The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-06-14

away with lghtning-liks rapidity upon
the paper in front of him and when he had
finished he tossed the manuscript to me
as if it were bundle of bank notes. I
thought then that had q most valuable
autograph manuscript Of Mr.. Blaine, but
soon found that I had not, that was
to copy the paragraph in question. After
this was done I handed the manuscript
to Mr.. Blaine He advanced with it in
his hand to gas jet over his table; hs
lighted the paper and then, carrying it
as torch he walked with a stately stride
to the fireplace, which was empty. Into
its blackened mouth he hurled the fiery
mass of burning paper and then stood,
with arms folded, looking down upon it
until it was burned to the last ash. 1t
was very dramatic, very picturesque,
and SO unstudied.
be syndica ted in various by-cloride forms
for the benefit of bibulous British pub
lie, owes nearly all of his prominence
and financial success to the friendship
and support of Joseph Medill, the editor
of the "Chicago Tribune" 1t was only
very few years ago when DR.. Kelly
was country physician in a small town
of Dwight in the State of Illinois. There
his so-called discovery, created after
time local reputation. An enthusiast
tic citizen of Dwight called one day
upon Mr.. Medill to ask him to herald
this news Of a great discovery to the
world. Mr.. Medill, like most great
newspaper editors, is not over credulous.
He said that what was reported was in
teresting-if true. 1t was very easy for
the Dwight enthusiast to show whether
it was true or not. Mr.. Medill said that
there was hanging about the Office a
tramp compositor who had not drawn q
sober breath for thirty years. During
OCCASIONALLY feeble lucid intervals hs
was permitted to work in the composing
room of the Tribune" office. He was
such phenomenal, irredeemable drunk
ard that the office took pride in him
and cherished him as the most frightful
example of that period and region.
This Dwight enthusiast said that even
such man as that could be cured.
'Well," said Mr.. Medill, s'if that can be
done, will give Mr.. Kelly full credit.
But, he added grimly, 'ft will have to
be done first" In order to insure both
sides fair play Mr.. Medill detailed two
reporters to take charge of the awful
drunkard and to get him into condition
for transportation and civilized hand
ling. The example was fshed out of
some neighboring gutter and carried of
to Turkish bath room. After several
hours Of work he was brought to semi
consciousness and was clothed in clean
garments bought from various shops
near by. A barber completed the work
of restoration and then the reporters,
with their victim in charge, who hadn't
the slightest idea where he was going or
why he was carried off to Dwight, Ill
inois. Mrs. Medill informed me that
the awful example was positively cured
inside of four weeks treatment and has
never had a relapse since, although
this occurred some three years ago. He
is to-day one of the regular printers in
the Tribune Office. Mr.. Medill was
SO impressed by this that he gave great
prominence to DR.. Kelley, and it is
through this prominence given by Mr..
Medill has come the great financial sue
cess of the Kelley business. 1t is said
that Mr.. Medill every time he sees this
compositor come into the Office has an
article written. At any rate, Mr.. Medill
has been most generous and has given
Pn1urr1nQ 0f ia VIII h.
foundry believes to be a great and hon.
est discovery for the benefit Of the race.
Murat Halstead is a breezy, vigorous,
outdoor looking man. He was ev-
identity brought up in a vigorous school.
judging by some of the stories I have
heard him tell of early editorial experi-
ences in Cincinnati. This town has al
ways been noted for its newspaper
fights. Mr.. Halstead says that in the
early days it appeared to be the fashion
of some one in the town to lick an editor
at least once week. An editor in those
days was often called upon without any
preliminary notice to defend himself.
Mr.. Halstead says that the fiercest fight
he ever had in his life he once had with
a stranger, and to this day he does not
know what the fight was about; neither
did he ever learn the name OF his vigor-
GUS enemy.
"This eventful fight" he said, ''took
place number of years ago." He was
walking up the steps Of the Cincinnati
postof1ce, and was alone Going up he
saw coming down a tall, powerful man,
accompanied by small understood
chap. Mr.. Halstead said that as he ad-
vanced towards them he saw that they
were very much interested in his per-
sonal appearance. The tall and mora
powerful of the two men coming toward
him was making insulting remarks. As
he passed Mr.. Halstead on the way down
his criticisms were of such a per-
sonal nature that the editor, who
had tried to keep his self control.
concluded that it was easier to fight
than to try and contain his rage. So
he swung around on one heel in the
good old Cincinnati style and struck thu
| Ohio ciuizen who did not like his an.