The Minneapolis journal., 1905-09-07
JOHN D. JOKES
WITH JOKESMITHS
Oil King Is Host to American
Press Humorists at His
Cleveland Home.
New York Sun Special Service.

New York Sun Special Service
Cleveland, Ohio, Sept. 7.-Wearing
his newly purchased wig and in happy
mood, John D. Rockefeller has received
the members of the American Press
Humorists at Forest Hill, his summer
home, and in person conducted them
around the place.
The oil king broke all precedents, for
never before has anyone dared to enter
! his preserves, and he has never received
delegations, nor has he ever acted as a
guide. ~
| The local jokesmiths asked permission
| Tuesday to drive thru his grounds in
automobiles, and much to their surprise
their request was granted. Piling into
large touring cars and headed by Mayor
| Tom l.. johnson, the humorists were
driven to the Rockefeller home and
found their host playing golf with DR..
Blggar, his physician.
"I'm pleased to meet you," he said,
extending his hand, and his manner in
dicated that he really was. 81 want
to meet all of YOU"
And for TIE next few minutes John
ID. was shaking hands cordially with
men who harpoon him and gridiron him
six days week.
Gives Away snowballs.
"Now,' said John D., when hand
shaking had finished, ~ want you to
take some flowers. Over here is a bank
of snowballs. Come, help yourselves -
He led the way to the flowers, saying:
81 am most happy that YOU are here.
hope l can aid you in feeling as
pleased over your visit as [ am. Come,
here are the flowers, gentlemen; out
with your knives, please. Cut the best,
the largest bunches.'
Mrs. W. R. Rose pinned to John D. 8
ters GA. P. H.'
You are most kind" said John D.
~ am one of now. am II Thank you.
! want to show you some of my trees.
We have an oak that we believe is 42O
years old. Is that not so. DR.. BiggarP''
Yes, we have that opinion,'' replied
! the doctor.
Showed the Old Oak.
John D. started for the old oak. ex-
} planning that his authority for belief in
! the tree s age was in the fact that q
relative had cut down one the same size
that proved to be 420 years old.
fifty l1IyI or sixty years ago." said
} Iohn, there were many trees here four.
) i've and even six feet in diameter.,'
On the way he was asked if he would
3 pose with the rest of the crowd for a
) photograph.
i :"Certainly, if you wish," he re.
: As the party stood for the picture
e John slipped behind lady. II don t
V Wlsh to take too prominent part, ~
= he said; u am crowding out Others
! who belong here.'
'. my emblem and my part in this
t make me a humorist. do thev3,, he
e asked.
4 ."Vou are ona of ,,e ,, -o-I:.I D.:
y dent Gilliland.
:. IL am happy to know it," sale
q Tom L. Joshes John D.
d Mr.. Rockefeller,'' said Mayor
T. johnson, eff you become so ATTACHED
f to the east that you do not care tx
\ use this beautiful park, 1 hope you
$ viii turn it over to the city of Cleve
e land and let the people enjoy it.''
l. John D. joined in the laugh that fol
l. lowed and said: 'The mayor is wide
It awake.''
n Mayor Johnson spoke of John d.
r gift Of Rockefeller park, telling what
fine present it was.
"Thank syou," said John D. ,"I an
glad you like it. I am glad the people
enjoy it. The parks should be for thu
people,, and I am happy to think they
pesitA c1A1O AAu Cu,OS
there
Only once did John D. refer in any
c way to the criticism of himself DR.
Z Z Biggar jokingly told him to be care
. full Of what he said about the trees.
r John D. and Criticism.
r "Ladies and gentlemen" said Johr
Y D., taking off his cap, ''and I say thi
especially for your benefit, Dr. Big
i gar, when l was a small boy I wa
t taught not to believe all I heard o.
l. even what I read in books.'
e "Mr. Rockefeller made a charming
/ host,' said the mayor. "He was witt
i us an hour and half, showing us al
: over the place and exhibiting his fin
,, trees, in which he. takes great pride
Q Not word was said on politics.
S thought Mr.. Rockefeller looked espe
e cially well and that his new wig wa
! very becoming. DR.. Biggar joked witt
k him constantly about it, and he tool
l. the joking very good-humoredly."
@ 7kr @~A~~