Denver labor bulletin., 1915-04-10

we VIII get OUT tne paper All r1Rnt.
got in after midnight with a goodly
string of news items. Watterson worked
like beaver writing editorials, making
up the summary Of state and general
news, attending to the correspondence and
looking after the requirements of all de-
partments. The Courier-Journal ap-
peared as usual next morning, with ap-
parent satisfaction to it's readers.
That morning assigned myself to
the courts, the city hall, the police sta
tions, the hotels and to all the routine
and rounds of the city. 1 was still alone
on the staff. There was no telephone
nor police telegraph nor conveyance 9TH
er than hack and horse car. Then and
for years afterward, newsgathering was
by leg work and the routes led to all
parts OF the city. That night I re-
turned to the office with note book
well filled with items and 'stories'
Watterson required me to read all my
manuscript to him; with an occasional
correction of verbiage or style, he passed
all of my days work and proclaimed
me reporter under regular commission.
so far as the career thus begun is
concerned, it would be seemly to end my
prosaic story here. But 1 have been re-
quester to write something of Waiter
sons characteristics and practical work
in the editorial rooms of a great journal.
1t is great, now; it was only growing in
the times of which write, hence requir-
ing the better discretion, the closer ap-
plication, the more strenuous work and
the more diversified ability; for the
reason the editor-in- chief bore all the
responsibility and performed a large
share of the work.
Watterson Tireless Worker.
Once a story went the rounds of the
press, with great variety of critical, not
TO say dubious comment, that Mr.. Wat
terson frequently economical time by
debating two editorials at the same
fime. Having no regular emanuensis.
though many have claimed that distinc-
ton, his habit was and has continued to
be, to do his own writing But 1 have
seen him when, in a rush or under pres
sure, walk from room to room, while
debating an article as it was taken in
long hand by one of the staff. He would
speak a sentence or more, correctly plac-
ing the comma, semi-colon and period;
then take up different matter in an
other room, returning and repeating
this at intervals until the article was
finished, without loss OF time to pro-
ceed with his dictation. l have never
doubted the story OF his dual system
of dictation. Much of his work in my
time there, was executed in a manner
very similar to the fashion of the over.
crowded or belated reporter who Of nee
essity begins his long Sensational story
upon n margin of half an hour until it
must go to press. o, myl I've been
there.
Under the more primitive system of
making a daily paper, it frequently be-
ortro TO- r
demonstrate his practical ability in each
and every department of journalism and
more than once made good the declara-
tion that he could get out the paper IL
every man on the force was sick, drunk
or dead. Until the dawn of the modern
system, with its many departments, its
score of reporters and special writer's, he
maintained personal acquaintance with
his men and knew the particular ability
and talent of each.
"Having at times to cover the gener-
al field of local news, the people be-
slowed upon me the title of the 'ubiquit.
GUS reporter
For self-constituted speciality in re-
porting sermons, speeches, religious con.
ventions. revivals and camp meetings,
received the title of Rev. At the close
of a camp meeting which lasted three
weeks, the Methodist ministers of Louis
vile, in special meeting, passed reso.
lntion thanking Brother Joseph @.
Brown of the Courier-Journal for his
faithful and effective reports, contrib
uting so much to the success of the cause
and helping so much to win sinners to
Christ This resolution was published
in the Courier-Journal the following
morning
Reporting a Prize Fight.
That same night Mr.. Watterson
rushed into the reporters room and in
quired. Where's Joe BrownY' He was
Informed that was then out upon my
rounds for city news. Tell him to take
the Short-line train Mt 3 o'clock to-
morrow, go to Cincinnati, fall in with
the gang there and stay with it until
the Goss-Allen prize fight is over It
will be remembered that this famous af-
tai bare-knuckle fight. Obeying orders,
/ returned to Louisville the day of the
battle with a long and complete report
of the most exciting event of my life.
But for the publication of that Metho-
dist resolution, doubtless one of the
eager and more sporty reporters would
have had the assignment. For that work
/ received another title and the Ken.
lucky papers characterized me as the
Rev. Camp Meeting Sporting Editor of
the Courier journal
"The reference made TO incidents of
strenuous work owing to short force
reminds me of night of terror. It was
8 p. M, for some reason my only help
was out Of reach. A bank had been tun-
neled, the vault blown and 100000
taken. After two hours investigation
had my notebook filled with particulars
and descriptions. Before reached the
office terrible wind and rain storm
burst upon the city. Already excited by
events and scared near to death by the