Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-11-06
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Augusta. Monday Morning, Nov. 6.


Belfast, occurred at his home in that city
last Friday forenoon. For some years
past he has been in i'll health. Not long
since It was announced that his health
was improving. but whatever signs of
improvement there appeared to be in his
condition were delusive. The bright
spirit has flown; naught remains but the
tenement of clay, soon to be laid away in
the beautiful cemetery which overlooks
the pleasant city where Mr.. Simpson
was born and passed the most of his
days.
Mr.. Simpsons age was IS years. His
father was sea captain, one Of the first
to sail around Cape Horn-in the good
barque Suliote-carrying freight and pas
sengers to the newly discovered land of
gold on the Pacific coast. Being bold
and successful sailor, he acquired hand
some property, which placed his family
in excellent circumstances. and gave to
his son competence which enabled him
70 60 through life without being obliged
to make a struggle for livelihood.
When a lad young Simpson like
many another boy-conceived liking for
q printing Office, and entered as an ap-
prentice in the Republican Journal Office
at Belfast. that paper beng then the
democratic organ of the county of Waldo,
with Rowe & Griffin as. publishers,
where he learned to set type, to do press
work, and to begin the use of the pen in
sentimental compositions, some of them
In poesy. which only few intimate as
sociates ware permitted to see. It was at
this time. during Simpsons apprentice
ship, that the writer of this article
became acquainted with him. He was
then q brighteyed lad, with fine coun-
tenance and healthy body, intent not only
upon being a printer, but publisher and
editor. The Journal then, and for sew
eral years, was noted for its column of
editorial paragraphs. witty. spicy and
humorous. as one of the regular features
OF the paper. From that column we
have no doubt that Simpson was influ-
enced to cultivate his wit. which was as
keen as Damascus blade, and glittered
in the pages of every publication with
which he was connected. A fellow
worker with him during his apprentice
ship was George b, Moore, afterwards ed
itor of the Republican Journal, and at his
death leading editor on the Portland
Advertiser; he. too, was one of the
brightest paragraphsts among the jour
nalists of the State, no doubt receiving
his bent. if not his brains, from the same
source that kindled the wit and humor
which Mr.. Simpson displayed as an
editor.
In 1850. Sept. 10, the firm of Severance
d Dorr sold the Kennebec Journal to
Messrs. Wheeler & Simpson. the old firm
retiring at the appointment of Mr.. Sever
ance as Commissioner to the Sandwich
Islands. Mr.. Wheeler had been con-
nected with the office nineteen years.
first As an apprentice, then as journeyman
and lastly as assistant editor. Mr.. Simp-
son was practical printer, with no ex-
perience as an editor. Mr.. Wheeler was
the chief during their partnership, Mr..
Simpson assisting him as was found nec-
essary and convenient. In June, 1858.
the firm of Wheeler Il Simpson was dis
solved. Simpson becoming sole proprietor
Of the establishment, and Wheeler re-
manning upon the paper as editor. The
establishment continued to run on in
this way until Nov. 1854. when Simpson
sold his interest in it to Baker & Blaine
and for few years retired from the du-
ties Of active journalism. During his
tarry in this city in connection with the
hennebec Journal the paper was well and
ably conducted, and he made many
friends, whose hearts are filled with sim
cere grief at his decease.
In May. 1858. Mr. Simpson again en-
tered into active journalism. purchasing
the Republican Journal office at Belfast.
the same in which he served his appreu-
dceship, and taking upon himself the
work of chief editor as well as proprietor
OF the paper. In December, 1858. the
publication of the paper was suspended
Its radical course in opposition to the
war caused this hiatus in its career. But
in July, 1866. the publication was re-
newed. and it has since been one of the
most prosperous concerns in the State.
1t continued to be q leading democratic
paper until that party abandoned its prin-
ciples and went into trade and fusion
with the greenbackers, when it pulled
down the democratic flag. and for several
years has been a staunch and influential
republican organ. Under Mr.. Simpsons
management it was one of the handsom
est as well rs most ably edited papers in
the country. characteristics which are
continued under the present proprietors.
His hand made its impress upon every
page and column of the paper. Its se-
lections were made with nice judgement,
its editorials were strong and well writ
ten. 1t was brightly humorous. and its