The new North-west., 1888-11-02

said that "Long ,oua ,oHy WENTWORTH.
John" and the old
lady were the only relics of ancient Chicago,
excepting the lake and the river, that were
not Destroyed by the big fire.
Wentworth resolved upon pursuing the
study Of the law, but as he was a breezy,
clever young fellow he attracted the atten-
ton of the managers Of The Chicago Demo-
crat, and he was induced to take editorial
charge of the paper. He at once plunged
into politics in a small way, making speeches
and advocating popular measures. In 1889
Governor Carlin appointed him an a1de-de-
camp, with the rank of colonel. The Chicago
Democrat, of which by this time Wentworth
was the owner, was changed to an afternoon
publication in 1876. Wentworth had found
time during his early journalistic career to
study law. In 1841 he left his paper in
capable hands and went to Cambridge, Mass,
intending to attend yearly course Of law
lectures. His name, however, had been
prominently mentioned as congressional
candidate, and before completing his studies
he returned to Chicago and, passing a success
full examination, was admitted to tho bar.
He was elected to the Twenty eighth congress
in l843, when but 2S years Of age. He was
reelected in 1874, his first term having been
short one, and during this year served as
delegate to the national convention at Balti-
more which nominated James K. Polk for
president, He declined O denomination to
congress in 1850, and retired from the house
March 4. 1851. In 1859 he was again nomi-
mated and elected, and, declining further con-
cressional honors, he retired March 4, 1855.
He was elected mayor Of Chicago in 1857.
He retired at the end Of this term, but was
reelected in 1850, and while serving this
term he received in true western style the
Prince Of Wales, who was then touring the
United States. Long John was police COM
missioner in 1868, and took part in some ex-
citing events Of that troubled time. In 1854
he was again elected to congress He was
not renominated at the close Of his term, but
in 1870 ran against Charles B. Farwel and
was defeated. From this time he took no
active part in public affairs. He devoted
himself to agricultural pursuits at his beau
tiful farm Of 1900 acres. He published
very interesting work entitled early Chi
caeo," and also compiled the genealogy Of
the Wentworth family from the days OF
Richard de Wynterwade, who in 1905 was
proprietor Of the def of Wentworth in the
West Riding Of Yorkshire, to the present
time. OF his five children but one, Roxanna
Atwater Wentworth, is now living.
His estate is estimated at about &c, ,00Q, 600,
which he acquired by indomitable energy
and industry, and judicious purchases OF
rapidly improving real estate. Hundreds OF
stories were told about the rare old man. One
rather good ono runs as follows:
In the panic Of 1873 there was run on Sol
Smiths bank. At the height of the excite
@iSorpd
street carrying an immense roll Of bank
notes, 1t was Wentworth. To every one he
met he made the remark that II sin't
afraid, be gosh, and I'm just goin' down to
make a deposit With Sol" The news spread
like wildfre. Arriving at the bank, Long
John lowered above the heads Of the clamor-
Gus depositors, pushed men out Of his way
with his gigantean arms, and called out:
sYou fellers want money. Stand back
an give me chance. l want to make de-
posit Of 10000, be gosh"
In five minutes the run" was over and
the bank saved, though its rescuer afterward
confessed that in that roll Of bank notes there
| was Just one good bill, the outside one, all
the others being Confederate notes from his
museum of curiosities
| He was great lover Of high bred cattle
but he did not like to pay fancy prices fok
| them. He was once induced to enter lnt<
| competition with a rival farmer at cattlt
sale On the catalogue was fine bull witt
a record that was unimpeachable, and "Lont
John" wanted him. To his surprise his riva
started the bidding at 5000, and Mr.. Went
worth bid up to $4,000, all the while increas
ing his temper. Then the opponent BIZ
$1,000. and "Long John" nearly tainted
Not to be outdone, he bid 5000. when tn tn
other man immediately went him $l,0O
better. "Long Johns" anger here got tn
best of him.
II bid $4,000 for that bull, " he cried out
and it was knocked down to him. he wa
fighting mad when few minutes later
heard the man who had bid against him sa,
| to friend:
II didn't want the bull, anyhow. onl.
wanted to draw the old man on. l bough
his full brother this morning for $40
| Long John never got his price for tha