The Wilmington daily Republican., 1901-07-02
A FEW DISTlN-
GUlSHED MEN.

CNdE dClcES tudl TcpE EGecutcu Tue
press on the annual outing given by
the Penn sylvania Railroad Com
pany. are Colonel Shaw, Of Wash.
ing, D. c.. Randolph De B. Keim,
Of Reading, Pa, and George Alfred
Townsend We mention Colonel
Shaw because he was the first reg
ular Washington correspondent OF
any paper in our country. He was
composition in a Washington
printing office, in company with
Mr.. Fryslnger, Of Chester in 1850,
and having obtained some rather
important Information in regard to
the War Department. he wrote
note tothe New York Herald, which
created quite a sensation among
the newspaper fraternity. Bennett
acknowledged the favor and the
Colonel continued post the Herald
with Washington gossip. Some
time after the Colonel visited New
York and OH introducing himself to
Bennett, was directed to call at
the cashiers Office, and on doing
80 was presented with a $50 bill,
which looked like a tremendous
sum lor the service rendered, in the
eyes OF the young printer The
Colonel then discovered that there
was an easier way Of making mon
ey than setting type, and instead
Of being an only Washington COR
respondent, he isto-day only one OF
a thousand. For many years he
has been employe ed by Boston pa
per and finds the job profitable.
lie is acquainted with all the lead
ing politicians in Washington and
possesses a great fund of inlorma.
ton. Everybody in Washington
knows Shaw, and Shaw knows the
political history Of every body ct any
prominence.
Randolph Geo. Deb. keim, halls
from Reading, Pa. and is owner OF
paper in Harrisburg. When a
young man he was an active war
correspondent. and furnished
graphic descriptions OF the battles
Of the army Of Potomac He was
a great admirer Of Gen. Grant and
was member. we believe OF his
sta!l When his office OF President
expired, he accompanied Grant and
his family in their trip around the
world, visiting not only England,
France. and the various capitals
Of Europe. but, China, Japan and
other pontsot interest. lie is also
familiar with Pennsylvania politics
from the days of Simon Cameron,
his MiGdlctown bank scheme, when
kegs Of iron represented the cash
capital and enabled him to lay the
found alton ol his immense fortune.
Mr.. keim is also author Of a book
on etionct, which had Il large sale
In Washington, and various other
volumes. lie has a fund OF polltl-
cal inform alton. and could give
very interesting ep,oma OF the
affairs OF our country.
George Alfred Townsend is among
the most tavorably known news
paper cOrreaponde in our couu-
try His father was a member OF
the Wilmington Conference aud held
several appointments in our state.
While stationed at Delaware City
s>mc fifty years ago George Alfred
while reading tale or story pub
lishcd IN The WEEKLY REpuELICAN
was stimulated TO write Tor the
ncwspapers lie possesses great
lund Of information and is an inde-
latigabIc writer. lie is widely
known 5 the author OF the verses
entitled Rodney srIde from Lewes
to Philadelphia. on the Fourth OF
! July, l7,h, and his arrival in time
| to append his name 10 the Declara-
| ton OF Independence, and various
| novclettcs. lie is widely known by
the nome de plume Of Gath. He is
an indefatlgable worker aud his
correspondence is something enor-
nous to an ordinary individual and
| we are pleased 10 learn that he
| has been enabled 10 obtain nice
home at Gap Place, Maryland, to
which he can retire when his eye
has become dimmed aud the good
| right hand has lost its cunning.
Mrs. Townsend formerly accompa-
pied HIM on these annual excursions
but We regret that she has become
| confirmed invalid, aud now se,-
dom leaves her home. We hope
that she may find that balm in
Gllcad that soothcs and sustains,
even if it does not cure. There
may be other distinguished char
acters among the eXcursionists,
but their reputation is not gen.
orally rccoe lied.