The Ordway new era., 1906-03-16
EDITORS DEATH
THos. E. M'KENNA, MANAGING
EDITOR DENVER NEWS, GONE.
TWELVE YEARS IN SERVICE

Born In Canada and Educated In Chi.
easo-learned Newspaper Work In
coIorado-won Distinction by Great
Ability.
Denver.-Thomas E. McKenna, for
many years managing editor of the
Rocky Mountain News. died at st.
Joseph's hospital in this city Satur-
day night. after an illness of little
over a month.
Thomas Edward McKenna was born
In Montreal November 2, 1861, but re-
ceived his education in Chicago. He
then returned to his native city and
there became leader in amateur ath-
letics. For four years he was secre-
tary and manager OF the famous Sham
rock lacrosse team. which held the
championship Of Canada and England.
During his management the team ac-
cumulated property valued at $4,000.
In training for n cross country race
Mr.. Mckenna contracted severe cold
after an attack of typhoid fever. The
ravages OF the disease left him in
weakened condition and on the advice
OF physicians he came to Colorado In
1887. One year of "roughing it" on
Bar IL ranch In Routt county restored
him to his former health. He then
came to Denver and Joined the re-
portorial staff OF the Rocky Mountain
News. His keen perception, quickness
his ability TO write II in an attractive
style and his executive ability soon
won him promotion to the city editors
deq.h He remained In that position.
Dor, only II year, because OF the
1nent which had begun to show
~, oes. At his own request he re.
70 reportorial work. Twelve
kofo he was made managing edi.
t(k<o4>1he News. On February. II.
n. McKenna completed seven
t454r34ars OF service on the News.
1|I0Z1Ars ago. when the Times was
60 ted with the News. Mr.. Nc
Nc4 u1ox1o became managing editor OF
IT, IE11r publication.
1T sign OF failing health as
eqg>.9 III on November I'd last. It
NJ ~; prty fourth birthday anniver-
80 &1ng an informal celebration
o9<1 niversary Mt his home with
Il qke friends he was attacked
b. 1gas thought to be bilious
fot - confined him to his home
fo11 Weeks. He was cautioned
anA @rFped by his frien6n to take
u 1oP In lower altitude. How
ever n $tught he was strong enough
to ~ 8 his duties and refused to
take + vacation.
Two months later. .one Saturday
night ut the once. his final collapse
came. His condition was SO serious
that he decided to rest. so left Denver
on February 18th for Redlands. Cali
fornia. accompanied by his wife and
their infant daughter. on the advice OF
his physician. II was necessary for
him to seek n lower altitude because
of m affection OF the heart.
Mr.. Mckenna reached California
about the commencement OF the rainy
season. For ten days after his arrival
the rain poured. This had depress-
ing influence upon the patient and his
condition failed to improve.
MT. NCheuui iiiuEIicu shibs ANsA
Reilly eleven years ago in Denver.
Two children were born OF the union.
The first died n week after birth. The
other is now ten months old. For
years the family lived at 1865 Jose
phine street. ..-
John G. Martin. first cousin OF Mr..
McKenna. is the latters only relative
in Denver, outside the immediate fam.
lily. Besides his mother. there are four
brothers OF Mr.. Mckenna living In
Montreal. The eldest, William Nc.
Kenna, is deputy revenue collector
there, having been connected with the
custom house for twenty years.
As n reporter Mr.. McKenna wrote
two big stories for the News which
made him famous, particularly in the
west. One OF these was on the open.
ing Of Creede, Colo. Cy Warman was
publishing the Creede Candle at the
time. The News sent Mr.. Mckenna
to write up the new camp. II was
midwinter and bitter cold. Most OF
those who went there slept In trains.
Crecde was the biggest silver camp in
the west. The white metal was then
worth coinage value. Mr.. Mckenna
sent to his paper two-page story with
pictures. It was the hrst big and re-
liable story sent out OF the camp. For
descriptive beauty. forcible language
and accurate detail It has never been
equalled.
were made in the Cripple Creek dis
trict. the News dispatched Mr. Nc
Kenna to that camp with Prof. Sndtler
Of the Colorado School Of Mines. The
former wrote a story Of the camp from
Inc newspaper mans viewpo!nt. group
inr ali the facts and detailing the con
ditious with the same graphic force
a he had done at Creede:
Il was In this story tnnt Mr. NC
Ksnna coined the phrase ''shipping the
scSnerv." !" hitting upon II as'an npt DE-
.s-9rtsnm ~ the work hH uoW. on the