Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-01-16

From the New Yer. World, Sth inst.
Horace Greeley
anecdotes Neu and Old.

.On taking his seat in the Thirtieth
Congress, Mr.. Greeley vigorously at
tackled the old mileage abuse, and was
bitterly opposed by many Of his fellow
members, and at length it was gravely
proposed to cxpel him. The move
ments," says Mr. Greeley, "was crush
ed by a terse interrogatory remon-
STRANGE from long John Wentworth,
then leading Democrat. Why, you
blessed fools, do you want to make him
President p
Several years ago dinner was given
in the Astor House, at which the speech
es touched upon some of the important
interests Of the day. The unsophisti-
Gated Horace noticed the banquet eJi
torially, winding up with a sharp allu-
sion to the ccnvivial character Of the
party, naming Heidsick and champagne
as among the liquors disposed of. When
he entered the editorial room next
morning several editors were at work
who had noticed their chiefs amusing
blunder. Mr.. Charles A. Dana, then
managing editor Of the Tribune, rallied
him upon his innocence in making
IIeidsick and champagne two wines.
Looking blandly upon his co-workers,
Mr.. Greeley retorted s'Did [ do that
Well, | guess | am the only man in this
off ce that could have made that mis-,
take"
Years ago Donald c. Henderson, now
editor of the Allegan { Mich.) J Journal,
but then Horace's walking encyclope-
dia Of politics, had many of the philo-
sophers's strongest points he wrote
even a worse hand he walked as badly ;
he wrs an imitator Of Mr.. Greeley s
toilet; but what allied him was the fact
that Don had penchant for political
statistics. Mr. Greeley. often detected
errors in his tables, and two Or three
times discharged him he clung to his
place, however, for, said his fellow
workmen, his 'scheek'' was as bound
less as the Western prairies whence he
came. One day Mr.. Greeley saw him
at the exchange newspapers, and said,
Don, what are you doing there? |
thought | discharged you long ago 2
Il know you did, Mr.. Greeley but
I've got good place. and amt eoin'. .
That jcke was even to mnci. for Hcrace.
and Don's official death died natural
death. He only went when he got
ready One Of Don's requirements
was his ability to read Mr. Greeley
writing at sight as easily as print, but
his remarks to compositors who both
cred him were rude to the last degree.
To a compositor who asked him to read
word which Mr.. Greeley had written
in a religious article, Don, with con
temptuous sneer, snarled out: * 'E,l.
charist, you darned fool did you never
play euchre.
When he went to the. Worlds Fair,
in London, Mr.. Greeley was on board
the Baltic, at the foot Of Canal street,
at twelve o'clock, sharp. He sat at his
desk writing for the Tribune until very
nearly qnarter to twelve. Suddenly
he sprang up, clapped on that famous
hat, seized a small carpet-bag, and
pushed toward the door, saying {:
Boys, I'm off for Europe, somebody
read my proof: A carriage was ready,
and he was just in time. When he re-
turned be made for the Office with equal
economy Of time, rushed up stairs,
and, without waiting to speak to any
one, or even take of his hat, WAS in.