Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-30
HI. Mencken, Is, Dies
Peacefully in His Sleep

H. L. Mencken, the literary
gadfiy who failed at fraud and
pomposity for half a century,
died early yesterday in his sleep
In the Baltimore home where he
spent most his life. He was rs.
The magnificent dissenter's
funeral services will be private.
by his own decree.
Mr.. Mencken's passing came
several weeks after discovery Of
his final contribution to Amer
lean letters. In 1913, shortly be-
fore he suffered a stroke that
ended his writing. he compiled
a manuscript which was mislaid.
Resurrected this month, it will
be published soon. He was look
ing forward to it. It is contro-
versial. he said, and ut will be
nice to be denounced again."
Swing Back Joyously
His life was rich with renun-
citation. The mass of hypocrites
belabored him in battalions and
he swung back joyously.
The end came peacefully.
His colored valet. Rancho
Brown, found him about 8 am.
in his third-fioor bedroom at
1874 Hollins street, opposite Bal
timore's Union Square, where his
family took up residence when
he was 8.
Unable to awaken his master,
the valet called Mr.. Mencken's
brother, August. DR.. Joseph E.
Muse said the author died of an
acute coronary occlusion.
Mr.. Mencken's final hours were
typical of his winter routine at
home. He stretched out on his
ONCE couch. listening to Die
Miestersinger" on the radio and
later took a nap before going
downstairs to supper of shrimp
on toast.
Louis Cheslock. who visited the
brothers almost every Saturday,
came over.
The hosts built a fire. as they
did every winter night at home.
August said his brother was COM
planning he didn't feel too we'll,
but he always said that, espe-
cially during the winter. Any
way. We had couple Of drinks,
and he felt pretty good after
that"
The brother said they had two
mild gibsons. in understood cock
tail glasses. Last winter the old
writer drank Scotch, but this
winter switched to the gin cock
tails. q
About 9:l5 pm. Henry Louis
IMencken climbed the stairs for
the last time to his third-aoor
bedroom. He listened to SYM
Iphony music on the radio until
II pm. and went to sleep.
Agnostic to the End
Although mellowed in his last
years. Mr.. Mencken remained
an agnostic to the last. He re-
Gently acknowledged churches
were good forces in any COM
munity." But in the same con-
versation he expressed horror
at the idea of his conversion. II
he proved in error in scofiing at
the souls immortality. he said,
he would square himself by tell
ing the Apostles. Gentlemen
/ was wrong"
Mr.. Mencken outlined his own
funeral views some time ago
writing:
"One Of the crying needs OF
the time In this incompatible
Republic is for a suitable burial
service for the admittedly
damned.
What is needed, and what
bawl for politely. is a service thai
is free from the pious but unsup-
ported reservations that revolt sc
many Of our best minds, and We,
remains happily graceful anc
Iconsoling a suitable funeraI
for doubters, full of lovely poetry
but devoid of any specific pro.
Inouncement on the subject of 9
future life :.
Libretto for Inevitable
Such a libretto for the ines.
capable last act would be humane
and valuable. I renew my sug.
fgestion that the poets spit upor
their hands and confect it al
once"
Mr. Mencken's immediate sur
.vivors include another brother
Charles. Of Pittsburgh, and a sis.
ter. Anna Gertrude. Baltimore.
Long ago he penned his owr
epitaph: IF after I depart thi.
vale. you ever remember me anc
have thought to please my ghost
forgive some sinner and wink
your eye at some homely girl"
For a time. at least, Mr.
Mencken may be remembered as