Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-09-06

ploits in the days of
the Filipino insurrection. Then there was the
San Francisco fire and earthquake And
lately. Vera Cruz OF course, this is skipping
a great deal of interesting biography.
Wins an Election for dad"
Funston has been a fighter all his life,
cand odds were never great enough to dis
may him. His first charge against an enemy
overwhelming in numbers occurred in 1884,
before he rounded out his 18th year. His
father had been nominated by the Republic
cans of southeastern Kansas as a candidate
for Representative in Congress. His oppo-
nent was an able campaigner named Riggs,
who had by his vigorous canvass of the dis
trict thrown the adherents of the Farmer"
as he niclSnamed Funston, into consterna-
tion. One night in February a rousing Riggs
meeting was held in the Opera House in Fort
Scott. Enthusiasm had been aroused to a
wild pitch by the last speaker and the
crowd was making ready to depart when
a smooth faced boy, a little chap Of not more
than five feet three inches clambered upon
the stage and shouted, "Sit down."
Every one turned to see what it was all
about and amazement was expressed in
every face when the boy, without a trace of
embarrassment in his attitude or voice, said:
81 am Frederick Funston, son of the
Farmer want you to listen to me-"
Young Funston looked into the faces Of
those men, and knew that nine out of ten
were opposed to his father. without finch
ing, he began with a short story of his
fathers life on the farm near lola. He was
witty, and his ancedote turned upon a
joke at his fathers expense, he soon had his
hearers in excellent humor
In another momant ITunaton
launched into a political speech, discussing
the issues of the campaign with all the
knowledge Of a veteran. The crowd listened
to him for 30 minutes, and when he ceased
speaking the occasion had been turned into
Republican love feast. From that moment
the Democrats were beaten, E. H. Funston
being elected by the largest majority the
district had ever given.
But before that of course Frederick Fun
ston was born-in Ohio, in 1866 He was
raised" on the farm in Kansas to which the
family moved when the boy was years old
For two years he attended Kansas Univer-
sty but was not fond enough of his studies
to stay any longer. Be II said that he left
entirely of his own volition. After some ex-
perience at reporting he secured Job as city
editor Of a paper in Fort Smith, Ark One
day the editor-in chief went away and left
Funston in charge. Funston opened up on
crooked politics in an editorial that brought
a mob down on the Tribune office He or
ganized the staff for defense and once again
showed his capacity as a fighter.
The Agricultural Department at Washing
ton wanted somebody to collect botanical
specimens in Alaska A friend got him the
job. He said at the time that he didn't know
the difference between a violet and a sum
flower, but he went to work to learn practical
botany and qualified with honors II was in
1892 he went to Alaska.
Alaskan and Cuban Adventures
He went over Chilkoot Pass In a late bliz-
zard, struck for the interior reached the snot
where Dawson City now is and started down
the Yukon alone In a canoe which he had
built. The canoe was caught in rapids. split
on rock and that would have been the end
OF Fred Funston but for a missionary who
CHANGED to be going along with some Indians.
and saved him. That winter he spent with
the Indians, hunting and exploring. and
when he returned 1t was with a store of
highly comprehensive and valuable botanical
material. His one criticism OF Alaska was
that 1t was magnificent country, but pretty
lonely.
His next venture was in Cuba, where he
mission and he became second in command
OF artillery under Osgood, the famous Cor
mel football halfback He made a record
for bravery at Guimaro, In October. 1895.
where his chief was killed. and he took com
mand. At the head OF his artillerymen and
with dynamite bomb in his hand he charged
the Spanish works in the assault which ter
minated In their surrender. At Bayamo he
became cavalry officer temporarily because
there was more for cavalry than for artillery
to do there. and was shot three times. but
such was his endurance and physique that
he was ready for more fighting in a short time.
AT Las Tunas he managed the Cuban dyna-
mite guns which wrought such havoc among
the Spanish troops. and was again wounded.
Al the same time his horse was shot and felI
upon him, badly inJuring his hips. Wounded
as he was he hobbled TO Headquarters on
learning that 30 prisoners, guerrillas. who
fought on the Spanish side were 10 be eye
euted. and begged fer their lives. The peti-
tion was refused
Pretty soon the Spanish American War
broke out and Funston volunteered his serv-
ices He was offered a place on General
Miles staff but decided he'd rather do rough
work with the Kansans. He didn't set 40
Cuba till he went there after the war to help
Taft straighten things out. but he did 20 10
the Philippines and then everybody IN the
country heard OF Colonel Funston and his
goth Kansas.