The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-03
THE DEACON 10 YEARS YOUNG.
Rival Park Row Delegations Mt Amos ID.
Stlllman's Party.

Amos B. Stillman celebrated his seven
tieth birthday yesterday at his home in
Bensonhurst. Pilgrims came from all over
the city and from New Jersey and Con-
necticut 10 help in the celebration
Years and years ago Mr.. Stilman, whose
virtuous and seclate conduct had even then
given him the nickname Of Deacon, which
he still bears, set type on the NeU YORK
Times He came from Mddletown. Conn,
where he had been editor, composing room
foreman. pressman and newsboy Of little
newspaper OF his own. From the Times
no went TO the aid OF Gen. Joe Hawley,
who was running the Hartford Courdnt
In Hartford Mr. Stillmhn reported legls-
lative sessions. read proof, edited all the
news and bossed the mechanical depart
ments. One OF his most delightful duties
was that Of persuadng Gen Hawley TO
write the leading editorial Usually the
editor refused to write until MIR. Stillman
accompanied him to the Heublein Hotel
and had midnight lunch which lasted
until or = o'clock in the morning. really
did not make any difference so long as the
paper began coming of the presses before
Hartford was at its breakfast table
Thirty-five years ago Mr.. Sullman came
TO New York and entered the employ OF
The sun. He had charge Of all the news
from Brooklyn as well as the tele graph
matter from all over the country. II was
part OF his duty from time to time TO take
down editorials dictated 10y MIR. Charles A.
Dana, and now and then to run to a fire or a
murder.
With the development Of the Newspaper
business the Deacon's field Of labor has
narrowed though his faithfulness and hrs
youthfulness Of heart have never changed.
For many years he has made ready for
publication all the news received from
Washin gton and the State OF New York
The friends who called upon Mr.. Still
man yesterday and gave him gold watch
discovered in him, for nearly the first time
in their experience, the quality Of garrulity.
1t is told OF the Deacon that when Chicago
burned he was almost smothered with
realms OF dispatches describing the dis
aster Copy was piled on either eide OF
him yard high. When the last sheet was
edited and sent 10 the composing room and
at o'clock in the morning his desk was
clear the Deacon, who had not said word
from the time he sat down to his job. got
up and went to the mana ging editor
Big fire to-nig ht-Chicago: be said
Then he took his hat and went home.
Mr. Sullman has six daughters and
three sons and nnumerable grandchildren.
Most Of them helped him receive congratu-
lations Yesterday. MANY of his visitors.
who were night workers stayed mp in
order 10 he sure not to miss his party
There is corner behind the prescnp-
ton counter OF n downtown drug store
which il safe from draught and stumbling
feet and is sacred to the Deacon. There he
holds forth nightly on the poets, finance
and politics to a respectful and arprecia-
tive audience. There was meeting there
early Yesterday morning for the purpose OF
presenting n carved malacca cane TO The
beacon He was kept away by cold
whereupon mos' of those present waited
until seemly hour in the morning and went
10 his home in Bensonhurst TO join forces
with the gold watch delegation
Mr. Stllmau heard himself described as
a hateful white headed old reprobate and
in various other ways which saved his
eulogists from getting teary in tho effort
10 tell him how they really felt about him