The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1910-11-09
THEY BOOSTED FOR PRAY.
Fort Benton Friends Take Active
Part In Campaign.

~ ~ NV INV 0SNSvS |
Part In Campaign.
One of the most unique, Significant
and impressive incidents of the recent
political campaign was the interest
manifested by citizens of Fort Benton
in the reelection Of their fellow.towns.
man, the favorite con Of Chouteau
and the standard bearer Of
republicans, Congressman
Charles N. Pray. The elimination of
these evidences of friendship and e.
TEEN was the organization of al
Boosters Special" to Great Falls.
to attend q big republican rally in
that city Monday evening, at which
Mr.. Pray made the last public speech
of the campaign. The Fort Benton
friends Of the congressman decided to
assist In giving . brilliant finish to
his strenuous work of the past few
weeks, and planned the excursion with
that end in view.
The demand for seats on the "Boost.
ere Special" exceeded all expecta-
tions, about 40 of Mr.. Prsy's neigh
bors and friends filing the two cars.
Among this number we're about thirty
ladies, and, needless to cay, they we're
the most effective boosters in the
bunch. Each member of the deleea a.
ton wore q colored satin badge on
which appeared q portrait of Mr..
Pray, with the inscriptions: "Pray for
Congress, November 8, 1910. always
On the Job!'"
The special left the Fort Benton de-.
pot about 500 p. NJ, and as it sped
on it's wayto Great Falls q glee club
was organized, and q few appropriate
campaign songs, etc., were hastily
composed. The rehearsal of these,
set to popular music, afforded endless
amusement and qualification to the
crowd of boosters, their enthusiasm
increasing as the special made fast
time toward its destination. One of
these campaign MARBLES ran as follows:
Has anybody here seen Charlie
Honorable Charles N. Pray?
Has anybody here seen Charlie
From the old town Town the line?
Hes the very best rep. Montana ever had,
Ifw don't send him back. we'll be TO
the bad.
Has anybody here seen charlies
Oh, You Charlie Pray!
In addition to the campaign ditties
there were several interlocutory
"gags," one being to this effect:
"Say!"
"Wha,?"
"What's WHAT"
THAT'S what they all say!"
"What do they all say?"
Then all the boosters united in q
stentorian and prolonged yell;
Up r a.a-a.y!"
Arriving at Great Falls about GLE
p. M. the Fort Benton boosters form.
ed in line and marched down Central
avenue several blocks, their cheers
for the congressman apprising Grea,
Falls residents that the gang vas there,
The visitors were given a most cordial
reception by Great Falls citizens, with.
out regard to political atoms
About thirty minutes prior 10 the re-
publican rally, the Black Eagle band
assembled In front of the Park hotel,
and preceded by this excellent musical
aggregation the Fort Benton boosters
and q large crowd of other friends oil
Mr.. Pray paraded the streets of the
Cataract city, arriving at the Grand
opera house at eight o'clock. The
opera house was packed to its cap.
acity, and during the few minutes OF
waiting for the speaking to commence,
the Fort Benton glee club entertained
the audience with "What's the matter
with Charlie?" and other selections
that we're received with enthusiastic
applause.
When Mr.. Pray appeared on the
platform with Mr.. J. w. Speer, rep
resenting Cascade county, and G. w.
Morrison, representing Chouteau
county, he received an ovation from
the immense audience. and as soon a.
the cheering subsidized another wave
of enthusiasm was created by the Fort
Benton glee club singing: "Has any.
body here seen Charlie?" Mr.. Pray
was visibly affected by the demonstra.
ton, and in his opening remarks de-
clared that the occasion was the most
pleasant experience of the campaign.
AZ an expression Of goodwill and
esteem by his home folks, the Fort
Benton Boosters Special was a com.
pliment to Mr.. Pray that certainly
had q good effect elsewhere. A mans
standing among those who know him
best 10 q recommended that counts
in other communities.