Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-12-21

though shortly after he began 10
grow weaker almost hourly. Mrs
Reid. and his daughter, Mrs. John
Ward. who was Miss Jean Reid, were
at his bedside almost constantly.
Mr.. Read was born at Xenia, Ohio,
Oct 81. 1897. He studied at Miami
University, In Ohio. and in later years
received honorary degrees from many
of the large universities Of this coun-
try and England.
He was married TO Miss Elizabeth
Mills, daughter Of y. d. Mills, ON April
26, 1881.
Mr.. Reid began his journalistic ca
reer in 1858 when he became associ-
ate editor OF the Xenia (0.) News.
The following year he became the leg
islative correspondent. From 1860 to
1861 he acted as war correspondent
for the Cincinnati Gazette. being pres
ent al severe. of the important bat
ties of the Civil War during those
years. The following year he went to
Washington as correspondent for the
Gazette.
Later, he served on the military
stats of generals Thomas A. Morris
and w. s. Rosencrans in the West
Virginia campaign and returned TO
Washington in 1863 to accept the pc
sition as clerk of the military com
mission of Congress. For a while he
served as librarian of the House Of
Representatives. Later he took up
cotton planting in Concordia Parish,
La. In 1867 he was a member of the
editorial staff of the New York Tri.
bune and during the next three years
served as managing editor, finally TAX
ing over complete control of the pa
per.
With the taking over of the Tri-
bune Mr.. Reid started the movement
of erecting tail buildings in that city
by erecting a home for the paper on
Nassau street at Spruce street, which
is still the official home of the paper.
In recent years the building has been
added to, but nevertheless ii was one
of the early skyscrapers of New York.
Mr.. Reid's initiation into Eastern
journalism came about through the
urgings of Horace Greedy. founder Of
the Tribune. who had heard of young
Reds great ability. After taking up
his work there was always under the
tutorship of Greedy, who explained to
him many things In the Journalistic
like of the metropolis that were en-
tirely new to him.
Greeley was Grants opponent for
the presidency in 1872. He was de-
feated and died a short time later. 1t
was then that young Reid stepped In
TO control of the Tribune and he has
maintained possession of it ever
since.
Mr.. Reid furthered the introduction
of the linotype machine, which
brought about u complete change in
the printing of newspapers. In 1877
and again in 1881 he declined the APP
pointment of Minister to Germany.
Because of the social prestige OF the
family of his wife, Mr.. Reid moved In
exclusive social circles and was one
of the leaders in society of two de-
cades ago. lie was also a powerful
factor in politics, always devoting the
columns of his paper to the Republi-
a cause.
During 1889 and 1892, Mr.. Reid
served as Ambassador to France, and
on his return was chosen for the vice
presidency on the Republican ticket
He was defeated. He was q special
ambassador of this country to Queen
Victoria's jubilee and later a member
OF the Spanish Peace Committee
which met in Paris. He was chosen
ambassador at the coronation of King
Edward VII, and in 1905 was appoint
ed Ambassador to England by Presi-
dent Roosevelt.
He has held that post ever since,
although it was recently reported that
he would be succeeded January J.,
next, in all probability by Seth Low,
former Mayor of New York City.
Immediately after taking up his Of
fetal duties in England, the new am
bassador leased the famous Wrest
House, where he has entertained roy
atty on a lavish scale. King Edward
and MIR. Reid were boon companions,
often dining each other and spending
weeks together on the shooting pre-
serves maintained by both of them.
Mr.. Reid, however. was often re-
ported as "A person non grata to King
George V, and as a result the present
administration has been in an embar-
RAISING position more than once.
Mr.. Reid was an author of world
wide repute, being an authority on
international history and a speaker of
great merit.
Mrs. Reid, In 1910, with her brother,
Ogden Minis, shared equally in a for
tune estimated at between $4,000
900 and $60,000,O00 which had been
left them by their father.
The l~ayishness displayed by the
Reds in their entertainments abroad
was duplicated by many occasions
here. During the visit to this coun-
try of the Duke of Connaught and
the Princess Patricia, two years ago,