Coons - Wallace E. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

It is with a feeling of regret that we record the passing of Wallace E. COONS editor of the Journal and Review. Mr. Coons has spent all his life in this county and all that life has been spent with the newspaper business, beginning with the old Argus, now a forgotten weekly and later with the Argus-News and later with the Journal. After two years in Chicago with the Santa Fe he returned to the Journal until 1914 when he joined the Review force and continued with it until the consolidation with the Journal. He has since been in editor in charge of the united papers. A wide circle of friends who knew him as "Wallie" will regret his passing.

Source: Crawfordsville Journal Review, 15 April 1935, p 1

Mr. Coons, whose life had been identified almost inseparably with journalism in Crawfordsville, died Saturday night at 11:55 o'clock at Culver hospital. Rev. Paul E. Benedict, pastor of the First Methodist church, was in charge of the funeral services, which were conducted in the home of a niece, Mrs. Binford Miller, 210 west Pike street where Mr. Coons had made his home for a number of years.

The active pall-bearers were Harry Duckworth, John J. Darter, Foster Fudge, Tom Showalter, Kenneth I. Rush, Harmon McIntire, Gaylord McClure and Leslie Lyons.

Honorary pall-bearers were Dr. A. A. Swope. A. M. Smith, Walter Cruse, A. M. Jones, Walter Linn, Howard Fyffe, Kenric Canfield, John Kostanzer, Jr., Russell Hesler, John L. Hunter, Sol Tannenbaum, George T. Durham, Frank Evans and W. N. Steele.

Mr. Coons had been in failing health the past two years. In the spring of 1933 he was critically ill with bronchial pneumonia but recovered and resumed his duties as editor. On March 28 he was again taken ill and was taken to the hospital on Monday, April 1. His condition however gradually grew worse.

Entering the newspaper business when he was a young man, Mr. Coons spent his entire life with the exception of one short period in his chosen field of endeavor.

Starting as a printer in the office of the Weekly Argus, he steadily rose in the newspaper world until at the time of his death he was recognized as one of the outstanding newspaper editors of the state.

Mr. Coons was born in Crawfordsville Sept. 2, 1867, the son of pioneer residents, John R. and Nancy Caroline Coons. He was one of a large family, all of whom had preceded him in death. He attended the local schools before entering the newspaper business. His father was mayor of Crawfordsville from 1872 until 1876 and at one time was county treasurer.

After working on the Argus for several years, he continued on the staff of that paper after it was merged with the News to form the Argus-News, He later worked for the Dispatch and still later joined the staff of The Journal.

In 1892, Mr. Coons left The Journal going to Chicago where he was employed in the offices of the Santa Fe railroad. Two years later he returned to The Journal

becoming superintendent of the composing room and assisting in the editorial department .

Leaving The Journal in 1914, Mr. Coons became editor and part owner of The Review which position he retained until October 14, 1929, when The Review and The Journal were merged.

With the merger, he was made the editor of The Journal-Review as well as vice-president of The Journal Review Publishing Company. He held these positions at the time of his death.

Although, his principal and abiding interest was in the newspaper which he edited, Mr. Coons had numerous other activities in the community in which he lived.

For eight years he was a member of the Crawfordsville park board, during which time Milligan park was developed from little more than a pasture into the beautiful recreation center it is today. He was intensely interested in the park and its development. spending many hours of his time in park affairs during his tenure of office. He kept in close touch with the place, a day rarely passing that he failed to at least drive through it.,

Mr. Coons had for a number of years been a member of the Crawfordsville Rotary club. He was interested in the projects of the organization and was ever willing to give his time to its endeavors.

With the organization of the Crawfordsville Typographical Union No. 229 in 1885, Mr. Coons became a charter member, and retained his membership throughout his life. He was the last charter member to retain a continuous membership in the union.

Mr. Coons also was a long-time member of the local Elks Lodge and had kept continuous membership in the organization. He held several offices in the Lodge and had always been active in its affairs.

For more than ten years, Mr. Coons had been a member of the Associated Press.

He also had been a member of the Ben Hur Life Association for many years.

Although he had never attended Wabash College, Mr. Coons was one of the school's most active and loyal supporters. He was intensely interested in the athletic teams or of the college, seldom missing a contest that it was possible for him to attend.

Mr. Coons is survived by several nieces and nephews. They are Miss Edith Coons, and Mrs. Binford Miller, both or Crawfordsville; Fred Sumner of Memphis, Tenn.; Mrs. Bess Johnstone of Ottumwa, Ia., Harry G. Evans of Louisville, Ky,: Mrs. Mary Bradshaw of Dallas, Tex., and Mrs. Evelyn Roberts, Merle Sidener and Edwin F. Henderson, all of Indianapolis.