Evening star., 1923-08-02

of her husbands fortunes. Their
home life was ideal and their mutual
friends were numerous. The Hard
ing home in Marion was the scene
of many happy gathering. Their
social affairs were simple and unaf-
fected and their hospitality was dis
pensed far and wide. Her husband
interests were her interests, and her
husbands friends were her friends.
Having his success as her real am
bition in life, she has been known to
remark. "a man must be well fed ana
we'll groomed if he would succeed,
and it cannot be disputed that she
looked well to these matters.
Mr.. Harding was closely identlhed
with many large business enterprises.
After he took over the Star. Marion
grew from a country town 70 a
fourishing manufacturing city OF
10000, and he was prime factor IN
this industrial development. He was
a booster for every new industry
which has located there, taking shares
of stock in each to the limit of his
ability. Because of his recognized
business sagacity he was made, at
one time or another, member of the
board of directors of most Of these
enterprises. lending his counsel and
advice. and in turn gathering much
valuable information concerning the
difficulties which beset the various
lines of industry. At the time of his
election to the presidency he was a
director of a bank. director Of several
large manufacturing plants, and is
also a trustee of the Trinity Baptist
Church. of which he was n member,
and upon whose services he was a
regular attendant when in the city.
Naturally Politician.
Considering his profession and his
activities among the prominent men
Of his community and his interest in
the republican party, it was only nat
ural that Mr.. Harding should have
early in life taken to politics.
His experience in the state legisla-
ture served to broaden his aspect of
life, and when he later entered upon
a wider sphere of political activity
this legislative experience served a
good purpose, and, along with his
high standing and strong personality,
he speedily arose to a commanding
place in the state. He was well pre-
pared for public service. His early
training as a newspaper writer and
printer and his close association with
the business and commercial interests
of the city and his leadership in local
affairs gave him most comprehen-
sive grasp of the problems with which
q public servant must deal.
From early manhood President
Harding had the knack of making
friends and keeping them. He was
genial and interesting. He talked
well and convincingly, but it was
not until several years after he had
entered upon the management Of the
destinies of the Star that he and his
friends discovered he had oratorical
ability. At least. he looked then as
being most promising as neigh
oorhood stump speaker" and it was
not long before he was pressed into
the party's service. all of which had
much to do with his rapid rise in the
party.
sneech Induces a Prediction.
Strangely enough. the first political
speech Harding made won the predic-
tion that he might some day land in
the White House. During the cam
paigning in the early 90s the chair
man of the republican county COM
f1ittee asked Harding to go with him
and another young aspiring lawyer to
Martel, little democratic village, to
make a speech. Harding consented
reluctantly, insisting that he could
not talk. On the way over IL was
decided that Harding should make the
opening address-to be followed by
tka ambitious young lawyer. There
were about twenty-five present in the
little schoolhouse when Harding was
introduced. He launched into his ad-
dress with both the fire and logic that
not only took the chairman and his
young lawyer (: md completely of
their feet, but the crowd as well
Concluding his address. the chairman
arose to introduce the young lawyer
only 10 find every one going out. salts
Eel with the first speech. This was
Harding's first political speech.
Shortly thereafter a political rally