St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-09-15
SAINT PAUL.
THREE FAMOUS INTERVIEWS

The life of a reporter is not one of
eternal bliss, especially the one who
gets the interviewing to do. Very often
he is sent to interview people ON very
delicate matters, and Oftlmes his re-
ception is not the most cordial. Judge
sydney Dillon. the railroad magnate of
New York, is about as hard man to
interview as anybody can be. Ee has
been interviewed so many times that he
knows all the ropes. and Satan himself
could not get anything from him If he
did not choose TO give il up. He was
here a short time ago. guest at the
Ryan. A certain young reporter was
sent down TO interview him on railroad
matters. The Judge was sitting in the
lobby, quietly putting away at his cigar
when the reporter approached him ano
introduced himself with:
81 am so and so, reporter on the.
"And l. sir, am Sidney Dillon of
New York; was the quick response.
Have you been to Sioux City lately,
Mr.. Dillon, in connection with the
Union Pacific running in there?'
'My boy, was in Sioux City before
YOU were born"
The reporter began to tumble about this
time that Judge Sydney Dillon did not
choose TO be interviewed, but thinking
perhaps little pleasantly might bring
the crusty judge out little, he re-
marked:
You ought to bring your hunting
outfit up here, judge. There is lots Of
game around here
But the railroad magnate was not to
be caught, and he completely routed
his news gatherer by saying in an EN-
phatic way:
MY boy. I have been hunting for
game all Of my life, and have got all l
want"
His interrogation had nothing more to
say, and SUNK OF to the register, while
the Judge, with a Self-satisfied smile,
leaned back on the cushions and con-
tinueG putting away at his cigar.
But Gen. Phil Sheridan was, perhaps,
the hardest man 10 interview when he
was alive. of anybody. Two years ago
he came TO ST. Paul. together with his
brother. Col Mike Sheridan, TO investi-
gate into the uprising of the Indians at
Crow Creek agency, Montana. The
Crow Creek agency affair was furnish
ing a great deal of good news at that
time, and an interview with the general
as to his intention was important. a
couple reporters. representing rival
p0BEAos dAtEl many A1OuI VI NCo1 wan
ing and hanging on the up stairs ban
nisters, finally caught the general as he
was coming out of the Ryan dining
room. He was a little flushed with
Wine-he was always a tremendous
diner-and was feeling little bruSque
besides. and in no mood 10 be inter-
viewed. One of the reporters tackled
him by remarking:
General, am reporter on the -,
and would"
WHO in HI said you weren't, eh?"
was the reply of the warrior.
But. general, persisted the report
eT, Il would like TO find out something
about the Crow Creek agency trouble
i don't care a d-n whether you do
or not" was the somewhat astonishing
reply OF the general. And not another
word would he say, but marched off
without even turning around.
What did you get?" asked the other
reporter as the first came back some
what crestfallen in appearance.
oh" was the reply. Il have got
column of good matter. Better go and
tackle him yourself"
Away hurried the other reporter, and
touching the general on the arm. in
formed him that he was a reporter and
would like to get an interview. He
was astOunded pom the general turn
ing iercely upon him aud almost shout
ing:
'iD-n it all, I don't care if you own
the paper: you can't get anything out
of me-"
These were the only two bOnafde in
teTviews secured from Gen. Sheridan
on that trip, as nobody else had the
courage TO approach him.
Two years ago, when the work on the
cable lines first started, no less dis
tiI.guished parsonage than the Duke
OF Marlborough arrived in the city. 1t
was the general suppOsition that he in
tended investing some OF his Super1uous
cash in the lines, especially as he came
under the membership of g. Creighton
Webb. who represented some of the
New York stockholders. The talk was
then going the rounds that the Man
haitian club of New York city had re-
fused to admit his lOrdship TO their
club. because of his degenerate habits
and behavior. Another story was going
the rounds in which he and Mrs. Parran
Stevens were mixed up, and of
course it would be of interest
10 the dear social public to
hear his side of the story. So re-
porter on one of the Twin City dailies
was dispatched TO interview him. The
conversation drifted along very pleas
antly for time. although his dukeship
was very careful of what he said, and
always turned to q. Creighton Webb
for his approval after he had said some
thing. But when the subject of the
treatment of the bOn-ton New York
club. and the Mrs. Parran Stevens story
were touched upon, smooth sailing was
over and rough weather encountered.
The duke got redder than ever in the
face, showing alarming symptoms of
aDoplexy. q. Creighton Webb looked
Mortified ar the very idea of an ordinary
reporter having the ''cheek''tO ask such
personal questions of a peer of the
realm, and the peer himself exploded
with:
The audacity of you American re-
pOrteTs is simply shameful, you know.
Why, sir, have travelled all over the
world and have never been so insulted
before. When l was in Chicago eight
reporters waited an hour for me in an
outer room and acted very gentlemanly
when l did consent 10 talk with them.
But out West here havebeen insulted,
you know, the very first thing, you
know"
And the duke locked arms with G.
Creighton Webb and sailed OFF and left
the luekless reporter TO collect his daZed
faculties as best he could, and wonder
how in the world such touchy people as
the duke ever got along in the world
anyhow.
TRINITY METHODISTS.