Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-02-15
DEATH OF ID. R. LOCKE.
A Sketch Of His EveMtful Career-Unflu.
ence Of the ssNaSbys, letter..

h
Blade Of this city, widely known as petroleum v
Nasby," died at 6:35 this morning. The immedi-
ale cause OF his death was CONSUMPTION. David
Ross Locke was born at Vestal, Broome County,
his fifty fifth year. His father N r. Locke a vet
eran OF the war OF 1872 Is still living In this city at
the advanced age or nlnety-fouryears. The fathsr
was one OF the original aBui-slavery men OF the
country, and young Locke Inherited intense hatred
OF the peculiar institution" ana love OF freedom
which made him such power with his pen during
prenticed 10 the printing trade In the ofice OF tie
Cortland n. T., Courier. After serving his seven
years he
TRAVELLED THROUGH THE UNITED STATES,
working at his trale and acting as reporter. In
1852 he founded the Plymouth, Ohio ddueT1iser
Smu condueang IL two years; In 1886 he founded the
connected with the Mansfield Herald and Flndlay
Jctersontdn. He was editing the latter paper
when the war broke out and In It's columns appeared
the nrst numbers Of the renowned "Nasbyr
letters, the first bearing the date OF April 2l 1861
These political Satires sprang at once into tre-
mendous popularity. They were copied into news
papers every where, quoted In speeches, read
around camp-f1res OF Union armies, and exercised
enormous influence In molding public opinion
north In favor OF vigorous prosecution OF the war
secretary Boutwell, declared In a speech at
Cooper Union, New York, at the close OF the war,
three causes
THE ARMY, THE NAVY, AND THE Massey LETTERS
Charles sumner declared "UnQuestionably they
were among the influences and agencies by which
dsloyalty In all Its forms was exposed and public
opinion assured upon the right side. IL rs impos-
sible TO measure their value Against the devices
OF slavery and It's supporters, each letter was like
speech, or one OF those songs which stir the
people"
These letters were a source OF the greatest de-
light TO President Lincoln, who always kept them
In his table drawer for perusal at odd times Mr.
Locke once raised a company OF volunteers and ap-
piled TO Gov. Brough, or Ohio. for a commission as
captain, which Was refused on the grouni that he
could do more good for the Union cause with his
pen than In the field.
STEADILY DECLINED OFFICE
The immense popularity or the Nasby letters led
to the demand Tor Mr. Locke 10 enter the lecture
held and he appeared In all the principal cities OF
the North Though, as he himself acknowle ledged
and delighted audiences He was offered ofricial
positions by President Lincoln and also by Pres-
dent Grant, but steadily declined, as his only
ambition was In the editorial held In 1885 he
assumed charge OF the Toledo Blade, first on a
salary, afterward purchasing an interest," and
finally entire control IL had always been his
now carried out. He was one or the founders OF
the republican party OF Ohio, and the Nasby
letters were but part OF the powerful work ne did
in the political held. He also did vast deal OF
purely literary work, having written two or three
successful plays. books OF travel and many novels
and sketches for his own paper. He was also a
poet or no mean Order and several OF his deyo-
tional poems can be found In various church
hymnals.
HIS HEALTH GIVES WAY
some four or nve years ago his health began to
fail, after twenty-five busy years OF arduous labor
work. Since then he mas written very little save
the occasional "Nasby" letters that have appeared
and few special articles, chiefly on prohibition
He became convinced that prohibition must be
the final solution OF the liquor question, and for
SIX years has strongly advocated IL In his paper,
remained faithful 70 his republican ideas and dep
recated any attempt TO build up separate pro-
Consumption was inherited, It being in his
mothers family and several brothers and sisters
dying OF II. It's approach was very slow and it
not M last that hs n was conaned
Were very profitable, ana In his latter years he was
largely interested In building and manufacturing
In Toledo. HIS fortune Is estimated at q million,
exclusive OF the Blade. He was married while at
Plymouth 70 Miss Martha B0dine. VINO. with their
tnree sons, all grown TO manhood, survive him.
The eldest, Capt Robinson Locke, has been aSso-
ciated with his father on the Btdde for the last
dozen years except while consul at Newcastle-on-
Tyne, England. TO which office he was appointed
by President Arthur.
To Assist Southern DevelOpnent.
TO PLACE CHRAP EXCURSION TICKETS ON
SALE AT STATED DATES
ROME, GA, Feb. I5.-Information was received
here last evening OF the success OF the most i'm
portant movement recently made In behalf OF
tion OF I1O delegates, representing S proeressive
cities, met at Chattanooga 70 confer on
ton SOUTH for immi9fants. settiers and iuSeStoas
during certain seasons OF the year. The conyen-
tion appointed q committee OF seven, one from
rate before the Central Trafdc As
ut Cincinnati, the 7th tnst and the
Traf1c Association, New Orleans. the
llth inst The Central Traffic railroads agreed 10
DO Whatever the southern railroads 90. John +.
Graves, Of Rome, chairman OF the committee has
received on1ctal notice that on February 2s March
l3 and %, April 10 and "A, tickets viii be placed
on sale. at points North and West. 10 AN
points south, good 10 return In 10 days at the rate
Of IN cents mile each way, with stop-over pr1y.
ileges
To Take the Haaflelas % LoussvilDa.
Ynryxv.fIR XIV Feh 1s-ran& r.,a- <,.--.