Word: cockleburs
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Grey, gangling Governor William Henry ("Cocklebur Bill") Murray, by law prevented from succeeding himself, staked his political poke on Tom Anglin, Speaker of the State House of Representatives...
...just that order the picturesque field of candidates finished. Oilman Marland got 146,000 votes; Speaker Anglin. 95,000; Commissioner Walton, 81,000. A run-off primary was avoided and the Governorship was practically handed to Mr. Marland when Candidate Anglin withdrew. Growled "Cocklebur Bill" Murray: "I've often said that men would take a cussing or a cold or a rail off your fence, but would not take good advice. They [the voters] refused my advice...
...which he began farming. At this time he was tagged with his familiar nickname because of his persistent advocacy of alfalfa as the proper hay to plant in the short grass country of Oklahoma. Even today he cultivates the popular use of "Alfalfa Bill" rather than the less common "Cocklebur Bill" which his political enemies tried to fasten on him. As a farmer, Murray was successful and is supposed to have made several hundred thousand dollars from his Tishomingo land. Soon, however, he transferred his interest in Agriculture from practice to politics and has largely made his living in that...
William Henry ("Cocklebur Bill") Murray, Governor of Oklahoma, went to Des Moines, addressed the national convention of the Farmers' Union in the manner and speech of a presidential candidate.* Waitresses at the Shrine Tempie wore in their caps badges marked: ALFALFA BILL MURRAY FOR PRESIDENT...
...Presidential speculation, due largely to his refusal to countenance his own candidacy. Favorite sons included Senator Joseph Taylor Robinson of Arkansas. Senator James Hamilton Lewis of Illinois, Governor-Elect Arthur Harry Moore of New Jersey, Governor William Henry Murray of Oklahoma. To get out of the "favorite son" category, "Cocklebur Bill" Murray prepared to run in the Maryland preferential Primaries next May, take a licking from Governor Ritchie...