Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-20
Photo by Prince.

be- and finished out his days Work IN MS
usual brilliant style Wednesday night,
however, he became troubled by exquisite
pain in his ear A physician was sum-
moned and treatment was applied which
appeared to bring the relief sought. Thurs
day and Friday the patient seemed to i'm
prove and word was sent to his office that
he would resume work shortly. Saturday
morning complications arose and DR.. q. L..
Magruder the attending physician, called
DR.. E. O. Belt in consultation. AS a re-
suit of the consultation an operation was
performed which appeared to be successful,
but within short time the patient lapsed
into Inconsistencies. Dr. c. w. Richard
son. the specialist, was called in Saturday
evening, but nothing could be done for the
patient, who sank rapidly until he passed
away at the hour named. The attending
physicians diagnosed the case meningitis
In its most acute form Mrs. Merrick, her
sister. Mr.. T. J. Tally, Mr.. Scott c. Bone
and the attending physicians were at the
bedside when death came.
Funeral services were held in the apart
ments of the Farragut this afternoon at
1916 o'clock The services included only
dead by Rev. George f.. Dudley of St.
Stephens Episcopal Church. The remains
were then borne to the Pennsylvania rail-
road station and were later removed to
Portsmouth. Ohio, where funeral services
are to be held Wednesday. The pallbear-
ers were Scott C. Bone, John F. Wilkins
Ernest G. Walker, William P. Sturgeon.
Eugene B. Wilkins. T. J. Tally, Herbert
Major Richard Sylvester and Mr. Howard
n; Thompson, all of whom were personal
friends and associates of the deceased
Many messages of regret and coincidence
have been received at the Merrick apart
ments since the announcement of the death
was made These messages have come
from every quarter of the United States,
and typfied the universal popularity and
fame of the dead writer.
His Brilliant Career.
Mr.. Merrick was reputed to be the most
brilliant newspaper Photographer in the
country. He was forty-four years of age
and was born in Xenia, Ohio. His father
was prominent merchant of that city and
his family were well known throughout
that section of the state Mr. Merrick first
engaged in reportorial work in Xenia and
later went to GAINESVILLE, where he secured
an editorial position. He became owner
of a newspaper in New Philadelphia, Ohio,
shortly after this and remained with this
paper until he came to the Washington
Post about fourteen years ago. Mr.. Mer-
rick experience in the newspaper business
was gained from every department of the
paper. He has written everything for a
paper from an advertisement to an edi-
torial, and is reputed to have performed
every one of his duties we'll. His wide ex-
perience made him valuable to politicians
counts for the formation of friendships
with prominent democrats of that state
shortly before his coming to Washington.
Mr.. Beriah Wilkins became devoted to Mr.
MeTrlck and his interest while in Ohio
politics, and when he and Mr.. Frank Hatton
purchased the Washington Post In 1889
Mr. Wilkins sent for Mr.. Merrick and gave
him a place on the paper. He was first a
reporter on the Post, later exchange
editor and finally became a paragraph
writer. Mr.. Merricks paragraphs were
unique in the newspaper world He seemed
never to be written out" and in the long
years that he continued his work, turning
out from half column to a column Of
sharp comments daily, his work never de-
Perforated.
Personally Mr. Merrick was one of the
most kindly and jovial gentlemen to be
met in any profession. He was always in
the best of humor, and always ready to do
good turn for any one wanting it.
The death of Mr. Merrick is regarded as
peculiarly sad because he has been mar
rfed but four months, his young wife being
Frustrated with grief at his sudden passing
away. The funeral services in Portsmouth
will be celebrated Wednesday by the min
day last. They passed their honeymoon in
New York, and when they first came to
Washington settled at the Raleigh Hotel.
They had but recently moved into the Far
| ragut, and had established a very happy
| home. Besides his wife Mr.. Merrick leaves
| a young son of former marriage, Frank
| Merrick. who is connected with the ST.
| Louis purchase exposition; an aged father,
| who lives in Xenia, Ohio two brothers,
| Ernest Merrick of Pass Christian, Miss,
! and Fred Merrick of Minneapolis Tele-
| grams have been received from both the
| latter stating that the Senders had already
| started for Portsmouth. to be there in time
| to attend the funeral services. Mr.. Hud-
| son of Chicago, a brother-in-law Of the de-
| ceased. has arrived in this city and will act
as escort to Mrs. Merrick on her sad jour-
ney.