The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-18
By JOHN EJ.FI,ETH WATKINS.

-.
NJ on that ell Of the cliques and
~ clans have gathered and have at
Mast settled down into the seats OF
the mighty for another period OF toll
nov that We have had time TO look
the mall over and to enjoy heart-to-
heart talks with many-we and as
usual that the most interesting
coterie among the entire great galaxy
OF new congressman Is that composed
Of the self-madc mcn--those who in
their hard Washingtonward struggle
have climbed the scaling ladder az sue
cess from the very bottommost rung.
You. the reader. whomsoever and
whatsoever YOU may be. can be given
no spring tonic so potent as few
homeopathic doses OF the experiences
and philosophy of these new figures
in our public life, who pride them
selves upon tho humbleness OF their
beginnings. upon the number OF rocks
and thorns upon which they have
SCARED their tired feet along the hard
and hilly path Of life
Upon that path none Of the new
members Of Congress had more ad
venturous tourney than that eXper-
enced by William II. Murray. who has
lust come TO the House as representa-
tive nj large from tho infant state OF
Oklahoma
Il was born. in n November storm.
c-adeled in the lap OF adversely. chas
tened by harGships and poverty, hut
u -ve- permitted myself TO become
overlated by victory or undulv de-
dressed by defeat said alfalfa Bill
as this solon is amectionatcly known
throushout his state He was born
forty-four years ago in Texas. ana
most of his hoyhood. until the age OF
twelve. was spent out of doors, punch
ing cattle and doing odd Jobs about
The farm. School played little part In
his education. 1t was at sunday school
that he learned his alphabet.
His mother having died when he was
two. stepmother soon came 10 rule
over the little home, with the result
that young Bill. at the age Of twelve.
ran away 10 recommcnce life on moth
ing but pair OF empty pockets For
a time he stopped in Wise County
picking cotton. and then moved far
Their South. again picking cotton or
chorping cord wood.
Found Weeping by the Road>idc.
Some two years after / ran away
| found myself ont Of work" Mr. Muir
ray recalled Hard times were upon
the country, and those searching for
work were unable to find it, After
sleeping in the woods one night and
without having had any breakfast
walked up the public road TO a point
some two miles *cst II, Eurora. Tex.
and sat down A,y rho roadside. where.
IN my desperation. ! commenced To crv.
and then tried TO go to sleep While
was lying there an old man came
up. asked me what was the matter. and
when Informed, employed NE to nick
cotton FOR him later learned that
my new employers relatives were a
Parcel Of horse thieves In fact. two
of his own boys were shot. some few
miles away while running bunch
j, was after this that Mr. Murray
received, In little log schoolhouse.
what was practically his first educa
t!onal training. Then he did farm work
for $50 month labored in brick
yard and vent 20 the Trinity River.
where he ran cattle Meanwhile he
went to school whenever the oppor
iunty offered. between periods Of en-
ployment, and until his small savings
gave out
When was eighteen and after
had thus exhausted my funds by All
lending school" he went on TO relate.
Il was compelled To tramp from Phil
istine 10 Buffalo, Tex In the bottoms