The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-16
PETROLEUM v. Nasty.
Death OF tho Famous Editor and Sat
irest.


TOLEDO, O., Feb. I'D. r. Locke
Petroleum V. Nasby) died athioresidence
In this city OF consumption and n compli-
cation Of organic troubles at $50 O'Clock
this morning. David Ross Locke was born
at Nestal, Broomc county, N. y, Sept. 20,
1883, and hence was In his fiticth year.
His father, n. X. Locke. a veteran of the
war Of 1912, is still living In this city
at tho advanced age Of nincty.four. The
father was one OF the original anti.slavcry
| mon Of the country, and Young Locke in
herilcd intense hatred OF the peculiar in
siiluiion" and love OF freedom which made
him such power with his pen during the
civil war. In the eleventh year he was
appvnticcd TO the printing trade in the
office OF the Cortland (N>Yl Courier.
After serving his seven years Nhc Travelled
through the United States, working at his
trade and acting ~ a reporter. In 1852 no
founded the Plymouth (O.) advertiser, con.
ductingit two ycar. In lSi6bc founded the
Bucyrils Journal, aud aftorwarl was success
lively connected with tho Mansfield Herald
aud Iindlay JcGdsoHidn. llc was editing
the latter paper when the war broke out,
and In is columns appeared the first mum
beers Of the renowned NaEby letters, the
hrst bearing the date OF April "a, 1861.
These political satirus sprang at once into
tremendous popularity. They were copied
into newspapers everywhere, quoted In
| speeches, read around camp fines OF Union
armies, aud exercised enormous influence
In mOlding public opinion north in favor
81 vigorous prosecution oi the war.
Secretary Boutwell, declared In a speech
NJ Cooper Union, New York, at tho close Of
the war that the success oitho Union army
was due 10 time causes: "fhc army, tho
navy aud the Nasty letter." Charles
Sumner declared "unqucsiionahly they
wcrc among the influences and agencies
by which disluynlty In all lis forms was
exposed and public opinion assured upon
the right side II IN impossible to measure
their value. Against the devices Of slay.
cry and iis supporters, each letter was like
a speech, or one Of those songs which sti
the people"
These letters were a source Of great de
| ught 60 President Lincoln, who alwayi
kept them IN his table drawer for pcrisa
ut odd times. Mr.. Locke once raised /
company OF volunteers and applied 20 Gov
nrough, Of Ohio, for commission ~ cap.
tain, which was refused on the ground tia
he could do moro good Tor the Union caus,
} with his pen than in the field. lmmcn~
popularity of the Nasty letters led 60 III,
demand Tor Mr. Locke Ia enter the lcctur
} field, and be appeared Ia all the principa
cities II the north. Though, ~ lac himscl
Acknowledged, not master " Oraiory, III
always hal crowded and delighted au
dicnccs. lie was onrrrd oif,ial position
by President Lincoln, and alno by Prcsl
dent Grant, but steadily declined. M hi
only ambition was In the editorial field
In lsG5 hc assumed charge Of the TolCd
Blade, ilrst ON n salary, aitCrward purchas
ing an interest, and finally entire control
II had always been his dream To found
great national weekly, which be now car
Iicd out lie was ono Of th
founders Of the Republican paT
" Of Ohio, aud the Nasty lciicr
were but part Of the powerful work lac di,
In political fields. lie nlso dill vast dca
Of purely literary work, having wriltci
two or Time successful plays, books q
travels. and many novels aud sketches 70
. his own paper. lie was also poet oi M
. mean order, and several Of bis dcyoiiona
9 poems can be found IN various chuU
! hymnals
: Some four or I've years ago his hcalu
began 10 fall, after twenty-five ycam {
arduoua labor, aud he gradually Withdrew
hims, II from active labor. sSincc then h
has written very little save the occasiont
Nasty Letters that have appeared. and
few special articles, chiefly ON prohibition
lie became convinced that prohibilio
must be the final solution Of the liquo
question, aud for six yoau has strongl
advocated Il In his paper, but alway
through non-parlisan methods. lie .,
NAMED faithful 60 his Republican idcl
aud deprecated any attempt 10 build NJ
separate prohibition party
Consumption was inherited, u being !
his mothers family. and several brother
and sisters diving Of H. liz approach VI
very slow, and u was not gu last Noycn
Der that he was confined 10 tho hous'
Ills literary labos aud newspaper Wei
very profitable, aud In his latter ycars
was largely interested In building an
manufacturing In Toledo. Ills fortune
estimated at Sl,OOO,O0O, exclusive OF N
Bade. llcwas married while NJ rlymoui
10 Miss Martha Bodnc, who. with the
three sons, all grown 90 manhood, suryi,
him. Tho eldest, Capt Robinson Lock-
has been associated with his iathcr on III
Blade for the lnst dozen years, cxceI
y while consul nj Ncwcastlc-on.Iyne II
gland, 10 which Office he was appointed
President Arthur
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