Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-19
The Bees First Collector.

About the middle of July, 1871, being de-
sirous of learning the telegraph business
went to the Office of the Atlantic and Pacific
Telegraph company, then situated on Thir-
teenth street, across the alley from the pres
ent site of the Omaha National bank, asking
for the manager A small, heavy. set gentle
man came to the counter, to whom L made
known my desires.
The gentleman told me I could come and
learn the trade, and for me to report the fol-
lowing Monday morning. This was my first
meeting with the Hon. Edward Rosewater.
At the appointed time was on hand. Mr..
Rosewater introduced me to Mr.. Mccoy, the
head operator, who showed me the telegraph
er's alphabet, but / was meyer destined to
perfect myself in the mysteries of tele-
graphy, for on Tuesday Mr. Rosewater came
to me with a little book, which one could
easily carry in a coat pocket, and requested
me to make out some bills for The OMAHA
DAILY BEE. THE BEE, at this time,
was distributed free, and l guess
from the way good many of the advertisers
clicked" on the bills, they thought that the
advertising was free too: nevertheless, by
Saturday night l succeeded in collecting
about $50, which fairly represented the IN
come of The BEE for that week.
l was paid S5 for my work and from that
time became a regular employe.
The editor, an Englishman by the name of
Gerade, and myself, were the only persons
outside of the printers who were on the pay
roll.
My work consisted of soliciting "ads" and
collecting bills; Mr.. Rosewater did most of the
local work and often wrote editorials in the
absence of Geralde. Indeed, Geralde was a
character. He was devout Roman Catho-
lie and was equally devoted to the use OF
opium. He always gave, as an excuse for
not showing up at his work on time that this
was SAINT so and SOS day."
Geralde and Rosewater fell out soon and the
former left the Office. About this time Mr..
Rosewater was very hard pressed for money,
but to his credit and generosity 1t is due 10
say that though he had no work for Geralde,
was ordered to buy fuel and groceries and
send to his family, whom Mr.. Rosewater sup
ported unknown to Geralde most OF that
winter.
After Geraldes departure Mr. Rosewater
became the editor and a man by the name of
Pratt, regular bohemian" took charge of
the local department. But l forgot TO say
that some time in September, 1871, The BEE
ceased to be free, and charge of 1914 cents
per week was made, which collected, in ad-
dition to my other duties.
With the advent OF Pratt, the local, things
became lively, for he certainly was "rus-
tier" At this time THE BEE office was 10
Gated in Redtield's building, on the corner of
Twelfth and Dodge streets. We soon moved
out of there to the one Immediately south,
which was afterwards burned down, much to
Mr.. Rosewater's damage.
Here "a man by the name Of Anderson was
employed to keep books; doing the collect
ing. One day a dispute arose between An
derson on one side and Pratt and myself on
| the other; what il was about | do not now
remember but the lie was passed, and An
| derson picked up an ink stand TO throw al
| me. / lodged, but 1t took Mr.. Rosewater iu
| the breast; then the fun began The print
| ers rushed in and we all together kicked
| poor Anderson around like a foot ball; Rose
water in the mean time trying to keep out Of
| the way of books, chairs, bottles, ETC.. al
| last Anderson jumped out of a window and
| escaped. / believe we were all told by An
derson that this was our last week on THI
| BEE; but that night the place was burned
down, and Anderson was sent to the "pen'
| for four years for arson.
| Pratt was discharged and one OF the print
| ers, Al Sorenson, took Pratt's place.
Just before leaving the Redheld building
| The WEEKLY BEE was started, after muct
| consultation with the leaders of the republi
can party, including General 5. A. Strick
| land, 1. 5. Hascall and others
Immediately after the fire we moved dowI
to MIR. Rosewater's brick building on lower
| Eafnam street
Many instances that occurred during my
employment on The BEE are indelibly en-