The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-01-21
The Death of
Samuel Bradford Russ.

The death of Samuel Bradford Russ,
or Sam Russ, as he was Familiarity
called by his friends, in cheap Jack
sonVille boarding house, alone and IN
identified, removes one of the most
unique and interesting characters that
the state of Florida has ever pos
sessed, and constitutes a tragedy
which carries its burden of sorrow to
every man who was his friend
A native of Boston, where he spent
his boyhood and received his educa-
ton, Mr.. Russ had, however, been a
resident of Florida for more than 20
years and for fifteen years he was
familiar figure in the newspaper and
political circles of the state. He had
worked and travelled in every section
of Florida, he knew the people, the
resources, the conditions of the state
as few other men knew them, and he
was in turn known, either personally
or by reputation, by every newspaper
man and politician whom Florida has
produced in the past decade.
A many sided character, a man of
moods and varied temperament, was
| Sam Russ. He had read all of the
best literature and his mind retained
the best of everything he had READ
| He was a brilliant cOnversationaIist
and, when he chose, could entertain a
circle of friends for hours at q time
with fund of anecdote, Renaissance,
political history, humoT, sarcasm, and
solid fact that made him a most
agreeable companion when he was in
that particular mood. At other times,
he was uncommunicatiVe and gloomy,
the personificatioh of moody melan-
cholia, stunning association every
where and combining himself to his
own melancholy thoughts.
But it was in journalism that Sam
Russ showed himself at his best. He
could probably turn out more copy,
on more subjects, and of a beNer
quality. in a given length of time than
any other man in Florida. He could
write with equal ease on any topic,
and on any side of any topic. Appar-
entity he cared little, so far as his own
inclinations were concerned, on what
side of a subject or in what cause he
wrote, but those who knew him best
knew also that he possessed COnv1c-
tions of his own which, when circum-
stances were such that they could find
free expression, were as pronounced
and in most cases as correct as the
accepted standard of public opinion
could demand.
Had this exceptional man adopted
literature as his profession instead OF
the daily grind and drudgery of news
paper work. he would have found a
place high among the writers of his
day. He had turn for poetry, and
some of his short poems are exquisite
examples of beautiful diction and lofty
sentiment. He was in a class with
Eugene Field and S Il Kiser, and he
was capable of better work than
either.
We regret that Sam Russ is dead
He was our friend and we shall miss
him. He had his weaknesses-but
who has not? The good he did was
shared by Others-what i'll his life
contained, harmed no one but himself
Peace to his ashes, and may the
troubled spirit of this strange but
lovable character find a larger field OF
usefulness, and repose as well, in that
mysterious bourne from which no
traveller returns but where We feel as
sured the deeds and worth of every
soul are justly weighed and duly
sealed.