The Washington herald., 1921-12-23
Henry WattersOn Meets
End in Florida After
Short Illness.
PLAYED STRIKING
ROLE IN HISTORY
Veteran Editor Famous
Throughout World
For Writings.

JACKSONVILLE. Fla, Dec. e.
Col. Henry watterson. an outstand-
ing figure iu American Journalism
for the last half century, is dead.
An illness of less than "a hours
caused the death of the great Louis
Vile editor in a hotel here at $50
o'clock this morning.
Watterson. undoubtedly one of
the most brilliant editorial writers
in history. suddenly developed an
acute case of bronchial pneumonia
ABOUT 2 o'clock yesterday morning
Col. Watterson was conscious un-
Ill about a half hour before his
death. Then he quietly summoned
his wife to his bedside and TOLD her
he believed the end was near.
Shortly afterwards he lapsed into
unconsciousness.
Family at Bedside.
At the coloners bedside when
death came were his wife, his son,
Henry Watterson, jr., and a daugh-
ter. Mrs. william A. Miller.
Death came peacefully to the edi-
tor who so many times had vigor-
ously attacked his opponents.
On Tuesday ..Marse Henry" was
in excellent spirits and seemed to
be enjoying good health. He and
his family had made elaborate prep
arations for Christmas festivities
Taken Ill Suddenly.
Shortly after breakfast yesterday
morning. while seated In a chair,
Col. watterson became suddenly i'll.
Traces of heart trouble were ap-
parent. DIR. James B. Pasco. his
ordered him to his bed in
the Seminole Hotel here. He had
a slight cold the day be-
fore, which rapidly developed into
bronchial pneumonia and affected
his heart.
At times during his brief illness,
would lapse Into a semi
comatose state. but quickly rallied
each time until after midnight last
night. when it was apparent he was
growing weaker.
Members of the family we're sum-
moned about midnight. and just be-
fore lapsing into his final unconscious
ness, watterson talked a few minutes
with them.
"Marse Henry" loved Florida and
had spent nearly every winter here
for the last few years.
Col. Watterson is survived by his
wife, Mrs. Rebecca Ewing Watterson.
one daughter. Mrs. william A. (Mil-
brey watterson) Miller, and one son.
Henry Watterson, jr.. all Of Jeffer-
sontown.
Grandson Killed i'm War.
He was the grandfather OF Henry
Watterson, Sd, member of the
Canadian artillery, who was killed in
action in France. September 81, 1918.
His living grandchildren are Thomas
Black Watterson, Of Nashville, Tenn. !;
Mrs. Roy Norwood. of Nashville;
Austin Gilmore, who is attending
Milbrey Watterson, Marion T and
Miller.
Mrs. Watterson was prostrated with
grief over the sudden death OF her
husband and said it would be i'm
possible for her to leave Florida this
winter.
The body Of Col. Watterson will be
placed in a vault here until next April,
when it will be taken to Cave Hill
Cemetery, Louisville. for burial
Won National Fame.
Henry Watterson's fame as a jour
naIist has been national since civil
war days. He was made famous by
his editorials, in which his power of
sarcasm and polite invective were fire.
luently made use of.
"Marse Henry" as he was famil-
iarly known. was a native Of the
National Capital He was born in
on February 16. 1910.
hence would have been SO years old
his next birthday.
The civil war found him serving
as staff officer and chief of scouts
In Gen. Johnston's army. During part
of the war period Watterson was
a reporter and editorial writer on
the Washington States; he also serv-
ed during the war time on the Demo-
cratim Review, the Chattanooga
Rebel and the Republican Banner Of
Moves to Louisville.
He was married in 1855 to Re-
becca Ewing. of Nashville. Tenn In
1868 he moved to Louisville, KY,
where in association with W. N.
he took charge of the
combined Courier, Journal and DEM
ocrat. issuing the paper thereafter un-
der the name of the Courier-Journal.
He remained its editor until his
death.
OF late years, however, Watterson,
on account of advancing age, has
not taken so active a part in the
work of his paper as formerly.
He was once in Congress, having
been elected in 1876 to fill an unex-
pired term. Serving from August,
1876. to March, 1877. Watterson de-
,lined to stand for reelection. He
vas temporary chairman of the Dem
,cratic national convention in 1876,
md was delegate in 1880. 1884 and
.SSs.
Watterson, a lifelong Democrat.
broke with Woodrow Wilson, then
President of the United States, dur
ng the fight on the league Of ma
ions. He actively opposed ratifica-
ion Of the league covenant, and re-
used to support Wilson. His edi-
orial attacks on the league were
Imong his final contributions to the
of his day, and were
lmong his most forcefui writings.
Watterson was the author Of q |
number of books. including a his
.ory of the Spanish-American War,
-