Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-01-17
e,RDua~A
omd yN45,s1AA,s
D. vTcron noFNWATHR

- NJ VICTOR zosBwATER. -
ITO GATHER material for the talk about my father
i had promised TO make at the annual banquet
Of the Nebraska State Historical Society, and
which denominated "The Genesis of a Journalist
/ browsed again through the diaries which no kept in
his youth before the war, and during the war and
after his location here in Omaha When Edward
Rosewater landed In this country with his parents
and small brothers and sisters Christmas day IN
1864. direct from little village in Bohemia. with only
the schooling then available 10 1syeer-old boy no
could possibly have seen in him the man who was
later 20 rank among the foremost journalists OF tho
country and 70 exercise notable Influence in the
molding of great state. Yet In these diaries may
be found ndubtable proof that from the outset he
tion Of values and the descriptive abilities.
which essential to the making of newspaper
man.
For example, during vacation trip home from
the south in 1850. the boy who five years before did
not know single word OF English wrote this account
Of the unwilling OF the Perry monument which took
place in Cleveland September 10. of that year.
1T being the anniversary OF the battle OF Com
modoro Perry Lake Erie, this day was selected
for the inauguration OF the monument Thousands
were hurrytng to the city from all parts Of the
state, and from other states Early IN the morning
I went to encampment.' where large crowds were as
sembled The drilling OF the companies music,
cleaning Of eannons. saddling of horses etc. Occu
pied till 10 a. when they ell formed into body
and marched out. The companies Providence,
dressed in scarlet with bearslSin caps; then Dods
worth's New York band; Buffalo. IN fine white
pantaoons blue coat bearskin caps; Erie, etc; the
Cleveland Light Guards under Captsin Sanford,
who had around him lot OF flowers
at the corner Of Erie and Euclid took our
stand, ana the different societies passed blythe
Masons. ODD Fellows knights Teinplars, Sons OF
Malta the German Turner's and grand lodges OF ell
soceties; then the soidIers Of asi2. and ahead Of
them the soldiers of the battle Of Lake Erie; sail
ing vessel manned with sailors OF 1875 carriages
of the marshal of the day. governor OF Ohio ana
governor Of Rhode Island We stood there TIL
1 o'clock, end then went downtown. The square
and all streets leading downtown were immense
crowd OF people. went up far to the enclosure
Of the square could set. and stood there about
two hours until the procession entered the square
Such crowds never were seen In Cleveland
trees. houses and windows we're one solid mass 81
people. The statue was covered with United States
flags. ana the platform occupies by distin-
gulshed ladies and gentlemen. related TO Com
modore Perry, the speakers OF the day. and around
Il were the Masons who performed the rites OF the
occasion. The Grafton pronounced by Hon
George Bancroft. the historian. but could not
hear word OF It. At last the statue was unveiled
BY the speaker ana such cheers and reports OF guns
were never heard before on that square. II was
beautiful TO see the proud figure IN the statue OF
the commodore bending to one side. anchor at
his feet like the great hero. with two sailor boys
ono on each side. and wreath of evergreens with the
inscription. Battle Lake Erie, September TO- 1919
It looked triumphant. II TO say. we have met
the enemy ana they ours
the people dispersed in all directions to 60
When the battle was at its height went out on
the dock to witness It. Thousands OF people had
gathered Pm the shore far the eye could reach
Twelve sAling vessels were representing the Amer
lean and English vessels. and firing broadsides at
each other with empty cannons One man was
drowned down near the depot His cap had dropped
into the water and ne Jumped after II. went
home about o'clock. The rail- cars were so crowded
could not get on. so walked home"
As illustrating mis- quaclness Of perception and
-. 49,. a. -
Davis. whom he the first time IN January,
1861 the train stopped few moments at Stevenson
Ala. where he was on the Job the railway tele-
graph operator:
.Jetf Davis PASSED here. Tall ana straight;
walks easy and rapid light hair ana beard, Inter-
minsied with gray. Very lean. hook nose. fair
plexion, sharp blue eyes. looks very much in humor
Talked 20 him by accident"
On another occasion my father wrote out a speech
delivered by Davis there breathing fiery secession
and defiance 70 the north. which transmitted TO
the newspapers. and created small sensation After
he had come 60 Omaha he supplied correspon-
dence 10 papers hack east Hts diary description OF
the mountaineering OF the Union Pacific. s particn-
larry graphic He never however. had any idea or
discovered himself actually in II by the founding Of
The Bee. originally intended campaign sheet for
free distribution for fow weeks. but whose en-
thusiastic reception soon convinced him that It
swered popular demand and could achieve lasting
success.
An exploration into ne ballot prepared for the
election Of the Commercial club directors last week
win bump into some unsolvable mysteries. The
names are supposed to be arranged b. groups with
noaons OF the business line represented. for
amples. 'bankers" professions" manufacturers"
retail trade" But find an architect listed as a
manufacturer ana an undertaken retailer"
No doubt an undertaken usually takes over Gus
toner az time. although not unwilling do bust
ness whoiesale but II architect does not belong TO
a profession much attorney. Or a dentist or
physician, my conception OF architecture must be
distorted wonder under what heading the club 3
election commissioners who made uD tho ballot would
have placed sculptor or artist IN oG Would
he be RETAILER a commission dealerG'
notice also that the iaundrymen listed manu-
facturers presumably manufacturers OF cleanliness
which being next to godtiness. should entte them
separate ana speciai consideration.