The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-07-22

Jerry Simpson is a Canadian by
birth and for years before he came to
Kansas he was a sailor on the great
lakes. Back in the eighties he settled
was as Kansan that he became
known throughout the nation He
moved to Roswell, N. M, several years
ago, but he is still regarded as a Kan
san by most of the nation
Mr.. Simpson was reelected to con-
gress from the Big Seventh in 1892,
but was defeated in 1894. He was
again elected in 1896, but lost in 1898.
Four or five years ago he moved to
New Mexico and located at Roswell,
where he has been engaged in the land
business. OF late years he has af-
filiated with the Democratic party,
and it has been expected that he
would be a Democratic candidate for
United States senator if New Mexico
were admitted into the Union.
1t is said that the Simpson family can
trace its origin back to the time of Will
liam the ConquerOr. One of Williams S
trusted henchmen was Sims Frazier,
who settled near Aberdeen, Scotland,
where he became head of a clan known
as Sims Sons, easily corrupted later in
to the name of Simpson.
Jerry Simpsons father was a saw
mill owner and sailor on Prince Ed
wards Island. When Jerry was small
boy, the family moved to Upper Can
ada. At IA Jerry left home and became
COOK on a lake steamer. Afterwards ne
was mate of one of the large lake sailing
vessels. At the outbreak of the war he
enlisted with the 18th Illinois infantry.
After three months service he was dis
charged on account of disability and re-
Sumed the life of sailor. In 1864 he
was captain of big sailing vessel, and
continued this occupation for Is years.
In 1878 his ship, the j. H. Rutler, en-
countered a terrific gale and was wreck
ed mead Ludington, Mich. On this oc-
| cir ant INN G11n cd
great personal bravery. Through his
efforts every man on board was saved.
In the same year, Simpson made a trip
to Kansas, and was so impressed with
the country that he decided to abandon
the sailors life, and settle on a ranch in
Jackson county. He brought considera-
BILE money with him to Kansas, but had
| bad crops and hard luck In 1888 he
| moved to Medicine Lodge in Barber
county, and was on the verge of bank
ruptcy.
Simpsons first political move was in
| 1886 when he secured the nomination for
| representative from Barber county on
the Union Labor ticket, and was defeat
ed. In 1888 he arranged fusion of the
Union Labor and Democratic parties
and again ran for representative. He
| was again beaten. In 1900 he was a del
egate to the Farmers Alliance Con-
gressional convention in the Seventh
district. That district was a Ia, 1000 Re-
publican district, and the Alliance lead
ers did not expect victory. They NOM
mated Simpson for congress. and he
| proved to be a good campaigner. He
soon realized that he had a tremendous
| " powerful backing, in spite of his lack
/ of money. Simpson in one of his
| speeches made the remark that if times
got much harder the farmers would be
| unable to buy socks. Opposition papers
took this up and dubbed Simpson
| ..Sockless Jerry" Simpson turned the
phrase to his own advantage, and by
| election time, no man was so much
talked and written about in the state
as "Sockless jerry When the votes
were counted it was found that Simpson
had won by 5000 majority.
In the house of representatives Simp-
son made a good record. He dressed
modestly, but well, and was one of the
men who was listened to when he talk
ed In a little while he was the recog-
nized leader of the third party in the
| house.
Simpson was three times elected to
congress from the Seventh district and
twice defeated.
| The health of the former congressman
has been poor for some years. In 1900
| he left Kansas and for time was at
Kansas City. Later he moved to the
new town of Roswell. N. NJ, and had
conducted large real estate and immi-
grafton business in that town. He has
never been in politics since leaving Kan
sas.