The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-06
O B I T q A B Y.
Moran Bates.


From Detroit, Mich. we have particulars of the
death OF Morgan Bates ex Lieutenant Governor Of
Michigan and q veteran editor and publisher,
which event occurred at Grand Traverse, in the
above named State, on Monday, ID inst.
Mr.. Bates was sixty -eight years OF age at the
moment of his decease. He was born in Warren
county. New York, and served his apprenticeship
printer at Sandy Hill. Warren county. in an
Office owned by the father of Judge Emmons OF
the United States Circuit Court. At the age of
nineteen years he became the proprietor of
small paper published at Warren, Pa, which he
maintained Tor several years.
The Detroit Post supplies che following interest
ing "reminiscences OF Mr.. Bates business life aud
OF his political and official experiences when
horace Greeley went TO New York and got into
business there ne became ACQUAINTED with and
soon formed friendship for Morgan Bates, which
ieS started the N,S yorhe IN ss Nh R aats Sr S
came one OF the workmen thereon. He continued
In Mr.. Greeley's employ from 1894 till 1887, when
old Detroit Advertiser Office aud then went into
partnership with william Harsha, in the book
wn ceCree ssss
the present proprietor OF the Albany Journal
The two purchased the Detroit ADVERTISER.
success. In l84l Dawson retired and Bates became
sole proprietor. In iS43 he sold out and retired
from the business with what, for those times. was
o handsome competency. Being an ardent and
very ssnguine wing politician he could not let
politics alone and IN 1874 he oct very heavily
upon the result OF the Presidential election, aud
became so embarrassed as to speedily lose all ais
property. In lS4S he went back to New York. and
New York tribune, with his old friend Greeley.
In 1S49, when the California gold hunting excite
ment was at its first height he borrowed money Of
fortune. For this lean he gave Mr.. Greeley mort
gage on forty acres OF land In Michigan, owned by
man, sold this land at AL oss, though 1t pres
entity became worth more than the mortgage.
While In California Mr. Bates purchased, on credit,
the Alta Californian. which was not then making
money. In his hands IL did not succeed any better.
California was peculiar country and required Pc
culiar Journalism. Until race Of young and Pc
culiarly gifted Journalists sprung up, who threw
aside the old rules and vlade California Journalism
nOurish though it has since grown to great
proportions; In abVut year Mr.. Bates
1sI, he the 0e to his creditors; and
means. In 1883 he ssayed California again, but
his prospects OF sau ess not appearing good he re-
clerk In the oflics OF the Auditor General under
whitney Jones, In which position he remained
ABOUT ,," year; no then purchased q small printing
established the Grand Traverse Herald, now
nourisning looF nal In 1851 he was appointed BY
Land once AT Grand Traverse which Office
nee ne contlnueo to hold until his death. In
ssate, oerng reelected in 1870, and serving two
terms There was, at she time of his first cleo
ZION, dispute as to whether he could hold
Inc once and continue to also hold the office OF
Register O the Land ONCE, under the United
States. but our state constitution only fOrbids
members Of the Legislature to hold National
omces, and 1t was decided that the Lieutenant
Governor does not lall within the prohibition.
the hs Of Morgan Bates as VIII be seen BY this
had AFFAIR faculty for acquiring property, but not
so gof,d faculty Tor keeping 1t. He died. however,
IN possession Of fair competence as we IN
formed, He was man who had many friends,
amoyAg them number distinguished In politics and
10 business. HIS death Will be sincerely regretted
~ all classes of people OF the state. bY whom he
Was highly respected and esteemad.i