davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23
How Sulzer Missed BIG Fortune.

Congressman William Sulzer OF
New York, who attended the Demo
cratic convention, might have been
multimillionaire had he been a little
bit more observing one time when he
was 81 years old. 1t was in the sum-
mer of 1884. Congressman Sulzer had
just graduated from the law depart
ment of Columbia. He heard that a
United States army expedition was to
do some exploring in Alaska and he
secured permission to accompany the
soldiers. Under the command of Lieut.
Schwatka the expedition explored and
made maps all the way from what is
now St Michaels up the Yukon to a
point IS miles above the present site
of Dawson For some time the party
camped at Dawson's present site. They
weren't thinking of gold and therefore
didn't find any.
Had | only known what was lying
around loose up there" said Congress
man Sulzer. Il might have made my
self fabulously wealthy In after years
some OF the richest placer gold de-
posits In the world were found within
stones throw of the place where
we camped. Yes. sir. ! might now be
playing golf with John ID, Rockefeller"
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23
Tn. "kanaaroo Court"

The kangaroo court was one OF
the features OF the convention II is
"a organization established by ~AlfAi
"a BIZ Murray 81 Oklahoma aud held
forth in the lobby OF the Brown Pal
ace hotel. With the backs OF the seats
IN the ruiunda for the bench Of the
honorable court Everybody had TO
subscribe To Bryan and Bryan Demo-
racy. The prisoners we're rushed 20
the foo; Of the bench aud we're then In
tsrroEated BY the court as 10 their
fstasss 10 Be = delegate in the couven.
ton. Usually Eve Judges shouted a;
the prisoner atone and the same time
Some % the hottest Arguments held
in the Convention were pulled OF BY
tie kangaroo court II the subject
under consideration finally gave In be
was a; once promoted 10 a seat on the
bench and permitted 10 crossexamine
other recAlcitrants. On the other hand.
II be downed the court in the arKu-
ments the Jury. which usually consist
&c Of 200 or more struggling delegates.
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23
Clayton Nearly Lost Flowers.

Permanent Chairman Henry d. Clay
ton came near not getting any roses
when he took his seat on the speak
er's platform on the day the perman-
ent organization was effected.
1t appears there are a dozen or IF.
teen former residents of Alabama in
Denver and the day before they had
expended $50 on a great bunch of
American beauty roses as a token of
their friendship and regard for the
distinguished southerner
They took the flowers down to the
auditorium, but Congressman Clay
ton wasn't made permanent chairman
that day. In the wild cheering that
followed the mention OF Mr.. Bryan's
name the Alabama man to whom the
roses had been intrusted pulled them
to pieces In his excitement, and the
ribbon, which had cost IS, resembled
dish rag when ii came down to earth.
But the sons of Alabama were on
hand at the opening OF the conven-
ton on the third day with another
bunch of American beauties and at
the proper time gave them to Con-
gresham Clayton.
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23

Amt 1t awful. awful. Mabel" sad
~ asked Harry 4. Insley. commission
er OF supplies. OF group of politicians
seated In the mayors Office before the
convention met.
Il am ruined man" he continued.
as he opened little black pocketbook.
See this list of 500 lieutenants-good
workers. too-and only $50 tickets to
go around | wish were out In the
woods somewhere"
This was the general trend OF con.
versation when a stranger happened
In and Col. John st John Irby. the
mayors private secretary, began see
ing that the stranger was formally
introduced all around The gallant
colonel purposely passed up Col D. A.
Barton. fire commissioner. until last.
when he said:
And this is Col Barton. who holds
the place OF fre commissioner on the
side-you know his main proposition
is the cigar business"
D you. colonel, I suspected
you were going TO work your old
trick" answered the official as he emp
tied every pocket to treat the crowd.
and the stranger said. That's a nice
free smoke"
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23

eyes filled with tears of emotion. laid
one hand In that OF her brother. VIII
liam Bryan. Jr.. and with the other
tried weakly to keep her small nag
waving. while the guests In her box.
drifting into the mob spirit. were car
ried away by It's enthusiasm.
Across the aisle OF the section that
came 10 be known as the convention
holy OF holes" because OF the social
prominence and exclusiveness OF It's
occupants, Alice Roosevelt Longworth.
occupying the Roger Sullivan boz.
wearing q stunning dinner gown OF
white lace and some magnificent
jewels. looked OF rather disdainfuiiy
At what. according to her expression,
must have been q "wild.eyed" proceed
ing, and chatted amusediy with her
guests. including Mrs. Medili Mecor'
mick. Miss Corinne Robinson and Mr..
and Mrs. Joseph Letter.
Mr.. and Mrs. Longworth had as good
a time as any Democrat at the conyen
ton. They attended the sessions and
were deeply interested. All efforts
TO draw from either anything like a
comparison between the Denver and
Chicago convention was futile. They
would not talk politics.
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23

Gov. Haskell OF Oklahoma il moth
Ing II not informal AZ chairman Of
the committee on resolutions he was
the only member o. that committee TO
take OF his coat and vest when Get
ting do~n 20 business Furthermore
he was backed up by the widest dele
cation that ever broke loose In .
c0nvertion Oklahomans declare there
were iully 1890 people from their
state al the convention II IL certain
that they made themselves the most
numerous persunageS IN Denver 10
their midst wers the lonEsst aud loud
est takers. the most enthusiastic and
irr.psesElbis Indians IN the convcn,
ti0a They wure always on the job
night and day They WeFe for Bryan
10 man. aad they iksd the sound Of
the comb nation ~ harmony and Vic
tors They sang that phrase al Ssv
York ~the hiE brother 81 the bab
state. wlth uBcesSing ferVor.
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23
In the Bones.

The hundreds OF women who attend
ed the long session which ended Ia the
nomination Of William J. Bryan for
the presidency plainly showed
III. effect OF the prolonged strain and
excitement
An night hundreds 81 women
watched the progress 81 the nominal.
suv sp.echea. the cheering and the
bRligtlnE. Brilliant with gown and
gem. feYered Nith emotion bright
eyed with excitement. they hykterlcal-
IN waved Gags yeiiz. handkerchief.
hands. hats. standards aud eashsons.
whsr Iguauas } Damn. the bomely
Omaha lawyer. brought osfore the
caaveatlon ths name Of cur eandi
date"
Mrs. Dunn. herself guest In the
boz Of Mrs. Bird ColeT. exchanged con
slant glaures with her husband The
moment be named the peerless Lead
er. she Enaiekea her Tag from her
chair. leaned far over the box and tgri.
oasiy waved the banner. her face
Blaming With smiles and her eyes
fearful from excitement
Near b. Ruth Brgan Lsstitt. hs'
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23

vention. and while the municipality OF
Denver was generous to the point Of
prodigality. the subscribers to the
100000 did not lose sight of the fact
that they were entitled to q rich re-
turn on the investment. and they
got IT,
Some OF the prices would strain the
financial backbone OF a Pittsburg mil.
lionaire. A man with a good husky
appetite found that every day tore a
big hole in his bank roll The walters
Of the hotels and large restaurants
entered the get-rich-quick conspiracy.
They managed To arrange IL every
time so that a quarter was the small.
est coin In the change, and IL naturally
went as tip.
Denver had q special committee to
keep prices down and prevent exor-
bitant charges. but the dispensers Of
meals were evidently immune.
As a result the telegraph companies
did a big business handling urgent
messages. sent by delegates. alter
mates and visitors. to their homes beg
ging for more money.
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23

he has tit is in him. and he can't
help It. This is how | know:
When the big chairman OF the big
convention stepped of the train. direct
from Indiana, and his eyes caught
glimpse OF the snow capped mountain
peak that Zebulon Pike brought here
from the Louisiana French grant and
planted near the great Manitou. he
the big chairman from Indiana
opened wide his mouth and spake:
20 mighty, towering mountain peak.
with crest OF snowy white
I would that ] might win thy heart
And take thee home tonight.
Yes to my Indiana home.
where flows the Wabash still
where sweat and dust and beat are rife.
And nsas bite fit 10 Kill.
think Ia like to plunge into
Thy snowy crest and lie
In frigid rapiurer. TN ! heard
Come, Tom. It's time to die"
This "frigid rap,ures" Ia new one
out west. but TO those who had oeca-
sion 70 watch the chairman In hls
strenuous efforts 10 be everywhere and
see every body at the same and one
time. better realize what hot time
he had from the time Of landing until
the gavel dropped in convention ball.
Tom Taggsrt seemed TO be the hinge
upon which the tuFnstlie Of Democracy
swung He was the man who had
sat upon the lid since the last conven-
tion and had held the guyropes OF the
big tent In place. To him was given
~. hanor Of calling to order such an
assembly as had never before been
seen within the intsrmountain region.
No wonder he sweat. Yes, sweat. even
In this high altitude. and that means
there must have been activity. but
amid Il all he found time To write
poetry. and at the close Of the oonsen-
ton he wrote this on his cur and
handed II 10 me
| s'yeur mountains tower 80 tho sky
They'rs mammoth grand aud tall
/ But not ous-hAf 80 big. my zon,
As the Bryan vote this tAl
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23
Didn't Want to See Auditorium.

On the day before the convention
opened, in the lobby of the Albany ho-
tel was a girl behind a counter selling
tickets to the concert with which the
auditorium. where the convention was
held. was formally opened. A man
stepped in front of the counter to wait
for a friend who was downstairs get
ting shine.
Buy ticket to the opening Of the
auditorium" asked the girl.
Guess not" replied the man.
Don't you want to see the interior
OF Denver's fine new, big building?"
No"
DO you live In Denver"
Yes"
Well" said the girl, sternly, You
don't seem to show much interest in
the town. Aren't you fooling? Don't
you really want TO see the inside OF
the auditorium"
NO. | don't" said the man. I've
been working in that building for the
past six months. ! know almost every
brick In It."
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23
How campau Rested His Lee..

Denver's altitude. and likewise its
"attitute." were hard on the dele
gates legs. Seats in the hotel Hobbies
were at a premium, and there were
usually long waiting lists on every
seat, each prospective occupant keep
ing an eagle eye on the corners with
view TO inserting his legs into them
as soon as the occupant moved an
inch. d. J. Campau of Michigan hit
upon scheme that brought him a
seat every time he tried IT, He would
walk up TO an onlooker. who would
be fiattered by the attention, ard
inquire: Who is that up there in the
balcony" The party addressed gener-
ally jumped to his feet, stepped out a
yard or SO. and squared of for look.
when Campau would composedly drop
into the chair, having lost all interest
In his inquiry. The bystanders laughed
SO loudly at the trick thar the loser
had to give up gracefully.
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23
oIdes. Delegates on Hand

A. ]. Hunter. congressman from
Paris, III, was probably the oldest
delegate who attended the conven-
ton. He has seen 50 variegated sum
mers and as many winters he didn't
look il and he didn't act II. He ar
rived early and stayed until the big
show was ali over He found an old
companion in the person Of Charles Z.
Griffith. and they saw Denver togeth-
er. Griffith had hoped 10 get away
from his past record. but his sin found
him our-he was in politics back in
Illinois. but some time ago he took
a solemn vow TO never again follow
the purple~eyed alligator Of political
hope. Selah.
Yes. said Congressman Hunter,
"Griflth and I were in some pretty
warm political campaigns back In
Paris. and | tell you he Is a hustler
when you get him warmed up ! used
to take him along with me 10 kiss the
babies while I talked TO the men
And the ola rrv r-pSSrrau chuckled
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23
Couldn't Get In.

One OF the most picturesque ngures
OF the convention couldn't get into
convention hall Mt the Tuesday morn
ing session
They cali him ''Oid Kaintuck." and
he came 90 Denver with the ST. Joseph.
Mo. marching club. He walked 600
miles behind wheelbarrow once on
an election bet.
He's an old man. nearly so. with q
gray beard reaching half way down to
his waist. wears battered silk hat.
and had on his convention clothes
made entirely OF bunting. cut after the
fashion OF the Uncle Sam cartcatures
Some wag had written upon n card
the directions to an entrance that did
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23
Thirty-Sis Feet Of Boys.

Former Gov. Francis and Augustus
Thomas, the playwright. met in the
Savoy hotel lobby, and addressed each
other like two characters out OF the
comic supplement.
Hello. Dave" said Mr.. Thomas
Why. hello, Gus" replied Mr.. Fran.
els
You're looking mighty fine. Dave"
said Mr.. Thomas. I'm glad to see 1t
al your age"
Well, Gus, ought to look fine" re-
piled Mr. Francis, Il don't do q
thing"
Mr.. Thomas then asked about the
Francis family and the former govern
or said: DO You know. I've got SO
feet OF Francis boys In my family
There are six boys and every one OF
them is six feet tall
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23
Col. J. Ham. Dodeed Speech Calls.

Col. James Hamilton Lewis OF Chi
cago Is a wise colonel The conven-
ton had habit, during moments when
there was nothing else to do. OF call
ing upon different notables to speak.
That honor was accorded Lewis during
the wait for the platform committees
report. At the same time there were
cries for other men to speak That
was the colonels tip. He didn't want
to go on the platform to speak and get
Hobsonized-not kissed by the ladies'.
far be II from this-but Hobsonized in
different way-the way the crowd
handled Capt. Richmond Pearson Hob
son Of Merrimac fame and the much
kissed seaman when he tried to tell
them Of the war with Japan. They
hooted and Kissed. but Hobson dis
played a sample Of that same nerve
that served him at Santiago and I'm
ished his speech. Nothing like that
for J. Ham
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23
Stories by Judge Wade.

Judge Martin ]. Wade. in a speech
before the convention, on nominating
night. told couple OF good ones.
which wore on some Of the monotony
and helped keep the spectators awake.
He said the promises OF the Republi-
can party reminded him OF a story.
This was ii: a boy was promised
a horse IL he would get up early every
morning during the winter and chop
wood. The boy did It and when his
task was over he asked for his re-
ward. His father handed him two
mince pies. so that when the boy had
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23

eaten them he might have the night
mare
That was only one He told this
one as well. on Vice Presidential Nom
inee James Sherman.
Il was at a meeting In Chicago some
time ago where the speaker introduced
sherman like this:
~ have the honor to introduce TO
you James Sherman Who II James
Sherman Who In he, | say. Who is
James sherman
a small boy on a back seat plped
up and said III bite-who ia Sam
Nm IL Sherman
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23
Nuggets.

Mix me ~ a little whisky. absiuthg
nnd Worcesterahire sauce" said a.,
thirsty delegate 10 the bartender r.
ordinary times this voald have cause
q rsut. bat the gentlcmaniy haTteae
ers became ussd 20 strange cot
roctlons
The delegate smaeked his lips ar
walked cut
4 wonder whA, tina, Is good for
said he bartender
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23
wasns Afraid

woman's courage IL Of a most ua-
,ertAiu quantity A friend % mine
sAs two beautiful horses. While dTiv.
ing with his wife. one of them BE-
came frightened and ran s~sy Never
since that time. has hiS wife set foot
In the carriage or the barn. but last
week a nssEhbog induced her 10 hold
a swarm Of bees thA, he bad lssl Gu,
from a tree. while be climbed the
fence and took them from her Aad
abe wasn't 4 biz scared
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23
Tom TEaaart . Poet.

No one would have suspected that
Tom Taggart-big, openfaced. yet reso-
lutte Tom OF lndiana--had a streak
OF sentiment in bis makeup that would
burst and bloom into a sunny sonnet.
sweet. touching and rhythmical But
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23
Bell and hia Winery.

Congressman Theodore Bell OF Cali
fornia was the early bird booked for
temporary chairman of the convention.
He sailed in from Lincoln on a hand
car and the swishing wings of the
Fraternal Order of Eagles, and
brought several casks OF the unfer-
mented grape Juice OF the California
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23
Nrr,Wl1,e,4.=,
h,xs pity On IN. r.seher.

II boys would oHiy learn algebra
history and the res; as easily as they
learn batting Averages and the stand
inE Of the baseball clubs in tine for the
Herald trophies. how much easier the
lot OF the sehoolteAches woaid be-
y Y Herald
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23

would rend the air with loud shouts
for Bryan. Johnson or some other
wholly innocent party.
New York and Minnesota delegates
were the especial prey OF the court.
the sessions OF which ran as long as
two hours at a time.
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23
Eagle Bell Brought His Drinks with
Him.

grape with him. He said he had heard
this altitude is so high that the foam
wouldn't rise on beer and he didn't
want any OF his friends to suffer. And
besides" said Bell, this is the juice
that invigorates. stimulates and per
another.
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23
a.,tinn Monsn Fror hterne.

There were loud cheers when Mar
tin W Lttletop. 10 his brief speech
before the convention. referred to the
thrift and enterprise OF Denver In It's
treatment Of delegates. DeHveriiss
cheered the utterance as a o0mpli-
ment. but others chesred ii as meian'
choly tribute to the emptiness Of their
pocketbooks-
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23
D DEMOCRACY
NVER CONVENTION
tic Scenes Mark the
s of the Gathering.
ling Mob of Delegates and Visitors
I'd to Week End---The Interesting
|11 1Gn md Sidelights That Were Gath
q 6d During the Big Meeting.

about in the years to come. are the
little stories and side lights, and 1t is
these things that l have been commits
stoned to write.
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23

when a man cnahdentiAlly tells bis
wife that be considers the pretty NO
man across the way a fright 1, may be
admitted that he has arrived at years
9l discretion
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23

~ &1o6ring. The same
- 1o1uo Gray's name
x& ~ convention. but
~ (nGcnstrations paled
~ ~ show when At.
= n16no1 IL man from Lin
GlnGoFn 81 the political
- ~ had turned back
~ ukoonoey for many a
<cGn1 Glncpver nothing that
occoe tn enacted.
X GnE1o1 the naming OF
gn1n9 nate, wild. hiiari.
1k ~ 10 that last ses-
1xC0ofon the vice presi-
1Icn vas all a matter
QrE When at one
1E10E 20 order no one
10y who would be
ace. But II took
1s1on of the name OF
- way the Demo
81 wing. and then as
- the men sng-
- withdrew IL was
Aouting. and that
1Sention so far as
(<e concerned. As
J q thing made be-
md is Of Interest
y ultimate result; OF
The real interest.
rs the crowd. the
convention memor-
of the individuals
-skipzs thar talk
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23

at the joke and they started of up
Seventeenth street. arm in arm. hum
ming:
When We were boys together"
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23

Last week. being very busy At the
once. ! ordered the following goods by
telephone from one OF Chicaros do
partment stores:
One wheelbarrow.
One rake
One spade
That's short horse soon curried..
rumina,ed as I plunged into my daily
grind
That day the wheeIharrow went
ax,ray. but the rake and the spade ar
rived and my wife paid for them.
The next day the wheelbarrow came
also another spade and = second
rake,
My wife was away and the maid
paid for the entire delivery.
When | arrived home. l discovered
the wheelbarrow handles had been ieft
out in the rain and had warped. One
handle pointed 10 high heaven. the
other down TO gehenna. lnasmuch as
the gardener Is a normal man with
arms OF equal length. he could not use
the barrow.
| telephoned the store next morning
to 40 out and get the implement and
replace II with a good one. also adj
yised them they owed INC % cents,
which they agreed To refund on the
price Of wrench and a hoe which
ordered
The next day the second wheolbar.
row was delivered. but II vas not even
a distant relative OF the one I had or.
dered. The gardener and I decided
II was a wheeIbarruw anyhow. and ws
would keep II for fear OF more errors.
The wrench didn't come on this de-
livery. but finally IL did arrive with tha
hoe-and the wrench was too small
! carried Il back down town and sent
the once boy TO tho store with tho
receipts TO secure my refund OF 81
cents and 10 change the monkey.
wrench
The store wouldn't refund the IS
cents because they claimed the rake
and the spade had not been returned.
despite the fact that they had been
sent back the following morning after
their arrival Ten minutes before this
ul,lma,um. the complaint department
had notified ne the store would resurH
the money by the boy
Next the boy comes back with the
old wrench because the store wouldn't
return the ~ cents and the new
wrench cost more money tin the 81.
ehRnEel than the Office boy had With
him
About this time the wires began to
burn on the telephone Gradually
worked my way up to somebody Who
thought be- had some authority. Thea
the wires melted entireiy-and--
and
My wife says ought 20 know bet.
ter than to bay OF that store. anyhow.
p. 81 haFeat got my s. cents
ye,--but i've bad at least that msch
sxpsrienee
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23

not exist The marching club was
absent. By the time the old man had
found u friend the morning session
had adjourned
The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-07-23

npR 6cxntic conven-
0 Mn ~ down in his
1I Wfldly excl :
IiI An for practical
:. Fpl the time the
} ,n IRVING in the
~ chairman Clay
SS \ ~ the sine die
n1 oxon throughout
hk ~ Friday morn
<rain having the city
od With the conven-
oWard bound, there
60one round of action
J Ne there seemed to be
~ part On any one as
lontla1 nominee. 1t was
ALTERING through and
~ Johnson's followers
~ though. and gave
eneo a strong lung pow
- Whon his name was
N ~ eonyention as Min
d ~ 60o. Il seemed for a
~ entire state had
loooo r. The big hall. SO