The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-20
CUR HON0RED DEAD
Written by H. P. Hall OF the st. Paul Trade
Journal.

+, {.
When the Minnesota Editorial Association
halted at Chicago last June for dinner on
the return trip from the Pan American Ex-
position at Buffalo,, resolutions Of love anG
sympathy were adopted and wired to their
beloved associate, E.iP.. Barnun of st. Cloud,
the editor and proprietor of the Sank Center
Avalanche. 1t fitting tribute to
old and beloved friend and the last oppor-
tunity the association had to take. such ac-
ton. When I met him for the last time a
few weeks before his death he alluded to
that message and the tears came to his eyes
as he said, ''God bless the boys-I love then.
ALL"
The meeting of the Editorial association
o-day is clouded by his absence and cheercd
by the record of his life.
Mr.. Barnum died at St. CLOUD at 2 a. m.
JAM 10. after an illness Of nearly year. HIS
malady was dropsy and heart affection but
his death was due to the latter.
He was born at Stonington, Conn, June
16, 1881, and after passing through the schools
of his native town took a four years course
at the Troy academy, Rutland county, Yer
mont. After following the sea two years he
returned home and was married at Clinton,
Mich, April 10, 1852 to the wife who sur
wives him. After his marriage he went to
his fathers at Alden, N. Y, working upon
the farm His father was killed by an acct
dent on the 7th of the following July. Soon
latter the death Of his father he sold the
farm and engaged In business with John B.
Folsom at Folsomdalea In the fall Of 1856
he sold out this business and removed to
Des Moines. Iowa, where he engaged in the
hotel business. Two children had been born
to them, but in the spring of 1856 both died,
and he then removed to Minnesota locating
at Hastings, where he engaged in the lum-
Der business with c. W. Nash. In the sum
mer of 1864 he was appointed fort sutler
at Fort Abercrombie in the northern part of
the state and occupied that position for three
years.
In 1867 he removed to Sank Center and be-
came the proprietor Of the Sank Center
House, keeping the hotel for seven years He
next engaged in the furniture business, which
was followed by his connection with the
Sank Center Bank. He also bought the Sank
Center Avalanche and retained the ownership
of the paper until his death. &
He was the secretary and one Of the Or
ganizers of the railroad running from Little
Falls to Norris, now a branch of the North
ern Pacific.
Politically Mr.. Barnum was democrat,
and had he been member of the dominant
party he would, undoubtedly, have attained
high position. In 1867 and again in 1880 he
was the nominee of the democrats for lieu
tenant governor of the state and in 1873 was
the candidate of his party for congress Nell
son and Kindred were the republican nom,-
nees, the former winning. When it came to
| local Offices where politics were not a bar
Mr.. Barnum's ability was appreciated with
the result that he was member of the
board of education, town clerk, and chairman
| of the board of county commissioners In
| 1892 he was appointed clerk of the court of
Stearns county to fill vacancy and then
| removed to st. Cloud, where he died. He
was elected to the office in 1894 and again in
1883.
In fraternal work he was especially prom
inent and active He had served continu-
ousy since 1865 to the time of his death as
chairman of the board of custodians of the
grand lodge of Masons Of the state. He was
| member Of the Masonic lodge at Sank Cen
ter, Knight Templar, a member of Dana
RUS commandery at St. Cloud and Osman
temple of the Mystic Shrine of ST. Paul He
was also a charter member of the St Cloud
lodge of Elks.
When actively editing the Avalanche he
was vigorous and trenchant writer an.
did much to shape the public affairs in the
field covered by his paper.
In every position in life, public or private
he discharged the duties with ability and
fidelity and endeared himself to all with
whom he came in contact. In the editorial
association he was beloved and respected by
every member and this, his first absence
from our business meeting since he became a
member, is sadly noted.
Generous to fault, faithful to his friends
with integrity unimpeachable he was
prince among men. To his sorrowing wife
the Warmest sympathy goes out from every
member of The editorial association coupled
with the hope that she may long be spared to
continue the active membership which she
shared by her invariable attendance with
her beloved husband, and now by her sue
cession to the ownership Of the paper
MRS. CHARLES S. MITCHELL
The sad duty having been assigned me of
preparing notice of the great affiiction
which befel the Editorial Association on the
It'll Of last November I take the liberty Of
reproducing the tribute / paid to this. the
very best of women in the issue of my ma
per on Nov. &c. 1901. 1t was as follows:
The entire newspaper fraternity of the
state and "a host of other personal friends
were shocked last week to learn of the sud |
den death Of Mrs. Charles S. Mitchell. wife
OF the editor OF the Alexandria Post-Nnews
Though not in robust health. even the i'm
mediate family had no idea that the dread
summons was so near at hand. She attended
a family reunion at st. Cloud the Saturday
and Sunday previous, where she was the life
of the party, returning home with her hus- |
band on Monday. On Tuesday evening she |
was taken ILL., becoming unconscious at 6
a. m. Wednesday and SO remaining until 1 !
a. m. THURSDAY. when the end came Be- |
comprise the immediate family, while a VEN
cradle father and mother and brother in
Pennsylvania survive her.
Mrs. Mitchell was a daughter of Colonel |
John NJ Thompson, former member of con- |
gress from Pennsylvania. and prior to her
marriage she had spent much time In Wash |
ington. which naturally led to her taking
mere than usual interest in public affairs |
Cultivated and refined. she coupled with her !
intelligence charming personal magnetism, |
which made her the queen OF any circle which |
she entered. and she unconsciously reigned !
supreme in the affections of those who were
so fortunate as to enjoy her acquaintance.
At the annual meetings and excursions of
the. State Editorial Association Mrs Mitchell |
was the delight of all, and her presence added |
to the comfort and happiness OF every one I
Always thoughtful of others, brilliantly viva
cious in speech. she was a central figure on
these occasions. and more sincere words of |
sorrow for the dead and sympathy for the !
family were never uttered than the unani-
nous expressions of the state press during
the current week. The terrible affliction
which has come to Mr.. Mitchell is keenly
felt personally by the whole newspaper fra
ternity OF the state.
But precious as are the memories of Mrs. |
Mitchell as she mingled with the world. it |
was in the sacred precincts of her home that |
she shone Respondent All of the gentle [
graces of education refined womanhood were
here manifested and the friends who were
privileged to know her In her home enjoyed I
a boon which comes to but few. She was or
dained bv nature for a star in the social |
armament. and in the home she was verI-
table angel Of light
Every family in the community where she
lived feels that an afiiction has come to theirl
homes, and all who knew her realize that the /
world has been robbed OF a priceless treasure
The interment was In the lot OF the Mitchell /
family at st. Cloud in the North Star Gene