The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1907-01-15
SENATOR WITH INDIAN BLOOlI
Charles Curtis, Of Kansas, Was
Once a Jockey.
Era.N Hack and Peddlcd Before He
Co. His Start-Steady Rise
in Politics.

Washington, D. Congressman
Charles Curtis, Of Kansas, named for
Senator by the Republican caucus, is
a sure-enough native son. His
mother was a full-blooded Kaw In
dian, and he will be the first of his
race to sit in the United States SEN
ate. He is strictly self-made man.
In two weeks he will be forty-seven
years old.
Curtis began life in Shawnee Coun-
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 $4,000 in cash prizes in the
speed ring.
Floral Hall, Machinery Hall and
the Art Gallery were deserted one
afternoon for the white rail that
marked the race course One of the
entries was known to most of the
crowd as crazy horse. who bolted
at a certain spot on the track. A
new rider was handling the bolter
that afternoon--a little fellow with
coal-black, straight hair, flashing
eyes and the high cheekbones of an
indian. The rider lad been borrowed
from another stable
Off in bunch they went at the
crack of the pistol When the dark
skinned boy and his crazy mount
reached the dangerous point on the
course, the boiling place, there was
a short, sharp struggle. The morse
was conquered, and sped on with the
others, under the lash. Half around
and then there was another struggle
and a spill. Boy and horse landed
in laundering heap against the high
board fence When the dust was
cleared away the little fellow was
picked up unconscious, covered with
dust and blood A long cash lay
across his head That boy was Char
ley Curtis. To-day he bears the scars
AS he grew up he ran a peanut
stand for time, and then took to
hack driving. Most of the schooling
he got he gave himself, studying at
nome at such odd moments as he
could find 1t was while working as
a cab driver that he began the study
OF law. He read in the Office of To-
Deka lawyer, and was admitted to the
bar when he was only twenty-one
Immediately he was taken into part
nership with Mr. Case, the man in
whose Office he had studied. and con-
tinued the partnership for three
years, until he was elected County
Attorney
After two terms in that Office Mr.
Curtis formed the Congressional
habit and has kept it up ever since.
He was elected to the Sixtieth House
last fall, that being his eighth straight
election. In the House his most con-
spicuous service has been on the
Committee on Indian Affairs. He
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 the
allotment in severalty of the lands
and moneys of the five civilized tribes
wound up the communal affairs, of
$1,000 Indians. AS a member of the
Kaw tribe he obtained allotments for
himself and children aggregating
more than 5000 acres in Oklahoma.
He is a sturdy, well-built man, his
Indian blood showing in his straight
hosS VI sure do WSH % III MS pldCh
eyes and swarthy complexion He
has a fine voice and is : ready
speaker
To-day 1T of His tribe live in In
dian Territory, 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 to the council chamber. and
his voice is listened to with great re-
spect by the older members of the
tribe. They are proud of him. To-
day their affection has advanced
MANY marks