The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-08-05

K There ere innumerable stories that
VIII always be linked with tho name
Of Uncle Eli Cross In the years to
come, but none that will rank win
the way the late secretary OF state
/ secured an introduction and two
laur interview with the late King Ei-
ward without the assistance of dipp-
: lat or ambassador That kindly mon
arch admired man Of nerve, ana BiIl
Cross filled these plans and spoclaca.
ions to such nicely thai he became
one Of the Kings closest American
friends. 10 the King he was typi-
ca Of TINT legend Land, the Wild aud
Woolly west, ana he treasured the
unconventional meeting as one Of the
interesting experiences not usually ae.
corded a King
4 This Is the way Uncle lill told the
ato;y % q Baltimore News man.
In 1903 | made a circuit of Tho
globe and was Oiihoma's officia
representative to the great uternf-
.ional Teachers convention, when
mct IN London. Ono day was walk
ing IN The neighborhool of Buckins.
ban, palace In company with u
charming Young lady from Los An
ge'cs. she had found out my home
title and called me Uncle Bill As
we passed the historic pile | said u
her: 4 don't banker AFT n royalty,
lut I'd dearly love to see q live kinS.
Many's ihp time I've held two OF their
counterfeit prcscntments in my hanl
while | hoped to gct 4 third one,
which rarely came
Probably she did not undersiani
the allusion TO the great American
came: anyway, she ignored H. Ia
dc Bill, says she. YOU have lot got
he sand TO invade the royal premises
and ask for an audience with his
royal self, To show her that was
the qualt, she specified went
straight up the steps, and ere lons
was having a pow-wow with His Ma
iesty' sprivtee secretary. | carry the
same cards | do now and under my
own name was printed in large type,
Secretary Of State, y. $. AZ In inc
other corner was Oklahoma in mucN
smaller print So | think now, as !
did then. the secretary beloved me
TO be big official Of the Fe0eral gov
ernment at washington.
"He semed grieved that King Ed
ward was not at home. The races
we're being run at Warwick and the
King was there. 1t was still early In
the day Why not run out to have
look at the Derby thoroughbreds per-
form? The King would surely see me
II would but send in my name, To-
eether with the card Of the Lord May
mr. of London, which the polite s2cr@
tary then and there handed over.
OF To The Derby
Going back, | related to the fair
Californian my conference with ms
aIaiesty's representative. The man
tone was so friendly and he seemed
to think IL such sure thing Ia hnu
my way to the great mans presentc
that was fully persuaded to boaid
The train for the race track In thia
gained Ter immediate concurrence
AM off we posted to Warwick. lts
only az hours run out OF London. Dlil.
100 times ere | got there my fcart
fai.ed and | accused myself OF beng
on 2 fools errand The girl however.
buoved me up. for all the way she
declared that I'D have my wish Or
geeing live King granted. II sura-
-lr came about just as she said.
THE Lord Mayors name was the
magic Swell. Two guards in gorgeous
array came out to me, and with much
courtesyug announced that His Ma
Jesiy would see me IN his private box
went forward with a futtering heari,
but brazen exterior King Edward
VI !, dressed no finer than myself aH.
varced to the front Of the booth, and
with an encouraging smile held ou1
his kngly Land, which | gripped III
lne plain. democratic fashion oi OK
lafUma.
MIR. Bill Cross" said the Emperor