The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1908-02-16
"uneIe Bill" Cross.

A visit to Guthrie would never
seem quite complete without call
on Secretary of state William Cross,
whose name is familiar in every
household in the new state, and We
might say in the Southwest, 50
much is he loved by the people in
this Southland.
On "A recent visit to the capital
Col Sidney Suggs had this pleasure,
and so graciously was he received
by this venerable gentleman that
he came home enthusiastic over his
reception. ON the morning after he
returned. he dropped into the sane
tum of the society scr.bbler, where
he is always most welcome visitor,
and told us the story. So interested
were we in this wellknown charac-
ter, though one we have never seen,
we are sure that space in the so
cial column dedicated to him Will
not be amiss, as he is a favorite one
i'm the social as well as the political
world priding himself on having re,
ceived more invitations to entertaiD'
ments and social functions than any
man in the new state, yet he is still
a bachelor. He is perhaps the best
known of the state officials to the
citizens OF Oklahoma. He bears the
soubriquet of Uncle Bill lie was
soldier in the Confederate army at
thirteen, and is now the youngest
Confederate veteran living. He was
a pioneer commercial trayeler-go
ing through the red mans land when
railroads We're scarce, stages few
and often shanks' pony acceptable,
when danger faced the white man on
every turn, when the DaltOns and
the James and the Christians in
tested this country. Never did the
musket or the rifle, the winchester
or the bow with the flinted arrow
daunt this young Iochinyar; and
since the days OF yore, shy Cupid's S
darts have ever been pointing his
way. none seemingly to have brought
the game.
We could write volumes, but for
fear of embarrassing our unknown
friend we will be reentful.
Col. Cross was elected to congress
7 in 1902, hut never seated, the Aus
tralian ballot being used and the
republicans being in power, he was
thrown out in an election contest
When we were clamoring for state
hood and for democratic delegates
to the constitutional cOnvntiOn, this
gentleman was in the foremost ranks
speaking for democratic nominees
lie was the only democrat whose
name was mentioned for secretar!
of state at the primaries. Whel
statehood was celebrated, he wa
quite i'll, being unable to attend th'
inaugural ceremonies i'm Guthrie IL
was given the oath of Office in hi
room, too weak to stand, but in
sisted that he be held on his feet
saying, the people of Oklahoma
their secretary" his friends hope
less as to his ever being able I
perform these new sworn duties Co
NBn" is now costly Quartered a
the lone in Guthrie, occupyingG
comfortable suite of rooms, In thes
apartments are herlooms, rare fu
nishings, art bits, bric-a-brac, SOU
enirs and war relics all gifts {
friends, and pictures galore, shoy
ing the character of the occupan
The walls have been converted int
vertable art gallery of great me
of our country. The greatest OF OF
Southern heroes greet you on ente
ing. and the man who saved ii
battle of Bull Run for the South
"Old Hickory"-in a small fran
little though he is loud Hon. WI
Jennings Bryan, the recognized lea
er of the greatest political par
on earth, smiles at you. While CO
Cross has thousands of friends who
pictures could adorn his rooms,
finds space for his political opp
nents whose characters he admire
and in this galaxy of portrait
two Of our martyred presiden
Abraham Lincoln and VIM. Mex
ley are recognized. "The Sage
Monticello" and the first govern
of the new state of Oklahoma a
conspicuous. jeff Davis, president
the Southern COnfederacy, and G'
eral L. S. Grant are in the bun'
There is a large picture OF Ca
John Threadgill, his lifelong friei
and the Colonel himself is CT
federate uniform. "Fightlng JC