The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-11
GRINDING OUT JOKES.
a JOKER DEsCIBEs THE SECRETS
AND REWARDS OF HIS TRADE.

choly Circumstan ceS-The Origin of
a Famous Cartoon- The Men Who
Suggest Ideas to tie Como Wesklies.
NEW YORK, May 9.-When the first
comic paper was founded, more than a
dozen years ago, it was almost impossible to
obtain for it an adequate and steady sup
ply of jokes and comic articles, though
nearly all the clever newspaper writers in
New York were invited to contribute to it
As matter Of fact humorous journalism
had not proved successful in America,
and there was not then, as there is now, a
large number of men making a speciality
of writing funny articles for the press.
1t was not until five years ago, how
ever, that the demand for humorous matter
brought steady supply to the Office from
which the editor could make a choice The
bright young men employed on the daily
papers found that they could add to their
incomes and at the same time obtain little
fieeting celebrity by sending their amusing
conceits to the new weekly whose gaudy
pictures and pungent witticisms were Begin
ming to take strong hold on the town, in
spite Of the raven-llke croaks Of mo comic
paper will ever pay in this country or
Americans don't care for anything but a
few funny paragraphs in the daily press"
During the past decade a class of trained
humorous writers has sprung up large
enough TO supply all the matter needed on
the dstinctively comic papers like Puck,
Judge and Life as well as the humorous de-
partments in the various weekly, monthly
and daily publications that set aside part
OF their space for that purpose. Many of
these writers are, to a certain extent,
known to the public. But there are many
who have contributed literally to American
humor without ever having their names in
print. l refer of course to the men who
make a speciality of four-line dialogues.
humorous paragraphs and suggestions for
cartoons, who are utterly unknown to the
general public, though they may have a very
high standing with editors and publishers
How many times have heard it said of
this or that cartoonist: Hes Just brimful
OF bright, clever ideas" when l happened
to know that the artist in question never
had an original idea in his life, and could
do nothing but embody-with genuine
artistic skill perhaps-the ideas furnished
him by others.
Early in Puclc's history a certain 'tMi S
Rowland" began to furnish in a delicate
feminine hand jokes, funny stories and sug-
gestions for pictures to the paper, aud so
satisfactory was her work that it was de-
cided to offer her a regular salaried position
in the office. The offer was made and &C.
cepted, and, desk having been fitted up
for her, notice was given to the members of
the editorial and artistic stats that young
lady was expected and that they must keep
their conversation within suitable Chester
fieldian limits.
The next morning "Miss Rowlandn ar
rived in the person of a man of unkempt
aspect and bibulous face, who waited about
him a distinct odor of strong drink. His
name. he said, was David Stuart Lloyd.
He was the grand nephew of Gilbert Stuart,
the portrait painter, and the husband Of a
pretty and clever woman whom he had
taken from the stage.
Years ago" he explained, 81 offended
Frank Leslie and since then have always
used the name of Miss Rowland and my
wife has copied all my articles and con-
Quoted the business of disposing of them !"
Sydney Rosenfeld, now well-known as a
dramatist, and at that time editor of the
paper, invited his new subordinate out to
drink, and it was observed that the latest
addition to the staff took red pepper with
his beer, an act wholly in keeping with his
appearance and habits.
For nearly two years Lloyd did excellent
work, writing sketches and paragraphs,
suggesting cartoons and rendering himself
invaluable in hundred other ways. Then
his health began to fail, and he took his bed,
but continued his work till the end, like
LuduY ObI0I DEdN0 "A large
majority OF the most successful cartoons
published drawing the first two years in the
history of comic journalism were suggested
by Lloyd.
He wasiburied one cold New Years day
and when the boys, who attended the fun
eral between calls" as one of them re-
marked, saw him lying in his coffin, it was
noticed that the bloat and Disagreement
wrought by his habits of life had disap-
-aI lata
clear out, with fine lines, intellectual and
almost handsome.
Lloyd's name is forgotten now by the few
who ever knew it, but many of the cartoons
which he inspired are held as rare treasures
by those who are fortunate enough to DOS
sess them
J. w. Watson, the author of Beautiful
Snow" who died the other day a wreck of
humanity, was another frequent contribu-
tor of pseudonymous matter to the comic
papers. His matter was so bad that it was
usually thrown in the waste basket, SO he
resorted to the trick, years ago, of writing
under assumed names and Disgusting his
handwriting, but he always betrayed his
identity by using gummed paper in place of
envelopes In which to inclose his contribu-
tions.
In great many cases a cartoon is the re-
suit Of the work and suggestions Of half a
the only one who receives any credit for it,
A case in point is that of the picture of the
tattooed man, one of the most effective and
famous Of modern cartoons
Prior to the campaign of 'S4, a well
known comic weekly began to publish a
series of pictures representing political
shows, such as the political beauty contest,
the political minstrel, etc. Bernard Gillian
submitted the rough sketch of a political
dime museum with various statesmen in the
garb of freaks" In this sketch David
Davis was made to figure as tattooed man.
To this Mr.. Schwarzmann, the head of the
firm, objected on the ground that Mr.. Davis
was not the sort of man to represent the
tattooed He suggested Blaine as the best
subject for the tattooing. In this view
Carl Hauser, who had originally suggested
the cartoon, acquiesced, and the change was
accordingly made. Mr.. Hauser was and is
still the principal writer on the German
edition Of the paper, and has suggested
many successful cartoons.
1t was then proposed to tattoo him with
bribery" "Mulligan Letters" "Guano
Craftsmanship" and other phrases, and
finally the figure of Blaine was given the
greatest prominence in picture represent
ing all the presidential aSpirants as freaks
in a dime museum. The cartoon made a
great noise throughout the country. and IL
was largely on account of it that Mr.. Gill
lam was afterward made the artistic head
of the Judge.
The late Philip n. WEIGH was almost IN
known to the public unUil Julian RaInhie