West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1894-03-01
crayon change Aminasdao Sleep into :


Mr.. Peck. observing with keen interest
the mischief looking propcnsities Of his
son, then boy in short breeches and
roundabout. caught the inspiration fora
series Of sketches the title of which has
become household words the country
over and the text given more pleasure
and cured more attacks of the blues than
anything ever published in the English
language. "Peck's Bad Boy" caught tho
public fancy from its inception and add
ed thousands upon thousands of names to
the subscription list of Peck's Sun. It
was read and roarcd over i'm the homes
OF fashion and in the camp on the con-
fines OF civilization where the hardy
miner toiled for the hidden treasures OF
earth.
The Bad Boy was O general favorite
with all classes. With his very dew
iltry no won the admiration OF the par
son and the applause OF the layman- He
was talked over and roared over I'm the
barber shop, TOASTED in the saloon and
became source of JOY In the home cir
Gle. In fact, SO solidly did he ingratiate
himself into the affections of the people
that tho Milwaukee correspondents OF
structions 10 capture him as he came
from the press and send him on the mag
netio wires to the home Office.
Even the papers could not satisfy the
demand for this genius Of mischief. He
was brought out between covers Of green
and gold ard brown and blue and en-
balmed in book. Then no was turned
over to the playwright and forced to pa
rade his too brief hour behind the foot
lights, while admiring thousands cheered
his eveyy act OF mischief for the very
cuteness involved therein. The Bad Boy
placed the climax on the coal stove story
and netted his author n fortune as well
"a fame in the presence of which the
governorship of even so great a state as
Wisconsin must be subordinated. IL was
great English general who said he
would rather be the author of Gray's
"Elegy" than take Quebec. So iaay il be
said that the author of "Peck's Bad Boy"
will live on and on after Governor Peck
has been forgotten.
AZ the early life Of Mr.. Peck was n
struggle such rs few are called upon to
pass through, SO also Is his present
achievement the more creditablo to the
"
Y, I'm 1910. he came with his parents,
when years Of age. to the territory of
Wisconsin. then little more than a
wilderness. The family settled near
Whitewater. and in little log school
house the future governor and humorist
struggled laboriously with those three
terrible antagonists to youthful liberty
and comfort--readin. 'ritin and 'rith-
metic. Glad enough was he to give mp
the conflict at the age of l5 and enter
the Office OF the village paper as print
er's devil. position for which his every
instinct eminently fitted him.
Having acquired the trade and reached
his majority, he embarked In business
on his own account az editor and pub
fisher OF the Jefferson County Republic
an. He was not overwhelmed with
wealth as the result Of this venture. and
low diet and hard work having reduced
his ambition he disposed Of bis Office
and returned TO the case as compositor
on Tho State Journal at Madison.
While thus engaged the war broke out,
and yielding TO the demand for soldiers
ho entered the army ms private in the
Fourth Wisconsin cavalry. For valiant
service he mounted the ladder of fame
as a trooper sufficient to reach the bars
of a second lieutenant. when his ambi-
ton was again nippcd in the bud by the
close Of the war.
He returned to the state and estab-
hshed paper at Kipon. where he
achieved considerable local fame by pub
fishing n series Of humorous sketches un-
der the title of Tho Terrence McGrant
Papers" There was political vein run
ming through these sketches that modi-
fed and in many cases neutralized the
humor, and while giving promise of the
genius behind them they were as dross
compared TO the later achievements of
their author. However, they attracted
the attention Of M. NJ. Qrick) Pomeroy.
then at the zenith Of his fortune and
fame, and Mr.. Peck was invited TO take
n position on Poineroy's New York Dem
ocrat. Here, as an employee, with his
bubbling humor held in check or called
on to express itself 10 order aud in con-
formity with a line Of policy totally at
variance with the fountains Of inspira,
ton, Mr.. Peck could not work 70 advau-
tsgo.
He ont his career In the metropolis as
short as possible and hailed with delight
an order from Mr. Pomeroy 70 return 20
Wisconsin and take charge OF the La
Crosse Democrat He continued TO edit
this branch Of the Pomeroy outfit until
Pomeroy became badly involved
Like others who have attained fame as
''funny men" Mr. Peck has tried the
lecture field. How Samantha and /
Put Down the Rebellion" WAS his prin-
cipal theme.
AS n citizen Mr.. Peck is a Democrat
In the broadest sense Of the term in all
his impulses aud Inspirations Whether
% George w. Peck. the impecuniOus pub
Usher Of an obscure country weekly, or
Governor Peck. the chief executive Of
the state. he is tho Same approachabie,
whole souied, jolly gentleman. Political
honor8 nor fortune nor fame can raise
him above George Peck. the Journalist,
nor could failure or poverty OF want
cast him down. lie joked the tickle
goddess OF fortune whether sho found
him IN rags or in broadcloth Ilo il The
same man today in heart aud disposition
as he sits in the governors chair with
modest fortune nj his command and tho