Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-11-04
JAMES W. s1Mo sros.

JAMES w. flNOSTON.
[5an Francisco Morning Call, November 3dl
James W. Simonton, one of the proprie-
torso { the Morning Call and of the Ecen.
ing Bulletin, died at his home near Napa
last evening.
Mr.. Sine. ton was born in New York, in
1922, and started in life poor boy, who
was thought to have been well provided
ticed 70 tailor. He very early, and in a
marked degree, developed a faculty for
news gathering. which resulted in his
adopting the profession OF journalism, in
which he was 50 long and prominently en-
gagged When he was only about 20 years
old he took service on the New York Cour-
Ter and Enquirer. The remarkable ability
for news gathering which he displayed on
that journal earned him the distinction of
being sent by that paper with Henry j.
sional correspondent. He soon afterward
took up the then distinct profession Of
Washington correspondent, which he fol.
lowed exclusively from about the year lS45
to 1850. During that time lis ability
gained him the friendship of Webster,
Clay, Benton, Calhoun, Wright, and other
leading statesmen of that time-friend-
ships which he retained and enjoyed for
many years.
He was then connected with Wing pa.
pers, and upon the beginning of the Cali
fornia gold excitement, in lS49, he con-
ceived the idea of starting Wing paper
in San Francisco. With his own savings
and with the assistance of some friends be
purchased in New York a complete news
paper outrit, including steam press, which
he sent to this city. In 1850 MIR. Simon
ton first arrived in San Francisco, ahead of
his printing material, and discovered that
Crane and Rice had been before him in
founding Wing paper, the California
Courier. He Immediately entered upon a
professional engagement with the proprie-
tors of the California Courier, selling his
own material when it arrived, part in this
| city and part in Sacramento.
In the winter of 1851 he returned to
| New York, and with the considerable saw.
ings from lis California venture became,
with Henry j. Raymond and others, one
of the original company by which the New
| York Times was founded. He weat to
| Washington again, this time as the repre-
sentative of the Times and of several other
prominent newspapers of that day. The
| telegraph had not then destroyed the great
| prominence of the newspaper letter writer,
and in his last experience In Washington,
writing for the Times and for New Orleans,
Detroit, San Francisco and other papers,
| Mr.. Simonton became the most dlstin.
| guished Washington correspondent of his
time. He would write FIVE or six letters
a day, maintaining in all degree of fresh
ness, or descriptive power and accuracy
which was little less than marvellous
Early readers of tbs Ereniag Bulletin will
remember his Washington letters in that
| Taper from 1855 70 1853. His History
| of Legislation" letters, covering the period
of two weeks each preceding the steamers
on which they were mailed, filing broad
side each OF the Bulletin were really his
tory of the times.
In the summer of 1858 during the recess
| of Congress, Mr.. Simonton was sent by
the New York Times to Salt Lake, where
| it was thought that the Federal authorities
were IL danger Of a war with the Mormors.
Writing a series of letters, he came On 20
San Francisco, and from here made the
trip TO British Columbia during the gold
| discovery excitement there. Tnis, and his
earlier visit to San Francisco, and his al.
most constant acquaintance with the Cali.
foruia reading public. gave bin an interest
IL the affairs of this coast which prompted
him TO gladly take advantage of an oppor-
5unisy to purchase en- interest in the Ecea-
ing Bulletin This he Gid in 1850. invest
ing the earnings cf his life up to that time
in what proved to be the chief business of
his subsequent lifs. He retained his inter.
est in the Times, but came to San Fran.
cisco in 1859 and took editorial control of
the Bulletin During this engagement Mr.
| Simonton took an active interest III all the
questions of the hour, many of which still
remain matters of public interest. In 1860,
ether gentlemen acquiring interests in the
| Bulletin With Mr.. Simontons first partner,
| Mr.. Gerber6ing, it was made possible for
| the former to return to New York, where
lis peculiar adaptabiiity for correspond
ence made it desirable he should be- His
retained business interests In New York
| gave him also bias toward making that
city his home. He partially resumed his
! professional relations in New York, and
also made frequent professional visits to
this city, subsequent to 1860, which con-
tinued until 1867.
In the latter year, at the earnest aolici-
ta.ion of the seven principal New York
newspapers constituting the New York
| Associated Press, he assumed the general
management of that enterprise. He per-
| formed the manifold and ar6uous duties OF
| that responsible office with signal ability
until failing health prompted him to resign
the position li5tle over year ago. at
that time he appeared nearly worn out by
thirty years OF incessant activity. He had
worked too long without relaxation, and
was too tired to rest. He endeavored to
obtain much needed recuperation By a com.
plete change of occupation, surroundings
and conditions of life. He located himself
at his Napa county vineyard and dairy,
and in the peaceful pursuits there afforded
him did appear to regain strength and
health. 1t ia impossible, with no informa-
! ton regarding his sudden death, cave the
bare announcement, and writing at this
late hour, to give any particulars of the
causes which led 70 the end-coming too,
at tine when his friends had cause to
hope For the best.
Mr. Simonton was twice married By
| his first wife, wi,om lie married when he
was scarcely of age, and whom he survived
about four years, he leaves two sons and
one daughter, all married and living with
| families in New York. About q year and
half ago he married Miss Miunie Bronson,
| OF Brooklyn, n. Y.
After long, useful aud bright career, a
| life of honorable manhood and brilliant
! professional abilities has been ended, with
all of that pcsce and quiet, we hope, that
surrounded him In the lovely California
| home in which he chose to end his days.
a Ngw FXpfnsIvP- ssTrTE