Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-05-20
HORATlO KING DEAD
Continued from First Page.)

proved this branch Of the service has con-
ferred q benefit upon nations which not
only the present but future generations
VIII fully appreciate
characteristics as an Omcial.
In the spring of 1854 on the death of
Major Hobbie, Mr.. King without solicita-
ton on his part. was appointed by Presi-
dent Pierce to the Office Of first assistant
postmaster general. To his subordinates
he was considerable. kiad and obliging, re-
quirins OF them. as he should. to have all
the business intrusted to them speedily
and properly done, and their work kept
up. but never acting cautiously nor finding
fault nesdlessly. One secret OF hts official
success was his exactitude in keeping ali
his business In hand his desk at the close
OF each day being always clear of papers,
and his positive requirement of his clerks
that everything sent to their desks should
De promptly attended to.
! Becomes Postmaster General.
He held the position of first assistan
postmaster general until January 1, 1861.
when he became acting postmaster general.
February l he was nominated by Presi-
dent Buchanan, and on the 18th conffrme /
by the Senate as Postmaster General, sery-
ing In that capacity until the Inaugural ton
OF President Lincoln and the appointment
Of his successor. March Z, 1861 He filled
all these places with fidelity and distin-
guished ability. He was Postmaster Cen
erai when treason stalked with a bold front
through the streets of the national capital.
As a lifelong democrat, Mr. King was
loyal to the core, and remained SO during
the entire struggle. Though exempted by
law from the performance of military duty,
he furnished a representative recruit who
was duly mustered in and served In the
Union army. This exhibition Of patriotism
ana pubic spirit received official acknowl-
edgment from the government
AFTER retiring from the Post Office De-
partment he was appointed. In April, 1885,:
one OF a board Of commissioners to carry
out the provisions Of the emancipation
proclamation in the District Of Columbia
ms position was rendered him by Presi-
Gent Lincoln. unsolicited, and doubtless on
account OF his conspicuous services near
the close of the previous administration
ais associate commissioners were Daniel
r. Goodloe and DR.. John M. Broadhead.
with WIN. X. Woodward as clerk and B.
M Campbell as expert. Nine hundred and
ninety-six claims. embracing 3, 100 slaves.
were presented within three months, limit
ed by the law. OF these claims, thirty six
Jected for disloyalty or defective titles, en-
bracing III slaves. so 1883 were paid fo-
under the act. Thirteen other claims for
twenty eight slaves were made after the
time limit and allowed by Congress, max
ing the total number of slaves paid for
3.O17. ''N i''
The service of the commission was limit
ed TO nine months, and on finally leaving
the executive departments and the interna-
tlonal commissions, which profession he
followed until about 1875 when he retired
as Tar as practicable from active business
n ne ORIGINATED series OF Saturday evening
literary entertainments at his private resi-
dence, which became very popular and con
tributed very much to elevate the literary
tone of the city. The 1O0tb and final meet
Ing, was held February 2, 1884
Varied Accomplishments.
While not fluent speaker. he was for
years ready and strong writer for news
papers and magazines on political, histori-
cal and literary subjects. In 1875 he pub
lished Sketches of Travel, or Twelve
Months in Europe" and In 1896 Turning
President Buchanan's administration from
1857 to its close, and other original ar
ticles.
June II. 1895. the honorary degree OF
L. L. d. was conferred upon Mr.. King by
Dickinson College, Carlisle Pa
Mr.. Kings somewhat eventful life has
been one of usefulness. In all the posi-
tions he has filled he has inaugurated i'm
1SS3-'S5. the Penalty Envelope" a con-
venient and economical device used by all
the departments of the government for
ranking official mail matter, and which IT
a
least 100000 every year since its intro
duction. Mr.. King worked seven years be-
fore congress to have this device ordered
by law. and neither received nor expected
a cent for his efforts. 1t was simply a
labor of love" for the good Of the sery-
Ice and the benefit of the government.
This Is only one of his many good deeds.
He was always a public-spirited citizen
For sixteen years he took great pleasure
In his duties as a member and most of the
time as secretary of the Washington Ma
tional Monument Society, and had the
great satisfaction of seeing the compile
ton and dedication of the beautiful marble
obelisk-a magnificent tribute to the mem
CRY of the father of his country. Congress
having put the monument and everything
concerning 1t under the charge Of the War
Department, and the work allotted to the
society having been accomplished he with
other of his associates. rendered their
designations.
May 25, 1895. he married Ann Collins of
Portland, Me-. by whom he had seven chill
dren. only three Of whom survive. Mrs.
Annie A. Cole Of Washington, D. c., Gen.
Horatio c. King Of Brooklyn. NJ Y, and
Henry F. King Of West Newton, Mass
The others died young. His first wife died
September y. 1869. and he married Feb
ruary 8. 1875. Isabella G. Osborne Of All
burn. N. Y, who survives him.
Mr.: King was notable example to the
youth OF the country Born and bred under
circumstances which gave him no greater
advantages than are enjoyed by q large
majority OF the young men Of the Union.
he attained by his own energy. industry
and perseverance an exalted station, and
made for himself a name and a reputation
of which any man may be proud.
Mr.. Henry F. King, with his wife, arrived
at the King residence on H street from
Boston just before the death OF his vener-
able father. and was at his side when he
died. The arrangements for the funeral
have not been completed
Double Bereavement
The blow came with terrible force to Cen