The record-union., 1899-01-18
The Librarian Of Congress Crosses
the Dark River.
Passes Away at Washington After an H.
ness Of Several Weeks.
Had a Notable Career as q Journal
ist, Dip1omatist, Public Official
and the Intimate Associate Of
Distinguished Public Men.

| WASHINGTON, Jan. 17--John Rus
sell Young, Librarian of the Congress
sional Library, died at his residence
here at $40 this morning. after an ILL.,
uess of several weeks.
Mr.. Young has had a notable career
as Journalist, diplomatist. public Off
cial and the intimate associate of dis
tinguished public men. 5Je was born
in DowriLgtown, Chester County,
Penn, ->cvember 20, 1oi1- Ae Has edit
Gated in the public scnools OF Philadel-
phia ard New Orleans. IL. secured a
place on the Philadelphia Press in
1891 as copy boy. Wien John w. Fur
rey came to Washington III l>Ji 20 be-
come 5. cretary of the Senate, he
brought along Young, WHO by that time
had become a fluent writer.
| While acting as Colonel Forney's
Private Secretary, Mr. Young continued
his writings to the Philadelphia
Press" BY his description of the first
battle of Bull Run he won his spurs as
graphic war correspondent. He fol-
lowed the army of the Potomac TO the
end of the Chickahominy campaign. In
1S64 he accompanied General Nathaniel
p. Banks on the Red River expedition
On returning he became managing edi-
tor of the Philadelphia Press, which
he resigned in 1865 to start the Morn
ing Post" which, however, was not a
success. He had contributed to the
New York Tribune and his pleasing
style attracted the attention of Horace
Greeley, with the result that in 1866
Young became managing editor of the
Tribune"
At that time Young was only % years
I,<- 1zs. 1. +ra
study of law, and in 1867 he was ad-
mitted to the bar in New York City. In
1870 he again tried the establishment
of a newspaper of his own, the Stan
dard." About this time, however, Sec
retary Boutwell,, who was at the head
of the Treasury Department in Presi-
dent Grants Cabinet, induced Young to
&c abroad to study financial affairs.
While abroad on this mission the aw-
fui days of the Paris commune occurred
and Mr.. Youngs account of the rise anu
fall of the commune and of the stirring
days through which the French Capt.
tai passed is regarded as one of the
best examples of English descriptive
writing.
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 Cen
erel Grant started upon his memorable
trip around the world, and on his in
vitation Mr.. Young Joined the party.
This made him for two years almost a
member of the family of the great Cen
eral, and a warm friendship sprang up
between them. After the return Mr..
Young wrote Around the World With
General Grant,
During this trip Mr.. Young was spe-
cially interested in China, to which
country President Arthur sent him in
1882 as United States Minister. He re
n, aimed in China until the opening Of
the first Cleveland Administration,
when he returned to this country and
engaged in literary and business pur-
suits.
When the new Library of Congress
was completed attention was directed
to the choice of Librarian embodying
literary ability and executive manage
ment, 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 at the Cap
itol, and saw it expand into the classic
temple of the arts and literature which
it now occupies. The transition in
volved not only a removal of vast stores
of previous volumes, but the complete
reorganization of the library staff. Mr.
Young directed all of this, bringing
about the change from the old to the
new with smoothness and success. 1t
is said that his time had been spent in
part of a contribution to literature
which he had hoped to complete as the
chief literary achievement of his life.