The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-08-19
ONE OF THE NOTED ONES.
How He Became a Power
Through the Press.
CONTROLLED PUBLIC SENTIMENT
Through Sheer Force of Character
He Swayed the Great State
of Colorado.

DENVER. Aug. 1S-John Atkins, since
1899 one of the owners and m an ayers oil
the Rocky Mountain News, and for many
years its editor as well. died at his home
here to-day of gastritis. aged 81 years.
Colonel Atkins first showed signs OF
breaking health last February, and on the
advice of physicians took a trip to the
Pacific Coast in the hope that rest and the
sea air would restore him to health. Ge
returned unimproved and then was ad-
vised to go to Excelsior Springs, Mo,
where he spent several months without
the expected beneficial results. A fort
night ago he was brought home. He
leaves widow and one son.
Colonel Atkins was a man of striking
personal appearance. and in his frank,
hearty manner there flashed a magnetism
that attracted strangers and held his
friends in closest bonds. His employees
looked upon him as a friend. and not a
man in the News Office but stood ready to
make almost any sacrifice in carrying out
his wishes, so great was their regard and
love for him. He took hold upon the
hearts of those who knew him, and every
man was his true friend and loyal sup
porter.
he was man Of stalwart figure and ex-
press!ve face. whose bearing spoke of his
intrepid courage and will. Colonel Atkins
was native of Pennsylvania, having
been born in Fayette, February IA, 1912.
While called colonel, and while looking
every inch soldier, born to command, the
title was only honorary. TWAS his pride
that in the Civil War he never got above
the rank of corporal. This was in Com
pany A of the Fifth Minnesota Infantry.
When the war broke ont he promptly en-
listed In what proved a cele brated regi-
ment and served through three years. Its
chaplain was the now famous Arch bishop
Ireland. and for him Private Atkins formed
strong attachment, which continued to
his death.
Colonel Atkins three years experience
with war left its effects upon all MS after
life. and brought out the genial side of the
map. and even for long time in his last
illness, almost to the very end, he re-
NAMED an entertaining and jOvial CON-
panion. with apt anecdote aud good story
always at bis tongues end.
All through the Northwest and South as
far as New Orleans Colonel Atkins worked
at the printers trade after the close of the
war. In 1873 he came to Colorado and for
several years worked as compostor and
foreman in Denver Offices. When the
Leadville boom began he went into the
new mountain mining camp and estab-
lished the Evening Chronicle. 1t was his
first newspaper venture and the latent
talent of the man leaped into active life.
The Chronicle made a great success and
became power in politics.
In 1880 he sold the Chronicle and bought
an interest in the Rocky Mountain News,
the Oldest paper in Denver. His energy
and vim al once began to make itself felt.
From a staid, hum-drum sheet the News
became in very short time bright,
newsy, aggressive newspaper. He found
it in a little two-story shabby frame
building. He left it housed in five-story
brick-a complete modern newspaper
establishment grown from the limited
plant OF 1880.
For over fourteen years he continued
the management of the paper, making it a
great success, not only financially but as a
newspaper of far-reaching influence. As
an editorial writer he was practical, force
full and absolutely fearless. He was man
of acute and accurate perceptions, of quick.
nervous energy, and a perseverance than
admitted no obstacle. He did not aspire
to literary fame. He was a newspaper
man in the truest sense of the word. His
whole heart was in his business. and his
brains made success Of 1t. He was a
steadfast, helpful friend. He was kind
hearted, almost extravagantly generous,
and always sympathetic and charitable.
In politics he was a fighter of the old
school, and his ardent. impulsive tempera-
Eent resulted in having whip OF
scorpions always ready. Socially he was
captivating and companionable, and he
came TO be known and admired through
the whole br CAD field of journalism.