Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1952-09-09
Hurry-no-Ionger Idea
Seems Funny Nov, He Says

bye to him at the close of his
working life.
It was pleasant "30'' on the job
for Sam Ochiltree, retiring at 65
after spending 10 years as tele-
grapher and 36 years as reporter
and news editor.
In this business you hurry all
your life, don't your" he said.
THAT is what will seem funny
from now on. will never have to
hurry again"
Hollywood never discovered Sam
Ochiltree. 1t isn't interested in
working newspapermen like Sam.
And that is too bad. For his life
story would make Z wonderful
film. But how could Hollywood
dramatic man whom no one can
remember ever lifting his voice,
saying no word in anger, or even
critizing another human being?
One of Sans first tasks as a
telegrapher here in 1906 was to
handle messages on the great San
Francisco earthquake and fire. On
his final day he edited Associated
Press dispatches about Korea. In
between he helped cover or edit
stories on most of the great news
events of the century.
The constant acquaintance with
disaster and the follies of human
flesh that make some newsmen
cynical never. robbed Sam of his
warm and steady sense of brother
hood. His last hours on the job he
spent breaking in his SUCCESSOR
who is 21.
Hes a bright kid" said Sam
picks up things fast"
Sam then went across the street
to an office party in his honor, and
as he is a modest man this was
something of an ordeal. They gave
him a shaving kit, a leather-cover-
ed clock, and fine suitcase for
a trip to London he is planning.
Holding up the shiny suitcase, Sam
said:
This ought to even get me by
st. Peter without passport"
The next day Sam and met
for lunch, and he gently objected
to some of the ideas people have
about retirement.
People who other people regard
as old don't feel that way he
said. "Oldness isn't a particular
feeling-you feel the same, but you
Just get tired sooner. Old people
have the same feeling as young
people. That is why they some
times make fools of themselves"
For some reason people think
when a man retires he has to
have something to drive
him like a madman to make things
out of wood.
Il have plenty of interests. For
example, one of my friends is a
religious editor who doesn't believe
in religion. ! have been trying to
convince him of the value OF pray
er. Also, would like to get him to
start going to church"
Sam himself has always been
interested in religion.
"But sometimes you have to have
the courage to disbelieve," he said
mildly. II have come through the
whole range, from complete unbe-
lief to working out faith in God
that now keeps me completely
happy"
Sam married at 19-the same
wear he became telegrapher-
and still goes home to the same
girl. They have two sons, five
grandsons.
"You notice how many men who
live to be old have remained with
the wife of their youth-like Wins
ton Churchill" he said. THAT is a
splendid life: For people to grow
old together"
Not that Sam has any idea ne
is old yet. He recalled that when
Abraham Lincoln left Springfield
for Washington he spoke of coming
there as young man and said that
now he was an old man.
"Yet the greatest part OF his
life was ahead of him. said Sam.
what a wonderful newpaperman
Abraham Lincoln would have
NADER