Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-02-01
DAILY 9iennrtre Sourmal,
GEORGE DENISON PRENTICE.

fTEOHUL M &NfpS%N AL ~ Cf>'
The above-named veteran journalist and
wit died on Saturday last, at Louisville, aged
sc years, after an illness of but one week, al
though he had been in feeble health for more
than year past.
Mr.. Prentice was born at Preston, Conn
and educated at Brown University. r. l.,
where he graduated in 1928. After being prin-
cipal of a high school at Hartford for some
time, he commenced the study of law, but
finding it uncongena to his tastes, which
were strongly literary, he abandoned 1t for the
profession of journalism. In 1928 he became
one of the editors of the New England W eek
ly Review, being associated with John u
Whittier. After remaining on the staff OF TINS
paper for over two years, he removed 10
Louisville, Kentucky, where he estaoiisneo
the Louisville Journal, and with which ne mas
ever since been identified as writer, ana up
to a short time ago as proprietor. MS aoliiE
as a writer and the sarcasm and personal
rancor of his articles, at once made Tor the
journal a national reputation.
He early identified himself with the Wing
party, and was warm admlrer OF Henry
CLAY. with whom he held intimate personal
relations. At the inception of the Know \ 10Th
ing movement he warmly espoused the party,
and continued up to 1860 to advocate its prln-
ciples. On the breaking out of the rebellion,
he at once took strong ground In favor OF the
Union, and contributed greatly to the reten-
ton of Kentucky among the loyal States
Since the close of the war he, or at least the
Journal. has been strongly rebel, advocating
the unconditional admission of the Southern
States.
As an editorial writer Mr.. Prentice depend
ed less upon solid augmentation than upon
sarcasm and personal vituperation. His at
lacks upon rival editors were conspicuous for
their breadth of invective, and involved him
in many bitter feuds and personal encounters.
The following anecdotes of him serve well to
illustrate this character of his writings
ssReuben Durrett was editor of the Louis
vile Courier, the principal local opponent of
the Journal, in 1858, and kept sly paragraph
in its columns for several days, intimating
that Mr. Prentice while '.under cloud"
had fallen from gang plank of steamboat
into the water. Mr.. Prentice was intensely
aggravated by this little paragraph. He did
not deny its truth. 1t might have been true,
but 1t was certainly no less Objectionable on
that account Probably he felt that even his
great command of language would not permit
him to do justice to the subject. He simply
announced that if the paragraph appeared
again he would hold the editor personally re-
sponsible. Of course, the paragraph appeared
next morning. Mr.. Prentice Immediately
received two shots in return, the police inter
fered, honor was satisfied, the paragraph was
.'canceied.'' and each editor had ball ex-
tracted from under his hide
William Z. Hughes, another rival editor,
sent his beligerent card up to Mr. Prentice
during popular excitement, and received the
following reply Tell Mr.. Hughes that will
be down as soon as | load my pistols.
Hughes however, unwilling to give his enemy
every advantage of ground and preparation,
withdrew in haste.
Prentice accepted Kentucky civilization
with true Yankee grit, and fought his way in
side of it. Once man met him on the side
walk and fired deliberately at his heart.
Prentice knocked him down and put his foot
on him. Get up.' he said, II don't care to
kill you" They met again. years afterwards,
at a Kentucky watering-place; the assallant
was dying of consumption, and he came up,
a coughing spectre, and thanked Prentice Tor
his life
Outside of his newspaper, Mr.. Prentice
wrote many things upon which it were better
10 build his fame than his personal attacks
upon private and public men. All OF his
poems are characterized by true poetic feel
ing, and illustrate mans noblest passions.
No work containing all of them has ever been
published, though several have appeared in
literary publications.
In person Mr.. Prentice was short but stout, |
with a round face and well-cut features. His
right arm was partially paralyzed, ana he was
compelled to employ an amanuensis. He
married Miss Henrietta Benham, sister of
the Calhoun Benham, who figured as seeoud
in the Terry Broderick duel, and had two
sons.