Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1877-01-18
James Gordon Ben.ett


Mr.. James Gordon Bennett Ia tb,
only son of the founder or the Nav
York Herald, and Is about thirty.fiy,
years Of age. He was carefully educa
tea, mostly by private tutors, and hi.
iather prepared him for journalism. ii
was said that il was the cherished ides
oil the elder Bennett to see his son mas
ter 0f the Herald and to see him mar.
rled and ,father- But yoaug Bennett
was inclined to be wild. His fathei
gave him means. TO establish the Eve,
ming Telegram, paper which he de,
voted considerable attention to. and
which IL now one of the best evening
newspapers in the country. When
Frederick Hudson retired from i the
management OF. the Herald, Young
Bennett became his ostensiblc sueces.
,sor. 1t Is said that Hudson, to WHOM,
was, in a large measure, due the sue.
cess OF the Herald, left lit bccsuse the
elder Bennett wished 10 place James
Gorqon in charge. 1twas in 1867 when
hudson LETT the paper.s He has since
died. Thoegh Bennettha given 3
good deal OF fattentiOn-atg times very
strict attention-te the. Herald he hss
not, ms. an editor, displayed eitherthat
aptitude OF ability fof the details OF
journalism which characterized his
father. He has, however, Displayed
great enterprise, aud the Herald Of, To-
day - fuliy a. prosperous as il ever
WAS, and u lar better in tone. Mr..
Bennett jr.,. has the credit of planning
the expeditienHin search of DR.. Living
stone, which Stanley brought to y sue
ces5fui termination. H6 is said to have
planned 1t while enjoying himself one
evening in a Paris theatre. The Cesar
ism eainpaigu, it Is said, vas also de-
vised While Bennett was ON yachting
cruise to the south of France. Among
the other notable projects which he
has put into execution is the second
expedition Of Slantiey to Africa. I.
Much has been said OF Mr.. Bonnett's
career since he attained the age OF
He spent much time abroad,
and long before his fathers death had
attained reputation of being jolly
fellow, with u disposition to enjoy life.
lie sowed lots of wild oats abroad
moved In the best society at the same
time, and, it is charged, at one time,
aspired to the hand of Danish Prin.
cess. But however true this is we cam
not say. A. Oakley Hall, a noted New
YORK politician and former Mayor Of
that city, once paid young Bennett a.
compliment by saying that he would
rather be editor of the Herald than
Pr, s,dent. Mr.. Bennett hiss assuredly
had advantages that no other Ameri-
can journalist ever possessed. He is q
veritable prince in the Journalistic
wOrid. A story is related that upon
one time he entered the Herald Office
In jolly mood about noon, and COM
planning of the dearth of news and ofI
the lack OF sensation, said to his, city
editor, Turn the animals loose in Cen
trail Park; that will raise hellr The
Herald next morning contained long
blood and-thunder story to the effect
that the lions and tigers and other
wild animals which were on exhibit
ton in the Central Park had escaped
from their Cages. 1t was a genuineI
sensation, but its effect was bad. Ner-
vOu5 women were frightened and
school children scared nearly to death.
Some peOI lie barely escaped death from
actual fright. Thousands credited the
noax. 1t WAS even credited by Onel
oid established evening newspaper.
The indignation of citizens was very
great, and Bennett Was threatened with |
Indictment. The young proprietor OF
he Herald has sister who idolizes
lin. 1t is thought that she will yet
AIRY out her intention, originally sta.
ed, to enter convent. Later events
n Mr.. Bennett's life are new to our
eaders. 1t is due to him to say, how
'yer, no matter what his faults, he de-
erves credit for many generous acts.
)ne winter he gave $4,000 to help
eed the poor Of New York city. He
ided with his purse and newspaper in
making successful summer excursions
Or the poor children in New York and
e was unstinted in his gifts to private
harities. His income from the Herald
! about $3.50, ,00J per year, and his in
ome from rents and Investments fully
2OO, 900 more. /,