The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1902-12-04
RAY THOMPSON.


One OF the most unique personalities
in the Maine newspaper field today is
Ray Thompson, the genial editor of the
Westbrook Gazette. Following the sea
in his youth, writing novel in a saw
mill in his early manhood. At fifty
Mr.. Thompson, bright and original as
when he edited the Richmond Bee, on
which he did his first newspaper work
of Importance, is still in harness and
many of his friends predict even better
work than his past successes yet to
come.
Ray Thompson was born in Gardiner,
Maine, in 1852. His father died during
Rays infancy, but he was cared for by
the best of mothers, 20 whom he was
very much attached and whom he
Mrs. Thompson died in 1887, after see
ing her talented son achieve large
degree of success in his chosen pro-
feSsion.
With her young son Mrs. Thompson
came to Richmond in 1859, when Ray
was but seven years of age. Ray
Thompson made Richmond his home
until 1894, when he sold the Richmond
Bee, of which he was proprietor, to
Durham & Alden. Young Ray &C.
quired his early education in the public
schools of Richmond and studied one
year in the Richmond academy.
Being DESTROYS of helping his mother,
who was not in good financial circum-
stances, Ray decided to follow the sea.
He shipped before the mast for his first
voyage when fourteen years of age, and
followed the sea for a number of years.
On being questioned by the Argus rep
reSentative, who interviewed him at
the Gazette office one day last week as
to how he liked a sailors life, Mr.
Thompson replied that he did not like
it, but it brought him in good money
and was about the only thing he could
fit into at the time.
Upon his return to Richmond Mr..
Thompson accepted position in the
saw mill of Foster Il Spaulding. While
in that business he spent several win
tiers in the lumber camps of Maine and
one season in Florida, getting out live
oak for Swift Bros. a New Bedford
firm.
1t was while in the saw mill of Fos-
ter Il Spaulding that he again took up
his studies which had been interrupted
by his leaving the academy for sea- He
also began at this time to put on paper
the many interesting events which had
occurred to him in his adventurous life.
At this time Mr. Thompson also CORE
sponded for number of county news
papers, among them the Kennebec
Reporter
1t was Mr. Thompson's custom while
hours in the mill and six hours ad-
ditional in study and writing. While
there he wrote his first novel, ga Re-
spectacle Family" which was brought
out by Donnelly, Gasette & Lloyd of
Chicago about 1877. The book passed
through three editions.
"How much did you realize from the
novel?' was asked Of Mr.. Thompson.
II sold the copyright for two hundred
and fifty dollars said he. 'Donnelly,
Gasette & Lloyd sent me contract re
serving the right to dramatic or issue
the book in any other form. / drew my
pen through these words and thought
nothing more of it until year later
when | saw on a news stand my novel
printed in cheap form under title ''The
Story of Richard Worth" | called the
attention of the publishing house to
this breach of contract After some
discussion they agreed to arbitrate the
matter and | was awarded Seventy-fve
dollars SO l received IN all for the
book about three hundred and twenty
five dolars.'
Iu 1880 Ray Thompson purchased the
Rjclmoud Bee, which made his name a
household word throughout the State of
Maine. He made the paper unique
one. A bee appeared on the title page.
and the column Bees WhacksH was
quoted from in papers all over New
England.
In 1894 he sold the Bee to Durham &
Alden. The paper is still continued
under the management of Mr. Durham
While conducting the Bee MI Thomp-
son also wrote for number OF other
papers. Much of his work appeared in
the Lewiston Journal, while some found
its way to the Texas Siftings, Peck's
sun, Ballous Magazine True Flag and
Morning Star. Mr.. Thompson left Rich
mond soon after dlsposing of the Bee
He passed the next year and half in
New York, engaging in general news
paper work. Here he was sort of free
lance, selling his work wherever he could
find market for it, Later he went 10
Boston, where he edited the Press and
Printer, trade publication, for about
year. He also did great deal of work
for suburban papers in the vicinity of
Boston.
From Boston he went to Concord,
New Hampshire There he edited the
People and Patriot free silver daily,
for over year. May 30, 1900, Mr..
Thompson returned to his native State,
which he had not seen since he sold the
Richmond Bee in 1894. He went to
Portland to take charge of weekly
which was about to be started there.
The new venture survived three issues
only, but Mr.. Thompson decided to re-
main in Portland, where he did more or
less writing of general character.
In September, 1900, Ray Thompson
came to Westbrook to take editorial
charge of the Westbrook Gazette, a
new paper which Alderman Alexander
Speirs of that city was about to start.
The new paper was success from the
first number. A few weeks ago its
owner bought up its rival. the West
brook Chronicle
The Gazette under the editorship of
Mr.. Thompson and the business man
agement of Mr.. Speirs, is newsy pro-
gressive weekly in live, growing sub
urban city and power for good in the
community. Since its start the paper
has championed number of local re-
forms i'm a very fearless manner