The Republic
Columbus, Indiana
Tuesday, December 24, 1878
Page 3

Obituary

Columbus Stebbins, more familiarly known to the older residents as "Lum" Stebbins, died at Hastings, Minnesota, on Saturday, the 21st inst., of inflammation of the brain, being between fifty and fifty-five years of age at his death.

Mr. Stebbins came from Ohio to this county in 1846. In 1848 he became connected with the "Spirit of the West," a Whig newspaper then published here, of which he continued the publisher and proprietor, and during the most of the time sole editor until he left here in 1856.

He was a zealous supporter of the Whig party while it existed, and upon its demise he did not do as a great many did, and as the large democratic majority in this county afforded him the temptation to do, viz: turn democratic, but being in principle opposed to the pro-slavery doctrine of that party, he chose to stand upon his convictions of right, letting the consequences take care of themselves. Hence, in 1854 he supported the People's party in opposition to the democracy in issues, the leading element in which was the repeal, by the democratic majority in Congress of the Missouri compromise. About this time he associated with himself in the publication and editorial conduct of the paper, Mr. Fred Myers, a young German, but a very vigorous and fluent writer of English. When the Republican party was organized, Mr. Stebbins became its earnest supporter. Its principles so harmonized with his own ideas of justice that he maintained them with all the power he possessed.

In 1856 the then territory of Minnesota was rapidly filling up with settlers, and Mr. Stebbins left here for Hastings, where he continued to reside and publish a republican paper up to the time of his death. When he left here he was unmarried, but married there, and leaves a widow and children surviving him.

As a writer, Mr. Stebbins was forcible and vigorous, and as the manager of a newspaper, he was painstaking and industrious. He was warm and true in his friendships and attachments, and to the last degree generous to those with whom he differed politically or otherwise, while he adhered with the greatest tenacity to principles which he believed to be right, and was fearless and outspoken in their advocacy.

He was purely a self-made man. He learned the printers' trade in this place and worked his way as printers' boy to the position he ultimately occupied, with nothing to rely upon but his own efforts for success.

His relatives in this vicinity are A.B. Stebbins, residing about two miles east of Columbus.