The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-04-27


BRICK POMEROY.
as that Of Colonel Mulberry Sellers Of
fctional fame, and his life has been as
full Of ups and downs as a New Hgmp-
shire road.
Brick PomerOy was born in Elmira,
N. Y, on Christmas day, 1888. When
he was II, he became a printers
''devil y For three years he worked at
the trade, and then plunged boldly into
the sea Of journalism.
At Corning, n. Y, he started his
first paper and married his first wife
Both ventures were unsuccessful He
went to Athens, Pa, and started anoth-
er paper, but Jared still worse. At tho
end of two years he gave no in disgust
and went to Wisconsin, where in the
little town Of Horizon, be started The
Argus. 1t was in this paper that ap-
peared the Brick Dust Sketches which
gained for him his unique sObriquet.
He became prominent in politics IS
an active Democrat, and was rewarded
by being appointed deputy United
States marshal, but was so outspOlzen
in favor Of Stephen a. Douglas that he
lost his Office. After one or two more
unsuccessful newspaper ventures he
landed at Lacrosse and bought a half
interest in a paper called The Union
and Democrat. His partner was a Brock
inridge Democrat, however, and they
failed to agree on the editorial policy
! They settled the matter by each taking
one-half Of the paper, and for weeks the
sheet appeared with scorching denun-
Citations Of Douglas on the inside and
hot shot for Breckenridge On the out
side. Finally Pomeroy secured a CON
trolling interest in the paper, Ousted
the other man and changed its name to
The Democrat This was the paper that
in time became known as Brick Pom
erOy's Democrat
As an editor his vigorous and out
spoken way Of setting forth his opin-
ions made for him thousands of active
enemies and lots Of enthusiastic friends.
When the war broke out, Pomeroy was
for the Union heart and soul He made
stirring speeches. filed his paper with
patriotic editorials, and personally
helped to equip and send out three COM
panies. He was commissioned as a sec
ond lieutenant, unattached, and went
to the front as a war correspondent.
Soon the tone Of his writings began to
change He denounced the commanders
of the Union forces and the policy Of
the administration. His attacks were SO
bitter and were kept up so increasingly
that he soon became the most unpOpu-
lar man in the army He was ordered
out of the lines and returned to La
crosse, where he continued his attacks
in a more virulent tone than ever.
One day there appeared in The Dem
ocrat that famous editorial IN which
the wish was expressed that if Lincoln
refused to keep the pledges made in his
second inaugural some daring hand
might strike a poinard into his breast.
A few weeks after this Lincoln was as
sassiuated and the editorial was repub-
ished far and wide. If Pomeroy had
been within reach then he would surely
have been hanged.
But the editorial had another result
1t made his paper extremely popular
throughout the south, and the circula-
ton went up to 100. 600. He was at the
food tide of prosperity then and spent
the money that came rolling in with
lavish hand About this time he met
Boss Tweed, who induced him to 60
to New York city and establish a paper
there in the interest Of the Tweed ring.
He did So and for q time his paper was
wonderfully prosperous, but he quar-
relied with Tweed and had to leave
New York in q hurry to escape being
arrested on a trumped up charge.
He went back to Lacrosse and re-
vived The Democrat, making it the
organ of the GTeenback party. Then be
gan another season Of prosperity. which
vvansd with the decline of the party.
Pomeroy closed out his paper and took
the remnant Of his fortune to Denver,
where he conceived the idea Of putting
a railroad tunnel through the Rocky
mountains. He organized a company
and interested thousands Of people in
this gigantic scheme. The plan fell
through when financial depression set
in Ha returned to New York after try
ing in vain to Goat several mere prof.
ects. He has written several books and
q great variety Of articles and was pub
fishing a newspaper ia New York up to
the time Of his recent sickness. when
publication was suspended
S. p. SCIENCE