Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-10-02
An Honored Citizen Buried To day.

v.
The passing away of Russell Eaton,
at the ripe age of eighty eight, after n
residence in Augusta Of nearly two
thirds of century, is an event of in =
portance to this community, especially to
our older citizens who have known him
40 long and 80 well. For many years
identified with the progress, the enter
prise, and the prosperity of the city, he
always retained the confidence and respect
Of those who were associated with him in
the duties of a well employed life. Born
and growing to manhood in time when
1t was deemed fitting and necessary that
one should acquire preparatory knowl-
edge of a trade by regular apprenticeship.
after faithfully serving the requisite period
under a master printer, he went to Wash
ington and obtained employ in the office
OF the National Intelligence. then pub
lished by Gales and Seaton, two natural
lied American citizens, of English birth,
whose abilities and high character for i'll
tegrity long secured them a high place
among the leading citizens of the National
capital. The National Intelligence was
for many years one of the leading Jour
mails of the country, especially after the
formation of the National Republican
party and its subsequent reorgani
zation as the Wing party. The
editors and publishers enjoyed the associa-
ton and esteem of the leading statesmen
Of the Nation of both of the great politi-
cal parties, and especially were they the
friends and confdants of Clay, Webster.
Corwin, Mangum, Crittcnden, and the
other chief men of the Wings. 1t was in
the office of the National lntelligencer
that Russell Eaton served at his trade
with LUTHER SEVERANCE and SIMON
CAMERON, and the latter still survives, his
age being about the same as he whose
remains are today deposited in Augusta
beautiful cemetery.
The writer of these lines remembers be-
ing introduced to then Senator Cameron,
In Washington, nearly thirty years since,
who made an earnest inquiry rs 10 his old
fellow-workman-R Russell Eaton, who in
figure and vital physical force much re-
sembled each other. The sketch in this
paper of Saturday morning stated under
what circumstances the subject of this no.
tice aud Luther Severance came to the ken-
nebec Valley. The facts show plainly how
well the citizens of Augusta, who sixty-five
years ago sought TO establish newspaper
In their midst, understood what their I'M
dertaking required. They knew the high
character of the Old National Inteligencer,
and justly supposed that its Office must be
a good school for such printer and
journalist as were needed. The kennebec
Journal and the Maine Farmer were the
creations of those two men. Who will
attempt to measure the extent of their
influence on the people of Maine, when
the agencies they established and the work
they accomplished are duly considered.
If one welded large influence by the
productions of his pen and his strong per-
sonality on the political views of this Sc =
tien of the State, the other by his good
Judgment and well-directed efforts was
instrumental in extensively benefiting
the agricultural interests of Maine, while
both by their integrity and respect for
public virtue made journalism honorable
and truthful, elevating it far above the
mendacity and venality to which it is too
often lowered by another very unlike class
Of writers and publishers. 1t is fitting
that the citizens of Augusta should cher
ish the memory of Russell Eaton. lire
spective of sect or party to-day their SYM
pathies will go with his much-respected
family as they follow the remains of their
venerated father to the tomb illumined by
the hope Of immortality.