The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-02-15
DIR. NoRvIN GREEN.
rheracter:stics "a the Deceased Pc

A c0mpleb5 OtoSEdpu1 VI DEs NOTNlQ
Green, whose death at Louisville on Mon
day was noted in the MORNING NEWS dis.
matches, would include almost a history of
the telegraph system in America since that
svstem assumed any proportions, his irst
connection with it dating from 1854, when
he became one of the lessees of the United
Morse and Peoples Telegraph lines between
louisville and New Orleans.
He was born in New Albany, Ind, April
II, 1878, but the family soon after settled In
Kentucky, with which state he was always
identified.
During his youth he was quite celebrated
as an athlete. He could make a standing
lump Of ten feet, either forward or back
ward. As an example of his early enter
nrise, at the age Of Is he ran a successful
floating grocery on the Mississippi, selling
various kinds of goods to the lumbermen
along the river.
He graduated from the medical depart
ment of the University Of Louisville, after
ward becoming physician of the Western
Military Academy at Drennon Springs,
Ky, of which James q. Blaine was at the
time one of the junior instructors.
He soon developed a greater taste for
politics than medicine, bis droll humor and
natural talent as a speaker making him q
valuable addition TO the party Of his choice,
which was the democracy. He was elected
several times to the Kentucky legislature,
where he served with credit.
He became connected with southern
telegraph line In 1854 and afterwArd was
president of the southwestern telegraph sys-
lam, all Of which was worked by the gov
ernment during the war.
At the close of the war, says the New
York Press, DR.. Green went to Washington
TO present the claims of these telegraph
companies. On Mr.. Lincoln's requesting
him to present them in writing he used one
sheet of paper for the purpose.
Mr.. Lincoln remarked after reading IL
that it was the most concise and compre-
was characteristic of DIR. Green's state
ments, whether spoken or written.
In 1866, on the consolidation Of the Ameri-
can, the United States and the Western
Union companies into the Western Union
Telegraph Company, he became vice presi-
dent of the company, and with brief in
terval held that position till April, 1878,
when, on the death of President Orion. DR..
Green became his successor.
ALMOST A SENATOR.
He again became interested in Kentucky
politics in 1871, and came within two votes
OF being elected United States senator from
Kentucky. AT the convention which nomi-
mated Gen. Hancock for President, the Geor-
gia delegation wished to present DR.. Green's
name for the first place on the ticket, but
were dissuaded.
or DR.. Green's character, his associates
in business have tut one story to tell; his
kindliness Of heart, his sociabilitv, his will
ingness to listen to every ones recital, as-
peciaIly If it were story Of trouble, his
drolI humor are characteristics on which
they love to dwell. His simplicity and big
heartedness caused him frequently to be the
victim of imposition
His language was often epigrammatic.
In a speech, made while his company was
contending with many competitors, he
made the remark: thine is our great com.
petitor," and this quotation is posted as an
incentive to effort in many of the Offices
to-day.
DR.. Green, though making no pretensions
TO literary ability, has shown power with
his pen. His argument against proposed
act Of the national government affecting
telegraph companies, as published In the
North American ReUietO, was a specimen
of terse. clear, vigorous English. His ad-
dresses were invariably informing and he
yielded to humor only to confirm his point.
In his argument over Postmaster General
Wanamaker's decision making one mill per
word the price to be paid telegraph COM
panies for government messages his terse,
pointed style OF argument was strikingly
shown.
FRIEND OF OPERATORS AND WOMEN.
He was member of the Telegraphers
Mutual Benefit Association, the benevolent
objects of which among the operators of the
company he never failed to encourage and
promote. II was largely through DR.. Green's
influence that 30 many women found en-
ployment in the telegraph business, he be-
ing one Of the pioneers in favoring the
idea.
For years it has been the custom of the
telegraph officials to hold an annual dinner
of a social nature. where DIR. Green was al
ways genial guest. It is said thai he last
year minated that he feared the banquet
would be his last.
About fifty years ago he married Mis-
English Of Kentucky, who survives hin
with family of four SONS and two daugh
ters. The eldest son, James 0. Green, mar.
ried the daughter of Abram s. Hewitt, anC
resides at Pau, France, most of the time.
The second son, Pinckney 8. Green. is
lawyer in Louisville, and the third, JohI
E. Green, is well known business man
formerly president Of the chamber Of com
merce of Louisville.
The fourth son, Walter E. Green, wa
consul to Japan during the Cleveland sd
ministration. There are number of grand
children. The two daughters, Miss Sust
and Miss Grace, are unmarried.
A GRIM JOKE ON HIMSELF.
DR.. Green was fond of a good joke, ever
at bis own expense. Many years ago he ap
piled for life insurance.
The company thought he was ''a gooc
risk" until its physician discovered that the
applicant suffered from a valvular disease
OF the heart, and his application was re
jected.
Insurance companies always give new
agents a list of wealthy men in this anC
other cities and send them out to try anC
persuade the magnates into insurance,
Almost every week some new agent would
call upon DIR. Green and begin to argue il
favor of life insurance.
YOU'RE the very man want to see, !" DR.
Green would say. what is the larges
amount for which your company will insure
mew
Zone hundred thousand dollars" the
agent would reply, mentally shaking hand
with himself.
Ali right. I'll go in" DR.. Green would
reply, with a perfectly straight face
Make me out an application"
The delighted agent would draft the pa
per in jiffy and walk out of the Office witt
the proud consciousness Of having obtained
500, 900 policy, and made a commission
OF couple Of thousand or so in five or ter
minutes.
On the following day the examining ply
stefan would call on DIR. Green, find him ap
parently in good health, and chucklt
secretly.
Then he would place his ear against the
DOCTORS breaSE and fall hack in hfg chair