The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-09-13
4. Miner GriswoId, The Fat COntrt-
butOr."

of the sprightliest journals Of the great
metropolis, we find the following:
A. Miner Griswold, better known as the
"Fat Contributor of the Cincinnati
| Times, has within few years obtained a
national reputation, (he deserves credit for
not msspcling,) and is one of the most
noted humoris,s Of the day. He is ma
tive Of Westmoreland, Oneida county, in
this State, and though addicted to wag-
gishness, queer story telling, and various
drolleries from bis early boyhood, he never
made an attempt to write until after he
had reached his legal majority. He first
appeared III print in the Buffalo Times, in
conjunction with A. w. Paxton, author Of
the famous Silver Lake Snake hoax, o
clever eccentric, who went in wild deli
rum to an early grave. He afterwards
became connected with the Buffalo Re
public, and after year of service removed
10 Detroit, and attached himself to the
staff Of the advertiser there. In Il few
months he went to Cleveland, Ohio, ard
wrote for the Plaindealer, while Artemus
Ward was making himself famous by his
contributions to that paper.
\ warm friendship Sprang up between
s., Charlie Browne-as bis acquaintance
called him-and Griswold, which con-
tinucd until the death of the former.
i Browne Immediately recognized his
friends peculiar talent, and told him all
he needed was tact and energy in putting
himself before the public. 81 have no
genius, l am aware" he was IN the habit
OF saying, +" but understand how to make
the most Of my little gift. If the public
are willing to believe there is great deal
in mel have no objection to humorin 6
them. 1t is joke that enjoy, and one
that pays. When people think you are
genius the first and best thing to do is to
give them to understand in a quiet way
that YOU agree with them, but that they
are entitled to credit for their discovery
and appreciation. That tlatters their self
love and exalts your own. Talent is the
rude material Of war that exists every
where. Tact is the rude knowledge that
teaches one how to fight his battle"
During the six years Of Mr.. Griswold's
Journalism he wrote almost everything APP
pertaining to city life and its phases, and
generally with a strong tincture Of satire
and an irresistible tendency to burlcsquc.
He made good deal of local reputation,
but hardly began TO be known outside OF
a provincial circle until he went to Gin
cinnati, four years ago, and attached him
, self to the Daily Times. He was engaged
there especially as humorous writer. and
: many Of the "Fat Contributors " sketches
; are no doubt familiar to our readers, as
, they have frequently been reproduced Of
late in the metropolitan press.
, During the past three winters, he has
been humorous lecturer, mainly in the
: West, and has had very fair degree OF
, success though with good and practiccd
agent he would have had much more
His last lecture was on Indian character
, istcS, using the Indians to satirize the fol-
lies of the whites, and it is full of sharp
points and hits at men and the times. Pri-
vately, he tells amusing stories of the lite
ralisn Of some persons. He was speaking
in Cleveland last season, and in the course
of his burlesque description Of the Disco
very of America, he said
Columbus, after thinking of the matter
for an hour by the town clock, turned of
his gas, and went to bed"
After the lecture an old fellow remark
ed "Mr. Griswold, liked your lecture
very much; but you made mistake in
saving Columbus turned Off the gas.
America was discovered in 1892, and they
didn't know anything about gas until long
after that. l guess they used petroleum
in those days"
every good" laughed Griswold, very
good, indeed owe you for hint. I'll
work that in sometime"
The man looked as solemn as marriage
ceremony, and said: "It's no joke, Mr.
Griswold; | can show you your mistake
in history, il you'll walk over to my
house"
For the first time the lecturer perceived
his companion was really in earnest, and
half an hour was required to explain that
the whole lecture was burlesque. "Ah,
yes" was the response, F." see now but
why didn't you say so, my friend 7"
The circumstance amused Griswold a
great deal, and en- route to Cincinnati he
told it to man who sat at his side in the
cars. "Well," observed the newacquaint-
ance, "the old chap was right. They
didn't have gas in this country for three
centuries after" Griswold looked at the
dullard for few seconds, and indignant
and serious for once in his life, said:
We'll, you are a bigger fool than the
other man. never supposed one State
could contain two such idiots. You ought
10 nave taken passage on the cattle train.
IL owned an OK that couldn't see Joke
quicker than you, I'd kill him, and never
defraud the public by Offering his tough
carcass to the butcher, either.n
by the sobrlquet Of " Fat Contributor y
orlswold designed to convey the impress