Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-31

General Harrison Gray OTIS Nm.
self a veteran of two wars. came W
long line Of military and stattsmar.
ship ancestry. His grandfather was ,
soldier of note in the Rev oluuunar
War and the Otis stock produced
James Otis, Revolutionary patriot an.
orator, and the first Harrison GRAY
Otis. once noted as a senator from
Massachusetts. Gen. Otis was 50 years
of age. his birth having occurred W
Washington county, Ohia, farm, Fet
10 1887.
over five years of General OTIS lie
was passed as a volunteer soldier q
the United States. In 1861. az the ags
of "a. he enlisted in the lsth Ohio
Volunteers: was promoted through al
grades to a captain IN 1854 In tha,
year consolidation OF regiments
placed him in the 2Srd Ohio Veteran
Volunteers, his colonel and captain
being. respectively. Rutherford
HAYES and William MCKINLEY Alto.
eether. Otis saw ~ months NJ actual
service in the Civil War. was tvic,
wounded and received seven PROMO.
toIiS. lliN WV 'l'N'' A'NltltA
with the title of major and lieutenant.
colonel, by hrevet.
With the outbreak Of the Spanish.
American War, in 1895. Major Ots. a.
the age Of 81. volunteered his services
to President Mckinley and was made
a hrigadier general Of volunteers, He
was assigned to duty. first AZ Camp
Merritt tCalD and then 10 the Philip.
pines. where at different times. he CON.
manded various divisions Of tho Eish'
Army Corps in tho campaign for racit.
cation of the native revolt He led
2 brigade in person In the assault or
Caloocan and participated in the car.
ture Of tho Filipino capital. He Re,
signed his command in April 1922 70
turning to tho United states. Upon
his discharge, he was hrevettcd major.
general for "meritorious conduct 70
action"
Following the Civil War Otis return,
ed to tho trade of printer. for which
he had abandoned school AZ an eari.
age, acquiring. finally In 1852 a
fourth interest in the Los Angeles
Times. Previously he had served fo'
ment printing office nj Washington
Conflict with Labor
Quite early in his career as editor
and publisher OF the Times. for he
speedily secured full control. Otis came
into conflict with organized labor and
thereafter until the day Of his dealt
he, waged an unrelenting warfare for
what he termed industrial freedom
On October 10. 1910, his building ant
printing plant was dynamited and .
of his workmen killed The arrerl
and trials which followed we're mat.
tiers of nationwide interest.
General Otis acquired large for
tune, his interests aside from publish
ing being extensive. In politics his
paper ever reflected the attitude Of 10
editor : aggressive, uncompromisins
Republican. Otis connection with that
party dating back to 1850, when he was
sent from Kentucky as a delegate 70
the convention at Chicago which nom.
mated Lincoln for the Presidency
Aside from those mentioned. General
Otis held numerous governmental 20
sitions at different periods OF tis lfs
He was prominent In the Grand Army
of the Republic and numerous other
patriotic orders and a member Of the
American Academy Of Sciences.
The bride Of General Otis young
manhood, Miss Eliza Wetherby rss
his constant associate In Journalism
and literature until her death in lN
OF the five children born TO them. two
daughters survive.