notes from the Seitz papers at the NY Public Library are located at the end of this document

Notes from Butler Library 14 Dec. 1995 

Dec. 26, 1884 Ignaz Kappner, Business Manager P-D to JP

letterhead "Business Office, Post-Dispatch, St. Louis"

[gave to his employees]

I have paid Mr. Moore $300 and told him about your not charging the $50. I have given Mr. Taylor $100 with your compliments. Both will write you, I suppose, but they also desire me to express their thanks. All employees of your paper join me in thanks for the Christmas Turkey, which this year was really very fine.

[a P.S. w/o written P.S.]

I carry out your instructions, to have 7 column paper, until you change size, although editors complain of scarcity of news.

[Moore did write back, and wished happy New Year]

daily reports from Post-Dispatch on circulation

35, 740 Nov. 4

41,710 Nov. 5

W.H. Kentor also sending weekly list of contracts made

Nov. 17, 1884 from Edward K. Bettle

St. Louis, Mo

[congratulating him on election to Congress, helping elect Cleveland, World and P-D]

P.S. "Burn this Letter" [a joke]

Nov. 24, 1884

Joseph L. Harben, guy who wanted diplomatic position

Jan 2, 1885 Gibson to JP [re: sale of PD to G.W. Fishback]

I felt sure it was useless to propose any thing on any basis less than half a million. I am satisfied he would take the controlling interest at that price . . . .

Jan 13, 1885 John A. Dillon to JP

Jan. 8, 1885 [unintelligible signature]

[Fleming?] Michigan

[letter from World subscriber asking about civil service reform]

[When a Repub partisan] sent in his resignation as postmaster on Jan. 5th or 6th, 1885, another intense partisan was nominated for the position by President Arthur and will of course be confirmed by the Senate. It is claimed here by a great many we will have to submit to this appointment for four years as President Cleveland will not remove him in accordance with his recent Civil Service letter. If that is what Civil Service reform means, then we have been voting 24 years to get the rascals out and now that we have out-voted them we must leave them in for fear they will be offended.

Feb. 19, 1885 Henry W. Moore to JP

Managing Editor's Room, Post-Dispatch, St. Louis

Your letter the 12th was duly to hand and its contents noted. I have written Austin and he will cease his connection with the P-D on the 28th.

1883-1885 box, May 1885 folder

[in box Public Ledger and Daily Transcript newspaper? in Phila]

Monday, May 11, 1885 World celebrated 1 yr anniversary

*Sunday* edition started at 15,000 and grew to 150,000 copies

May 21, 1885 Gibson to JP

I had a business talk yersterday with [George W.] Fishback concerning the purchase of the Post-Dispatch . . . . Finally, he asked if you would take $400,000--$150,000 cash and the balance on easy terms. I said it was useless to talk to you about any price less than $500,000.

Notes from Butler Library 12 March 1996 

The World Collection, 1882-1885 box, 188- folder

interview w/ Eli Perkins

last note in this undated 188- folder

1882-1885 box, January 1883 folder

Jan 26, 1883, John Gilmer Speed (ex-General Manager of World) to Hurlbert

Dear Mr. Hurlbert

I have looked into the proposition to change the daily into a four page seven column paper, the Sunday into a seven column twelve page paper while leaving the weekly & semi weekly editions as they are, and have estimated upon the following circulation

Estimating htat The World would receive 1 1/4 cents for the daily, 4 cents for the Sunday and 1 1/2 cents each for the wekly and semi-weekly editions the receipts from papers for a year would be [some numbers here].

[... expenses would equal $312,000]

[...]

faithfully yours,

John Gilmer Speed

World Office

January 26, 1883

[Swanberg says JP closed deal w/ Gould April 18, 1883]

Jan 30, 1883, Geo[rge] D. Hirhuh [? Hurlhuh?] to JP

Patriot Publishing Company

Harrisburg, Pa., Jan 30th 1883

Hon Joseph Pulitzer-

Dear Sir - In response to a request I called on Governer Patterson [?] this morning, and learned that you are about organizing an effort to extend the circulation and influence of The World in this state. The Governor suggested that I would be able to aid you in the enterprise as much if not more that any other man in the state .... Governor Patterson asked me to write an say to you that he believed this enterprise would prosper in my hands, and I would be glad to assume the management of it. [...]

Very Truly Yours,

Geo[rge] D. Hirhuh [? Hurlhuh?]

1882-1885 box, January 1883 folder

Jan 15, 1883, John Gilmer Speed (ex-General Mgr of World) to Hurlbert

The World Office

January 15th 1883

Dear Mr. Hurlbert

I find upon examination that if the business of the paper should remain during the present year about as it has been during 1882 there would be an average weekly loss of $261. For the seven weeks before Christmas there was an apparent weekly profit of $800. During the past three weeks there has been an average weekly loss of $700. [...]

In view of the immediate loss entailed in the manufacture of the newspaper it has occurred to me that expenses should be at once reduced as much as possible without immediate injury to the working force. Steps have therefore been taken to that end and after the present week the expenses will not exceed $67,000 per week. [...]

[possibility of increasing circulation for daily, Sunday, weekly and semi-weekly]

But I do not believe the circulation can be increased above 20,000 unless a different course should be pursued from the present flaws of management. And the only changes I can suggest would cost money. [...]

But money I think would have to be spent on the paper itself. The local news ought to be better than that of any other paper. It is now as good and only cost about one quarter as much as paid for the same matter by The World's rivals. If instead of $600 per week $1000 per week could be spend on the city news and space could be found to print this news by leaving out foreign matter and in fact anything not local, I feel pretty certain that the circulation would be effected [sic] in a little while. [...]

I have not entered into the question of a change of price for the paper. I think it should be sold at three instead of two cents but the latter rate has been so exhaustively advertised and the news dealers and the public have been asked to stand so many modificatins in price that I think a restoration of the rate to three cents unless something definite, like the addition of another column, making the paper seven columns wide, would be a confession of weakness that would effect [sic] both the circulation and advertising. [...]

Our Sunday paper does not compare favorably with the other Sunday papers [.... recommends price increase of 5 cents to public]

So as to get more space for news in the daily I should stop the column now given to the summary and should also restore the summetrical "make up" of the paper which you adopted when you took the paper in 1876 and perfected in 1878. [recommended making most of changes at one time]

...I have spoken candidly even when I was pretty sure that you held different views from mine. And I am faithfully yours [unsigned, but same writing and ink as John Gilmer Speed of earlier letter]

1882-1885 box, May 1883 folder

May 12, 1883, fan to JP re: purchase of World

Law Offices of Holmes and Adams

35 Wall Street

May 12th 1883

[...Congrats, etc.] I ceased reading the paper some time ago, because Mr. Hurlbert was too great a romancist [romanticist?] to suit me. I am glad to return, as a reader, to the paper.

Very truyl,

Arl.[???] H. S[?????]

1882-1885 box, May 1883 folder

May 22, 1883 George W. Moore to JP

[congrats, etc.] One of the great drawbacks to teh success of The World heretofore has been its constant trouble with its compositors, never paying the wages that prevail in the newspaper establishment [....]

1882-1885 box, June 1883 folder

July 13, 1883 clipping from The Press

"How Colonel Stewart Proposes to Manufacture City Editors"

article about school for reporters that only teaches shorthand, type-writing and phono-scribing

perhaps shows JP's early thoughts about journalism school?

interesting manuscript w/ editing marks for Aug. 11? editorial on increase in circulation

1882-1885 box, November 1883 folder

Nov. 15, 1883 group of compositors to JP

We, the undersigned, ... beg leave to express to you and Mr. McGuffin our heartfelt thanks for ... granting the increase in the rate of composition, thereby carrying out the principles of the paper in advocating the cause of the workingman.

[49 signatures]

1882-1885 box, Jan. 1884 folder

unsigned note says only:

Jay Gould

11/18 re lease of Park Row Property

11/20 will be glad to see JP Sun eve.

[possibly this should be in 1883 folder?]

1882-1885 box, Jan. 1884 folder

unsigned note w/ handwriting of above:

Roscoe Conklin

1/1 Declines invitation to be w. P. + Jerome

9/10 re Mrs P. + R.C. keeping Mr. P. out of political mischief "editorial fables"

end of small notes, begin w/ first letter marked confidential & crossed out letterhead Greely Relief Expo

Notes from Butler Library 13 March 1996

Jan. 16, 1884, Theron C. Crawford (D.C. correspondent) to JP

[talks about other Washington matters]

The President is not well. But wehtehr he is going to be sick is not necessarily ???ee see??. I am informed that his low condition is largely the result of his high living.

Jan. 21 1884, Charles R. Williams to JP

letter resignation from Charles R. Williams

T.C. Crawford sending regular reports from D.C.

Feb. 1, 1884

[legal letter from Associated Press]

... will furnish to said Philadelphia Associated Press in the City of Philadelphia, edited copies of all the news collected by the New York Associated Press for distribution to the New York newspapers and newspapers elsewhere ... one copy to be furnished to each paper in the City of Philadelphia designated by the Philadelphia Associated Press as entitled to receive it.

2. - That it will furnish no news whatever to any paper in the City of Philadelphia not so designated.

3. - That this exclusive right of the Philadelphia Associated Press to receive these dispatches shall extend over a period of Four (4) years, from the first day of January, Eighteen eighty-four (1884).

[... cost $1,075 dollars per week]

Feb. 1, 1884 lawyers Vanderpoel, Green & Cumming to JP

[they are attorneys for 3 ppl who want money from Press Publishing Company before JP purchased it]

Since then we have freqently suggested to your Counsel, Senator Conkling, the necessity of and our willingness to give substitution in the cases.

[Conkling is JP's lawyer? some kind of AP cases, note on back says]

Feb 2, 1884 JP to lawyers above (V, G & C)

... [The three legal actions] all relate to matters long antedating my purchase of the World. [was not told about this when I purchased it] On the contrary, I was told emphatically that but one action or suit against this publishing company existed; that action is neither of these.

Nothing known to me makes it incumbent on me to assure these litigation or either of them, or to [disbelieve?] the claims which they assert.

I am quite sure Mr. Gould will not ask or expect me to respon to these old, to me unkown demands; and I will thank you to apprise him of the facts and take his directions. [...]

Feb. 2, 1884?, draft of letter to Gould

Feb. 27 1884 Jacob V.D. Wyckoff (real estate broker) to JP

Enclosed you will find your copy of the lease signed by yourself and Mr. W.H. Webb.

[$100,000 per lot 25x100 plus the value of the building at $150,000]

The value of the ground on which the Herald building stands - was 456M which price was paid for it in 1866 and the building as near as I can recollect--cost 500M--and they owe the fee of the property they paid P.T. Barnum 200M for his 12 year lease on the premises--the Lady who ownse the NE corner of Park Row is the same who owned the property on which the Herald bldg now stands--and I will know her name and address in a few days--I will also ... The ground on which the Herald stands has sa frontage of 85 ft on 13 way + 125 ft on Ann? St.

Feb. 28 1884 Jacob V.D. Wyckoff (real estate broker) to JP

[finding out other ppl trying to buy properties on Park Row]

some random stuff, each one in brackets

[JP held clippings from Herald stating 800,000 copies per week]

[Apr. 18, 1884 K.M. Sulsefer of Boston Herald writing about merits of diff't presses]

[List of Advertising Agencies and Big Advertisers Who Secured for the World in '84]

[clipping from Home Journal within Newsdealer & Stationer, July 1884]

The New York World is fortunate in having secured the services of Mr. William H. Henry, who has been connected with the New York Herald for twenty years, and who has acted as superintendent there for a large part of that time .... Probably the most injurious result of these changes ... has been felt directly by Mr. Bennet ....

The World Collection, 1882-1885 box, Sept. 1884 folder

Sept. 6, 1884, John D. Van Home? to JP

letterhead Western Union Telegraph Company

Clarence Cary Attorney, New York

Notes from Butler Library 13 March 1996

June 11, 1889 JP to Kate

Hotel zur Rose, Wiesbaden

My dearest,

[... talking about massages being troublesome] As to the children--If you want to send them on my account, there is no necessity for it. The time passes easily enough and I can't yet see that the children will be happy here .... Between drinking waters, taking baths, waiting at Mezger'sdriving out in the afternoon ... I can kill the time easily enough .... Don't send me any newspapers until I ask for them. I want to experiment being without them for a fortnight; but the letters (any + all) please see that I receive promptly ....

With sincere love

ever your

devoted husband

JP

In haste! [probably an apology]

June 21, 1889 Claude Ponsonby to Kate

[apologizing why not lot of letters from JP, hoping she feels better]

... I am happy to be able to report a steady though of course slow improvement. The nerves are in a far better state, and the sleeplessness is not quite so great, though there is much left to be desired upon that point. [able to walk 1 hr a day & enjoy]

Pulitzer Collection, 1889-1898 box, circa 1889 folder

August 23, 1890 one of the sons to Kate

Dear Mama.

The following is about where I am in my studies.

Geography - Europe, North and South America, Asia and partly Africa

History - Grecian, Roman

Grammar - Parsing

Spelling - 6th Year

Latin - About 4th Declension

Arithmetic - Finished Percentage, Begun Measurements

Yours lovingly

Lulu [later called Edith by JP's order]

undated game directions for "Draw-Bridge"

"A game of bridge for two persons which preserves all the original features of the game for four by the aid of the two simple 'dummy' partners here illustrated" [probably for use on the Liberty]

Nov. 17, 1990 Frederick A. Duneka to JP

New York

[wrote letter, "I thank you for the privelege of knowing you" when he resigned]

[this letter contains Duneka's evaluation of the P-D staff. right side of all pages eroded or torn]

The local staff of the Post-Dispatch is said to have changed greatly in the past year. The good high-priced reporters getting $25 and $30 per week have been replaced by cheaper men. Here is a general estimate of the more important men--an estimate given casually.

Managing Editor - name Lawson, about 52; ability slight; influence on paper little; principle duty--making up ??? Good at that; and only that. Apparently a man of little force.

City Editor - name Wetmore; age 35; an excellent writer and copy reader; executive ability unknown; had wide training and should make good man for the place. Was assistant city editor for some time.

Sunday Editor - name Gorse - age 32; reported to be disliked by men; has creative ability of pretty high order but tending in coarse direction; good eye for typographical effect; good make-up especially in the matter of freaks; good judgement in Sunday matters. Good all round man. He is a lame man and formerly worked as New York correspondent of the P.D.

Best Copy reader - name Robert Yo??? - [...] Can do anythin he is told to do well. Never tells himself to do anything though.

Telegraph Editor - name Bovard [...] That's all the good men left. Greatest fault o the Post-Dispath. Too much petty economy.

Very Faithfully,

F.A. Duneka

July 17, 1891 architects to Pulitzers

Memorandum specification for the painting and decoration of house for Mrs. Joseph Pulitzer, #10 East 55th St. under the general superintendence of McKim, Mead & White, Architects

[...] REAR BED-ROOM IN SECOND STORY: AND SMALL ROOM OFF:

Thoroughly protect all work; walls and ceilings to be washed off ... The walls to be hung in silk of a pink color, properly backed with canton flannel or some other material ....

[series of letters from McKim, Mead & White. Some of them addressed to Willaim Leonard Davis because Pulitzer is away.]

Dec. 1, 1891 bill from architects to JP

[cost total $17,590]

Dec. 17, 1891 young Joseph to Lucille

... I hope you will like the present which Edith, Constance and I joined together to send you. Was that not a pretty Xmas card I sent you, with the cats? ... Mama gave us each 5 dollars to send to the Editor of the World for the Christmas tree for the poor little children. The letters we wrote were printed in the paper .... Papa has made us promise to try always to call Lulu, Edith, as he like it better. [child's trained handwriting ten times better than men who write to his father, faint pencil lines visible even a century later] This is the first letter I have written on single lines. Don't you like "The Swiss Family Robinson"? I have read it twice. ...

Pulitzer Collection, 1889-1898 box, 1892 folder

[p. 176 Swanberg joke by JP to Kate about woman wanting to read to him]

[letters from architect to Davis re: inquiry about building a wine cellar]

[George B. Post architect made estimate $1920 for larger, $1375 for smaller size, eventually got something for $1815]

January 31, 1892 young Joseph to Lucille

[staying in Washington, D.C. at "Grammamma's" house, forgets to call Lulu "Edith," Joseph got new paper w/ blue lines instead of rubbing out the pencil ones]

... Papa has been ill with asthma but seems all right again now.

[burned fragments from Europe--Hosmer letter on difficulty w/ JP, other letter--I didn't read either]

Notes from Butler Library 15 March 1996

March 17, 1893 A.S. Celacki? to JP

2, rue de Cambaceres

[re: Ralph's medical condition, probs with asthma and pneumonia]

... I am glad you ave not had the occasion to use your new sleeping powder but am sure you will find them effective when you do.

March 7, 1893

[charred fragment]

The climate of St Moritz ... famous for its beneficial effects ... upon asthma residence there ... will in all probability had to ... a cure of this condition in Ralph Pulitzer's care in the course of a few years and thus save him from the danger of permanent cardiac and respiratory troubles.

March 10, 1893 Holland (M.D.) to one of the Pulitzers

[very charred fragment]

references to J. Stacey Wilson MD

Servants' Wages paid due 1 July 1893

[total was $3,697.85, some examples below]

J. Vincent, 1st Week 41.90, 2nd week 37.70, Garcon d'office 83.85, Mineral Water 4.20 [his total equals 176.65]

Emily Mun[s]ch - aiding in morning 107.90

[...]

July 1 In bank 10,281.00

July 15 Checks paid 8290.60

July 16 In bank 1,990.40

August 1, 1893 Marie L.D. to Kate

Villa d'Aulan

Beuzeral Houlgate

Calvados [address is approx. spelling]

[writer had caught cold then influenza]

... I must have engulfed whole families of microbes .... I was a horrid mass of dreadful blotches .... I don't know what I would have done without Miss Payne [he whined a whole lot before getting to the point] I suppose the accounts reached you. In future I will send them as you ask weekly .... I am sorry I misunderstodd you abou t sending the account. I thought you told me to send the on the 1st and 15th of each month .... [didn't send on 1st cause he was busy] The 15th of July I was already ill .... The children [Marie's children] are looking splendidly. One would never imagine how very ill they had been. [taking riding lessons, etc.]

Oct. 13, 1893 M.L.D. to Kate

Paris

Here I am still in bed about as unhappy a person as exists. It is six weeks tomorrow since I fell and I am still in bed with a bad knee .... Enclosed you will find my accounts. I hope I have made them intelligible. It has taken four days hard work. [poor grammar makes seem like this person is some kind of servant] [person apologizing for using up the household money for her medical expenses] .... Hardly seeing a soul [while bed-ridden] is deadly dull and apt to take the snap out of even the cheekiest woman of her time (that's me according to Mr. Pulitzer). [Dr. Hosmer wrote her nice letter] He [Hosmer] also tells me that Mr. F??ks Robertson is no longer with Mr. Pulitzer. I am so sorry for I know what awful misery it is for Mr. P to get rid of and find someone else soon. [she also mentioned being ill from blood poisoning!]

I am affectionately Marie

Pulitzer Collection, 1889-1898 box, Jan. - June 1894 folder

Jan. 7, 1894 Hosmer to Kate

[complained of feeling like an underappreciated "donkey" and tried to make a joke at dinner table] Alas this comic effort of the exuberant donkey was a failure. He was promptly informed that it was "sometimes dangerous to be too funny."

It seems to me impossible to stay the winter in the difficult circumstances & I may have to get out.

In that case I shall ask for a position on the paper. Will you support my application with your illimitable influence [?]

Feb. 15, 1894 Ralph to Lucille

I am very glad to hear that you are looking after father's "???? and morals"--also his health .... I have begun Greece [Greek] and like it very much. Latin is now my stumbling block. I never imagined a language capable of such filthy, beastly, rules and contradictions .... Please use your solutay[?] [salutory?, definitely salut???] influence on the unhappy Pater to make him get me a really spirited horse for the spring.

record of JP's acct. w/ The American Exchange National Bank

May 1894

$10,000 check to Post-Dispatch

B&O Dividend $3,750 [he invested in RRs]

[balance $120,838.82]

April 28, 1894 G.W. Hosmer to Kate

Colorado Springs

[some very good doctors in C.S. for Ralph's asthma]

.... But J.P. thought I left too soon--and called me to come back for two weeks more--so you could see everything that I do is wrong. That is a difficult condition to overcome; but like the fiddler I keep doing my best. [poor beleagered Dr. Hosmer!]

April 1894 American National Exchange Bank record

showed he put $120,000 into Balto & Ohio (B&O) railroad [this amounted to at least 1500 shares] [also investing in Canada Southern, a railroad I think]

[list of investments from 1897 folder]

N. Pacific, Chicago-St. Louis, Cincinatti-Indiana, Pacific RR of Missouri [I think these are all RRs]

April 27, 1894 JP to Kate

Ragatz

Writing to me is so "headachey", such sweet sorrow, that in the language of Shakespeare I always say "Goodbye till 'tis tomorrow"--and thus no letter .... I had a long seance with D. Holland about his bill and of course he is perfectly convinced that he is perfectly right and I perfectly wrong .... [but the Dr. said Ralph's lung defect has almost entirely disappeared] [JP said he was having nice time at cottage, "the air mild warm (almost too warm"

April 28, 1894 JP to Kate

Ragatz

Only a line to tell you that we are well, that this is my day off, my mood corresponding with the dark cloudy rainy dismal weather outside, that Ralph is very well, that Cook is not missed at all and that I am thinking of you probably a great deal more than you are entitled to, sorry for you if you are still a bed, and hoping for you to be up soon.

[Eugene gave JP message from Hosmer in Colorado Springs that Ralph was well]

Now this I think is really after all a pretty good letter considering that I am very ill-tempered and only started to send you "a line." Give me credit for it for I do not intend to write you for another month now.

As ever, affectionately

J.P.

Pulitzer Collection, 1889-1898 box, July - Dec. 1894 folder

?month 26, 1894 JP to Kate

[complaining about Kate not writing]

July 18, 1894 Ralph to Lucille

[typed letter this time, moving up from hand-drawn lines on paper]

Joseph Pulitzer - Personal Accout, in account with The Press Publishing Co. [for October 1897]

$2,937.50 To Teachers College, first quarter's allowance for 47 boys, Pulitzer scholarships

To Children's allowance for month,

for Miss Lucille $50.00

for Miss Edith $8.00

for Miss Constance $8.00

undated letter Kate to Alfred Butes

[asking for money] I hate to owe money. When I had probably nothing, I owed nothing. Now that I am supposed to have much, I owe much. This seems unfair & I will not consent to it. ...J.P. told me to pay all bills whether rightfully included in my allowance or not & let him have the totals .... I hope there will be no broubee? about this, but in any event--I will not--suffer any further worry. Money is such a contemptable thing to so constantly fight about.

undated Ralph to Lucille

Sunday

As soon as father has let me know which college he will let me go to, I am going to begine working hard, one hour a day extra, so as to go into the sixth ???? next year.

Pulitzer Collection, 1889-1898 box, 1898 [no months written] folder [Photocopy pending]

undated Kate to JP

Hotel des Galeries, Scheveningue

[about her experiences in France, they are so clean]

undated, marked "memo"

Mr. Stump estimates Mrs. H's total income, including the dividends ... investment in Eastern R[ailwa]y bonds and money earned since the copper sale at about $450,000 a year. .... He said again that he did not think she would let more than $5,000,000 go into the Journal. He fixed one date which is instructive that the Journal drafts on her amnesty to about $4,000,000 in August, 1897. This seems to mean[?] that she has let more than $5,000,000 "go", but he was not informed about the Journals present or recurrent financial caprices.

Hearst himself has said since his return from San Francisco that the Examin??? is paying $100,000 a year.

Kate's undated record

My offer to Mr P as my answer to his saying my allowance was to be cut down. [she calls him "Mr. P" even in her personal papers, basically she says can decrease expenses by taking away services or something]

undated Kate to JP

Friday

Hotel und Pension

Wiesbaden

You are not to leave Baden until you hear from me. Otherwise blood & murder certainly? will be in the future.

Ledlie makes record of Mrs. P's accounts

Table A.

expenditures by month w/ 8 headings (table, household, stable, personal, wages, incidental, coal & wood, wine)

Total came to $76,958.06

initialed G.H.L. [George H. Ledlie]

Table C. Largest Bills

I have picked out the largest and some of the most striking bills so as to give some idea of the variety of expenditures, and also its magnitude in unusual ways. [sounds almost apologetic as if explaining for Mrs. P.]

[photocopy pending]

George H. Ledlie to JP [this folder should contain above charts]

In accordance with your telegram of last week, I have been carefully auditing Mrs. Pulitzer's accounts for 1897. ...

I have compared the check books with the receipts, and the receipts with the entries in the account book, and, on the whole, find them in good condition, considering the fact that there were 2,472 entries....

Mrs. Pulitzer received in cash, as Mr. Shaw's record indicates, and as her books show, $77,000. $6,000 the first of each month, and $5,000 ordered by you by cable from Cap Martin on February 2nd.

The check books and account books show how $76,958.06 was paid out.

[Tiffany's bill for Christmas was nearly $1,100, bills in summer at Bar Harbor "tremendous"]

During the six months at Bar Harbor, the average number of people fed in the house and stable was 53 daily. This did not include any guests there for a meal, or for longer stays, or Mr. Butes.

[JP was being lectured by his accountant for being too tight!]

March 25, 1898 Charles Parsons (tornado sufferer) to JP

(and President of State Bank of St. Louis)

thanking JP for "liberal donation"

April 1, 1898 Dumont Clarke (President, The American Exchange National Bank) to JP

...We had an order in the Exchange for 500 more of Western Union at 53; but from the advices received to-day ... the situation looks so warlike, that I have canceled the order and shall hold off for a day or two. ...

Of course, if war absolutely presents itself with itse uncertainties and horrors, business will be perturbed, the demands upon the banker will be great, and the risks correspondingly so. I view it with an intensity anything but invigorating. ...

...personally, I am frank to say that I am not humanitarian enough to wish this country to be plunged into war for the questionable idea that to free Cuba would the humanitarian one: but hold that it is absolutely contrary to the humanitarian and righteous view to believe that war will cure the evils that exist at present on that green isle.

Pardon this digression, and believe me as ever,

Warmly and sincerely yours,

Dumont Clarke

[this guy disagrees w/ JP regularly, in April 18 letter questions firing J.E. Whitely]

May 3, 1898 Dumont Clarke to JP

... Now that war is upon us, we are getting used to it, and the great victory obtained by Dewey has been accepted by our people as the beginning of the end. I hope it is so, and possibly, it is. ... Everybody is happy and chuckling in his sleeves to think what easy fruit the Spaniards are. [but he warned that this was too soon to tell]

[photocopy pending]

Sept. 19, 1898 E.W. Osborn [from P-D] to JP

If Steigers persists in his haughty, arrogant and domineering manner I'm quite sure that little if anything will be done. I'm endeavored to cooperate in every particular but it appears impossible, he acts like a small boy with some authority ... and embarasses me beyond measure .... He apparently is determined I shall not succeed.

Mr. Pulitzer, I dislike exceedingly to annoy you with my troubles but the angel Gabriel couldn't do business under these circumstances.

[December 1898 memo JP to John Norris, World Business Mgr.]

(COPY) ORIGINAL IN J.P. BOOK

(1) What is Steigers' precise value and success as business manager. Can he attend to all the office duties, circulation work, and advertising without neglecting either.

(2) What is White's precise value and activity. I think he is losing his head from vanity or conceit and I particularly want you to tell me who there is in the shop to take his place; or if not in the shop, then outside of it....

(3) What is the precise value of the Sunday cover and the colored supplies from New York....

(4) [Sunday stuff]

(5) Compare all circulation figures with last year, two and three years ago, and back to the reduction of price, Daily, Sunday, City and country, subdivided.

(7) See Schroers [Manager of Westliche Post] and find out precisely what is on his mind and what led him to write me that letter which I never answered. [letter Dec. 2, 1898 asked JP to sell or consolidate P-D with one of the English morning papers - why doesn't JP take it?]

(8) After you have had his full explanation and his proposition in detail (not before) you can drop him - dismiss him - simply saying that I had not intended to answer his letter as, in the light of his talk to Knapp, I was quite justified in refusing to do so ....

(10) Privately to you, I not only repeat this, but add that I would seel the paper, or a majority therof if I had a satisfactory offer. ... I am ready to sell the paper, though I prefer to dispose of it otherwise. While ready to consider any proposition to sell, I should prefer to have it consolidated with some other newspaper property if I had a guarantee of successful management, without a shadow of interference on my part.

Dec. 5, 1898 to JP

I want to thank you for your kind message. Through Mr. Woods, and especially for cheque and increase in my salary.

Sincerely,

W.E. Taylor

Dec. 29, 1898 John Taylor to JP

gave JP complete six-page legal size paper transcript of his conversation with Schroers of Westliche Post - involvement w/ details

Dec. 29, 1898 Norris to JP

[report on interview w/ Knapp about rumored P-D sale]

In telegraphing, I suggest we use the following code:-

Notes from Butler Library 15 March 1996

contained personal notebook of JP's with entire pages in shorthand

April 1, 1903 telegram JP to Ralph

Am mailing several letters of introduction and special letter from Secretary of State to ministers and consuls, talking place of and much better than ordinary passport. ... House here terribly noisy. I envy you trip. How are you? Answer promptly and exactly.

JP's telegram address in NYC was "Ralpho, New York"

April 3, 1903 one of secretaries? to Tuohy

Mr Pulitzer says don't let Overbeck some to London. All letters are fallacious and untrustworthy. I there is anything in Overbeck Mr Pulitzer might see him at Homburg but, of course, prior to that you can investigate his qualifications and record.

April 4, 1903 Tuohy to JP

In answer to your cable about Mr. Vogell, I forgot to tell you that since you left I saw the gentleman to whom he referred you for his character. He spoke in the highest terms of him.... As to his health it seems to me to be much stronger than when you saw him, although he had an attack of influenza about a month ago.... He says ... he has been practising some other old composers whose work he thinks will be novel and attractive to you....

ended w/ this April 1-3, 1903 folder

Notes from Butler Library 19 March 1996

undated Tuohy to JP

[JP refused to get painted by a Mr. Shannon who had seemingly written "objectionable passage" in letter to JP]

undated Dumont Clarke to JP

[add another "laurel" to career]

result may prove beneficial to yourself.

The original idea which you have promulgated in establishing a new department in Columbia College, is certainly worthy of your thoughtful and suggestive brain: unquestionably, the other colleges in the future will find it necessary to establish a branch of the same character, and it will eventually be as much a part of the general education to have a journalistic section, as it is to have scientific courses or branch of any other sort. ... The thought is worthy of you, my dear J.P., and in my view, will add another laurel to your already remarkable career.

undated M.J. Waxman to Jabez Duningham

[was writing this letter in park & JP rode by on horse]

I was startled and, before I knew it, I had sobbed out his name. He appeared for a moment to have caught the sound, though he was on the opposite side of the road. He drew in his reins in the very front of me, before dismounting. I felt like standing up then and there and beg for mercy--for mercy--for peace--for pardon--for salvation. Nothing definite--Only to be heard--to be spoken to as I long to be--to put an end to all this misery. But I respected his wishes. And may God help me.

undated M.J. Waxman to Alfred Butes

[asking for his last letter to JP to be returned unread]

I beg you to speak a word in my behalf. You must know that I am honest in the matter.

undated M.J. Waxman to JP

[weird letter that shows she is a fan of JP and has written him many letters, she is getting married?]

Mr. Macdona [man she wants to marry] has behaved outrageously towards you and very badly towards me. But I cannot help seeing excuses where he is concerned--and I hold that every man is entitled to be judged by his best moments.

undated notes mostly in shorthand

[note on Rodin]

what size--busts

[note to self to write N.M. Butler]

undated memo F.D. White to JP

Summarizing, the showing is that while the P-D leads the Republic and the G-D by over 2000 cols of advertising in the year's total, in the comparative gain of the year, the Republic led in local commants gains and the G-D led in Real Estate and foreign gains. ... The chief problem is that of circulation. I have been investigating this and working on some plans, but will not report on them until Monday.

undated letter signed only V.H. to JP

OUTLINE OF OBSERVATIONS MADE IN ST. LOUIS. [suggests writer was from NY]

[antiquated headline type, poor knowledge of make-up, overwriting w/ flowery speech]

[reported on THE OFFICE METHODS, including hours kept by editors and reporters, noted that they had limited staff and needed five more reporters--JP circled that in pencil]

THE MEN

John is the best man on the newspaper. His head is always level, he is tactful, earnest without being a bore, corageous [sp], has a good sence [sp] of humor, and quick to appreciate the value of news.

Dunlap is a ... fair judge of news .... He is inclined to be too conservative, which I think comes from a disinclination to hurt any body's feelings.

Bovard Jr. ... He is resourceful and suggestive. ...

Bovard Sr. [good recommendation]

Hart, who was brought from New York ... appears to be out of his element. So far as I could observe, his limitations are such that he is not deserving of any executive position.

Gorse ... appears to lack suggestiveness.

Murphy [decent recommendation]

[CIRCULATION suggested expanding outside the city]

page from Printer's Ink book or magazine on St. Louis Chronicle

undated Edith to JP

The Misses Dinton's School

Ridgefield, Connecticut

I don't understand why you said you hoped I'd write more regulary. [sic] I have I believe written once every week without exception. I am extremely sorry if you are dissatisfied ....

Cable JP to Tuohy (in London)

Much prefer cottage or detached house. But if certain my bedroom absolutely quiet engage whatever cost.

Jan 2, 1903 D.W. Woods (from St. Louis) to JP

The list of stockholders as shown onl the records is

Jos Pulitzer 9164 shares

Mrs Pulitzer 800

Chris Parsons 28

Ralph Pulitzer 4

D.W. Woods 1

J.A. Judson 1

W.E. Taylor 1

1,000

Do you want the Judson share as remain? [?] I will enter the Dividend on the Books under date Jan 2d 1903 unless you order a Directors Meeting + formally declare same. ...

cable Jan. 3, 1903 Johns (St. Louis) to JP (Lakewood, NJ)

DON ['T] THINK POSSIBLE TO USE VEST HE SAYS "UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WOULD I RETURN TO SENATE" FRIENDS SAY RESOLUTION UNSHAKEABLE [who is vest, who is john who writes cable?]

cable Jan. 3, 1903 D.W. Woods (St. Louis) to JP (Lakewood)

Ttiel estimate two forty five thouseand we have not exact cost of paper freight difference not decided grasping mustard this year three fifty seven thousand and twenty-eight - last year two ninety six thousand six fifty six. Medal mustard this year two sevety five thousand three hundred nineteen last year two fifty six thousand nine hundred four answer white paper question soon as rate fixed

Jan 4, 1903 JP to Clarke (his banker)

[JP's obsession w/ detail]

[apologies for not sending Christmas greetings because had cold for a week] ... I have just had read to me your letter of the 30th Dec. and notice the postscript, in which you say your security for thee 25 thousand is "the various stocks". What, exactly, does this word: "various" mean?

Cable Jan 5, 1903 D.W. Woods to JP (Lakewood)

Limb 20,000; let 600; legate 93; liking 17,000; leprosy 300; lasso 59; light 14,000; lent 200; lame 27; ligation 13,000; let 600; lease 84; liberalize 6,000; lesion 400; laterally 66; lexicology 3,000; let 600; laugh 74; ludicious 100,000; ludicious 100,000; liable 3,500

Cable Jan 5, 1903 D.W. Woods to JP

Semaphore bank balance little 44,000

Cable Jan 7, 1903 Johns to JP

Caucus expected tomorrow "thursday" night but not announced. Havent had dealings with a politician in [???] state and no communication except with two men concerning Vests attitude of which I wrote Nothing was done in the matter men have only done news or digging work, only chance I can see now is sudden stampede. We print today with some final facts about Stone, tribute to Vest from his senatorial associates suggesting he ought to stay in senate.

Jan 8, 1903 F.D.W. to JP

I saw Murphy again to-day. I believe he is the best of the Sunday talent available. He has the proposition under consideration with his wife to-night. He will report to-morrow.

I had a further talk with Wells on the line of to-day's message. He would go cheerfully [to St. Louis] for a month or five weeks, on two weeks notice.

I have canvassed the news-men and I believe that the best man is Hart, now on the early morning trick on the Evening. He could be spared. He is a man of Herald training. Chapin endorses him as having the qualities required. I will have a talk with him to-morrow morning.

Cable Jan 8, 1903 Steigers to JP

[short telegram that shows JP demanded employees defend their decisions]

Semaphore will send you reasons for our actions.

Steigers

undated Jan. 1903 letter Steigers to JP

[JP would often contradict himself by being so hands-on, as this letter illustrates. Employees often brought contradictions to his attention.]

... At the start of 1902, Mr. White said it was your wish that we should discontinute the comparative statements of commercial advertising and confine ourselves to the figures for circulation and wants. ... Your telegram to "show lead in advertising, wants, and columns all right, especially hundred thousand lead in wants" changes the situation and I will therefore in future do as you instruct.

Jan 10, 1903 [probably Steigers] to JP

[JP gave honest circulation figures, deducting the papers that got returned or were unaccounted for]

... We invite investigation and several large patrons as well as the representative of the "Association of American Advertisers", have gone through our circulation books and complimented me on presenting the nearest approach, in our public statements, to the actual paid circulation of the newspaper, of any paper they have ever examined.

March 28, 1903 G.S. Johns to JP

I enclose some leading editorials and paragraphs of this week because I think you will be especially interested in them, as they bear upon your instructions to me. I have tried ever since my return at least one editorial a day, of special interest and importance, which would jar the public, and I believe this series comes closer to the mark than any other successive list. They were along the line of courage and absolute independence you suggested, and have created a great deal of talk and public interest.

March 29, 1903 JP to Blythe

My son Ralph ... sails on the 4th of April for Japan. ...I wonder whether you could not use a little energy to get a passport for him, or, if the official red tape is too much, some special letter of introduction, which I could mail, or if you know the right men, some private letter of introduction to our minister or ambassador ... in Tokyo, or some other letter that might be of use to him.

I hate to ask for favors, as you know, least of all from officials, but, if your relations are pleasant, you might give a hint to Secretary Hay.

[JP had sent letter to Ralph a month ago telling him not to bother with a passport since special letters of introduction worked much better. Not quite living up to his ideals!]

Butler to World, January 18, 1909

The Publishers of the New York World

Pulitzer Building

New York

World sent copies of World from 1880 to date

for students to use

". . . I write to tender to you an expression of the thanks of the University for this valuable gift, which . . . will be very useful for our students of contemporary history and politics."

Butler to Seitz, February 17, 1920

thanking Seitz for photograph of Sargent portrait of Pulitzer

Butler said will hang in journalism building

undated to Seitz

saying that journalism school appropriate monument to JP

very difficult to read

this guy seems like such a mooch

asks Seitz to send him daily & Sunday Worlds every May

interesting postcard w/ J.P. holding printing press in hand

undated envelope

material below was scrawled across envelope:

Mr Seitz from JP.

Attend to this at once with Grenade [John H. Tenant]

undated from Ralph Pulitzer to Seitz

The painstaking way in which you have d?? out the forgotten di???? [diaries, dictates?] of his Car[??] years and the discrimination with which you have selected the prose characteristic and stimulating of his letters are alike admirable.

Thwaites to Seitz, copy of letter below:

S.Y.Liberty

Naples. Jan. 30. 1911

Dear Mr. Seitz:-

I have not brought to Mr Andes' attention the letters from Villard and McBride nor the pamphlet just to hand you send which was apparently gotten out by Greyhound [Tammany Hall]. Ralph agrees that at this time it would serve no good purpose. If you think it essential Andes should know about it let me know.

Mr. P. says dont [sic] bother to sent the Triweekly figure when cabling the Sacrifice or Sadden figures.

We have had a delightful trip to Greece and the presence of Mr and Mrs Ralph have made things pleasanter than usual. We visited Ajaccio, Messina, Syracuse, Patras, Corinth, Aegina, Piraeus, Athens, Olympia, Catakola and Naples. At every place most of the party got ashore and did things thoroughly.

We have all admired your verses very much. I hope when you bring out your new volume of poems you will be so kind as to give me an autograph copy for my collection of authors I have known.

With best wishes.

yours always sincerely,

Norman G. Thwaites

Wanamaker, Philadelphia, to Seitz, New York, October 16, 1909

"If it is within the lines of your good judgement to give me an approximation of the circulation of the "Evening World" in Brooklyn I will be much obliged, and you may help me decide a question. I will take no offense if you do not give me this information."

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