Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-03

shakable belief that land investments promised
sure profits, and his almost mania to buy lots
and lands, and more lots and land, but this had
no bearing on his supervision of the library and
its work. In Strengthening out the difficulties
over the site of the present library and in ex-
ecuting the contracts and pushing the construc-
ton of the beautiful library building his service
was invaluable.
When I went on the library board Mr.. Reed
took special interest in me, probably because
he and my father had enjoyed friendship &C.
mented by being members together of the same
1871 legislature. Mr.. Reed had the distinction
of being the youngest member of that body
he was still Is years OF age. In that rare vol
ume presenting the biographies of "Nebraskans"
OF that day, of which have copy, there is
portrait showing him as he then appeared
chubby-faced, serious countenance, heavy head
OF hair combed back, moustache and beard, the
latter most in evidence around the chin. In
tribute to his personality there is also this
touching summary:
As legislator, he is among the most &C.
tive members; always in his seat and ready to
perform his part in rolling onward the gigan-
tic car of state.
He makes good appearance on the floor,
and by many of the young ladies is called the
handsomest member of the house-which
was little too much for his modesty:~~The
only blemsh apparent is that of single bless
edness, but as he IS young man there is time
to offer an amendment.
More could be said of the youngest men,
Der, but this is enough to commend him to the
notice of his constituents.
As speaker, he has but few words, and
when necessary to talk he has "hs say" and
stops-a virtue unknown to many older heads.
The future of Lewis Reed will be watched
by his hosts of friends, with full expectation
that his name will yet become familiar in
more honored circles.A
Another old-timer one of the builders Of
Omaha William F. Sweesy, has just passed
away. When I was boy the Sweesy family
lived in a brick dwelling on the lot on Farnam
street adjoining the southeast corner of Seven
teenth-that is to say, just across the street and
half block down the hill from. us. The
Sweesys lost out in the collapse of the real
estate boom, before which they were prominent
in all public enterprises and movements. Two
of the boys, Frank and Will, worked on The
Bee at different times, Will, who was about my
age, giving much promsesas a re. otter and
stroy-writer, only to have his career terminated
by death much too early. William F. Sweesy
was staunch friend, and in business the soul
OF honor. He had located in Omaha in 1856
and was one of the last survivors of the sturdy
pioneers of that day.
When / was in New York as student in
Columbia one of the gala events of our college
| days was the opening of restaurant resort
known as 1.-THE Arena" 1t was located in
| Thirty-frst street, few steps off Broadway,
| handsomely furnished and specially equipped
| for student gatherings and celebrations. 1t al
! once became the popular headquarters and the
meeting place for our societies and associations
| | remember particularly the monthly sessions
4 there OF our organization of Johns Hopkins
Alumni in New York, attended, among others
by Walter Page, recently our ambassador to
London; Albert Shaw, editor of the Review OF
Reviews; John H. Finley, now commissioner Of
"The Arena" is recalled by the news of the
death of its originator and owner, William C.
Muschenheim, the man who was the life of the
| place and put it on the map, and had since be.
come one of the great restaurateurs of the
metropolis at the time of his death proprietor
of the Aston hotel. When last stopped in this
hotel, which I had noted long ago was the ia.
upon General Crowder who in the overcrowded
| condition of the hotel was making himself al
/ home in Mr.. Muschenheim's private quarters
| and he told me the reason--that Muschenheim
after coming from Germany and landing penni
less at Castle Garden when lad of II, had
gotten job as assistant cook in Lower Broad
way eating place, rising through various posi-
|
Point when Crowder, Pershing and many of oul
brilliant army officers were cadets there. The,
became personally attached to the accommo
dating and efficient stew. I'd and always wen
with him at every opportunity wherever hiE
later business ventures took him. | met Mr.
| Muschenheim number of times-he was
true gentleman and real American.
As this seems to be an obituary column thi.
week, let me mention, also, the passing O
former Senator Eugene Hale of Maine. Dur
ing my winter about the senate, now so year.
ago, Maine was represented in that body BY
Frye and Hale, and they constituted powerful
combination. In Senator Hoar's book of rem
iniscences he credits Hale with being Mr.
Blaines best political lieutenant and says tina
Hale would have gone into the senate in 1877
had the effort to put Frye into Hayes cabine
succeeded. Hoar also ranks Hale second onl,
to Allison in grasp of detail of the government
expenditures and finances. To me, Senate
Hale seemed to come nearer to Senator Man
derson in type than to anyone else-they great,
resembled one another, had the same manner
isms and were generally pulling together alont
the same lines.