The Alaska daily empire., 1915-07-14
COL BLETHEN

Not since the death of Harvey w. Scott has Pacific Coast newspaperdom lost so conspicuous member as n did when Col Alden J. Biethen passed away at Seat Gle day before yesterday While not possessing resem blance in other manner Col Scott and Col Bethen were easily the most prominent Pacific Coast newspaper men to live into the present century
 Col Blethen was a many.sided man. tho Post InteHigeucer suggested yesterday. And we must not take it for granted that the stormy side referred to by the most important Of the Cclones rivals in Seat tle was au bad Col. Biethen has always been pro gressiye He played the game to the limit When he cast his lot with Seattle he played that city to win He invested all the credit he could promote in bis newspaper and he then boosted Seattle with might and main. Seattles enemies his enemies. and it was no weddings fight that he put up against his enc mics nor were they sham battles that he waged for friends
 But the best side of Col Blethen was his kindly bighearted and loyal friendships for those who worked for him. those who aided him and those with whom he associated most Col Blethen made great for tune with the growth of Seattle and the success of the Times and he shared 1t beraly with those who aided him to make it. and with seatles poor and in public spirltedness The families of many who were long in his employ and served him well retained on bis payros after the bread winner died He particu- lary generous in his later and prosperous years with all who aided him in making The Times what t became
 the largest paper in circulation and advertising pat rouage that ever was printed in Seattle.
 The success Of Col Blethen reads like romance. Coming to Seattle after had passed the haitcenuIy mark by several years without dollar but with thou sands of dollars of debts hanging his head, he schemed out plan to secure control of newspaper that had been losing money For few months he strug- ged against all the vexations of poverty Then came ,he Klondke rush and prosperity After nineteen years he died with greater fortune than that which he had lost in the banking business.
 AS a juornalist his career was one of many fights. In many of them the public verdict was probably against him In many others 1t supported him But. right or wrong none ever accused him of being quit ter; or Of throwing the first at former friend; or of fighting under cover. So far as known in no fight in which be ever engaged. and he engaged in many did he seek quarter or protection. yet he usually was ready to quit whenever opponent admit ted that he had had enough. and under those circum stances his terms of peace always more than gen erous
 It might be said further that such faults or neon sistences as he possessed concealed. but many of the finer and nobler things of his life were known only to those who were benencaries or to whom benenciaries disclosed them. No ever was sur rounded in newspaper office by more loyal staff than those who were w,h- Col. Blethen the Times when he was stricken in his last Illness.
 May he rest in peace and the assurance that the good that he has done will endure long in the memory of many!