Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1909-06-04
A GREAT AMERICAN

y lew days ago senator Gore Ot
Oklahoma. who is totally blind. sur.
prised the United States senate by Il
speech in which he quoted statistics of
the earnings of the cotton and wooden
manufacturers Of the country. These
statistics were quoted from memory
and were absolutely correct.
That speech not only illustrates what
can he accomplished by II man whose
life has been one of misfortune and
poverty, but it also carries II lesson to
the Young peoples of the country that
should nerve them to meet and conquer
all difficulties that may arise. in their
path. d.
He was born in Mississippi in 1870.
His parents were poor. At the age of
of eight, he lost the sight of IL eye by
q blow from n stick, and ut twelve his
other eye was blinded by an arrow from
Il cross bow with which he was playing.
Totally blind he mastered the high
school course in II normal school. lie
studied law after leaving the normal
school and stuck ont his shingle in his
native town, but few clients came and
he nearly starved to death. From this
time Oh until his election to the United
States senate, the story of his life is one
Of poverty and distress.
When Oklahoma was admitted rs a
state, he determined to go to the United
States senate rs one Of its first senators.
The following account of his campaign,
taken from the Reno Gazette, illustrates
the wonderful pluck and ability of the
nan
Three years ago Oklahoma had been
admitted and the campaign was on for
the election Of two United States scnat.
ors. The struggle began with the
primary elections for members of the
Legislature. aud Gore mortgagcd his
home to enter the fight, raising $1,000
thereby. His rivals were both men Of
wealth. AZ all the leading newspapers
ignored him, he was compelled to spend
most of this loan in printing and sending
out circulars announcing his candidacy
and views. To get his name OH the
ballot under Il rule adopted by the
democratic state convention he had TO
pay IN unexpected assessment of 1915.
His total fortune ut this time was 81.
He tried to borrow il but was unsuccess-
full. On tho last appointed day in sheer
desperation he drew his check for the
amount and then went ont to find some
one who would make it good when the
bank opened the following day. The
nerve Of the action caused one of his
friends TO meet II.
As the voting drew near the blind
candidates circumstances became more
desperate than ever. 1Tc was spending
about S2i u week for travelling expenses.
TO get ont Of money ut that stage of the
fight would have been fatal He made
from two to four speeches day al.
though he woull -it up all night in
to save paying for II bid, and ate
only one meal u dry. At times he would
from II day to another on cheese
nnd crackers carried IN his gripsack. So
great was the physical ordeal that he
thirty pounds weight. lie had no
light clothing and wore his thick winter
,iit in the ~ficrccst summer heat. There
holes IN the bottom of his shoes.
His face was bloollcs9 and haggard.
inc day his money gave out entirely.
IN spite Of voluntarily starvation he
rad failed to make II last. He had two
engagements that day but no
means to roach his audience. In his
Igony he tried to place a second mort.
age on his house hut failrG. Hc went