The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-22
BILL NYE is DEAD.
He Laughed, and the World
Laughed With Him.
Today He Has Passed Into the
Great Unknown.
THE RISE OF BILL NYE
How His Funny Stories Brought
Him Fame.
He Was a Kind Man of Gentle
Disposition.
THE RISE OF BILL NYE.

+ CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, Feb. GA spe-
says that "Bill" Nye died there this
afternoon.
For several months the humorist has
been at his home. Bucks Shoals, eight
miles from Asheville, and there it was
that he was stricken with apoplexy about
two weeks ago. Since then the trouble
has made steady progress and the end
has been hourly expected.
Mr.. Nye's wife, sons and two friends
were present at his bedside today when
thu end came. Ten days ago he had
stroke of paralysis much more severe
than the one at Paterson, N. j., when
the cruel story that he was drunk was
sent out
His daughters arrived from Washing
ton city, where they have been attend
ing school, last Wednesday, and have
been at his bedside since. No arrange
ments have been made for the funeral.
MIR. Nye came to this section seven or
eight years ago in search of health, ana
finally bought farm where he built
palatial home.
Sketch of Nye's Career.
Edgar Willis Nye, or SPILL" Nye, as he
is much better known to his friends and
the public, was born in Shirley, Piscata-
quis county, Me-, August 20. 1850, but at
the age of two years, according to his
own story, he took his parents by the
hand aud led them to the west.
They went to Wisconsin, and there
the banks of the St. Croix river, young
Nye was brought up on farm. He re-
ceived an academical education at River
Falls, Wis, 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 a
lR h ~
by the authorities not to DO SO. ,"
He had plenty of leisure time on his
hands, which he used in writing a Sun
day letter for the Cheyenne Sun at the
rate of 81 column. In one
of his numerous photographed
sketches Mr.. Nye says that that sum,
| which amounted to nearly $50 year,
| dwarfed his returns from his law prac-
tice that he decided to take up newspa-
per writing as a profession, and accord
ingly moved to Denver, where he OBJ
tanned position on the staff of the Dem
| yer Tribune.
He corresponded from Denver for the
Salt Lake Tribune Later a new paper
was started in Laramie called the
Boomerang. after favorite mule owned
| by Nye, and which be called Boomerang
because he never knew where it would
strike. At the time Nye edited the
| Boomerang it was published over liv-
| cry stable. A sign the door instructed
| callers te E'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
| reputation as humorist of note at that
| time The paper was not a financial
success, but it was the foundation for the
fortune which Nye afterwards made as
| a humOrist.
Like many humorists, Mr.. Nye was
IL IL e
| disposition. His amiability was never
clouded, and his good humor was as spon-
| taneous as it was good-natured. He
| never forgot a friend. In later years his
writings and lecturing brought an in
come of over $4,000 yaar. and he will
leave moderate fortune to his widow
| and children.
| Mr. Nye was married in 1876 to Miss
Fanny Smith of Chicago. With her and
their children, Nye lived happily for a
long time on the banks of the St. Croix
| and thev 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 Quaintsst
| and best efforts. OF his ap-
pearanoe, all that is necessary
to say is that he "looked like his
pictures" and there is hardly a man,
woman or child who reads newspapers
who does not know them by heart. Per
haps the most famous of his humorous
writings was the letter to the president
of the United States accepting the post
/ mastership at Laramie City. That letter
was commented upon in seriousness by
the London Times, and the comment was,
perhaps, as funny as the original letter,
when all the circumstances are taken
| into consideration.