Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1909-06-04
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1909
A GREAT AMERICAN

A few days ago Senator Gore Of
oklahoma, who is totally blind, sur
prised the United States senate by u
speech in which he quoted statistics of
:he 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 man whose
life has been one of misfortune and
poverty. but it also carries a lesson to
che young people of the country that
should nerve them to meet and conquer
Ill difficulties that may arise in their
path.
He was born i'll Mississippi in 1870
His parents were poor. At the age of
of eight, he lost the sight of one eye by
u blow from II stick, and at twelve his
other eye was blinded by al arrow from
{ Il cross bow with which he was playing
Totally blind he mastered the high
school course in Il normal school. He
studied law after leaving the normal
school and stuck out his shingle in his
native town, but few clients came and
he nearly starved to death From this
slime OH until his election to the United
States senate, the story of his life is one
Of poverty and distress.
When Oklahoma was admitted as u
state, he determined to go to the United
States senate as one of it's first senator's
The following account of his campaign
aiken from the Reno Gazette. illustrates
he wonderful pluck and ability of the
nan:
Three years ago Oklahoma had been
admitted and the campaign was on for
5he election of two United States sGnat
"rs. The struggle began with the
primary elections for members of the
Legislature. and Gore mortgagcd his
nome to enter the fight raising $1,000
5hereby. His rivals were both men of
wealth. AS I'LL 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 on the
ballot under a rule adopted by the
democratic state convention he had to
pay an unexpected assessment of 1910.
His total fortune at this time was s..
he tried to borrow it but was unsllccess
tul. On the last appointed day in sheer
desperation he drew his check for the
amount and then went out 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 it.
As the voting drew near the blind
candidates circumstances became more
desperate than ever. He was spending
about $24 week for travelling expenses.
TOget ont of money ut that stage of the
light would have been fatal He made
from two to four speeches day al
'hough he woald sit up all night in
hotcls to save paying for Il bed, and ate
only one meal day. At times he would
90 from one day to another OF cheese
and crackers carried in his grpsack. So
great was the physical ordeal that he
lost thirty pounds weight. H. had no
light clothing and wore his thick winter
>lit i'll the ticrccst summer heat. There
were holes in the bottom of his shoes.
dis face was bloodlcss and haegard.
One day his money gave out entirely.
IN spite of voluntarily starvation he
rad failed to make it last He had two
speaking engagements that day but no
means to reach his audience. I'm his
'2ony n" tried to place II second mort.
gag" on his house but failed. He went
from one friend to another in u vain
"uort to borrow money. In condition