The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-18

iNNASN III w y6plcIudy
ing after an illness of several weeks.
John Russell Young had a notable
career as journalist, diplomatist, pub
lie official, and the intimate associate
of distinguished public men. He was
born in Downingtown, Pa, in 1S41. He
was educated in the public schools of
Philadelphia, and later ha went to New
Orleans, where he continued his school
work in the New Orleans high school.
returning TO Philadelphia, he secured
place on the Philadelphia Press in
1851 as copy boy When John w. For
ney came to Washington in 1861 to be-
come secretary of the Senate he
brought along Young, who by that time
had become fluent writer While act
ing as Col. Forney's private secretary,
Mr. Young continued his writings to
the Philadelphia Press, and it was by
his description of the first battle of Bull
Kun that he won his spurs as a graphic
war correspondent.
He followed the army of the Potomac
TO the end of the Chickahominy cam
paign. In 1864 he accompanied Gen,
Nathaniel P. Banks on the Red River
expedition. On returning he became
managing editor Of the Philadelphia
Press, which position he resigned in
1865 to start the Morning Post, which,
however was not a success. He con-
tributed to the New York Tribune. and
his pleasing style attracted the atten-
ton OF Horace Greeley, with the result
that in 1856 Young became managing
editor of the Tribune. His leisure time
ne devoted to the study of the law, and
IN 1857 he was admitted to the bar in
New York city. In 1870 he again tried
the establishment of a newspaper of
ms own, this time the Standard About
this time, however Secretary Boutwell,.
who was at the head of the treasury
department, induced Young to go
abroad to look into financial affairs.
While abroad on this mission the awful
Gays OF the Paris commune occurred.
ana Young's account Of the rise and
rail- or the commune and Of the stirring
days through which the French capital
passed is regarded ais one of the best
examples Of English descriptive writ
ing.
In 1872 he became the European rep
resentatiVe Of the New York Herald
and spent two years in London and
Paris and another year in work and
travel on the continent. In 1877 Gen
Grant started upon his memorable trip
around the world, and on his invitation
Mr.. Young Joined the party. This made
him for two years almost a member of
the family of the great general, and
warm friendship sprang up between
them. After the return Mr.. Young
wrote Around the World with Gen.
Grant"
During the trip Mr.. Young was spe-
cially interested in China, to which
country President Arthur sent him in
1882 as United States minister. He re-
manned in China until the opening of
the first Cleveland administration. when
he returned to this country and en-
gagged in literary and business pursuits.
When the new library of congress was
completed, attention was directed to the
choice of a librarian embodying literary
ability and executive management, and
President Mckinley named Mr.. Young
on July 1, 1897. He entered upon his
duties while the library was still in it's
cramped quarters al the capitol, and
saw it expand into the classic temple
of the arts and literature.
1t is said that his time had been
spent in part on a contribution to liter
allure which he had hoped to complete
as the chief literary achievement of his