Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-28
CHARLES NJ. SHINN
DIES AT AGE OF s.
Star Staff Member Believed
to Have Been Oldest Jour-
naIiSt in Active Service.

Charles M. Shinn, for SO years a
member of the editorial staff of The
Evening Star and possibly the Oldest
journalist in active service In the world,
died last night in his s4th year of q
sudden heart attack after a few days
illness.
Dean of American newspaperdom,
Mr.. Shinn's activity and tenacity in the
face of the accommodating weaknesses of
years were such as hardly ever can have
been euualed in this or any other pro-
feSSion. Seldom has there lived so
modest and obscure a gentleman with
so real a claim to the admiration Of
his fellows.
Worked in Midst Of Tumult.
Day after day, year after year, Col.
Shinn sat on the rim of The Stars
copydesk "at the end of a telegraph
wire" This is essentially a place for
youth, for there is probably no place
on earth so imbued with hurry, con-
fusion and nerve strain as that little
gap between the turmoil OF the out
side world and the eternally hungry
mouths of the printing presses. Younger
and stronger men came and went. Col.
Shinn stayed on and did, up to the
very beginning of his last Illness, as
much work as any man on the desk.
He worked necessarily, without the
slightest suggestion, spoken or implied,
of leniency to age. There were two
things that would make him angry
any suspicion that his associates were
trying to tighten his burden q trifle
here and there and a reflection on some
of his political idols. But the former
made him by far the angrier.
He had conquered age by doing like
young man young mans work with
all a young mans energy, and any
suggestion of favoritism toward him
was, he felt, an unjustified insinuation
of defeat. For q man Of less courage
it would have been fatal position: For
him it was an ideal poSition-a veritable
fountain of eternal youth. For there
at the end of the telegraph wire he
was immersed in the tumultuous stream
of the youth of the world. News"
after all, is a product Of youth. Age
is cast on the banks of the unQuiet
river. Only youth, comparatively speak
ing. does the brave things, the queer
things and the crazy things that make
news.
Born In Kentucky.
Col. Shinn was of English descent,
son of the late DR.. and Mrs. A. j. Shinn,
and was born in Marshall County, KY,
December 80, 1847. The family later
moved to Virginia and settled in Fair
mont, Marion County, which is now
part of West Virginia.
During Col. Shinn's early life he
studied Journalism and all his life has
been identified with journalistic work.
Politically he was a Republican, and for
many years was actively associated with
lao< Il d.. rxtiV1 fV1e
the opposition.
At the age of 20 years he became con-
nected with the Fairmont West vir-
ginian, and his journal was the voice
and exponent OF Republican principles
for the county and vicinity.
Col. Shinn was a member Of Crusade
Commandery, No. 6, knights Templar,
of Fairmont, w. Va, and was the Oldest
past master of his lodge at the time OF
his death. He was also an honorary
member of Hope Lodge, No. 20, F. A.
A. NJ, of this city.
Served in Civil War.
He was member of the Sixth Pres
byterian Church, at Sixteenth and Ken
nedy streets northwest, of which Rev.
Godfrey Chobot is pastor
Col Shinn was three times rejected
when seeking to enlist in the Union
Army during the Civil War, on account
Of his youth and physical disability, but
served as needed with organized militia
and took active part in many activities
connected with the Union Army. For
this service he was made an honorary
member of the Army and Navy Union,
and served two years as colonel on the
staff Of the commander in chief.
Col Shinn has been connected with
The Evening Star since May, 1897. He
served as city editor and in many other
capacities. For many years he also con-
tributed articles to various newspapers
and magazines. He was one of the or
ganizers of the West Virginia Repub-
lican Association in the District Of Co
lumbia, and was its president for l6
years. He also served twice as president
of the West Virginia State Society.
Col Shinn was married, at the age
OF 26 years, to Miss Anna Margaret
Fleming, daughter of the late Allison
and Martha Fleming Of Fairmont,
w. Va.
Nine Children Survive.
Besides his widow, nine children sur
tbs Shinn, attorney-at-law; Harry Alli-
son Shinn of this city, Lieut. Comdr.
Herbert L. Shinn, now stationed In
Haiti; Robert Carter Shinn of Lexing-
ton, KY. Mrs s. H. Bush of Madison,
wis; Mrs. /. S. Childs and Misses
Flora, Elsie and Virginia Shinn of this
city. Six grandchildren and one great
grandchild also survive, namely: Ralph
s. Childs, Charles M. Shinn, George
Curtis Shinn, jr.; Flora Ann Shinn,
Margaret Elizabeth Bush and Robert
Shinn Bush, and Ralph s. Childs, jr.
Funeral services will be conducted
Friday, January 80, at pm. at his
late home, 1902 Floral street. Rev. Mr.
Chobot will oficiate. There will be
Masonic services, and burial will be In
Congressional Cemetery.