The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1912-12-20
WH|TELAW REID
DIES IN LONDON
Passes Away at Dorchester
a. House after Long Illness.
KING GEORGE INFORMS TAFT
Wealthy Diplomat Is Sincerely Mourn
ed Here and Abroad-Workinq
Newspaper Man and Owner
Of New York Tribune.

London, Dec. 16.-Whitelaw Reid,
the American ambassador, who has
been i'll from asthma for several
months and who has been in bad con-
dition ever since his return from
America in October, died at Dorches.
ter House. The physicians gave the
cause of death as asthma following
exhaustion.
King Sends Equerry to House.
King George was informed immedi.
ately Of Mr.. Reds death and he sent
Sir Harry Legge, an equerry, to Dor.
chester House to express the con-
dolences of their majesties. The
king also sent cablegram Of con,
dolence to President Taft.
Mr.. Reid was unconscious since
Saturday night. Mrs. Reid, his
daughter Mrs. John Hubert Ward,
and four physicians were at the bed
side when the end came. Mr.. Reid
persisted in the hopes for the recov-
cry of her husband till the very end
and when realizing that he was dead
her extreme grief brought on hysteria
and she required the attendance of
two physicians.
Message from King George.
Washington, Dec. 16.-Government
officials and members of the diplc.
matte corps were shocked over the
news of Ambassador Reid's sudden
death. President Taft learned Of the
ambassadors death and this cable
gram was received at the White
House from King George:
"The President of the United States
Of America, Washington:
at is with the deepest sorrow that
l have to inform you of the death of
Mr.. Whitelaw Reid. AS your ambas-
sador in this country his loss will be
sincerely deplored, while personally
l shall mourn for an old friend of
many years standing, for whom had
the greatest regard and respect. The
queen and l sympathize most warm
ly with Mrs. Whitelaw Reid in her
heavy screw.
(Signed GEORGE, r."
Mr.. Taft sent this message:
Ellis Majesty, George ", Bucking-
ham Palace, London:
Your Majesty's sad news Of the
death of Mr.. Whitelaw Reid has just
been received by me. Mr.. Reids
death is less to both countries, for
his services as ambassador were ex-
cepticEal - the closer friendship that
he secured between them through his
own personality. His intimate knowl
edge of both countries, his profound
respect and love for England, entirely
consistent with the highest loyalty on
his part to this country, gave him Pc
culiar influence for good in his great
station. / sincerely thank your Ma
iesty for your message and your ex-
pressions of sympathy and respect.
(Signed) WILLIAM H. TAFT"
The president sent personal
message to Mrs. Reid extending the
sympathy Of himself and Mrs. Taft
and praising the services of Mr.. Reid
The message closes: I'VE hope that
the thought of the great name he
leaves will in time mitigate your
grief"
In London Since 1905.
Whitelaw Reid has been the smbas-
sador to the court of st. James since
the outset of President Roosevelt's
second administration, in 1906. Previ-
ously he had become eminent as a
Journalist and scholar and many
honors had fallen to him in the
course of long and busy life.
He was born near Xenia, o., on
Oct. 81, 1887. His father, Robert
Charlton Reid, had married Marian
Whitelaw Ronalds, a descendant OF
the Clan Ronalds of the Highlands OF
Scotland.
In 1856, Whitelaw Reid became
principal of the graded schools ir
South Charleston, O., and saved
enough to buy the Xenia News. He
was minded early in his career to be
come journalist. AS editor of the
News he displayed talent and attract
ed the attention of the leaders Of the
young Republican party in his state,
He advocated the nomination of Abra.
ham Lincoln in 1860 and was a power
full spokesman in Mr.. Lincoln's cam
paign.
Mr.. Reid later became the city edi-
tor of the Gazette of Cincinnati. At
the outbreak of the Civil War he
joined the staff of General Morris in
West Virginia and later the staff of
General Rosecrans.
HIS also acted as war correspondent
for the Cincinnati Gazette, writing
over the nom de plume Agate" He
was the only correspondent that wit.
messed the battle of Shiloh from It's
start to its finish, and it was his &C.
count of this battle that stamped him
rs a correspondent of the first rank.
His ten column story in the Cincin-
natl Gazette was widely copied.
In 1862 he became the correspon-
dent Of the Gazette at Washington
His report of the proceedings of the
impeachment of President Johnson at.
a.