Mower County, Minnesota - Chapter 24: The Newspapers, 1911

Chapter 24: The Newspapers

Introduction by Gertrude Ellis Skinner - Story of the First Newspaper in the County - History of the Founding, Growth, Development and Present Status of the Journals of Mower County.

The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow. Kdilor.-> seldom think they write history. Your copy of the local paper may be used to wrap the family laundry, cover the pantry shelf or be placed under the carpet. In a month from the time a newspaper is issued, it would be difficult 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 increas« in value as the papers become yellow with age. Here in the musty volumes is found the history of your toAvn, 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. Inaccurate history, do you say? Perhaps so, and yet the most accurate it is possible to get, and infinitely more nearly accurate than almost any other historical source. The editor of a newspaper not only means to get correct information but uses the source method for every important article he prints. Each day, if he edits a daily, each week, if a weekly, his effort stands before the bar of pul)lic criticism. His critics 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. What other history could stand this crucial test? The newspaper that is not substantially accurate, cannot and does not live. Time gives authenticity. Criticism is forgotten, minor inaccuracies 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, social events, religious movements, births, deaths, politics, policies, honors tlial come in people, crimes which blacken our record, onward and backward moves in pr-ogi-ess, disasters, amusements, accidents, epidemii-s - all make up the newspaper liistoi-y of a coimnunit \ . It is the niiri-or of life as it is dailv liv.'d here and now.

The newspaper is everywhere recognized as the adjunct of civilization. The new town, however far removed from the busymarts 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 want it and at heart are loyal to it, for they recognize its value. They read it and M-ant 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 can touch but a mere handful compared with the numbers reached in each issue of a newspaper.

The more progressive a community, the more they read newspapers. Mower county has always been a good field for the press, because of the intelligence of its people. There are but few families in the entire county where the local newspaper is not read. It is an interesting fact that this county has never had a newspaper printed in a foreign language.

Mower county has eight newspapers - seven weeklies and one daily. They are : The Grand ^leadow Record, The LeRoy Independent, The Adams Review, The Lyle Tribune, The Mower County Republican, The Mower County Transcript, Tlie Austin Weekly Herald, The Austin Daily Herald.

Austin

]\rower County ]\Iirror - Mower county had been organized about two years before a paper was printed wathin its borders. Several etforts were made to secure the establishment of a paper, but each failed. Finally, David Blakely, who was then publishing a paper called the Pioneer, at Bancroft, Freeborn county, was induced to come to Austin and establish the IMower County Mirror. The consideration of this removal, it is said, was the election of Mr. Blakely to the office of register of deeds of Mower county. Bancroft, where Mr. Blakely had been engaged in the publication of the Pioneer, was an embryo village, located a short distance northwest of Albert Lea. It was then a competitor against Albert Lea for the county seat honors, and Mr. Blakely 's paper took an active part in the tight which, however, ended in the securing of the coveted prize l)y Albert Lea. Early in the fall of lsr)S, tli(^ office was removed to Austin, and with the same malerial, tin- Mower ('(Hiiity ^lirror was l)rouglit into existence. The heatl of liie new paper was delayed in reaching here, and for several weeks the paper was issued at Austin, hearing the old head, "Bancroft Pioneer." C. H. Davidson rolled the forms and set type for the first issue of the Mirror, being then a lad of eleven years of age. During the years 1859 and 18()(), Mr. Blakely held the office of register of deeds and continued the publication of the paper. Finally, early in the fall of 1860, he removed the press, type and material to Rochester, and tliere established the Rochester Post.

The Minnesota Courier. - After the publication of the Mirror ceased Mower county was without a paper for several months. The want of a newspaper, however, was soon supplied by the establishment of the Minnesota Courier. The first issue made its appearance December 5, 1860, as a six column folio, all published in Austin. The founder was B. F. Jones. Among the home advertisers in the first issue were the following: Attorneys, Aaron 8. Everest, Allen & Shortt, D. B. Johnson, Jr., G. M. Cameron. Physicians, Drs. J. N. Wheat and Orlenzer Allen; T. J. Lake, county treasurer; Piper & Hunt, blacksmiths, J. S. Lacy, hotel; S. AV. Rice, blacksmith; H. B. Kimball, painter; G. W. Bishop, sherifl!; E. Parleman, jeweler; H. S. Holt, wagon maker; and G. "\V. Mitchell, cabinet shop. The publication of the Courier was continued until January 4, 1864, when it ceased to exist. The editor, B. F. Jones, had gone into the service, and his father, William C. Jones, took charge and managed the paper for some time previous to the last issue.

The Austin Register. - The first issue of the Mower County Register made its appearance July 2, 1863. H. R. Davidson was editor and proprietor. The paper was then a six-column folio sheet, all printed at home. The subscription price was .$1.50 per year. Among the advertisements in the first issue were the folloAving: W. Truesdale, farm machinery. Allen & Shortt, Aaron 8. Everest and H. R. Davidson, attorneys. H. Jacobs, manufacturer and dealer in ready-made clothing. J. S. Lacy, proprietor Lacy House ; V. P. Lewis, hardware dealer. Lansing advertisements : Hartly & Sons, plow manufacturers and blacksmiths. "AVestern Home House," S. T. Wells, proprietor. E. F. Armstrong, manufacturer of men's boots and shoes. Brownsdale cards: Thomas Allred, boot and shoe store. Heath House, R. C. Heath, proprietor. One of the local items in the second issue was the following: "AVe want no Jeff. Davis!" H. R. Davidson continued the management of the paper until his death, wliich occurred ^May 4, 1864. At tliis time C. H. Davidson, a l)r()tliti' of the foimder, took charge of the paper, and shortly afterward the firm name "C. H. Davidson & Co." appeared at the mast liead. In the issue of July 14, 1864, it is announced tliat James T. Wheeler, of St. Cliarles, III., had become associated with Mr.

Davidson in the publication of the Register. The firm became Davidson & Wheeler. The new member of the firm did not, however, remove to Austin, and in a short time his connection with the paper was severed. After this C. H. Davidson continued to conduct the Register alone, until August, 1868, when H. 0. Hasford purchased a half interest in the paper, and the firm of Davidsou & Basford Avas formed. In April, 1871, D. AY. Craig became a partner of Davidson & Basford in the publication of the Register. June 29, 1871, the name was changed to the Austin Register. Davidson & Basford continued the publication of the Register until June 13, 1878, when that firm was dissolved, C. II. Davidson selling his interest to H. 0. Basford. After retiring from the Register Mr. Davidson purchased an interest in the Transcript. In August, 1883, the Register office, with the balance of Basford 's brick block, fell to the ground, causing a great loss to all the owners. The cause, it is supposed, was the poor quality of stone used in the foundation of the building.

]\Ir. Basford ran the paper alone until January 12, 1899, when he took his son Harry into partnership. In 1901 the paper Avas leased to S. SAveningsen, then postmaster, who ran it for a year AAnth W. 6. Cameron of Winona, as editor. H. 0. Basford & Son then resumed management. Mr. Brooks purchased an interest and the firm became Basford, Brooks & Basford. INIr. Brooks remained but a short time. The next change came Avhen Johu Bingham purchased a half interest and the same year the Basfords sold their interest to W. J. Tyler. Mr. Bingham retired and I\Ir. Tyler ran the paper until May, 1908, AA'hen the Register suspended publication. A daily Avas published from December, 1890, until 1908.

MoAver County Republican. - The equipment of the Register Avas purchased by Miss Jennie Keith and Paul C. Keith and the neAV publication called The MoAver County Republican started August 21, 1908, Avith Keith & Keith as editors. The next April ]\Ir. Keith Avent to Adams to assume charge of the Adams RevicAv. Avhich the firm had purchased, and Miss Keith took sole charge of the Republican.

MoAver County Transcript. - This paper made its first appearance on April 16, 1868, at the village of Lansing. It Avas then a seven-column folio, neatly printed and edited. Cohvell Brothers AA'ere the publishers, and A. J. Burbank editor. Those were the most bitter days in the history of Mower county, and the Avarfare of the "Page" and "anti-Page" factions, as they Avere called, brought Mower county into notoriety throughout the Avhole West. The Transcript Avas started in the interest of the Page faction, and the Register assumed the "anti" side. A few years later the Transcript changed its vieAvs and both papers vigorously prose- ented a common cciiise. A few Aveeks after the first issue tlie name of Sherman Page is hoisted at the head of one of the columns as editor of the teacher's or educational department. At tliat time he was county superintendent of schools. A few months later the name of A. J. Burbank was taken from the columns as editor, and the Colwell Brothers are stated to have succeeded Mr. Burbank. Still later it appears that Prof. J. H. Johnson, Mrs. Maria Doolittle and Ella Cook had charge of the educational columns.

The Transcript was published at Lansing until the issue on December 17, 1868, which was dated at Austin, the office having been removed to that place. The Colwell Brothers remained in charge of the paper until the issue of April 1, 1869, when it passed into the hands of Colwell & Boardman. The former, A. N. Colwell, was the senior member of the old firm of Colwell Brothers. A few weeks after the change of proprietorship the paper was enlarged to a nine-column folio. For several months during the summer of 1869, the paper was run without any name or names at the head of its editorial columns, but finally in the issiie on September 30, 1869, the announcement is made that "George W. "Wright assumes the editorial and business management." He retired with the issue of November 25, 1869, and was succeeded by George H. Otis. At this time the Transcript was owned by what was called the Transcript Company. George H. Otis, who succeeded Mr. Wright, conducted the paper alone until the issue of March 2, 1871, when Col. C. A. Lounsberry secured a half interest in the paper, and the firm of Lounsberry & Otis was formed. I\Ir. Lounsberry took the editorial and i\Ir. Otis the business management. Col. Lounsberry remained with the Transcript until May 25, 1871, when he withdrew.

After the withdrawal of Colonel Lounsberry, George H. Otis continued the management of the Transcript until August 31, 1871, when the paper was purchased by A. A. Harwood. Mr. Harwood owned and conducted the Transcript for a number of years. On July 23, 1874, the paper was changed to an eightcolumn folio, having for some years been smaller. During the spring of 1877, S. C. Eldred became associate editor and business manager. Mr. Harwood had become postmaster of the Austin office, and ^Ir. Eldred, who had been foreman of the office, was taken into partnership. His connection with the paper in that capacity, however, was brief, and IMr. Harwood again assumed sole charge. In this shape the paper was continued until the issue on June 13, 1878, when the paper and outfit was purchased by C. II. Davidson and J. N. AVheeler, and the name of th<' firm Davidson & Wheeler appears at the head of the columns, succceiting lliat of A. A. Harwood. ^Ii-. Harwood was a treucliant writer

Davidson & Wheeler conducted the paper until January 2, 1879, when C. H. Davidson purchased his partner's interest. ^Ir. Davidson sold to Parke Goodwin and C. L. Barnes Decemher 17, 1886, and they sold to S. S. Washburn and N. S. Gordon of Waseca, April 1, 1887. The paper was changed January 14, 1S87, to its present form of eight pages, six columns. Mr. AYashburn sold his interest to Mr. Gordon December 25, 1889, and Mr. Gordon erected the two-story brick block on Mill street, still occupied by the Transcript. In April, 1891, the Transcript became all home print. October 16, 1893, Mr. Gordon sold a half interest to C. D. Belden and devoted himself to the mechanical department. ]Mr. Belden bought out Mr. Gordon December 10, 1898, and has since been editor and sole proprietor.

The Austin Herald. - In 1881 the Mower County Democrat was first issued, with Campbell & Hunkins as editors, Mr. Campbell, whose home was in Spring Valley, running a Spring Valley department. In May, 1890, A. B. Hunkins, who was then running the paper alone, conceived the idea of issuing a paper every Saturday evening and delivering it by carrier to the various homes in the city. The plan was to be tried for three months and the subscription price 25 cents. The paper mXist have proved popular, for on November 9, 1891, the Austin Daily Herald was issued. It was printed in a large room, on the second floor of the brick building, corner of Water and Main streets. In August, 1892, F. H. McCulloeh bought a half interest in the job department. Mr. Hunkins secured a site at the head of Main street and erected a small frame building of peculiar style of architecture, which was the home of the Herald until 1890, when a lot was purchased on Lansing avenue and a three-story brick veneer building, 16x24, erected. Mr. Hunkins was appointed postmaster and Mr. McCulloeh ran the paper for one year, from January, 1895, to January, 1896. During this time the daily issue was discontinued and only the weekly edition, the IMower County Democrat, issued.

On January 13, 1896, F. H. McCulloeh bought the job department and C. F. Ellis and Frank Roble the newspaper. The publication of the Daily Herald was resumed and under different ownership has been published continuously since. October 1, 1897, John H. Skinner, of Holyoke, Massachusetts, bought Frank Roble 's interest and for a year and a half Ellis & Skinner were owners and publishers. Under their management the politics of the paper changed from Democratic to Independent Republican and the name of the weekly publication was changed from the IMower County Democrat to the Austin AVeekly Herald.

July 1, 1899, Mr. Skinner became sole owner by purchase of Mr. Ellis's interest and ran the paper with his wife, Gertrude Ellis Skinner, as associate editor, until December 1, 1907, when Fred C. Ulmer purchased a half interest and under the ownership and management of Skinner & Ulmer both publications of the Daily and Weekly Herald are at present issued.

The Herald has outgrown its quarters, which were ample ten years ago, and has built a new building of cement stone, including the old building and exactly twice its size. Two type-setting machines (Typogx'aphs) have replaced hand composition and a new Duplex "Web Perfecting Press has been installed.

The success of the Herald has demonstrated that a newspaper can be run independent of the financial aid of politicians or a political party, as the Herald has never taken money in politics, and therefore claims its title of Independent with some pride.

The Austin Democrat. - This newspaper was first issued July 8, 1868. The founders were Isaiah Wood and Milo Lacy. The paper was an eight column folio sheet, all published at home and Democratic in politics. The firm of Wood & Lacey continued the publication of the Democrat until February 23, 1870, when Milo Lacey, on account of ill health, withdrew from the firm, and was succeeded by a Mr. Cook.

On October 11, 1870, Isaiah Wood, the senior editor of the Democrat, after a prolonged illness, died of quick consumption, aged a little over twenty-eight years. In November, Milo Mc- Whorter purchased the Wood interest in the Democrat, and the firm became McWhorter & Cook. In a short time, however, Mr. McWhorter became sole proprietor and conducted the paper alone, until its publication was suspended. The last issue was that of July 12, 1871.

The Independent. - This paper was established at Austin on August 26, 1874, by B. F. Jones, formerly editor of the Minnesota Courier, as editor and publisher, and G. W. Haislet, proprietor. The publication of this paper was continued until May, 1875, when it died.

The Mower and Fillmore County Republican. - The Mower County Republican appeared August 27, 1875, printed at Preston, Minn., with T. F. Stevens as editor and A. E. Meigs, business manager. Five or six weeks thereafter Maj. W. A. Hotchkiss removed the Fillmore County Republican to Austin, and consolidated with the first named paper, as the Mower and Fillmore County Republican.

The Austin Times. - The Times was started in June, 1895, by Tom Hutchinson, who ran same as "Hutchinson's Times" until the first of February. 1896. when he deserted the paper. The plant was purchased under cliiittrl mortgage foreclosure by S. II. Ilar- rison, who then took possession of the paper and plant, issuing the first number February 22, 1896. He remained as its proprietor from then until February, 1903. During this time it was for two years the official paper of Mower county and also issued from the same plant a morning daily for about six months - from May, 1901, until November of the same year, when the plant was burned. In February, 1903, E. B. Kottek and John Jensen became the editors and proprietors by sale and published the same until the fall of the same year, when the publication and the plant became the property of the holder of the mortgage, Ira Padden.

The LeRoy Independent. - This newspaper was founded by a man named Haynes in 1875, as the "LeRoy News." He continued it for about six months and sold to C. B. Kennedy, who was its editor and proprietor for three years and then leased the office to James A. Henderson, who managed it a year, with C. F. Burdick as assistant for about three months. J. S. Bishop then purchased the office and operated the same nearly three j'^ears, and then sold to J. McKnight, who took possession April 16, 1883. After J. IMcKuight there were several changes. Then came S. C. Wheeler, B. T. Barnes and A. E. Pennell, successively. William M. Frank, John Frank and C. F. Hambrecht then owned the paper for a while. They sold to S. E. Brouson, and after him came Harlan G. Palmer, Avho in February, 1908, sold to Ralph Prescott, the present editor.

Grand Meadow News. - The first newspaper at Grand ]\Ieadow was called the News. It was started in 1878, by the Dunlevy Brothers, who came from Lansing, Iowa. It was Republican in politics; a bright, newsy sheet, and for some time received substantial encouragement. It Avas run at Grand Meadow for about two years, when it was removed to Lansing, Iowa.

Another paper, also called the News, was later established in Grand Meadow. It was started in the spring of 1880, by M. V. Scribner, a photographer. He ran the paper for about one year, then removed it to Fairmont; and later to Wells, Minnesota.

The Grand Meadow Record. - This publication had its first issue in Grand Meadow in December, 1882. L. G. Moore founded this journal. The early files have not been preserved. Bert A. Johnson is the present editor of the paper.

Grand Meadow Mercury. - In the spring of 1880, B. F. Langworthy & Son established the Grand Meadow Mercury. They conducted it here for a little over one year, then removed it to Austin. In the early summer of 1882 the paper was removed to Spring Valley, Fillmore county, and the name changed to Spring Valley Mercury.

The Brownsdale Leafllet. - On August 6, 1890, B. A. Johnson, son of M. B. Johnson, Avith a small hand lever press and a few fonts of type, launched forth the first issue of the Brownsdale Leaflet, size 9x12. It was later enlarged. On July 1, 1891, the News outfit, a paper whose life was but three months, was purchased from J. W. Burchard and the paper enlarged to a six column folio. On October 1, 1892, L. L. Quimby moved from New Richmond, Wisconsin, and purchased a half interest and the paper was enlarged to a five column quarto. On June 1, 1893, Mr. Quimby purchased a half interest with B. E. Baldwin in the hardware and implement business, which interest he held until the following March, selling to D. L. Tanner. About a month later, April 19, Mr. Quimby purchased Mr. Johnson's interest in the Leaflet and conducted it alone until May 17, 1907, when he was forced to give it up on account of his growing telephone business. Since that time Brownsdale has had no paper.

The Lyle Tribune, an independent paper, is printed and published at Lyle by Wm. Nordlaud. The paper was established in 1893. Elmer T. AVilson Avas one of the early editors. The paper was published by John Gould & Co. from 1896 until January 1, 1902, when sickness forced him to retire from business. At that time the paper was leased to Mr. and Mrs. R. Ferris, w^ho managed it until July of the same year, when Chas. Gould & Co. took charge of the paper, until December 1, 1902, when it was purchased by the present owner. The printing office has been located in various parts of the village, but never had a permanent home until November 1, 1909, when the present building was purchased. In the early years of the paper an old Washington hand press and a few fonts of type was the equipment, but in 1907 a cylinder press and gasoline engine were installed, Avhieh, together with the other modern equipment that had been added from time to time, put the plant on a substantial basis, enabling it to turn out the work required by the thriving village in which it is located. Under the present management the circulation of the Tribune has nearly doubled, and the .job department has become one of the strongest features of the plant.

The Adams Review. - The Review is the youngest of the Mower county newspapers, and was established in 1897 by V. "W. Sabin. Two years later W. F. St. Clair of Nebraska, acquired an interest in the paper. Mr. St. Clair increased the business and subscription list of the paper considerably and enjoyed an excellent patronage. In 190(5 he sold the plant and business to K. L. Niles, and in April, 1909, 'Slv. Niles disposed of the property to Keith & Keith, who are also owners of the Mower County Re- publican, Austin. Paul C. Keith is the resident editor and manager, and is well supported by the enterprising business men of Adams. The Review aims to furnish all the local news that is news, and has a large list of subscribers in southern Mower county. The paper gives evidence of a continued prosperous career.

Alumni Altruist. - When interest in the Austin High School Alumni Association began to wane, Ida Smith Decker conceived the plan of publishing a paper to be circulated among the absent as well as the local members of the association, the paper to contain greetings and news from the various classes and graduates. Mrs. Decker was the author and editor of the first edition, Avhich was published ready for the annual alumni meets in June, 1901. It served its purpose admirably and interest was at once awakened. It has been published every year since with the exceptioii of 1903. The omission was so marked and the call for the paper so insistent that at every alumni meeting since a fresh, crisp copy of the Altruist has been the central attraction. Unlike some of our county publications, it has always been self-supporting.

Copies are mailed to members all over the country. It is the only publication of its kind in the state and has done more to make the association a success than any other factor.

Among the newspapers of the county started Avithin the last decade, which lived but a few months and then ceased publication are: "The Racine Recorder," "Rose Creek Rose Bud" and "Austin "Weekly Journal." For several years "The Dexterite" was published in Dexter and then for lack of patronage suspended publication.