Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-09-06


Richard A Mclean, floor superin-
tendent Of the composing room of The
Evening Star and for nearly fifty-two
years one Of it's efficient and highly
esteemed employees, died suddenly at his
home, 1892 9Th street northwest. Of
heart failure, at Z o'clock yesterday
| morning. Death came while he was at
his bath, and without premonitory
symptom. He arose from his nights
rest apparently in excellent health and
a few minutes later his daughter heard
him fall. When his son reached his
side. life was extinct.
The funeral will take place Wednes-
day afternoon at 3 o'clock from his
late residence. and Rev. A. F. Ander-
son Of Calvary Baptist Church will
proba bly, officiate. The interment.
at Glenwood cemetery. The pail
bearers, chosen from his associates on
The Evening Star. will be w. ]. CAL
lagher. ]. w. Snyder. Alexander Gordon.
Joseph Whyte. Scott Walker and
Charles Long.
Mr.. Mclean was born in Washington
August 20. 1850. and was educated in
the public schools of this city. At an
early age he entered the service of
The Evening Star as an apprentice in
the composing room. and he was de-
voted to its service until his death. His
father. William r. Mclean, was with
December Is, 1882. until his death De-
cember l. 1879; he was succeeded by
Richard. who in 1909. voluntarily re-
tired from the position of foreman to
e become floor noo supe5intendsnt Of the
Mclean, who died shortly after his
brother. William r. Mclean, was as
sistant foreman for many years under
OF Richard. is now linotype operator
In The Star composing room. Richard
and his father. therefore, saw a con-
tinuous service with the paper Of
foremen of the composing room of The
star until Richards retirement in
1909, when he was succeeded by H. K.
Southland. the present foreman
His Golden Jubilee.
March IL. 1914. the decedent cele-
brated his hftieth anniversary with
The Evening Star. and the golden jubi-
lee was made the occasion for the pres
entation of an elaborate floral tribute
by the chapel Of the composing room.
with flood of "reminiscences BY W. J.
Gallagher. the next oldest member Of
the composing room force, who re-
called that August Bruehl. at present
one OF the makeup" force. was Mr..
During Mr.. McLean's long service he
had witnessed the wonderful revolu-
tion OF the newspaper business in
Washington. which had seen The Even
Of four pages to a big metropolitan
daily averaging twenty pages and filled
with the news of the four corners of
the earth. He had seen the old process
the marvellous rapidity of the linotype
machine. a comparatively modest corps
grow into a mammoth staff in all de-
partments and equipped with the latest
In his early days he was counted
one Of the fastest typesetters in
Washington. and In 1874 won the prize.
silver stick. for being the fastest
typesetter in a contest in which there
were many speedy competitors.
But 1t was not alone with the hand,
but the mind, that his ability figures.
Twice during his service The Star was
burned out, and yet never missed an edi-
ton. for after seeing that the type was
safely taken from the burning build
ings, he saw that the daily work
went on.
Lived at His Desk.
During the Spanish-American war he
practically lived at his desk Not only
had he himself set up the first two
column advertisement that ever appear
ed in The Star. but he had also witness
ed the first introduction of a Sunday
newspaper in Washington. He had
lived. TOO. to see The Star pass from
it's modest quarters on Pennsyl-
vania avenue on the site where the
Post Office building now stands to its
present magnificent marble building
just across the street. Boy and man he
had not only passed through and as
sisted in the evolution Of The Evening
Star. but practically of the evolution Of
the National Capital from a compare
tive mud hole to its present magnificent
and commanding proportions and
beauty.
He was devoted to Odd Fellowship
and was active in its affairs I'D to the
time of his death. He was a past noble
grand of Columbia Lodge, No. 10;
member Of Columbian Encampment,
No. !, and Of the Patriarchs Militant
He IL survived by his wife, two sons,
four daughters and one sister. Miss
Nellie E. L. Mclean. for forty years a
teacher in the public schools. Mrs. L.
B. CasteN and Miss Richie Mclean, two
of his daughters, and William H. Nc
Lean, with their mother. were at the
home when the death occurred.
For many years Mr.. Mclean and Fire
Chief Frank J. Wagner have been init
mate friends and 1t was the custom Of
Mr. Mclean always to spend a part Of
Sunday with Mr.. Wagner talking over
| old times over their cigars. 1t was
while preparing for his usual visit to
Mr. Wagner yesterday morning that
death came to him.
n~., 20 IN 0nn Ca Evnns;%;or