"The year 1888 was a year of general elections, and I had an experience a little out of my line. There was a democratic rally at Sterling one night, at which the Rev. Myron Reed, and two Swedes were the speakers. I was present, and the next day I went to Hartun, a small station about thirty-five miles away, where I was to say mass the next day. When I arrived there in the evening I found the place thronged with people from the surrounding country. I had no idea that so many people could be gathered together in such a sparsely settled district and I learned that the two Swedes were there and were going to speak. on the political situation- - the election of a president and a governor. Myron Reed was not there and the people seemed at a loss how to begin the meeting. It is supposed that preachers are always ready for everything, so when I arrived I was asked to preside and conduct the proceedings. As the meeting was in line with my sympathies I took the chair, and with all the dignity and importance of a dyed in the wool politician made my first and last political speech."

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