The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-07-24
Tarrytown Says "He's Our Fell
low Townsman," Sure.
But Tarrytown Seldom Sees
Her Famous Citizen.
HE NEVER SEES REPORTERS
Hope Raised When Camera
Man Got Chance to "Shoot."
Attempt to Interview Him Met
With Same Old Refusal.
CBy the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated RresS.l
Tarrytown, n. Y. July 24-Is John
D. Rockefeller, passing the Indian
summer of his life on his vast estate
in the Pocantico Hills. at last letting
down the barriers he has always raised
against photographers and reporters?
This is question which has been
interesting the newspaper profession
ever since the worlds richest man, on
a 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
generosity men in America, may be
becoming more lenient in his attitude
toward photographers, but as yet he
has given ne indication of taking re-
porters into his confidence.
An effort TO interview Mr.. Rookie
Teller on the recent occasion of his
saith birthday anniversary as
usual. thru third party representing
the ousehold-brought the response.
Impossible" AS no reporters as yet
guarded gates of the Rockefeller
home, the modern Croesus goes unin-
terviewed.
Even to his fellow townsmen the lit
tie man, slight of frame, who appears
in midsummer in leather waistcoat,
-
an enigma.
Tarrytown points out to each visitor
the home of John D. Rockefeller,
urges the visitor togo up and see
where Rockefeller lives, talks con-
stantly about Rockefeller-butr rarely
sees him itself.
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
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 it's most famous citizen.
Ever since the oil king celebrated
his eighty-fourth birday, Tarrytown
has been seething over the question
of who is its oldest citizen. There is
no question as to the most famous
An ancient who sits in front of the
big hardware store, just around the
place to John D. The ancient admits
he is only So.
But an Italian has asserted his
grandfather is sand there is a far
in the face of odds, Tarrytown stands
locally behind its prominent citizen,
and announces to the world that its
oldest citizen today is none other than
the man who made oil famous.
But the town maintains that Mr..
Rockefeller is still a youngster in
spirits.
Amy man who plays golf as fire.
quently as he does" began one citizen,
when he was interrupted with a ques<
ton as to whether John DIS private
links were regular size.
Certainly it is, but John d. goes
around it slowly" replied the citizen.
but another Tarrytowner broke in with
a denial.
'It is not. 1t is only about four
holes of normal course. And John D..
takes three hours to make two of
EN-
Last but not least, in Tarrytown's
viewpoint toward its leading citizen
is 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
did it start?
Three stories are current:
No. Three boys, many years ago,
walked up the hill, climbed the stone
wall, went up to the porch and saw
Mr.. Rockefeller. They asked him for
a dime apiece-and got it. Since then,
it is said, the oil magnate has held
his yearly party.
No. "A boy was standing down
town when the Rockefeller machine
drove up A package dropped out.
The boy picked it up and handed it
to Mr.. Rockefelier personally. The
boy got dime, and John d. Rookie
Teller got an inspiration which he has
followed ever since.
No. s-A lad was lost. He wandered
onto the Rockefeller mystery links.
The oil king saw him. He took him
into the house, gave him a dime and
sent him home. And the 10 cent
party sprang from that.
Whatever the cause. Dime Day"
has become to the youth of larry
a
Christmas and the Fourth of July.