East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1922-07-24
John D. LETTING Down
BARS AGAINST CAMERA

TARRYTOWN, n. l., July "a A.
PD-Is John d. Rockefeller, passing
the Indian summer of his life on ms
vast estate in the Pocantico Hills, at
last letting down the barriers he has
always raised against photographers
and reporters?
This is a question which has been
interesting the newspaper profession
ever since the worlds richest man, on
u recent Sunday, permitted camera
men to snap him to their hearts con-
tent after they had consented to fol-
low him into church for service.
Mr.. Rockefeller, who bears the rep
utation of being one of the most cam
era-shy men in America, may be be-
coming more ienient in his attitude
toward photographers, but as yet he
has given no indication of taking re-
porters into his confidence.
An effort to interview Mr. Rookie
Teller on the recent occasion of his
Saith birthday anniversary-made, as
usual, through d third party repre-
senting the househOld-brought the
response Impossible" AS no report
ers as yet have succeeded in storm
ing the Well-guarded gates of the
Rockefeller home, the modern Croesus
goes uninterviewed.
Even to his fellow townsmen the
little man, slight of frame, who ap-
pears in midsummer in leather waist
coat. overcoat and muffler, is very
much of an enigma.
TarrytoWn points out to each visitor
the home of John D. Rockefeller, urg-
es the visitor to go up and see where
Rockefeller lives, talks constantly
about Rockefeller-but rarely sees
him itself.
Gates Seldom Opened
Very seldom do TarrytoWners get
inside the gates which guard the big
home back in the hills. Once in
awhile they see John d. come down
town and sit in his machine while a
chauffeur goes into a bank or a store
but Tarrytown almost never talks
to its richest citizen. He comes and
goes-there is excitement while he is
downtown, and discussion afterwards,
and that is all of Tarrytown'S claim
on its most famous citizen.
Ever since the oil king celebrated
his saith birthday, Tarrytown has been
seething over the question of who is
its oldest citizen. There is no ques-
tion as to the most famous.
An ancient who sits in front of the
big hardware store, just around the
corner from the station, comedies first
place to John d. The ancient admits
he is only SO.
But an Italian has asserted his
grandfather is Sand there is a
farmer who lays claim to 90. Still,
even in the face of Odds Tarrytown
stands Loyalty behind it's prominent
citizens. and announces to the world
that its oldest citizen today is mono
other than the man who made oil
famous.
But the town maintains that Mr..
Rockefeller Is still yotthgster in
spirits.
ANY man who plays golf as fire.
quently as he does" began one citizen,
when he was interrupted with II ques-
tion as to whether John D's private
links were regular size.
Certainly it is, but John d. goes
around it slowly" replied the citizen;
but another Tarrytowner broke in
with denial.
ut is not. 1t is only about four
holes of a normal course. And John
d. takes three hours to make two of
en-"
Last but not least, in Tarrytown's
'iewpOint towards its leading citizen
S the tradition of the dimes. the day
Of days for the boys and girls. Spas
medically, John d. Rockefeller gives
10 cent pieces away to children. How
lid it start?
Three stories are current:
How 1t Started
Number one-Three boys. many
ears ago, walked up the hill, climbed
he stone wall, went up to the porch
md saw Mr.. Rockefeller. They asked
Iim for n dime apiece-and got it.
'ince then. it is said, the oil magnate
las held his yearly party.
Number two-A boy was standing
owntown when the Rockefeller ma
hine drove up. A package dropped
ut. The boy picked it up and hand
Il it to Mr.. Rockefeller personally.
he boy got a dime. and John u.
got an inspiration which
e has followed ever since.
Number three-A lad was lost. He
andered into the Rockefeller mys-
ry links. The oil king saw him. He
'ok him into the house. gave him
me and sent him home. And the 10
mt party sprang from that
Whatever the cause. Dime DAY.
IS become TO the youth OF TarrytoWn
day apart. ranking with Christmas
IA the Fourfh nf InlN-