Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-12-22
HENRY WATTERSON.
OUTSTANDING FIGURE
IN JOURNALISM, DEAD
Famous Editor Strick-
en- at Jackson
vile, Fla.
ILLNESS IS BRIEF
Members of Family at
Bedside When End
Comes.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla, Dec. "a
Colonel Henry Watterson, an out
standing figure in American journal
ism for the last half century, died to-
day.
An illness of less than twenty-four
hours caused the death Of the great
Louisville editor in a hotel here a.
$50 a. m.
Watterson, one of the most brilliant
editorial writers in the history Of the
country, suddenly developed an acute
case of bronchial pneumonia Wednesday.
For some months the aged editors heart
had appeared to his physicians to be
weakening, although he seemed in the
best Of spirits. The weakened heart and
Watterson's age, 81, made it impossible
for him to withstand the attack and his
physicians said heart disease was the
direct cause Of death
TELLS WIFE AS
DEATH NEARS.
Colonel Watterson was conscious until
| about a half hour before his death. Then
he quietly summoned his wife and told
her he believed the end was near. Short
" afterwards he lapsed into unconscious
ness.
At the Co1oneTs bedside when death
came were the widow, his son, Henry
WattersOn, Jr., and a daughter, Mrs.
, William A. Miller.
Death came peacefully.
On Tuesday "Marse Henry was in ex-
cellent spirits and seemed to be enjoy
! ing good health. He and his family
had made elaborate preparations for
| Christmas festivities.
STRICKEN WITH ILLNESS
WEDNESDAY MORNING.
Shortly after breakfast Wednesday
while seated in a chair, Colonel Waiter
son became suddenly i'll. Traces of heart
; trouble were apparent. DR.. James b.
Pasco, his physician, ordered him to his
bed in the Seminole Hotel. He had con-
tracted a slight cold the day before
which rapidly developed into bronchial
pneumonia and affected his heart.
At times during his brief illness,
Colonel Watterson would lapse into
semi-comatose state, but quickly rallied
each time until after midnight last night
when it was apparent he was. growing
weaker 4e
Members Of the family were summoned
and just before lapsing into his final un-
consciousness. Colonel Watterson talked
a few minutes with them.
"Marse Henry loved Florida and had
spent nearly every winter here for the
last few years.
Accompanied by his wife, son and
daughter and her two younger children.
Kent and Milbrey Miller, Colonel Wat
terson arrived here three weeks ago,
direct from his home, and had planned
, to spend the winter here.
He was the grandfather Of Henry Wat
terson, third, a member of the Canadian
artillery, who was killed in action In
France, Sept. %, 1918.
BODY TO BE HELD IN
FLORIDA UNTIL APRIL.
Mrs. Watterson was prostrated with
grief over the sudden death of her hus-
band and said it would be impossible
for her to leave Florida this winter.
The body Of Colonel Watterson viii be
placed in vault here until next April,
when 1t will be taken to Cave Hill ceme-
terry, Louisville, for burial
Col Henry Watterson was one Of the
last of the picturesque journalists of the
old school. He was a writer whose opin-
ion carried tremendous weight and his
editorials were widely copied.
He studied music early in life, but an
accident to one of his thumbs stopped
his progress in that direction and he be-
gan his writing career. He served with
the Confederate army throughout the
Civil War. At the close of the Civil
War, Watterson revived an old news
paper at Nashville. Three years later
he went to Louisville and soon became
the editor of the Louisville Courier
Journal, with which publication he re-
mained affiliated the rest of his life
Colonel Watterson was a vigorous sup
porter Of the allies when the World War
started In 1914. So scathing were some
of his attacks on Germans that he was
denounced in some quarters, but he stuck
firmly by his guns.
Colonel Watterson also was an op-
ponent of the League of Nations. He
served one term in Congress and later
was often urged to run for high offices,
but steadfastly refused although he was
active IN politics. He did not support
Bryan in 1896. but in 1908 he was one
Of the cOmmoner'5 warmest champions.