The Washington herald., 1910-01-03

Not since Davy Crockett came 20 Con-
gress in 1927 to represent district IN
West Tennessee and astonished all the
cave dwellers-for they had 'em in the
National Capital then-with his buclskin
clothes. his picturesque manners and his
homeIy drolleries, has more uniquely in
teresting character come 10 town than
the newly appointed Senator from Mis-
sissippi, Col James Gordon, OF ololona-
Col. Gordon is tall slender. seventy-six
years old. end loose jointed. and Is IA
nous down his way as planter. hunter.
local politician, and Confederate cavalry
veteran.
just Like Lincoln.
He served in the big war under such
noted leaders as Jeb Stuart and Forrest.
and their reports indicate that they con-
sidered him the candy.
He was husky, hustling, up-on-hEs-toes
young person in those days. he says. but
just now is taking things easy
They tell me-" he says, that I look
like Abraham Lincoln-from the rear"
And from the rear he does. but there
is nothing Of the severe or the melan-
choly IN his countenance. for his face is
round and rudy and his eyes are twink
ling when his lips aren't smiling. There
is really nothing Just like him among
the nearly 800 Senators and Represent
atives in Congress.
His conversation runs on like noun
tain rill. rushing and gushing and tum-
bling. and is just about as free of i'm
purities.
See New Senator.
A group of newspaper men chased up
to the Ebbltt House last night to see
the new Senator. having heard, some
where CT other, that he was little bit
different from other folks. and, of course.
they Immediately tried to find out from
him how he came to be appointed. and
what he had in view for the future.
Before the interview was over they
were ell in with him.
MY appointment" said Col. Gordon
why. sir, they Just forced it on me.
I was down at home when I got wire
from my friend Gov. Noel asking me to
come to jackson. took the first train
and went to the governors Office. He
told me what he wanted and made out
the papers, and here they lay"
Shows the Goods.
And with that Col. Gordon drew from
an inside pocket a big envelope. took
from it his credentials as a member OF
the United States Senate, and spread them
out on a table with obvious pride.
win you be a candidate for election
before the legislature?' somebody asked.
The colonel's answer came back in a
second.
NO. sir" he said. I'm not going 70
be In any scramble. I didn't ask to come
up here, and I'm not going to ask to stay
here I don't know what the legislature
of Mississippi Is going 10 do. hear talk
of a deadlock. Maybe so. If they DO
deadlock. and find out that they can't do
any better than to let me stay here. I'll
stay. II they don't. why I'll Just go back
home and be happy. ike l was before
Gov. Noel appointed me"
just Seventy-six.
Then somebody asked the colonel his
age. "Seventy-six, sir he replied; but
still a boy. I haven't been sick, sir, in
fifty-one years. In 1858 I got malarial
fever, at the time OF the big overflow,
from padding around in the waters saving
my niggers and stock Yes, sir; I've
been well and happy ever since got rid
of my fortune and had TO go and start
IN to labor again."
'cWere you wealthy once upon a time,
coloneI?" one Of the newspaper men
asked.
Wealthy, sir? I was a millionaire and
a half at one time. What in? Why. in
land. niggers, stock, and some money,
The last or it, I recall except S450 went
through some security debts had 10 pay
Then l had 10 go back to labor again.
and I've been happy ever since"
The colonel wasn't quite sure whether
he'd like to stay in Washington or not.
1T doesn't matter much either way
he said. I'm a happy man in any case
Knocks I've had all my life, physical and
otherwise. but they never gave me any
bother Why. I've had big bar on tor
OF me and dogs on top of the bar, al
fghtin'. But it didn't bother me-"
Is Well Preserved.
well. colonel" awesomely remarked
a newspaper person. you certainly are
we'll preserved"
well preserved. sir. well preserved,
cried the colonel. with every appearance,
OF Indignation; my wife. sir, says Tn
pretty"
After the newspaper men had heard tn,
colonel tell some Of his third-rail wal
stoFies-and no thrillers that ever wer,
written can come up to his--they scatter
ed. one of them lingering behind To asl
for a future engagement for q talk Will
the colonel.
'All right" said the new Senator. .syo,
can come around most any time. Wha
ala you say your name was?
I'll give you my card said the news
paper man.
Thanks" said The colonel, 'I'n remem
Der you. Look here. I like you and
want 90 show you something. Mayb,
you can help me-
The newspaper man professed his will
ingness. "AI right then" said Col Cor
don. beaming. you come around to
morrow. I've got book Of poems
wrote and I want you to read it ant
boom It for me-"
OhiOan 10 Speak at Library.
A r Foote, president of the Obi
state board OF commerce, viii lecture o.