The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-01-22
Arthur Shirley.


leading Federal newspaper in the State. For
twenty years of stirring times he was eonnec-
ted with that paper he has lived through all
she changes of political parties 10 Maine ana
with an impulsive temperament he pore
his fnl part in upholding the banners oil the
Federal. the National Republican and the
wing parties. until his feeble arms yielded to
the steady invasion of time aud disease. After
). busy life of 81 years, he has put his armor
of, and sleeps we'll" He died yesterday
Time had nothing further for him to do. and
infirmities had reconciled him to leave world
of suffering, for one on which he has long set
his affections, and which he was anxious to
reach and enjoy.
Mr.. Shirley was born in Fryeburg Sept. 10,
1882, and first came to Portland as an appren-
tlce In the Gazette Office in 1893 at the age OF
II. The paper was then published by Eleazer
A. jerks, in wooden building which stood
just above where the Canal Bank building now
stands it was afterwards moved to Fish, now
Exchange street, to wooden building which
stood on the spot now occupied by the Ocean
Insurance Co. After completing his appren-
ticeship, he formed partnership in the prin-
ting business with VIM. jerks, !jr, brother of
the publisher of the Gazette, and did business
in the store under the Gazette office.
Not being satisfied with his prospects here,
he went to Boston and New York, to see If he
could better his condition, and remained
there until Isaac Adams, a man of talents and
education, purchased the Gazette and COM
menced its publication. He invited Mr..
Shirley to take charge of the Office as prac-
fical printer and he then entered upon the ca
reer which was the business of his life. Mr..
Adams came here rs teacher of the Gram
mar school in 1907 in 1902 he opened book
store in Jones row Exchange street; purchas-
ed the Gazette in 1905 and ably managed it
offices both municipal and state with integrity
and ability, he died in 1894, the first President
Of the Merchants Bank.
Mr.. Shirley on the retirement OF Mr.. Adams
became the sole proprietor and manager of
the paper, and employed writers to assist him
in the editorial department. 1t was while Mr..
Shirley was thus connected with the Gazette
that il became the medium of the commune
cations of the wits Of the town. IL was here
that James Savage, then student at law
with Judge Parker, now the venerable hsto
1ian in Boston, VIM. Il. Sewall, Vim. Freeman,
DIR. Payson and Sam'l ID. Freeman heshed
their maiden swords In literature over the
eignatureo of "Pilgrim !" the s.Prowler" followed
as did Charles S. Davies, Nath'l Deering, n.
Carter, N. Wright. who Illuminated the old
Gazette with their brilliant essays on the cur
rent and interesting topics of the times. No
period OF this paper or its successors, under
Various names. hasr ever s=vs.ieis~a more
kens of vitality and genius than did Mr.. Shir-
ley's during the first quarter Of the present
century.
Mr.. Shirley sold his paper to Paine and
Woodbury. in 1924, and gracefully took leave Of
the public which he had 30 long and faith
fully served. The paper then assumed new
name, and as the "Portlaud Advertiser has
passed, in the last forty years, through a varl-
ETY. of hands, Of principles and Engagement,
In which the venerable man whose death we
record could not always sympathize. Jacob
Hill, VIM. b. Sewall the Edwards'sJ. M. Ger
IRISH, Carter, and J. NJ. Wood may be said to
be among its proprietors OF later times.
After retiring from the cares and anxieties
of a largely circulating political newspaper,
Mr.. Shirley continued the printing business
as jobber and book publisher for several
years, until age and infirmity admonished him
that he must cast upon younger shoulders the
burden Of liie's active duties. He was gradu-
ally losing his eyesght, and for many years
has been entirely blind. But under this priv
alton his cheerfulness did not forsake him, and
in his frequent walks through our streets and
in his accustomed haunts, he always had a
kind word to say, and was ever ready to
bring out from his ample store house the rem
iniscences of the long by-gone time relating
TO his paper, its contributors, and the village
Of Portland sixty years ago, when its 4 or s.
600 Inhabitants were all known to one another,
and there was no foreign element mixed with
its population.
Mr.. Shirley was a thoroughly honest and
conscientious man; he was plain in speech,
and at times abrupt: but he never intention
ally wounded the feelings of his friends or
acquaintances: although IL must be admitted
that in high party times, during the non-inter-
course, the embargo, and the war of 1912, he
did say, or permit in his paper to be said,
many very hard and sharp words of his polit-
ical opponents to whom he did not feel like
showing any favor. But with all this, which
he considered in manner part OF his duty as
good citizen, he was sound, kind, genial
and true man, who was continually guided in
his conduct by moral principle. In latter
years his life has been calm and unrufiled, and
gradually preparing for fitting close of the
tumults and cares which agitate the current
of human existence. We do not doubt that
he has found the rest which he desired and is
promised to the faithful and the just.
Death. the poor mans dearest frierd
The kindest and the best.
Welcome the hour my aged limb,
Are laid with thee rest,
W.
GEySHEPLEy.-The Press and Argus. some