Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-16
JOE HowARD's LECTURE.
His Successful Career in the Field o.
journalism.

D -
Mr.. Joseph Howard, Jr., as a lecturer.
He appeared at Wallack's Theatre and
spoke in aid of the cemetery fund Of the
Press Club. The lecture netted over
49,, 300. A high desk was borro wed ex-
pressly for Mr.. Towards use, for he IS
near-sighted. AS he appeared at the desk
arrayed in modest dress suit, with eye
glasses on his nose, he was greeted with
a wave of hearty applause. l have known
Howard nearly thirty years. A more ac-
tive and versatile reporter never breathed.
Ills adventures, accurately detailed,
would make volumes as entertaining as
either the memoirs of Marmoutel or the
escapades of Faubas. No reporter nor
correspondent in America has coined as
much money by persistent quili-driving,
and certainly none has squandered itmOre
readily. OF late years he has kept q
memorandum book, giving the date and
amount of his receipts, but not Of his dis
bursements. This book shows that for
the past four years he has averaged over
$4,000. Indeed, one year the receipts
ran up to $4,000. When editor and pro-
prietor of the Star in the palmy days of
Tweed his net income at times was over
he has saved not cent. He does not
own even a roof to cover his head. a
natural Sybarite, his purse is always
open to charitable appeals. Reckless and
rollicking, witty and cynical, bow be
would have shone at the Court of Charles
Ill. Convulsing men of the world with
laughter by his deSprits, and shocking
men too good for this world by his mental
chic and intellectual abandon, he pursues
his nrratiR in tho lItQrqFp HTmn-
ment like six-talled comet in celestial
skies. No journalist has ever known more
men, and no men have ever known just
such a journalist. He counts among his
friends Beecher and Bob IngersOll, and
be would have been a boon companion
tor either Dean Swift or George Villiers,
Duke of Buckingham. A Bohemian
among BOhemians, no man was better
calculated to lecture for the decoration of
the graves of Bobemians.
The lecture was revelation in more
senses than one. First in the audience.
Rare indeed is the man who can attract
such men as Roscoe Conkling, Harry
Hill, Robert b. Roosevelt Nick LangdOn,
George Jones, Edward Payson Weston,
tine wicked Senator GiDDs, the p0ers
Geoghegan and McDermott, Bryan g.
McSwyny, Billy Edwards, William j.
Florence, Charles II. Cummings, Lester
Wallack, Billy Tracy, Simeon B. Chit
tenden, Fred MAY, Billy McGlory and
scores of the brightest reporters and
editors from this and other cities, and
have them unanimously call out, eco on
ca onl" after an hours talk. Howard
talked two hours and at no time was he
wearisOme. With perfect aplOmb he rat
tied away like an intellectual locomotive,
stopping occasionally to take water. A
more rapid talker and at the same time
more distinct enunciator is rarely heard.
1t would have required stenographer
with marvellous skill to have followed
him. At first his audience Was on the
Qui UiUe for something witty. He saw
tois and chided it for laughing at what
was Otintended for wit. Gradually he
won Its interest, and then flooded it with
a fund of historical "reminiscences rend-
cred doubly captivating by the fret res
of his imagination. To journalists his
memories were especially delightful.
He not only told them fresh stories,
but he told them the truth about old )nes.
For instance, the old story about the
telegraph of the book of Genesis.
Everybody had heard it, but nobody had
heard it Alright. Joe said that it occurred
at Niagara Falls. while the Prince of
Wales was making the tour ofCanada. A
Herald reporter and Howard, who was the
Times correspondent, had dubbed to-
gether and secured the wire. Toward
midnight Editor House, of the Tribune.
came in with a ream of manuscript. 1t
was evident that he had something eX-
elusive. To use Towards words:
1--WE could not find out what it was,
but we could make it useless to him
until we could ascertain. So | began to
telegraph on-nOtthe Book of Genesis, but
the genealOgy of our Saviour. just fancy
the establishment of the night editors at
the other END of the line when they read
that Aram begat Aminidab, and Zorro
babel begat Abind, aud so On.o
The facts concerning another memoir
able historical event were also made
manifest. When Abraham Lincoln was
on the way to Washington to be inaugu-
rated President. it was reported that at
Harrisburg he left the special train and
went through Baltimore disguised in a
Scorch cap and cloak. Harpar's Weekly
printed a caricature OF Lincoln in this
Gaelic attire. drawn by Thomas Mast.
The story first appeared in the Times.
Howard explained why it appeared. He
bad been detailed By Henry J. Raymond
to accompany Lincoln. After leaving
Harrisburg Detective Byrnes locked the
reporters in their car and told them that
Lincoln. owing TO threatened manifesta-
tions in Baltimore, had gone on TO Wash
iugton in disguise. This was enough for
Joe. The President-elect had worn little
round travelling cap. After leaving
Springfield and foes, vivid imagination
tmme tiately transformed it into IA Scotch
cap and CLOAK.
One story of Charles A. Dana is worth
repeating. The incident occurred while
Dana was managing editor of the Tribune.
Howard was officiating as war cOrres-i
pondent. A great battle had been fought
and Joe was telegraphing a description
of it. He began with an exordium, ITO
God be all the glory? Mine ewes havr.
seen the work of the Lord, and the cause
of the righteous has triumphed," with
more of the same sort, followed by the
words. "'rhe army of the Potomac is
triumphant. We have won great
victory" A day or two afterward he
received letter something like the fol-
lowing:
Hereafter, In sending your reports,
please specify the number of the hymn
and save telegraph expenses.
CHARLES A. DANA.
No pen can do justice to Towards APP
pearanee. lie wore the baggy d0eskin
trousers that have lately come IN fashion.
His bald head glistened, intensified his
likeness to Shakespeare, and hiS praV
French moustache and gOatee recalled old
time pictures Of Moliere. His lecture
was apparently the first OF a series, for at
M time did be come within decade of
the journalism OF the present day. Nor
did he refer 10 bis personal war expert
enees. when, as he himself expresses IT,
n 4