The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-02-03

(By Robert Rankin, acting editor Of the
Labor World during the sickness OF Mr.;
days)
William E. -McEwen. Democratic
candidate for Alderman in the Fifth
Ward is Duluth product of the
pioneer days. He was born at the
very border of the Fifth ward just
80 years ago, and is the eldest Of a
family of six boys, four of whom are
living.
Mr.. McEwen's father came to Du-
luth 81 years ago, and from that day
to this he has always been an ardent
and loyal citizen of the Zenith City.
He cleared the land near the site
ny's power house. upon which he
erected the home which was the birth
place Of his family of boys.
When William was tel years Of
age his mother died and the father
was called upon to do both mother
and fathers part in the rearing of a
family. His sole ambition was to
keep the boys together, and many
were his troubles and trials in the at
tempt. But he succeeded through
love and strong determination, and
that trait Of character is manifested
in each of his sons.
Went Early to Work.
William, being the oldest Of the
TO-, Il; ne early age of ten rea: :ed
t!,'' t. was his duty 10 contribute to
''e support Of the home lie ;nr-ed
his hand to everything that would
earn him penny. AS a newsboy,
bootblack, chore boy, porter in 4
barber shop, or messenger before
the days of the A. D. T. service lie
earned many dollars. 1t was a game
of hustle with him all of the time
f:cn' early morn until dark.
At the same time he kept up his
studies in school and passed the
grade classes into the high school
with credit. During his school days
he seemed to be as busily engaged as
ne Fl today as an editor 3. d news:
la per, secretary Of the ,~larges-z in
dustrial organization in Minnesota,
and a., a member Of the city council.
While sitting in convalescent's
chair this week he related to the
writer an ordinary days work of his
youth. He would arise at o'clock
in. the morning and walk to First
avenue west from Garfield avenue
to secure his papers. At that time he
carried every newspaper delivered
west of the Point of Rocks to the
western city limits. including the
lower end of Garfield avenue. The
morning paper was the Daily Tri-
hune, published by that nestor of
journalism, Mr.. r. c. Mitchell. For
this work he received 5000 per week.
Never Missed School.
1t was necessary to make consider
able haste to finish his route in order
TO get his breakfast and reach school
in time, but he always managed to
do it, and he does not remember of
being late on any morning.
During the noon hour he carried
exchange from H. H. Bells West
End Bank to the Bell & Eyster Bank
near Lake avenue. This was quite
a chore to run in one hour and a half
in the days before street cars reached
the West End. But here also he made
time, had his dinner and was in
school with the tap of the bell. For
this work he received 800 per week.
was required to walk to Lake avenue
to the old Herald building, and there
was obliged to stand in line wait
ing for the slow cylinder press to turn
out papers enough to make up his
route. In those days the carriers
were expected to fold their own pap
ers. The total circulation of the
Herald west of the Point of Rocks"
was less than 200. Today it runs
into thousands. 1t was long after Z
o'clock when William would reach
home. tired and weary, to have his
supper and take up his studies for
the next day. For carrying the Her.
aid he received $500 per week.
Did Not Play on Saturday.
Saturday was his busiest day.
Everyone in the community knew of
his willingness to work and he was
ever in demand. At one moment he
would be washing windows in a store
building, the next night would find
him cleaning side walk. Then it
was on a message to town for a mer-
chant, and always finding something
to do. -
These busy hours kept the young
1ellOW out OF mischief, or at least
from getting into much of it, for like
all boys he had his short comings and
he very often gave his father much
worry. But as he grew older these
bad traits grew less. When entering
the high school it became necessary
for him to give up several Of his oc-
equations and devote more time to
his studies.
Three years in the high school was
all that could be afforded for it was
necessary to assist his brothers in
their education. He was then an
prenticed into the plumbing trade.
and his small wage contributed some
to this end. ."'
Brothers Stick Together. -..
The assistance rendered by the
brothers to each other, and the loyal