Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-04-03
IN MEMORIAM.
The Late Colonel william TapPan
Thompson.
rrnion Rridne NH hader

Union Bridge MD hlder.
The recent demise Of the distinguished jour
nalist, Col VIM. T. Thompson, the Nestor or
the Georgia press. at his home IN savannah; i
received with profound regret by the profes.
sion throughout the country Col. thompson
was man of extraordinary force OF charac-
ter and furnished in his own person striking
instance Of the success which may be achiev-
ed under adverse surroundings, by courage,
industry and native talent. He was born at
Ravenna, in the Western Reserve OF Ohio. IN
1Sl2-being the first white child born IN tnat
section Deprived by death OF his mother
when he was but eleven years of age, he went
with his father to Philadelphia. Shortly atUer-
wards this parent died and young Thomp-
son was left alone in the world;
Thrown upon his own resources. he entered
the office of the Chronicle. and here he laid
the foundation of the enviable fame winch ne
afterward acquired Receiving an appoint.
ment as private secretary TO the Governor OF
the then Territory of Florida, he removed
South and began the study Of law. In 1885 he
moved to Augusta, Ga, and became assoclaUeu
with Judge Longstreet, author OF georgia
Scenes" in the publication or the STATE s
Rights Sentinel He was afterwards connected
with the Mirror, the Family Companion ana
The Miscellany. in the latter of which MAJOR
Jones Courtship' was first published. In lo4o
he started the Western Continent IN Ba ga u:
more In 1850 Colonel Thompson settled in
Savannah aud founded the MORNING NEWS
the leading paper of the South - with
which he remained connected until bis death.
AS journalist. politician, soldier dramst us
and author, Colonel Thompson achieved as
tinction, but it was in the private walks OF IRE
that he exhibited those qualities OF mind ana
heart that endeared him TO all who knew MN.
AS one of those formerly employed in the com
posing room of the NEWS we can testify to the
Unvarying courtesy and kindness he ever eX-
hibited towards the employees OF the estaolsn-
ment, and are sure that none will hold MN IN
more kindly remembrance than the compoSl-
tors on the MORNING NEWS.
Gainesville Eagle.
Too late for notice in our last issue the
kilograms brought intelligence of the death of
Colonel William T. Thompson. the editor OF
the Savannah MORNING NEWS. and one of the
gifted children of genius. whose connection
with it for half a century has orEamented and
beautifed Georgia journalism.
In the brief limits of this article we shall not
attempt historical sketch Of Colonel Thomp-
sons civil. military, editorial or literary career.
1t is only that we NAV lay upon his new made
grave our feeble tribute to the genius which
through its modasty alone genius is always
modest) suffered itself buried in obscurity
which another (the braZen trIlmpeter of his
own gifts would have made to resound over
the continents and the remotest corners of the
isles Of the sea.
A thousand years from now the name of
VIM. IT. Thompson will be familiar one, for
it was he and he alone who has put to record
more enduring than marble the subtle humor
of the Georgia Cracker" True, Judge Long
streets Georgia Scenes have much of the
painted to the life for posteritv, literary pic
ture, the lights, shadows and delicate coloring
of which has never been approached. Major
Jones' Courtship," and Major Jones' Travels
are the embodiments of the character of that
now fast decaying specimen OF the human
family who tlourished and had his being in the
days Of lang syne, and whose like we will never
see again.
Perhaps no more sincere sorrow, outside of
his own family was felt at his death than by
two citizens of Gainesville-Mr John T. Wilson,
now q prominent educator of Northeast
Georgia, who as printer at the case "Set-up'
the original manuscript of major Jones'
Courtship' in the office of the Madison MIS-
celIdny, and Major Joseph H. Butts, now en-
gagged in the banking business in this city. who
was the original of cousin Pete" and the iden-
teal individual who, after getting the grapes
for the Stallins girls undertook to ''skin the
cat'' and fell in the creek, much to his diScom-
future. These two friends of his younger
DAYS, in the earnest sorrow which they feel,
pay q tribute to his worth and beauty of
character, pure as the marble which will rise
above the spot where he lies buried, and more
sincere and earnest perhaps than many of the
finely worded pauegyrics of those who will lay
literary flowers above his resting place.
Austin (Teras) Statesman
Colonel William Tappan Thompson. chief
editor of the Savannah (Georgia) MORNING
NEWS died on the Gath instant at his home in
Savannah. Colonel Thompson was the
founder of the NEWS, and occupied the posi-
ton Of its chief editor for nearly thirty years.
He was a native of Ohio, but went to Georgia
in early youth, and so pronounced was he in
his love and devotion to his adopted country
that many supposed him to have been
Southern born. He achieved a world wide repu-
tatiOn by the publication OF Major Jones'
CourtShip," which originally appeared in the
Southern Miscellany at Madison, Ga, about
forty years ago. The story was afterwards
committed to book form, and found sale in
nearly every part Of the civilized world. He
was the author also of many other valuable
contributions to American literature. Though
often urged by his friends to enter the political
field. Colonel Thompson steadily refused to do
so, preferring to give his time and talent to
journalism, to which he was devotedly at
tached.
Vdldosta Times
Col. w. T. Thompson. the founder and editor
Of the Savannah MORNING NEWS, the Oldest ed
itor in the State, and the author of Major
Jones' Courtship," died at his residence in Sa-
vannah last week Colonel ThompSons inf1u-
ence has been known and felt in Georgia for
forty years past, and his death reminds US
that the active men of ante-bellum days are
Rapidly passing away: We have sometimes s
eran Of the fourth estate, but we
have always acknowledged his ability, respect
ed his opinion and admired his firmness. His
convictions were decided and outspoken, and
they always impressed those who read them.
In his early life he frequently gave vent to a
vein of humor that was in him. but in later
years he gave his attention to the more serious
questions OF the Gay. COLONEL thompson cleo
in his SEVENTEEN year. Having fallen asleep in
the ripeness of age. we trust that the fruit of
h earthly cultivation will be fit to adorn the
Masters upper vineyard.
SglUdnia Telephone
1t was with deep regret that we read the
announcement of the death of the venerable
editor of the Savannah MORNING NEWS, Col
William T. Thompson, which occurred at his
residence in Savannah, Ga, on the night of the
oath ult. He was the founder of the News, and
for more than thirty years was its chief editor
He was one of the most influential writer's of
the Southern press, and was most highly
esteemed by all classes of people. He died
full of hOnors and Of years, and lamented by
hosts of friends and admirers.
Cochran Enterprise
Colonel William T. Thompson, the venera-
BILE editor Of the Savannah NEWS died at his
home in that city on the Gath instant Colonel
Thompson was one of the leading editors Of
the State, and his death is blow to jour
nalsm.
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