The Florida star., 1902-06-06

Mr.. Ford began his literary work at
the age Of eleven. The first example
wak a reprint Of Webster's genealogy
or his family, set up by himself, for he
was even then a compositOr. His fic-
ton works are probably the extent OF
his fame in the eyes Of most people,
but the young man was versatile, and
known only to a small circle OF stu
dents are several admirable historical
efforts. An excellent edition of 1.-The
Writings Of Thomas Jefferson" is the
most important There are besides the
New England Primer" and Pamphlets
on the Constitution, Published During
the Discussion by the People, 1881
11SS." long acknowledged as an author
ity.
Unhampered by material cares, the
ambitious student was free to follow
the bents OF his intellect He supple
mented his studies in the library by
long travels in Europe, South America.
the West Indies and his own country.
Politically he was active in his own
ward. The Honorable Peter Stirling"
is as much the result of experience as
of study. Its hero was accepted as a
portrait of Grover Cleveland. 1t was
primarily study of metropolitan pOlit-
ical and social conditions and afforded
keen glances at New York journalism
and Wall street methods and ethics.
For four months the book failed TO at
tract the public. Then its fame began,
and in a few months 100000 copies
were sold.
Janice Meredith" was one of the big
literary successes of 1900. 1t was pref
aced by a long and familiar dedication
to George Vanderbilt, the novelist's
long time friend and often his host at
Biltmore. DramatiZed, the tale won
new laurels for its creator. Nearly 30O.-
600 sales is this books record.
On March 81, 1900, Mr.. FOrd's en-
gagement to Miss Grace Kidder of
Brooklyn was announced, and on Sept.
| II. the same year. they were married
There were few anecdotes of the
| dead author printed. He was generous
and kind, yet there was an irascibility
of temper which is best illustrated by
an incident which took place at his
| wedding The bride and bridegroom
were leaving the house after the cere-
mOny, lodging the usual accessories of
rice and old shoes. Suddenly from the
| shelter Of a neighboring porch sprang
q photographer. Mr.. Ford heard the
| camera snap. Like flash he was on
the camera fiend The photographer
was a big man, but his camera was
4 a
blow on the jaw before he escaped.
which he finally did-on the run.
Malcolm Ford was born in Brooklyn
says the New York Times. on Feb. Z.
1862. From his earliest bOyhOOd days
he exhibited an extraordinary enthusi-
asm for athletic sports. and. contrary
! TO all the traditions of his family, hC
| considered recess the best feature OF
his school life, for then. in his own
words. Il could get out and show all
I the boys what poor runners. jumpers
and wrestlers they were"
He finally showed such excellence in
all sports that his father got wind of ii
and, not approving OF that bent in any
| Of his sons, took him out of school 1T
the age of fifteen. Notwithstanding
this, he never lost an opportunity Of de
Veloping his muscles, and to this fact
he attributed his phenomenal physical
development that kept him the amateur
all round champion of the country for
several years. Shortly after his father
! took him out of school he secured Il
private tutor for him, so that, although
his heart WAS really in all kinds of
| sport, he received Il liberal mental
/ training.
He first became prominent in the ath-
etic world in 1SS;. when lie Won the
| running broad jump (2l feet 1la inchcs)
and the running high jump e. feet 81.
/ inchcSl at the national championships
and the running high jump ut the Ca
/ madam Ean.2s. Ii was after he had dis
/ tinSUiShcd himself in these two natiQn-
al sporting events that he had a VIC.
( lent quarrel. which resulted i'll his cs-
arrangement from the family.
III 1854 lie Won the American broad
jump and the one hundred yard dash.
/ In that year he competed for the indi-
vidual all around championship OF
I America. but was defeated by w. II.
/ Thompson of Montreal In 1881 he won
the same events ami the two hundred
and twenty yards dash in the United
States. and the two hundred and TWEEN
" yards and the quarter mile in tn"
Canadian games. In that year he again
2 ind 1Tt-f.l nl vt.l