The times., 1897-05-21
AN HONORED CITIZEN DEAD
Demise of Horatio King, a For
mer Postmaster General.
SERVED UNDER BUCHANAN
.Eighty-six Years of Age and Resi-
sicnt of Washington for Half
Csentury- His Funeral to Take
Place Saturday Afternoon Sketch
qf His Public Career.

Horatio King died yesterday morning
at his late residence, No. 707 II street
northwest.
he was Postmaster General during the
administration of President buchanan
He was eighty-six years old.
Mr King contracted the grippe in the
winter Of 1896, and suffered second
attack last winter From this he never
recovered.
At the bedside when Mr.. King passed
away We're: Mr.. and Mrs. Henry +. King,
of West Newton, Mass; Prof Theo. /.
King, Mrs. Laura o. Talbot, Mrs. Cyrus
S King, William Campbell, and Gen
Horatio c. King, eldest son of the deceased.
The funeral services Will be Conducted
by Rev. Mackay-Smith, OF st. John S Epis-
coDaI Church, at the late home OF Mr.
King Saturday, at p. IN lnterment VIII
be private
Horatio King was born in Paris, Me,
June 81, 1911. His father was FAR
mer, ard his mother was the daughter OF
Jonathan Ball, an early settler in Paris
from Massachusetts, from " hich State his
father also came. Like most OF the coun-
try-reared young men of that period, he
was not literally educated, though he sup
plemente! hy careful study and volulninous
reading the education W hich the common
schools afforded To a strong, practical
training he added 10y lis own eXertions
unusual literary culture. In the spring
of 1929 Mr.. King went into the office OF
the JeffersonIdn, a Democratic paper then
published in his native town. In about "A
year he bought the paper In partnership
with Hannibal Hamlin, afterwards Vice
President of the United States, and six
months later became sole proprietor, being
then about nineteen years of age In
1882 he cast his first vote for Andrew
jackson He edited the JeffcrsoRian
until 1888. In the fall of that year Mr.
King came to Washington TO look for
new spapeT opening, but not finding one TO
his mind, accepted a 1000 clerkship in
the Postoffioe Department. rendered hln
hy the then Postmaster General Amos
Kendall.
In 1859 he was transferred 10 a CORE
spending desk, having charge OF the for
eign mail service. To his comprehensive
genius ana that Characteristic energy
which Mr. King possessed in an eminent
degree, the nation is primarily indebted
for those splendid results which have ex-
tended cur postal arrangements TO every
part of the commercial world. In the
spring OF 1854, without solicitation on
his part. he WAS appointed by President
Pierce to the office of First Assistant
Postmaster Gener Al, and OH February 2
was confirmed by the Senate as Postmaster
General, serving in that capacity until the
Inauguration of President and the appoint
ment OF his successor March Z, 1861
After retiring from the Postoffice Depart
ment he was appointed, in April, 1863, one
of a hoard Of commissioners to carry out
the provisions Of the emancipation proc
lanIation in the District. This position
was rendered him by President Lincoln,
unsolicited. in recognition OF his services
during the previous Administration.
The service OF the commission was limited
to nine months, and on finally leaving Of
flee, Mr.. King became an attorney prdc-
ticing before the executive departments
and the international commissions, which
profession lie followed until about 1873,
when he retired as far as practicable from
active business He originated here the
series Of Saturday evening literary enter
tainments at his private residence which
became so popular and which contributed
TO q great extent to elevate the literary
tone ofthecity. Thefinal meeting was held
February 2, es4.
While not a fluent speaker, he was for
years ready and strong writer for news
papers and magazines In 1878 he pub
nshed Sketches of Travel; or twelve months
In Europe" and in e93, Turning on the
Light" dispassionate survey Of President
Buchanan administration. s June1 l, 1895.
the honorary degree of L. L. d was con-
ferred upon him 10y Dickinson College
at Carlisle, Pa.