davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-27
ALFRED w. LEE OF IOWA

Davenport Democrat: Member of
the Lee Syndicate Of Iowa Evening
Newspapers. /"
These words appear at the head Of
the editorial columns Of the Dayen-
port Times, the Muscatine Journal,
ana the ottumwa Courier. And in
substance they may be found in the
Courier of Hannibal, Mo. and
the Tribune of La Crosse, Wis.
Member of the Lee Syndicate of
Evening Newspapers" could, with
great propriety. be cut in the marble
that will mark the last resting place
OF Alfred w. Lee. The inscription
would indicate the achievement of a
native Iowan who was cut down sud :
denly away from home, in the prime
OF life, when the future was full of
promise. AS a boy he engaged in an
uncertain and overcrowded business
and made success of it, not in one
instance merely but in several Of
t them, n fields widely separated and
unlike UNI IN conditions. Mr. Lee had
just past his 49th milestone, and all
his life was spent in Iowa. He was a
product of Its schools, of it's univer-
slty, OF Its printing offices, its editor
1al rooms. From a compositor in
Muscatine he won his way through all
the stages until he became the direct :
ing head of five newspaper plants in
was gained in Chicago and in kansas
as we'll as in the offices he came to
own in large part.
The fact Of Mr. Lees death was
stated in The Democrat Of last even
Ing. He was away from duty on a
vacation trip in England when the
summons came with a warning Of
two weeks. The remains will un-
doubtedly be brought to Ottumwa for
burial.
Iowa's newspaper fraternity meets
with loss, for it has not many, If
1t has one, of Mr. Lees orga nizing
mind and persistent effort In SO MANY
directions. He was liked by all who
knew him, and his acquaintance was
large, for he had the qualities that
make men strong as we'll as success
ful. The different properties he built
up We're SO well established that they
Will continue along the lines Mr. Lee
laid down.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-27
A BELIEVER IN SYSTEM

Fort Dodge Messenger: One ma
turally would suppose that the fore
most publisher in Iowa would be
found in one of the largest cities, but
he has not been there. The an
nouncement of the death of Alfred
w. Lee, of Ottumwa. tells of the
departure from this world of the fore
most figure among the publishers OF
newspapers of Iowa.
1t was no, as an editor, but as the
publisher of newspapers, that Mr. Lee
accomplished his remarkable career.
At the time Of his death he was the
leading stakeholder in five daily news
papers and his genius was responsible
FOR their being under the control Of
Mr. Lees life work will live long
after him. He has developed system
or success that can be followed by
others.
system" was the keynote of every
thing that Mr. Lee did. Make the
business tell what 1t is DOING was
his motto. To accomplish that result
that We're inscrutable. He would
SIT at his desk at Ottumwa and with
the daily report blanks that came to
him from his outside newspapers
would analyze their transactions and
Know whether there were weak spots
that needed correcting The reports
told the story and pointed unerringly
TO the weakness. The business world
is unanimous in the faith that This 10
the method by which great enterprises
nave TO be run and Mr. Lee demon
strated that comparatively small bus
mess concerns could get proportionate
success by the same thorough infor-
nation regarding their affairs. Many
| or the reports that Mr. Lee used seem :
ed unnecessary for the reason that
they appeared to be about inevitahi-
expenses, which would be increa se1
sun more by the use of elaborate
housekeeping But he knew what he
wanted. He was determined to mako
ms suoord1nates know by the use of
pencli and paper just what they were
| gong. That was of more Importance
| man that he should himself he In
formed De N
The Lee methods would make a
success of any kind, of business 4,
only happened that he followed the
newspaper trade. Whatever he had
Undertaken he would have hear
equally successful in
ae FACULTY (which Mr. Lee had In
choosing able assistants was a talent
porn IN him and few can hone TO he
equa! to him in that regard: but the
klndly interest he took in their wai.
rare and the solicitude he felt for
them which Inspired their loyaI an :
tnuslasm In return were Qualities tho
ottter men In authority would ALWAYS
| md of assistance - " e'J y
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-27
HAD MANY FRIENDS

Creston Advertiser Gazette: The
newspaper men of Iowa were greatly
shocked to learn Of the death OF a.
w. Lee of Ottumwa, which occurred
In Europe on Monday. Mr. Lee left
for Europe about two months ago
with his family and the announcement
of his sudden death was received III,
Ottumwa on Monday. He was one OF
the most successful newspaper men
the state of Iowa has produced. He
was president of the Lee Newspaper
Syndicate, which owned the Otturn-
wa Courier, the Muscatine Journal,
the Davenport Times, a newspaper In
Missouri and one in Wisconsin, all
the papers being dailies. In addition
to being a newspaper man OF great
ability and marked success Mr. Lee
was genial and companionable man
whose many fine qualities had wor,
him the friendship Of many of the
newspaper workers Of the state. His
untimely death will be greatly re-
gretted ~ Yf
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-27
ELEVATED IOWA JOURNALISM

Fairfield Tribune: In the death of
A. w. Lee Of Ottumwa, the news
paper fraternity of Iowa is bereft Of
one of the ablest and most respect
ed members.
! In the prime of life, not yet fifty
years Of age, while enjoying a re-
spite from labor with his family in
Europe he was suddenly summoned
to cross the Stygian shore. Business
success had been his. His prosperous
newspapers speak of his ability in his
chosen field of activity. The hundreds
death speak of his standing as man.
Mr Lee belonged to the ranks of self
made men. He began at the lowest
round of the ladder. He attained to
the highest by honest effort, conscien-
tlous, intelligent and persevering ef-
fort. He was gentleman in all that
the word implies. He possessed the
mastery free of all slavery or its
significance. He won the good will
respect and love of his lieutenants
He fmbued them with his own ambi-
lions to excel and he bound them I'm
to himself by the ties Of mutual in
terests
The newspaper fraternity Of Iowa
owes to the deceased a debt Of ever
lasting gratitude. Among many others
he was one of the foremost to elevate
journalism in the state. BY his exam
pie he has demonstrated that the
newspaper business needs rot neces :
sarily mean poverty, deprivation and
loWliness, but that it is profession
which, when intelligently followed
will command the respect of all and
provide the wherewithal for comfort
of life.
The Tribune joins with the many
friends in sympathy for the family
who have thus suddenly been bereft
OF husband and father. Let them re.
like themselves, has lost a loved and
respected member.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-27
WILL BE SINCERELY MISSED

Cedar Rapids Republican,: The
death of A. w. Lee removes from the
list of Iowa publishers one of the
most successful men. Mr. Lee, was a
bundle of energy. He had foresight
and courage and genius for the de-
tails of the publishing business. He
loved work and he revelled In 1t. His
death was the result Of an Inherited
weakness of heart, what is known
popularity as the ''leaky' heart. He
suffered from It, more or less, for q
great many years. This year he
thought that sea voyage would be
a good thing for him, but 1t proved
to be exactly otherwise. He was Ill at
sea and probably he did not see a we'll
day on the other side. II he had re-
manned in the Iowa harness he might
still be in the enjoyment of life. He
is one of the long list of men who an
nually go away in quest Of health
and find death instead of health at
the end of the journey. Mr. Lee will
be sincerely missed among the news
paper men of Iowa. He was a clean,
progressive, upright, enterprisins
man, clean of life and high Of mo-
tive and devoted to his home life
and business alike. Iowa had no bet
ter or more helpful man than A. w.
Lee
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-27
A S, ELF-MADE MAN

Burlington Hawkeye: Death has
again entered the ranks Of Iowa jour-
nalism. This time it has taken a man
who has been more identified with the
upbuilding. and success of the evening
newspaper business than any other in
dtvidual in the state. A. w. Lee,
proprietor and publisher Of the OF
tamwa Courier, and president OF the
Lee Syndicate of evening daily news
papers, will be keenly missed by Iowa
newspaper men and others, among
whom he has grown up in business.
He was an example of what is called
a self made man. Compelled to earn
his own living at an early age, he
went into newspaper office in a
minor position at Sc per week, He
was fitted both in temperament and
individuality for journalism and as
Tune passed he grew in the graces of
the profession, until in time he owned
u paper of his own. y =
Mr. Lee was public-spirfted man
and was closely identified with politi-
cal movements in his district and in
the state. He was a staunch Re-
publican. always upholding the party
principles, and discouraging party ex-
curslons into bipartisan fields. He
was appointed postmaster, but did
the almost unprecedented thing of
resigning the Office early in his term
for the purpose Of better looking af :
ter his private business affairs. This
act was q fair index of his earnest
business methods. 1t was that loyalty
to his enterprises that made him the
success he was.
Mr. Lees death was untimcly. He
was but fairly along in the most use
full years Of a mans life, and his sud
den removal while on a tour of Eu-
rope was great shock to his friends.
He will be sincerely mourned by Iowa
newspaper men and citizens generally
who knew of the splendid things he
was accomplishing for journalism.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-27
A MASTER OF DETAIL

Waterloo Times Tribune: A. w.
Lee, one of the most successful of
western newspaper publishers died at
Nottingham, England, yesterday,
from heart failure. Mr. Lee was an
example of a man who was particu-
larly adapted to catering to the wants
of the reading public. AS president
of the Lee Syndicate, publishing sew
eral Iowa newspapers, he made great
strides toward fortune. He was a
man of courage, master of detaiY
and although in but middle life his
name was as widely known in the
newspaper world as any publisher Of
the middle west. His brother pub-
fishers in Iowa greatly regret the
s;ldaAn departure of his aniris
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-27
HIGH TYPE OF MANHOOD :

Iowa City Republican: In his BUSH
ness life Fred Lee carried that cheer
fulness which characterized him as a
youth, and his industry was never
failing. He has been successful as a
publisher. but possibly at a great sac :
rlfce of physical strength
he began newspaper work on the
Muscatine Journal at a dollar a day
and In the course of years mastered
all the departments of newspaper
making. Then he went to Ottumwa.
1t was just beginning to take on that
new life which has made it one of the
most thrifty Of the cities of Iowa He
made his newspaper as good as as the
business would warrant and possibly
better. He had faith in his city. He
never sat back and sulked. He said
come on, and from the start was a
leader in commercial life of his city
Later he acquired the other news
paper properties and his syndicate
now has five of the best newspapers in
the medium sized cities of the middle
west
Mr. Lees courage was never failing.
His integrity was never questioned
He was true to his convictions. His
newspapers were always clean and
never sensational. He represented
the highest type of American man
hood. He ought to have lived long
err, for he was just beginning to take
the measure of man possibilities.
Fred Lee will be missed by the
newspaper men of the state. He Is
mourned by his associates in his own
field of activities and in that wider
measure of newspaper fraternalism.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-27
PROMINENT AT oTruMwA.

Ottumwa Saturday Herald: The
sudden and unexpected death of A..
w. Lee, president of the Lee Syndi-
cate of five daily papers, which oc-
CURED at Nottingham England.
Monday morning was great shock
to this community. Mr. Lee was own
er of the Qttumwa Courier, and one
OF the best known and most useful of
Ottumwas many good citizens. Mr.
Lees success in the newspaper bust
ness for the last fifteen years was
phenomenal, and we are confident he
leaves an estate of over quarter of
million dollars. He had the rare
faculty Of taking young men and edu-
eating them to make successful news
paper men. y - In private walks Of
life, Mr. Lee was model citizen
His love for little boys was wonderful
and as beautiful as any poem. AT
the time of his death he was presi-
dent Of the Commercial Exchange,
president Of the Country club, q
member Of the library board and
prominent In all good works for the
betterment of the city. The genuine
sympathy Of this community will go
across the sea to the bereayed wife
and daughter, and to the aged moth
err, in their long and sad Journey
home, and the. wish will be universal
that they will have safe journey.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-27
NOT AGGREssIvELY PARTISAN

Dubuque Times Journal: A. w.
Lee was a progressive and enternris.
ing publisher and a familiar figure at
gatherings of newspaper men in this
state. He was postmaster at OF
tumwa for a time, but resigned to
give his exclusive attention to his
business interests. His social talents
and public spirit were marked and he
was president Of the Ottumwa Com
nercial club, member of the board
of trustees of the Ottumwa Library
association. president of the Ottum-
wa golf club last year and a mem
Der of the Wapello club and of the
First Presbyterian church of Ottum-
wa. In 1885 he was married to Miss
Minnie Walker, daughter of w. W.
Walker, a prominent railroad builder
of Cedar Rapids.
1t was while on an editorial excur-
sion that he saved from drowning the
young lady who subsequently became
his bride. His wife and surviving
child and his wife's mother accom-.
panied him on his voyage to England
The most conspicuous fact of his ca. :
reer as publisher is the success he
achieved without making his newspa-
pers aggraSa:Tal,' 2a-ttsan
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-27
IOWA JOURNALISM LOSES

j Kewanee Gil. J STAR Courier: Out
IN Iowa where first-class newspaper
Ssnen are common, one of the very
best has been A. w. Lee of Ottum
4 va, who has been the head of the Lee
i syndicate, including the Davenport
Times, Ottumwa Courier, Muscatine
journal and papers at Hannibal, Mo. :,
and Lacrosse. Wis. A few weeks ago
Che left his work intending to take a
trip abroad for the benefit of his
Health. Yesterday cablegram
brought the sad news that he had
A.uddenly died at the United States
n onsulate at Nottingham, England.
#oeath was due to heart, failure from
(which he had been suffering for about
two weeks. His loss will be greatly
2felt in Iowa journalism in which he
Sad long been a conspicuous figure.
D: Throop formerly of Kewanee.
8nd well remembered here, has for
Che last year or two been Mr. Lees
personal representative at Muscatine.
as publisher of the journal of that
3city.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-27
SUCCESS DUE 10 INTEGRITY

Des Moines Capitals: A. W. Lees
eading business characteristics might
,e described as painstaking method
nd persistent energy. He never took
snything for granted; he must actual
" know. In newspaper management
he developed in response to his OPP
portunities. A number of bright
young men are indebted for all their
business success to A. w. Lee.
They adopted his methods, am
plifed and enlarged upon them
confidence in a young man he
8rrusted him implicitly and in turn
was trusted likewise. He never al
lowed himself to be SO attached to a
\ notion that he could not change upon
4 the presentation Of something better :.
He was frequent attendant at news
Spaper conventions and was always
ready to compare notes with his fell
ow publishers. Editorial conven-
lions were a source Of much pleas
lure to him. His sudden dropping out
of the ranks will occasion universal
q sorrow among the editors and pub
fishers Of the state. To them he had
request responsive. His newspapers
were distinguished for giving the news
without color or comment. He never
Thought 1t wise to NEEDLE in all kinds
4of local quarrels. He resisted all
$temptation to participate seriously in
tactional fights. He was especially
noted for his love and devotion to his
wife and daughter and their family
relationship. On all his vacations he
could not be happy unless accom-
panied by his wife and daughter. His
devotion to them was unselflsh and
beautiful. His personal life was
clean. He believed in temperance
and taught the same belief to the
many young men associated with him
IN business. Not little Of his sue
cess is due to the fact that he wasted
no time nor strength In dissipation.
He believed in prompt payment of bills
and debts. He believed in keeping his
agreements. He had through a life
2of integrity built up a credit which
was practically without limit. Had
che lived ten years longer his achieve
ments in the business world would
have been larger, larger than any in
the past. His business had appar-
intly just begun.
,N In journalism he is noted for steady
Reinforcement. He believed in going
Il Forward just as rapidly as his con-
aNstituency would permit. He always
kept his papers ahead Of the imme-
Adiate local demand and sustained
himself by the attainment Of outside
patronage.
The death Of A. w. Lee is Iowa's
Joss, loss not only to his family but
to his city and state He has been
stricken down at apparently the be-
ginning of his usefulness. His death
will be widely mourned. Mrs Lee is
lei sister to Mrs Johnson Brigham of
shis city. On yesterday Mr. Brigham
left Des Moines for Iowa City and two
or three hours after his departure Mrs
Brigham received a telegram an
nlouncing Mr. Lees death.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-27
we reproduce on this page a few

we reproduce on this page few
30 the many editorial expressions Of
Iowa and other newspapers at the
death Of Alfred w. Lee of Ottumwa,
president of the Lee Syndicate Of
which this newspaper is a member.
Mr. Lee was known best among news
paper men, and their tributes speak
eloquently Of the name he had made
for himself in his chosen profession.
In his home city no man stood high
Or. He was on the firing line of every
movement for the advancement of the
town. and for six months previous to
his death had thoroughly revived and
put on a serong footing the Ottumwa
Commercial association, as its presi-
dent. It is fitting to say that the
death Of no Iowan Of late years has
brought out such universal regret and
wholesome praise Of the man and his
achievements as that of Mr. Lee.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-27
JOURNALISM LOSES MUCH

Streator (Iil.) Press: For many
years A. w. Lee Of Ottumwa. Ia,
has held the front i, rank among
country newspaper men throughout
the country. He was head OF the Lee
wa, Ia. Courier and four other
newspapers. The most prominent of
which was the Times OF Davenport.
He was also prominent factor in
the commercial life OF Ottumwa.
Recently Mr. Lee, accompanied by
his family, left the United States for
a tour of Europe, largely for the
benefit of his health, but his hopes
for recovery were not realized and on
Monday he died from heart failure In
England. In the death OF Mr. Lee
country journalism in America loses
one of its most successful men and
one who has done much to set high
standard Of excellence In that field
of activity
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-27
ENCOURAGED YOUNG MEN

s.
Boone News Tribune: In the death
of Editor "A. w. Lee at Nottingham.
England, Iowa Toses one of Its
brightest, and from commercial
standpoint, its most successful news
paper man.
and always had time to compare notes
with, his brothers In the profession,
his life has been strenuous, and the
vocation he was enjoying snapped the
Ire cord. There Is strain TO news
papering which does not appear on
the placid surface, and which is real
lied only by those who engage In 1t.
The fascination sof 1t overcomes the
petty annoyances and worries which
constantly assail, but they eventually
leave their impress on the health of
the devotee Of the daily paper Mr.
Lees calm exterior gave little indica-
ton of the dynamo of energy that
made itself felt in the mastery works
he has left behind.
The usefulness of MrASLees work
which did not come to the surface
for commentator during his life was
tne great help and aencoura cement he
gave TO young men. File was In him
self a yeritable School of Journal
Ism, and the men who have grad
uated' from the busy mills at the va
rlous seats of the syndicate are legion.
lt fs3still considered a great good for
tune to secure one of aLee's men On
the; force. Notwithstanding the com
pleteness of his success In Iowa Jour
nal1sm, his life work was Just fairly
begun, and his taking off In the very
prime OF life Is most lamentable.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-27
HE ABHoRED HYPOCRISY

Hopkinton Leader: Never was
there man who more keenly felt an
injustice done personally or through
his publications, and that which is
eminently right was a favorite express
sion always given with the deepest
feeling and without the slightest
tinge of hypocrisy When other men
were willing to sacrifice right to gain
temporary advantage, A. w. Lee
might be found sacrificing temporary
advantage for that which is eminent
ly right" With all his great successes
he was not without his hours and days
of grief, the greatest of which was
undoubtedly in the loss of son of
wonderful intellect, in whom great
hopes had been reposed. BY reason
of this affliction, which bore heavily
upon Mr. Lee the name may remain
with the organization, but the per-
sonaIitY must disannaar
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-27
GAINED DESERVED HoNoRs

Sigourney News: A. w. Lee. the
head OF the Lee Syndicate OF Iowa
dailies, and for many years publisher
of the Ottumwa Courier, died Nom
day in Nottingham. England OF heart
failure. BY his enterprise and bust
strong business among the second
class dailies and was just at the be )
ginning of his work along that line.
His death is mourned by all the
newspaper fraternity and by many
of his business associates in Ottunawa
and elsewhere. Fills activities along
all business lines, his straight for
wardness ard honorable bearing
gained for him the honors he richly
assarvod
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-27
A SUCCESSFUL PUBLISHER

Dubuque Telegraph: A. w. Lee,
president of the Lee syndicate of even
ing newspapers, whose death from
heart failure is announced from Mott
ineham. England, where he had stop
ped off on an European journey was
one of the most successful publishers
Iowa journalism has produced. He was
a large holder in the stock of the Dav-
export Times, Ottumwa Courier and
Muscatine Journal and combining
ability with interchangeable energy, con-
Etributed largely to their success. The
price he paid is an early termination
re t,I