The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-31

dinner when Frank and l reached his residence. The folding doors between the parlor and dining room were thrown open and as soon as General Pettus knew that l was there he came in and after a cordial greeting he sat down to listen to what ] had to say. He threw open the eastern windows 10 his pur1or, the stately old magnolia making Q cool shade. and looking out Into his garden he re- maine1 perfectly quiet while I went over the plan that Frank had mapped out for me. After talking about fifteen minutes Prank came in. and looking his father straight in the face, remarked: Father, I know what Jim is talking to you about and 1 agree with him that If you will run for governor you can go from there to the Senate.'
 Wanted the Honor.
 General Pettus remained silent for a space of several minutes. except for he fact that he had a chew of tobacco in his mouth, all the time his eyes looking out on his beautiful rose garden, he being fond of flowers. He finally turned to us and said: You are my son and know you have my future at heart. the other ia my friends, and l am equally convinced that you are as sincere in your motives as Frank. but I would not have the office of governor if 1t were handed to me on a silver platter, for the next governor Is going to have rough sailing. And then he thought a few more seconds and said impressively: I know that l am getting old and that I have not a great many more years to live, and nothing would please me more than to end my days serving my people in the Senate of the United States. Now, you boys take the matter in hand, and
 
 will rGn-but at my age I cannot af- fora to be defeated.".
 Desired the Honor.
 That was the first announcement that ever crossed General Pettus lips that he would be in the race for the Senate franN and l talked the matter over many time after that and we pulled in har- mony. He put his great influence to work il the state to rally about him his host oi friends, and before the race had heen on three months 1t was a foregone conclusion that General Pettus would be elected to the Unitet States Senate to fill the place then occupied by Senator Pugh. General Pettus was an exceed ingly timtd man when if came to push ing his own claims before the people and l very much doubt If he ever would have found out what a warm place he held in the affections of the democracy of Alabama If John F. Burns had not made the suggestion to write that article, and I am firmly of the belief that from that small beginning General Pettus found out how popular he was with the people. and it resulted In his going to the United States Senate, position which he filled with the greatest credit to his people, and laid himself down to sleep with the affectionate regard of every man, woman and child in the state who had ever heard his name.
 "He was al lovable a woman in disposition and 1t was in his family that the true greatness of the man was shown to greater degree than anywhere else. Frank Pettus sacrificed his own desire to be governor of Alabama in order to let his father go to the Senate.
 The above Is a true account of how General Pettus got Into the race for the Senate John Burns and Frank Pettus have gone and now General Pettus has followed to join them on the other shore"