University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1911-05-24
William Hyde


est journalists and politicians. This
boy was William Hyde. Unlike most
boys of his time, he received an ac
curate and thorough training from
Ibis parents, who were both accom-
lplished scholars and educators. Dur
ing his early manhood he attended
McKendree College and later taught
for 4 short time. But as teaching was
too tame for his active and restless
spirit, he gave up this vocation and
went 10 Kentucky, where he attended
the law school oil Pennsylvania tniyer-
sity at Lexington. Although he com
pleted his course in law, Mr.. Hdye
never followed it up. However. all the
time. study and money that he spent
on this course were not wasted, as all
knowledge is of value To the journal
list.
Mr.. Hyde was Il great admirer of
Stephen A. Douglas, the Democratic
champion Of Illinois from lS45 TO 1860.
| His first work in journalism was
writing for the Belleville Tribune. In
these articles he supported Doug has S
position on the Kansas Nebraska queS-
tiOn. For time he was editor OF
this paper and later became editor OF
the Sterling, ullD Times.
ProprietOrs of the ST. Louis Re-
publican soon discovered his talent
for writing and in 1881, engaged him
as their correspondent al Springfield
Ill, during the session of the ILL
nois legislature. This began his con
nectiOn with the Republican. In the
fall OF 1864 he accepted a position as
local reporter. Three years after
this he became assistant editor of the
Republican and al the death of Ma
thaniel PaSchall, who was then editor
in-chief of the paper, Mr. Hyde was
given this position. He managed the
paper through the five presidential
campaigns that followed During This
period the increase in the usefulness
and force OF the Republican was due
largely to the editorial policy and
management of Mr.. Hyde.
In 1879 President Cleveland ap.
pointed Mr.. Hyde as postmaster of
St. Louis. Ii is said thai he dis
charged his duties with the thought
fulness and thorOughness that charac-
terized him in all his tasks. lie showed
4 spirit OF fairness which brought for
him the respect of his political op-
ponents. BY his personal efforts he
brought about the adoption of the
fast mail which has been of great
advantage 10 St. Louis and the West.
After the expiration of his term as
postmaster, he went to St Joseph and
started daily morning paper, The
Ballot. The Ballot was not a financial
success and did not last long. From
ST. Joseph. Mr.. Hyde assumed the edi- |
torship of the Salt Lake Herald. I'm
der his guidance the Democratic party |
Of Utah was organized and won its
first signal victory. lie resigned the |
pditOrship of the Herald at the close of |
his campaign. accepted a position in |
he pOStOffice of ST. Louis under Car
lise, then postmaster of that city. II |
was while holding this position that |
MIR. liyde'S health began failing finally |
resulting in his death, October 80,
1898.
During the last years of Mr. Hyde's |
ife he was called upon to undertake
/ great work, the construction of the
Encyclopaedia of the History OF St. |
.Ouis." This work was to deal with
he history of St. Louis and its environ
nents. No such thing had ever been
attempted before in any American city.
However. Hyde had often longed and
Wished for just this kind of work, and
n 4 remarkably short time he had re-
eived contributions from a hundred
# the leading citizens of St. LOuis
ShO were connected in various lines
If business. Ii took him two years
o finish this. work. II of all others OF
iyde's works will probably remain
Onger in the minds of the people.
Mr.. Hyde was robust and vigorous
10Th in body and mind, his stalwart
nd massive frame presenting a fair Il
indication of character which was Ii
trong. aggressive and unbendng. yet II
air, generous and kind His writing
'as marked by strength. accuracy,
nd careful reflection" Ii is said he
ever wrote Latin or French phrases. la
his days when acting as reporter
II the Republican he was in the habit
I making amusing combinations OF
;Ords to interest the readers and
carers. He made a daring balloon
light on July |, 1891 from ST. Louis
} jefferson County Y nacSinU