The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-25
FOUR SCORE YEARS.
The DEATH OF AN oCTOGENARIAN
JOURNALIST.


From the Netos and Courier.
William Ladder, who died at b is resi-
dence in this city Tuesday, April 10, 1892,
was for over half century one Of the land
marks of Charleston. The story of his long
and useful life is best told, perhaps, in the
following article, which was written by one
of Mr. Ladders nearest associates aud
friends, and was actually set up in type for
notification in the Charleston Courier
twenty years ago. Mr.. Ladder at that
time was supposed to be dying from a
severe attack of illness. His confreres on
the paper had received information that he
had died during the night, and the article.
as stated, was prepared and put in type.
Mr.. Ladder recovered, however, and
shortly atterward the Charleston Courier
was purchased by the Charleston NeUS, and
the NetUs and Courier came into existence.
A member OF the staff Of the Courier, who
subsequently, became connected with the
staff of the NelUs and Courier, preserved
the proof slip and for many years the galley
of type from which the obituary" was
printed Here is the article. which now sees
the light after twenty years:
WILLIAM Ladder DEAD.
Such is the melancholy announcement
with which the Courier meets its readers
this morning. Thrice within the last de-
oade have its columns put on the garments
of mourning for proprietor called to rest
from his wearying tolls. First in 1882,
when Col. W. s. King, the practical head of
the paper. answered the final summons;
next in 1862, when its venerable founder
laid down the burden, which all the way to
good old age he had SO honorably borne
again two years since, when the harness
dented with trophies of faithful service fell
from its long enlisted bearer, Richard Yea
don-and now its sables must again be put
on-this time for their junior-juIior in
years but not in service, nor in devoted f.
deity to his trust, nor in the marked i'm
press which he made in the conduct and dis
charge Of that trust. Under the heaviness
Of this last stroke, coming to us with all
the keenneSs of domestic family etHiotion,
bringing before US the long years of close,
constant, long cementing association and
affiation-we have no heart nor wish to
make a show Of formal grief. We feel how
utterly vain and empty must be all mere
verbal comment, and for ourselves would
fain shrink from the obtrusion of our
trouble and retire curtalned within the
shadow of our sorrows. But this must not
be-duty alike to the dead and the living
impels US to attempt a chronicle, how unfit
ted soever we be, Of the manner Ia which
our deceased friend filed his allotted
sphere
William Ladder was born In this city in
lSl2 Like many others whose after years
have displayed them as among the most use.
full, his youth was marked by manly-buf-
fet against cross and angry seas Like a
goodly most. also, WAC have achieved honor
able rank among the journalists Of our day,
be began at the case, and worked his way
up through the grades Of the composing
room. Commencing his apprenticeship
with the old City Gazette, he finished, in
knowledge Of the mysteries Of the craft at
the office II the Courier. This thorough
equipment as practical printer gave him,
as 1t always does. great advantage. At this
period his ever stanch friend, Col. William
s. King, was, with signal ability, the chief
business manager of the Courier Col.
King saw and appreciated the valuable
services of young Ladder, and at once
gave them an opportunity for full and
efficient play. He made him his adjunct in
department. to whose full charge he soon
atterward succeeded-the commercial de-
partment In 1852 the greatly valued serv-
ices Of Col. King were loss by death to this
Journal, and in a short time after Mr..
Ladder became associated as one Of its Joint
proprietOTs From this period until the time
OF his last fatal illness the burden of
the management Of the Courier, alike in its
business conduct aud its editorial super
vision, fell almost wholly in its responsible
ity and its daily transactions upon the
shoulders of our departed friend. How that
burden was borne Is best attested by the
position and character which the Courier
has earned and maintained. Looking back
over the checkered and trying years which
marked his administration-the embarrass-
ments day BY day growing out of a long
and calamltous war, and the distracted con-
diton of thugs at the close thereof, his
steady maintenance of and his successful
conduct of this journal, not only entitle him
tohlgh commentator, but NAV justly ex-
cite surprise. Alas, the successful discharge
OF his trust has been accomplished by his
own sacrifice! He adds another to the in
cresslng roll of martyrs to the eXhausting
demands Of newspaper life. Symptoms had
Ior some time been apparent of the inroads
made upon him by heavy care and unceas-
ing labor, still the hope OF recuperation was
always cherished, when suddenly overtasked
nature gave way and O stroke of paralysis
a lew weeks since gave fearful boding that
ms end was nigh. Calmly quiescent under
the Will OF his maker his life gradually ebbed
away, and yesterday all was DER.
The retrospect of his life leaves noting
out what is pleasant to remember. Person.
ally, his attachment to his friends was
strong, and his bearing toward the num-
Oers In daily association with him ever
married by kindress and consideration.
true and just in all his dealings, he with
held from no man his due. Modest and un-
ootruslve, he held of himself no overween-
ing estimate. and while firmly adhering to
sAe conviction Of a judgment seldom at
Iault, possessed the rarer faculty OF seeking
ana bringing TO his aid the qualifications in
oVners, OF whose need no one was more con-
Slous than himself. The tone and standard
VI tne daily newspaper throbs. like the life
mo0d, and its every pulse is for good or evil
W tne general life of q community. Few
outside have just conception of the cease
Nss, harassiug solicitude incident to an
Sitor's life. The need of praise is oftener
sue In a Journal to what is kept OUT rather
.uan TO that which goes in. Herein COM
lnendation of our deceased friend is amply
merlted. No partisan malgnity was ever
permitted by him to vent its qualification,
nof could personal scurrillty soil his col
. Iuns And in the necessary chronicle of
tue lrailties and stains under which poor
humanity SO often falls his morning sheet
lure no added pang to make bleed afresh
even the hunblest bosom, already too
aorely stricken. We feel that our whole
GoHnunIty will respond TO this-Amenl
Ana reyerently wrapping the memory OF
bur- bur lIiend in its garniture, we gently lay
N'Ul down to his long and hallowed rest!
ALL DEAD SAVE ONE.