The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-10
THE DANGER OF USING NAMES.
Sometimes Their Real Proprietor
Turns u and Does Not Fit the
Story

story.
From the Chicago Record.
Half the struggle in writing a story"
a rather eminent author has said, "con-
sists in the name When you get good
name you get a mine" Which is true
not only of the title of the narrative itself
but also of the characters which figure in
it Once a writer of fiction confessed that
he searched the signboards for names and
on the day when ne saw "NIilington Rick
aby'' painted on a lawyers door he pro-
duced the best story of his life on the in
spiration of that cognomen. But it is not
always safe to do this. The proof is right
here.
The writer of this department, journey
ing in the Teton country just south of the
Yellowstone Park some years ago, heard
among other names mentioned that of
Brig Adams That Brig Adams really ex-
listed was never stated; the name was sim
ply carried into a conversation-when and
under what circumstances is a matter of
hazy memory. But, although the details
of the first hearing of that appellation
have long since faded, the name lived in
Becollection-lived on, waiting for a story
10 be written about il. A few months ago
the story was written That was che last
of the name, and having been used, it
passed along the way of all used-up lit
erary material.
That is to say, it was believed to be the
last of it. But it was not in fact. few
days ago Robert Anderson of Idaho Falls
idaho, wrote to say with great courtesy
that a mistake had been made. There was
a Brig Adams and he wasn't the kind of
man the yarn" pictured him at all He
did not fit any part of the stored de-
scrption-not physically morally intel
lectually or otherwise. Besides which he
had been dead for a long time-sacrificed
his life in a heroic manner TO save and
help another. Internationally &C. may, be
said that they do that kind of thing In
Jackson's Holel
Il have this to say of Adams the
Idaho man writes, mot because de NOR
tuis nil nisi bonum, but because he was
no such man as the story pictures him.
Mr.. Adams was ranchman in Jackson's
Hole stalwart, firm-looking man of
above 80. He was not college-bred, but
had good common-school aducation He
was distinguished for his courteous bear
ing to all, and was as straight morally as
well as physically as the pine trees on
the adjacent mountains. The actress
Maude Adams was, by the way his niece
Neither was he the unsophsticated man
the picture makes him. He did a lucrative
business in supplying some of The parks
as far east as New England with sdeeI
and elk, and on his trips became fairly
well acquainted with several of the East
eTn cities. In short he stood well But
the manner of his death shows him more
than a straightforward business man. A
new settler came into Jackson's Hole late
in the fall of 1896. The newcomer was Ill
provided for the winter-not even cabin
70 take his family into. Mr.. Adams was
never behind-hand in such cases. he
started at once through the snow to,the
new mans camp, brought new life 10 the
respondent family and got to work with
will, though no reward was promised or
desired. While engaged in this Good Sa-
marian work a decayed limb fell from a
tree he was chopping for house logs. The
limb struck him squarely on the head, and
his skull was crushed in. The man. after
a time got help TO take him home There
rs no doctor in Jacksons Hole But his
resolute young wife nursed him night and
day for week, when death came TO his
relief"
Thus. according TO Mr.. Anderson's de-
scription. the real Brig Adams, the man
sentlal part of the light little anecdote.
was a man worth knowing. The writer
Is sorry that he did not know him.
AS before remarked while a name is a
splendid thing for a fction-maker to have
in stock, Il is likely to prove embarrass-
ing unless it is absolutely, certainly and
unequivocally fictitious. Even then ID is
best to choose another.