Arizona weekly citizen., 1883-10-06
WEEKLY CITIZEN.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6. Issi
A DISTINGUISHED JOURNALIST GONE

A DISTINGUISHED JOURNALIST GONE sf
 The telegraph recently informed us of the death of Mir. Hastings, an old journalist of the east, but excepting 0 few leading journals in the west, be was little known outside of New York State. But in the death of Colonel George, Knapp, who for nearly fifty years was connected with the St. Louis Repubh- can, the oldest newspaper in the west, a' journalist has left ms whose name is fa- rniliRr to the entire Mississippi Valley States. Col. Knapp succeeded Charles k Paschall to the Republican, and be- came a part owner of that journal in 1887. From 1S37 to 1850 the Republi- can was the leading paper Of the Mis- sissippi Valley. It was in those days a Whig paper, and there stIl remain old Wings in the West, who for years and years swsre by the Republican and It was. with deep regrets and dlsappOlnt- ments that they renounced 1t about the time of the organization of the republican party. Nearly all the old Wings in tine northwestern States joined the repubh- can party, while the Republi- can, which was published in a slave State cast its fortunes with the democratic party. From this day on the Republican lost caste ID the North ern states. where hitherto 1t had re- ceived its largest support. But It soon became the acknowledged mouthpiece of the democratic party of the South west, position It has held for more than thirty years. While we have diff fered politically with the Republican we must admit that it's teachings have been on the side of tbe people, and wlth the exception of a few years immedi- stely following the war, were for good and calculated to inspire more temper ate and healthy progressive ideas In the democratic party. Laying all party feeling and prejudIces aside, we must say that Colonel George Knapp, dur ing his lifetime, honoFably filled posi- tion in Western journalism which in the main was m the best interest of the peo. ole of his state and the great West. The prominent part he occupied in the af- fairs of the Mississippi valley will not soon be forgotten by those who knew him best.
 Colonel Knapp was born in Mont gomery, Orange county, \. T., Sept. 2j 1874, and in 1920 he came with his parents to St. Louis. At the age of T. he entered the office of the Republican, then owned by Charless S PaschalL h 1887, when but 3 years of age, he be- came part proprietor of the paper. h lS45 be took a prominent part m the volunteer military service, and in lsit he went to Mexico as a lieutenant iu the St. Louis Grays, of the St. Louis Legion. After the return of the reEi- ment he became captain and subse, quently leutenaut-colonel In addition to his connection with the Republican Colonel Knapp has been a zealous advocate of al public spirited enter prlses, and many Of the most magnificent public buildings which now ornament the city are in a great measure indebted to his personal energy for their erection, When the ruins of the Southern hotel stood 8 drowning disgrace to the city, he came to the froat, offering to subscribe sj0,O00 toward its erection. He champione1 the building of the St. Louis chamber of commerce, the largest building of the kind in the West, and never stopped booming that movement until the edItice was completed. He brought the Republican from a shaniy to its present quarters, and this wEs done in the face of many adverse cir. oumstances. In December, ISfO, Colonel Knapp married Miss Eleanor McCartan, and thIs lady and a large family sur- wye him or late years, although the leading spirit of the newspaper he owned, Colonel Knapp has been ID delicate health, and twice has he made trips to Europe in search Of new life and strength. About two months ago he left here with hIs son Thomas, taking physiciau's advice and going to the Kissingen springs, Bavaria, Ger many. He left there on Sept. 18th, on one of the Antwerp lines of steamers, and the dispatch received stated that be had died on board Sept 18th.