Fillmore County, Minnesota - Chapter 34: The Newspapers, 1912

Chapter 34: The Newspapers

Importance of the Press - Present Papers in Fillmore County - First Paper in the County - History of Defunct Newspapers - Story of the Present Weeklies - Their Beginnings, Growth, Infiuence and Importance - Edited by F. E,. Langworthy.

The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow. Editors seldom think they write history. Your copy of the local paper may be used to wrap the family laundry, cover the panty shelf or be placed under the carpet. In a month from the time a newspaper is issued it would he diffieult to locate a single copy, but in the newspaper office itself, it has been preserved and placed upon file. These files become an asset of the office and increase in value as the papers become yellow with age. Here in the musty volumes is found the history of vour town, your county, your state. The history of this county could not be written were it not for the records of newspaper files. The State Historical Society recognizes the Value of newspaper history and a complete file of every newspaper in the state is kept by the Historical Society. Inaeceurate history, do you say? Perhaps so, and yet the most aceurate it is possible to gei, and infinitely more nearly accurate than almost any other historical source. The editor of 1 newspaper not only means to get correct information, but uses the source method for every inportant article he prints. Each day, if he edits a daily, each week, if a weekly, his effort stands before the bar of public criticism. His erities are those intimately concerned in the articles published. They do not trust to memory, hearsay, legend or tradition. They are eye or ear witnesses or star actors in the passing drama. They surely are trustworthy critics. With them the newspaper must pass muster. If facts are not stated correctly, they are corrected. The newspaper that is not substantially accurate cannot and does not live. Time gives authenticity. Cvriticism is forgotten, minor inaecuracies overlooked and the newspaper record stands as the accepted history of an event. A newspaper is not mere gossip. It is a record of passing events. Reports of buildings, new industries, biographies, soeial events, religious movements, births, deaths, politics, policies, honors that come to people, crimes which blacken our record, onward and backward moves in affairs; disasters, amusements, accidents, epidemics - all make up the newspaper history of a community, It is the mirror of life as it is daily lived here and now.

The newspaper is everywhere recognized as the adjunct of civilization. The town, however far removed from the busy marts of trade, clamors for a newspaper. Never satisfied until it gets one, and never satisfied after it has one. The newspaper is the nucleus of criticism for the entire community. Everyone knows how it should be run better than the editor. Its policies and its literature are criticized and yet people waut it and at heart are loyal to it, for they recognize its value. They read it and want it to push along movements they are interested in. A religious revival, county fair, market day, civic improvement measures, new policies or politicians - all need the newspaper to give them an impetus. The press must arouse the people. Through no other avenue can so Many be reached. A mass meeting ean touch but a mere handful compared with the numbers reached in each issue of a newspaper.

Fillmore county has no daily papers, It has thirteen weeklies as follows: The Peterson Times, the Preston Republican, the Spring Valley Sun, the Spring Valley Mercury-Vidette, the Chatfield News-Democrat, the Wykoff Enterprise, the Fountain Review, the Lunesboro Leader, the Peterson Herald, the Rushford Star-Republican, the Harmony News, the Chatfield Reporter and the Mabel Record. :

The Fillmore County Pioneer, published in Carimona, in 1855, was the first newspaper in Fillmore county. Al! the town proprietors of Carimona were interested in the project, but E. R. Tarsk was the nominal publisher. He was suececded by O. Jd. Wright, who changed the name to the Carimona Telegraph. My, Wright transferred the paper to I. W. Lueas, who continued the paper for some time. Most of the editorials in this paper were written by H. C. Butler, an early lawyer. In speaking of the establishment of this paper, before the Fillmore County Old Settiers' Association, Mr. Butler, in 1897, said:

*T eame to Carimona July 8, 1855, having walked from Winona, tired and footsore. I was induced to loeate in Carimona by my friends, Hon. William Pitt Murray, of St. Paul, one of the most important factors in the moulding of territorial Minnesota. Five years before that time, in 1850, J spent the summer in his office in St. Paul. He induced me to locate in Carimona because himself, with Ifon. David Olmsted, the first mayor of St. Paul, and Henry D. Huff, one of the earliest setilers, and one of the leading business men of Winona, were among the proprietors of the town. It was then expected that Cari- mona, Oronoco and Cannon Falls would become the three most important inland cities of Mimnesota, In this instance prophecy has not beeome history. Carimona was named from an Indian chief, a friend of David Olmsted.

'""My first enterprise was to start a newspaper. The town proprietors contributed funds, and I put in what money I had for current expenses. I went io La Crosse and bought an old printing press which had been the pioneer printing press in Wisconsin, and we started a newspaper to boom the town and the county, called the Fillmore County Pioneer. That was the first newspaper in Fillmore county and the second in southern Minnesota. I wrote the editorials for a while until I got enough law business to occupy my time. I do not remember whether I was at any time the nominal editor or not. I preserved some copies of the paper for many years. The establishment changed proprietors several times, but finally shared the fate of many other brilliant enterprises. I saw the old press take its departure for some town in lowa, with a sigh of relief. My interest, whieh cost me several hundred dollars, I sold for some real estate which T sold for #50, after paying taxes on it for ten years.'"'

The first number of the ''Chatfield Demoerat'' was published on September 11, 1856, in Chatfield, by C. C. Hemphill, who started it upon the principles of Democracy. It was a six-column quarto sheet, all home print. In 1860 C. C. Hemphill sold the paper to J. W. Bishop, who was editor and manager of the ''Democrat'' for a little over a year, when it again changed hands. In the spring of 1861 John Harrison MeKenny and his younger brother, James S., purehased the 'Chatfield Demoerat,'? which they published until the death of James §., J. H. continuing ifs publication, with the help of his sons until his death, which occurred in May, 1878. His two sons, Sylvanus S. and Harry B., then became the publishers of the ''Chatfield Demoerat,'' making it a strong defender of the Democratic principles which their father so long and ably advocated. In October, 1883, R. McNeill bought the paper of the McKenny boys and changed its politics from Democratic to Republican. He continued to publish the paper until the spring of 1889, when he sold it to F. T. Drebert. At this time the size was changed from a seven-column folio to a six-column quarto. In May, 1894, a second newspaper was started in Chatfield, called the ''Chatfield News,'' with A. M. Wallace as editor and publisher. This paper changed hands several times, finally becoming the property of E. F. Harnish and F. G. Stoudt in 1899. In May, 1902, Messrs. Harnish and Stoudt, of the ''Chatfield News,'' pur- chased the ''Chatfield Democrat'? of F. T. Drebert and consolidated the two papers, continuing the publication under the name of the Chatfield News-Democrat. It is a six-column quarto, independent in politics. This is the oldest paper now in enistence in Fillmore county, and never during its existence of over half a century has it postponed or missed an issue nor issued anything but iis full sized sheet and always im its regular form.

The Preston Times, established in 1860, in reality dates back to the ''Chatfield Republiean,'' established in 1856, and the third newspaper in the county. The first issue of the ''Chatfield Republican'' was prinied on Saturday, October 25, 1856, at Chatfield. T. B. Twiford & Co. were the publishers, and H. W. Holley, editor. It was a six-column folio, furnished for #2 a year, if paid in advance, and $3 if paid later. The imprint declared if to be '*A Weekly Family Newspaper, Devoted to Literature, Science, Art, Edueation, Mechanism, Agriculture, Horticulture, Politics, and General Intelligence.'' Although Minnesota had not become a state, aud consequently had no vote in the presidential election, yet the names of ''Fremont and Dayton'' were run at the head of the new paper, and moral, if no more substantial support, given to the eanse. On June 13, 1857, the names of O. Brown and IL. W. Holley were announced as publishers. With number one, volume two, the paper was enlarged to seven columns and correspondingly lengthened. The whole paper was set up in the office, and it was a well edited and well printed journal. In 1859 the editor of the ''Republiean'' was sued by the editor of the ''Democrat"' for libel, and a jury returned a verdict placing the damages at $100.

November 6, 1860, the paper was removed to Preston, and became the ''Preston Republican,'' starting with a new volume and nnmber. Elder Burbank became the editor with the removal to Preston, Brown having moved to Mankato in 1859, and Holley to Winnebago City in 1860, the latter becoming receiver of the public land office. Burbank sold to F. W. Hotehkiss, who managed it until turned over to his brother. With the number commencing on February 6, 1867, W. A. Hotehkiss took charge as editor and proprietor. The paper was a seven-coluinn folio, all set up in the office, and was a fearless Republican sheet. In December, 1873, Major Hotchkiss procured a New Haven power press. On September 17, 1875, the paper, with the material and presses. was removed to Austin, and the name changed to '' Mower and Fillmore County Republican,'' and so with number fortyseven, volume fourteen, its carecr in Preston came to & close for a short time. In October, 1876, Centennial year, the ''Preston Republican'' was re-established by P. P. Wall as editor and proprietor. The Masonie Hall, still standing, was erected in 1875, and the following year a part of it was fitted up as a printing office for P. P. Wall, when he re-established the ''Republican."'

Henry S. Bassett purchased the paper from P. P. Wall, still retaining the old number and volume. Judge Bassett within a year transferred ihe paper to Henry R. Wells, who changed the name to ''Preston Democrat'' and afterwards sold it to Samuel A. Langum. Mr. Langum took possession in July, 1886, and ehanged the name to the Preston Times, its present title, still retaining the old number and volume, dating back to 1860. Mr. Langum has sinee continued to edit the paper, which is one of the influential journals of southern Minnesota. His foreman, Julius Jehnson, has been with him since he first acquired an interest im the paper twenty-six years ago. In October, 1903, Mr. Langum sold a half interest in the paper to his son, Alfred H. Langumn, who now has charge of the business end of the paper. During his administration of affairs the paper has greatly increased in cireulation and in advertising patronage, and his infusion of new blood into the concern has been advantageous to the paper in every way. The ''Times'' is now published from its own building, its size increased to a six-column quarto, and its eight pages are filled with matter of its own composition.

The Preston Republican. September 17, 1875, Maj, W. A. Hotchkiss took his ''Preston Republican'' to Austin, and later another ''Prestou Republican'' was started. Major Hotchkiss changed the name of his paper to the ''Mower and Fillmore County Republican,'' and with number forty-seven, volume 14, its career in Preston came to an end, In 1879 it became the organ of the national party, and its name was changed to the ''National Republican.'"' In September, 1880, it went to Minneapolis, and in August, 1881, it was brought baek to Preston. Major Hotchkiss issued the paper for many years. In October, 1903, the ''National Republiean'' was purchased by Frank J. Ibach, the name changed from ''National Republican'' to ''Preston Republiean,'? and the politics changed from Populist to Republican. The paper is well edited, enjoys a good circulation, and has considerable influence. The office is well equipped with modern machinery, including a linotype machine, and is well equipped for newspaper publishing and job printing.

The Rushford Star was started late in April, 1873, by T. H. Everts and Frank W. Drake. August 8, 1876, Charles R. MeKenney purchased of Frank W. Drake, who had become sole owner. Mr. MeKenney issued his first number August 11, 1876. It was captioned Volume IV, No. 14, and was a four-column quarto. At the end of the volume it was made a folio and has since changed size several times. McKinney sold to G. E. Kirkpatrick in August, 1885. Mr. Kirkpatrick sold to H. G. Forschler in October, 1901. Forschler sold to C. L. Foss in May, 1902. Mr. Foss, in the meantime, had issued several numbers of the Republican, starting March 1, 1902. When he purchased the Star he changed the name to the Star-Republican, still retaining the old Star number.

The Rushford Star-Republican. After purchasing the Star and combining it with his Republican, C. L. Foss continued the Star-Republican until April 18, 1912, when he sold out to T. R. Parish. Mr. Parish turned the office over to his son, J. E., who associated himself with C. A. Smaby, of the Peterson Herald. The new managers, J. E. Parish and ©. A. Smaby, retained the old name and number, and issued their salutatory April 18, 1912, with Vol. 39, No. 49.

Labor Reform. This journal was started in April, 1872, and its life was prolonged by heroic sacrifices on the part of its editor and publisher, A. E. Ball, up to the month of July, 1873, when it was discontinued.

Rushford Gazette. This paper was started on January 1, 1867, by S. J. Brown, who afterwards sold one-half interest to S. 8. Stebbins. After awhile the ''Temperance Fountain'' was started in connection with it. Charles D. Sherwood became proprietor. This publieation was discontinued, and the ''Southern Minnesotian'' was started. This was a paper of character, and had considerable influence on the times. Brown & Sherwood were proprietors until September, 1868, when A. E. Ball & Co. bought the concern and inanaged it until the following April, when it was sold to S. J. Brown, who soon discontinued the publieation.

In May, 1869, Frank H. Stout came from Stevens Point, Wis., and conducted a paper until 1870, when he went to Kansas. This was called the Rushford Era.

Spring Valley

The Western Progress was established at Spring Valley in 1868 by Mrs. Bella French, who moved it to Spring Valley from Brownsville, Houston comnty. She was assisted in the work by 'Till'? Hutchinson. In the earlier seventies she sold the paper to Mr. Hutchinson, and accepted a newspaper position on a St. Paul daily. Mr. Hutchinson continued the paper for a time, and then sold to J. J. Sargent, who later transferred his interest to Col. M. T. Jones, who conducted it for a year and a half, after which he was accidentally killed August 18, 1879. Col. H. C. Van Leuven was hired to conduct the paper and later secured entire control. He continued as publisher until 1886, when he sold it to Will Meyers. In 1900 A. E. Pfremmer became its proprietor and continued its publication for eight years. Prof. E. E. Campbell, at that time principal of the Spring Valley schools, then purchased the paper, and after publishing it for a while, sold out to Henry Russell in 1899. November 38, 1903, the paper was transferred to F. E. Langworthy, who consolidated it with the ''Mercury'' wonder the head Spring Valley Mercury-Vidette. The paper is still conducted by Mr. Langworthy, and is a potent influence in the community.

The Mercury was established Mareh 18, 1880, at Grand Meadow, Mower county, this state, by Langworthy & Son. On the first of August, following, it was moved to Austin, the county seat of that county. April 18, 1881, F. E. Langworthy became editor aud publisher. April 15, 1882, the paper was moved to Spriug Valley, B. F. Langworthy again entermg actively into newspaper work, the firm being Langworthy & Son. This continued until October, 1899, when B. F. Laneworthy retired from the business, owing to old age. The business has since been condueted by F. BE. Langworthy.

The Spring Valley Sun enjoys a good circulation in this part of the state. Its two most prominent editors have been E. G. H. Adams and Sidney J. Huntley.

The Lanesboro Journal. This paper first saw the light on June 18, 1874, at Lanesboro. It was published by the Wall Brothers, the personnel bemg O. G. Wall and 8. W. Wall. It was a sixcolumn folio at $2 per year. It claimed to be rather an independent Republican paper, and started out with a business look. It was well printed and well edited, and was all printed in the office. O. G. Wall sold to Geo. Ilarding. Harding to L. P. Hunt,

Hunt to M. G. Fellows, Fellows to Robert Donald and Donald to W. W. Wall. In June, 1907, Mr. Wall, who was then the owner, disposed of the paper to Thompson & Cowing, a real estate firm of St. Paul. The firm sent W. E. Moore to take charge of the paper. He printed three issues and then left the village. Following this the shop was closed.

The Lanesboro Leader. This paper was first issued October 1, 1898, by Ola M, Levang, who had previously been engaged extensively in newspaper and magazine work in various parts of the country. The new paper was well received, and in a few months it had a cireulation of over 1,000 copies. Year after year the cireulation kept on increasing, until at the time Mr. Levang retired as its editor and publisher, in November, 1909, its cireulation was over 22,500 copies, the largest circulation of any weekly newspaper in the southeastern part of the state at that time. During the eleven years Mr. Levang published this paper it was regarded generally as one of the most ably edited newspapers in the First congressional district. It had considerable political influence, strongly advocating the progressive principles within the Republican party. At the time of its sale it was transferred to C. L. Foss, until recently publisher of the Star- Republican at Rushford. A year later it was leased by him to the present editors, Messrs. G. E. Dorival and A. M. Olstad.

Mabel

The Mabel Enterprise was established in December, 1884, by James Ostrander. During its early history it changed hands frequently and was owned at various times by the Russell Brothers (Charles F. and William), Gagen & Smalley, Daniel Gagen and Frank Bartholomew.

The Mabel Tribune. J. T. Wheaton purchased the Mabel Enterprise, Feb. 1, 1895, and established the Tribune. June 6, 1895, H. E. Wheaton purchaed a half interest, and the firm was known for some time as the Wheaton Brothers. The Wheaton Brothers enlarged the paper from a seven column folio to an eight column folio, and then changed it to a five column eight-page paper. J. T. Wheaton became sole owner in February, 1897. G. A. Terry was also connected with the paper for a while.

The Mabel Sentinel. George W. Growley purchased the Mabel Tribune and changed the name to the Mabel Sentinel and continued it until 1895, when he took his plant to North Dakota, leaving Mabel without a paper. The subscription list was sold

The Mabel Record was established in July, 1906, and the first number was issued August 3, 1906. Ernest Rt. Antrim was publisher, C. L. Christopherson, manager, and J. A. Nelson, editor. Mr. Antrim who had practical charge of the paper from the first, became sole owner aud manager, August 9, 1907. It is worthy of note that Mr. Antrim has printed every issue himself, without missing a number, since Angust 3, 1906. The Record has a good circulation, has maintained a sound editorial policy, and is very popular in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. It enjoys the confidence of the community, and has considerable influence among a large constituency.

The Peterson Herald was started about 1897 by Jacob Tenny, who was quickly followed by M. A. Tolvud, N. J. Amble and L. B. Johnson in turn. Then the paper was discontinued for nearly ten years. In November Carl A. Smaby revived the publication aud continued it until May 1, 1912, when, having become interesled in the Rushford Star-Republican, he sold the Herald to the Commercial Club and C. E. Butler, of Preston, was engaged as editor and manager. Mr. Butler took charge with the issue of April 25, just previous to Mr. Smaby's departure, that issue being volume 3, No. 24. Mr. Butler issued three numbers and resigned. The business men then seeured the services of Carl Olson, a newspaper man, who, after an interesting career in the theatrieal business, became editor of the paper at Spring Grove, for which he was fitted by experience on several dailies in La Crosse. After a year in Spring Grove Mr. Olson eame to Peterson in the spring of 1912 and assumed his present duties.

Harmony

The Harmony News was started in 1897 by Daniel Gagen, who continued to publish it until February, 1899, when John P. Taylor purchased it and after a month's ownership sold it to L. O. Haugen, the present owner and publisher. The paper is Republican in polities and is interested in every movement that tends to advance the interests of the village.

Canton

In 1880 Harry T. Blair started the Canton Observer, the town's first newspaper. It was printed in the old Grange hall, which was first located on lot north of R. A. Sturgeon's drug store. The old building is now in a dilapidated condition on the rear of lots occupied by the pump shop. The Observer light shone for a few years and then went out on the departure of the editor. In 1895 the Leader, edited by II. O. Helgeson, ran for some time. In 1901 W. H. Dudley Jaunched the Free Lance, turning it over to E. M. Eames in 1899. The Free Lance was originally published at Harmony. Editor M. A. Tolrnd had charge of the Free Lance a short time. For a short time R. M. Bosworth edited the paper and then handed the quill 10 B. F. Stead, who conducted the paper until 1904, when he sold out to Geo. H. Iseminger, of Blooming Prairie. In the summer of 1907 Mr. Iseminger departed and the paper closed its career.

Canton was without a newspaper for a year and a half until in April, 1909, when Harry T, Boyd started the Canton Reporter. He equipped the office with power presses and placed the paper on a good business basis. In March 1, 1911, Editor J. 8. Hatlestad, of Lane, 8S. D., bought the Reporter and at once began to improve the plant as well as to issue a more newsy paper. The Reporter is now on a solid footing and is well patronized by village and country about. In polities it is independent Republican.

Fountain

Fountain Review. F. R. Haines established the Fountain Review in May, 1906. May 8, 1907, it passed into the possession of J. K. Johnson, who still conduets it.

The Radical. This paper was at first published in Fountain in 1880, and after being issued a year or so went to Rochester and remained a few months, after which it was again operated in Fountain. The editor and proprietor was C. S. Powers.

The newspaper has figured conspicuously in the life of the village since 1878, when F. C. Stowe began issning the Dollar Weekly. He soon became discouraged and handed the reins over to C. S. Powers, of Fountain, who drove the vehicle in the interests of the Greenbackers. At the elose of the campaign Mr. Powers gave way to Krueger Brothers, who, in 1879, established the Wykoff Record. The malady of non-support set in and beeame chronic, terminating the paper's career in three months' time. In 1882 the News was started by A. R. Burkdel, but did not last long. Next came Jacob Fenney with the Advertiser, which prospered for several years. In the latter ninetics A. M. Wallace brought the Preston Courier outtit toe Wykoff and gave the village its first real newspaper. Following Mr. Wallace's removal to Fairfax the destiny of the paper was guided by C. E. Wilson, Emily Boyd and others until 1902, when the plant was purchased by Sidney J. IIuntley. Mr. Huntley not only put new life into the sheet, but infused a new brand of energy anc enterprise into the whole village, lis efforts doing more to reinstate Wykoff upon the map than any previous attempt of individual or corporation. Mr. IIuntley sold the Messenger to E. G. Kleck in 1907. HKleek had too many side issues in hand and the paper was allowed to drift until it completely lost its grip. The Enterprise then sprang into existence, the first issue appearing November 20, 1908, with lk. P. Johnson and G. N. Sheppard at the steering wheel. In June, 1910, Mr. Sheppard dropped from the firm, selling his share to Mr. Johnson, who has since conducted the paper alone. The paper has a cireulation of 800 and is Republican in politics.