1912 'big apple' seems to mean 'very important person'

[Cohen, Gerald Leonard]

   This is a detail in the "big apple" picture. ---

In a 6/3/20007 message Barry Popik mentioned Charles Siringo's 1912 book _A Cowboy Detective_, which on page 468 contains the quote: 'Look out boys, little apples always go to the bottom of the barrel!" Of course this put himself in the big apple class, which caused a roar of laughter.'

    I obtained the book for the full quote, which was spoken by President Teddy Roosevelt. By contrasting himself with the little apples who go to the bottom of the barrel (i.e., the children who were at risk of falling from the train), he was a big apple (i.e., very important person). I'm not sure this is hilarious, but I guess you had to be there.

     Here's a fuller version of the "big apple" quote:
p. 467: 'President Roosevelt...was returning to Washington from his noted bear hunt.  He made a short speech from the rear of his private car. ...
p. 468: 'While making his heart-to-heart-talk to the great audience, the President showed his regard for the safety of others, and also the activity of his massive brain.
    'On the rear end of the coach dozens of children were hanging.  The engine backed up to the train and the jolt knocked some of these "kids" off onto the track where they would be been run over had the coach moved a few feet further.  With outstretched arms ready for action, the President sprang forward and grabbed at some of the urchins who were still hanging onto the car.  The coach came to a standstill before any damage had been done, and quicker than a flash the President's whole countenance changed, and with a smile he said: "Look out boys, little apples always go to the bottom of the barrel!"
    'Of coure this put himself in the big apple class, which caused a roar of laughter.  But the point which struck me forcibly was the quick action of both thought and speech.'

Gerald Cohen
P.S. In William Page's 1927 book _Behind the Curtains of the Broadway Beauty Trust_, the "Big Apple" quote is on p. 139, not p. 189.

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