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Cobbler Duke Wins in Political Gambit for 200 Posts
John P. Duke of Kanaga City, a late Independence native, rose from a small Main Street cobbler shop to win a Republican appointment as one of 200 government enumerators in Missouri. The tale unfolds from playful letters to President Hayes and Interior Secretary Carl Schurz, aided by local friends and petitions, culminating in Duke’s unexpected selection and a late life of shopkeeping and community ties.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John P. Duke
Kanaga City
Independence
Kappel City Times
Washington
Hayes
Kansas-City
Missouri
Supervison
Duke
Lise
Dent Hayes
Interior
Carl
Aly Pahen
Vewel Jones
Kansas
Enditz
Ie mi Chunk
C. B. Ballens
Codkral
Mhanner
Preen
Alanderl
Democratio
Cockrel
Freon Mies
Phe
Kansas City