Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-03-06

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The NHerald. He was . classical
scholar, q facile writer. and q man. of
varied mental accomplishments; but
his character was open to criticism.
and I had to can his illusions with
unusual scrutiny. On M occasion,
when I was absent on q scent Of gold
Groupings down near Lisbon. he quite
nonchalantly shifted the cut" and
made The Herald the champion Of
John p. Bray for county auditor in-
stead of James Elton. The ,oRce had
just been created and the election, was
special, 50 there was no need OF &
spirited contest. 1 repudiated BroSk's
coup. and The Herald came OUT
ted. At a later date, after occupancy
Of the new building. Brock turned up.
and was again employed for a few
months; but his unstable character
and nomadic habits unified him for 4
permanent situation.
One Of the best and most talented
reporters The Herald ever had was w.
l. Grant, a young 9cotchman, "a
graduate Of Edinburgh university and
unusually gifted in educational accom-
plishnents. His capacious mind
seemed to absorb education a readily
and as sreedily a. his thirsty stomach
had . varied assortment Of college de-
grees. from N. d. Phi. DIS. down the
line to x. 7. 2. He was a doctor.
lawyer, Journalist; stenosrapher. poet.
artist Nterateur. music composer,
etc, etc, His mind was full to the
brtM: but the bane of intemperance
nuilified an his fine accomplishments,
and sent him to the gutter. His YER
satility and pleasing personality at
tracted and drew me to him as q SYM
pathetic friend. and I made special eff
forts to assist him in every way pos
sible. His periods Of tnebriety came
intermittenly; weeks, and frequently
months would pal3 when he would be
as sober as a deacon. The longer the
period Of sobriety, the longer would
be the period Of inebriety. Grant
made everybody his friend, and mixed
unfortunately, apparently rs much
at home with the ditchdigger as with
the banker and merchant. In his re-
portorial rounds he hailed everybody
he met, and noted his observations on
the spot. With an eye for business as
we'll as for news, he would suggest to
dealers a few lines Of paid locals. and
at the end of his roundup he invariab-
~ brought in paid matter enough to
pay his salary. His great aim was to
run a lengthy personal column, re-
ferr1ng to his subject in a light, but
Pleasing way. Grant sober, was In
valuable and a distinct asset: but
! Grant drunk, was a nuisance, ana q
pronounced liability. We managed to
keep him on the water wagon for
>S~Ask -4-Ak --- >- - A-HI
on, and did not falling until he
left Grand Forks. I spent much time
trying to- sober him up. going so far
as to lock him up in his room, with
Mrs. Bates az tailer and high execu-
toner. Finally, Grant decided to go
west. He had a standing offer from
the Butte Miner. and there he would
go II I would procure him transporta-
ton. I got a pass over the Great
Northern. escorted. him to the train,
secured him a berth, and gave him IS
for his meals. He made all kinds of
promises that be would Use the money
only for food; but when he got to
Larimore his thirst got the best Of him
and a bottle OF demon was purchased.
In due course he. reached Butte, but
was there only a few weeks, then on
to Spokane, getting good situations
only to loose them after the first pay
day. Completely wrecked physically,
and contrite in spirit, he thought If he
could get back to Grand Forks. where
his real friends were, there might be
hope for his recovery. One day I re-
ceived a letter from him. citing his
turn and resume his old position, and
closing with this urgent request
Have Cy Hunter meet me al the sta
ton with pants, coat and vest have
a hat!"
Mr.. Grant never returned to Grand
Forks. and never shook off the terrible
grip of John Barleycorn. After a fit
full career Of a few years his end came
at Seattle, and friendly newspaper
men attended his last sad rites.
w. r. Bierly came to us in 1884 and
stayed till 1887. when hi went into
business for himself. He was a force
full writer and hard worker, but
lacked in poise and balance. His
fervid illusions kept me in water, at
least tepid, most Of the time. His
propensity to roast" those with whom
he differed was almost uncomfortable,
whitfield down to the stub.
w. C. Baker was of The Her
AIDS star editorial writer's. and was
with us several years, until Miss
Bates appointed him deputy superin-
tendent Of schools. He was a graduate
of the Iowa University. and was q
graceful writer, with san judgment
and tolerant expression. AS he kept
within the limits Of the rules. I never
had any trouble with him. and blue
pencils went into the discard. Mr.
Baker retired from Newspaper writing
several years ago.. and is now q we'll
TODD, fat old farmer ear Mitchell,
s. D.
w. L. Straub came next as editorial
writer n cartoonist. and while he
stayed on The Herald his contribution.
to the "gaiety of the nations" were
many and varied. He made. a hit a:
a cartoonist. On n occasion . he
c~aricatured me, and it turned out tc
be a veritable boomerang. During
the food Of 81 reports came Of much
distress among settlers near the mouth
of the Turtle. A relief committee
was sent down, consisting Of VIM
Bulge. George Platky. Frank Kent
myself. and a few others. The steam.
er Ogamah, under Capt. Hayes. wa.
chartered to carry relief supplies. o.