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IndexDEATH CLAIMS PAT S. NAGLE
Silent, Mystery Man of Oklahoma Politics Taken By Paralysis
January 13, 1924—Enid News—Oklahoma City—Patrick S. Nagle, writer, scholar and politician, long prominent in public affairs of Oklahoma, died at a hospital here early this evening at the age of 65. He succumbed to a stroke of paralysis, which he suffered 10 days ago, aggravated by a severe attack of pneumonia.
The death of Pat Nagle, silent mystery man of Oklahoma politics, leaves a void in affair centering in the state capital that perhaps will never be filled.
Tracking alone, himself forswearing the platform, Nagle was reputed to have spoken with a voice so loud and commanding that his will was never unfelt in circles where politicians moved.
Born in Saint Mary's, Kansas, in 1858, he received his education in Saint Mary's Academy, a Catholic institution in his hometown. He studied for the bar examination by himself and passed with banner credits, and a few years later took his initial plunge into politics.
As a Democrat, he was elected overwhelmingly as recorder of deeds and Pottawatomie County, Kansas--a rock-ribbed Republican center. He served two terms and then in 1889, "made the run" when the territory about Oklahoma City was opened. He settled at Kingfisher, later moving to Guthrie. In 1893 he was named United States Marshal for the Western District of Oklahoma and became a power and state politics. He was credited with cleaning out some of the state's worst outlaws.
After statehood, Nagle ran for the Senate on the Democratic ticket and was defeated. Thereupon he announced its allegiance to the cause of socialism, retired behind the scenes and henceforth his voice was heard only through the mouth of others.
But that he was always speaking, no one familiar with Oklahoma politics ever doubted.
Nagle's last political activity was in connection with the campaign and administration of J. C. Walton, deposed governor.
He was one of the generals in Walton's campaign and following his election took his place behind the executive shoulder, whispering constant words of advice.
Throughout the turbulent Walton administration's Nagle had his hand always all the rotor, sometimes not alone in the pressure that guided the Walton destinies, but at all times making his influence felt. Throughout the 11 months of Walton was in office, Nagle was not once quoted nor was his name ever mentioned in connection with specific actions of the administration. Toward the last of the Walton régime, however, political riders frequently declared that he had urged the governor to reside, but Nagle never confirmed the stories.
Persons who knew Nagle were divided into two distinct groups--those who were his friends and those who were his enemies. But both respected him.
His home life was singularly sweet, according to persons intimately acquainted with him. They asserted he was never too busy to advise his sons and never too tired to talk over the problems of the household with Mrs. Nagle.
Nagle is survived by his widow, a member of the state board of affairs, and two sons, Paul, an oil operator in Tonkawa field, and Patrick, Jr., a student in Columbia University, New York.
First as a progressive Democrat, and literally a fiery Socialist leader, Nagle was a picturesque figure in Oklahoma politics for more than a score of years. His intimate friend's regarded him as a veritable sage. For only those who knew him well ever penetrated the forbidding armor guarding his personality and discovered the inner man, a man rich in learning as educational standards are gauged, a close student of psychology and yet with a simple home loving soul.
Nagle perhaps attained his greatest power, although it was a silent one, during the ill-fated administration of former Governor J. C. Walton. A fast friend of the deposed executive he was one of the latter's most foremost advisers and it was he, according to those who knew who was the guiding hand of the ship of state.
Since Walton's impeachment, he momentarily had been lost sight of, but his friend said it would not be long before he took up the gauge of battle again.
The end came quietly with Mrs. Nagle, the motherly member of the state board of affairs and his elder son Paul, at his bedside. Nagle was conscious almost until the last, although his wan and pale features gave evidence of the savage attack of the disease which finally subdued his once vigorous constitution. His only other child, Patrick Jr., a student at Columbia University, did not arrive in time to see his father again, although he had been summoned from New York when it first was known that Pat would not get well.
All hope for Nagle's recovery was abandoned yesterday when he failed to rally at the crisis of his condition. Until bronchial set in his physicians had maintained that he was in no danger.
Pat Nagel
NAGLE’S APPOINTMENTS
February 27, 1896—Kingfisher Free Press--United States Marshal Nagle has received his commission and will at once enter upon the duties of his office. He authorizes the announcement of the following appointments:
Chief Deputy, M. J. Kane, Kingfisher:
Clerks, Thomas F. Phillips, Kingfisher and Samuel Wisby, Guthrie;
Stenographer, Miss Burke, Guthrie;
Chief Deputy, Judge Scott's district;
Daniel Ryan, Kingfisher;
Chief Deputy, Judge Burford. district, Daniel Perry, El Reno;
Chief Deputy, Judge Bierers district, C. F. Colcord, Perry ;
Chief Deputy, Judge McAtees district, John Smith , Hennessey;
Other deputies, Hugh Donley , Garfield Co.; John P. Jones , Pottawatomie Co.; Louis Eichoff , Canadian Co.; J. C. Shields, Woods Co.; J. A. Cooper, J. G. Gully, Kingfisher Co.; D. M. Hamlin, Kay Co. Other appointments will be made as soon as satisfactory selections can be made.
The Free Press goes out of its way to cordially congratulate Marshal Nagle on the excellent beginning he has made. Mr. Kane, whom he has selected for Chief Deputy is his old law partner, who has lived in Kingfisher from the start. He is a young man of superior ability, unexceptionable habits, good address, who enjoys the confidence and friendship of all the people of this community. He also enjoys and is proud of the distinction of being the son of a veteran Union Soldier.
Tom Phillips who will probably be put in charge of the cash account, has been the cashier of the local land office for the past three years and his standing is very high in the Interior department. He is a hard worker, painstaking and honest, as the day is long. Tom is a Union veteran.
The other appointments, so far as we can speak from personal knowledge, Dan Ryan D. W. Perry , Jack Coope and Jo Gully are commendable and in the line of efficiency and good government. We have not doubt the other appointments are of the same character. In his appointments Mr. Nagle has avoided nepotism, but has selected for his most responsible assistants, old friends whom he knows to be honest, capable and trustworthy. If the policy adopted so far is to be pursued throughout, we fear that President McKinley will take more time in the selection of Mr. Nagle’s successor than will be pleasant to the army of republicans who have already go their “eyes sot” on the marshal’s office.
October 10, 1897—Kingfisher Free Press We thought Marshal Nagle made a mistake when he filed his resignation. The resignation of a public officer on account of a change of administration is meaningless and absurd. When the president gets ready, he can chop the officer’s head off with or without ceremony and the exact manner in which the chopping is done adds to nor detracts nothing from the dignity of the performance. The greatest material mistake, however, that Nagle ever made and one which he did not believe himself, was when he ostentatiously discarded his good standard doctrine and came out in favor of free and unlimited Bryanism, which he doesn’t believe in now, nor never did. That was one time when Pat’s chronic devotion to the name of Democracy got away with his Irish horse sense. Only for this, he might have been marshal always.
NAGEL’S SUCCESSOR
PRESIDENT MAKES OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF THOMPSON’S APPOINTMENT
October 28, 1897—The Oklahoma Leader Washington, October 10—H. C. Thompson’s appointment has just been officially announced from the white house. The president determined to make the appointment regardless of charges believing that they were actuated by a desire on the part of the friends of the other candidates to secure some other man’s appointment.
Washington, Oct. 25—A desperate fight is being made tonight to prevent the appointment of C. H. Thompson as marshal of the territory, tomorrow, but the probabilities are that the commission will be signed tomorrow morning. It is a personal appointment of the president and was brought about today by earnest appeals from Bishop Hurst the Methodist bishop of the District of Columbia, National Committeeman Asp and Attorney General of the Territory Cunningham. Bishop Hurst was closeted more than an hour and requested Thompson’s appointment. Following this came an appeal from Mr. Asp, followed by one from Cunningham, who presented a telegram from Governor Barnes urging that the appointment be made today. When the telegram was handed to the president he sent for the attorney general and said: “General McKenna, I have decided to appoint C. H. Thompson as marshal of the territory of Oklahoma. Is this appointment satisfactory to you?” “Certainly, if it is your wish,” was General McKenna’s response. “Then C. H. Thompson is appointed marshal of Oklahoma, “said the president. The appointment would probably never have been made but for the statement of Mr. Asp that he would stand personally responsible for a clean administration of the office if Thompson, was appointed. General McKenna last Saturday decided to recommend Wm. F. Harn and if the appointment had been delayed until tomorrow Harn would, in all probability, have been appointed.
M. Golden was today assured by the president that he would be appointed Indian Agent of the Osage agency.
Asp will leave for home tomorrow morning with his wife.