Wilmington Star
James Cruikshank, the former Wilmington editor, who died Tuesday in Little Rock, Ark., was not destined to be one of the immortals of the Fourth Estate, but behind that delightful Scottish brogue, there lurked a sense of courage that knew not defeat and accepted no challenge of fate as not worth the while.
There was much to admire in the indomitable spirit of the man. A brilliant and convincing writer though he was, his purely artistic talents must take second place to his magnificent determination in the face of odds and the stubborn tenacity with which he clung to the battle lines, so long as the slightest vestige of hope remained.
No man who ever braved the waters of Wilmington journalism was beat by such vicissitudes and quirks of fate as obstructed the pathway of this whole-hearted Gael. During practically the whole of his career here, he was fighting a losing battle and he knew it, but the stout heart never yielded and the flighting instinct kept him going until the last.
Such a fight must command admiration and respect. Even those who opposed Mr. Cruikshank in his days as editor of the Dispatch were forced to appreciate the sterling qualities that actuated him in his struggles and misfortunes.
From the meagre accounts of his death, he must have died as he lived, fighting against odds, but fighting grimly to the end. Is fellow craftsmen in this city who worked beside him and against him in his darker days, know that his final “thirty” found him ready for whatever assignment may await him the world beyond.
A genial and charming companion, a masterly and thorough workman, he did his best at all times. Than this, no man can do more.
(Mr. ‘Cruickshank is well and favorably remembered here, having gotten up a special edition of The Tribune about two years ag. Our people regret to learn of his death.—Editor).
From page 2 of The Concord Daily Tribune, Saturday, Sept. 5, 1925
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073201/1925-09-05/ed-1/seq-2/
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