River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-01-13
Lutte TAYLOR.
Entertaining Stories of the Ec-
centric DrpcCnff Editor

centric Prescott Editor.
The Red Wing Republican says
Old timers hereaDouts well remem Der
Lutte Taylor, who in the pioneer days,
was editor of newspaper at Prescott.
He was man of ready wit, always
entertaining, and the fact that lie
suffered added TO rather than de-
tracted from the humor of his re-
marks. Innumerable humorous
anecdotes are related of him, all eX-
celient in their way, but the mans
originality OF character is better shown
in none than in the following, revived
by Frank j. Mead in the Minneapolis
Times:
Lutte Taylor edited the Prescott
Journal. He also suffered when he
stroye to converse. A new merchant
carrying the heaviest stuck of goods
ever brought TO the village, dropped
down located and commenced business.
For six months the merchant never
called on Lutte and the latter recipro-
Gated by remaining away from the
mercanti establishment. At the
expiration of six months the editor
called and inquired for the merchant,
who soon made his appearance, and
simply saluted him with a cheerful
Good Morning, Mr.. Taylor"
M0r-mor-mor ming, Charley" res
ponded the journalist Familiarity.
live got alittle b-b-bill against this
she-she-bangp' and he handed him
statement of account setting forth
that G. A. b. & Co. was indebted TO
the Prescott journal for one years
advertising six months Of which had
alread expired.
The merchant scanned the state
ment carefully, and then, with an in
Jured look upon his face, CALCULATED:
why, Mr.. Taylor, l have never had
line OF advertising in your paper since
L have been here"
Il kn-know that, Mr.. B.-B.-but the
newspaper has been th-there every w
week since your arrival. Live fur
niShed the medium, and in law cannot
b-be held responsible for your neglect
OF d-duty incum bent up-pup-on every
good citizen to support his lo-coke-cocal
paper
Fortunately the merchant had keen
sense of humor as well as generous
disposition and henceforth became one
Of the Stanch advertising patrons Of
the Journal
The beauty of the above story is,
that it is substantially correct. The
merchant referred to was George A.
Dill, now dead, whose two brothers,
Colonel Dill and Matt Dill are now
both living in Prescott. But George
A. Dill had been in business at Pres
colt several years before Lutte edited
the Journal Dill, as he supposed, had
discontinued his ad, but Lutte run it
just the same as if no order of dis
continuance had been given. When
Lutte presented his bill for advertising,
Dill demurred. Lutte told him that
the Journal had been published every
week aud that his advertising account
was lust One-one hundred d-d-dOllarS
year whether he advertised or not.
Dill paid the bill and in the fall was a
candidate for sheriff, and Lutte
"stumped" the county for the man
who always paid his debts promptly.
The following experience is recorded
by Jay Whipple of the Winona Herald:
This incident in the life of this
whOle-SOuled hum0rist reminds the
writer Of his playful humor which
occurred on this city. Ii was III tue
early seYenl les when Lutte Tayl or was
publishing the La Crosse Republican
and Leader, that Winona was making
elaborate preparations for an old
fashioned Fourth OF July celebration.
The committee on the "OratOr OF the
day" mad written TO a number of dis
tinguiShed gentlemen in various
states To engage one for the occasion,
but without success. AS the glorious
coming event was drawing nigh it was
evident that a definite conclusion
must be Immediately reached. AT
that time, this talented writer and
genial humoriSt, was known to but
few of our citizens. The writer
suggested that he be at once COM
municated with, and if possible, en-
gagged as the "orator of the day" He
responded, atflrmatively. While but
a little time had been devoted to his
Grafton, compared to almost every
thing which he produced, it was eX-
ceedingly appropriate and purely
original. The captivating manner of
his delivery, combined with just
enough STAN mering to attract the
attention of his hearers, was the talk
of the town for weeks afterwards.
After the close of the celebration. one
of the committee waited on Mr.
Taylor and proffered him $50. He
said "What is this for?" The reply
was, For the orator of the day"
"Why, why. | don't want this money,
| just came up here to have little
visit and some fun with the boys"
But this money was raised for the ora
tor of the day and cannot be used for
any other purpose. This money isyOurs
and you will have to take it," "Well,
under the circumstances, | suppose |
shall have to accept it. But only with
the understanding that you convey
my compliments to the committee
and state that somebody has been
most d-d-nably cheated" Lutte
gave a champagne supper at the old
Huff house that night, and missed
the midnight boat for La Crosse.
TalI eln D. C;rap