The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-17
POSTMASTER HESS DEAD
HE HAD BEEN VERY ILL FOR A Pc
Rod OF THREE WEEKS.
Mr.. Hess Was One of the WeII-Known
and substantial Citizens
of the City.

morning at o clock at his home, 1921 North
Alabama street, after an illness of three
weeks. He had been in poor health for sew
eral years. but kept at his desk as long
as he was able. He realized his condition,
but wished for strength to complete his
term as custodian of the Office. During
his illness it was thought a number of
times that he could survive but a few
hours. but he would rally and showed
much Improvement. He was unable TO take
nourishment and gradually grew weaker.
During the entire time he was confined
to his bed Mr. Hess took the same inter
est in the management of the postofice
as when at his desk and directed affairs
through his assistant, John z. Shideler.
James Washington Hess was born on
farm near Lewisburg, Va, which was in
that portion of the State now known as
West Virginia, April 2. 1885. His mother
was OF English descent, and his father
was German, whose parents came from
Hesse-Cassell. His early life was spent on
the farm. When he was twenty years of
age he came TO Indiana, locating at Frank
lin, where he at once engaged in the re-
tail dry goods business. He was married
on March 16 1859, to Mary l.. Richie,
daughter of DR.. Richie, who was prom
inent physician of Franklin. One child was
born to them, Herbert Richie Hess, who
died about five years ago.
Mr.. Hess came to Indianapolis in 1863
entering again into the dry goods business
in the old Odd Fellows Hall. He remained
there until 1873, when he removed into the
building which stood on the site now occu-
Mad hxy Wa dr1, yoodc bouca IIo
manned in business there until 1882, when
he disposed of his interests and entered
upon the duties of the office of sheriff of
Marion county, to which office he was
elected that year.
At the expiration of his term as sheriff
Mr.. Hess went into the business of manu-
featuring lounges being president of the
indianapolis Lounge Company until Febru-
airy, 1898, when he was installed as post
master of the city of Indianapolis. At the
time he entered the lounge manufacturing
business indianapolis was the center of
that trade, and continued to be such for
number of years. The factory employed
large number of men, and was one of the
principal factories in the country.
A PROMINENT MASON
Mr.. Hess was a charter member of the
Ancient Landmarks Lodge, A f. and
A. NJ, in which he served several
years as worshipful master. Upon
his IeIlTeInGnL from IndL once he
was presented by his brother Masons
with a beautiful and valuable token
of their appreciation of his efforts in be-
half of the lodge. He was Scottish Rite
Mason. and was the first Indiana member
of that order to receive the thirty-third
degree
Mr.. Hess was a member of the Third
Presbyterian Church and for many years
took very active interest in the welfare
of the church. He was for number of
years member of the board of managers.
Mr.. Hess was a great student and had
very liberal views regarding all matters of
| public interest. He became interested i'm
politics at the time he first came to Indian
| apelis, and this interest was undated up
| TO the time of his death. He was prom
inently identified with the Republican par
| ty and was once member OF the state
/ central committee. In county politics there
was hardly a campaign in which he was
| not connected with the county central COM
| mittee, of which he was one year the
chairman. He was a man of marked abil-
| ity and especially in political organization.
| His Judgment was considered as excellent
| and he was nearly always called into con-
/ sultation upon important matters.
| Both in public and private life Mr.. Hess
| had faculty of getting along with others
/ without antagonizing them when differ
ences of opinion arose. He was most loyal
| TO friends and never forgot a favor rem
/ dered either to himself or his party
His entrance into public service was in 1880
4 IN WnlCn year ne was a candidate before
| the county convention for the nomination
/ for sheriff. There were six other candi-
| dates before the convention, and Mr. Hess
| was defeated by Harry Adams on the four
| teenth ballot. Mr.. Adams served two years
i as sheriff and was succeeded by Mr. Hess
who secured the nomination before the
convention. The election that year was
very close all candidates and the official
count showed the election of Mr. Hess by
/ twelve votes. His opponent was Dan
/ Lemon. So close was the vote that the
/ election was contested and a recount was
| made by committee appointed by the Cir
| cult Court. Mr.. Hess's majority was in
/ creased by the recount to seventy-nine
/ After serving one term as sheriff he en-
/ gagged in the lounge business and did not
/ ask for the nomination again. He held no
| other public office until he was appointed
postmaster by President Mckinley.
| AS POSTMASTER.
Mr.. Hess entered the postofice as its
head Feb. 16. 1898. He succeeded Albert
/ Sahm, and the transfer of the office was
made at midnight by short speeches to the
| employees both by Mr.. Sahm and Mr.. Hess
| In referring to the business of the post
Office Mr.. Hess admitted that he knew but
/ little of the work he had undertaken, but
/ said he would use every effort, with the
| cooperation of the attaches of the office.
to give Indianapolis the best possible postal
i service.
| During his recent Illness when he was
| unable to be at the Office, he was in close
| touch with John T.. Shideler, his assistant
| and claimed to know as well what was
| tranSpirIng in the office as If he had been