Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 63, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 March 1915 — TRAGIC END OF FORMER EDITOR [ARTICLE]

TRAGIC END OF FORMER EDITOR

James W. French Killed in an Auto Accident in Texas—Message Was Lacking in Details. James W. French, former editor of the Lafayette Journal, and later warden of the state prison at Michigan City, died Monday at Dallas, Texas, from injuries received in an automobile accident. The message announcing his tragic death did not contain any particulars. He was in the early eighties one of the leading democratis politicians in the state and held many responsible positions. He was bom in Posey county, Ind., about 64 years ago and was elected at state senator from that county before coming to Lafayette in 1887. In that year he and W. Bent Wilson purchased the Journal from Henry Lane Wilson, who later served as ambassador to Mexico. Mr. French was editor of the paper and Mr. Wilson was the business manager. During his residence in Lafayette Mr. French was appointed by Governor Claude Matthews director of the Michigan City prison. Shortly afterwards he sold his interest in the Journal to Mr. Wilson and was appointed as warden of the Michigan City prison, succeeding the late James Murdock. Later under the second administration of Grover Cleveland as president he was -appointed warden of the federal penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kans.