The Washington herald., 1912-09-30
Distinguished Journalist Of Capital
Passes Away in Philadel-
phia Hospital.
HAD NATIONAL REPUTATION
AS AUTHORITY ON FINANCE
Veteran Writer Was One Of Found
ers of Gridiron Club-Body
Brought Here.


terday morning in the Jewish Hospital.
Philadelphia. Mai. Carson's condition
had been critical since be entered the
hospital three weeks ago.
The body reached Washington accom-
panied by his widow and his son-in-law
and daughter. DR.. and Mrs. Thomas L.
Macdonald. late last night, and rests at
the Macdonald home. 1901 Massachusetts
Avenue. Funeral arrangements have
not been made. Interment will be at
Arlington.
Besides his wife and daughter. Maj.
Carson is survived by son. Col. John
NJ. Carson, jr., L. S. A, who now Is on
| duty in the Philippines.
| A special meeting of the Gridiron Club
will be held in the New Willard at noon
| tomorrow to take appropriate action
| upon the death OF Mai. Carson. who
originated the name which has since be-
| come world famous. and whose first ad-
ministration as president. two years
| after the formation Of the club. was the
most potent factor in launching the
| struggling organization upon its unique
and luminous career.
Suggested Name for Club.
Maj. Carson was one of the small
group OF newspaper correspondents who
conceived the idea and attended the or
ganiZation meeting of an exclusive din
ing club for newspaper correspondents.
With thirteen other pioneer Washing
ton journalists. he attended the first
meeting and suggested the name adopt
ed for the new club.
AS he had been the leading figure in
the work of outlining the organization.
he was asked to accept the presidency,
but declined in favor of Mai. Ben Perley
Poore, accepting the post OF vice presi-
dent. This was in 1855. and it was not
NNFNfF 1aNz HnI
consented 10 accept the presidency. that
the organization first branched out In
the role of a national institution.
Mai. Carson was elected president OF
the club for second time in 1906. pre-
siding at the twentieth anniversary din
ner. one OF the most notable of long
line of famous Gridiron functions.
A commentary upon the longevity
which has marked the careers of the
founders of the Gridiron Club is found
in the list of charter members living.
OF the fourteen men who gathered for
the orga niZation meeting eight still are
living, Maj. Carson being the sixth of
the charter members to die. Those now
living are p. V. De Graw. Robert Wynne.
Perry Heath. Charles A. Boynton. Frank
A. Depuy. David r. Mckee. and James
r. Young.
Death Deeply Regretted.
y.
deeply regretted by friends and admirers
in all parts of the world. and particu-
larly in Washington, where his life work
was done and where his presence and
influence as a leader in the newspaper
fraternity will long be remembered and
never entirely effaced. Maj. Carson at
tanned his comma nding position in Wash
ington official life largely through his
charming personality and also through
the excellence and reliability of his work
as a correspondent and financial au-
thority
News Of Maj Carson's death was not
unexpected along Newspaper Row."
where the seriousness of his condition
had been known for the last week.
touch with his medical attendants in
Philadelphia, and hundreds who were
concerned were kept informed OF his
losing fight against death.
Three years ago Mai Carson suffered
a severe illness in this city and was
forced to undergo a serious operation
to relieve the condition. Following
his recuperation he was sent on spe-
cial mission to European governments,
studying industrial and economic con-
ditions abroad and giving this govern
ment the benefit OF his wide expert
ence and expert knowledge in reports
on various phases of the economic
situation abroad.
This mission occupied a year, and
upon his return to this country in the
winter of 1911 the major seemed
greatly improved in health. He began
to fail, however. this summer. and
after having been confined to his bed
for short periods on more than one oc-
casion, consented to give up for the
time being the statistical work he was
engaged in and seek strength in
rest. After leaving this city. however.
his condition steadily grew worse. |
After spending some time in Atlantic
City with Mrs Carson. he started for
Washington three weeks ago. but was
forced to stop at Philadelphia and en-
ter the Jewish Hospital there.
Mrs. Carson and DR.. and Mrs. Mac |
donald were with him when the end |
came, and accompanied the body to |
Washington last night.
Born In Philadelphia.
Though born in Philadelphia and re-
tanning a citizenship there. Mai Carson |
was a resident OF Washington for many |
years. He was correspondent at one time |
and another of some of the principal pa
pers of New York and Philadelphia, and |
perhaps had a wider acquaintance with |
public men than any other man in the |
Capital His age. genial manners, digni- |
fed bearing and long service gave him |
in later years unequivocal right to the |
title Of dean OF the corps Of correspond
ents. and he wore the honor proudly and |
honorably for several years.
Maj. Carson was born, June 10, 1887.
His first essay into active life was to
learn the printers trade, at which he
worked, until the breaking out of the
civil war. He then enlisted in the
Twenty-second Pennsylvania volunteers
and saw active service in the field dur
ing the entire four years of the strug-
gle. He served as lieutenant, captain
and finally as major of his regiment and
was often praised by his superior Of
hcers for gallant and efficient service
in battle.
After the war Maj. Carson returned to
and entered upon newspaper
work as a writer and editor. He worked
on several papers in that city from 1855
to 1873. In the latter part Of that year
he came to Washington with a view to
enRag cling in the work Of WashInrfoD cor- |