The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1910-04-16

struggle in his native spot and to go back to
Texas. Before leaving Walthall he made a vow
that he would never enter the village again until
he could return to his neighbors United States
senator
That year in Texas was a hard one Gore
threw himself into politics with passionate en-
ergy. He was delegate to the Populist conven-
tion at St Louis which nominated Mr.. Bryan and
seconded the nomination In December. 1896, he
and his brother opened law office. 1t was
fierce struggle with the world. His father, moth
er and brother lived with him. Sometimes they
were without a single dollar.
In April. 1899. Cores fortunes had sunk SO
low that he appeared in the street with frayed
clothing, broken shoes and visage white with
deprivation. One day it seemed though he had
come face to face with actual starvation. when
old negro woman paid So which she owed him
and that saved the situation.
When Mr.. Bryan nominated Kansas
City in 1900 Gore found his way to the crowd that
surrounded the convention He was now Demo
crat.
It might help him on his way to the senate
II he could make speeches in the neghborhood
of a national convention.
Hurryng to South Dakota-he had only 81
left when he got therefore went to the state
convention and secured engagement to speak
in the state during the presidential campaign. In
this way he picked up $1,000. Then he went back
to Texas and married beautiful girl. 1T was
love at first sight," he said laughingy.
After the presidential campaign over
Cores $1,000. earned in the South Dakota tour.
soon melted away, and little money came in to
take its place. In 1901 things went badly with
him and his senatorial prospects seemed dim,
that when an advertisement of an auction Of land
lots in the newly opened Kiowa. Comanche and
Apache reservation in Oklahoma appeared In the
newspapers he decided to leave Texas and pur-
sue his great ambition in the new country.
As first step the elder Gore, now a white
n Oklahoma a
notary public in the hope of earning fees from
the land-crazy crowds In July. 1901. the blind
lawyer and his brother went to the land.
driving As miles in a wagon to Fort Sill Here
Gore lived In tent with his father and brother
in the midst of an excited crowd. His father sat
inside a notary. while he attired in alpaca
coat. colored shirt and souch hat. walked up and
down before the tent. waving his hand and shout
ing. Here's where you get your papers out!
Here's the right place to get your land papers!"
In the daytime he entreated the crowd; at night
he slept on the ground.
Failing to draw a land claim the Cores moved
out four miles to Lawton, encampment the
open prairie. Here Is 900 persons were living in
tents where the wild bue-stem grass was waist
high. 1t was Babylon of gamblers. fakirs farm
ers and business men, all waiting for the open
ing OF the land on August 6. There grocery
and hardware stores In tents; gambling tables
and shows In tents; churches and saloons in
tents. Even newspapers printed in tents
Poor men. rich men. preachers. thieves we're
mixed up In that picturesque. dramatic hurly
burly Of mules. wagons, women and children. Men
were killed. children were born. robberies were
committed.
Three days after the lots were sold and while
Lawton was still a tented camp, there was an
other political mass meeting, this time in the big
tent of Dick Russell. a saloon keeper. Gore was
there and offered a resolution favoring the ad-
mission of Oklahoma and Indian territory to the
Union a single state
few days later and the men of Lawton or
ganized a citizens committee to get a charter
and organize city government. OF course Gore
was there and Of course he the committee
Then commercial club was organized by the
tent dwellers and Gore the committee to
draft bylaws. He missed no opportunity that
might lead to the senate.
Presently he bought small lot for $155 and
started to build a cottage through the help Of .
building and loan agency. When his wife reached