New-York tribune., 1919-12-28
Caleb M.Van Hanm,
Managing Editor of
my. Y.American,'Dies
One of Best Known News
paper Men in Country Ex-
pires Suddenly While on
Vacation at Miami, Fla.

Caleb M. Van Hamm, managing editor
of 1.-THE New York American" died at
Miami, Fla, yesterday morning after
an illness of two months. He went to
Florida ten days ago to pass his usual
midwintcr vacation, and although i'll
when he left his condition was not con-
sidered dangerous. The end came sud-
denly.
When Mr. Van Hamm left New York
for Florida on December 18 he was ac-
companied by his wife, his daughter and
Louis Sebold, one of his most intimate
acquaintanccs, who is a New York news
paper man. The stateroom in which
Mr.. Van Hamm Travelled was filled with
flowers from the staff of "The Ameri-
can," who also sent their wishes for his
speedy recovery.
Mr. Van Hamm was one of the best
known and admired newspaper in
the United States. He was universally y
known in newspaper circles as Colo
nel," title bestowed upon him out of
respect for his distinguished career
and ability. He had long record of
on anding service on many of the
most powerful newspapers in the
country
Began Career as q Lawyer
He was born in Cincinnati on March
II, 1861. His parents were Washing
ton and Rebccca Ba!dridge Van Hamrl.
Chickering Institute, Cincinnati, and
was graduated from the University of
Cincinnati in 1882 with the degree of
LIB. and Immediately began to prac-
tice law in his native city.
The lure of newspaper work early
weaned him away from law practice and
he passed through the various tages of
newspaper activity-reporter.c city editor
and managing editor of various Cincin-
natl newspapers during the succeeding
decade. In 1892 he came to the larger
field offered by the metropolis as city
editor of "The New York Journal
Mclean, owner Of "The Cincinnati En-
quirer."
In 1895 Mr.. Van Hamm became city
editor of "The New York World" and
eight years later was made managing
editor of that newspaper. He continued
in this position until 1910, when he
joined the executive staff of the Hearst
newspapers. During the last nineteen
years he had been news or managing
editor of "Ihe New ork Evening Jour
nal "Chicago Examiner" and "Ne"
York American"
Political Judgment Accurate
Although Mr.. Van Iiamm never held
any political office or actively engaged
in political struggles, his judgment
upon political issues and news was
so accurate that his advice frequently
was sought by leaders of both parties.
An example of his skill in Judging
political news was shown in the Pres-
Dental election of 1916. Although the
carly returns showed that Charles e.
Hughes apparently had been elected
with sweeping majorities, Mr.. Van
Hamm insisted that the results from
the Western States indicated that
Pres dent Wilson had been reelected
by small majority. He won the
American" staff to this point of view,
and the election was SO reported,
although the decision did not come
until three days later.
Mr.. Van Hamm was member of
the Manhattan and Andron clubs, and
the Sons of the Revolution. He mar
ried in Cincinnati in 1893 Miss Amy
Perkins, who with his only child, Miss
Rebecca Van Hamm, survives him.
Burial will be in Cincinnati on
Tuesday,.