The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-09-13

OBITUARY..
Death of Hugh j. Hastings. Editor of the
New York Commercial Advertiser.

Death of Hugh j. Hastings, Editor OF the
New York Commercial Advertiser.
MONMOUTH BEACH, N. j., Sept, 12.-Hugh
J. Hastings, proprietor of the New York
Commercial Advertiser, died here at 7
o'clock this evening.
Mr.. Hastings did we'll till night before last.
He then passed a restless night, and COM
planned of great weakness. On Tuesday
morning pneumonia of the left lung de-
veloped. During the day he was very weak,
but toward evening rallied. His spirits were
at all times cheerful. His family physician,
Dr. S. c. Vanderpool, saw him in the even
ing He was then bright his respiration
26, temperature and pulse 100 respectively.
This morning he had no fever whatever, but
his respiration fell. At 430 this afternoon
his condition was better than at any time
since,pneumonia set it, but at o'clock, after
partakng of some stimulant, he suddenly
expired without a word He was conscious
to the last Dr. Hughes pronounced death
due to paralysis of the heart.
Hugh J. Hastings was born in the north of
Ireland on Aug. 90. 1920, and came to this
country. when eight years. of age, with his
mother, brothers and sister-his father hav-
ing preceded them. He was second in a
family of eight-seven sons and one daugh-
ter-and from his youth was noted for his in
dustry and quick ways. When most boys
- e. = Hea ay or their books, he
was working for the support of his
parents and the younger members of the
family He made his chances and did
not wait for them to come to him. His
family finally settled on Albany as an abid-
ing plack, but in short time he came to
New York and found a place as an errand
boy IN William street dry goods store.
Then he went back to Albany, restlessly
casting about for some way to better his con-
dition. Always an omniverous reader, he
steadily added to his stock of knowledge and
began writing for the newspapers. His
unique style and clear way OF getting at the
heart of his subject took at once. In 1910,
when twenty years of age, he attached him.
self to the Albany Daily Atlas as a reporter,
and his local items made hit.
In few years. however, the longing to
branch out for himself took possession of
him, and, being at that time possessed of the
munificent fortune of $3.50, he saw nothing
that stood in the way of his ambition. The
result was the Albany Daily Knickerbocker,
VIII ich was a success from the start and
which in course of time grew to be a very
valuable property With such a newspaper
behind him, and living in the center of po-
litical activity, which Albany then was, it
was natural that he should come out as
politician. Long before he was a voter he
had plunged into politics. and in 1910 had
roared for "Tippecanoe and Tyler, too" as
loudly as any OF them. He was a great ad-
mirer of Clay, and an early friend of General
Taylor, who, when he became President,
made him collector of the port of Albany.
Mr.. Hastings was no believer in Fillmore,
and when the latter became President he
gave up the collectorship.
Until four or five years ago, Mr.. Hastings
was a steady attendant on political conven-
tions for two score years. In 1852 he was a
delegate to the national Whig convention
the last one ever held-voted on every ballot
against Fillmore and was more or less in
strumental in making Genera. Scott the can
didate of the party. He was also at the birth
/, of the Republican party, and has always
been friend of the negro.
In 1868 he came to New York, having ac-
cepted the dictatorship of the Commercial
Advertiser Thurlow Weed was then editor,
but in short time was obliged to retire. and
Hastings purchased a controlling interest
in that journal. He speedily worked great
improvement in the paper and its value rap
idly appreciated. In 1881 he refused an offer
of $780, 600 for the property He was hard
worker himself, and he expected his en-
ployes to follow his example. Through the
long senatorial fight at Albany, when friend
after friend of Mr. Conklings dropped away,
the Commercial continued to stand UP for
him with loyalty not often witnessed. The
Commercial was the only journal in the State
that was never dsmayed at the doings of the
friends of the administration or the signs of
political destruction which seemed to threaten
Mr.. Conkling. Mr.. Hastings was social and
hosptable, and was the owner of fine estab-
lishment at Monmouth Beach, where he has
entertained many distinguished persons.