New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-04
OBITUARY..
JAMES W. SIMONTON.

A dispatch from San Francisco, printed
yesterday conveyed the intelligence that James w. ST.
monitor. for many years General Agent OF the NewYork
Associated Press had died suddenly his residence
near Napa, California, Thursday evening Some Of
Mr. Simontons friends here had recently received letters
from his wife indicating that his health not robust
but they had knowledge of the nature Of his anen
1t Is thought that he died from heart disease.
Mr.. Smonton born I'm Columbia County, this
State, in 1924. He educated in the common schools
of this city, and after quitting them began .hs
a newspaper writer. He began law reporter
and when he twentyone years old was sent to
Washington Congressional reporter for The Cotgfr
and Enquirer In 1850 he went TO California and
for some time on the editorial staff OF The San Francisco
Courier but soon returned to New-York. When Henry
j. Raymond established The Hec York Times Mr.
SnOntOn given place the stan OF the paper and
for years was its correspondent at Washington
II while working in that capacity that he got pos
session OF facts relating to several noted Of bribery
and corruption In the House OF Representatives. His
exposure OF them created sensation and he was ar
rested by order Of and arralGned before its
bar Then began struggle which lasted several weeks
between him and the House over his refusal TO make
public the sources OF his information; but be held firm
though kept In custody by the Sergeant-atAr Arms. and
finally won victory. In 1859 he returned to San Fran
cisco and became of the propretors and editor Of
The Ersntng Bulletin. but at tho breaking ont Of the
War OF the Rebellion he returned to the East and did
work correspondent OF his paper Re
turning to New-York he represented The Bulletin bers
both correspondent and Eastern agent In its business
affairs. He became involved in controversy with the
managers OF the New-YOrk Associated Press. which
ultimately led to the displacement OF the manager and
the appointment Of Mr.. SmOnton IN Ala stead.
D. H. Craig had been for many years the General
Agent of the Associated Press and exercised an arbi
trary power concerning its relation with newspapers
ai4l press organizations outside OF New York. The
an
rangement with the New-York Associated Press by
which they had the OF NewYOrk news in advance Of
publication for compiling letters and bulletin dispatches
which transmitted by steamer 70 Aspinwal thence
by rail Panama and thence again by fsteamer 10 san
& and Pocid ycoo.ts we're extended toVar,sa
union with another, pony express covered Tue zap
or the California association, making several DAYS
quicker time than could be made by any one not sar-
Ing the advantages Of the management. When Tue
overland telegraph became accomplished fact Mr
Craig instead OF permitting the control OF the dispatches
represented by Mr. Simonon. sent an agent 70 san
to papers decided on by Mr. Craig. Mr. sunoAton ana
brouSbt the subject before the New York Association
hot ensued in the progress or which Mr.
SmOnt0u discovered that MI Craig had lnd the Oun-
dation for q new association 20 be owned by htm, 70
which lie intended to divert the entire machinery AID
the most experienced agents OF the Associated fSs'
and break its power by dividing it, clientage Mr.
Smouon laid the proofs of this intrigue before the New
York association and put beyond doubt the question
Mr. Craigs removal the designation or hs successor
matter OF serious difficulty, however as the duties
of the position were supposed TO involve intimate
knowledge OF the machinery which bad ior years Dseh
under the sole charge OF Mr. Craig In this crisis w
Smonton was asked by the association II he v0sd
undertake the duties u the Office. lie consented L@
the protection OF his interests and assuming the
control OF a d'sor-luiLld aud dcmOralzed business
speedily built up much better system than the aSsoyi
ton had ever had NJ its service though first he Lad 70
meet an overt attack from Nj. Craig and tie western
press which caused a great deal OF trouble TOT ~
weeks. Il is this work with which MI suhOhIoH'
name Is most intimately associated. A.,
lie remained General Agent of the New-lOIk Asgyv
cated Press fifteen years resignng the once IL SSy
lool and tnen removed to large estate winch ns I
bought near Napa Cal. He married a seoona a
wife nearly two years ago and she survives him. rs ae
do two grown and daughter, the latter INC WV
of Adoph Flamant, of No 149 Broadway.