The Washington herald., 1908-02-22

Crosby Stuart Noyes was born in Minet,
Ne, February 1s 1875. He started life on
a farm, but lacking strength for such
work as a boy. ne went TO Lewiston and
engaged In various occupations and OBJ
tanned an academic education.
Developing taste for literary work, he
wrote several sketches for the Maine pa
pers which attracted attention. The rig
orous winters of his native State COM
pelled him to seek milder climate. and
ne started South in 1877. thinking to find
employment as a writer in Washington.
His funds running out on the way. he
made the last stage OF his Journey or foot.
and In this manner entered the Capital
City in December, lS47, without friends
and without funds.
His first employment IN Washington
was with Joseph Shillington. the book
seller and agent for the Baltimore Sun,
serving him as route agent The follow
ing year he secured a position as writer
with weekly newspaper called the
Washington News. az the same time
sendlng descriptive and news letters to
several newspapers in Maine, Boston, and
Philadelphia.
Success of Enterprise.
This enterprise succeeded so well that
after winning recognition as a new force
in Washington journalism. Mr.. Noyes. in
1855. undertook a trip to Europe, Journey
ing through many Of the Old World coun-
tries on foot. and writing a series of bril-
liant letters 10 the Boston Transcript
Upon his return at the close of 1855, he
secured a position as reporter on the
Evening Star, which had been started in
1852, and was at that time under the man
agement OF ". D. Wallaeh.
The Star was then a sheet Of four
pages. struggling for existence. Its edi-
tor recognized in his young assistant a
man Of parts and promise. and intrusted
TO him steady increasing share of the
responsibility for getting out the paper
In this manner did the future editor and
owner Of the Star learn the work. taking
part in every phase Of the process His
success was such that. feeling established.
in 1856 he married Miss Elizabeth s WI
hams daughter OF Rev. Thomas Williams.
of Maine
During the days Immediately preceding
the civil war. Mr.. Noyes was one of the
most active of the news gatherers Of
Washington. his work at the Capitol be-
ing recognized as thorough and conscien-
tious. The days were strenuous. and the
work OF a Washington Journalist was ar
duous. Later. when the war broke out
and Washington was practically an
armed camp. Mr.. Noyes' work for the
star was Of exceptional value. His ac-
quaintance with public men was wide and
ne enjoyed their confidence 10 an unusual
degree. He was especially trusted by
Secretary Stanton. who though rated as
the most dificult OF, all the Cabinet men,
bers for newspaper men TO approach, held
Crosby NOyes in high esteem and admit
ted him 20 the secrets Of the adninistra-
ton In an unusual degree.
Believer in Washington.
Mr. Noyes was a firm believer in the
possibilities OF Washington and in its
future as a great city. He also believed
That the paper hs served was destined to
become its chief purveyor OF news. In
1851. looking forward to the activity which
he felt certain would result from the
establishment Of peace, he obtained from
Mr.. Wallach an option on the newspaper
property, and organized a company OF
friends and associates to purchase and
publish H. These others were Samuel H.
Eauffmann then an employe of the
Treasury; George W Adams, one OF the
best-known of the Washington corre-
spOndents; Alexander r. Shepherd. later
governor OF the District. and Clarence
Baker. Mr. NOyes was made edltor-in-
chief Of the paper, under this new man
agement, which position he held continu-
ously TO the end OF his life.
Both i'm his capacity as editor OF the
Star and as an individual citizen, Crosby
s. Noyes always took leading. active
part in all measures for the upbulding Of
the District Yet he was never disposed
10 appear in public as a speaker or as
participant in the immediate management
OF details whenever such enterprises were
under way. Il was his part chiefly to
Dian. To encourage, and TO guide the work
or others Yet at one time he did engage
actively In political life. accepting cleo
tion in 1863 as a member Of the city coun-
ell and serving for two successive terms
Immediately afterWard as alderman from
the old Seventh ward. now known as
South Washington. Finding that his leg
isiative duties conficted with his editorial
work. he retired from politics and forever
put aside al ambition to occupy public
Office.
A Warm Affection.
One OF the warmest affections in Mr..
Noyes' life was that which he entertained
for his one-time partner. Alexander r.
Shepherd During Shepherds career as
a Capital builder the Star. under Mr..
Noyes' editorial guidance, was his un-
wavering supporter. and when Shepherd
was assailed by criticism and slander the
Star under the same guidance, was the
assailed mans true defender. The ulti-
mate triumph Of Gov. Shepherd over his
enemies and his complete vindicstion
were among the most gratifying episodes
in the life Of Crosby S. Noyes. The
friendship between him and Shepherd was
never broken. and II was regarded as
most fitting that Mr. Moves should be
asked by the citizens OF Washington TO
become chairman Of committee TO erect
q fitting monument TO the man who made
the new Washington. That monument is
shortly to be erected in front Of the new
Municipal Building,
The part played by Crosby S. Moves in
securing Just foundation for Washing
ton, legally and economically, is correctly
understood by the elder residents. though.
perhaps. nor fully appreciated by the
younger generation. He advocated and
worked for the enactment of the organic
act of 1878, which for the first time in its
history placed the District upon a inst
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