Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1906-08-24

WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. 18.-
Noon-) il Special mo word has as yet
been received here from the headquar-
ters of the American legation at Santi-
ago, Chile, where Col. John Hicks of
Oshkosh. Wis, is envoy extraordinary
and minister plenipotentiary. Col.
Hicks has occupied this post since July
of last year and is considered in diplo
matte circles here as one of the best in
formed men in the department OIL mat
ters germane to South America.
Near Valparaiso.
A dispatch from Oshkosh, Wis, the
home of Col. Hicks, states that recent
letters received from him Indicate that
he is at Santiago, which is some severn
ty-fve miles from Valparaiso and from
the coast. where the earthquake was
most severe It is now winter IN Chile
and there would be little inducement to
move about.
The last communication received at
Oshkosh from Santiago was letter
from Carl Newman, secretary OF the
United States legation, describing re-
ception given by Minister Hicks on july
4. 1t takes thirty-fve or forty days Tor
Il
kosh.
Col. Hicks relatives and business as
sociares in W isconsin are hourly expect
ing Il cable message from him. There
are no members of his family at San
tiago.
Held Post in Peru.
Six years before taking the appoint
ment at Santiago, Col. Hicks was re-
moved from a similar ministerial post
in Peru by the coming into power or the
Democratic party in 1888. MI. Hicks
had been appointed by President Har-
rison in 1889, and in the time spent III
Peru he had acquainted himself with
conditions on the west coast OF South
America to a remarkable degree.
Col. Hicks has long been power Ill
some factions of the Republican party
in Wisconsin, of which state the dlplo-
mat has been citizen for many years.
He was born at Auburn, n. Y, in 1S47,
and was a mere child when taken west.
The family settled in Wisconsin. His
father enlisted in the Union forces dur
ing the Civil war and was killed. Hicks
worked his way through school and col
lege, and at the age of 20 took the first
steps toward the literary career which
he has since followed. He became, re-
porter of the Oshkosh Northwestern,
the paper of WHICH he is now the pro-
prietor.
His advent into general literature has
been as happy as his success in the jour
nalistic field. He wrote at first under
the style of SANDY Broad" but of late
years his work has appeared under his
own name. While he was minister to
Peru he wrote the MAN from Osh-
kosh," a story which received not lit
tie favorable mention both in England
and America.
Record as Globe Trotter.
After retiring from the diplomatic life
in Peru; Col. Hicks began an extensive
giobe-trotting tour. He went abroad
first in 1895, and ON his trip got his
knowledge of the European in MS own
he took in the countries bordering on
the Mediterranean and studied those
races where the oriental and occidental
are so wonderfully blended that they are
yet the puzzle of diplomats who have
not been students Of the eastern nature.
He spent several months in Egypt and
Turkey, returning by way of Italy and
France, in which two countries he spent
considerable time.
Since acquiring prominence in litera
ture and diplomacy Col. Hicks has al
ways been identified in movements tend
ing to the upbuilding OF the educa tionai
and literary tone of his home city. lie
has given largely to both the local
schools and the Oshkosh public library.
The gems of the collection in the latter
institution. consisting of a number Of
tine pictures and are treasures, are his
presents.