FORTUNE, William - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

William FORTUNE, the grandfather of the publisher of this paper, died in the Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis on Wed. night after a critical illness of several weeks. He was born in Boonville, May 27, 1863 the son of William Harrison and Mary St. Clair Fortune. His father was one of the first to enlist in the Civil War and served throughout in A Co. 1st Indiana Calvary. He became an apprentice printer in the office of the Boonville Standard at the age of 13 and editor of the paper at 17. When he was 18 he came to Indianapolis as a reporter on the Old Indianapolis Journal, later becoming city editor and working two years on the News. He became interested in the telephone and other business projects of the city and was the founder of the Commercial Club which later became the chamber of Commerce. He devoted a great deal of time to the work of the Red Cross and has been chairman of the Indianapolis chapter from its organization 25 year ago. He is credited with being a leader in raising more money for pubic movements than any other citizen of Indiana. During 1917 he supervised the Red Cross campaign which produce ½ million dollars and between 1916 and 1919 was instrumental in raising over 4 million dollars for civic enterprises. He was a member of the National Red Cross Central Committee. In 1884 he married Miss May KNUBBE of Michigan City, now deceased. There are two daughtesr, Mrs. Fredric Clay Bartlett of Beverly, Mass and Mrs. Bowman Elder of Indianapolis and one son, Russell Fortune of that city.

Mr. William FORTUNE who for the past several months has been owner and editor of the paper, has been called into the service of his country and in closing his business affairs on account of the uncertainties of war, sold out. Rev. & CN McBRAYER were the purchasers, Mr. McBrayer, some time ago, declared his intention of making Waveland their permanent home and has recently purchased two pieces of property here one of which, they will rebuild for their own home some time in the future. Mrs. McBrayer will manage the paper and Rev. McBrayer will continue his church duties until health or age may require his retirement. There will be no further change in the policy or personel of the Independent for the present. Next week there will be a further statement. The deal close Aug 1. With this issue, of the Waveland Independent, Mrs. CN McBrayer becomes the new owner and publisher of the Independent. This change became necessary because the former owner, William L. Fortune, has been drafted into the US Army. Mr. Fortune said that he wished to express his keenest enjoyment of the many friends he made in his year and one half of his ownership and appreciation for their spirit of cooperation with the newspaper. He leaves with regret, but with the knowledge that the Independent will grow and prosper under the able leadership of the new owner and Mr. Raymond Haskins who will continue to assist.