The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-06
THE DEATH OF JAMES GORDON BENNETT.
Translated from rEco d'Italia.l

The reformer OF modern American journalism,
Mr.. James Gordon Bennett, editor and proprietor of
the NEW YORK HERALD Is no more. He died in this
city on Saturday last, in the seventy year
of his age. Forewarned that the disease which had
attacked him was incurablc in spite OF the inces
SAINT attention of the most skilful physicians and
seeing the supreme hour approaching rapidly, he
invited Archbishop McCloskey to administer to
him the last comforts Of the catholic religion, in
which he was born had lived and wished to die.
Mr.. James Gordon Bennett belonged to the Sc lect
band OF selrmade men. Not alone was he the
creator of huge fortune but that which ought to
turn to his praise and obtain for him the eternal
and grateful remembrance Of the American peo-
pc-the reformer of the journalism of this country.
Long before the railway and telegraph were in
general usc the Atlantic cable had joined the old
and new Continents, the deceased journalist sur
passed every other newspaper man in procuring
and giving TO his readers recent news or
public interest. Since the improved systems
Of communication have come into use he
has always been in the advance guard and
far beyond all his competitors in enterprise.
No fatigue expense was spared in order that the
HERALD should preserve that primacy which none
has ever successfully disputed with It, and which
has made 1t and maintains it useful--almost in
dIspensable-tOurnal.
During the war between France and Germany
Mr.. Bennett required his correspondents in both
camps to transmit their reports by telegraph and
when the English army penetrated into Abyssinia
the HERALD received by telegraph from that dis
tant country, much before the British government,
the news OF the victory gained by the invading
army; and lately Mr.. Bennett sent, ut his own ex-
pense an expedition in search of the English
traveller, DIR. Livingstone whose where
abouts was unknown and who was believed
TO be dead Mr.. Bennett was born In the little city
of Keith, in Scotland. When young man. without
friends or money ne emigrated to this country
AMI on his arrival found himself without the where,
with 10 purchase a loaf of bread. But in compen.
stancy, with tenacity in his undertakings and an
ass iduity in his work truly extraordinary. Many
daring undertakings that people looked upon as
Utopian succeeded through his aid ana concur
renee. II was on the 9th OF Nav, 1885, that Ne pub
lished the first number Of his loved Herald. The
colossal sheet OF to-day first the light in cellar
at 20 Wall street, written, edited and administered
by Mr. Bennett alone, aided in the mechanical
department by tive compositors and one pressman.
From its birth and for months IL had to strug-
gle against the want OF capital TO fight
against all the existing journals which had con-
spred to refuse all advertisements that appeared
in the HERALD. This disloyal war, which would
have discouraged any other journalist, only in
spired in Mr.. Bennett new vigor and determination
to persevere In his arduous undertaking, without
caring tn shield himself from the peridiOus attacks
Of writer's or politicians. .tsF4.sssts..x1
After more than years existence Mr.. Bennett
wr0te:-"rhe success OF the HERALD has surprised
myself began with $500 as capital; was burned
out twice. was once robbed, was opposed, caum-
Mated threatened, and behold me at the end of
fifteen months with material worth nearly five
thousand dollars, almost entirely paid for.u
The fortune which he leaves is immense, the
HERALD alone being worth many millions.