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“The
career which culminated in the election of Elliott W.
Major, a former Monroe county boy, as governor of
Missouri was the outcome of a Florida picnic incident. Major
and his parents were driving to the picnic from their
Monroe county farm when a piece of the harness broke. Elliott
was ordered to get out and fix it. Being a clumsy
youth at the time, he made a mess of it and the next
thing he knew his father, who had lots of temper, was
tanning his jacket with the buggy whip. This was
bad enough, of course, but to make matters worse
Elliott’s best girl happened along in time to see
the performance. This so humiliated him that he
ran away from home that night. Walking to Bowling
Green, he was given a job as janitor in Champ
Clark’s office. Later on, Major studied law
under that famous statesman and became a brilliant
attorney. In quick succession he was elected
state senator, attorney-general and governor, in all
of which offices he rendered fine and constructive
service to the people. Gov. Major is now one of
the outstanding lawyers of St. Louis. He is a
brother of Col. S.R. Major of Paris.”
Source:
Monroe County Appeal dated 31 Aug 1931.
Submitted by Mary Beth Kirtlink. |
