Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-12-14
whitelaw Reid "reminiscences of
sARate.b


1887. To Richard II. Titherington, who is
writing a series Of articles on newspaper
men for the Golden ATgOsy, New York,
Mr.. Reid said: Il have never had anything
but that which have worked for" Ger
tain portions of Mr.. Titherington's sketch
Of the famous Tribune man will be of in
terest to our readers. The following refers
to his career just after he graduated from
the Miami University at Oxford:
On leaving college Young Reid was ap-
pointed principal of a school at South
Charleston, Ohio. He held this post for
some time, and saved sufficient from his
salary TO repay his father the expenses OF
his senior year al Miami. In 1858 he
abandoned teaching for journalism, and in
vested his small capital in the Aenla
NeICs, which he edited for two years. This
was a bold step, but il was successful
one. Tho young editors ability soOn
gained for his paper position OF influence.
lie had always sympathized strongly Will
the new republican party. At college he
had been a subscriber TO Horace Greeley's
Tribune, little dreaming of his future con
nection with that journal.
We remember the Nenia Nc1Cs very well,
Ii was one of the brightest and handSom'
est weeklies we ever saw. At that time the
writer of this article was editor of tht
Springfield NelcS, and the two papers of the
same name were on very good terms. Here
is another paragraph from the sketch
quoted above:
s., L., Lac 20,
Columbus, the state capital, having de
termined TO become correspondent fol
some leading paper. He found il difficult
at first to obtain an engagement At length
he undertook to write daily letter to the
Cincinnati Times for a pittance of five dol
lars a week.
The legislature had to elect senator, and
the contest was being watched with inter.
est. Reid's accounts of the situation wert
so well written that both the Cleveland
Herald and the Cincinnati Gazette pro
posed that he should be their correspondent
the one offering SIS. the other SIS a week
He accepted both. and by hard work sue
ceeded in writing three distinct letters ever!
day
That he might accept the more prOhtabl,
positions Mr.. Reid was forced to find a sub
stitute on the Cincinnati Times, and c. NJ
Nichols, of this city, who was then enroll
ing clerk in the Ohio senate. took the place
at SlO-not S5-s week, which was Mr.
Reid's compensation. We quote further:
At the close of the season. Reid becam,
city editor of the Cincinnati Gazette: bu
when the war broke out he was dispatched
as a special correspondent to the scenes o
hOstilitieS. He served aS volunteer on tn
staff of General Morris, and afterwards o.
ROsecrans, sending 10 his paper over tn,
signature of Agate" a series of letter
which were widely read in the north
Among his best achievements was hi
graphic account of the battle of PittSburl
Landing. at which no other correspondent
was present. He rose from a sick-bed 4
witness the battle, and spent the following
night on the field, in the tent of Genera
Lew Wallace.
The interest in the Agate" letters wa
universal and profound. Nobody felt quit
certain how things had gone until he ha
seen "Agate's" accounts. Not only Nj
Reid's statements of fact, but his opinions
came to be accepted as authority, and it i
not at all a matter of surprise that he is tC
day the acknowledged leader among Amer
lean journalists. Of Mr.. Reid's work as a
author, the writer quoted, says:
On the close of the war, Reid made
long southern tour, in company with Chic
Justice Chase. He narrated his experienc
in book named After the War" II
was so much impressed by the possibilitie
of the south that he undertook eXtensiv
cotton planting in Louisiana and Alahama
but his crops were unlucky. and he was no
a gamer by the experiment.
From 1866 to 1868 he was engaged i
writing and compiling "ehio in the War,
an extensive work upon a large subject
the part played by his native state in tn
defense of the union. 1t was published i
two volumes of more than a thOuSan
pages.
Mr. Reid returned to Cincinnati in 1868
but not for long. Horace Greeley sgai
| endeavored to secure his services. and thi
time Reid accepted. and came to New YOrI
as first editorial writer on the Tribune. III
was soon advanced to the position OF man
aging editor. although he was the younges
of all the leading journalists then in tn
metropolis.
Mr.. Reid did not secure this position o
the great fortune which he has acquired b.
luck or chance He wrought out a degre
of journalistic ability that enabled him +
command the highest newspaper position
in the land. He WAS not seeking a plac
but places sought him, and he had only t
choose the best.
We quote the closing portion of Mr.. Tith
eringtOn's sketch:
Whitelaw Reid is recognized as an au
thOrity on journalism, and has lectured Ol
that subject as well as others, before Sev
eral universities. He is graceful and fin
ished writer. more ready. perhaps, TO criti
else than TO praise-a tendency which ma
be inherited from his ascetic ancestors. Ye
he is no pessimist or misanthrOpe: he is
welcome guest in society, and has bee
many times elected president of leadin
club. He is happily married TO lady o
considerable wealth.
His personal appearance is striking: 81,
feet tall, somewhat spare, yet Sinewy am
firm set; his dress is scrupulOuSly neat, hi
face bespeaks intelligence and refnment
He is man who has principles, and is no
afraid to express them.
A sturdy Scottish stock, western grit an,
enterprise, and eastern refinement cOmbin
to make him the right man in the righ
place.
Mr.. Reid married the daughter of d. o
Mills, and he would have made a magnifi
cent match, and been amOst fortunate man
even If she had been pennilesS, as she wa
not and is not.
THF NEWS IN BRIEF.