Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-09-01
John y. SayWArd.

The sad and sudden INTEL gence was received
in this city, yesterday, Of the death in Bedford
Mass on Monday, of JOHN S. SAYwARD, Esq.
formerly one of the editors and proprietors of the
Kennebec journal. His friends here had not re-
ceived any intelligence of his Illness, and were
little prepared for the melancholy news ofhis death
The life that has just closed at the age of IS
years. has been an industrious and useful ono
Trained in early life to master of the trades,
he fitted himself for That perfectly, as he did for
every great undertaking Of his life. Deprived OF
many Of the educational helps that now lie in the
pathway Of every enterprising young man, he
was an assiduous reader of whatever books came
to his hand and close and interested observer Of
political, relig ous and social events Having q
natural aptitude for the profession, a well bal
anced mind, and sterling common sense, Mr. Say
ward left the trade which he had learned and ven
tured forth upon the uncertain sea Of newspaper
dom. Forming a CO partnership with Mr.. J
A. Smith of Bangor, he became one of the pub
fishers Of the Bangor Wing and Courier, since
owned by Wheeler 4 Lynde, and now by Boutelle
& Burr.
For nearly twenty years Mr.. Sayward was cdi-
tor of the Wing, and struck the keynote of 1t;
political faith, making the paper power thai
was felt in the politics of Eastern Maine. But i,
was also in the material development Of the local
ity in which he lived and of Penobscot county in
particular, that his influence was felt. He delight
ed in Bangor especially, the Queen City Of the
East" and for her political, religious, social moral
and religious progress he labored with the heart
of Christian, and the ready hand of helper
In 1854. Messrs. Smith & Sayward sold the Wing
to Messrs. Wheeler & Lynde, Mr.. Sayward retir
ing from active service, to enjoy the fruits of hi
labors, having accumulated competency. Bu
he was yet too young and active to retire perma
nently from business, and in about three years we
lind him in the harness again. amid the cares and
perplexities of newspaper life. Removing to Au
gusta he purchased one-half of the Kennebet
Journal establishment, and became associated il
| the publishing and editing Of the paper with Hon
John l.. Stevens. This relation begun on thu
l4th of October, 1857, and continued until the lStl
of May, 1865, nearly eleven years. Advancing
age admonished him that cessation from activ,
duties would be a prudential measure, and so
sundering the many pleasant social and business
relations that he had formed here, he quit thu
rural town of Bedford, Mass, where he spent thu
few last years Of his life, beloved and respected
by ALL OF his labors on the Journal we need no
speak at length, as they are familiar to all oul
readers, for whose instruction, information and
entertainment they were so long enlisted. Deeply
interested in agricultural and horticultural pur
suits. Nj. Sayward had full play for all his powers
and made his little farm in Bedford, model in it
way, finding much pleasure in adding to the attrac
tions Of his home, and the value of his farm aat
stock. His family was the centre of his earthly
joys and aspirations, and to that charmed spot hi
footsteps always tended with the greatest pleasure
His cstimablc wife survives him. Mr.. Say
ward leaves two daughters, one the wife Of Capt
E. c. Pierce, formerly of this city, and the Other
the wife of Maj. Fred Gilbreth. ~
Mr.. Sayward was an editor Of readiness, tact
and ability, and a gentleman of refined taste, no
bic and kind hearted in his impulses, and guideC
by the highest Christian prih. plies in all his rela
tons with his fellow men. For eleven years the
writer Of this received the benefit Of his counse
and advice and generous encoura gement, and il
his death feel that a near and dear friend ha
departed and we would fain take our place, how
ever humble, among those who to-day sit in sorrow
that life so good and useful has terminated.