The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1910-04-21


liver. with syrup made OF sugar dissolved In water
for dessert
All through this time his wife encouraged his
political ambitions.
In April 1902 Gore managed TO 80 as a dele
gate 20 the territorial convention that was 10
choose a delegate to congress from Oklahoma and
his speech Ia response 10 the welcome OF the
mayor Of Enid 30 struck the fancy Of the delegates
that there was movement 10 make him the choice
of the convention. He declined the honor In favor
OF others. n n shrewd move and counter
balanced the fact that he was a newcomer In Okla
homa The result Mat he elected 70 the
territorial senate.
The fight for a seat In the United States senate
was nov pressed systematically. Having intro
duced a child labor bill In the legislature and do
clared his friendship for organized labor. Core
spent the year 1909 In widening his acquaintance.
attending plcnics barbecues and county fairs lee
turing for anything from IS TO t2s. shaking hands
with the crowds and smiling his way Into their
hearts.
Then came the presidential campaign OF 1904
and Gore got 81 or t5 day from the Democrats
for speaking In Indiana. Ohio and finois lie had
no desire TO 20 back 20 tho territorial legislature
knowing tina; his great ambition could be better
served by the publicity Of service In the national
campaign.
Gore fought hard for okiahoma's admission to
the Union. No man was more active IN the All
tation But he would not go TO the national capital
Il won't 20 TO Washington tIli 20 with the
The statehood bill was passed by congress in
1906. Then the political air OF Oklahoma was
"full OF razors" the struggle for the two new
senatorships began with the primary campaign TO
elect n legislature. Cores opponents were both
rich men. vito spent their money freely. He
stayed IN Guthrie. borrowing money 20 pay the
$3.50 a week which II cost him TO live. Being ht
the capital he met men from all the state
and able TO make shrewd combinations
II was a tragic thing to n blind man hsr.
assed by poverty fighting against his rich rivals.
one banker and the other lawyer. but however
he bled inwardly. Gore gave no sign that he saw
anything pathetic in his situation. His friends
wanted him to abandon his ambition for time
and run for congress-.
1T is the senate nothing" he replied
In April. 1907. he began to make speeches all
over the state
lie spoke street corners. from the tops OF
boxes from cart tails. anywhere everywhere. night
and day The leading newspapers ignored him
while his rivals were able to buy advertising
space and one OF them hired brass bands. opera
houses and advance agents. In March he had
mortgaged his house for 81 900 but the money was
soon gone. To get his name the primary ballot
under the rules Of the Democratic state convention
he had 10 pay 1915 But on the last day allowed
for the payment he found himself with only S. In
sheer desperation he made out his check for 1915
and paid It IN. Mr. Young saved him by raising
the money TO meet the check.
AS the voting drew near the blind candidates
circumstances became more desperate than ever
. He was spending about s2t a week for travelling
expenses To get out OF money at that stage OF
the fight would have been fatal. He made from
two TO four speeches a day. although he would
SIT up all night In hotels TO paying for a bed
and ate only one meal a day. At times he would
go from one day 10 another on cheese and crackers
carried In his gripsack SO great was the physical
ordeal that he lost so pounds weight
Gore won his fight in the primary election and
elected 10 the United States senate by the
legislature. drawing the short term. The struggle
cost him sl.lOO. exclusive OF the 1915 he paid 10
get his name on the primary ballot One OF his
opponents Is said 20 have spent $4,000. 1901
II was grand day for Oklahoma when her
blind man got into the United States senate.
In 1905 he went home and was reelected When
he reached Lawton a cheering crowd surrounded
the carriage and took him and his wife 10 their
cottage. AS roar after broke on the air he
turned 10 his wife and whispered "They don't
seem TO know that it's only me-"