The Washington times., 1919-07-04
FORMS ARE CLOSED
FOR ELAN NJ. HACK

Elan NJ. Hack, foreman Of local
newspaper composing rooms for near
ly fifty 'rs and until four years
ago, tweh years in charge Of The
Times composing room, died yester-
day afternoon at 2:45 at his home in
the Henrietta apartments, 1888 n
street northwest Mr.. Hack had been
ill for about four years, sufferer
from paralysis.
Funeral services will be held Mon
day afternoon at o'clock at Wright's
undertaking parlors, 1887 Tenth
street northwest.
For almost fifty years he was fore
man of the printing force Of news,
paper in Washington, and most OF
that time on an afternoon newspaper.
A native of MiIlroy, Pa, Mr.. Hack
was born February 20, 1874. He went
to Philadelphia as a boy and was ap-
prenticed to a printing establishment
when ten years of age. He learned
every part of his trade thoroughly,
and on becoming a journeyman was
recommended for the position of fore
man in the Chronicle JOB office in this
city. He came to Washington about
1860.
Printed Lincoln Reward
1t was here that he was employed
April IA, 1865, the night that Presi-
dent Lincoln was assassinated at
Ford's Theater. Mr.. Hack was living
at the National Hotel at that time,
and was awakened from q sound sleep
by squad of soldiers who came into
his room and ordered him to dress
and go to his office.
They told him the President had
been assassinated by John wilkes
Booth, and it was necessary to get
out some hand bills and posters right
away. He hurried to the office and
personally set up the type for the
handbills and posters Offering a re-
ward for the capture Of Booth.
He superintended the printing of the
bills. doing most of the work himself,
and delivered them to the military
authorities so quickly that before day
light the entire city was supplied with
them and copies were on their way to
points in the surrounding country.
Mr.. Hack remained in the Chronicle
office until the establishment OF the
Critic, an afternoon newspaper which
was published in Washington many
years. He became foreman OF the
composing room of the Critic, and
was regarded as one Of its chief EN-
ployes. Later the Evening News was
established, and Mf. Hack not only
became foreman, but was financially
interested in the News.
He remained with the News as fore
man several years, leaving in 1894 to
go to Cincinnati as foreman of the
composing room of the Cincinnati
Gazette. He remained in
Inc -
and securing a position
as foreman of the War Department
branch of the Government Printing
Office. He worked for the Govern
ment but a few months, going to the
Post for a short period,
and then came to The Times as fore
man
On The Times 20 Years.
For twenty years Mr.. Hack was in
charge OF the mechanical
department Of The Times. He was re-
yarded as one of the most efficient and |
most expert authorities on newspaper |
and mechanical work OF a |
office in the, country.
Mr.. Hack was married while a young /
man, and had four children, three /
sons and a daughter. One son was |
while at work at
Md, about eight years |
ago. The eldest son, DR.. Elan Hack, /
r., is a practicing physician in Seattle, /
Wash. Arthur Hack, the youngest
son, is a local business man The
Miss Tacie Hack, had been
her fathers housekeeper and conf
iante since the death of her mother,
about FIVE years ago. Miss Hack died
about nine months ago.
For a number OF years Mr.. Hack
owned a farm near Glendale, Nd,
y here he spent most Of his time when
rot in his office in The Times build
ne. He had very little time for farm
ng, however, as he usually was the
irst man in the office in the morning
and frequently remained at his desk
n in the composing room until and
o'clock in the evening, never leaving
before o'clock except on extraordt-
nary occasions.
He observed a day OF rest by re-
naming away from his work in the
morning one day a week. He usually
Gould be depended upon to be on hand
sometime in the afternoon however.
Mr.. Hack was one Of the charter
members Of the Columbia Typographi-
al Union, No. lO1, and was a member
e Tafavette Lodge No 10. F 4. A. NJ.