Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-23
"REMINISCENCES OF THOMPSON.
The Dead Editor and Authors Expert
ence with John Il. Owens.

The Dead Editor and Authors Expert
ence with John Il. Owens.
Mr.. Henry W. Grady is running a very
excellent column in the Atlanta Constita-
ton which he captions as "Constitutlon-
als." The following from his pen brings
out some interesting little points concern
ing the late VIM. r. Thompson, up to the
time of his death editor OF the Savannah
MORNING NEWS:
Atlanta has its net spread in every di-
rection. The other dav Mr.. Joseph e..
Thompson, OF Savannah, was visiting the
city on his way home with his family.
He stayed a day or two, and the morning
be was to leave he woke up and found
himself the father of a bouncing Atlanta
baby. This, AS the rural editor says, is
as 1t should be. 1t is true that this new
Atlanta baby will be compelled to live in
savannah, but DR.. Jim Alexander says
Shat 1t has n genuine Atlanta strawberry
mark.
| This little baby is grand-child Of the
late Col, William L. Thompson, who was
for so many years the editor OF the Sayan-
nah NEWS, and who, In "MajOr Jones's
| Courtshlp," has given the world az I'M
| dying book of humor. The child Is there
! tore twice fortunate.
1t has often been thought a little curl
| Gus that Col Thompson failed to carry
any part of his humor into his work as
! political editor. In this respect he pre-
sented problem that is not at all rare in
the world of letters. Personally, he was
one OF the most charming ot men, modest
and unassuming-even difident. He was
another sort of a being when he seized his
pen to engage in political discussion. He
was uncompromis ng, almost savage, in
his devotion to principle. He was en-.
trenched behind his convictions, and was
never in the humOr to tolerate anything
that WAS not orthodox ia pOlINcs and re.
religion. Reading his controversial arti-
Giles one could hardly be brought to be.
lieve that their author was one Of the most
genial and kindly of men.
One matter that always worried and
vexed him was the treatment he had re.
ceived from John e. Owens, the actor. in
regard to the brilliant bit of comedy
called "rhe Live Indian" This play was
the max ng of Owens in every respect
bringing him to the attention of the pub
lie in way that must have been very
fiattering. Until he got Tho Live In.
dian" Owens had been regarded as a sec
0nd rate actor in Philadelphia, but as
soon as he appeared in Col. Th0mpsOn's
play the public began to recognize his
merits as comedian.
Owens made fortune, starting with
"The Live INDIAN" but Col. Thompson
remained poor to the last, vet he ex
tracted blessings out of his surroundings
that poor Owens never dreamed of ever
in the height of his prosperity. He haC
the happiest home maginable-indeed
his domestic surroundings were of al
ideal character, and he contributed not
little to this result by his sunny temper
and his afectionate disposition.
1t is said that poor Owens is In dyinl
condition, and 1t is we'll known that tn
prosperity which was his few years az
has taken wings. Col. Thompson Dor
him no ill-will. His only regret was tina
OWENS action in regard TO the first sue
cessful American play should have beef
so utterly selfish and sOrdid For he no
only refused to compensate the author, bu
claimed to have written the play
the bills bearing the legend: 9TH
Live IDdianl Translated frOr
the original Choctaw by John L
Owens" Not only this, he refused t
present the play in Savannah for man
years until finally he was assured b
some of Col. ThOmpson's friends that th
author did not expect benefit. He pre-
sented the play, cutting and slashing
and leaving out some of the most effectiv
situations, and afterwards SAID with
sneer that he hoped Savannah WAS salts
fed. Poor, unfortunate Owensl Let u
hope that peace and happiness will com
to him at last.