Column: Bells tolled long for family ties in Congress race
Column: Bells tolled long for family ties in Congress race Johnny Vardeman During the 1904 campaign for Congress for the 9th District, Tom Bell of White and Hall counties was seeking to unseat Rep. F. Carter Tate of Pickens County. Bell scheduled a speech in Lawrenceville, and Tate surprised him by also showing up. Bell reminded Tate that he had married into the Bell family, making them fourth cousins by marriage. He told the audience that he would keep the congressional seat in the family if he won. Tate responded that voters should keep him in office ...