The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1911-06-08
Editor O. L. Stanley Turns IN Last
''CODY,'

The following account of the death
of O. l.. Stanley, Is taken from the
Lakeport, California, Press of May
goth. Mr.. Stanley was nephew Of
Mrs. Andrew Bright, of north of
Leon, and years ago was a resident
of Leon, but moved to California
some twenty-one years ago:
Death has relieved Otha l.. sStan-
ley from earthly duties and his three
years struggle with the dread white
plague" consumption. The insidious
disease had been steadily dragging
him down, but he bravely continued
the fight, frequently making the ard
uous trip from his home to his house
boat on the lake front, until last
week Thursday. Then he was taken
suddenly worse and confined to his
bed. The end came sometime between
one o'clock Sunday morning at which
time his faithful wife attended his
wants, and the next time she awoke
in the early morning.
Stanley was a we'll known and we'll
liked newspaper man in this section
of the state, a bright writer and ex-
pert and artistic printer. He was
born in Missouri, but the family NOV
ed soon afterward to Iowa, where
Otha spent his boyhood. In 1888 the
Stanleys came to Lake county, set
thing first near Lower Lake, where
they remained few years, then NOV
ing to Kelseyville. Otha started early
at the printing trade, working for a
time for McCraney on the old Lake.
port Avalanche, and for Reed on the
Lake County Journal. In 1887, when
only nineteen, he started the New
Era at Kelseyville, and conducted it
with credit for several years. At this
time of his life Stanley was an ac-
complished athlete and acrobat. With
others of the Kelseyville youths he
founded an athletic club, which oc-
casionally gave clever public ex-
hibitiOns. On the dissolution of the
New Era, the youthful editor took a
position on the Press, then conducted
by Mayfield & McIntire.
In 1896 Stanley married Miss
Mary Gard, of Kelseyville, and the
young couple soon after moved to
Mendocino City, where Otha became
editor of the Beacon, under the own
ership of the late VIM. Heeser. Here
he remained six years and gave great
satisfaction, cementing close
friendship with A. A. Heeser, the son
and present editor and proprietor Of
the Beacon. From Mendocino Stanley
went to Ukiah, taking the position of
foreman of the Dispatch-Democrat,
and editing it capably during the fire.
quent absences of the owner, Senator
j. B. Sanford, at legislature and else
where. Later he went into partner
ship with Orville White on the Ukiah
Press, which alliance lasted but a
short time.
In 1907 Stanley returned to Lake
port in the hope that a change of
climate would benefit his health,
which had then begun to fail. He did
efficient work as foreman and assist
ant editor on the Lake County Bee,
under w. L. Rideout, for time, but
in the spring of 1908 suffered hemor-
rhages which precluded his steady
employment. He then took complete
rest and sought to live out of doors
as much as possible, but without sue
ceeding in staying the ravages of his
malady. About year ago he estab-
lished a small job printing outfit,
where he turned out artistic work as
his physical condition permitted.
About year ago. Stanley was sur
prised by visit from a man whom,
as tramp printer, Otha had be-
friended while he was foreman of the
ispatch-Democrat at Ukiah. This
man had since made a fortune in
British Columbia, and returning to
Ukiah had inquired for Stanley and
on learning of his whereabouts, made
the trip here in an auto to see him.
On learning from others of his con-
dition, the visitor on his departure
forced check for $500 on Stanley
as return of his kindness of many
years before.
The departed man is survived by
his wife and five small children, and
also leaves his father, w. C. Stanley,
of Elsinore, a brother, Owen Stanley,
OF Berkeley, and three sisters, Mrs.
John Brown, Of Elsinore, Mrs. Lois
Williams and Mrs. George Irwin, of
kelseyville. Stanley was a member of
the Mendocino lodge of Masons.
The funeral was held Tuesday af-
ternoon under Masonic auspices. Rev.
Shearer, of the local Methodist
church conducted short services in
the Masonic hall, and the body was
taken to Kelseyville for interment,
the Masons carrying out their cere-
monies at the grave.
State Geologist Examines Lineville