The Washington herald., 1911-10-06

Continued from Page One.
the newspaper world, and resided at 1901
Connecticut avenue, Washington. He was
about sixty-fve years old.
His son, who is now in New York, has
been notified of his fathers death, and
advised that he will leave Immediately
to be with the grief-stricken widow.
No arrangements have as yet been
made for the disposition Of the body.
His Unique and Varied Career.
William Eleroy Curtis was born at
Akron, Ohio, November ), 1850, and was
consequently sixty-one years Of age. He
obtained his early education at the West
ern Reserve College, and graduated IN
1S71, receiving the degree of doctor Of
literature from that college in 1901, while
a similar degree was conferred upon him
by Amherst College in 1907. He was mar
ried December q, 1874, to Cora Belle KEEP
ler, Of Erie, Pa His family consists Of
one son, Eleroy Curtis, and a daughter,
formerly Elsie Curtis. now the wife Of
George Maths, nephew Of Representative
Mckinley. Of Illinois, whom he married
between two and three years ago. Mr..
paign, Ill.
While Mr.. Curtis profession was Jour-
nalism, he held many official positions.
He was special commissioner from the
United States to the Central and South
American republics, and the executive
officer, in 1SS9-90, Of the International
American Conference. His wide acquatn-
tance with South American affairs, led
to his appointment, in 1890, as director
of the Bureau of American Republics,
which position he held for three years,
during which time he was also chief
Of the Latin-American department Of the
Chicago Exposition. He was also the
commissioner Of the exposition to Mad
rid and special envoy to the Queen Re
gent of Spain and Pope Leo XIII
journalistic Experience.
The newspaper experience of Mr.. Cur
It's was unique. He began his journal
istic career on the Chicago Inter Ocean,
but came to Washington as the corre-
spondent Of the Chicago Record. in 1856,
and later served in the same capacity
for the Chicago Record-Herald. He
made name for himself by contribut-
ing a daily letter, which dealt with in
teresting topics, rather than the news
of the day, and his contributions soon
became valuable features of the paper.
Inasmuch as he continued his letters,
even when abroad, and as they were
even more interesting than those which
he had written from Washington, his
paper gave him carte blanche to visit
practically all of the countries in the
world. He has probably travelled more
miles and has seen more countries than
any other newspaper correspondent. He
laid out his own itineraries and was
under no restriction as to the cost OF
his tour.
Wrote Many Books.
While his observations were primarily
for newspaper readers, he took occasion
to combine the results of his travels in
many volumes He wrote about Sweden
and Norway. Syria and Palestine, the
capitals of Spanish America, the land of
the Nihilists, and France, Germany, Tur-
key, and Japan. In fact, there was
hardly a country in the world which he
did not describe in interesting fashion.
His literary work was not, however,
confined wholly to a record of travek
He wrote the life of Zachariah Chandler.
discussed the relations of the United
States and foreign powers, and wrote
two volumes-"The True Thomas Jeffer-
SON. and The True Abraham Lincoln
in a biographical series. The extent OF
his literary Iabors indicates his constant
industry, as we'll as his facility of author
ship.
Mr.. Curtis was a member Of the Grid |
iron Club, which he Joined in 1885, and
Of which he was president during the
year 1903 He belonged to the National
Press Club and the Cosmos Club in this
city and to the Union League Club and !
Alpha Delta FIJI fraternity in New
York His residence in this city. 1901 !
Connecticut avenue, was being prepared
for the return of himself and Mrs. Cur !
tbs when the news of his death reached |
this city.
Shock to His Friends.
News of the death of Mr.. Curtis was
with profound regret here. Few
men who have not been continuously in |
the public eye were as we'll known in all
walks of life in the Nations Capital |
His personality, as well as his writings, |
had brought him into intimate contact |
with the highest officials of the last |
five administrations, and he numbered |
his friends and associates in every cir |
Gle of social life here.
Despite his voluminous writings and |
application to his work, Mr.. |
Curtis found time to maintain his asso-
c!ation with the wide circle of men he
met in public and private life here, and, |
maintaining his connection with |
his Chicago paper, he had for years been !
known as a resident of Washington, !
than whom no one was more deeply in
terested in the growth, development, and !
of the National Capital
He was a member of the Washington |
Society, and never failed !
to attend the semi annual gatherings !
Of that body, composed OF representa- |
tives of the oldest and most prominent |
families OF the District. His cosmo-
politan experience never weaned him |
from his affection for Washington, and |
the friends he made here, and during |
his travels he was in frequent corre- |
spondence with Washington friends
Plans for the funeral could not be |
made last night, but it is probable that |
services will be held from st. Johns |
Episcopal Church, where Mr. Curtis was |
d pewholder and communicate.
TnCn nr nY1-r~-