The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-11-13
WAIT WHITMAN.

az commenced when was but boy ol
eleven or twelve. writing sentimental bits
for the old Patriot In Brooklyn" he
writes. This was about 1892. Soon after
j had piece or two I'm George p. Morris
then celebrated and fashionable Mirror, OF
New York city. ! remember with what
suppressed excitement 1 used to watch
for the big. fat, red faced. slowly moving.
very old English carrier who distributed
the Mirror in Brooklyn, and when l got
one, opening and cutting the leaves with
trembling fingers. How 1t made my heart
double beat 20 see my piece on the pretty
white paper In nice type!
MY first real venture was the Long
Islander, in my own beautiful town of
Huntington, Long Island, n. Y, in 1889.
was about twenty years old. had been
teaching country school for two or three
years In various parts os Suffolk and
Queens counties, but liked printing.
had been at IL while q lad and learned tho
trade OF compositor, and was encouraged
to start paper in the region whore
was born. went to New York, bought a
press and types, hired some little help,
but did most OF the work myself, includ-
ing the press work. Everything seemed
turning out well (only my own restless
ness prevented my gradually establishing
permanent property there.) l bought a
good horse, and every week went all
around the country serving my papers, de.
voting one day and nighttoit.
Il next went TO the Aurora daily in
New York city-a sort Of free lance. Also
wrote regularly for the Tattler, an even.
ing paper. With these and a little outside
work was occupied of and on until
went to edit the Brooklyn Eagle, where
for two years had one OF the pleasantest
sits Of my life--a good owner. good pay,
and easy work and hours Qt came out
about three every afternoon). The troubles
In the Democratic party broke forth about
those times (ls4s- -49), and split Off with
the radicals, which led to rows with the
boss and the party and / lost my place.
Being now out OF job, was offered
impromptu Qt happened between the acts
one night in the lobby OF the old Broad
way Theatre, near Pearl street, New York
City good chance to go down to New
Orleans on the staff OF the Crescent. a
daily to be started there. with plenty OF
capital behind IL in opposition to the Pic
ayune. One OF the owners. Mr.. Mcclure,
who was North buying material, met me
walking In the lobby, and though that
was our first acquaintance. after fifteen
minutes talk land drink we made for
NAL bargain, and Mr.. Mcclure paid me
5000 down to bind the contract and bear
my expenses to New Orleans. / started
two days afterward; had a good, lelsurely
time, as the paper wasn't to be out in
three or four weeks. l enjoyed my jour-
ney and Louisiana venture very much. /
believe the Crescent Is an institution
there yet. Returning to Brooklyn year
or two afterward. started the Freeman,
first as weekly, then daily. Pretty soon
the secession war broke out, and /, too,
got drawn In the current outward, and
spent the following three years there.
Besides starting them, as aforemen-
toned. / have had to do at one time or
another with a long list OF papers, at
divers places, sometimes under queer cir
cumstances. During the war the hospit-
ais at Washington. among other means Of
amusement, printed little sheet among
themselves, surrounded by wounds and
death, the Armory Square Gazette, to
which contributed. The same long af-
terward, casually. TO a paper-I think IL
was called the Jimplecute-outi In Colorado
where stopped at the time.
In this Mr.. Whitman has neglected 10
say that he resigned his editorial position
In New Orleans, with it's incidental salary
OF q. 900, TO travel through the West with
his brother, who was threatened with con-
sumption.
During his connection with the Brooklyn
Eagle, Mr.. Whitman and William Cullen
Bryant took long walks In tho country
districts OF Long Island. Whitman and
Bryant were intimate friends for nearly
ten years afterward, but the. publication
OF Leaves OF Grass" caused Bryant TO
drop the friendship.