New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-05-30
PEOPLE IN THE PUBLIC EYE

Speaking OF ghosts. Representative Browulow OF
Tennessee, tells a story which he declares to be
absolutely true. Mr.. Brownow lives at JOnesboro
and its only newspaper. He does not con-
duct the paper, but farms It out to handy
printer editor OF his political faith. furnishing
the plant and about all the profits Some years
when Mr. Brownlow advertised for some one
to take charge OF the newspaper outfit, an East
erner by the name of Whitaker responded and a
bargain was struck at once. He proved 10 be
only skful printer and pressman. but bright
writer and good all-round newspaper man. But
Brownlow's delight short-lived. whittaker's
ruling passion asserted itself and prolonged
spree ensued which threatened 20 terminate the
contract at once but mOdus vivendi finally
agreed upon and things went along pretty well
for some time until one day Whitaker hearing
that his wife about to for divorce, went
on another spree and died from overdose OF
morphine. Mr.. BrOwnlow saw that the unfortunate
man was decently buried and regarded the Incl
dent closed. Some months afterward Mr. Brown
law Sunday evening was attracted by spirit
ualist meeting in progress in Washington hall
He dropped in and took seat Unobserved in the
rear OF the hail. After the preliminary exercises
and various spiritu9listic manifestations. there
call from the cabinet for Mr.. Brownlow
The medium asked if there was a Mr.. BrownIovy
in the house The Congressman permitted the ques-
ton to be asked two three times before replying
and then asked
What Brownlow?''
"w. P. Brownlow. Of Tennessee" was the re-
Spouse.
Yes. he's here" the Congressman replied. What
do you want with him?''
Mr.. Whitaker wishes to speak with him"
Mr.. Brownlow became interested. and through
the medium entered into a colloquy with the spirit
which was alleged TO be Whitaker. knew the name
of the wife who had caused the suicide. and
acquainted with many scenes and incidents in and
about Jonesboro, much to the perpexity of the In
quirng Congressman. Finally Mr.. Brownlow grew
weary of the uncanny situation and asked:
Well Whitaker. where you now?'
In hell
Where would you rather be-In he'll or running
my paper in JOnesbOFo?"
I'm hell!' came the prompt response.
Samuel Eberly Gross the muIti-miIlionaire real es-
tate dealer. formerly lawyer. and. by way Of
alton in times of panic. playwright and Htterateur.
Is looked upon by large part Of the literary gallery
OF Chicago as having reached the top round Of the
ladder Of fame. Judge KOhlsaats decision whereby
the Chicagoan has been finally declared the orig
inal author Of the play from which Rostand
held 70 have lched boldly and without scruple plot
incidents. Ines-in fact, enough material TO con-
struct "Cyrano de Bergerac''-is acclaimed by the
local press and critics simple act Of justice
to a brilliant native genius. Mr.. Gross who comes
of good Pennsylvania stock has for thirty-Odd
years been known to fame hustler in the
real estate line, in which he accumulated fortune
of s.0OOOOO $, 100000 while laying out several
healthy and pretty suburban villages To some OF
his intimates his literary tendencies were well
AHo"4i Do' tue PuUHc WAS Hol aware OF MI gross
genius or capacity playwright until the Itfga-
ton over "Cyrano de Bergerac'' was begun. He
constructed his play, THE Merchant Of Cornvile.'
while devOting his attention TO literary pursuits
the dull business period from 1871 $780, when there
little demand for lots in Chicago. Despite the
support given Mr.. Grosss claims by the Circuit
Court. considerable feeling is aroused among his
friends on account OF the position taken by the
professors at the University of Chicago. who de-
clare that Judge Kohsaats decision is farcical
They admit that there paralIel!sms between
Rostands play and GrOsss production Then. too
there are some lawyers. real estate men and other
business and professional persons here either
openly or sub rosa, share the opinions of the
Frenchman and the big university and regard the
whole thing as a huge joke. Meanwhile that part
of the literary set close to the playwright point
triumphantly to the fact that The Merchant OF
Cornville' was performed privately in London long
before the appearance of ROstand's "Cyrano de
Bergerac''