Richmond Co, GA; Obituary of - WILLIAM H. PRITCHARD, ESQ. ********************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Ed PFEIFER http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ********************************************************************** DEATH OF WILLIAM H. PRITCHARD, ESQ. From the Augusta Constitutionalist, 26 March 1862 A telegraphic dispatch, dated Richmond, March 25th, from Mr. G. E. W. Nelson formerly connected with this office, was received by us yesterday morning, announcing the painful intelligence that Mr. Wm. H. Pritchard died in that city at 12 o'clock on Monday night last after an illness of three or four days duration. This intelligence, painful in itself, was doubly so in the suddenness with which it came upon an affectionate family and a large circle of sympathizing friends. It was but little more than a week ago that he had passed through our city, on his way to and from the editorial convention at Atlanta, whither he had gone as a representative of the Southern Telegraphic Company, and if necessary, to give an account of his stewardship as general telegraphic news agent for the Southern press. It was then a subject of remark among some of among some of his friends that he had apparently improved in health and he was himself looking forward with pleasure to the summer months, when he could return to his home and enjoy some rest from the labors of his arduous and mind-taxing profession. Alas! how vain are the expectations of men -- how transitory are the things of earth. The hand that was so lately grasped in life and friendship is now palsied in death -- the voice which was wont to speak in cheerful accents is now hushed forever -- the kind spirit of a friend who was loved and respected by all who knew him has passed away from earth. Verily, a good man has fallen. Mr. Pritchard was a native of South Carolina and was about 50 years of age at the time of his death. He was a printer by trade and was for many years connected with the press of the South. He was about 1850, Foreman of the Southern Republic office, in this city, then published by James M. Smythe, Esq.; this office he filled up to the time when that journal was united with the Constitutionalist office, when he entered into other business pursuits. In 1852, he was employed to take the census of the city of Augusta and he discharged that duty with a zeal and ability highly commendable. On the 1st of October 1855, he assumed the duties of News and Commercial Editor of the Constitutionalist -- that position having been vacated by Mr. Samuel Thompson, on account of impaired health. This office, Mr. Pritchard filled with marked and signal ability, until June 1861, when he left the office to fill the important position of General Telegraphic News Agent for the Southern Press. The duties thus required of him were arduous and difficult, in consequence of the troublous times in which the country is involved, requiring him to travel from point to in order to perfect his telegraphic arrangements and use greater exertions than were formerly required to obtain much news as could be transmitted over the wires. He had, perhaps, more experience in this business than any man in the Southern Confederacy, having been for some years -- from 1857 to 1861, we believe -- the Southern Agent of the New York Associated Press -- as well as from his long connection with the journalism of the country. His energy, his determination, his knowledge of contemporary as well as of past events, rendered him eminently fit for the business in which he was engaged. As Editor of the Constitutionalist, he, no doubt, added much to the interest and value of the paper, by the zeal with which he discharged his duties and by his great experience in the newspaper publishing business. As telegraphic new agent, his energy, his quickness of perceptions, and his strong powers of analysis and condensation well qualified him for that position. As a father, he was kind and affectionate; as a master, just and considerate; as a friend, earnest and sincere. As a politician, he was devoted to the interests of his party; and as a patriot to the service of his country. In whatever business he engaged, he lent all his energy, all his talent, all his industry to its performance. His long and useful life has at length been closed in death. He has left a large and sorrowing family, and hosts of sympathizing friend to mourn his loss. His virtues were many -- his faults -- they will be blotted out by the tears of sympathy which will water his tomb. Peace to his ashes. Honor to his memory.