The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-03-06
Thos. Hornbrook at Hot Springs
An Editor Who Writes M II
He Was Much Puzzled.


Hot Springs Telegraph Of March "a.
We had pleasant call yesterday from
Mr.. Thomas Hornbrnok, prominent
citizen and leading business msn o.
Wheeling, West Virginia, who, in COM
pany with his daughter, Is spending
lew weeks here for health and reerea
ton, and Is guest Of the Hot Spring
Hotel.
Mr.. Hornbrook entertained US for hal
an hour with very interesting sketch
Of his life and achievements, not for
getting to remind US that be started life
poor boy, and by industry and Close
attention TO business had amassed com
potency, although annually dispensing q
large portion Of his earnings and income
10 charity and beneyolencO.
Mr.. II. was kind enough to present VI
with u photograph likeness Of himself
and splendid Autograph picture Of hi
city residence and his magnificent coun
try seat surrounded by spacious park
and exquisite flower gardens; and also .
lithograph Of one Of his fine businesI
blocks in Wheeling, and also Of the
Wheeling Female College building, o.
which he il d trustee, together with {
large number Of periodicals, papers anc
printed letters and newspaper extracts
with which his name ia mentioned II
honorable connection with some praise
worthy act OF benefcent charity or laud
able business enterprise.
Mr.. HornbrOok Is very remarkable
man; full OF life and vim and public spir'
tied enterprise, and overlooking with thu
milk OF human kindness. But with al
these qualities, which ono would natur
ally suppose to be allied only 10 man o
strong practical views and methodica
habits, Mr.. Hornbrook presents tht
strange paradox OF a man full Of odd &c
centriciiies. He dropped in upon III
like an apparation, without announce
ment aud without introduction, and with
out as much as even giving Us his name
ratified of at q race horse speed, with 1
brief recital Of The principal episodes II
his eventful life, illustrating each chapter
with lithograph picture or printed sliI
OF paper, which he drew, one by one
fpon a capacious bundle, until thu
pile was exhausted. During his briei
and hurried recital, we tried &C
aasionalIy TO edge in word, by
way OF comment or inquiry, but as vel
might We have tried to insert crow bar
into the invisible seams OF polished
granite rock-Mr. Hornbrook had only i
short time 10 stay, and he proposed to dc
all the talking, and he did. After finish
ing what he had TO say, he politely bade
us good evening, and left in the same odd
but courteous manner In which he hat
made his appearance. But in that briel
period, our eye so long accustomed tc
peer into the deep recesses OF human ma
lure, took In the whole character and
history OF the man. We saw man Of
wonderful faculties OF mind and body
who had strained both TO their utmost
tension in accumulating wealth, and dis
pensing charity, but whose results, so fai
~ he IL individually concerned, may b.
epitomiEed in the brief commentary
"overwork."
Nature Ia kind and indulgent parent
when we obey her ibjunctions and fol-
low her admonitions; but as unyielding
and memorable as fate in executing tbs
penalties Of her violated laws. With all
his good Intentions and humane impul
sea, Mr.. Hornbruok has either overtaxet
his mental faculties, or warped some o.
them by an undue exercise Of others
until be has either impaired theii
strength or destroyed that harmony o.
mutual dependency which is absolutely
essential to perfect whole. 1t will mo-
do for men to work too much; or keel
their mind too long imprisoned in narrow
grooves and bent upon isolated pursuits
But all these are gratuitous comments
We have only to thank Mr.. Hornbrook fol
very pleasant half hour enjoyed 10 biz
company; and 10 express the hope that h
may enjoy his brief sojourn among III
with pleasure and profit.