Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-04-25

erS, was TWO Dagger IOT nIHl III
f, game at Marshalltown Iowa, Captain
p, Arson from Chicago saw him work and
took him back with him to Chicago
! where he played on the Chicago team.
BILLY liked the girls and was a favor
lite among them. He was popular also
with his boy associates. He was fair
minded. and never stirred up strife. He
was never looking for trouble, but would
fight at the drop OF the hat II imposed
upon He displayed no traits in youth of
becoming the preacher he now is"
Finally there is the judgment of his
mother. After more than so years
acquaintance with the man who Is a
mystery to so many thousands, Mrs.
w. J. Stowe gives vivid word pic
ture of the boyhood days of the evan
gelist. coupled invariably with the
loving comments of a fond mother.
Whenever one speaks Of her evan
gelist son her face lights UP with a
smile and she invariably remarks:
willie is good boy. He was always
so. If one continues to discuss the evan
gelst his mother Is sure to tell Of some
of the amusing incidents that happened
during 'Willie's' boyhood, when but lit
tie la he ran free over his grandfather's
farm In Story county, Iowa. The farm
was located near Ames, not far from the
agric,stural school Of that name. and
father, Squire J. E. Cory, who was q
typical pioneer Of the middle west.
Squire Cory. until year before his
death at the age OF seventy-two, never
thought of climbing to the back Of one Of
his horses from a block, but instead he
would grasp the pommel and leap into
the saddle In true western fashion with
out touching the stirrup. According to
his mother, Billy was the pride of his
grandfather's heart and was taught many
Of his boyish athletic tricks by him.
When but mere baby the Squire would
place the boy upon his outstretched hand
and raise him high In the air. Willie
would just stand there as straight as an
arrow and never make whimper,' says
his mother with just a touch of pride in
her voice when she tells about it. He
was great favorite with his grandpa
because he was sucn an active utrlo
chap Since the time the evangelist has
been old enough to walk he has been
fond of dogs. His mother tells Of his
favorite childhood pet. q big shepherd
name Watch
go to the pasture every evening for me
and bring home the cows. Seems that I
can almost see him now. coming down
the lane astride of the cows, whistling
or singing while Watch took care to see
that none Of the cattle strayed from the
herd. He surely loved that dog and I
hardly think that he has forgotten his
DID, playmate yet, although he has had
several such pets since.
Eyes, Willie was always a good boy to
work. Did you ask If he has always
worked like he does now? I guess he has
When just boy he would go after things
pell-mell and it seemed that he always
had an extra supply of energy. Some
might call his methods nel' BUSINESS, but
1t appears to me just the WY he is made
because he has been the same ever since
can remember.
II don't think Willie shall ever have
what you call nervous breakdown. Even
though he works ever so hard 1t Is just
his fashion and I guess he can stand 1t.
He is built peculiarly, that is why 20
many people do not understand him when
they meet or watch him. At times, I
know he seems to be snappy. but it is his
style when he IL busy and he has no idea
he is hurting the feelings Of any one. He
was just the same when he was a boy.
He always put his whole soul into every
thing that he did. whether 1t was work
or play. guess that is what has helped ,,
to make him the man he Is.
willie always liked to play games
where he could show his strength for he
was strong little lad. can remember
that many times before he was ten years
old he would go down to the college
where the boys were playing ball and get
in the game with them. I guess he was
pretty good at baseball even then. After
his grandfather died he and Ed-Ed is his
brother who lives out In North Dakota |
went to school at Marshalltown. My but
! missed my children so much.
''Their father had died during the Civil
war while serving in the 23d Iowa down
south, and he never got to see Willie. !
His name was Willie too, and we named |
the baby for him. His father had always |
liked the name Ashley, so that is where /
Willie got his middle name.'
No greatness which ever comes to
a man ever prevents his being other !
than boy in the sight Of his mother.
Learned dissertations on the value OF
Mr. Sundays work; arguments about !
his theology; questions about his
methods fail to cast the light upon his
work and his character as thoroughly !
as the simple details from the lips of
his mother uttered when she was we'll
past seventy.