Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1918-04-18
BEARDED MANS vow
OF '96 STILL STANDS
Eighteen Years Without Shave or HaIr
cut-Has Them Trimmed When
Bryan Gains Wilson's Chair.

Eighteen Years Without Shave or Hahn
cut-Has Them Trimmed When
Bryan Gains Wilson's Chair.
Waterloo. N. Y.-"Tll never shave OF
cut my hair until William Jennings
Bryan is elected President Of the
United States Of America" These
were the words of William Hilkert of
Ramulus, when the present Secretary
of State was defeatd by William Nc
Kinley in 1896, over eighteen years
ago.
Today Hilkert has beard reaching
to his waist and long tangled hair of a
grayish hue. He still believes that
some time Byran will be elected presi-
dent, and still refuses to succumb to
tonsorial inducements. He declares he
will carry his beard to the grave be-
fore It will ever again be touched by
scissors or razor.
Away back in 1896 "Old BILL" as he
is familiarly known, came ito town"
to get the election returns. He had
been a rabid Democrat since the time
he had sent in his vote in 1S64-from
the Army of the Potomac-for Little
Mac" and found when he returned
home that he had voted for Lincoln.
Election returns in Waterloo that
night were being received at the store
of William H. Dempsey, now promi-
nent Democratic politician Of this sec
tion, and thither Bill journeyed.
Soon the vote began to trickle in. Nc
Kinley carried this state and that
state. Bryan was running behind.
Still Bill fingered. More returns came
In, Increasing McKinley's lead. Still
Bill, hoping against hope, stayed on.
Finally, when the result was no longer
in doubt, he gave vent to his emo
tions.
"Ill never shave or cut my hair un.
til Bryan's elected President" he ex-
claimed. And his words have held
true.
The next morning he came to town
again. This time he carried a myster.
ious bundle. He unwrapped 1t in
Dempsey's store, displaying sheep
shears and razor. Dempsey contri-
buted an oil painting of Bryan and the
whole collection was hung in the front
WAhuoW Va tiC otoiCs WhClC tuCy
today, still causing comment, and nec-
essitating the telling of the story al
most daily.
In 1900, when Bryan was again
nominated against Roosevelt, Hilkert
was certain he would get rid of his
four years growth. All arrangements
were made for the anticipated gala
day A platform was constructed on
the principal corner of the village Bill
brought to town the largest OK on his
farm. Dempsey was to shave him on
the platform after Bryan was elected
and the ceremony was to be followed
by barbecue, with the OK as ths VIC
tim. But again Bill was disappointed.
Roosevelt won.
Four more years the razor and
shears hung in the window. In 1904
the Democrats nominated Parker, and
Hilkert lost his chance to rid himself
of his ever growing hairy appendage.
In 1908, when Bryan was again nomi-
mated aginst Taft, Hilkert renewed
hope. Again he brought an OK to town.
Again the platform was erected. but
again he was doomed to disappoint
ment. Taft won.
In 1912, Hilkert never had chance.
Woodrow Wilson was nominated and
elected by the Democrats. Bryan was
made Secretary of State. Still Bills
beard and hair continued to grow.
Never mind" said Bill when
friend stopped him, there's lots more
elections coming. I'm not dead yet,
but II Bryan's never elected they will
have to bury this armful Of whiskers
with me-"
Since Hilkert's store has changed
hands it has been altered and remod-
eled, but still the picture of Bryan,
with the sheep shears and Iazor dang
ling from the frame, hangs in the front
window. This was the only condition
under which Dempsey, owner of the
building. would turn the lease over to =
the present owners N