. personally in
citing the patriotism of young men to a de-
Tense of the Kansas border. She was then
but II years old. Only three men IN her
| county-the Postmaster. a preacher and a
cripple-failed to enlist for service in de-
tense of Kansas.
The new Congressman was on the plat
form in the convention hall when Jerry
Simpson was first nominated for Congress.
and 1t was he who conceived the fiction of
| Simpsons antipathy to socks. He printed a
story about 1t in his fathers paper next
dubbed The Sockless Socrates of Kansas"
1t was he. also. who conceived the idea of q
Government lottery for the disposition of
the lands of the kfowa. Comanche and
Apache Indians in Oklahoma to white set
tiers. His plan was adopted by the Govern
ment.
Murdoch was invited to a reception given
BY President Diaz in Mexico two years ago,
and not until he was in the presence of the
dictator did he realize that he had forgotten
his collar.