The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-11-27
JOSH BILLINGS.


H. Varied Career Before H. Became an
Aushor-A Famous Mule.
Henry w. Shaw, the champion pho
netic speller and popular humorist,
was undoubtedly one of The quaintcst
writer's of his time and, although his
works are not likely to be immortal,
they have been and still are widely
read, and have Afforded innocent mirth
for thousands. He came of Il very
good family. His grandfather and
his father were both members of con-
gress. His father was on intimate
terms with Henry Clay. and managed
his political business in New England.
Henry w. Shaw was born in Lanes
boro, Berkshire county, Mass, ahout
1915. Ike went to school until he was
II, and at one time it was intended to
make him private secretary to John
Quincy Adams. His disposition was
that of a rover, and all the plans that
his anxious relatives made to give
him a lift in the world were knocked
in the head by his starting out to the
west. He joined an enterprising party
animated with the resolve to cross tho
pla MS TO the Pacific ocean and colon
ize under the Mexican government.
The project failei, and young Shaw,
with varying luck, pursued the avo-
cation of 1Iontiersmau, turning mis-
hand to everything. but making little
more than II bare living. As propric-
tor of u country store, keeping every
thing from Il needle to II bundle of hay
and rs Il cattle drover and farmer he
had strange ups and downs. He also
tried his hand rs captain of Il steam
boat on the Missouri, but the company
that owned the boat burst. or the boat
itself burst, it is not quite certain
which. He reached California in 1919,
but did not remain long.
AT the age of u he paid n visit to
his tatler and mar led. Civilization
had no charm for him, and uccompa-
med by ms young New England wife
he soon started Tor the west. Very
little is known OF his life ont there.
lie was not successful, though his
energy was unbounded. ENDING him.
sell ut the ago of 40 with three young
and growing daughters, with no ia
cillties for their education, he came
east and settled at Poughkeepsie, on
the Hudson, where he took up the
business OF an a,lctioneer and dealer
in real estate. He made a capital
a]uctionccr, but the esource Of the
town were not very large, neither was
his income. Poughkecps c had Il
small daily newspaper, and its editor
upon hearing the words of wit and
wisdom that. fell from Mr.. Shaw's
lips while engaged in his calling, in
vited him to write for his journal. He
consented, and contributed about for
ty articles. among which was his
famous essay ON the mule. They
were published and made no sensation
at all. They were spelled properly
and with due regard to all l%exicog-
raphy. Mr.. Shaw ielt hat his jour
naiistlc aspirations We're destined to
be nipped in the bud. A bright idea,
however, struck him. He read one of
the amusing sketches by Artemus
Ward and asked himself if it was not
the peculiar spelling that had made
that authors fame. He took down
his essay on the mule. ''slewed round
the spelling" rs he expressed it. and
mailed it with tho signature Josh
Billings to The Nev York Ern. 1t
was published and went the round of
the press. AS soon as he saw that the
article had been reprinted he thought
he ought to begin to make money out
OF his writings. He sent OIL one of
his best short essays to II Boston piper.
Its editor replied that he could only
afford to give him Sl.50 for it. Josh
Billings did not regard this as big
pay, but he accepted it. little dream
ing at that time that his pen was to
prove so valuable 4 source of riches
TO him.
From the day that he altered the
spelling Of the mule essay his luck be-
gan to change. An e~nterprising New
York weekly gave him 500 a week for
half Il column IF his essays and say
ings. Josh Billings became intense
ly popular. His matter" obtained Il
good price. and Mr.. Shaw made hay
while the sun shone. He discovered
that he was IL good lecturer, aud rs
such he commanded high prices, Sc
cured good audiences aud, what is
more. amused them and SEM them
home delighted. In New England
was published .'Thomas' Old Farmers
Almanac" 1t had been issued for
eighty years. Its pages offered SPLEEN
did opportunity for burlesque, and
MIR. Shaw determined to lake it in
hand. In 1871 he brought out his
burlesque, with the following title:
Josh Billings Farmers Allminax
for the Year 1870: Being tew years
since leap year, aud 81 years since the
American people left Crate Britain
few take care ov herself. and started
IL snug little business of their own,
which | am instructed tew state is pay
in we'll. Containing all that is ncces-
sarv for an allmlnax, and u good deal
besides"
OF course, the full extent of the hui.
NOR of the burlesque could only be APP.
preciated in circles where Thomas
Old Farmers Almanac" had been red
for generations. But it sold well. and
for ten years appeared regularly, aud
it has been estimated that MIR. Shaw
made S25, 900 one way and another out
of his "Allminax."
MIR, Shaw looked like q very mclan,
choly man. He wore grotesque clothes
and long gray hair. His latter days
were far happier than his first. He
lived tc amass a considerable fortune,
to acquire fame as a humorous author
and lecturer, and to see his daughters
well married. He had many warm
friends, who speak in the highest man
Nor of his excellent qualities of heart
and head.-NeW York Herald.
The Mexican HacendadO.
The following interesting interview