Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1911-01-07
KANSAS TOPICS
When Harvey Was almost" Governor


tenant governor during the Leedy re-
gime has boom for governor, sprung
by the Kansas Spanish war veterans.
This recalls an accident back in
1898 when Harvey was almost made
governor, and tells how close Leedy
came to goiug into the Spanish war.
One day Major Harvey and David
Overmyer were in court, as attorneys
on opposite sides, trying a law suit.
When the case was called Overmyer
made a motion to continue. Harvey
objected. But Overmyer insisted.
Harvey wanted the case put on right
then and there.
Harvey" said Overmyer, in his
forceful way, but leaning across the
table and speaking in low, sharp
tones, ''This is no time to try a law
suit.
He said it in way that made Har-
vey keep still, and Oyermyer had his
way and the case was continued.
They left the courtroom and Over
myer said: Harvey my boy, come
to my office. I've got something to
tell you. And Harvey marched right
mighty earnest about the thing, so he
asked no questions.
They got to Overmyer's office and
locked the door Harvey" said
Overmyer, ''you are going to be gov
ernor."
rs that so?'' said Harvey.
Eyes replied Dave, ''Leedy is going
to resign and he wants you, who will
succeed him, to appoint him colonel
in one of the Kansas volunteer regi-
ments."
rs that sop said Harvey again.
''Yes,'' said Overmyer, and Leedy
wanted me to talk to you about it,"
Overmyer talked to him at some
length about conditions and so on,
and then they decided to call Leedy
to Overmyer's office to join in the
little confab Leedy came at once
and Immediately certified all that
Overmyer had said, and when the
meeting broke up it was settled that
Leedy was to resign, and Harvey was
to be governor. Harvey was then to
appoint Leedy volunteer colonel.
Leedy stated he wished to consult
with Harvey freque ntly about the
matter during the ensuing days
and make plain to him certain poll
tics which he had in mind and so on.
Nothing was to be said of the Leedy
resignation for the present. Things
ran'along for several days and Harvey
and Leedy saw each other frequently
and consulted long over matters of
10 t-0f 7 o. 70 h 10 hA-
ing definite and certain in his plans
to resign and be appointed colonel.
He stated this was his only chance
to get into the service in defence of
the country and he was going to avail
himself of the opportunity. And no
one had been consulted with regard
to the matter save himself, Harvey,
Overmyer and Ed Little, who was
Leedy's private secretary.
The organization of the volunteer
forces over the country was going on
rapidly and Kansas was called upon
for its QUOTA of men. Leedy was de-
termined is be a colonel. One day
Leedy and Harvey were sitting in
the governors private Office discuss
ing certain things which would come
up when Harvey should assume con-
troll of the state government.
Say said Leedy, Il think that it
wouldn't be bad thing to let it sort
of leak out that l might want to he
a colonel of one of the volunteer regi-
ments / am interested to know how
some of the fellows win take it.
Leedy had political friends and po~
litical enemies in his own party; Just
as do all oficeholders of the high
estate.
1t is not the invariable rule.
.'All right, said Harvey.
ssI am going to do it," said Leedy.
II Just would like to know how some
of those fellows who hate me will
take it,
.sHow will you do it9'' asked Har-
vey.
ssSuppose just call in Little.'' said
Leedy, land have him let it drop in
a casual way to the newspaper report
ers that Governor Leedy may be the
colonel of one of the volunteer regi-
ments. That will get her started"
ssSure," said Harvey He knew
how the newspaper sleuths would
seize on the item.
So Little was instructed, and the
versatile Ed did his part in a master
ly fashion The newspaper men
were all neatly tipped off on the