The times., 1901-06-02
CHANGE IN A NEWS BUREAU.
#. A. Richardson Retires From tho
.sBaItimore suuv StnH


''BaItimOre sum- Stnn.
The retirement of F. A Richardson,
1 manager of the Baltimore Sun" Bureau
in this city, from that position went into
effect yesterday, when he was succeeded
by John p. Miller, of the Washington
Star" Mr.. Richardson, who has been the
/ Washington correspondent of the '.I3alti-
more sun" for over thirty-five years of
continuous service, resigns his position
to retire to private life. He is sixty-three
years OF age and one of the best known
newspaper men in the National Capital.
a great deal of opposition to accepting
his resignation was made by the proprie-
tors Of the Baltimore SUM-" to whom his
services have seemed incalculable and in
dspensable. But they were finally COM
PEELED to yield to his persistent wish to
enjoy leisure for the rest of his life.
Mr.. Richardson is a native of Baltimore
and was born January 10, 1855, of old
Maryland lineage. His people came from
England in 1910, settling in Maryland in
what afterward became known as Har-
ford County. The original estate which
had been in the family for over 200 years
was sold in 1877 by the Rev. Benjamin
Richardson, a grandfather of the jour
nalist, who desired to take UP his resi-
OencE IN Baltimore, ~nSIS lut rest Ol uiS
family had settled.
The father of Mr.. Richardson was Beale
Richardson. man of literary tastes, who
wrote extensively for magazines, COM
mencing his literary work at the age of
sixteen and continuing it until his death
in 1871 For a nurfber of years he was
the editor of the Baltimore Republican
and Argus the Democratic organ of the
State of Maryland later becoming finan-
ciaIly interested in the paper and finally
becoming its sole owner.
+. A. Richardson, the present Journal
ist on leaving Baltimore City College, en-
tered the office of his fathers paper, the
Republican, and from that time has
followed his chosen profession of jour
nalism. Serving in every department of
the newspaper work, he became thor
ougllly familiar with every phase of the
business in the composing room, the press
room, the counting room, and in the edi-
torial room.
AT the age of twenty-three ne became
the managing editor OF the paper IN lSoi,
when the civil war came on, the Richard
sons, who were heart and soul in SYM
pathy with the South, arrayed them
selves and their paper on that side. They
went through many exciting experiences.
Their establishment was several times
mobbed, they were frequently summoned
before the United States military COM
in September 1862, Major General
Schenck, then in command of that depart
ment, summarily suppressed the Re
publican" and bsnisl ed the father and
son beyond the lines 20 the South.
T. A. Richardson, acting under the ad-
vice Of James A. Sed6on. Confederate
Secretary of War, and other prominent
Confederates, ran the blockade from
Wilmington. N. C, to Nassau in the
British island of New Providence He
then sailed for New York; Soon after
his arrival he was arrested and sent to
Fort Delaware. He was confined there
for more than year, ai> released only
about two weeks before Lees surrender.
He at first thought Of undertaking TO re-
establish the Republican" but was
forced TO abandon the idea for want of
the necessary capital. He then made up
his mind TO be Washington correspond
eTt. He landed in the Capital CITY No
vember l5 1865. and what he always in
sists was through good luck, rather than
merit, got employment Immediately.
IN January. 1866, he became connected
with the Baltimore Sun" and has writ
ten for il continuously up 20 the present
day About this time Mr.. Richardson and
George w. Adams were associated in con-
Quoting the Baltimore Associated Press.
which made special feature of report
ing Congress.
In 1872 he took charge of the "Balti-
more sun Bureau, and in 1876 severed
his connection with all other papers. He
Is by years the oldest Washington corre-
apondent in continuous service and his
record as chief OF Washington bureau
much exeelS that of any other In 1871 de-
spite his eRgrossing labors in Washing
ton, he found time to get out an eIab-
orate historical and biographical work
Of his native city Of Baltimore and from
1879 20 1881 he was editor Of the Con
gressional Directory" Mr. Richardson
has written two series of letters from
Europe, and summer after summer let
ters from the principal watering places
Of the United States; also several series
Of winter letters from Florida He has
reported for the sun" the proceedings of
every national convention of both polit-
ical parties from 1872 TO $780, and in the
Presidential campaigns of this extended
period has gone into all the doubtful
States Of the East and West to give the
Sun" and its readers his impressions of
conditions and probabilities.
The signature F a. r. is one of the
best known in the United States and Mr..
Richardson enjoys the respect and es-
TEEN of an who know him, whether fel-
ow-journaIists or social acquaintance.