Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-07-27
THE GAZETTE.
TUESDAY MORNING, JULY 81, 1858
TIFF LATE WILLIAM I. PORTER.

THE LATE WILLIAM I. Porter.
William I. Porter, editor OF Porter's Spirit
Of the Times, died at % o'clock Yesterday
morning, at his residence, No, 81 Blocker
street. lie was SO years Of age at his death.
For months past, he has been failing. but be
continued to perform bis duties On P1rter's
Shirt of the Times until Thursday last,
when he took violent cold, which obliged
him to take to bis bed from which be never
arose. He continued to sink from Friday
morning, until he passed quietly into death.
His last words were 81 want to 90 home. -
Mr.. Wilkes, his partner, was with him du-
ring bis sickness and at his death.
Few men pursuing a quiet literary life
were better known than Mr.. Porter, and few
had more warm personal friends In all parts
of the country, or possessed more VIDE
spread popularity. lie was born IN North
eastern Vermont. When he had completed
his studies he was employed for some time as
a teacher, which profession he Discontinued
to become practical printer. When be had
learned bis business, he car" to this city and
was soon promoted to the position Of fore
man aud proof reader. At the BEGINNING of
7.
Young printer, Mr.. James Howe, now OF In.
diana, began the publication of The Spirit
of the Times. weekly paper, devoted to
sporting news and literature. The paper
bad for years no rival, and attained salts
factory patronage. lie continued IN this
connection until the year 1856 when, having
previously sold out his interest, he, IL connec-
ton with Mr. George Wilkes, began the put
LEGATION of Porter's Spirit If the Times, IN
rivalry with his old Journal, aud has contn-
ued editor of Porter's Spirit since. till his
death.
Mr.. Porter was a mau Of fine personal APP
pearance. Over six feet high, with excellent
proportions, and comely features, bis appear
ance was one that would be apt to make an
impression upon all who saw him. lie was
generous to 6 fault, polite and courteous IN
bis manners, and upon all matters connected
with the turf and sporting subjects high
authority. lie was free liver, anu bis ex-
oesses 10 this regard probably FASTENED his
death. Mr.. Porter was never married.
His only near relation living, is Mrs. Brin'
ley, wife of Hon. Francis Brinley, OF Kings,
bury, Conn.,, lady of superior mind, and
an able writer, with the children of her dc,
ceased brother Benjamin. His brother, Or.
Il. 0. Porter, was an able teacher and sue
cessful writer, and about fourteen years since
commenced, in connection with n. L. Willis,
the publication of q weekly paper called The
Corsair. He died several years since
George Porter, another brother, was also
we'll known writer. and was connected with
the Spirit of the Times for several years.
He ceased his connection with the paper,
however, to assume position on The New
Orleans Picayune, where be died iu ISL
The youngest brother. Frank, also writer
in The Spirit, succeeded George in The Pi
cayune, but HE health failing, he went t(
Europe in hopes to recuperatc; not succeed
ing, he returned to New Orleans and died.
William was the last survivor of FIVE brother:
known to us and to the reading public two
of them older and two of them Younger thar
himself-NeU York Tribune.