Evening star., 1925-06-15
n. 0. MESSENGER
DIES AFTER STROKE
Veteran Political Writer of
Evening Star Staff Victim
of ApopIexy.

AS a distinct shock to his countless
friends. notably members of the news
paper profession, was the death early
this morning of North Overton Mes
senger. member of the news staff of
The Star for the last 35 years and an
outstanding journalist of national
repute.
The death of Mr.. Messenger was as
unexpected as it was distressing. He
was stricken about o'clock Friday
afternoon by apopIexy, while in
his apartment at Hammond Court.
Thirtieth and Q streets, where he had
resided for several years. Although
he did not speak after the stroke, he
attempted to serve dinner. He was
unable to do SO, however, soon lapsing
into unconsciouSnesS, from which he
did not recover. The end came at AIS
o'clock this morning.
Mr.. Messenger had not been in good
health for the last year or two. He
was under the care of his physician,
who advised during the Winter that
he go South. He proceeded to Florida
in January and after a stay of several
weeks returned to his duties here, ap-
narently much improved in health.
four years ago, Mr.. Messenger had
made his home with his only known
relative here, a cousin, Miss Annie
Teel.
Funeral services will be held in ST.
Johns Church, Sixteenth and. H
streets, Wednesday afternoon at 8
o'clock, Rev. Robert Johnston, the rec
tor. officiating. Selections will be rem
dered by the Gridiron Club Quartet.
Interment will be in GIenwood Gene
terry.
Known by Thousands.
While very few persons know
North Overton Messenger" hundreds
Of thousands of newspaper readers
were well acquainted with IN. o. NJ, :"
and hardly a newspaper man, native
of Washington or assigned to the
Washington bureau of an out-of town
journal, but knew and loved Jack"
Messenger.
Mr.. Messenger was born in Tuscum-
bia, Ala, on the 18th day of May,
1865. His father was North Allan
Messenger, who was a newspaper ed
itor. His mother was Lillian Teresa
Messenger, whose maiden name was
RoZell. She was also engaged in news
paper work, so that her son came by
his professional instincts naturally.
Mr.. Messengers mother was the first
woman to be elected a member of the
State Press Association of Arkansas.
Moving to this city, she engaged in
work as a correspondent and in gen
eral literary work. She was a charter
member of the Daughters of the
American Revolution and we'll
known author having published a
number of Vo neS. For many years
she resided at the Hotel Fredonia in
this city.
Coming here when he was young
boy, Mr.. Messenger was, to all intents
and purposes, a native Washingto.
MAN. He was educated in the public
schools of the District of Columbia.
In 1921 he was awarded the honorary
degree of master of arts by George
Washington University.
With Star 35 Years.
Joining the news staff of The Star
about 50 years ago, Mr.. Messenger
soon gained prominence as a writer
on political subjects. He was assign
ed to cover" the United States House
of Representatives, and from that day
to the present had been prominent in
the journalistic field. notably as a
writer and expert on political, finan-
cial, congressional and national af-
fairs. He was probably the best
known of the newspaper men on duty
at the Capitol, having been on his as
signment there almost daily for
nearly twoscore years. For many
years past he was head of The Stars
staff of political writer's and in charge
of such staff assigned to duty at the
Capitol. The deceased was Washing
ton correspondent for various news
papers since 1855, and for many years
represented the Wall Street Journal
here. He married Miss Eudora Alden
Goldsborough of Easton, Md, June %,
1892 Mrs. Messenger died in 1917.
Mr.. Messenger was Republican in
his political affiliations and attended
the Episcopal Church. He was a mem
Der of the Sons of the Revolution, of
the National Press Club and for
many years an active and enthusiastic
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