Belfast News-Letter/1927/Death of Well-known North Antrim Resident

Death of Well-known North Antrim Resident.

Native of Fifeshire.

Mr. James Mercer Russell, chairman of the "Northern Constitution" Newspaper Co., Ltd., Coleraine, died yesterday afternoon at his residence, Bemersyde, Dhu Varren, Portrush, after a protracted illness. Mr. Russell was in his seventy-seventh year. Widespread sympathy will be extended to his widow and only son, Mr. Ivan Martin Russell, in their bereavement.

Mr. Russell, who was a native of Craigrothie, Fifeshire, was the youngest of three brothers. The eldest, Mr. John Russell, of Edinburgh, who died in 1896, was at one time editor of "Chambers's Journal," but is perhaps best known for his elaborate and carefully compiled work "The Haigs of Bemersyde," which is the authoritative history of the noted family of which Field-Marshal Haig is the present head. Mr. Andrew Russell, the second brother, who died in 1915, was managing-director of the furniture manufacturing, firm of Messrs. Simpson, Ltd., Halifax.

Mr. James Mercer Russell, after journalistic experience in Scotland and England,was in 1883 appointed editor of the "Coleraine Constitution" (afterwards merged in the "Northern Constitution"), Mr. Russell during his long occupancy of the editorial chair published several books, among which may be mentioned his "Guide to the North Coast of Antrim" and his "Notable Men in Derry and Antrim." A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, anything of an historical nature appealed to him.

At the time Mr. Russell became connected with tho "Constitution" the paper was owned by a large company. All the original shareholders, with one exception—Mr. H. W. Leech, principal of the firm of Messrs. Crookshanks, Leech, & Davies, solicitors, Coleraine, still happily, with us—are now dead. Later, Mr. Russell acquired a controlling interest in tho concern, and at tho time of his death he, in partnership with Mr. Robert Bacon, who ha« been connected with the journal since boyhood,, and Mr. Ivan Martin Russell held the entire share capital.

Mr. Russell took no active part in public affairs. Yet apart from his duties he found time to interest himself in various forms of healthful recreation. In his younger days he was a devotee of golf. He was one of the founders of the Royal Portrush Golf Club, and for a considerable time acted as its hon. secretary. He was a member of the Council and a trustee of the property since tho formation of the club, and in 1924, in the evening of his days, was induced to accept the captaincy.