Mecklenburg County NcArchives Obituaries.....Abernethy, James Campbell September 1, 1906 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/ncfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Danielle Mozingo kmozingo@carolina.rr.com September 27, 2010, 5:10 pm Charlotte Observer, September 2, 1906 MR. J.C. ABERNETHY DEAD ----- END CAME EARLY YESTERDAY ----- The Managing Editor of The Charlotte Observer Answers the Final Summons at the Age of 32-The Story of a Young Man Who Climbed High on the Ladder of Success by Persistent, Personal Efforts-Beginning a Career as a Printer at the Age of 13 He Mounted Almost the Topmost Round of the Ladder-A Master of Detail and a Slave to His Work. Mr. J.C. Abernethy, managing editor of The Charlotte Observer, died at St. Joseph's Sanatorim, at Asheville, at 10:30 o'clock yesterday morning. The sad news, which arrived soon after the end came, was not a surprise to those who had kept informed as to Mr. Abernethy's condition during the preceding 48 hours. The final summons was expected at any moment. For two years of more Mr. Abernethy had not been well. He had to quit his work for ten weeks and rest and recuperate 12 months ago. One day early in August, while at his home of East First street, he had a hemorrhage from the throat, which gave his friends the first warning of his serious condition. It was then realized that tuberculosis had begun its relentless attack. So soon as Mr. Abernethy was able to travel he went to Asheville, where he could be under the treatment of Dr. James Sawyer, a specialist. A thorough examination revealed the facts that both lungs were affected and it would require some time to tell whether or not anything could be done toward prolonging or saving Mr. Abernethy's life. But all hope was dispelled last Thursdy, by a telegram, saying that Mr. Abernethy had had another hemorrhage, and that his condition was critical. Mrs. Abernethy, who had gone to Shelby, was summoned. She arrived at the bed-side of her dying husband Friday night. Miss Sara Kelley, a sister, and Mr. John R. Ross, of The Observer office, accompanied her and when the final summons came they were there to cheer and comfort. BIRTH AND PARENTAGE James Campbell Abernethy was born in Newton 32 years ago last January. He was the oldest child of Mr. and Mrs. T.R. Abernethy. His school days, which were short, were spent at private schools and at Catawba College. At the age of 13 years he began to learn the printer's trade, in the composing room of The Newton Enterprise. From Newton he came to Charlotte, where he worked for the old Charlotte Chronicle, for about a year, after which time he returned to Newton and pursued his studies at college for ten months. Again, about 1892, he came back to Charlotte and took a position as compositor with The Charlotte Observer, which name The Chronicle had assumed. He was continuously connected with The Observer until his death. Step by stop he had climbed the ladder until he was almost to the top-most round. When the proprietors of The Observer decided to put in linotype machines they sent Mr. Abernethy North to learn to manipulate them and he proved an apt pupil. He had mastered his trade, as hand compositor, and the type-setting machine was a promotion. He soon became an expert operator. HIS RAPID PROMOTION In 1898 he was promoted to a desk on the staff of The Observer. For a time he served as telegraph editor, and later, as news editor. When the growth of the paper justified a managing editor he was given the position. Day by day, for a decade or more, he had mastered the newspaper work bit by bit, until he knew every detail from the press room to the editorial sanctum. His ability did not rest in fine writing but in the mastery of the little things that give ear- marks to The Observer. He knew when the reporters were handing up good coy, when the devil was doing his duty; when the compsitors were turning out good proof; when the foreman was showing good taste and good judgment in making up his forms, when the pressman was going his work well, when the press was at its best, or when the mails made or missed the trains. Every detail was his care. Hewas in the front office, in the city editor's room, in the chief's sanctum, in his little den, in the composing room, and in the press room every night. If news had not arrived he was nervous, restless, and almost disagreeable until the wires began to tell the tale in a continuous stream. News, live, dependable news, was what he liked to get. The thing that gave his greatest pleasure was a bright, spicy paper, full of the livest sort of matter. Every column in The Observer had his personal attention. The stories and the editorials that he wrote will not be put in book form, but the system and the push that he gave The Observer force will live as long as the paper is in existence. His energy was felt in every department. His hours, his days, his weeks and his months were spent in The Observer building. He was so devoted to his work that he was afraid to be away from it. His best efforts were spent on the paper. While others were busily engaged in writing brilliant stories to give them glory and fame, Mr. Abernethy strove to have every line and every paragraph appear well. A FORCEFUL WRITER As an editorial writer Mr. Abernethy was forceful, fearless and fair. He wrote many of the editorials thatappeared in The Observer from day to day on general topics. He read a great deal and was well-informed on current matters. His pen was facile and at times scathing. Being diffident he did not mix much with the multitude but always manifested an interest in the doings of the people. He like to be one of a great throng but never could be conspicuous. He was modest, but his eye was ever accurate and ever busy. During his connection with The Observer he made several extended trips. Traveling was his favorite pastime. His associates in The Observer office will miss him every hour of the day. Everybody sought his advice, for he knew every branch of the work, and was always willing to help the learners. He was industrious, efficient, and an everlasting toiler. Mr. Abernethy was quiet, but determined. Early in his life he began to map out his own course and work for himself. He labored well and had his health remained good he would have become one of the leading newspaper men of the South. On the 14th of December, 1904, Mr. Abernethy was married to Miss Margaret Kelly, a daughter of the late Capt. S.A. Kelly. He is survived by his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. T.R. Abernethy, of Newton; his widow, a brother, Mr. W.R. Abernethy, of Morganton; and a sister, Miss Katherine Abernethy, of Newton. The Abernethys are from Gaston. They are good, sturdy people. Mrs. Abernethy, the mother of the deceased, was Miss Janie Campbell, a sister of Dr. J.R. Campbell, of Newton, and a daughter of Dr. Ogburn Campbell. Mr. Abernethy was a member of the Presbyterian church, having joined it at Newton early in life. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS The remains of Mr. Abernethy, accompanied by his wife, her sister, Miss Sara Kelly, Mr. John R. Ross, of Charlotte, and Messrs. W.R. ABernethy, of Morganton, and R.R. Williams, of Newton, arrived from Asheville last night and were carried to the Kelly residence on East First street. The fueral srevices will be conducted from the residence, No. 3 East First street, at 4:30 o'clock this afternoon by Rev. J.R. Howerton, assisted by Rev. Dr. H.H. Hulten, of the First Baptist church. The pallbearers are to be Messrs. R.R. Williams and J.B. Little, of Newton; W.A. Hildebrand, of Asheville, and H.E.C. Bryant, John R. Ross and John C. McNeill, of The Observer force. Mr. and Mrs. T.R. Abernethy and daughter will arrive from Newton this morning. They were at Asheville yesterday and came as far as home last night. This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ncfiles/ File size: 8.3 Kb