Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-04

WITH THE DEATH OF ERASTUs BROOKS
the last of the old newspaper stars drops from
the armament. He was prominent figure in
New York Journalism when Horace Greeley
started the Tribune, and long before the elder
Bennett was In his prime. He broke many lance
with James watson Webb Major Moriecai Noah
and William Cullen Bryant before the age Of the
telegraph. Henry ]. Raymond was a mere boy
when Erastus was making his hardest newspaper
fights. Brooks, even in his old age, as straight
and as swarthy as an Indian. His cheek bones
were as prominent as those of Red Cloud and his
eyes were small, black and swapping. He was
prim and Anticipated. He Wore neither beard nor
moustache, and to the day OF his death invar1a-
bly, shaved himself. He had extraordin-
airy self-command and he rarely gave way
to anger. His editorial articles were
always written tn terse Anglo-Saxon, and
his ideas were never clothed in verbiage. He had
all the newspaper instincts OF the elder Bennett.
but they were chOked by the excessive cautious
ness that marks natural love of money. The
organ or acQuiS1tiyeneSS In EraStuS Brooks was
abnormaliy developed. He worked day and night,
and he stored all that he earned. Norman ever clung
closer to his earnings. Certain 1t is that he never
was known to give dollar TO the needy and the
suffering. 1t was amusing To see him avoid sisters
of charity when they entered his sanctum. lie
neither loaned nor borrowed money. He would
lend his time and his pen to charitable missions,
but his pDcket-book Was always closed. But for
his inherent righteousness he might have founded
a newspaper that would have egualed the Herald
n asst tn ea os AFTER ner taf dat OF ns
ton Ii ran on the Impetus giveniL in the days Of
It's success, until, like top it made its last spin,
and Wabbed over on its side. 1t was at this time
that
JOHN KELLY AND TAMxANY HALL
bought out a two-f1fths interest. The newspaper
had then barely . 900 circulation. Its columns were
filled with dead advertisements. The type was
wcrn ont, and the presses were Old-faShioned and
ricketty. 1t had news editor who was getting
$40 week and an assistant who received ST The
news came from associations, which sent in 'mani-
fold copy at nominal sums. There were two
reporters, Who wrote a little local news for the
privilege of grinding axes Tor their friends. It's
only solid man waists financial editor who turned
in half the paying advertisements. The news
Was mixed With the advertisements and be-
wilderingly scattered A dog hight might he
would appear in the first page and the head of it
be found on the fourth page. When Sam BOwles
spent night in Ludlow street Jail, In 1863 on the
charge OF ibe.ltng Col james, FISH, jr., he was de-
lighted to find copy OF the Efpress In his cell.
~ spent the eVenins.' hesaid sin trying to sathon
tne mysteries OF its makeup. Time never flew so
fast before
Under Kelly rs management new life was breathed
into tue newspaper. Its columns became bright
ran up tc 10000. NJ. Brooks retained control of
its editorial columns, with the understanding
that he should not go contrary to Mr.. kelly's
wishes nor Interfere in The news department..
The noted fight against iillen's nomination for
President in 1876 was begun in Jhe news columns.
The Michigan copper niue scandal and the papers
iii the Alton and TerTe Haute suit We're unearthed
George Moss, who represented Mr. Kelly on the
editorial stan, wrote articles cautiously backing
the attack III the news coiemiis but deity
WoFded that the paper could not b. compromised
in cas- OF MI. 1ilden's success. 1t was centennial
year, and Brooks Was in Philadelphia at the expo
siifon. On his return he deprecated the tack on
TiideD, but as the PROOFS OF Samnys rapacity were
brought to light he changed front and began to
lash him eGitOriaiy. Among other expressions
used was one 20 the purport that he "knew more
OF sir. Tiden's wrecHin5 operations than he dared
10 expose" When Tiideu won at ST. Louis this
nh n 81 Ne lai ~
blame OF the fight on the managing editor, and
soon afterwaid sod out MS entire interest in the
paper This closed his newspaper career.
MIsERLY PECULIARlTIES.
Only those who were eiiitoraily associated with
Mr.. Brooks can have any conception Of his saving
disposition. The envelopes of letters received by
mail were saved and turned. On such little scraps
he wrote many an article. Reportorial manu-
scripts We're returned from the composing room
and the blank sides filled with fresh reports. 1t
was no uncommon thing to find an editorial arti-
Gle written on the back of private letter. This
paGSinony came near costing the Express associ-
alton round sum o: money New Jeisey Judge
Si1,Go0. A report oi criminal trial had been
printed, In which the Judge figured as the prisoner,
and the prisoner as the Judge. The reporter had
got The danes mixed and The Judge was wild Of
course there Was no record OF the authorship OF
the article. The blank paper on which 1t Was
written had been used second tine, tnu then
sold as old paper. Erastus was in quandary. He
hati no defense without clue u the author. Days
L, u
trial, when news editor remembered tina, he had
written out tue alleged libel from IN associated
press report The columns OF the Etent.g Post
and CJnmerciat -ldre'tiser OF ii given date were
scanned and a similar libel appeared in Doth. AS
they had saved the manuscript the report was
traced &C. the associated press, which was thus
forced 10 defend the suit.
IN 1876 NJ. Brooks had al extremely bright
Office boy. The little fellow swept the Office and
composing room, dist r1buteu all The ''pi ana had
a ''otent Vi $500 ems day For al lbiS work he
received only $50 week Mr.. Brooks, SAID be
day, i've been here two years now, and think
that you ought TO raise my wages
':"en, William" was the reply, 81 don't think
You have been as watchful boy lately as you
used to be. picked three type rom the lloor an
hour ago. They had been ground into the dirt
| until their sides shoAe like silver. They were
| ruined, and by right ought to deduct the weight
OF such type from your salary. don't thi nk You
deserve rise in wages
every well Mr. Brooks" the boy said 'Father
told me TO leave on Saturday unless you promised
to give me more u Week"
'!What do you receive a week now?" Erastus in
quired, as though in a brown study
s'TwO dollars and fifty cents the boy responded.
Erastus played with his pen fora full minute be-
fore he made his decision. "Weil, William he
said, finally, ''Tll try you month longer, and If
you are good boy and keep the floor entirely free
OF type Iii raise your wages to $3.50 week.
The janitor OF the Express building In those
days was a haf-Starved foreigner, who had room
on the top floor and was paid by the month. He
swept and cleaned the offices OF other occupants Of
the building who paid EraStuS for his services.
The great editor thus made considerable money
out OF his janitOr. one day cOuntryman visited
the Serv1tOr, who urged Mr.. Brooks to get him
place in the fire department.
whats his business" was the first question.
s'He's painter" the janiior replied.
elias he any money!"
"a little over 800"
ssWeil, tell him ii he will paint the upper floor
and the back OF the Express building Iii get him
place in the fire department"
The terms We're accepted. The man did his
work and got his place, but II was ''buffalo'
fireman up above Harlem bridge, where the pay
ment was only S25 month. The janitOr himself
told this story.
These incidents are not related in an unkind
feeling toward the dead editor. He died worth
$500 900 but il lie had had the brOadneSs OF vision
or old james Gordon Bennett and the De,.untary
scope OF Joseph Pulitzer he might have died worth
S10,O0O,OOO.
SWAPPING A SICK KITTEN FOR WALLER DOG"
The dude Is dead and with him has departed
from the manners OF the town the era of vacuous
and owlish gravity. He was a surly, sullen and
inert protest against loudneSs and display; but
he's dead, and Out OF fashion, and men are hurry
ing to exploit the very things he most abhOrrcd.
Now the bowling swell, with dash Of the Old
time flop, is in vogue BY day he wears showily
embroidered silk and satin WaiStcoatS white over
CATERS, brilliant hued scarfs gaudy gloves hOrSey
Shirts, flowing trousers and clothes OF many
shades. AT night his shirt front is figured and
frilled; he sports gold buttons on his wastcOat,
satin stripes on his trousers and adds dash OF
color to it all by thrusting bright crimson, yell
low blue handkerchief into his breast. Nor has
he the manners OF the solemn ape OF year or
| more ago. He hobs along at a lively gait, and
grnS hilarious greetings to his friends. He's cheap
and onerOus at times, and hence men feel for him
the dude, for after looking at the dude man was
ami to hate himself.