The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1952-07-31
LIFE OF ADLAI
E. STEVENSON

NY. lney 0l1fer ~ 20 the extent
OF its effect on voters.
In 19l9, Mrs. Stevenson obtained
a Nevada divorce on the grounds
OF mental cruelty. The decree dis
solved . marriage that lasted Il
years.
Her testimony was not made
public. In Springfield, Stevenson
blamed ''the incompatability Of
our lives" for the divorce action.
He did not contest the suit, al
though he said he was deeply
distressed" and opposed divorce
in general.
Mrs. Stevenson refused to COM
ment on reports that she disliked
her public role a. Illinois first
lady.
After the divorce, she devoted
considerable time to her interest
in modern poetry. Stevenson rent
ed out his 71-acre farm 20 miles
northwest Of Chicago. Neither has
remarked.
Stevenson credits his record as
governor to the men around him.
He once said that his original
Cabinet in Illinois, imam for man,
is perhaps the ablest ever assem-
bled in q state government.
One Of the standouts still in his
administration j. Fred K. .Koehler,
director Of the State Welfare De-
partment which administers state
mental hospitals. The state has
over IS, 900 mental wards.
Hoehler, president Of the Amer
lean Public Welfare Association,
is a nationally recognized author
ity in his field. He once headed
the division of displaced persons
for the UNRRA.
Two other standouts were George
w. Mitchell, who quit as state fl
nance director to become a vice
president Of the Federal Reserve
Bank Of Chicago, and Donald j.
Walsh, who resigned as state pub
lie safety director and now Is bust
ness manager Of the Chicago Her
| ald-American.
For his personal staff, Steven.
son selected q set Of youthful men.
Closest to his elbow is Carl Nc
Gowan, who at 20 is one Of the
oldest Of the group.
MCGOWAN, q former law profes-
sor at Northwestern University,
served as q special assistant to
Navy Undersecretary Ralph Bard
during World War II. He reported
Iy has received attractive offers
to return to Washington, but stuck
with Stevenson.
From the start, his press secre-
tary has been william !. Flana.
gan. 81, former city editor Of 4
Chicago newspaper. Flanagan
spanked the nationwide publicity
buildup that introduced Stevenson
into millions Of American homes
via magazine and newspaper.
That Steyenson's speeches and
statements reflect the man Is no
scratch himself. or painstakingly
recasts the drafts Of aides into
his own mold.
Much Of this work he does late
at night in the loneliness Of the
century old, 32-room Illinois Exec.
utive Mansion. where he has lived
q comparatively solitary existence
for the last three years.
His Dalmatian, King Arthur, Of
ten lies at his feet on these occa.
sions.
A ready sense Of humor that
Stevenson frequently turns on him
self viii help relieve the strain
He broke the tension Of the Illi-
nois delegation re.convention eau.
Gus In Chicago by telling . story
to illustrate how he then felt about
. Democratic nomination for Pres
ident. II went like this:
A preacher asked those In the
congregation who want to 60 to
heaven 10 stand up. All stood ex-
cept one man. The minister then
asked all who want to 60 to hell
10 stand. The man still sat.
where do you want TO GOT.
the preacher asked.
II want to stay right where I
am" the stubborn one replied.