The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-02-06
SENATOR WITH MDIANBLO0I
Charles Curtis, Of Kansas, Was
Once a Jockey.
DTo:~ 7 Hack and PeddIed Before BE
Cot His start-Steady Rise
IN Politics.

ShGAASS SollAsS OI AaRSdS, udultu ZOE
Senator by the Republican caucusy IS
a s~ure-enough native SON. His
mother was a full-bIooded Kaw IN
dian, and he will be the first of his
race to Sit in the United States Sem
ate. He is strictly a self-made man.
In two weeks he will be forty-seven
years old.
Curtis began life in Shawnee oun-
ty, Kan, where North Topeka NOW
stands, and earned his first money In
the days OF the old Kansas City Inter-.
State Fair Association, when SPIDER
web tides, embroidered table covers.
and pumpkins divided interest with;
the $10,000Sfn cash prizes In the
speed ring.
Floral Han, Machinery Hail and
afternoon for the white rail- that
marked the race course. One OF the
entries was known TO most sof The
crowd as aGcrazyEhorSe, who boIted
at azcertain spot 9oh3fhe track. a.,
new rider was handling the bofter
that Afternoons little fellow with
coal-black, Rstraight hair,ylfashing
eyes and the high cheekbones OF an
indian. The rider iad8been borrowed
from another stable.
OF in a bunch they weltsat the
crack Of the pistol When tie dark
skinned boy and his crazy mount
reached the dangerous point on the
course. the boiling plaeey-there was
a short sharp struggle The Horse
was conquered. and sped on with the
others, under the LASH Half around
and then there was another struggle
and q SPILL: Boy aud horse landed
in a laundering heap against the high
board fence. Wien, the dust was
cleared away the little fellow wasi
picked no unconscious, covered with
dust aud blood A long cash lay
across his head. That BOY waa Char
ley Curtis. To-day ebsars the SCARF.
AS he grew up he ran a peanut
stand for time, and then took TO
lack driving. Most of the schooling
he got he. gave himself, studying at
home at such odd moments as he
could fnd.g&It wasywhiief working as
a cab driver that he began the study
Of law Hersadsin thesofice OF asTp-
peka lawyer; and was admitted to the
bar when he was only fwenty-one.
Immediately he was taken into part
nership with Mr.. Case. the mani TN
whose ofics he had studied. and cons
tinued the partnership for TIRES
years, until he was elected County
Attorney.
After two terms in that Office Mr..
Curtis formed the Congressional
habit and has keptait up eyer since.
He was elected to the Sixts.eth Houss
last fall, ghiseighth straight
election. In the House his most COM
spicuous service has been on tho
Committee on Indian Affairs. HsE
was recognized as the House author-
lty on Indian matters, although not
the Chairman of the committee. His
bill, known as the Curtis act, for tho
allotment In severalty of the lands
and moneys of the five civilized tribes
wound up the communal affairsfof
$4,000 Indians. AS a member OF tho
Kaw tribe he obtained allotments for
himself and children 6aggregatiniy
more than 5000 acres In Oklahoma.
ne ID d StuEuyt wei puliI n6u, AAS
Indian blood showingtin his straight
ness Of figure as we'll as in his black
eyes and swarthy complexioa. He
has a fine voice and is > ready
speaker.
To-day lit Of his tribe live in In
dian Territory, a few miles below
Arkansas City. Every September
during the season of their tribal fes-
tivities, Curtis goes to visit them.
Much ceremony, much rejoicing,
greets him. Feasting and dancing
are INDUCED In. He is always adj
mitted tt, the council chamber, and
his voice is listened to with great res
spect by the older members OF the
tribe, They are proud Of him. To-
day their affection HASH advanced
many marks. lgk