Notes from the Hollow

Cleaning out the workshop, I found this item I forgot I even had. This bumper sticker was stuck to a barrel when we bought the place several years ago.

Back in 1974, Bill Clinton ran for the House of Representatives in my very own district against the popular incumbent John Paul Hammerschmidt and lost by only a few thousand votes (52% to 48%). Not bad for a 28 year-old lifetime student and novice law professor. John Paul Hammerschmidt went on to serve a total of 13 terms in congress.

I saw Bill Clinton several times before he left Arkansas for greener pastures, but only two instances come to mind at the moment. In 1984, I skipped school and attended the famous “Super Cow Clinic” in Green Forest, Arkansas with Grandpa (or the legally named Jack McCall). The place was overrun with politicians and candidates, including Bill running for reelection as governor. His opponent, Woody Freeman, was the clear favorite among the old cattleman and farmers in attendance. Actually, I had to look up Woody Freeman’s name and once I saw it I still had no recollection having ever seen it before. Even so, he was a hit.

One of contests at the cattle show was the always popular buffalo chip throwing contest. The announcer on the loud speaker asked the governor to come up and give it a try. When Bill politely demurred, the announcer started ribbing the governor pretty good. So Bill went forward and chose a buffalo chip and let her fly. It didn’t hardly go anywhere at all. Some in the watching crowd let their displeasure be heard. The opponent in the governor’s race (apparently named Woody Freeman) eagerly came forward and threw the buffalo chip like he’d been a professional. The crowd cheered.

A big attraction at the “Super Cow” was the free barbecue lunch. There was a long line waiting to get their plates filled and Bill Clinton started at the end and worked his way up the line shaking hands and talking to people. The governor just wasn’t in his element that day. When he got near to us, I saw that he was pale, sweating hard and clearly nervous. He did look Grandpa in the eye, though, as he shook his hand and at least attempted that earnest look of his. Then Bill Clinton came to me. I don’t guess I was one of those Friends of Bill’s, but I had nothing against the guy and was a little excited to meet the Governor of Arkansas. I stuck out my hand. Well, Bill didn’t look me in the eye. He quickly studied my face, apparently noting that I was not yet of voting age and withdrew his hand before it touched mine and moved on down the line shaking hands, sweating, and looking like he wished he could get out of Green Forest, Arkansas.

The last time I saw old Bill, I was driving east on highway 62 going towards Berryville, Arkansas. I knew Bill was in Eureka Springs for something or another, so when I came up behind one of those Lee Iacocca K-car specials with an Arkansas government license plate, I wasn’t too surprised to see the governor in the car. I was a bit surprised though that he was alone. I followed him into Berryville and then he turned to take highways 21/221 north. I wonder where he was going?