Evening star., 1933-04-02
DOLLY GANN TELLS
STORY OF HER LIFE
methodist and Republican,
Childhood Recalled in
Her Autobiography.
Continued From First Page.)

and Elizabeth were small children
Charles spoke French at home until
he went to school, where his learning
English was accelerated by the boys
teasing because Of his foreign talk. MY
mother was Lou Jay, from a branch OF
the John Jay family. She had gone
West from New York with her parents
was born in Topeka. I have a dig
| nifed name, Permela, a heritage from
| Grandmother Curtis, but have made nc
use of it. Father would come in and
look at me as lay in bed, and put his
big hat over me, so that it completely
hid me. THE doll" he called me, and
the name Dolly became mine.
Something Of . Tomboy."
Much Of my childhood was spent on
Uncle Charles Jays farm. I was some
thing Of q tomboy, climbing trees, rid
ing difficult horses, doing many things
that annoyed my elders. But I had
plenty of discipline. Grandmother
Curtis was always in the BACKGROUND.
My mother did not believe in all play
ana no work, and every morning had
When mother died I went to live
with my brother Charles and his wife.
from that day real sister to me. AS
Anna Baird, she had come from Al
toona, Pa.
charles the young lawyer had become
Charles the public man in 1884-county
prosecuting attorney, champion of the
States prohibition law Reelected in
1885. he ran for Congress about the
time went to live with him. In 1892
ne was nominated. recall my vivid
interest IN bis election. My political
education was beginning.
I went to Washington in August.
1893, for the special session of Congress
called by President Cleveland. Wash
ington was in the beginning city Of
loneliness for me. My brother was
Immersed In his work as young Con-
greSSman-he made himself a useful
aide to Thomas B. Reed and other
leaders. and was appointed assistant
whip Of the House Republicans when
Mr.. Reed became Speaker.
Perhaps my homesickness hastened
my brothers decision to have me as
secretary. Although he had a small
of1ce In the Capitol, his real ONCE was
room In our home. He had secre-
tary, man, who resigned. so I got
my chance to work and forget how
lonely I was. From then until now
have been busy. If for a brief spell
have nothing to do, I am unhappy:
at least, less happy than ought to be-
As my ster-in-law Anna later on
entered more into the Capitals social
life I met more and more people. I
received with Anna each Tuesday, "at-
home" day Of Congressmens wives.
Before Charles went into the United
State Senate I could call Washington
home, even if still loved Kansas.
Meanwhile, as part Of my duties
as secretary, began to keep systematic
records for campaign use-books filled
with the names Of Kansas voters, the
citizens Of every county and town-all
the names we could get A short BIZ
ography Of each voter, with his achieve
ments, sometimes a description of his
personality, all the facts we could
gather.
Charles was in the House IA years.
In that time the boundaries of our
district changed, the Populists won
control Of the State, and there were
only two Republicans left in Kansas
House delegation, Case Broderick and
my brother: They found themselves In
the same district on the new political
map. Mr.. Broderick, much older
man, told brother to run for Congress.
"You can't win." said he, but 1t win
broaden your acquaintance"
Charles made a real campaign, and
won.
Brother Goes to Senate.
The first time he ran for the Sen
ate, in 1902, he was defeated by Ches-
ter l.. Long. Four years later he was
successful. shall not forget the night
- H. Ill
lature,. I was permitted on the fioor.
I had list Of the members and
checked them as they voted. What a
night that wasl Charles was chosen
for the full term and for an unexpired
term.
Charles moved from one end of the
Capitol to the other. I was increas-
tngly busy and no doubt more efficient
because Of experience as my brothers
secretary.
We dwelt In many parts Of Wash
ington. In our early days there was
strong. prejudice against Congress-
Perhaps the public felt this would
lessen the occupants interest in his
State, or that he was showing over
confidence in his ability to hold his
seat Charles rented his homes for
years.
! stayed on my job, except for short
trips and one journey to Europe
Charles rarely had time to travel. His
term endend, he was defeated for re-
nomination In 1912 In the latter part
Of the campaign he sent me to Kansas
to size up the situation. After talking
with our friends I wired brother to
come out as fast as he could. But
only two weeks remained and he could
not stem the tide. It was the year Of
the Bull Moose.
From some quarters came the advice
that Charles would win II he bent
his views III a Progressive direction.
He refused. His opponent was Gov.
Stubbs. who had caused the enactment
Of a bill making it necessary for q
candidate to carry a majority of the
legislative districts instead Of the pop
ular vote. Mr.. Stubbs got the majority
Of the districts, though Charles won
the popular vote. The result was that
Kansas elected Democrat to the Sen
ate. The national campaign ended with
woodrow Wilson elected President.
Two years later, In 1914, Charles was
elected again. had charge of his
campaign headquarters while he was
out In the State. did the work at
the house and every evening many of
our friends came in to help. We sent
out over 10000 letters.
Brother defeated Joseph L. Bristow,
who was in the Senate, for the nomi-
nation. In the Fall election he won
against George A. Nicely, Democrat, and
Victor Murdock, Progressive.
I do not let politics interfere with
friendships. For years have been