Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-19
R. KAUFFMANND DIES
|NDUNK|RK, N.Y.,AT
HOME OF DAUGHTER
Heart Attack Proves Fatal to
Vice President of Evening
Star Co., Aged "a.
BEGAN HIS CAREER
AS REPORTER HERE
Was Member of Cosmos. Chevy
Chase, National Press and
Gridiron Clubs.

huuOlpn haOTtmann, vice pfeSldent
and managing editor of The Washing
ton Star, died suddenly at the home of
his daughter. Mrs. Lewis n. Murray,
on West Lake road, near here, today.
Death was believed to have been caus-
ed by heart trouble.
MIR. Kaufman came to his daugh-
ter's home about three months ago.
lie was "a years old.
iii Since Last February.
Mr. Kaufman was taken i'll sud
denly in February, 1927. After several
weeks illness he had recovered suffi-
ciently to go to the home of his daugh-
ter in Dunkirk.
Born in GAINESVILLE, Ohio. October
5, 1858, Mr.. Kaufman was the son
of the late Samuel Hay Kaufman,
president of The Evening Star News
one of the original members of the
company which purchased The Star
in 1867 and still owns and controls it..
The son spent his early years in
Ohio, moving with his parents during
the Civil War to the National Capital,
where his father had been rendered a
governmental position.
Here he attended the Emerson In
stitute, preparing at that school for
Amherst College, whence he grad
uated in 1876 with the degree of
bachelor of arts. Stirring incidents
and scenes connected with the War of
the Rebellion, including a personal in
terview with President Lincoln. made
a strong impression and remained al
ways fresh in his mind.
With Star Since 1875.
In the Autumn of 1875 Mr.. Kauff-
mann entered the service of The Star
as a reporter and was consequently
at the time of his death its Oldest
living employe. In 1873, while on
leave of absence, he served as spe-
cial attache OF the United States ex-
hibit at the Pass World Fair. AS
governmental official kes.sWas. s.ssgiyen,
transportation to France on a naval
vessel, the old sailing frigate Ports.
mouth, remnant of the Civil War
Navy, whose voyage consumed three
weeks.
Returning to Washington and The
Star after the close of the exhibition,
Mr.. Kaufman remained in news.
paper work about a year. Tempted
by the opportunities apparently Of
Tered in the cattle-raising industry, he
bought ranch in Nebraska, then con-
sidered a far-Western State, in part
nership with a cousin, and for two
years lived the hard and strenuous
life of a cowpuncher on the plains
The cattle venture proved unsuccess-
full, however. The ranch was sold and
in 1881 Mr.. Kaufman returned to
newspaper work.
On January 5, 1882, Mr.. Kaufman
married Miss Jessie Kennedy of this
city, and thenceforward the couple
made their home in Washington.
Mrs. Kaufman died January 26,
1925. In 1901 Mr.. Kaufman built
Airlie, on the Military road, adjacent
to Rock Greek Park, as a Summer
home. and a few years later made
it his permanent residence, occupy
ing it until Mrs. Kauffmann's death.
Business Connections.
Resuming his position as a re-
porter, upon his return to Washing
ton, Mr.. Kaufman rose through the
various grades in the news depart
ment and was appointed managing
editor in 1893. Later he was elected
vice president OF The Evening Star
Newspaper Co. He also was presi-
dent of the Columbia Paragraph Co.
of this city and director of the
National Metropolitan Bank. He was
a member of the board of managers
OF the National Geographic Society,
director of the Corcoran Gallery
of Art and of the Children's Hospl-
tal. His club affiliations included
memberships in the Cosmos Club.
Chevy Chase Club, National Press
Club Blue Ridge Rod and Gun club,
Percy Summer Club of New Hamp-
shire and the Gridiron Club. lie was
the f3rst strictly local newspaper man
o Eridir0n Clnb.
,,ntil then composed only OF cor
resnondents OF out-of town papers,
and served term as president Oh
that widely known organization.
Interesting Assignments.
During his early days as newspa,
per reporter Mr.. Kaufman covered
q number of interesting and unusuai
assignments. He was among the very
few reporters present on the occasion
of the placing of the aluminium cap
nm the Washington Monument in De-
cember, 1889 He was always fond OF
outdoor sports, including cycling, base
hall. tennis, rowing and, later, goII
He was an ardent fisherman, especially
for fresh-water game fish, and MADE
many trips to distant points both IN
the United States and Canada III
search of bass, salmon and trout. lie
was among the earnest " NdslliiIS ION ue
votees Of bicycling, was member o'
the old Capital Bicycle Club. and was
one of the first newspaper reporters
here 10 utilize the wheel in the pur'
suit of news. a practice that soon be
came almost universal.
Mr.. Kaufman was one of the mrs.
members of the Presbyterian Churcf
of the Covenant established in 1876
was a faithful attendant there, anC
at the time of his death was mem
lcr of the board of trustees.
MIR. Kaufman is survived by {
son. Rudolph Max Kaufman of Th'
star; a daughter, Mrs. Lewis Newtoi
Murray of Dunkirk. \. Y; brother
Victor Kaufman of The Star; {
sister. Mrs John Crayke Simpson o
nd h.. fnllr lrEa nlc lillre u