New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-05-01
OBITUARY.
THE HON. JAMES BROOKS.

health from as himself frequently said the effects OF
fever which he contracted In Asia His ath created
profound sorrow In all circles Of the community the
| capital.
Mr. BrooI,s whose career invested with interest as
| selfmase man. an editor and politician, born in
Portland Maine, November 10, 1910. His father a
captain and principal owner OF brig in the merchant
service His seafaring life kept him almost constantly
J from home hence his left to the sole OF a
mother who from her energy and excellence charac-
ter was well lifted the responsible duty. While James
was vet child. the vessel which his father commanded
was lost at sea with all board BY this calamity Mrs.
Brooks was made widow and left penniess for all the
property of the husband invested in the vessel The
widow now left the sole supported herself three
1 orphan children. excrted herself with great
/ energy TO maintain her family. James was
sent TO the public school, where he studied
eagerly and exhibited remarkable thirst for knowledge
When eleven years old situation was obtained for him
in n store in Lewiston, then frontier village on the
AndroscoCgn. BY contract with his employer be was
TO remain In his service until he was a. when he should
receive a hogshead OF New ENGLAND The store in
which young Brooks employed a favOrte
Of the village politicians of both parties, who came in
tie evening 10 hear the young clerk read the He
gave them politics quite imparallv reading Wing doc
trines from The Portland Advertiser and throwing in
fair proportion of Democracy from The Argus. The
town library kept in the store in which young
Brooks employed, and this afforded him free and
wide range Of attractive reading.
The employer Of yOung Brooks took O great interest
in his young clerk lie gave him opportunities Of trad
ing a little on his account and encouraged him to
save his money. Having discovered that James was
DESTROYS of obtaining education. he kindly proposed
70 release him from all obligations Of further service,
and give him such assistance as no needed. Young
Brooks gratefully accepted the offer, and in few days
made arrangements 10 enter the Academy Monmouth,
Me. He had saved money enough to pay the moderate
price OF 81 week for board Blessed with good health
and devoing himself TO hard study, he soon accom-
plshed the purpose Of fitting himself for teaching
school. He then returned to Lewiston and
taught school for the Winter at SAL
airy OF $40 a month and his board. The
following Spring he found himself rich enough 70 enter
Waerville College where, after three years study,
during which he supported himself by teaching he was
graduated. He then returned to Portland, where he
ceived charge Of a Latin school, and after began
the study Of the law with John Neal a celebrated
lawyer Of Portland and well known an author. This
gentleman manifested great interest IN his student,
who no doubt. obtained quite much literary knowl-
edge from the author legal instruction from the
lawyer. Mr. Brooks soon after began TO
write anonymous letters for The Portland Ad-
perfiSer a daily Wing paper published by
John Edwards These articles popular
that Mr. Edwards their author and made him
an offer $500 year write constantly for bis Journal
This work Mr.. Brooks continued for an entire year,
keeping school and studying law at the same time At
part editor Of a leading partisan newspaper and had
taken sides against Gen. Jackson. This rendered H i'm
possible for him perform the duties OF teacher 20 his
own satisfaction aud from that time he devoted himself
wholly 70 The Advertiser entering heart and soul into
political life.
At this time though only 20 years OF ace Mr. Brooks
began 10 attract attention political speaker and
soon became one Of the popular orators known TO
either party. The year he was d. Mr.. Brooks was
elected 10 the Legislature Of Maine The next year he
went 20 Washington. and began series OF letters from
the national capital The Adpertiser, thus introducing
washington Correspondence" which has become a
feature in the American press. These letters being
novelty and full Of spirited description were extern
sively copied borh in this country and in Europe.
When gress adjourned. Mr. Brooks Travelled through
the South and a OF interesting letters de-
scriptive Of Southern life. This was in tho days
Of South Cardinals notification, against which
these letters were trenchalt and severe. The
writer dealt with Slavery also, taking strong grounds
against Il. The OF Mr.. BroOks's letters from
Washington and the South induced him TO form tho
novel Of travelling over Europe on foot and send
ing to The Advertiser descriptions Of what he saw With
kuapsack on his back, and letters II Introduction from
the rst men Of America in his pocket he rlve ed over
England and made himself familiar with its people.
One day he dned with nObleman, and the next
walked 30 miles and slept in the thatched cottage OF
peasant. lie wandered the hills Of Scotland,
and among the green fields OF Ireland seeing every
thing and describing Win YlVaclty AZ ne Saw nc De-
came acquainted with most OF the great statesmen and
authors OF England. From England Mr. Brooks went 70
France he crossed the Alps foot, and made himself
familiar with Switzerland, Italy, and portions OF Ger
many The letters written during these travels at
tracted great attention, and we're copied ana Trans
lated everywhere. When Mr.. Brooks returned
N America he remained weeks in
Nev-York. and here offers made him TO
establish daily paper be called The NeC York Express
Parties here proposed furnish the capital which was
10 offset the labor and talent which Brooks should
supply as editor The people OF Portland. being reiuc-
tant 10 part with young man OF so much PROMISE
offered TO nominate him for Congress he would return
20 them. He accordingly went to Portland ana
I became candidate against +. o. j. SMIlh'
vorv popoular on the Democratic side, ana
a third candidate whose name was Dunn The district
had for years been Dem ocratic stronghold and II was
only nv Dunn Withdrawing that Smith was elected by
hare majority Mr. Brooks after returned 70 MS
incomplete enterprise York, and that year estao-
lished The Express disappointment met him at the
outset Persons had promised to supply the funds
Of the new ENTERPRISE failed meet their engagements
and II was by the greatest labor and personal prvatlon
that he struggled under the load OF debt laid on him from
the first But he had health and strength and hat IN
domitable energy which nothing Iaunts or ~
wrote leaders acted reporter watched nght aiter
night for the arrival Of ship news ana Kept MS IOrnal
up with an energy WHICH INC puOi40 sooN ''e1 " '
nize. -, - -, MI. . y,..,;.,-
unfinished l,y William Townsend, consolidated win
The Express Gradually but surely, the 1ouIpat ,S q
R Rr19S bo became popular with the wei
b1TnG The memorable campaign OF 1910 Mr.; Brooks
went 70 Indiana and stumped that state lor HARRISON
He became great favOrito aud deV9leu ignu ~ -
rsOn, and one OF the Few IlehuA uun4''e" " H'
Tn te simmer of 1871 Mr. Brooks married TO Mrs
MARY Randolph, a widow LADY OF Richmond va. snSn
was his dislike OF Slavery that he insisted that tue
emancipation OF three or four household slaves oe's
ing her should precede the marriage eereOnf ,s,o
In lBi7 Mr. Brooks elected 10 the STATE Legisa-