David Hall Littlejohn, veteran writer on the Charlotte daily papers for 20 years, died at the Mercy Hospital Saturday morning at 4:50 o’clock following an illness of a few days. He was 44 years old.
Mr. Littlejohn had been in ill-health for some time, but his death came as a surprise of hundreds of friends and acquaintances in Charlotte. His last illness began about a week ago. Wednesday he was removed to the Mercy hospital but his condition at that time was not serious. A change for the worse occurred Friday night, a few hours prior to his death.
Mr. Littlejohn began his newspaper career shortly after graduating from Trinity College where he made the highest average in mathematics in the history of the institution. He served on both of the Charlotte dailies; he also wrote for the old Charlotte Chronicle and early in his career was on the staff of The Wilmington Evening Dispatch. At the time of his death, he was a member of the news staff of The Charlotte Observer.
He possessed a remarkable mind and was regarded as one of the most brilliant newspaper men in the state. He was an authority on astronomical subjects, this study having been his hobby throughout his life. Many remarkable treatises on astronomy appearing in newspapers were the result of his efforts. He had a state-wide reputation as a specialist in dealing with this subject.
Funeral from Harry’s
Funeral services will be conducted at the Littlejohn plot in Elmwood cemetery Sunday morning. The funeral party will leave the J.M. Harry undertaking parlors at 10 o’clock, funeral and burial taking place immediately upon arrival at the grave. No services will be held at the home as the funeral has been making preparations for moving.
The pallbearers, composed of newspaper men and former newspaper men, all of whom have been associated with Mr. Littlejohn in work in Charlotte, will be Bailey T. Groome, Julian S. Miller, Mason B. Hood, Mike Dunnagan, John Paul Lucas, Winston Adams, Brock Barkley and Richard L. Young.
Dr. H.K. Boyer, presiding elder of the Methodist Church, will be in charge of the funeral.
Mr. Littlejohn was born August 25, 1877, in Charlotte. The Littlejohn home at that time was located on East Sixth street near the old home of Governor Zebulon Vance. Later the family moved to South Boulevard and for 21 years they lived in the home adjoining the South Graded school. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard N. Littlejohn, both survive.
He entered Trinity College at Durham in 1894, graduating with high honors four years later at the age of 21. His record in mathematics has not been equaled in the history of that institution or of any other college in the state in so far as is known.
Upon leaving college, he taught in the old South Graded school here for a year. Prof. Bivens, principal of the school at the time, afterwards said of Mr. Littlejohn that he possessed one of the most remarkable mathematical minds he had ever observed. His comprehension of astronomy and his ability in dealing with the subject caused comment by persons of his acquaintance even at that date.
Began on the News
He began his newspaper work on The Charlotte News and for many years was a member of the news staff of this paper. Early in his career he went to the Wilmington Dispatch where he served for some time. The opportunity opening for his return to The News, he accepted and after returning to Charlotte he remained with papers in this city. He was on the old Charlotte Chronicle for some years until its consolidation with The News when he again joined the staff of the afternoon paper. About six months ago he became connected with the Charlotte Observer’s local staff and remained with the paper until forced to abandon work a week ago because of illness.
Only his parents survive. A brother, Richard N. Littlejohn, died in October 1906 at the age of 26.
Mr. Littlejohn was a man of large acquaintance in Charlotte and he was well known and held in highest regard in newspaper circles of the state. His journalistic efforts at all times were devoted to the promotion of the best interests of Charlotte, and he accepted the advantage offered by his newspaper connections to work for the welfare and growth of his native city.
Every project which had as its object the building of Charlotte and the promotion of its welfare always had the hearty support of Mr. Littlejohn and columns of news matter attest his earnest desire to aid in every way the development of the city.
He was popular among members of the newspaper profession locally, possessing an attractive personality and being a man regarded with reverence his duties as a newspaper man. His death has brought to an end a life of activity by reason of which this city has greatly prospered, in the opinion of persons who have been familiar with his work and efforts.
Knew Classics Also
Mr. Littlejohn was known among his newspaper conferees and a large circle of friends as one of the most erudite and scholarly of men. While possessing a special bent for higher mathematics, he was conversant with most of the philosophies, both ancient and modern, and read Kant, Fichte, Spencer, Nietsche and other later writers carefully and discriminately as he had read those of the Greek and other schools. His astronomical library was considered one of the best in the state and was constantly supplemented by new and authoritative volumes, many of them the most rare kind. He frequently availed himself of the offers of scientific societies and learned bodies to obtain rare volumes. As a student of political history and of sociological development, he had few superiors and was more than ordinarily accomplished in the Greek and Latin classics.
While Camp Greene was located in Charlotte, government authorities sought to have Mr. Littlejohn deliver a series of lectures to soldiers on astronomical subjects. Always retiring and modest to a point of bashfulness, he declined the invitation, and it was only by chance that his friends learned that his services had been sought.
From the first page of The Charlotte News, Aug. 6, 1921. Today, Trinity College is Duke University.
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