Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-01-28
HOW THEY GET THEIR STORIES.
a Queer Industry Conducted by Depow
and Porter

and Porter
SD,oiol CorrSspondence or ne Rsofs,sr
New YoRK, January 90. Everyb body
knows that Chauncey NJ. Depew and
Horace Porter are the champion aitor-
dinner speakers OF the country. There
are other men whose talks to dinners,
with the coffee and cigars ia process OF
consumption, may be just as good.
Joseph III. Choate, Robert G.. Ingersoll.
Henry M. Alexander, Frederick Tay-
Tor and half dozen moro have en-
vlablo regulations Ia this line. But
Dr. Depew and Gen. Porter speak twice
on post prandial occasions, where all the
others speak once. They are ia great
demand by all societies when banquets
arc TO DO given. The College Alumni
Associations OF New York do not con-
slider dinner complete unless Depew ~
on the list or speakers. The Sons OF
the Revolution and the Pilgrims would
feel ike dispensing with their annual
dinners " Porter could not he present
There is one feature about the
speeches OF Depew aud Porter that not
only ploases, but likewise surprises all
who hear them. They tell such CAPITAL
stories and they are so nearly always
fresh. Stale anecdotes never fall from
the lips OF these orators. They are not
only mighty funny stories, but they nj.
ways apply so nicely 10 the occasion.
They are full OF point. DR.. Depew usu-
ally talks from fifteen minutes 70 half an
hour. His average is about 20 minutes.
In that time, be will tell at least half
dozen stories or perpetrate six or SOW
on wiJticisms that cOnvulso tho audi
ence. lie has been known % attend
three dinners ia one evening, or rather
appear 40 the right moment during the
course 81 the after dinner oratory Al
three places, and every story related
was entirely different. flo did not re-
peat single tale. General Porter has
been heard hundred times by New
Workers who attend the various ban.
quets. and not one Of them remembsrs
hearing an old story retoid or former
pun revamped.
This Is the way these stories and
jokes are said % be procured. Depew IL
always personally on the watch for wit
tlcIsms. He undoubtedly hears n great
many good stories privately But tho
work Of getting together what 10 cur
rent 10 the funny line devolYss upon
Henry Q. Duval, the private secretary
OF DR.. Depew Duyal has made a
jokes than his chief, and he isn't
az all a bad narrator OF them himself.
10 jots down every new story he hears.
He records every joke u worth. He is |
said TO have a big scrap book TO bis /
Office. at tho Grand Central Depot In /
which be pastes anecdotes. puns and !
funny things Of all sorts that he cuts I
out Of papers and magazines. fIe reads /
al the comic papers, domestic and for /
eign. lie is particularly attentive 20 /
the odd and laughabie incidents that /
often interlard description Of news 4
events 10 the daily Journals The pri- /
yate secretary also requests his friends. i
and be has a heap Of them in all lines ]
Of business aud branches OF trade, 70 /
look out for good things.
10 Is easy to see how soon such a plan /
could be systematized and made very /
The scrap book becomes as i
In its compilation Of wit as
Or. Depev Is versatile 10 his treatment
Of bis subjects on which he speaks and /
the toasts 20 which he responds on pnb. /
lie occasions. To addition 10 this
vehicle Of information, both Depew and
DDval are on the alert when they travel.
They note curious sign posts and catch
funny mistakes on posters aad placards.