The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-11-15
HOWrO'HAIR BEAT
UNCLE JOE CANNON
He ShuCked Corn With Farmers
While He Talked Politics.
EVEN HELPED FEED The PIGS.

Congressman Elect, Born In a Log
Cabin, Is Self Educated-Pretty Story
of His Courtship and Winning of the
Woman Now His Wife.
How Uncle Joe Cannon fell victim
in the recent election in Illinois is one
Of the morsels of political gossip.
1t was no little thing, viewed in the
long way, to down the man who has
represented his district in congress
since 1872 with the exception of two
years in the early nineties. Election
after election the political enemies
tried to shake Uncle Joe loose. No
matter what happened to others in the
state, he came out of the smoke of po-
litical battle winner.
And ne never seemed willing to let
go voluntarily. Six years ago he an
nounced that he wanted to be elected
"just once more" in order to carry on
work commenced and left unfinished
in congress. -Four years ago he made
the same announcement. two years ago
he pleaded for just one more chance,
and this time his managers positively
announced that this would he his last
appearance.
OF late years it had come to he
thought in the Eighteenth Illinois dis
trict that there was no way to down
/ "the old man" Samuel T. Busey did
= It in 1890, but two years later, fighting
4 like a real warrior, Uncle Joe came
back and was an easy victor.
Things began to look bit shaky for
the former speaker two years ago de-
spite the fact he carried his district by
nearly 5000 plurality. There was a
leaven working that Democrats believ-
ed augured well for success this year.
They began to cast about for can
didate.
O'Hair Enters Race.
Finally Frank T. O'Hair of Edgar
county was induced to enter the race.
Mr.. O'Hair is lawyer of strong per-
sonality. He has the easy way that
pleases the average farmer of Illinois,
and there are lots of average farmers
n the Eighteenth congress district
Mr.. O'Hair was reluctant to put him
self against statesman Of forty years
Standing but once in the race he en-
cred upon a campaign that quite
Fclipsed anything Of the kind ever be-
tore seen. The lawyer proclaimed
himself a progressive Democrat with
ho strings tied to him.
He went personally among the farm
RS to tell II N in an intimate sort of
way why lie Joe should be retired
nd why a 0ung man full Of the new
pirit Of the day should be sent to con-
|ress TO represent the district.
Mr.. O'Hair, having been born and
cared on a farm in Edgar county,
new all about local farm work. He
pitched in," as the farmers put it,
nd helped them harvest their wheat
nd oats. He shucked corn in the
elds for the pigs, talking politics the
Fhile and saying what he would be in
hvOr of II he were in congress.
The kind Of doctrine Mr.. O'Hair
reached fell upon willing ears, and
e was elected.
Who O'Hair Is.
Mr.. O'Hair was born forty-two years
go in log cabin in a remote section
Edgar county of Irish parentage
pd spent his boyhoOd days on q farm
fter graduating from the common
,hool he entered Purdue university
here he took the law course. Re.
Erning to Paris, he hung out his shin.
e and by sheer force OF character and
Dility has won place among the best
wyers Of eastern Illinois and western
diana.
But once previously had he become q
ndidate for Office, and then he tasted
defeat that was subsequently sweet
ed by his winning the heart Of the
faudful daughter OF his successful
ponent and making her his wife In
90 he became the Democratic candi
te for mayor Of Paris, and the Re
blicans nominated d. ID. Huston, ia
er Of the girl whom he hoped TO wed
The fight was one of the bitterest
d hardest fought in the history OF
F town, and during the heat Of battle
ung O'Hair was forbidden by Papa
lston TO enter his home. Casting
DE for time affairs Of the heart
renewed his attacks upon the polit
enemy, loyalty for his party dom
ting even his desire to stand well
the good graces of Father Huston.
he latter's victory by a small mar
was soon followed by a reconcil
ion and the winning Of his hearts
ire. Representative Elect and Mrs
lair reside in a handsome home In
r1s and have g five-year-old daugh