The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1905-03-17
CALLED BY DEATH.
EDITOR OF THE TINES SUCCUMBS TO
COMPLICATION OF DISEASES.

Howbert Billman, managing editor of
The Times, died at his home, ia West
Grant street Monday morning at $50.
He is survived by his wife, formerly
Miss Lillian Sommers, sister of Harry
Sommers, recently treasurer of two
prominent Chicago theatres, but now
connected with a New York theatre, his
parents, sister and brother. These
relatives are living in Michigan, Ne
braska and Indiana. His father, Rev.
Ira Billman, left indianapolis Sunday
night for Minneapolis, and Harry SOM
mers left New York for Minneapolis
Sunday afternoon.
The funeral will take place at 200
o'clock Wednesday afternoon from the
residence, Rev. j. L. Bushnell, ID. d.,
officiating.
While comparatively young man,
Mr.. Billman had enjoyed a large and
varied experience in the profession, in
which he delighted and in the advance
ment of which he was constantly in
terested. He had no higher ambition
than to be a successful newspaper man,
always aiming high, and adhering
closely to the standard of word that ne
had marked out. His measure of sue
cess for one of his years was certainly
encouraging for the future, now, un-
fortunately, taken away.
He was an interchangeable worker,
knowing no surcease from toll until
the tasks of the day were accomplished;
forceful writer, an advanced thinker
and constant student. He entered
the profession well fitted for advance
ment in position, being Yale man in
the class of 92, and having thorough
knowledge of political, business and
international conditions. He was ever
an earnest reader and possessed of an
analytical mind well poised for editor
ial criticism, and at the same time pos
sessing a natural discrimination i'm the
has enabled him to hold his own i'm the
conduct of his paper, even in these days
of strenuous journalism.
To very marked degree Mr.. Billman
was a reticent man, but the friends
that he did make he held. They were
attracted to him by his strong person
atty and his earnestness. His home
life was ideal, and his time was spent
between his Office and his home, except
such as was necessarily employed in
his outside work.
Mr.. Billman was born in Ohio thirty
seven years ago. After a preliminary
training on minor papers he joined the
staff of the Chicago Tribune and be-
came its dramatic editor, later being
called to the same position on the Rec
ord, where his aptness for stage criti-
cism won him marked recognition.
During the Spanish war he was sent
out as correspondent by the Record,
being with Admiral Schley at Santiago
and with Lawton at the assault on FL
Caney. His persistency enabled him to
secure many special stories on this as
| signment.
Returning from the war, he was en-
ployed by the Associated Press in an
editorial position, and resigned to start
the Press, morning paper at st. Jo-
seph, Mo. In this venture he was as
sociated with w. III. Turner, formerly
one of the right hand business man
ayers of the Scripps- McRae syndicate.
In 1903 the Press and the Daily News
were consolidated and Frank a. Mum
sey of the Daily News of New York
secured the services of Mr.. Billman.
He came to Minneapolis and assumed
charge of the editorial department of
The Times April 10, 1904.
Mr.. Billman was afflicted with a val
vular disease of the heart, and quite
recently developed asthmatic symptoms.
Feeling the need of medical advice from
one who knew his condition, he went to
Chicago on Friday, March 3, and held
a consultation with his former family
physician, returning on Saturday night
following. He was at his office on Mon
day and in consultation with member
of the staff on Tuesday. Bright's dis
ease developed to an acute stage ON
~ - - n. 2 -
severe struggle for life, but the COM
bination of diseases was too great. des-
pite the brave fight; the end coming
peacefully and not unexpectedly. His
mind toward the last, indeed, through
out his sickness, ever reverted to his
profession and the work over which he
exercised controlling supervision.
In the death of Howbert Billman,
journalism has lost one of its brightest
luminaries; and The Times a faithful,
conscientious, capable managing ed
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