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Article Title: From Brownville to Bryan, Journalist James D Calhoun in Nebraska, 1869-1894

Full Citation: Patricia C Gaster, “From Brownville to Bryan, Journalist James D Calhoun in Nebraska, 1869-1894,” Nebraska History 81 (2000): 116-127

URL of article: http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish/publicat/history/full-text/2000JamesCalhoun.pdf Date: 8/11/2010

Article Summary: James D Calhoun spent twenty-five years, from 1869 to 1894, in southeast Nebraska working as a newspaperman and laboring in Democratic Party politics. His congeniality enabled him to get along with a wide variety of people. As an artful storyteller, Calhoun could delight his friends and readers with wonderful anecdotes, sometimes blurring reality and fiction. His contributions to the history of Lincoln and the state remain largely in the back files of Nebraska newspapers.

Cataloging Information:

Names: James D Calhoun, Robert W Furnas, Andrew S Holladay, George W Hill, George L Miller, William Jennings Bryan, Frank Parish, Jacob Baer, Frank M Vancil, David Butler, J Sterling Morton, J R Huffman, Charles H Gere, A J Sawyer, Hugh G McVicker, Horace W Hebbard, Charles W Fleming, , J J Fleharty, Grover Cleveland, Victor Vifquain, Albert Watkins, S F Fleharty, H M Bushnell, Sam D Cox, Al G Fairbrother, William S Perrin, James A Coryell, Charles H Van Wyck, J Burrows, Lorenzo D Woodruff, Charles H Morrill, W Morton Smith, Addison E Sheldon, James E Boyd, Mentor Brown, J H Dundas, William E Annin, A L Bixby, Harry T Dobbins

Names of Publications: Nebraska Advertiser; Brownville Democrat; Lincoln Weekly Herald; The Daily Nebraska State Journal; Bloomington Guard; Beatrice Express; Fremont Herald; Omaha Bee; Lincoln Daily Call; Alliance Argus; The Farmers’ Alliance; Blue Hill Leader; Chadron Advocate; Gollahorn. A Story of the South During the War; Omaha World-Herald; Saturday Morning Courier; Kearney Hub; Lincoln Call; Tampa Times; Tampa Herald

Photographs / Images: Main Street, Brownville, about 1869; James D Calhoun, published July 18, 1915; J Sterling Morton; Albert Watkins, Lincoln postmaster 1885; P Street, Lincoln, 1893; William Jennings Bryan, 1890

FROM BROWNVILLE TO BRYAN Journalist JaWlEs([). f1lhoun in lIkbmska • 1869-1894 By Patricia C Gaster Brownville, Nebraska, was in the late Born of Scotch-Irish ancestry in Tal­ Jacob Baer,a Brownville express agent, 1860s a flourishing western city, the bot County, Georgia, in 1843, Calhoun addressed a written admission of guilt "liveliest, thrivingest, grow-biggest and as a child moved with his parents to for a local express robbery to "Holladay fastest town of its size on the Missouri." Louisiana. His father died when Calhoun & Calhoun" of the Brownville Democrat. 4 Its traditional river trade continued as was eleven. He learned the printing The Democrat started a four-page IUmors of the imminent arrival of a rail­ trade and was attending college when daily edition edited by Calhoun and road raised the town's hopes of becom­ the Civil War broke out. Enlisting on the Frank M. Vancil on July 19, 1870. An edi­ ing a major transportation center. Confederate side, he reached the rank torial in the July 24 Democrat congratu­ Brownville's first newspaper, the Ne­of corporal by the end of the war.3 lated the appearance of The Daily Ne­ braska Advertiser, established by Robert Following the war Calhoun entered braska State Journal at Lincoln on July W. Furnas in 1856, was later joined by the newspaper field. Several years later 20, making it one day younger than the others, including the Brownville Demo­he migrated north and was in Brownville daily edition of the Democrat.s crat, established July 11, 1868, by An­ by mid-1869 as editor of the Brownville Calhoun was associated with the drew S. Holladay, a Brownville physi­ Democrat. An accidental shooting in Democratic Party almost as soon as he cian, and George W. Hill.l Less than a which Calhoun badly wounded arrived in the state. Besides his work in year later the Democrat was being ed­ nineteen-year-old Frank Parish (who the Democratic press, he served as a ited by an ex-Confederate soldier and later died) while the two were hunting Nemaha County delegate to the Demo­ newspaperman who had left the South game birds with pistols on the Fourth of cratic state convention in Plattsmouth in after the Civil War for the booming new July in 1869 is among the earliest known September of 1870. He served as pelma­ state of Nebraska. indications of Calhoun's presence in nent convention secretary, a member of James D. Calhoun spent the next Brownville. It is confilmed by an inci­ the committee on resolutions, and a twenty-five years, from 1869 to 1894, in dent that occurred in August of 1869. member of the Democratic state central southeast Nebraska, chiefly in Nemaha, Franklin, and Lancaster counties, work­ ing as a newspaperman and laboring in Democratic Party politics. Fellow Demo­ cratic journalist George L. Miller remem­ bered him in 1902 as a "large-minded and generous-hearted" veteran-of the state press.2 Although his early and en­ thusiastic support of William Jennings Bryan in the pages of the Lincoln Weekly Herald was probably the highlight of his career in Nebraska, it brought him no immediate political reward. The prize Calhoun sought, the Lincoln postmaster­ ship in 1894, was given to a less contro­ versial candidate despite Blyan's efforts on his behalf.

Paflicia Gaster, assistant editor ofNebraska History, has wlitten previous U/1icles about Main Street, looking east, Brownville, about 1869. RG3190-50 Nebraska journalists.

116 Journalist James D. Calhoun committee. A "People's Reform Party of Calhoun started the three-column Nebriiska" convention, held about the Bloomington Guard, the first newspaper same time in Plattsmouth, undoubtedly not only in Bloomington, but in the Re­ attracted Calhoun's attention. Commit­ publican valley. The first issue was tees from the two conventions conferred dated August 30, 1872. In addition, he on the nomination of candidates.6 opened a steam sawmill that could also An intense campaign followed. The process corn and grist. A colleague on Democrat was discontinued as a daily in the Beatrice Express remarked, "He is October of 1870, probably as a result of the only editor we know of who is pre­ what the paper termed "the fight that pared to serve his readers with food for just closed so disastrously" for the both mind and body."ll Democrats, although it professed itself Calhoun not only pursued business "satisfied with the influence our paper interests in Bloomington, but also home­ has yielded politically in a community steaded about 1873. The U.S. Land Of­ differing with it in proportion of two to fice was removed from Lowell to one." Republican Governor David But­ Bloomington in 1874, the same year the ler was reelected to a third term as gov­ town was made Franklin County seat, ernor of Nebraska, despite charges of and Calhoun may have been employed misuse of state funds. (Articles of im­ at the land office. 12 Years later in the Lin­ peachment were preferred against him coln Weekly Herald, under the title "Ad­ at the beginning of the term.) Calhoun ventures of a Chump, A Brief and Busy accepted the Democratic loss philo­ Career as a Real Estate Agent," Calhoun sophically. "We ought to have been described the downfall of "a young and beaten a good deal worse than we ambitious homesteader [who] takes a were," he confided to fellow Democrat whirl at fortune making in the mael­ J. Sterling Morton in November of 1870.7 strom of Suckerfield." The townspeople Calhoun's reputation as a public .there persuade him to try to sell their speaker and political debater was grow­ overvalued property, palm off over­ ing. In April of 1871 he used his position James D. Calhoun. From a photograph priced newspaper advertising and office on the Democratic state central commit­ published in The Sunday State Journal, furniture, and finally drive the agent tee to urge a united convention of Re­ July 18, 1915. bankrupt. He flees town, leaving many publicans and Democrats to nominate The Nebraska Herald at Plattsmouth unpaid debts. Although this cannot be delegates to the constitutional conven­ charged that Calhoun's views were also strictly autobiographical, the bitterness tion of 1871 and spoke at Beatrice in the those of some other Nebraska Demo­ that pervades it indicates that Calhoun fall against the proposed constitution. In crats and noted: "Perhaps the people probably had unfortunate experiences 1875 the State Journal remarked, "Mr. are ready to place such men in power, with land and real estate investments. Calhoun is a clear-headed ready de­ and perhaps not. We are inclined to the In late 1884, he joked while on a trip to bater, sometimes warming up to some latter perhaps. "9 a booming section of western Nebraska, vehemence."8 Early in 1872 a company was orga­ "Something sinister in my appearance Inevitably, Calhoun's politiCal activi­ nized in Brownville to locate a townsite causes me to be frequently mistaken for ties invited scrutiny of his war record. In in Franklin County. Brownville by this a land agent, and it is all I can do to Nebraska, where Union Civil War veter­ time was losing its luster as a trade cen­ withstand the temptation of seIling a ans, chiefly Republicans, greatly influ­ ter, and colonization of the Republican few sections, packing the cash allot­ enced state politics, a Democratic ex­ Valley was proceeding rapidly. Calhoun ment and doing the grand skip."13 Confederate attracted attention. When joined the town company as general In the spring of 1873 Calhoun sold the the Nebraska Advertiser asked rhetori­ agent; it also included his coeditor on Bloomington Guard to J. R. Huffman. By cally whether Calhoun might not again the Democrat, Frank Vancil, who served 1874 his politics had shifted, perhaps due take up arms against the government, as company vice-president. The new to the drought and grasshopper-induced Calhoun replied that if the state of Ne­ settlement was named Bloomington, for "hard times" in Franklin County. Robert braska saw fit to dissolve her connec­ the Illinois town of the same name, and W. Furnas in April of that year mentioned tion with the federal government and quickly became a rival for the county Calhoun, "who with the Grangers stand," call upon her sons for aid in arms, he seat, which had been located at on a claim in the Republican valley, in would again become a rebel soldier. Franklin.1O his brief summary of the press history of

117 Nebraska History - Fall 2000

Nebraska to that date. 14 hour contest earned Calhoun as winner clerk" in the fall of 1879. However, after Calhoun served as permanent secre­ a purse of sixty dollars and a friendly a narrow defeat by M. F. Mahin, tary at the first Independent state con­ gibe from the Journal, which remarked Calhoun returned to Lincoln, where he vention, which met September 8, 1874, that until "quite recently he [Calhoun] remained for the rest of his Nebraska in Lincoln. Forty-three delegates repre­ has engaged in handling saw logs and years.22 He still retained at least 160 sented fourteen counties. Presided over doing other heavy work in and around acres of land in Franklin County in the by Robert R. Livingston of Cass County, a saw mill." 19 spring of 1882, when he advertised in the group nominated the first Indepen­ Calhoun's colleague on at least one the State Journal to sell this tract. The ad dent state ticket, including James W. of these early ventures was Nathaniel W. attracted a prospective purchaser that Davis of Douglas County for Congress Smails, later editor of the Fremont Her­ Calhoun and otherJournal staffers later and Calhoun as contingent candidate ald. He recalled his days in Lincoln with believed to be Jesse James.23 for Congress. Later histories of Nebraska Calhoun: About 1880 Calhoun relocated per­ sometimes identify Calhoun at the 1874 A company of us young printers, J. D. manently to Lincoln. He wrote to J. Ster­ convention as "John D.," although con­ Calhoun, ... , being one of them, estab­ ling Morton in August of that year, temporary newspapers refer to him with lished a little daily, which later became "Since I came here for a temporary his preferred "J. D."IS the Evening Star. ... This had a checkered stay-on act [account] of the drouth-I career for some months. During this pe­ The convention seems to have been riod, Calhoun, then the "speediest" com­ have added to the board problem the somewhat informal. Many of those at­ positor in the state, I believe, did his prin­ connundrum of carpets, & other essen­ tending were· disaffected Republicans or cipal editorial work "at the case," with a tials to a higher order of comfort than I Democrats. (Some, like Livingston and fluency in prose and rhyme, rarely have enjoyed in the 'homestead re­ equaled since. He was the forerunner of gion.'" He mentioned in the same letter Experience Estabrook, had at one time the [A. L.] Bixby style of writing. In the or another belonged to both parties.) early days of this last venture we changed that he would not be able to attend the The Republican State Journal noted that the name of the paper with every issue, Democratic state convention in Hastings the nomination for contingent congress­ identifying it as being published by the in September. He told Morton, "You man had been promised by the Inde­ "Variety Publishing Co.," and the name at may if you have need, designate some the masthead being usually supplied at pendents to someone other than the last minute by whomever was "handy" one to whom I can send a proxy to com­ Calhoun. However, after cliticizing the so it is difficult to give any consecutive mittee meetings." On October 6 follow­ ills and disadvantages of the other Inde­ history of this venture, which was more in ing the convention, he sent Morton a pendent candidates, it said grudgingly, the line of recreation.20 twenty-five-dollar contribution "as my "Calhoun ... is an old line Democrat, . In the fall of 1876 Calhoun worked as part of campaign fund. Put it where it and nothing whatever ails him. He is the a compositor for several months for the will 'do the most good.' ... I am sorry I only healthy nag on the [Independent] weekly Beatrice Express. He attended can't do more work, but the shadow of course."16 However, Republican victo­ the Gage County Democratic conven­ the wolf is on my threshold."24 ries in 1874 ended temporarily the politi­ tion and served as a Gage County del­ In Lincoln Calhoun's circumstances cal ambitions of Calhoun and the other egate to the Democratic state conven­ improved. Hired as foreman of the Jour­ Independent candidates. tion. A severe fall during a visit to nal newsroom in 1880, he soon showed The years between Calhoun's gradual Brownville relatives over Christmas of so much talent for reporting and edito­ departure from Nemaha and Franklin that year prevented his return to rial writing that Horace W. Hebbard was counties and the beginning of his career Beatrice. A year or two later he was appointed assistant foreman to help with the State Journal about 1880 were working for the Journal as a printer oversee the purely mechanical duties. ones of temporary jobs and much travel. while boarding in Lincoln.21 By 1881 Calhoun was managing editor. He was married in 1875 in Brownville to Calhoun returned to Bloomington About the time that the Journal relo­ Odus Alderman. Her father, Hiram D. Al­ about 1877 or 1878. Expectations of the cated from Ninth and 0 streets to Ninth derman, was a brother-in-law of town imminent arrival of the Burlington Rail­ and P, he began writing "Topics of the founder Richard Brown and one of the road had encouraged local business Times," a daily column of gossipy para­ oldest settlers in Nemaha CountyY prospects after the drought conditions graphs gleaned from exchange newspa­ Calhoun appeared in Lincoln in of several years before. A former resi­ pers, readers' contributions, and his 1875, where he worked on several short­ dent of Franklin County, R. S. Proudfit, own fertile imagination. He continued· lived papers, including the Lincoln recalled in 1915, "He [Calhoun] was so until he left the paper in 1886, after Blade and the Evening Star. 18 While a personally popular in the county that al­ which "Topics" was picked up by other Blade employee early in 1875 Calhoun though he was a democrat and frankly Journal staffers (including Walt Mason) engaged in a typesetting race with Will­ admitted that he had been a rebel, he until A. L. Bixby continued the column iam D. Padgett of the Journal. The five- came very nearly being elected county under the name "Daily Drift." Calhoun

118 Journalist James D. Calhoun later claimed to be an "impartial friend half dozen to a dozen letters from corre­ twenty miles an hour, raise its head, and foster father" to both Bixby and spondents over the state before going spout spray, tum its eyes in the sockets, 25 home to dinner. Seven o'clock found him 30 Mason. back at the desk, dressing up and writing open and shut its mouth, and dive. Calhoun's increasing importance at the headlines for the telegraph report, It was not long before the author of the Journal-his rise from compositor to watching for city items as they developed, "Topics" gained a reputation for stretch­ an editorial chair-seems to have oc­ reading proof and if necessary ... setting ing the truth. Calhoun reacted testily to a a few stickfuls of type.29 curred in response to the growth of the paragraph in the Tecumseh Torchlight ad­ paper itself. He remarked in July of 1881 dressed to "the liar of The State Journal," in his "Topics" column that the task of and later explained to Journal readers his editing a paper the size of the Journal concept of the difference between "a vul­ was more than one man could conve­ gar and an artistic lie." An artistic or good niently manage, and that in addition to lie presents an impossibility so plausibly the well-known editor in chief, Charles that people believe it. Such a lie exhib­ H. Gere, there were several subordinates. ited "the touch of genius."31 Significantly, Calhoun added, "Much of Perhaps the most memorable ex­ their work appears without having been ample of such a "touch of genius" scanned by the eye of the chief. "26 among Calhoun's newspaper tales is the The difference in political back­ account of "A Celestial Visitor," which ground between Gere, a Union veteran supposedly fell to earth about thirty-five and strong Republican, and Calhoun, a miles northwest of Benkelman in June Confederate veteran and Democrat, did 1884. A June 8 article in the Journal with not prevent them from working to­ impressive headlines told of a "blazing gether. Although Calhoun lacked the aerolite" that crashed almost within scholarship and polished literary style of view of a group of Dundy County cow­ Gere, his long years in the print shop boys, who found metal machinery scat­ and at the editorial desk gave him a tered over the prairie in the wake of the characteristic ease of expression.27 Fel­ mysterious object. Intense heat at the low Democrat A. J. Sawyer recalled in crash site prevented them from investi­ 1915 a political speech Calhoun gave in gating much further. Calhoun's "Topics Waverly during his Journal years that il­ of the Times" column took special note lustrated his public and private politics. of the aerial visitor and vouched for the Calhoun opposed a protective tariff, but intelligence of the article writer, "who is a man that generally knows what he is the Journal had recently editorialized in J. Sterling Morton, 1882. RG10l3:2-17 favor of it: talking about." The June 10 Journal car­ At the close of his address one of the audi­ With a more secure job and income ried a followup report that the "magical ence rose and in a sharp, shrill voice in­ than he had ever had, Calhoun's natural meteor" had completely dissolved in a quired: "Are you the J. D. Calhoun who is talent for storytelling and spinning tall rainstorm. The article concluded, a writer on The Journal? Ifso how can you tales blossomed. The first of his fictional "There are a thousand theories afloat as reconcile your published statements with your speech tonight?" His reply}Vas "In characters, Mr. and Mrs. Billhandle, ap­ to how it came and what it was, but they The Journal I present the republican posi­ peared in "Topics" with an account of are all now unfortunately incapable of tion, in my talk tonight I have given you trapping rats in their sitting room. In Au­ solution."32 the democratic views. Take your gust of 1881 he confided to Journal read­ The discerning might have noted that choice."28 ers that he had learned in strict confi­ the June 10 report seemed suspiciously Hugh G. McVicker, a Journal col­ dence that a "Nebraska genius" had eager to discourage prospective visitors league of Calhoun's, remembered that invented a mechanical sea serpent for to the crash site by assuring them that all Calhoun liked to declare himself lazy but sale to seaside hotels to entertain tour­ trace of the strange object had disap­ performed a prodigious amount of work: ists. Made of India rubber and propelled peared. The "Topics" column on June 11 One o'clock in the afternoon often found by two pairs of oars moved by clock­ dismissed the subject by speculation that him at his desk, grinding out from a half work, the serpent could be made any the meteor had actually been an elusive column to a column of 'Topics of the length from fifty to one hundred feet at Democratic presidential candidate.33 Times,' going through a small mountain of the cost of ten dollars a running foot. Horace W. Hebbard, Calhoun's country exchanges and extracting it seemed by instinct such items as were The inventor would soon bring out an former assistant, in 1927 recalled the in­ worthy of reproduction and editing some improved model that could cruise at cident and its unforeseen consequences:

119 Nebraska History - Fall 2000

The [meteor] sto!}' was written by J. D. scribing the western areas he visited. He several afternoon Lincoln newspapers Calhoun, managing editor, and among returned, obviously refreshed, at the that had criticized a "Journal hireling" those who read it was Charles W. Fleming, an employee of the business office of the end of December after almost a month­ for seeking the city post office. In Au­ Journal. Mr. Fleming saw visions of a for­ long absence, promising "Topics" read­ gust he noted that a rumor was going tune if he could obtain this meteor or .. ers to "stay at home all next year and at­ the rounds of the press that he was a whatever it was and exhibit it for a fee to tend to business like a man instead of candidate for the Lincoln postmaster­ the curious thruout the count!}'. Accord­ ingly he took the train for Benkelman the galavanting around the country like a ship. After emphatically denying that morning the sto!}' appeared bent on ob­ schoolboy."37 he was seeking the office, he stated he taining possession of the wonder and had not contradicted the rumor only bringing it home with him. He was disillu­ because it was a source of personal sioned when he arrived at Benkelman and amusement. However, after Albert found no one who had heard anything about the thing.34 Watkins received the appointment in October, Calhoun criticized the conser­ The year 1884 was eventful for vative Democrats-"old wheel horses" Calhoun personally as well as profes­ like J Sterling Morton-who had sionally. On February 9 his two-year-old backed Watkins.38 Watkins served as son, Hiram J, died in Lincoln. On postmaster for the next four years, a March 25 he announced to "Topics" growing irritant to Calhoun who felt that readers that he was returning South for his own services to the Democratic several months. During his absence he Party were being undervalued. wrote a number of columns for the Jour­ In the summer of 1886 Calhoun nal describing the sights he encoun­ seized an opportunity for more indepen­ tered and the emergence of a new spirit dence. He had always wanted his own in the South after the ravages of the Civil newspaper in a flourishing town-if not War. The trip seemed to soften some of in Brownville or Bloomington, then in Calhoun's lingering antagonism toward Lincoln. His opportunity came when his Confederate Army days. "A wander­ President Grover Cleveland offered the ing minstrel with a wheezy organ played American consulate in Barranquilla, Co­ 'Dixie' under our window yesterday," he lumbia, to Victor Vifquain of the Daily wrote in "Topics" after he had returned State Democrat, a four-page Lincoln pa­ home. "It was the first time we ever heard per with editorial offices near Tenth and the old piece without getting sick."35 o streets. Vifquain accepted. For several Another death in the spring of 1884­ months after his departure for South that of the Rev. J J Fleharty in Tampa, America in June, the State Democrat Florida, on May 2-was to have long-last­ Albert Watkins, appointed Lincoln post­ master in 1885. RG24 11-5901 was edited by Albert Watkins, who had ing ramifications for Calhoun. Fleharty, a been associated with the paper before Methodist minister who had served as The election of a Democrat, Grover he accepted the Lincoln postmastership. president of Nebraska Wesleyan Univer­ Cleveland, to the presidency in 1884 Calhoun and Watkins exchanged barbs sity at Fullerton, was attended during his raised the hopes of Democrats nation­ on several occasions, with Watkins ac­ last days by a brother, Stephen F. wide for federal office. The spring of knowledging on June 10 the dislike of Fleharty, former newspaperman and sec­ 1885 saw the emergence of controversy the "Topics editor" for the manner in retary to Nebraska Govemor Albinus in Lincoln over the appointment of a which the State Democrat was being ed­ Nance. After J J Fleharty died, S. F. new postmaster, whose job was a politi­ ited, and calling Calhoun's criticism a stayed on in Florida. Portions of his let­ cal plum secured by services for the compliment to himself.39 ters to Calhoun extolling the opportuni­ party in power. The Civil Service Act of On August 3, 1886, Calhoun's name ties and healthful climate there began to 1883 had established a system of com­ appeared as editor and proprietor in the appear intermittently in "Topics."36 petitive examinations for appointment Daily State Democrat. He confided to The year ended on a high note as to federal positions, but it covered only readers, "Beginning with a very limited Calhoun took another vacation-a hunt­ about 10.5 percent of the federal execu­ means, it is hoped allowances will be ing trip to western Nebraska and Wyo­ tive civil service. made for shortcomings as compared ming, "the home of ozone and health." Among the first hints that Calhoun with old and well established papers." Again he wrote a number of columns might be seeking the appointment was Calhoun managed to acquire the paper for the State Journal while traveling, de­ his denunciation May 8 in "Topics" of without financial backing, one of the

120 Journalist James D. Calhoun

few times in his career when this was asked State Democrat readers to pardon city directories list him as a journalist re­ true. His businesslike approach was re­ his hobby of correcting in the paper the siding in Lincoln but give no newspaper vealed in an August 5, 1886, letter to J. errors in Civil War reminiscences ap­ affiliation, and also indicate that he Sterling Morton demanding that Morton pearing in the press.43 tried the real estate business as a part of start paying for his previously compli­ S. F. Fleharty continued to charm the firm of Calhoun & Treeman. He con­ mentary subscription.40 Calhoun and his other Nebraska friends tributed to the Capital City Courier's spe­ On the State Democrat "Dots and with stories of the beauty and bounty of cial Christmas issue in 1888 and almost Dashes" carried the same kind of mate­ Florida. Calhoun noted in May of 1888 certainly spent some time helping to rial that had appeared in "Topics of the that Fleharty, a Union veteran, was "very manage a newspaper at Alliance in Times." Comic poetry, fictional charac­ much in love with his Southern home which he had invested while still con­ ters, and humorous anecdotes were and all he lacks of being perfectly ducting the State DemocratY then common ingredients of an edito­ happy is to have 501 of his Nebraska Calhoun's interest in Alliance was rial column, and Calhoun usually man­ friends go down there and settle with similar to his earlier interest in aged it more than successfully. How­ him."44 The allure of the southern cli­ Bloomington and the Republican valley. ever, the stress of running a daily mate and the frequency of its mention In early 1888 Calhoun had announced Lincoln newspaper with too little money increased as the fortunes of the State that William S. Perrin, State Democrat city and help sometimes made a light ap­ Democrat declined. editor, would soon start a weekly paper proach impossible. Explaining to read­ By late 1887 Calhoun could forsee at the booming new town of Alliance. ers why the customary "Dots and the end. He noted of the Democrat in Perrin would function as editor and man­ Dashes" column was omitted in the Oc­ December: "Bought by the present ager with Calhoun "interested in the en­ tober 11, 1886, issue, Calhoun wrote tes­ owner when its fortunes were at the low­ terprise in a proprietory way." Lincoln tily, "The editor has a great deal to do. est ebb, the paper has had and still has newspaperman James A. Coryell moved He can hardly find time to laugh and a difficult and perplexing struggle for to Alliance to take a position on the Alli­ joke with the readers."41 support." He also noted glumly that the ance Argus and in January 1889 was in By 1886 Calhoun had long aban­ paper was running more plate material sole charge.48 When the Argus failed to doned his third-party days of the early to fill unsold ad space. Recurring health thrive with Alliance, Coryell headed back 1870s and had retumed to the Demo­ problems prompted him to take a lone to Lincoln and joined Calhoun in the crats, describing himself as "Jeffersonian, walking and camping trip in southeast publication of the Lincoln Weekly Herald. Jacksonian." He tried to avoid the divi­ Nebraska, during which his weight Calhoun returned to Lincoln from an sive liquor question, opposed railroad dropped to 136 pounds.4s excursion to Mexico on January 6, 1890. monopoly, and generally had little sym­ The·last issue of Calhoun's State He emerged from eighteen months of pathy for woman suffrage.42 Democrat, that of Saturday, June 30, relative obscurity with a January 15 During the twenty-three months he 1888, announced that because of the communication to the Nebraska press owned the State Democrat, Calhoun be­ current owner's financial and physical defending the railroads' rights to make a came somewhat more candid about his inability to manage the paper, it had reasonable profit and predicting that Civil War record. In 1885 while still at been sold to H. M. Bushnell, Sam D. Charles H. Van Wyck would run for gov­ the State Journal he had been attacked Cox, and Al G. Fairbrother. Another ernor on the Independent ticket in the by the Omaha Bee as a "bloody belliger­ story reported the farewell presentation fall. He also gave a "witty, brilliant, and ent bush whacker of the war period." of a gold-headed cane to Calhoun by educational address" to the Nebraska (When pressed by Calhoun, toe Bee re­ the employees of the Democrat. The Press Association's January meeting at lented and wrote that it had meant only next issue of Monday, July 2, 1888, car­ Kearney. He had been moderately ac­ that he was a "figurative, editorial bush ried a new name, Lincoln Daily Call, and tive in the NPA at least since 1875 whacker.") By March of 1887 he was stressed the change in political affilia­ (when he had accompanied a press ex­ confident enough to share with readers tion from Democratic to Republican. cursion from Lincoln to Brownville) and his reminiscences of the Battle of The new owners of the Call conceded in 1886 was elected to a term as first Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia, in which that Calhoun would be missed by some vice-president.49 His last newspaperven­ he had participated. In September he of his many Lincoln friends-but ture in Nebraska was the publication of wrote about his plans to attend a re­ Calhoun was soon gone on another trip, the Lincoln Weekly Herald and the union of Union and Confederate sol­ this time a one-thousand-mile jaunt by boosting of William Jennings Bryan diers in the battle region. He criticized stagecoach and train.46 within its pages. the political agenda of the GAR and the The itinerary and date of his return as Calhoun had announced in his Janu­ "old soldiers' racket" of seeking votes well as his activities for the next eigh­ ary press release that two new Demo­ based on candidates' war records; and teen months or so are unclear. Lincoln cratic weeklies would begin publication

121 Nebraska History - Fall 2000 in Lincoln about March 1, one with Burrows of deliberately misleading At the beginning of 1891 Calhoun which he would be associated, and the farmers for personal gain, and later that found a new partner, Lorenzo D. other to be edited by Albert Watkins. He year called the Farmers Alliance a "gang Woodruff, a Lincoln printer and pub­ surmised that Watkins might beat him of political crowbaits."51 lisher. Calhoun and Woodruff put out the into the field. 50 Calhoun and Coryell published a Lincoln Weekly Herald from 1020 P Street The failures of his State Democrat Democratic weekly that carried on edi­ and continued its Democratic policies and of the Alliance Argus had both tor Calhoun's traditional opposition to under Calhoun's editorial direction.53 sharpened and embittered Calhoun, the protective tariff and railroad mo­ A recurring theme of the Weekly Her­ and the change in tone was immedi­ nopoly, and his traditional ambivalence ald was the steady ascendance of Will- . ately noticeable in the Herald. In his on the liquor question.52 The partner­ iam Jennings Bryan. In April 1891 new editorial column entitled "Nothing ship lasted only about six months. The Calhoun observed that young congress­ But Lies," Calhoun (only partly in jest) last issue to carry both names was that man Bryan was a man to be proud of referred to himself as "the head liar of of August 2, 1890. A week later, on Au­ and added, "Not five percent of the rank the establishment." He stated that truth gust 9, the Herald carried a front-page il­ and file of the party in this state agrees was relative, changing from day to day, lustration of William Jennings Bryan, the with Mr. Morton." Victor Vifquain reap­ and related anecdotes regarding lies new Democratic nominee for Congress peared in the columns of the Weekly and how they might be made more be­ from the First District. It was accompa­ Herald as the author of several articles lievable. J. Burrows, editor of The Farm­ nied by laudatory quotes from the state (favoring bimetallism) on the silver ers' Alliance, soon attacked him in print Democratic press under the heading question. Vifquain also managed edito­ as "combining ... the unhappy qualities "Our Standard Bearer." Calhoun's devo­ rial duties on the paper while Calhoun of heartlessness, cheekiness, cynicism, tion to this new champion would play took another vacation trip in September misanthropy, and distrust of human na­ an important role in the last twenty-five 1891 to northwest Nebraska, southwest ture. " Calhoun responded by accusing years of his life. Dakota, and eastern Wyoming. 54

.. ~ .. ~"~~-.~---:;-.-~~7Zl

P Street west from Eleventh Street, Lincoln. Lincoln Weekly Herald offices for Calhoun and Lorenzo D. Woodruff were near here. From Pen and Sunlight Sketches of Lincoln, published in 1893. RG2158-658

122 Journalist James D. Calhoun

Calhoun made no secret of the fact Calhoun's writings during the Herald The prospective success of the free sil­ that his increasingly frequent travels, years reveal that he was considering not ver resolution at Nebraska's Demo­ some subsidized by the Burlington Rail­ only relocation but a possible change of cratic State Convention, held April 13­ road, were due to health problems and occupation. Albert Watkins had served 14,1892, in Omaha, prompted a the effects of overwork. Nebraska's cli­ as Lincoln postmaster until C. H. Gere, jubilant reaction from Calhoun: "[He] mate continued to discourage him. . Calhoun's former boss on the Journal, doffed his beaver and, with a succes­ Meanwhile letters from S. F. Fleharty received the office December 20, 1889, sion of joyful howls and shrieks that were quoted in the Weekly Herald with as a Republican appointee of the Ben­ would have transfixed a Navajo Indian, their usual descriptions of warm, invit­ jamin Harrison administration. When sent it soaring toward the roof, borne ing Florida. In the spring of 1892 Grover Cleveland was elected for a sec­ aloft by his benevolent spirits."6o Fleharty hosted a party of visiting Ne­ ond term as U.S. President in 1892, the Calhoun's anger at 1. Sterling Morton braskans including Charles H. Morrill, advent of a Democratic administration and Albert Watkins, who both sup­ said to have gained thirty-nine pounds again gave Calhoun an opportunity to ported Cleveland's conservative money in seventeen days of Florida vacation­ pursue the Lincoln postmastership. Indi­ policies, surfaced in a letter he wrote in ing. In June Calhoun noted that Fleharty cations of his intentions appeared in the February of 1893 to Morton in response had laid out Weekly Herald in the spring of 1893 in to Watkins's recently published letter to a beautiful addition to Tampa, which he the form of reprints from area newspa­ Cleveland boosting Morton for Secretary has christened Lincoln Villa, and proposes pers. For example, the Blue Hill Leader of Agriculture. The Watkins letter also to allow his old neighbors and friends in noted that Calhoun appeared to have criticized Bryan, without naming him, as this city to have delightful sites for winter the "inside track in the race for the Lin­ one of a group of men who had sought homes-or chances for a smooth little coln postoffice .... We know of no to inoculate the Democratic Party "with speCUlation-at figures that no sensible and well posted man can resist.55 more deserving democrat than the old unsafe and unsound vagaries and prin­ colonel in the state."57 ciples."61 Watkins, who in the Morton­ During his four years with the Weekly But Calhoun, a man with many Watkins history of Nebraska proudly Herald, Calhoun continued to write more friends, had also gained enemies, not recalled his fight against Bryan and openly of his Civil War experiences. Al­ only among Republicans but among free silver, later in 1893 referred to though he still tried not to affront fellow Democrats who did not share "Calhoun's Herald" as "Mr. Bryan's per- . "people whose sensibilities are likely to his enthusiasm for Bryan. Some thought sonal organ, ... [which] demands a be offended by the spectacle of ex-rebels his former Independent ideas were re­ declaration for 16 to 1 free coinage and on exhibition," he serialized in the paper appearing. Lincoln newspaperman W. says that anything short of an endorse­ his own short novel entitled Tom Morton Smith later wrote that if ment of Bryan in this way would be re­ Callaham. A Story ofthe South During the Calhoun's opinions had not been so pudiating Bryan."62 War. The first installment appeared on populistic, his writings would have had Congressman Bryan tried to secure March 14, 1891, and introduced the main more weight among thinking people.58 the Lincoln postmastership for Calhoun, character, eighteen-year-old Tom Calhoun, however, was publicly urg­ but was told that Calhoun was not ac­ Gollahorn, of Telfair County, Georgia. ing Independents to become Demo­ ceptable to Cleveland. Secretary of Agri­ Anxious to receive a promised reward crats. On December 3, 1892, Calhoun culture Morton opposed the Calhoun of eighty acres of land from the local published in the Weekly Herald a letter appointment and tried to persuade the commander of a unit being raised for from Addison E. Sheldon of the Chadron president to his point of view. Nebraska service in the Confederate Army, Tom Advocate, which stated that Indepen­ Governor James E. Boyd supported the enlists shortly after the Battle of Bull dents would never join the Democratic Calhoun nomination as a check to Run. Instead of an expected speedy vic­ Party, as Calhoun was urging, but con­ Morton, his rival within the Nebraska tory for the South, Tom experiences a cluded on a conciliatory note: Democratic Party; other Democrats op­ long, drawn-out war in which the for­ Those of us who have brains as well as posed it in order to oppose Bryan. As tunes of both his home state and his politics can help a man like W. J. Bryan early as January 2, 1894, Lincoln drug­ family disintegrate. He finally deserts, when he is fighting a hard battle .... Let gist 1. H. Harley, an administration returns briefly to his Georgia home to us take courage and postoffices and coun­ try printing •... and use them to enlarge Democrat who was also a friend of settle accounts with his former wife and the boundaries of common sense and ex­ Bryan, was suggested as a compromise her new partner, and then leaves for tend the dominion of reason and the candidate. Although others besides Texas. The whole is a dismal tale of dis­ People· themselves shall of a common im­ Calhoun sought the office, it was Harley, 59 integration, both of the South and of pulse go after what they want and get it. who had not sought it, who ultimately Tom, which may offer insights on why Calhoun strongly supported received the prize.63 Calhoun came north after the Civil War. 56 Bryan's views on the money question. Harley's appointment surprised most

123 Nebraska History - Fall 2000

Nebraskans and dismayed some. Al­ though the Omaha World-Herald inter­ preted it as a victory for Bryan, who had secured his second choice for postmas­ ter, others felt that Cleveland had pre-__ vailed in forcing Bryan to drop his first choice, Calhoun. The Nebraska State Journal, after acknowledging that Harley had once been a Republican, believed that both factions of the Democratic Party could claim a victory in this final disposition of "the fattest federal office in Lancaster County." W. Morton Smith ob­ served in the Saturday Morning Courier. Mr. Harley's appointment is called a com­ promise appointment. Like many so called compromises it is more of an irri­ tant than an allayer of feeling and sore­ ness. Mr. Bryan has repeatedly asserted that he would stand by Major Calhoun un­ til the very end, that he would, as the ex­ pression goes, 'die with him.' And Major Calhoun and his friends expected him to keep his word. Mr. Bryan did not do as he promised. When he was informed that Calhoun could not be appointed he ... bobs up serenly [sic] with a new candi­ date [Harley] to recommend.6-! The long drawn-out struggle had at­ tracted attention and newspaper com­ ment from around the state. Mentor Brown, the Republican editor of the Kearney Hub, sided with Calhoun and criticized "a man as big as the president of the United States [when he] refuses to make an appointment recommended by the home congressman and that people of all parties heartily endorse." Calhoun's old Nemaha County friend, J. H. Dundas, said: "J. D. Calhoun wanted the Lincoln postoffice, but wouJd not pay the price Cleveland had put on it." The Nebraska Press Association voted on January 31, 1894, to telegraph the president in support of Calhoun. After Harley was appointed instead, the Lin­ coln Call, an independent Republican newspaper, villified Cleveland as a ;._ "three hundred pound Chester White hog in the presidential chair."65 The Nebraska State Journal recalled a Bryan speech made during the summer of 1893 in which Bryan promised to "ex­ pire in the last ditch rather than surren­ "w. J. Bryan, Democratic Nominee for Congress in the First District." Reproduced in the Lincoln Weekly Herald, August 9, 1890. RG3198: 15-10 der a single conviction, but when the

124 Journalist James D. Calhoun ditch came along he dropped Calhoun leaving· Nebraska for a trial period of a Service. William Jennings Bryan, then into it and left him there to die alone." year, not because he was "soured" or U.S. Secretary of State under President References to dying Cor failing to die) in disappointed, but only because he had Woodrow Wilson, was thought to have a ditch reappeared in Journal editorial been offered a job in Florida. Few be­ been responsible for this political ap­ columns almost daily during the after­ lieved it. Smith wrote bitterly that pointment. At the time of his death on math of what William E. Annin, then the Calhoun had been "driven away from July 9, 1915, he was supervisor of Journafs Washington correspondent, Lincoln" and lamented that a man who bonded warehouses in Tampa for the called the "heartache at Lincoln. "66 had come to Nebraska at such an early Customs Service. The income from The resulting humiliation as well as date should be "compelled to pull up these positions, as well as profits from his deteriorating health seriously af­ the stakes that have well nigh crumbled judicious real estate investments, made fected Calhoun, who had been so confi­ in their sockets and pitch his tent in an­ Calhoun's Florida years more comfort­ dent of receiving the postmastership other country."69 able than many of his Nebraska years that he had rejected in advance a sug­ Shortly before Calhoun's departure had been.72 gestion that he be appointed to the Lin­ from Lincoln to Tampa, his newspaper The Nebraska press noted his death, coln land office if the preferred appoint­ friends held a farewell gathering for him especially the State Joumal, which ran a ment did not materialize. A blizzard that and presented him with a gold-headed lengthy death notice on July 13, 1915, struck Lincoln shortly after Harley's good cane. A. L. Bixby of the Journal wrote a and a more extensive tribute on July 18. fortune could not have lightened part of the presentation address in his The latter consisted of recollections of Calhoun's mood. He conceded that he characteristic comic verse. Although Calhoun by a number of Nebraskans who was disappointed in Bryan, but ignored Calhoun had become increasingly bitter had known him in Brownville, Franklin suggestions of several anti-administration and somewhat eccentric during his last and Gage counties, and in Lincoln.73 Democratic newspapers in Nebraska years in Lincoln (he once refused to Although he had enemies, his conge­ that he run for Bryan's congressional cover proceedings of the Nebraska Leg­ niality enabled him to get along with a seat if Bryan should choose to run for islature in the Weekly Herald, calling wide variety of people. Lincoln newspa­ the U.S. Senate.67 them "dreary slush"), his long career perman Harry T. Dobbins recalled in Despite the confidence expressed by and wide acquaintanceship made him 1915, "He knew everybody in Lincoln Smith and others that he would weather at the time of his departure one of the and everybody seemed to like him. He this disappointment as he had weath­ best known figures in Lincoln.70 was by far the most picturesque figure ered so many before, Calhoun quietly Although Calhoun lived in Tampa for in the newspaper world of that day." began planning to leave Nebraska, his the rest of his IjJe, he.did not forget the With his large figure, slouch hat, and home since the late 1860s. The Weekly state where he had spent so many pro­ small gray imperial, he was a familiar Herald of March 10, 1894, noted briefly ductive years. He was in Nebraska again figure in downtown Lincoln.74 that he had gone to Tampa to visit S. F. in September of 1895 gathering material As an artful storyteller, Calhoun Fleharty, rest, and fish. In a letter to Her­ for a series of syndicated letters for east­ could delight his friends and readers ald readers, published the next week on ern newspapers, and on a later return with wonderful anecdotes that some­ March 17, Calhoun described his jour­ visit to Lincoln was given an informal re­ times blurred reality and fiction. "The ney to Florida, seen as a lush green ception. He kept in close touch with his major's imagination is a 100100," wrote paradise, a wonderful contrast to the Nebraska friends and was prominently W. Morton Smith in 1894. "And there is winter weather he had left behind in rePlesented in the Journafs homecom­ something funny about his imagination. Lincoln. "Tampa," he wrote on "March ing feature of December 31, 1911, which When he imagines anything he is con­ 24 "is a beautiful place and full of en­ included letters from former Lincolnites. vinced that is so." Calhoun's Benkelman ergy and bustle-a northern town set He said modestly then that he had done meteor tale resurfaces periodically and down on the sub-tropical shore of the little of note in the seventeen years has most recently found its way into Gulf of Mexico."68 since he had left Lincoln, but conceded print in a Nebraska travel guide.7s How­ The March 24 issue was the last to that he had worked reasonably hard in ever, his wonderful stories and contribu­ carry the names of Calhoun and Woo­ his professionalline.71 tions to the history of Lincoln and the druff as publishers, to be replaced on In fact, he served as managing editor state remain largely in the back files of March 31 by those of Woodruff and Ott. and editorial writer for the Tampa Times Nebraska newspapers. The last "Nothing But Lies" column and founded the Tampa Herald; later he noted briefly that there would be no fur­ served as secretary of the Tampa Board Notes ther Calhoun letters from Florida to of Trade. In 1913 he was appointed I Nebraska Advertiser (Brownville), June 6, 1867, Weekly Herald readers. Elsewhere in the deputy collector of customs in charge of quoted in Marion Marsh Brown, "The Brownville March 24 issue Calhoun claimed he was the Tampa office of the U.S. Customs Story: Portrait of a Phoenix, 1854-1974," Nebraska

125 Nebraska History - Fall 2000

History, 55 (Spring 1974): 77; Robert W. Furnas, County (Campbell, Nebr.: C & L Publishing, 1967), day State Journal, July 18, 1915; Proudfit, "Nebraska Press Recollections," The Daily State 22. "Bloomington Guard." Journal (Lincoln), Apr. 23, 24, 1874 (typed copy in II Beatrice Express, Sept. 5, Oct. 3, Nov. 28, 1872; 23 The Daily Nebraska State Journal, Feb. IS, 16, Henry Allen Brainerd Collection, MS455, Nebraska Bloomington Advocate, July 16, 1915; Lincoln Apr. 7, 1882; Horace W. Hebbard, "Horace W. State Historical Society, Lincoln); Andrew S. Weekly Herald, Mar. 21,1891. Hebbard Recalls Journal in Its Twelfth Year," Sun­ Holladay, "History of Nemaha County," Nemaha day State Journal, July 24, 1927. County Granger (Brownville), July 14, 21, 1876; Bill 12 "Topics of the Times," The Daily Nebraska M. Woods, "The History and Influence of the Press State Journal, Sept. 4, 1884; Furnas, "Nebraska " Calhoun to Morton, Aug. 20, Oct. 6, 1880, of Nemaha County, Nebraska" (peru State Teach­ Press Recollections"; R. S. Proudfit, "The Morton Papers. ers College, 1944),21. Bloomington Guard," The Sunday State Journal, 25 Alvord, "Nebraska State Journal," 15; Horace July 18, 1915; Naponee Herald, July IS, 1915. 2 George L. Miller, "Newspapers and Newspaper W. Hebbard, "A Tribute From a Co-Worker," The Men of the Territorial Period," Proceedings and 13 The Daily Nebraska State Joumal, Dec. 17, 1884. Sunday State Journal, July 18, 1915; "J. D. Collections ofthe Nebraska State Historical Society "Adventures of a Chump, A Brief and Busy Career Calhoun," The Nebraska State Journal, July 13, (Lincoln, 1902), 5: 4~7. as a Real Estate Agent," Lincoln Weekly Herald, Mar. 1915; Hebbard, "Hebbard Recalls." Several 15,1890. Calhoun wrote several "Adventures of a months before he left Lincoln in 1894, Calhoun 3 "J. D. [James Duncan] Calhoun, Esteemed Citi­ Chump" articles describing the chump's misfor­ noted "as an impartial friend and foster father to zen, Dies Suddenly, Was Intimate Friend of W. J. tunes in mining, printing, soldiering, and romance, both the boys" that Walt Mason had begun to Bryan," Tampa [Florida] Morning Tribune, July 10, and signing most of them with the name "Peter write for the Lincoln Call and predicted that 1915; Lincoln Weekly Herald, Feb. 18, 1893. See Doubt Young," one of his fictional characters. Mason's columns would be as popular as Bixby's. notes 15 and 73 for name information. Lincoln Weekly Herald, Jan. 13, 1894. I' Beatrice Express, Apr. 10, 1873; Furnas, "Ne­ , Reprinted from the Omaha Herald by the Ne­ braska Press Recollections." 26 The Daily Nebraska State Journal, July 27, 1881. braska Herald (plattsmouth), July IS, 1869, and by the Nebraska City News, July 9, 1869. A. T. 15 "The Peoples' Independent Convention," The 27 Harry T. Dobbins, "Lives in Kindly Recollec­ Andreas, comp., History ofthe State ofNebraska Daily State Journal, Sept. 9, 1874; Beatrice Express, tion," The Sunday State Journal, July 18, 1915. (1882; reprint, Evansville, Ind.: Unigraphic Inc., Sept. 17, 1874; Nemaha County Granger, Sept. 25, 28 Ibid., A. J. Sawyer, "A. J. Sawyer's Tribute." 1975), 1142. 1874. The Morton-Watkins History refers to Calhoun as "J. D." prior to 1874 (3C:55, 101) and '" Ibid., Hugh G. McVicker, "A Nemaha County 5 Nebraska Advertiser, Oct. 18, 1870; Woods, as "John" in connection with the 1874 convention Pupil." "Press of Nemaha County," 21; Brownville Daily (3C:139, 140). Sheldon in his 1931 history of Ne­ Democrat, July 24, 1870. The Daily Nebraska State 30 The Daily Nebraska State Journal, Aug. 20, Aug. braska also referred to Calhoun as "John" (1:481, Journal (Lincoln) marked the weekly becoming a 27, 1881. 484). However, Calhoun himself noted in the Lin­ daily. On July 22, 1870, it was named the Daily coln Weekly Herald, Feb. 18, 1893, "This editor's 31 Ibid., Nov. 28, 1883; Dec. 10, 1884. State Journal. For a list of subsequent name name is not John. It is Jim." changes see Betty Stevens, -30- A History ofthe Lin­ 32 Ibid., "A Celestial Visitor, A Startling and Curio coln Journal (Henderson, Nebr.: Service Press, 16 The Daily State Journal, Sept. 10, 1874, quoted ous Story from the Ranges of Dundy County. A Blaz­ 1999),18-19. in Wayne A. Alvord, "The Nebraska State Journal, ing Aerolite Falls to the Astounded Earth. It is Evi­ 1867-1904" (master's thesis, University of Ne­ dently a Machine of Human Manufacture. All 6 Nebraska Herald, Sept. 8, 1870; J. Sterling braska, 1934),49. Particulars that Are Yet Learned," June 8, 1884; "The Morton and Albert Watkins, Illustrated History of Magical Meteor. It Dissolves Like a Drop of Dew Be­ Nebraska (Lincoln: Western Publishing and En­ 17 Ibid., June 3, 1875; Auburn Post, Aug. 14, 1903; fore the Morning Sun. The Most Mysterious Element graving Company, 1913), 3C:55; Addison E. F. E. Johnson, "Many Friends, No Enemies," The of the Strange Phenomenon," June 10, 1884. Sheldon, Nebraska, the Land and the People (Chi­ Sunday State Journal, July 18, 1915. cago/New York: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1931), 33 Ibid., June II, 1884. 18 Morton-Watkins, History, 2:357; Beatrice Ex­ 1:418; Nebraska Advertiser, Sept. 8,1870. Calhoun press, June 10, July I, 1875. Calhoun is also men­ 3< Hebbard, "Hebbard Recalls." did not mention his own name in connection with tioned by The Daily State Journal, Feb. 27, 1875, as 35 The Daily Nebraska State Journal, Feb. 10, 12, the People's Convention but the Nebraska Herald, an employee of the Boomerang. Mar. 25, July 12, 1884. Calhoun later had two more Sept. 8, 1870, reported, "Calhoun of the Brownville children, Janet and George, who survived him. Democrat ... is the principal character in the 19 "The Typesetting Race," The Daily State Jour­ 'peoples' move.: nal, Feb. 16, 1875, quoted in Henry Allen Brainerd, 36 Ibid., May 14, 1884. Andreas, History, 1065, History ofthe Nebraska Press Association (Lincoln: 1123, 1124. 7 Sheldon, Land and People, 1:418; Nebraska Ad­July I, 1923),2:4446. Calhoun's recollection of vertiser, Oct. 18, 1870; Brownville Daily Democrat, this incident appears in the Daily State Democrat, 37 The Daily Nebraska State Journal, Dec. 6, 31, Oct. 14, 1870; J. D. Calhoun to J. Sterling Morton, Jan. 31,1888. 1884. Nov. 28, 1870, J. Sterling Morton Papers, MS7, 38 Ibid., May 8, Aug. 23, Oct. 20, 1885; James C. NSHS. 20 Morton-Watkins, History, 2:357. The Daily State Journal, June I, 1875, refers to Calhoun's affiliation Olson,1. Sterling Morton (Lincoln: University of 8 Reprinted from Tecumseh Chieftain by Daily with "the evening twinkler," in what is probably a Nebraska Press, 1942),321. State Journal, Apr. 27,1871; The Daily State Jour­ joking reference to the name changes. 39 McVicker, "Nemaha County Pupil"; Daily State nal, June 2, 1875. Democrat (Lincoln), June 10, 1886; Dec. 16, 1887. 21 Lincoln Weekly Herald, Nov. 18, 1893; Beatrice 9 Nebraska Advertiser, July 15, 1869; Nebraska Daily Express, July 13, 1915; Beatrice Express, Dec. '0 Daily State Democrat, Aug. 2, 1886; Calhoun to Herald, Aug. 24, 1871. 4, 1876; Dec. 11,21, 1876; John H. Zorn, comp., Morton, Aug. 5, 1886, Morton Papers. \0 Albert Watkins, "Organization of the Counties City Directory ofLincoln, Nebraska for 1876-77 'I Daily State Democrat, Oct. II, 1886. of Kearney, Franklin, Harlan, and Phelps," Collec­(Omaha: R. L. Polk & Co., 1876), 50. " Ibid., Jan. 6, 29, Nov. 26, Dec. 16, 1887. tions ofthe Nebraska State Historical Society (Lin­ " Bloomington Advocate, Sept. 3,1931; Frank L. coln: 1913), 17: 228-31; Andreas, History, 870; Bar­ Williams, "Calhoun in Franklin County," The Sun­43 The Daily Nebraska State Journal, June 16, 17, bara Bonham, ed., Historical Highlights ofFranklin

126 Journalist James D. Calhoun

1885; Daily State Democrat, Sept. 11,1886; Mar. 14, 57 Ibid., May 6, 1893. 68 Lincoln Weekly Herald, Mar. 10,24, 1894; Sept. 20, Oct. 7, 1887; Weekly State Democrat, Sept. Annin, "New Nasby." 58 Saturday Morning Courier (Lincoln), Mar. 31, 17,1887. 1894. 69 Lincoln Weekly Herald, Mar. 24, 1894; Courier, 44 Daily State Democrat, May 31, 1888. Mar. 31, 1894. 59 "What an Independent Says," Lincoln Weekly 451bid., Apr. 15, May 6, Dec. 16, 1887. Herald, Dec. 3, 1892. 70 A. L. Bixby, "A Former Farewell," The Sunday State Journal, July 18, 1915. The seven stanzas, first 461bid., June 29, 30, 1888; Lincoln Daily Call, July 60 "The Breach Widened," Daily Nebraska State written to commemorate Calhoun's departure 2, 1888. The Omaha Daily Herald, June 16, 1888, Journal, Apr. 16, 1892. A vote recount indicated from Lincoln in 1894, were repeated in the tribute reported the selling price as $13,000 and remarked that the silver resolution had been defeated. The to him that appeared in the Journal after his death. that the new Call would be "materially improved Journal noted that "as the chair announced an en­ except in politics: tirely different result Cal's spirits fell and the fur 71 Webster County Argus (Red Cloud), Sept. 19, capote came sailing down with them." 1895. The Sunday State Journal, Dec. 31, 1911; C. 47 Daily Nebraska State Journal, Dec. 22, 1888; V. Cole, "A Wonderful Printer," July 18, 1915. Cherrier's Lincoln City Directory J890 (Lincoln: The 61 Albert Watkins to Grover Cleveland, Jan. 14, Cherrier Directory and Publishing Company), 154. 1893, and Calhoun to Morton, Feb. 20, 1893, n "J. D. Calhoun," The Nebraska State Journal; "J. Morton Papers. A copy of the Watkins letter was D. Calhoun, Esteemed Citizen," Tampa Morning 48 Daily State Democrat, Feb. 4, 1888; Daily Ne­ Tribune, July 11, 1915; "Nebraska Newspaper Men braska State Journal, Jan. 5, 1889. . published in the Semi-Weekly State Journal, Feb. 21,1893. Fondly Recall the Memory of J. D. Calhoun," The 49 Syracuse Journal, Jan. 17, 1890, quoted in Sunday State Journal, July 18, 1915; Nemaha Marie U. Harmer and James L. Sellers, "Charles H. 62 "Peace or War," Morning World-Herald, Oct. 4, County Herald (Auburn), July 16, 1915. J. D. Van Wyck-Soldier and Statesman," Nebraska His­1893. A copy of the first part of the article, consist­ Calhoun to Mrs. C. H. Gere, Oct. 4, 1904, Gere tory 12: 348-49; The Daily State Journal, Feb. 27, ing of Watkins's Oct. 2 letter to the editor of the Family Papers, MS302, NSHS. Calhoun's letter of 1875; NPA Notes, Brainerd Collection; Henry Allen World-Herald, appears in the William Jennings condolence to Mrs. Gere after her husband's death Brainerd, History ofthe Nebraska Press Association Bryan Collection, MS464, NSHS. is written on letterhead of the Tampa Board of (Lincoln, 1923), 1:12. 63 "J. D. Calhoun," The Nebraska State Journal; Trade, with Calhoun listed as secretary. Saturday Morning Courier, Feb. 17, 1894; William 50 Syracuse Journal, Jan. 17, 1890. On March 22 73 The Sunday State Journal tribute of July 18, Calhoun noted "the advent of Mr. Albert Watkins E. Annin, "The New Nasby, J. H. Harley the Lucky 1915, includes references to "John D. Calhoun," to the editorial control of the [Nebraska] State Man and Billy Bryan Named Him," The Nebraska while the earlier July 13 article uses Calhoun's pre­ Dernocrat: Lincoln Weekly Herald, Mar. 22, 1890. State Journal, Feb. 9, 1894. The last article is a ferred "J. D." throughout. The same photo is used Watkins eventually joined the staff of the Nebraska good summary of the 1893-94 Lincoln post office with both. See note 15 for information on "John" State Historical Society, where he served as histo­ controversy. Calhoun in the Morton-Watkins and Sheldon histo­ rian from 1909 until his death in 1923. He was also 64 "Harley to be Postmaster," Morning World-Her­ries of Nebraska. One reason for the confusion the editor and chief force behind the publication ald, Feb. 9, 1894. "Postmaster Harley," The Ne­may have been that Calhoun was often known to of the Morton-Watkins history of Nebraska. braska State Journal, Feb. 9, 1894. Saturday Morn­his friends not by his first name, but by an abbre­ 51 J. Burrows, "Something Specially for Calhoun," ing Courier, Feb. 17, 1894. viation of his last name: "In Brownville he was fa­ The Farmers' Alliance (Lincoln), Apr. 5, 1890; miliarly known as 'Cal,' and the name clung to 65 Kearney Daily Hub, Feb. 13, 1894; Granger (Au­ him even in his later days. Many of us never called Lincoln Weekly Herald, Mar. 15, Apr. 12, Dec. 13, burn), Feb. 23, 1894; LincQln Weekly News, Feb. 1, 1890; Feb. 18, 1893. him by any other name." Johnson, "Many 1894; Lincoln Call, Feb. 9, 1894. Friends." 52 The Farmers' Alliance, Mar. 15, 1890. 66 The Nebraska State Journal, Feb. 9, 14, 1894. 74 Dobbins, "Kindly Recollection." "J. D. 53 Lincoln Weekly Herald, Jan. 3, Jan. 24, 1891. 67 Lincoln Call, Dec. 22, 1893; The Nebraska State Calhoun," The Nebraska State Journal. "Ibid., Mar. 7, Apr. 25, May 16, Sept. 25, Oct. 10, Journal, Mar. 12, 1894. "It was not a cold day when 75 "Calhoun Himself Again," Saturday Morning 1891. Cal got left, but a sympathetic blizzard put in an Courier, Feb. 24, 1894. Alan Boye, The Complete appearance a day later," according to Walt Mason, 55 C. J. Bowlby, "A Real Friend," The Sunday State Roadside Guide to Nebraska (St. Johnsbury, Vt.: "Mason's Mosaics," Lincoln Call, Feb. 10, 1894. A. Journal, July 28,1915; Lincoln Weekly Herald, Apr. Saltillo Press, 1993),285-86. L. Bixby of The Nebraska State Journal, Feb. 10, 16, June 11, 1892. 1894, also mentioned that Harley's appointment 56 Lincoln Weekly Herald, Mar. 14 through June "and the refreshing snow storm that followed were 13, 1891. both a surprise to the people."

127