Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-03-24
WINDOW.
The Early Life of the Secretary Of the
Treasmry--Hts Experiences as a School


The Early Life of the Secretary of the
Is'easmry--Hts Experiences as School
Teacher. - 90
Especial Correspondence Of the Chicago Tribune
CosHooToN, o., March 1.-THE Hon John A.
Bingham, the present minister of the United States
to Japan, while he was Representative in Congress
from this (Sixteenth) district very fond Of call
ing 1t the Switzerland Of Ohio. It is certainly the
most picturesque portion Of the famous State.
Bordering, 1t does the Ohio river, large por-
ton of 1t is exceedingly hily and, from almost any
one of the many peats that abound, Views of the
uost delightful nature, extending many miles In al
directions, are afforded These landscapes, while
they lack many Of the features Of rugged grandeur
that are afforded in q mountain region, are embel-
i.h with The delightful accessories of civilization.
Farm houses and neat hamlets are seen lowering on
the hlllsides and in the valleys. In many portions
of the district the Dads follow the valleys rather
than make the steep ascent and descent of the hills
Just across the river In Pennsylvania is the region
IN which Jamee G. Blaine was reared, and the same
Influences which contributed towards making him
great undoubtedly operated In favor Of the many
tatesmen and orators who have n isen here from
time to time. 1t is not my purpose to speak Of Gov.
William Shannon, the old-tme Democrat, who was
defeated by Tom Corwin for second term for gov
ernor of the State; of Gen. Custer, Edwin M,
-tanton, or Bishop Simpson all Of whom were born
Q6r0s anu HI Oh WHOM possessed I6tnarK8Ol0 ana
peculiarly striking talents in their way But
1t Is my purpose to give some personal "reminiscences
recently gathered in regard to the latest statesman
who has come into great prominence from this region
The "reminiscences will be Of peculiar interest to the
people Of the Northwest, who now claim this Ohio
man for their Own, and did their level best far
his adopted State was concerned, to beat another
Ohio man who Is now President. refer TO the Sec
rotary Of the treasury, William Window, Of Mime
sofa.
It will be admitted that only the aspiring and dar-
&C. nkn RNu
this and aeek homo in the untried Northwest. But
from early age William Windom-so say those
whe remember him In this State-showed wonder
full degree Of perseverance and determination to
make his mark In the world. In conversation
which held with an old resident of the native
county Of Mr.. Window, and who knew him well
boy and young man, the following facts were OBJ
| tanned:
awe never expected to see 'BIp Window. as we
all called him. where he now Is. But, of course we
are glad and claim some Of the honor to ourselves
to raise him, to be sure; butthen, he didn't give
| a chance to do more. We have been thu means Of
| pushing good many men to the 'front.' and some
have pushed themselves, and we have patiently sub
nitted to the infection, as vide Private Dalzel."
"D!d you think there was anything great in Win
| dom as boy?" .sls...
the start There was always something strong and
vigorous about him. He started out In life by chang
| ing the spelling of his name from Wyndhsm to Win
dom. always thought the former spelling looked
more distinguished and better than the latter. But
he could it so, and took decided dislike
to II, and often eaid that no man with such out
landishlyspelied nan could ever rise very high or
amount to much. It has probably been noticed
| m.ny times that there are very few people In the
world who spell their names as he does now, and all
his relatives in this region still spell their names
| with y"
"oan you tell me anything about WINDOWS early
ufe?'
"Oh, there is great deal might be said, and a
great deal s said think the larger part Of it is
true for has not been long enough since Mr.. VIM
| dom was among u.s. and he has not risen high enough
| yet 80 that the MeRhes of legend would entwine
time he was engaged to teach district sfh ool in
the lily coal section, where nearly ev erybody dig
his fue from the hills The pupils Of the school
were expected to furnish each quota Of coal; and,
as it was easily o. tanned, the matter was generally
neglected. The big boys Of the school got little
along at one time and another; but there were q
many .n sf er ss.. Of !. nss
desired to do to dig their own and the result was
| that Window dug most OF his own coal from the
bank the school house, and either brought it
his hands or hauled 1t on hand sled, to the school
| house. He had too much native energy to 20 cold,
and too much Independence to ask his patrons to dig
it fos him. He took the bghtside view of the mat
tor by insisting that he needed the exercise the min
ing and hauling gave him, and that the patrons of
his school had all they could do to attend to their
| Own affairs. His schools were always q success.
| scholars were brought into subsection, not by any
ssiye use of the ferue, but by sort of natural
| superiority Of the master. shall AWAY 8
remember the rules he laid down for
said the FIRST thing to do was to obtain order at any
| COST as that was heavens first law; and while u
adopt all the elements Of paradise that the master
could enforce. This matter Of order, he insisted,
should be obtained Def re any attempt at lessons
was made. Next after order was attention. But
attention ould not by any jegerdemain be obtained
! Until order reighed. Attention is important, he
urged, perfect order might be secured, and still
the students be entirely bstess. After these two
| fundamental principles have been achieved, then,
aid not till them should the rec tations proceed. By
Insisting excellence in the learning of all les
sons, great help will be furnished towards
enforcing oder and attentlo there will be lirlo
time left for mischief and play. really think that
these about the best rules for the management of
| q school that were ever put forth; and If every
teacher in the land would paste them In his hat and
enforce them with the constant admonition Of at
tempting to accomplish but one thing at time, he
| cou d manage any school in the world.
""hen Window vent West 1t was much mere Of
an uncommon thing than it is now for young man
to reek his fortune there, and created coed deal
mone comment than the same thing now would. OF
late it is the great thing for the young Of the
East who are ambitious, to 60 West. think it has
been general following out of the admonition Of
Horace Greeley in this respect. SO much is this
| true that I am tod by those who know
that the opportunity for advancement in must
of the far Western States to-day is not so
good in Ohio. Nearly every little village is full
| of young lawyers who have gone out there to make
IQolr IOrCuDo duu Ilb6 ulSu LII u0dVeus
II the migration would cease, AID the towns would
grow to the size Of cties there might be some show
for portion Of these at least But, as It new ia,
should think the field was pretty well crowded F."
| "Dont you thlnk ambitious young men would do
well to migrate to Ohio? 1t is genera y understood
that great things await the Ohio candidate In any
| field"
ga large part of that is bosh, think. The cry IA
raised by the rress outside of Ohio, and with some
degree Of reason; but think tse day has largely
| passed now. would not advise ambitious young
fail
| Of ofHce-seekers at home" GARY.
SALTWATER.
One drunk came before his honor and took
the usual fine.
The surprise party last evening at A. B.
Easton's proved to be an enjoyable party.
Fred Boetcher, who was pronounced insane
yesterday by Drs. Pratt and Zercher, was taken
to st. Peter this afternoon.
Mr.. Isaac Staples and Mart Mower, represent