Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-09-24
special Correspondence


porter whose achievements in his business
brought reputation for brilliant talents.
Yet it is no disparagemelt to the accomplish
ments of Mr.. Raymond to say that there are
not a few reporters working on the New
York newspapers today who have done work
rs difficult as that which made Mr.. Raymond
regarded as the ablest reporter of his time,
and who have performed feats that would
In Mr.. Raymond's early time have been re-
garded as impossible Some Of the work that
reporters have set out to do and have done
called for the aid Of talents, patience, cour-
age and keen knowledge of human nature
such as used in any profession, would have
made the possessor of these qualities leader
In it.
1t was thought wonderful feat when Mr..
Raymond wrote out report of a speech of
Daniel Webster which, when printed, took
up some ten columns Of his paper, and SO no
doubt it was. Today it would pass unno-
ticed in any newspaper office.
Some Years ago, about one hour before one
of the morning newspapers of New Y ork was
to be put TO press, a fire broke out in tue vi
cinity of Washington market. A reporter
was sent out, in the hope that he would re-
turn in time to get line or two OF news
about this fire into the edition. 1t proved to
be fire Of magnitude, entailing loss of life.
The reporter learned the chief particulars,
ran back to the Office, seized a pen, and his
copy was sent TO the printers wet with ink.
The paper went to press on time with a
graphic account of the fire, a column long.
The reporter afterwards said that he scarcely
saw the words that he wrote, and his fingers
were stiff when he dropped the pen.
will give one other anecdote TO illustrate
this capacity of the modern reporter to do
speedy work under great difficulties. There
had been a murder in Connecticut, with suS-
picion pointing to a clergyman as the muir
derer Word was received of it in one of the
New York offices about shutdown. A reporter
who was just leaving the office to get his
dinner was instructed to take the first train,
and if possible send a special in time for the
morning edition.
The town a hundred miles away, and
Che place where The murder was done was five
miles from the station. Dinner was forgot
ten. and, by good chance, a train was caught
which, three hours later, landed this reporter
in the country town. 1t was then o'clock.
At 10 he had sufficient news, and of a truly
sensational nature, to justify lengthy pub
location if he could write it and dispatch it,
He could write it, but the telegraph operator
was young girl, who could only send and re-
ceive messages by the old fashioned method
of printing on paper tape. She was incom-
petent to send a hundred words, and 3 900
would have been an impoSsibility. A freight
train came along, and the reporter boarded
it, and by the light Of a lantern wrote in
jogging ear, over rough road, steadily for
three hours, and he finished his report Just as
the freight rolled into the depot in Hartford,
fifty miles away. A cabman, melted by
liberal fee, took him TO the Hartford tele-
graph Office in quicker time than the trip was
ever made before, followed by threatening
policeman, who thought some mischief was
afOot.
Il have three thousand words for New
York, to be filed at once, aud you must put
them through by 2:30." the reporter said to
the astonished operator.
at can't be done"
"Why notn
Every one is gone but myself"
"Where does the nearest operator liver
VERY likely you VIII find two in the hotel
Just below taking their midnight lunch"
They were found, and some money offered
into thirds and began sending simultaneously.
By half past the special was in the type 1t
had required a journey of $50 miles after
dark, besides the overcoming of the other
difficulties mentioned, TO get it, but it was
obtained.
The anecdotes descriptive Of the tact of re-
porters in good address are numerous. One
of the best describes the method taken by
20
and a committee which had him in charge
1t was on the occasion of Mr. Clevelaud's
visit to New York TO review the parade of
the Grand Army and veterans of the war. in
the spring of 1883. 1t was the desire of all
reporters assigned to the work Of reporting
this event to get as near President Cleveland
possible when he stood upon the reviewing
stand in front of the Fifth Avenue hotel. The
committee had reserved a place for the re-
porters some distance away upon a stand.
One of the reporters however, edged his way
TO place near the steps by which the presi-
dent was TO mount to the stand. He assumed
an air Of authority, and in a brisk voice gave
commands which were obeyed by the func-
tionarieS who stood near.
At last the carriage IN which the president
was approached The president dismounted
and began TO ascend the steps. The reporter,
with his hat in one hand and with the other
extended, greeted the president Us he stepped
upon the platform:
Good morning, Mr.. President. Permit me
10 escort YOU to your place"
The president, thinking that he was one of
the committee, acknowledged his greeting
and permitted himself 10 be led to the place
he was to occupy, and then for moment
stood before the vast throng chatting to the
A moment later Secretaries Fair
child and Whitney came up the steps. and
these the reporter also greeted and was in
turn greeted by them. Then he took his
place beside them and directly behind the
president, and the review began. 1t WAS all
done with exquisite tact and address, and the
account of the review revealed the
advantage he had obtained.
He discovered himself 10 Secretary Whit
ney, however. because he could not control
his sense of hutnor. The broad back of the
president was directly before them. The day
was hot, and it was the season Of the advent
Of the house fy, numbers of which seemed
determined 10 annoy the president.
Mr.. Secretary" said the reporter at last,
sit has been said that there are no flies on
President Cleveland 1t can be said no longer,
as YOU will perceive"
Mr.. Whitney looked where the reporter
pointed, and then, with difficulty suppreSsing
his laughter, he turned and looked quizzicaliy
upon the reporter u moment and then said:
What paper do you represent"
The reporter told him, and Whitney kept
faith With him, for he not only did not betray
him, but made place for him in the carriage
in which he and Secretary Fairchild were