The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-03-09
Special Correspondence,l

Special Correspondence
New YORK, Feb. 25.-lhe name Of James
Gordon Bennett, rs the proprietor of The New
York Herald, is probably more familiar to
the reading public of the world than that of
any man of his age. Yet it is not so much
the result of mere ownership as of his own
strong individuality.
From his father he inherited his Scotch
shrewdness and thrift; from his mother, gen
crosby love of travel and pleasure. As a
child, he was fond of the sports in which in
later years he became a leader. Ponies, toy
guns and miniature ships were his constant
companions Indeed his old nurse used to
complain to her mistress that when she took
him out FOR an airing he always wanted to
20 straight to the water and sail his boats.
Much of his boyhood and youth was spent in
Europe where he easily acquired the Ian
guages and was influenced by the habits and
associations of the people. There are few
places on the surface of the globe which he
has not since visited
1t has been aptly said that when he became
of age 'he was like young Highland chef
with ready made clan and feather III ms
hat for il was at this time that he began tc
attract social and public attention. The I'M
mense power welded by James Gordon Ben
nett, the elder, made the young man an OBJ
iect of more than ordinary Importance even
20 his seniors, and with an income that eX-
ceeded their own he speedily became cen
trail sun around which revolved the lesser
planets. We hear OF him first as an enthusi-
astic yachtsman the owner of the sloop Re
becca and prime mover Ill the development
of the New York Yacht club, of which he
subsequently became the commodore. Again,
he is boldly sailing races across the Atlantic
and setting fearless examples in Seamanlike
sports. When the war broke out he was
prompt to tender his services with his yacht
and crew to the general government.
But it was not always play time with Mr..
Bennett Before the death of his father he
established The Evening Telegram. AT first
il was novel toy with which he expert
mented without much regard to cost, but eX-
perience proved it to be valuable object
lesson in journalism, and he so proiited by
the instruction that, when few years later
he was called upon to take charge OF the
more mighty affairs of the Herald, the oc-
casion found him well equipped for the task.
Under his management the Herald became
more sensational and acrobatic than ever,
but behind the impulse was spirit OF liberal
enterprise. ltS lncoHle eAp dhicu w ho"l ~
a million of dollars year, yet the prodigality
of expenditure was in proportion. The public
witnessed in quick succession series of jour
palistic marves. The Herald had yachts,
horses, telegraphs, express wagons, signal
stations. foreign offices and agents in every
part of the world, while below the marble
building on the corner of Broadway and
Ann street were half million dollars worth
Of presses that spoke in tones of thunder
The one prevailing thought of young Ben
nett was to obtain ahead of every rival news,
news, news, without regard to cost. This
special correspondence embraced every inn
portant center ON the globe. For single
cable dispatch during the Franco-Prussian
war, describing one of the great battles,
$4,000 were paid When the steamer At
lantic went down of the coast of Newtound-
land, carrying hundreds of souls, the lnstruc-
tons to Tom Gill, then Herald attache III
Boston, were: Hire tug and diving bell
with all the men you want; go down to the
bottom of the ocean and interview the deadr'
When the American filibusters in Cuba We're
captllred and ordered to be shot at Santiago,
Reporter Stevens, who had been detailed for
the purpose, was expected to be at the scene.
Because he was accidentally delayed by head
winds, and other reporters obtained the news
in advance, he preferred death rather than
the dishonor of being beaten, or confeSsmg
the fact to his chief and he jumped over
board while coming up New York bay.
Henry NJ. Stanley was called from Spain
70 Paris. and in a few curt words told to go