The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-07-29
THE KENTUCKY REEL.
Why Joe Jefferson Gave Grover cleve'
land His Finest Rod.

From the Chicago Inter Ocean.
The late Joseph Jefferson, probably the
best loved of American actors, was good
business man. and left large estate. As
his estate includes large apartment
building IN Chicago, his will was filed
Monday in Cook county. Its date was Oc-
tober 81, 1899.
This supplementary filing of the will re-
veals an interesting codicil under date of
December a. 1904. Just before his death.
In this codieil is this short paragraph
| that tells an eloquent story:
ITO my friend the Hon. Grover Cleve-
land, | hequeath my best Kentucky reel"
We all know what kind of man was the
| creator of RIP Van Winkle.2 but, did
we not many things are told by this brief
paragraph.
1t tells us, for one thing. that the ia
nous actor was an enthusiastic angler,
with the true craftsman's love for fine
| tools. Most anglers are proud and con-
! tent in the possession of one Kentucky
reel" TO have so many that there is a
| best among them betokens a passion
! for the gentle art
| To the true sportsman to fish is not all
| of fishing. There is a love of nature and
| a satisfaction in communion with her
manifestations that make amends even
when the east wind blows and the gamy
bass and the lordly muskellunge are in
| different to the craftiest anglers wiles.
| And we know that Joseph Jefferson wor-
| SHIPPED nature-neXt to his art the passion
| of his life was the sister art of painting.
| To the nature lover is given the capacity
of loving his fellow man and the fine un-
| Outstanding and sympathy that permit
perfect friendship. Doubtless when Joseph
| Jefferson, almost with his last breath,
added this codcil to his will his thought
for his friend and companion was as pure
and gentle benediction. And he knew
/ that his last token of remembrance would
| be appreciated.
| Lines even OF the finest braided silk,
decay and grow frail. Rods, even Of split
| bamboo from the hand of the artist, grow
| old and are retired in honor. Lures lose
| their fascination or are carried off by the
biggest fish that always get away.
But the reel-the Kentucky reel-the best
Kentucky reel--outlasts its owner and is
| handed down the generations. The Blue
Grass state has public fame because of
| its mellow corn juice. it's fine horses, and
| its beautiful women. but only the true
angler knows the glories of the genuine
| Kentucky reel that has for generations
| been the delight of the craft
| OF Grover Cleveland we also know
somewhat of the manner of man he is
/ for example. that he is an honest man
and immovable, "A mighty man with the
hreech-loader and the rod. But there must
| be finer man within his stolid bulk than
| is given to most men to see. Else Joseph
| jefferson would not have called him
| friend" For the wilderness and the
camp and enforced companonship in sun
shine and storm are the final test of COM
| radeshp.
| In bestowing this last token of remem-
| brance-upon one with whom he had SO
often shared "fishermans luck Joseph
| jefferson saw no need for explanation.
| He told the whole story and told II we'll
! in the simple words:
| 'To my friend, the Hon. Grover Cleve-
| land, I bequeath my best Kentucky reel"