The Washington critic., 1890-05-19
EDITOR ROTHACKER's DEATH.
Tributes to the Memory of a Brilliant
Journalist.

Tributes to the Memory of a Brilliant
Journalist.
In the death of Otto II. Rothacker, at
Omaha, the press of the West lost one of
its most brilliant writers and accom-
plished members Mr.. Rothacker was
a son. in. law of the late S. p. Rounds,
Public Printer, and during the time that
he published and edited the Washington
HGtchet he made many warm friends
both professionally and socially. His
journalistic experience has been con-
fined almost entirely to the West and
the Hatchet was the only Eastern paper
with which he has been identified.
Deceased was born in Virginia thirty
four years ago, his father being Colonel
William Rothacker, German patriot
and political exile When he was 8
years of age Otto Rothacker's parents
removed to Ashland, the old home of
Henry Clay, in Kentucky. He received
his education in the State University,
graduating at the early age of 1S. He
Immediately went to Louisville, where
he met and very favorably impressed
Henry Watterson, who offered him
position on the staff of the Courier
Journal. This offer he declined, and
instead founded the Sunday Argus,
which soon became very popular soci-
ally as well as powerful in politics.
At the age of 90 he was offered the
editorial management of the Denver
Tribune. which he accepted, after hav-
ing disposed Of the Argus for hand
some consideration. While with the
Tribune he established for himself a
national reputation as brilliant writer
and shrewd, clear headed manager.
In 1882 he married in Chicago Miss
Mamie Rounds, the daughter of the late
| Denver he found home ready for him,
which had been furnished by his Denver
| friends at an expense of $4,000.
The Denver Meas pays the deceased
the following deserving tribute:
o. H. Rothacker died in Omaha yester-
day. The announcement is one which will
| be received with especial regret in this city,
where he may be said to have begun his
brilliant career as a journalist and won
almost a national reputation in the columns
| of the old Tribune. In many respects his
life has been sad one, but at his bier his
faults should be forgotten and his many
excellent qualities only remembered. AS
a writer he was perhaps the most versatile,
| SiSBdub pOlhtCu WhO CNCl VII ttbcu but
destinies of Denver newspaper. If there
were doubts as to his Judgment, there was
never any question as to his brilliancy
his pen seemed tipped with genius, and
whether he was attacking an opponent witt
most sarcastic vigor, or handling {
purely literary topic, he was always bright
always entertaining, always able. He pos
sessed a wonderful range OF language, q
wide acquaintance with literature and 8
keen, penetrating mind. Personally he
was genial and courtly in manner, gener
Gus In disposition, firm friend and equally
as strong an enemy. Such, In brief, were
the leading characteristics Of one who wal
a born journalist, and whose genius ha
seldom found an equal among the news
paper men, of the West. The once brilliau
mind has ceased to work, the hand tina
once welded so versatile pen is cold an,
stiff, the once genial face is rigid in its fina
repose-his burden of life has been lai
down. Let his faults be forgotten, an
his name go down in the history of Color
ado journalism as one of the brightest AM
most brilliant workers who ever graced th
profession,
OF late years Otto Rothacker ha
edited the Omaha Republican and in ad
dition given much of his time to liter
ary work His funeral was attended b.
nearly all the representatives of the cit
press, and the remains were inferred i
| Forest Lawn Cemetery