New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-09
ROYCROFTERS WEEP
FOR FRA ELBERTUS
East Aurora in Gloom as
Death Of Leader Be
comes a Certainty.
WINS WISH TO DIE
IF LINER WENT DOWN
Was on His Own Message to
Garcia" Journey" to See War
Conditions at First Hand.

With touch Of the genial cynicism
that made him well known figure
throughout the United States. Ebert
Hubbard, author and lecturer, made a
statement, singularly prophetic Of his
death, just before the Lusitania sailed
upon her final voyage. Standing with
his wife on the deck Of the liner, Fra
Elbertus, wearing the SLOUGH hat, black,
flowing tier broad collar and frock coat
which were his Characteristic costume,
turned to the newspaper men and said
laughIngly:
Speaking from II strictly personal
point of view, would not mind if they
did sink the ship. 1t might be good
thing for me. | would drown with her,
and that's about the only way | could
succeed in my ambition to get into the
Hall of Fame. I'd be regular hero
and 90 right 20 the bottom"
It aprears now to be a practical Ger.
tainty that the Sage Of East Aurora
has entered upon the good thing lie
has his Hall Of Fame appointment IN
the hearts of a million lovers of The
Phlistine," "The Fra" and the Roy
crofters."
All Friday night relatives and friends
Of Mr. Hubbard kept vigil, while his
SON, Ebert Hubbard, I'd, endeayored TO
get news Of his parents. Yesterday tne
Roycroft shops were closed, oaseoali
game Of the employees cancelled, and
none Of the motion picture houses OF
East Aurora opened. Flags on the pup,
lie buildings were at half staff. and
. - frar M
of Mr. Hubbard were displayed in win
dows. Many Of the Roycrofters dis
cussed the disaster with tears IN their
eyes
Born in Bloomington, H., on June
10. 1859. Mr.. Hubbard received only an
elementary school education. His Work
was first printed and published by ms
own hands, because, he once explained
he could get no one else TO do II. In
later years his essays ard sketches
under the pen name Of Fra Eloertus
became widely known. Many OF them
appeared in the famous "Philistine,' a
small magazine, printed in an uncon-
ventionsl fashion, and containing chief
~ bits Of his own philosophy.
Later Mr.. Hubbard founded the Roy
croft Shop at East Aurora, and for
wears published limp leather editions
Of the classics. These de lux volumes
soon became fashionable, and built up
for him a lucrative business. Inc
Fra" was a later publication by MT:
Hubbard, somewhat on the style OF
The Philstne."
Since the beginning OF the war ms
svmpathies have been wholly with the
Allies. In THE Philistine" several
months ago there appeared the most
{ savage attack upon the German Kaiser
that ever appeared in an American pup
| LEGATION. He also published numper
| Of other articles on the war, and ms
| enthusiasm in the cause OF England
and France led to his deciding to go
abroad and see things at first hand,
Rest known Of Mr. Hubbards works
are his "A Message to Garcia" and his
81 title Journeys" series. Several years
AGO he was convicted Of technical
.iolotion of the postal laws, fined 500
and deprived of his citizenship.
when he decided to 20 abroad ne
annealed to Joseph p. Tumulty, secre-
/ tary Of the President, for a pardon, so
that he might obtain passport.
81 know | have said good many un-
/ kird things about President Wilson's
characterization" he was reported as
saying. but | want you to help me-
although know, of course, that have
no right 10 ask any help from you:
! Mr.. Tumulty took the case TO the Presi-
| dent. who signed the papers, restoring
Mr.. Hubbard to citizenship.
lie said Yesterday that II he had re,
f,sod tho request he would have saved
/ Il. ,r.bor's life