The age-herald., 1898-01-16
DEATH OF JAS. B SIMPSON iS
 One of Alabama's Brightest Jour- naIists Says His "Good Night" HIS LAST COPY TURNED IN" An Honest Man Whose Talents Were Spent in UnssIfsh and Tireless Labor from Which <
 Others Most Profted.
Special to The Age-Herald.


 Montgomery, Jan. 15.-James B. Simpson died about 1 o'clock today in his cottage home on Goode street, after a four months illness of consumption. He leaves wife and three little daughters, the eldest be- ing about 10 years of age.
 "Jim'' Simpson, as he was familiarity called, was a modest fellow and he did not aspire or attain to high estate, but it is likely that news of the death of no indi- vidual in Alabama today would bring sim cere regret to a greater number of peo- pie.
 James B. Simpson was born in Butler county forty years ago, his father being a native Irishman. The family moved to Montgomery shortly after the war, and Simpsons boyhood, youth and manhood have been spent here. He received the rudments of his education in the schools here, and secured his first employment as clerk in a hardware store. He remained in the mercantile business several years, but commercial. life was not to his liking and about fifteen years ago, when the Montgomery Dispatch was established, he secured employment on it's staff as re- porter. He remained with the Dispatch until its suspension several years later, and then associated himself with Horace Hood in the proprietorship of the Montgomery Journal Three years ago he withdrew from the Journal to represent as corres- pondent here a syndicate of foreign after noon papers
 In the last campaign for the democratic nominations for state officers, MT. Simpson was a candidate for state auditor, and re- ceived very complimentary vote in the convention. At the time of his death he was in line to have succeeded the present auditor, Capt White, at the expiration of his second term.
 When Gov Johnston was inaugurated there were thirty or forty applicants for the recording secretaryship, but, appreciat- ing Mr. Simpsons ability and eminent ft- ness for the place, he rendered it to him. It was while in the discharge of the duties of this position that the disease which de- priyed him of his life manifested itself. He was forced to take to his bed four months ago, since which time his dissolution has been gradual, though marked.
 At the time of his death MT. Simpson was first vice-president of the Alabama Press association, which honorary position he has held for several terms. He was an official in the Alabama chapter of the Cath ollie Knights of America and occupied an important place in the councils of the local church.
 Jim Simpson was notable character in several particulars. He had perhaps more correct information about Alabama than any other man in the state. He was student of history and of national facts, and his long experience as a reporter at the capital where he came in contact with the people who had made and were making the history of the state, offered him good opportunities
 It may be said of him also that he was the most unselfish man perhaps in Ala bama politics. He had done more political favors, ground more axes for other people, helped out more schemes of profit to others, aided in the placing of more political crowns on more heads and received less in return for it all than anybody.
 Mr. Simpson was undoubtedly the most accomplished news writer in the state His reports were spicy, well worded and his facts were always correct. He paid the most scrupulous attention to detail and seldom misconstrued and never intention ally misstated the facts in what he wrote.
 He was great-hearted, whole-souled fel low and his honest Irish face and cordial