The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1921-12-28

Acor'.''''ou A,o'. PceV WV
Courier journal gave him lnkewarm
support. In 1908, however, what
Mr.. Watterson denominated as the
free silver heresyv being as dead
as African slavery in the United
States, he became warm supporter
Of Bryan.
When the storm of the European
war broke over the world Mr.. Wat
terson assumed an uncompromising
stand in support of the cause and
ideals of the Entente Allies, declar-
ing his belief that their cause was
the cause Of freedom and democracy
and that of the Central empires that
of autocracy.
His attitude was tersely set forth
in single sentence that appeared at
the end of practically every editorial
he wrote on the subject for many
months: "To Hell with the Hohen-
zollerns and the Hapsburgsr'
His scathing Indictment Of the
German leadership was interpreted
by many of German blood in this
country to be an attack upon them
selves, and brought storm of de-
nunciation about his ears. To these
Americans Of German blood Mr..
Watterson made answer that pre-
sumably they had come to the United
States to escape the thing he as
serted the German rulers were en-
deavoring to fasten upon the rest of
the world, and warned them that if
they identified themselves too close
ly with the cause of Germany's rul-
ers by giving it support, they would
later regard their course with regret.
Mr.. Watterson also devoted some
of his editorial attention to social
questions. He once made a savage
attack on New York society women,
calling them "a flock Of unclean
birds" He accused them Of fond
ness for display that ruined the men,
and love of champagne and bridge
that would eventually ruin their
morals.
His dashing style gave currency
to Light Horse Harry" and Henry
of Navarro" The most popular nick
name and the most frequently used,
however, was plain "Marse Henry"
As effectively as he wrote Mr..
Watterson spoke on the public plat
form. His reputation as an orator
reached its climax when he delivered
at the dedication of the Columbian
Exposition when he appeared as the
governments official spokesman.
Among the several books he wrote
or compiled were oddities of South
ern Life and Character a volume
of southern humor; "The Spanish
American War;" written concurrent
ly with the events, and his latest
work, Compromises of Life"
compilation of his lectures, addresses
and numerous editorials from the
Courier journal.
Of his career Mr.. Watterson re-
Gently said:
81 came out of the war like many
of the young fellows of the south, a
very picked bird, indeed. In order
to escape the humiliation of borrow
ing from norther n uncle, whose
politics / did not approve, ! went
with my watch to an uncle who had
no politics and got $50 on it. Along
with two blanket mates, who were as
poor as myself, started, or rather
revived, publication of an old sus-
pended newspaper at Nashville.
could withstand the energy
and ardor which we three threw into
the enterprise. We were working for
bread and had to have it. When we
began there were nine daily papers
for a footing in the little
Tennessee capital. AT the end of the
year there we're but two, and of
these ours had two-thirds of the
business.
"After two years ] was called to
Louisville to take an editorial posi-
lion on the old Louisville Journal,
the paper of George d. Prentice. Six
months later Walter N. Haldeman,
who owned the Courier, joined with
me in combining the Journal and the
Courier. Incidentally this led to the
purchase of the old Louisville Dem
ocrat, this publication losing its
identity entirely. That is about ALL"
The consolidation Of the three pa
pers was the first Of the great news
paper combinations. 1t resulted in
The first appearance Of the Courier
Journal on November s, 1868
l.. l..