Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-07-29
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shortly AFTER Twelve . CLOCK ldSl HlSul
Edgar Snowden, esq, eldest son of the
late editor and proprietor Of the GA
zETTE, died at the residence of his son,
Dr. Arthur Snowden, 1872 New Hamp-
shire avenue, Washington. The de-
ceased was born in this city on the 30th
of November, 1888, and was conse-
quently in the 59th year of his age.
His juvenile days were few IN number
for about the time he passed from boy
hood he began an active life in the
newspaper profession in which calling
he continued up TO a few years ago,
when failing health made it necessary
to rclinquish the editorial chair. In
his Younger days he attended some eX-
cellcnt institutions of learning, but
though possessing vigorous intellect
and an active nature, the tedium OF
dry study was to him what it is to many
others, distasteful aad he grew TO man
hood with but smattering of the lead
ing studies, but. above all, with mis-
cellaneous store of information which
he could apply ad libitum and with q
keen sense of humor and its twin
sister. pathos, he was an invaluable
adjunct to the newspaper profession
into which he was born and never had
TO acquire journalistic knowledge by
laborious experience. Sitting ut the
feet of one of the Gamaliels OF journal
ism. his father, the late senior editor of
the GAZETTE. who acted as q balance
wheel. for the arduous young Journalist,
he learned the practical lessons OF con
seryatism and the respect FOR The ieei-
ines OF others willie handling the quill,
which lessons. to Il more or less extent,
influenced him through life. During
the quarter of century ne was
associated in the conduct OF the GA
ZErrE he added much to its instre and
contributed no little toward raising 1t
to its present standard. During his
day the sober conservatism of the elder
Snowden was seasoned by the Wit ana
arilliancy OF the younger, and Nie!n@
as they did the old GAZETTE grew into
an institution in Virginia which, as 1t Is
now. was welcomed around the lire
side. in the workshop and counting
room. When the war broke out in
1861 Dir. Snowden was destined 10
see the GAZETTE building reduced
10 ashes within the period OF
one night. for no other reason than
publishing IN account Of the sacrl-
iigious proceedings of some members OF
The Sth Illinois cavalry, who entered
St. Paul's Church one sunday III the
early part of 1862 and undertook TO tell
the minister how he should conduct the
services. During the remaining years
ofthe war he, with his father, published
She GAZETTE in reduced form (one-
fourth It's present size and during that
dark period, while his business was by
no means remunerative, and when by
the sacrifice of his principles he could
have become wealthy, he plodded
along, working hard and patiently,
though he was made football OF by me
tvranncai militaIygoyernors who at on
fcrent times ruled Alexandria with rods
of iron. and quietly suffered indignitica
and hardships for his political princl-
pies. st one time he was confined in
the old Capitol prison on some iilmsy
pretcnse; at another sent up and down
the Manassas Railroad as 9 hostage to
keep Mosby's men from firing into me
train, and at another compelled to Hall
he possessed and get ready to go South
because he refused to subscribe to one
orthe ironclad oaths by which people
were then made TO foreswear them
selves. The dafl, clouds of war; how
ever, were dispeiled at last, but Mr.
Snowden's fortune, like that OF 50 many
others. had been shattered, but. SUR
mounting all difficulties, he with his
father soon had the old GAZETTE again
on its feet and in as much demand as
ever, ana it was at this particular epoch
that Mr.. Snowden's newspaper ability
showed to its best advantage. Privileged
then 10 say what he Thought without
mourning the risk of cruel imprison-
ment, he Ianpooned the late oppressors
of his people numerically, and the re-
ports he made of the " Peirpoint Leg
islature" and the ferret meetings of
those days abound in filings and humor,
Gus descriptions which not only Afforded
much amusement TO Alexandrlans, but
TO MANY Others, so much so that he was
solicited to 60 TO other places and make
reports of similar meetings. Or MIR.
Snowden's political life but little need
be said save that through thick and
thin. good and evil report he followed
the fortunes of his State, and none can
now rise and put his finger upon a
spot on lis escutcheon. About the time
the war broke out he was a member OF
the Common Council from the Fourth
ward. and AT other times held other
CITY offices. In 1869 he was solicited to
become one of the democratic candls
dates for State Senator from this dis
trict. He entered the field and was
elected, serving two years. In 1879 he
was appointed assistant postmaster OF
the L. S. House of Representatives,
which office he held for about two years.
His father having died in 1873, he again
assumed charge of the GAZETTE, which
position he nominally held until about
two years ago, when the effects of the
nervous activity Of his quarter of cen
tury's labors began to tell on him. His
natural force became impaired, his step
grew slow. and it became sadly appar-
emit to those associated with him that his
best days had past. Needing rest and
attention, ne removed from Alexandra
to the residence of his son. DR.. Arthur
Snowden, in Washington. where he
could pass the remainder of his days
with the wife of his youth, who survives
him. and dutiful son (the only one
left out of six, five having died al
most in infancy. Mr.. Snowden was
a companionahle man. Having a
-, oa,,s, of tho r;dicuIoiIc the mower