Halsey L. Merriman, first editor of the Times-Republican, and the man who, with the aid of local business men of the day, was enabled to effect the consolidation of the Daily Times and the Weekly Republican, died this morning at San Antonio, Tex., according to a telegram received by John W. Wells, secretary of Marshall Lodge No. 108, A. F. and A. M.

The cause of Mr. Merriman's death was not stated in the message, but it is known here that Mr. Merriman had been failing in health for several years, and that six months ago he left Scottsbluff, Neb., which has been his home for several years, and went to San Antonio, where a sister, Mrs. Belle McConnell, resides.

A most pathetic fact in connection with the death is that Mr. Merriman, following a long and useful life, died practically penniless. He had been broken down in spirit since the death of his only son, Halsey C. Merriman, several years ago.

Mr. Merriman, a native of Peoria, Ill., where he was born June 12, 1843, came to this city in 1869, then a young attorney of 26, with a bright future before him.

Until he was 19 years old Mr. Merriman lived in Illinois. He then went to Syracuse, N. Y., where he studied law, and then to Ann Arbor, where he finished his law course in the University of Michigan. He was admitted to the bar at Ottawa, Ill., became associated with an uncle in Washington, D. C., and came here in 1869 and formed a copartnership with the late Judge Henry C. Henderson. He was made United States land commissioner, and held this position a few years.

Mr. Merriman was the last but one of his family. His younger brother, S. W. Merriman, for many years business manager of the Times-Republican, died several years ago. Mrs. Merriman, with whom Mr. Merriman was unted in marriage March 13, 1867, in New York state, died in October, 1899. Mrs. Merriman’s maiden name was Laura E. Cowles. In addition to the son Halsey, who died in July, 1902, Mr. and Mrs. Merriman lost a son in infancy.

Mr. Merriman’s newspaper history locally is most interesting, and especially that part that concerns the establishment of the Times-Republican.

In January, 1879, Mr. Merriman and his law partner, Judge Henderson, bought the Marshall County Republican, a weekly paper, signing notes for $10,000 for the purchase price. Early in the year following Mr. Merriman bought Judge Henderson’s interest and, after conducting the publication for a few months, became aware that a reorganization or sale of the Times, a daily, and strong competition to the Republican, was brewing. Merriman learned that McQuiston & Burnell were the prospective purchasers of the Times, having an eye on the job plant. The final result was the job plant of the Republican was traded for the newspaper plant of the Times, and McQuiston & Burnell acquired the job business and Mr. Merriman the combined newspaper plants.

But the deal was a big one in those days, and especially so for one who had no capital. In the transaction Merriman was compelled to take over the Times building for $6,000. Merriman didn’t have 6,000 cents for an investment such as it was then considered. He went to Dr. Glick, then president of the First National Bank, and Glick let Merriman have the necessary money on security that was very shady.

Confronted with $16,000 indebtedness, running at 10 per cent. Mr. Merriman was in the “newspaper business” in the strictest sense of the word. The Times was the better property of the two, but the daily was making no money; in fact it was a burden, always sapping the profits the weekly was able to show, and more too. It had no circulation outside of Marshalltown, and very little even there. Merriman realized that to make his daily pay he must have money. The latter contingency meant another trip to Dr. Glick and Dr. A. T. Birchard, who told Merriman to go ahead with is circulation scheme and they would stand behind him.

Being assured that he would have the necessary money to put his paper on a paying basis was one thing, but his failing health was another, and had to be considered. Merriman had overworked. He needed an assistant in the person of a city editor—one who could write “local” and set type. Merriman made known his wants to Glick, and nearby, in the bank, “Ab” Glick overheard the conversation. He knew of just the right man for the place, young Clark McFarland, of Des Moines. “Ab” Glick was delegated to write McFarland, offering him the “position” at $10 per week. McFarland accepted and went to work with all the vim and force that characterized his makeup. He did local, handled the “telegraph,” on rush occasions worked ”at the case” and in the early part of 1885 did the editorial as well.

McFarland proved a valuable aid to Merriman, and his work in reporting the legislative session at Des Moines had as much to do with building up the circulation as any other one thing. The paper had its ups and downs, however, and its staunch friends came to its rescue at critical times. R. E. Sears was one of these, in addition to Dr. Glick and Dr. Birchard. Sears “came across” with $2,500 voluntarily at one time when, if he had not done so, something very serious would have happened to the Times-Republican.

Merriman kept the paper until August, 1885, when he sold to Mr. McFarland and S. W. Merriman. The circulation of the paper at the time of the sale had reached the “big” proportions of 1,800, and extended thru the towns of central and western Iowa.

A few years after he disposed of his newspaper Mr. Merriman moved to Nebraska and engaged in the stock business. He lost heavily thru a severe blizzard that killed most of his cattle. He practiced law on a small scale and, already broken down in health, came near losing his mind when his son, Halsey, died. Since 1902 Mr. Merriman has been alone in the world. His death will be learned with deep regret by many old-time friends in Marshalltown.

Evening Times-Republican 40(139):8 Saturday, June 13, 1914