University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1911-03-13
news event of the day.

|
But the diary of events on a man
of-war is not governed by a city
editor, and the young isoldier-sailor'
first assignment was to witness and
record the naval attack on Fort Fish
er, North Carolina.
The task of describing these en-
gagements for Uncle Sam doubtless
suggested the idea of sending the
story to the press, for this naval en-
gagement marks his initial efforts as
a correspondent. The success he met
with led Stanley to adopt newspaper
work as vocation. The routine life
as reporter of the daily history OF
the daily events in the crowded city
held no lure for him, however. His
restless spirit could be harnessed only
as free lance, as the recorder or
interpreter of events of national or
international import.
The wild life of the frontier took
his time and busted his pen next for
a year or more. His work commanded
good prices from st. Louis and New
York papers. Then came a venture
with a companion to Smyrna, Asia
Minor. In the interior of that wild
land they were robbed, imprisoned
and narrowly escaped execution.
The following year, 1867, Stanley
was back in America. and his journal
records this:
My first entry into journalistic life
as selected special was at st. Louis,
after my return from Asia Minor.
Hitherto l had only been an attache,
or supernumerary, as it were, whose
communications had been accepted
and handsomely rewarded when, AS
during the two bombardments of Fort
Fisher, they described events of great
public interest. l was instructed 70
write up Northwestern Missouri, and
Kansas, and Nebraska. l was dele
gated to join General Hancock's ex.
p-dition against the Kiowas and Com.
and, soon after the termina-
tion of a bloodless campaign, was
asked to accompany the Peace Com
to the Indians
OF his first meeting with James
Gordon Bennett, editor of the New
York Herald, VINO later commissioned
him to Find Livingstone" Stanley
gives this narrative in his Autobi-
ography:
81 found myself before a tall, fierce
eyed, and imperious-looking young
man. who said: oh, you are the. cor,
who has been following
Hancock and Sherman lately. Well.
must say your letters and kilograms
have kept us very well informed. l
wish l could offer you something per-
for we'want active men like
you.'
"'You are very kind to say so, and
am emboldened to ask ypu if |
GOULD not offer myself to you for the
expedition
81 do not think this Abyssinian ex.
,edit;on is of sufficient interest TO
but on what terms would
,ou go?'
EITHER as a special at a moderate
salary, or by letter. OF course, if you
,ay me by the letter, should reserve
he liberty to write occasional letters
o other papers,
1--WE do not like to share our news
hat way; but We would be willing to
,ay we'll for exclusive intelligence
lave you ever been abroad befOre?!
"'Oh, yes. l have travelled in the |
East and been to Europe several |
ines
"'Well. how would you like to do |
his on trial? Pay your own expenses
o Abyssinia, and if your letters are
p to the standard, and your intelli-
ence is early and exclusive, you
hall be paid by the letter, or at the
ate by which we engage our Euro
can specials, and you will be placed
n the permanent list
Very well, sir, | am at your serv-
,e, any way you like
"'When do you intend to start?
ION the 22d, by the steamer
Ieckla.'
"'That is the day after tomorrow.
Veil, consider it arranged"
1t is needless, perhaps, to trace
career in detail while travel
e. IL