The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-12-22
DEATH TAKES
,WATTERS0N.
JOURNALIST
Veteran Newspaper Owner
and Publisher Dies at Hotel
in Florida-Is Last of Old
School.
CAREER INTERESTING
(By Associated Press)

JAChSONN WILLIE, fla, Dec. 81
Henry Watterson. one of the country's
best known journalists and former
owner and publisher of the Louisville,
KY, Courier Journal, died at local
hotel at 6:15 this morning.
Colonel Watterson's death was un-
expected, though it had been known
for some days that he was i'll.
The veteran publisher had been here
about six weeks, as was his custom on
his annual trips to Florida. He has
for years been spending his winters
largely at Fort Myers and it was his
intention to go to that place when his
condition improved sufficiently to take
the trip. His wife, son and daughter
were at his bedside when he died.
Col Watterson's death was due to
heart failure superinduced by con-
gestion of the lungs, according to ply
sicians.
Converses With Wife
He was conscious for few minutes
at intervals and 80 minutes before
his death called his wife into the
room and conversed with her. After
a few words with Mrs. Watterson, the
son and daughter were summoned.
Members of the family said his death
was peaceful, Col. Watterson having
lapsed into Inconsistencies again a
few minutes before he passed away.
The body of Col. Watterson, it was
said by his son, Henry Watterson,
would be placed in a vault here until
spring, when it will be taken to Louis
vile for burial in the family plot in
Cavehill cemetery, there. Mr.. Waiter
son said his mother was very frail and
because of her condition, it was in
advisable to return north before
spring.
Last Of OId-Timers
Henry Waterson was one of the last
of the old-time personal journalists.
More than half a century his editorials.
with their brilliant. original and
phrase-making composition, attracted
wide attention. They were commented
On and copies by the press of the ma
ton. Besides his power in molding
public opinion through his editorials
Watterson's influence is credited with
having shaped the platform of the
Democratic party in more than one
presidential campaign.
It was perhaps through an accident
that Henry Watterson pursued jour
usual musical talent and his parents
encouraged it. A mishap that crushed
his left thumb, leaving that member
stiff, caused the musical education to
be abandoned, as the piano was his fa-
vorite instrument.
A natural bent for writing developed,
but even in this Mr.. Watterson was
seriously handicapped, as an illness
i,,s 20, Il 4 1 ,;-, -
first journalistic experience was gain
ed on Washington, D. c. newspaper
as musical and dramatic critic. His
father, Harvey NJ Watterson. for
! twenty years preceding the outbreak
of the war between the States, was a
representative in Congress from Ten
nessee. 1t was during this time Henry
/ Watterson laid the foundations for an
elaborate knowledge of national af-
! fairs, he spending much of his time as
sociating with party leaders of that
period and in close contact with the
operation of the government.
Course Interrupted
WatterSonS course in letters and
journalism in the national capital was
interrupted just as he attained his ma.
| jority by the outbreak of war. With
! his father, he opposed the secession
movement, but upon the declaration OF
hostilities he returned to his Tennes
see home and Joined the army of the
Confederacy. He served throughout the
war, except for a period of ten months
when he established and operated al
Chattanooga, Tenn, The Rebel" a
semi-military paper.
Mr.. Watterson served first as al
aide to the famous cavalry leader
General Nathan Bedford Forrest, ant
later was on the staff of Genera
Leonidas Polk.
During the campaign between Gen
erals Sherman and Johnston, Waiter
son was chief of scouts of the Con
federate army.
THE Rebel instantly achieved
) great popularity. The paper was out
spoken and independent, forecastin.
in many things the Louisville Courier
Continued on Page Three)