Omaha daily bee., 1905-10-29
SAGE Or MEDICINE LODGE"
Anecdotes of the Career Of Jerry simpsou
Of KansaG
TRAITS OF A REL ROUGH DIAMOND
Victim Of n Jest Tossed Into Congress
ny a Tidal wave-TiIts with
various Members of the
Lower House.

declaration of principles OF the peO-
piy 81 independent party formulated in the
Omaha platform of 1892 brought 20 national
attention a score Of aggressive charac-
ters, many Of them diamonds In the
rough. One Of the brightest in the lot was
the late Jerry Simpson Of Kansas, or
"Sockless Jerry" as he was called In the
heydey Of popuism He was remarka-
bile American. though not a native of the
United States. having been born IN New
Brunswick. He entered congress on the
crest OF a political tidal wave, and it is
an odd coincidence that the first compli-
inentary notice of him TO be found in print
was in connection with storm. Il reads:
Barge J. H. Rutter, Commander Jerry
Simpson, towed TO steamer II. V. Ketcham,
left port for Chicago 18th of October. 1878;
storm of Point Betsey and parted from
Ketcham s1st; anchored OF Luddington
leaking badly; severe storm from south
west November /; foundered; crew rescued
by life saving station of Point Betsey;
cargo, 4e,24s bushels OF corn. 1880 bushels
rye"
Commander Jerry Simpson received great
praise for his skill as sailor, especially
while In command Of the Rutter and other
vessels owned by Curtis & Bralnard OF
Toledo. But this shipwreck let him out.
He abandoned the raging main of the lakes
and located in Windy Kansas, wnere he
became the rage for a time, passing from
the iimelight of politics into obscurlty and
recently into the valley of eternal shadows.
Friend of Tom Reed.
Now In kind of post-mortem spirit they
are telling stories of the career of the
Sage OF Medicine Lodge" They are tell
ing OF brilliant career Swallowed by the
"Sockless" jest, OF 8 man who enjoyed the
friendship Of Speaker Tom Reed to an ex-
tent equalled by few men Of Reeds own
party.
VIII you tell me-" said Reed in his
drawl to Simpson one day, why you are a
populist7"
For the same reason" said Simpson,
that you are a republican. majority Of
the people of our respective districts are Of
our way Of thinking"
From that time forward Reed was the
stanch friend OF Simpson. There is an
other story Of Simpson which is going the
rounds II demonstrates further how he
stood with Reed. and also where his heart
was upon occasion.
Simpson, wanted a private pension bill
passed. Previously he had been opposing
pension legislation. This particular bill
did not have a favorable report, but he
went to the speaker. Mr. Reed about it
and told him the bill affected the fortunes
of a poor old widow down in Kansas.
why" said Reed, do you want this bill
passed when you have been opposing pen
sion legislation during this session, es-
peclally such bill as this, which comes In
without a favorable report?"
There are thirty reasons why I support
this BILL" replied Jerry. THE first one is
that the woman needs the money. / have
forgotten the other twenty-nine."
Jerry got recognition and the bill passed
Tits with Political Foes.
When Jerry took his seat In congress
the other members were inclined to re-
gard him as a fashion of clown. He quickly
broke them Of that habit. House men soor
learned that they must be careful where
they took hold Of Jerry, and how they
picked him up. They couldn't stroll up &c
his cage and grope around and pull Jerry
out by the foreleg. OF the ear, or the side
OF the face. Two or three who essayeC
something OF this sort were sadly crushed
Payne of New York was making
tariff speech one day. Jerry asked him
question he couldn't answer. Payne, how
ever, was cut by the question and made
retort at once evasive and patronizlng.
'Tf were inclined to be rude, Mr.
Speaker" said Payne, ira answer tine gen
tieman's very foolish query by asking hin
II his ancestors were monkeys.
''In which event." replied Jerry, surveying
Payne with calm phlegm, IT should repl.
as did the elder Dumas when Frencl
fool asked him the same question. l shou
tell you Yes. Your family ends wher
mine began
This may illustrate the quick humor o
Jerry. He was being urged 20 offer
resolution 10 name a commission 70 NEE
with a similar body from England an
consider how far It would be PRACTICABLE
10 put a price on Canada and other Brit
ish possessions in America and buy ther
as we did Alaska.
i've no hesitation about offering tn
resolution" said Jerry. with laugh. "by
when do I know what they'll say"
what comment could be nader"
why" said Jerry, II was born in Ne
Brunswick. and as soon as offer the RESI-
luton howl will go Up, See that dam
fool He's trying to buy his birthplaC
and make II American ground, so as
crawl under the constitution put up again