Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1904-12-23

OF Revolutionary ancestors flows in
his veins and among distant relatives
are Presidents James Monroe, John
Quincy Adams and through marriage,
Henry Watterson. His nucle, John
Quincy Adams Wood, was the publish.
er of the Southern Shield at Owens
boro. kv., IN 1861. 1t was staunch
union and at one time he was com
PEELED to defend it from rebel SYM
palh'zerh at the point of a rife This
was at time when Governor Magof-
fin had just issued his famous mani
festo, declaring that while he was at
the head of affairs in the dark and
bloody hunting grounds of old Ken
tucky, not gun nor soldier from
that state should take part in the
struggle between the North and the
South. This proclamation. however,
he was compelled to recall.
Both Mr.. Wood father, William
II. Wood and his mother, julia A. A.
Wood, were devoted to literary pur-
poses Mr.. Wood, ST.. established the
New Era, the first paper published at
Sank Rapids, MIMI, and his wife
was its literary editor. Under the nom
DO plume of "Minnie Lee she wrote
poems which were copied broadcast
and were commented upon with much
favor. Their home, situated on the
banks of the Mississippi, was the
finest above St. Anthony Falls now
Minneapolis, and it was at this pic
turesque spot that Mr. Wood was
! born.
Educated in the common scho il and
at st. Johns college near st. Clou9,
Mr.. Woods first practical knowledge
of newspaper was obtained prior to
1870 when he worked as printer in
the office Of the Sank Rapids Senti-
mel. It's veteran editor, George W.
Benedict, was his instructor and
through his efforts, Mr.. Wood was in
duced to make his first literary con-
tribotions. He was then only Is years
of age, but displayed marked ability
and a year later he was rendered an
editorial position on the Hastings Un-
ion, published by VIM. R. Todd.
A newspaper editor at 16 and pro-
prietor at II was the herculean feat
that was accomplished by this young
genius, for the following year be
started out for himself and Prescott.
Wis, was chosen for his field. A
Washington hand press. handful
of type and few sheets Of paper was
his first outfit, vet with This meager
means at his command, he sailed into
politics. state and national, chroni
cled the doings of his neighbors and
in his small way, continued to MAKE
Rome howl.
When things had been fairly gotten
underway, Mr.. Wood found it neces-
sary to take on partner in his bust
ness venture and N. E. Lemen was
given the chance. The latter attended
to the business affairs of the paper,
helped to circulate it and at times
handled the ink roller or ~s.the lever
Of the Washington press. The paper
was a staunchss supporter of Horace
Greedy and although it's editor had
not yet reached voting age, he
took lively interest in the fortunes
of his favorite. The purpose of the
paper was designated to be "a map
Of the fluctuations and vast concerns
of life,' and just above the presiden-
tial ticket in the editorial column
appeared the familiar sentence
1.-The pen sis mighter than - the
sword.'
The application Of this motto was
made in the editorials to the effect
that Greedy had accomplished much
more with his pen than Grant had
been able to do with his sword
In spite OF the guidance of the
Patriot, Grant carried Pierce county
in which the publication was located,
by a large majority and the young
editor was forced to confess that he
still had much to learn about the poll
tical game, even ssas it was then
played. During the heat of the cam.
paign, the young editor and his assis.
tants paid visit to st. Paul, which
vas commented upon in one of the
papers there as follows: 1--WE had a
pleasant call yesterday from A.
DeLacey Wood and N. E. Lemmen.
the bright and sanguine editors Of
the Prescott Patriot, a staunch Greedy
organ. They seemed confident of the
election of the great journalist owe,
Z. S. Grant. Figuratively speaking,
we fear that after the votes art
counted. the sap will be sqeezed ouI
Of Wood and the juice out of Lem.
men,
! While bitterly disappointed because
Of the failure of his favorite in The
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