Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1896-02-25
A HUMORIsT GONE.
Death at Asheville, N, G., Of Edgar
Willis Nye.
The Famous Funny Man Gained
His First Success Through the
Boomerang.

Asheyille, N. c., Feb. 22.-Edgar w.
Nye, better known us "Bill' Nye, died at
his home at Buck Shoals, about one
o'clock Saturday afternoon.
Sorrow at News in Wyoming.
Cheyenne, Wyo., Feb. 22.-The peo-
pie of Laramie and Cheyenne heard
the news of Bill Nye's death with keen
regret Saturday afternoon.
The old Boomerang Office, over the
stable, will be draped with mourning.
It was there that the gentle William
made his reputation, saying that ito
get to our office, you go down the alley,
enter the stable, twist the gray mules
tail. and Immediately take the ele-
yator."
Sketch of Nye's Career.
Edgar Willis Nye, or ''Bill" Nye, as he Is
much better known to his friends and the
public. was born in Shirley, Piscataquis
county, Me-, August 25. 1850. but at the age
of two years, according to his own story,
he took his parents by the hand and led
them to the west.
They went to Wisconsin, and there, on the
banks of the st. Croix river, young Nye
was brought up on farm. He received an
aCaueHllCdl euuCdllOu III Il dA ASiNCAs " 49,,
and in 1876 went to Wyoming territory,
where he studied law, and was admitted to
the bar.
There, as he says. he practiced law In u
quiet way, although frequently warned
by the authorities not to do So"
He had plenty of leisure time on his
hands, which he used in writing Sunday
letter for the Cheyenne Sun at the rate of
one dollar column. In one of his humor-
GUS photographed sketches Mr.. Nye
says that that sum, which amounted to
nearly $50 year, SO dwarfed his returns
from his law practice that he decided to
take up newspaper writing as profession.
and accordingly moved to Denver. where
he obtained a position on the staff Of the
Denver Tribune.
He corresponded from Denver for the
Salt Lake Tribune. Later a new paper
was started in Laramie called the Boom
erang, after favorite mule owned by Nye,
and which he called Boomerang" be-
cause he never knew where it would strike.
At the time Nye edited the Boomerang 1t
was published over a livery stable. A
sign on the door instructed callers to
twist the tail of the gray mule and take
the elevator"
The Boomerang was quoted all over the
country and Nye began to get his reputa-
ton as a humorist of note at that time.
The paper was not financial success, but
1t was the foundation for the fortune
which Nye afterwards made as humor-
ist.
Like many humorists, Mr.. Nye was Il
man of almost womanly gentleness Of dis
position His amiability was never
.louded, and his good humor was as spon'
famous as it was good-natured. He never
forgot a friend. In later years his writings
and lecturing brought an income OF over
$50, 900 year, and he will leave moderate
fortune to his widow and children.
Mr.. Nye was married in 1877 to Miss
Fanny Smith, of Chicago. With her and
their children Nye lived happily for long
time on the banks of the st. Crofx, and
they went with him to New York city and
made home bright on Staten Island. OF
late years, when he was not going about
the country on lecturing tours, Nye has
passed most of his time at his country
place near this city.
Some of the experiences of his life on this
farm are among his quaintest and best
efforts OF his appearance all that Is
necessary TO say is that lie looked like his
pictures,'' and there is hardly man. WON
an or child who reads newspapers who
docs not know them by heart. Perhaps
the most famous Of his humorous wit
ings was the letter to the president of the
United States accepting the postmaster
ship at Laramie CITY, That letter was
commented upon In seriousness by the
London Times, and the comment was. per
haps, as funny as the original letter, when
all the circumstances are taken into con-
sideration.