William H. Brill

William Hascal Brill, also known as William H. Brill, Will H. Brill, and W. H. Brill, (April 16, 1871 in Litchfield, Minnesota – November 30, 1923 in Saint Paul, Minnesota)[1] was an American journalist who at various times worked for the Associated Press, Reuters,[2] and the Newspaper Enterprise Association.

[3] His journalism career began as a reporter for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, in which role he reported on the Battle of Leech Lake; Gerald Vizenor has attributed to Brill the idea that the battle began "with the accidental discharge of a soldier's rifle".

[4] In February 1904, Brill traveled to Japan to report on the Russo-Japanese War as a war correspondent.

[3] He accompanied the Second Japanese Army in Manchuria throughout the entire conflict.

[1] In 1907, the Emperor Meiji awarded Brill the Order of the Precious Crown, seventh class, for his activities during the Russo-Japanese War.