The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, April 19, 1906 This distinguished citizen was born amid the vine clad hills of Adams County. About 1785 his ancestors settled on an island in the Nodaway River not far from where the town of Corning clings on a south slope, kissed by a summer's sun and protected from the winter's storm. But this poetic description has nothing to do with Mr. Darrah's career save it formed his environs in his earlier manhood where he learned the mercantile business as clerk. Ten years ago he ventured forth into the great world, came to Chariton and went into business on his own account. But his business career is not the theme of this sketch. It is political. A year ago this spring he was elevated to the town council so suddenly that it reminded one of a trip up Pike's Peak. At the special election in the fall he was elected to represent Lucas County in the legislature. This was liken to a balloon ascension from his former high altitude. But he takes his honors with becoming modesty and realizes he ! is but a servant of the people. Formerly several competitors expressed themselves willing to assume his duties but now everybody has decided to let him serve without an arm being reached out to rescue him. Usually the less said about a legislator the better it is for the legislator but he has nothing to conceal. He kept out of the way of the giant octopus, which is an awful brute that inhabits legislative halls, and has dragged many a bright mind to ruin. He says it behooves a law maker to "beware of the octopus," and these adventures form more thrilling narratives than experiences with pirates among the South Sea Islands. Of course the octopus can't catch democrats but 'most any kind of a republican has to watch out. The octopus frequently swallows them without salt or seasoning of any kind. And all these dangers have to be undergone for one's country! Perhaps this is the reason Mr. Darrah has no opposition. "We are oft beset by dangers On the land and on the sea Encompassed round by strangers Wherever we may chance to be Pitfalls here and maelstroms there The octopus in hiding everywhere -- Deliver me." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert October 8, 2004 [email protected]