The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-02-06
ARTEMUS WARDS MATERIALS.

Ho Found Nh Unworlted Mine and Used
1t Like True Genius.
The following letter of Artemus Ward,
recently brought to light, shows the
sources of his characters, especially the
reference to his 1.-TWO years Of peripatetc
life" in the west:
WATERFORD, Me-, June s, 1894.
MY DEAR SIR-There is really moth
ing very remarkable in my history. |
was born in this quiet little town about
twenty-eight years ago. My father died
when was l2 years old. and at the age Of
l3 entered printing office at Lancas-
ter, N. II. My father was magistrate
and u lumber merchant-n clear headed
and thoroughly honest man. so compe-
tent in his business as to be consulted on
all kinds Of law questions. and so honest
that he invariably had his hands full Of
business involving large sums of money.
fear he was little too honest, for he
died poor after all
l ran away from the Office Mt Lancas-
ter and entered similar establishment:
at Norway, this state. This establish
ment failed, and | roamed through the
state, setting type q short time in one
place and quietly running away at an
other. Running away appears to have
been my chief weakness at that time. |
finally landed in Boston, and worked at
my trade until was declared toleratly
good printer. then went west and
south. and for two years led peripatetic
kind Of life. | commenced writing for
a paper in Toledo, o.. about ten years
ago. | succeeded as paragraphist well
enough to achieve very good local rep-
utation. and moved to Cleveland and
took charge OF The Plum Desler news
paper.
| here commenced the Artemus
Ward papers. The selection Of that
nom de plume was purely accidental.
wrote the first Ward sketch on a purely
local subject, not supposing should
ever write another. Somehow the name
Ward entered my head and l used it.
Five years ago | moved to New York
and assumed the editorial conduct Of
Vanity Fair, succeeding Charles &. Le-
land. For the past four years | have
lectured almost constantly. and with q
success that is perhaps unequaled, con-
sidering what a startling innovation
have made on "A long established institu-
ton. My writings and lecturing have
given me competency. Ihave liberal
offer to go to England this fall on lect-
uring tour, and may accept. am
writing now a book of travels, giving
my experience among the Mormons.
live in New York city, although spend
portion of my summers here with my
mother. That is about all.
have only drifted with the current,
which has carried me gayly on of its own
accord. AS ! am frank enough to say
this hope | have right to say that
have always meant the creatures of my
burlesqucs should stab Error and give
Right friendly push. You are at liber-
ty to use these facts, although my letter
is necessarily written in great hurry,
for ! am very busy. | am popularity
supposed to be frustrating" here. but it
is Il ghastly mockery. | am working
very hard.
CHARLES F. BROWNE (Artemus Ward).
There has always been a mystery
about Artemus Wards money. He re-
turned from his Utah aud California
tour with $4,000, and paid but $4,000
for his farm; he received at least S15, 600
more in the short interval before his
death, yet his executors found barely
enough in England to pay the claims
against him there and still less in Amer
lea. Yet his will indicates that he be-
lieved himself rich. 1t had somehow
slipped away without his knowing it,.
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