HOUSE SPEAKER TO REPEAT JOURNEY TO ILLINOIS MADE 83 YEARS AGO
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On September 30, 1922, the Evening Star reports the Speaker of the House of Representatives, "Uncle Joe" Cannon* will hit the same trail next week "westward to Illinois" that was taken along with his parents some 83 years ago when they left North Carolina.
That first trip was made on "an old prairie schooner**" when the Speaker was just four years old. The coming journey will be made in a bit more luxury, by automobile.
Speaker Cannon said...
"I will make my last journey homeward as a member of the House. On every foot of the road my heart will beat with happiness."
*Joseph Gurney Cannon (1836-1926) was born in Guilford County, North Carolina & served in the U.S. House of Representatives 1873-1891, 1893-1913, 1915-1923. JGC was Speaker of the House 1903-1911 & is said to be the most dominant speaker in US history.
**prairie schooner is a "covered" wagon used by emigrants traveling to the American West in the 1800s. The covers were white canvas giving the wagon the appearance of a "schooner" sailing ship.
SOURCES
"prairie schooner," Britannica, www.britannica.com/
"Uncle Joe's Trip Home To Repeat One 83 Years Ago," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., September 30, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
