The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-02-12
JULIUS A. BONITZ.
Death Claims North Cardinals Fore
most Newspaper Man.

proprietor and managing editor OF the |
Messenger, died after an
illness of ten days at 9:I5 O'Clock Sat
urday morning, February 9TH. The
State has lost a patriotic and useful
citizen and the profession of journal
ism a bright and honored member.
We extract the following from the
sketch of the dead editor as it appeared
in the Messenger Of Sunday:
Mr.. Bonitz was born in the Hartz
mountains, in the city of Clausthal-
Zellerfeld, Kingdom Of Hanover, Ger
many, December 22nd, 1871.
He cane to Baltimore in 1857, and
subsequently removed to Washington.
He was on the last boat that left
Washington on the eve of hostllltles,
and thus voluntarily identified himself
with the Southern cause. He was then
in his twentieth year and volunteered
in the Goldsboro Guards and was
elected Orderly Sergeant. He served
in the Confederate Army three years
and eight months, part of that time IN
discharge of provost duty at Colds
boro. In the early part of the war he
manufactured on quite a large scale
envelopes and writing paper and INK
at Goldsboro, and the manila writing
paper, all that then could be had, with
its Confederate banner, inspiring po-
ems and booming cannon, then man
ufactured by him, and bearing ms
name, are doubtless still remembered
by many Of the Southern soldiers.
After the war he engaged in merchan
dising at Goldsboro. He bought out
the material OF the Goldsboro Star.
He found himself the owner of a print
| ing office outfit, but without money,
without friends of any influence, and
without newspaper experience. He
called his first newspaper venture
Rough Notes. He pushed on, over
coming immense difficulties and dis
| couragements. These were trying
| times and they caused Mr.. Bonltz
many sleepless night; but he had
| started out to win success and deter
mined to achieve 1t.
On the fatal Saturday night of Sep
TENDER 4, 1869, which witnessed the
destruction of nearly all the business
part of Goldsboro, the Office and print
ing material of the Messenger were
entirely destroyed by fire. No insur-
ance, and presses, type, ETC., a total
loss. 1t was then that Mr.. Bonltz rose
superior to the occasion and displayed
that wonderful energy which has since
characterized his conduct of the Mes
senger. With less than $500 worth oil
material, consisting of few type and
one small amateur hand press, without
a shelter for an Office, he printed an
"extra," chronicling the particulars Of
the fire. This energy was appreciated
by the public. and all who were able
gave tangible proof of their apprecia-
ton by urging that the publication be
resumed, and backing up that encour'
agement by paying the subscription
price of the paper in advance. Thu:
encouraged the Messenger re-appearec
in a new dress after only four days
suspension, published as weekly ane
semi-weekly. Henceforward the MES
cengcr entered upon a career of pros
perity and enlarged usefulness.
He was again burned out, sustaining
heavy loss. He rebuilt and pushed OIL
with his accustomed energy. In May
1887, at the solicitation of a numbe
of Wilmington's most influential bust
ness men Mr. Bonitz decided to brin!
the Messenger and plant to Whining
ton. The first issue of the daily Mes
sengey appeared on the 10Th of June
Since then his toll and anxiety ant
energy have been very great and 70
more than three years and half h
stood at the helm bravely and re
solvedly and had gradually extended
the circulation, usefulness and infu
ence of the Messenger. Dying h
leaves it an important factor for goo
in North Carolina, with thousands c
friends, and with growing constitu
ency. He has sought to do we'll b
North Carolina and by Wilmington
and we have no doubt that his labor
and sacrifices are appreciated.
For ten years he was chairman {
the Democratic Executive Committe
of Wayne county. He was delegat
to the National Democratic CONVEX
ton at Baltimore in 1879, to Cincir
, natl in 1880, and to Chicago in 1885,
For six years he was President of tn
Board of School Trustees of Goldsbor(
l and for three years he filled the chair
: manship of the Wayne County Boar
y of Education. He has been a membe
$ of the Executive Committee and
, Director of the Eastern North Care
:. lima Insane Asylum ever since it W;
organized, and was one of its buildin
t committee. In 1881 he was chose
. Grand Chancellor of the order
Of Pythias, and up to h
E a,h was the Orders representa-,
ne Supreme Lodge Of the Worl'
5 also an ancient York Masol
C,tnltz was man of excellen
o1t His sympathies wei
easily touched. He WI
l husband and faith
5epped up in the
IRE. He was col
Ss,lf his mind, an
Nerve his fello