Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-02-18
DEATH SOUNDS
QUICK CALL TO
c. w. MERRILL
Publisher and Widely Known
Critic Succumbs to Organic
Heart Trouble.
AT WORK TO THE LAST

Charles W Merrill, treasurer of the
Bobbs- Merrill Publishing Company, and
widely known literary critic, died at his
home, 1925 North Delaware street, at
2:30 o'clock this morning of an organic
heart disorder.
Mr.. Merrill attended to business du-
ties at the publishing house on Vermont
street yesterday, but became III last eve
ming at his home. Several years ago an
attack Of angina pactoris forced him to
remain away from business for several
months. He never completely recovered
his strength, although he continued to
work.
SURVIVED BY WIDOW.
PARENTS AND BROTHER.
Mrs Lima Merrill the widow, sur
wives. as do Mr. MerrilPs parents. Col.
Samuel Merrill and Mrs. Merrill of Long
Beach, Cal, and brother, Samuel Mer-
rill of Pasadena. Cal.
An atmosphere of sorrow pervaded the
publishing house this morning when
news of Mr.. MerriIrs death reached tho
employees. Every person connected with
the business knew him and loved him
for his kindness and culture, according
to departmental heads.
The late treasurer o. the company was
one Of several Nerrills who have beer
Connected with the business since it wa:
founded. Col. Merrill, father of the de
ceased, served as president of the BObbs
Merrill Company for many years.
For a number of years Charles w
Merrill held the position OF book editor
Of the publishing company. In that time
he enabled many Indiana writer's, who
have since won fame, to get their work
before the public. He was a close friend
of James Wbitcomb Riley and Meredith
Nicholson, the novelist. The latter had
bean one Of his closest friends for nun
Der of years. They frequently met TO tax,
luncheon together Their homes were In
the same block on North Delaware street
DEVOTED TO HOME
LIFE AND READING.
Mr.. Merrill was a close reader and in
the later years Of his life devoted nearly
all his time. outside business hours, Il
his home life and reading. The tender
Capt. Weir, after a short visit with hi,
relations between Mr.. and Mrs. MerTil
and the great share OF their time spent
together We're often remarked about bs
their friends.
During the war Mr. Merrill followed
very closely all literature bearing on the
world struggle and the analytical qualit Y
Of the editorial mind enabled him to gain
d AtAldt hdDie UNDERSTANDING OF the war
Its causes and historical effect.
Mr. Merrill was member Of the Uni
versity club. but was not actively inter
ested in club life His was of modest and
retiring disposition and he seldom sought
social diversion, although his mind and
bearing were such as to inspire 8 great
liking in those who did meet him.
COUSIN CLASSMATE,
AND NEAR SAME ACE
Charles W. Mo0res, an attorney with
Offices In the Fletcher Savings and Trust
Company building. was a cousin Of Mr.
Merrill and was closely connected with
him throughout his life. They were
within a year Of an age and their birth
days were on the same day. They were
classmates in high school and college
and were roommates in Charlottesville
while attending college.
Mr. Moores recalled today incidents I'm
the life Of Mr. Merrill. II was in the
early nineties that the Bobbs- Merrill firm
engaged in the publication Of fiction.
/. Previously they had published many law
books, the firms participation In that
business dating from 1892 when the
grandfather Of Mr.. Merrill and Mr.
Moores began publishing Indiana su-
preme court reports. The first fiction OF
note published by the company was
when Knighthood Was In Flower" by
Continued on Page Three)