A CHAMPION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19784, 7 March 1927, Page 11

A CHAMPION

“REUBEN THE NIFTY’’ FATHER OF 34 CHILDREN. President Coolidge paused to-day in his consideration of important affairs long enough to pay tribute to America’s champion father —Reuben Bland, a 72-years-old farmer, of North Carolina, whose children number 34, says a New York paper of January 8. After shaking hands with the wiry, sprightly farmer, who was excited over reports that Robert Gentle, of Atlanta, the father of 24 children, was the champion father, Mr. Coolidge observed, “You ought to be thankful for all your blessings.’’ Mr. Bland was later presented to the House of Representatives, being described as “the man who has contributed, and is contributing, more to the man-power of the nation than any other citizen.” Mr. Bland caused an uproar when he told the House that when tho twentieth child arrived Representative Small volunteered to present him with a suit of clothes for every child that came afterwards. “Fourteen times was Mr. Small called upon,” he annoounced, adding that only this morning he had received from Kansas City the following telegraphic tribute to his fame: “Reuben, Reuben, I’ve been thinking You are quite a nifty man, To your health I now am drinking, You have done what few men can.”