The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-12
ARTEMUs WARD.


Unpublished Chapter of the Early Life of the
Great American Humorist.
J. M. Runk. in Kokomo azette-Tribune.
w. ID. Howells in writing the life Of Charles
+. Brown, well known to the American public
as Artemus Ward, has omitted relation of some
Interesting events in Browns early career. Ii
was when Brown was a tramping jour prir ter.
and some time previous to that period, that his
future and to a large extent his character was
formed In recent conversation with G. W.
Whistler. correspondence from Whitelaw Reid
and from Mr.. Brown was produced. bearing
upon time at which Mr.. Howells has only
completed his trade of printer. and
struck out in the world to see what
was to be seen. At South Charleston, Ohio he
procured employ ment on the Charleston Record.
Mr.. Whistler was also q typo in that Office. and
lad an excellent opportunity OF observing
Brown, and perhaps but few men could tell the
story of Browns early life as we'll as Mr. W.
Il first met Brown" said Mr.. W., Tin 1854,
at South Charleston, where we were both en-
ployed on the Record. an impecunious and old
fashioned concern which managed TO exc out a
miserable existence to its employees. Brown
and roomed together, and Of course was af-
forded opportunities for the observation
that time enjoyed. AT this period. too,
Whitelaw Reid was country schoolmaster.
and taught district school just outside Of
Charleston. Every day regularly Reid would
come into the Record Office to look over the ex-
changes, and spend pleasant half hour with
Brown and myself. Little did think at that
tlne tQaL brown ana fselQ WOuIQ IN Lne future
be two of the greatest American journalist
Browne. presume. at that time was not more
than eighteen or nineteen years of age more
tender and affectionats fellow never In
some respects his manners were quite effemi
nate. but Notwithstanding that he was good
fellow and we'll liked by all who knew
him. The distinctive quality that made
him go prominent in later days
showed itself in almost every act and uttsrance.
He fairly boiled over with humor, but must
say he was entirely oblivious of the feet
we ad ed a
three tbs, neither of Us having, during that
time, received more than enough to keep body
and soul together. An undertaker's establish
ment was directly beneath the Office and for a
small town it did rather fourishing business.
One day the undertaken made his appearance
and asked the editor if he could spare a hand for
half an hour to act in the capacity of pallbearer
poor woman had died. and having only a few
friends it was necessary to get outside
assistance II happened that we were
working off the paper when the undertaken
made his request was pulling the rollers,
and Brown was working the press. The editor
said | might go if wished, but declined.
Turning to Browne, he said We'll, you GO
Brown never looked up, nor changed the ex-
preston of his countenance as he said as delib-
erately as a judge would charge jury: No,
thank you, I'm in no mood for revelry.' This is
only one of the very humorous remarks l have
heard him make, and on all occasions his de-
meanor was so quiet that one was at a loss to
habits at this time. The only thing
that seemed to trouble him ths
procuring occasionally, of ive,cent
stamp to send letter to his mother. / believe
he was the most affectionate son ever saw. He
would sit hour after hour reading her letters
over again, and during the entire period that
worked with him his entire mind and all his
feelings were conferred upon his mother
At the expiration of six months the Record
Office was closed by the sheriff, and not cent
did we receive for our six months labor. had
q little money. enough to get to London, where
secured job on paper. A week later was
startled to see Brown walk into the Office in
tattered; his shoes were only so in name,
and If hunger was depicted upon any
mans face then Browns face was hunger per-
sonifed. The boys in the Office Immediately be-
gan crack jokes at his expense, and fell
low, smarter than the rest, asked how he Jared
on the pike. Brown, in his quiet. unostenta-
pike in excellent condition, and had enjoyed his
airing immensely. He borrowed enough monev
from me to take him to Columbus, O., where he
secured situation on the Daily Fact, as a
writer of Especial notices." or TO q modern
term, advertising solicitor" It was while
serving in this capacity that he first discovered
period dates the career of Artemus Ward.
/ received letter from him few weeks aft
er he got to Columbus. and found inclosed the
amount loaned him. ] couldn't trace him after
that, but knew he served the Cincinnati Ga
zette. After he became editor of Vanity Fair,
in New York. received many letters from him
1874 Mr.. Whistler. desiring more information
Brownies early life, wrote Whitelaw
Reid and received the following letter:
New YORK, July 3d. 1874.
Dear Sir-I pleased by your pleasant letter of |
he Esd concerning your residence in South Charles
on, o., with Charles f. Brown in 1854. I first |
net Brown in Charleston, and was quite familiar |
With the story of his share in the unucky newspaper
experience there. Two three years afterward he
vent back to South Charleston, hunted up the land
ady with whom he had boarded, and paid her bill |
which he had been compelled to leave unsettled when
he failure of the newspaper with its bills unpaid |
brew him upon the road again as tramping jour. |
The poor fellow was happier man in those days than
n later life in New ork, famous and with plenty of
money. WHITELAW REID.