Renville County, Minnesota - Newspapers, 1916

Newspapers

Importance of the Press - First Paper in County - Present Papers -Discontinued Papers - Story of the Week-by-Week Chronicles of the County - Edited by James R. Landy.

The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow. The copies distributed, it is true, soon pass from sight. Even in a month from the time a paper is issued it is sometimes difficult to obtain a single copy. But in the newspaper office itself it has been preserved and placed on file. The files become an asset of the office and increase in value as the papers become yellowr with age. Here in the musty volumes is found the day by day history of the town, the county, the state. The State Historical Society recognizes the value of the newspaper history, and a complete file of every newspaper in the state is kept in its library. A newspaper is one of the most accurate of all historical sources. The editor of a newspaper not only means to get correct information, but he also gets most of it at its original source, throwing side-lights upon events which are missing in the formal records. Each day, if he edits a daily, each week, if a weekly, his effort stands before the bar of public criticism. His critics are those most intimately interested 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 correctly stated they are corrected. The newspaper that is not substantially accurate cannot and does not live. Time gives authenticity. Criticism is forgotten, minor inaccuracies are overlooked, and the newspaper record stands as accepted history. 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 that come to people, crimes that blacken the records, onward and backward movements in progress, disasters, amusements, accidents, epidemics - all make up the newspaper history of a community. It is a mirror of life as it is daily lived, here and now.

The first newspaper in Renville county was the Beaver Falls Gazette, established by J. A. Wells in 1S70. It was published for a year and then moved back to Wisconsin. The second newspaper in Renville county survived but one issue. It was printed at Redwood Falls, and issued as a Republican campaign sheet in the fall of 1870. The paper was called the Beaver Kails Clobe.

Elsewhere in this work, the vindictiveness and sharp practice in the campaign for the county offices of Renville county, during the fall of 1S70, has been referred to; but one little episode may be of interest to the present generation, showing to what length of deception and intrigue those old fellows would go to in accomplishing their ends, then laugh about as a good joke on whoever got the worst of it.

The Republican County Convention had been held at Beaver Falls, the county seat, and only village in the county, in 1870; a full set of county officials had been nominated; as about always happens, some were dissatisfied, and another opposition convention was called to give battle to the "ring" and "bosses." as they had even then begun to style those who were chosen or were in any way successful.

Democrats were hard to find in Renville county, or anywhere in the north, so soon after the war, for that matter, so these bolters and dissatisfied element called this opposition convention the People's Party convention, into which the few who were Democrats flocked with the rebellious Republicans, causing the Republican candidates for county offices no little concern. Then, to make things worse, if possible, the Beaver Falls Gazette, a small weekly newspaper, just started, and the only newspaper in the county, joined the seceders and J. A. Wells, its editor, began to overhaul the pedigree and record of the Republican candidates.

The regular Republican candidates now being somewhat alarmed and thoroughly aroused, called a secret meeting to decide what action should be taken to combat the common enemy. First they must have a newspaper for their side; one that would make the little Beaver Falls Gazette look insignificant in comparison. Arrangements were made with V. C. Seward, publisher and proprietor of the aedwood Falls Gazette, to get out 600 i opies of a newspaper to be called the Beaver Falls Globe, at his office in Redwood Falls. A. McGillis, a Canadian of education and ability, was the editor. Chas. S. Hall, brother of D. S. Hall, came from J. K. Moor's Tribune office at St. Peter, where he was working, to Redwood Falls and set up most of the type for the paper. Those days the candidates for office must procure election tickets for the voters and i e that they were in the hands of reliable parties at each election precinct. These tickets were all printed at Seward's Gazette office, where the Globe was being gotten out. Wells, of the Beaver Falls Gazette, got no business from the "regulars." The Globe set forth in its prospectus and editorially that it would supply a long-felt want by giving the people of Beaver Falls and Renville county a real sure enough newspaper, which they were being deprived of by Wells' seven by nine cypher. The Globe was twice the size of the Gazette, with strong editorials, mechanically excellent, and loomed above Wells' Gazette in every way. It held up each and every candidate of the people's party to derision, charging all of them with conduct unfitting them for holding public office, and some of them with crimes which would send them to the penitentiary. Not only that, but they published certificates and affidavits to prove their contentions It was certainly a very warm number.

The plan was to bring over from Redwood Falls, a few days before election, the Beaver Falls Globe complete and ready for distribution, then start teams to the remote ends of the county with the Globe and election tickets, and begin distributing them as they returned to the county seat. No one at Beaver Falls or anywhere in the county, except the conspirators, knew of the plot that was being worked out. so, four days before election, James Carrothers, candidate for sheriff, and D. S. Hall, candidate for auditor, on the Republican ticket, went over from Beaver Falls to Redwood Falls in the afternoon to get the Globe and election tickets for distribution, according to program, but upon their arrival at Seward's print shop they found that the Globe and election tickets were not ready. The office force were all at work on them, but the old way of picking type and working the hand press was very slow, compared with present day methods, so they waited for the completion of the job. The printing office was locked, and no one could get in without the password. As they wandered around the village in the evening, waiting, they were surprised, and quite suspicious at meeting Ed. O'Hara of Cairo township, this county. Ed. styled himself, and with good reason, the "Father of the Democratic party of Renville county." He was a kind hearted man. a good mixer with many friends, and he could put most of the "boys" under the table in most any old kind of a bout. Politically he was active, putting much of his time in at it. In politics he was crafty and full of schemes to down all opposition to him or his party;, hence in meeting him so far from home at that time of night. Hall and Carrothers had good reasons for believing him a spy, which he was, as the People's party could see there "was something in the wind," something was going to drop.

O'Hara had just come from the printing office when he met Hall and Carrothers. He heard the presses rattling and the sounds of activity therein, but he was not allowed to enter. He didn't have the password. From Hall he wanted to know what was going on in the print shop. Hall promised to go in and find out for him, if he would sta.y right where he was until his return. This he agreed to. O'Hara's greatest anxiety was for the election of E. St. Julian Cox, who was a candidate for district judge, on the Democratic ticket. Tliis Hall well knew, so when he went into the office he had a number of straight Republican tickets struck off, with E. St. Julian Cox's name thereon, for district judge, in the place of the regular Republican for that officer. Returning to O'Hara, Hall pledged him to secrecy and made him realize the importance of the information about to be imparted to him. He was then shown the bunch of Republican election tickets, printed for Renville county, with his friend Cox's name thereon for judge, with the information that Renville county Republicans were printing all their tickets that way, with the expectation of some reciprocity on the part of the friends of Captain Cox. This was readily promised, so far as he,. O'Hara, was concerned, with no intention of being kept, and he seemed to be so well pleased at what he had found out that he invited the party to the nearest "thirst parlor" for liquid refreshments, where they sojourned, repeating their libations at frequent intervals, until they got O'Hara hotly discussing politics with some belated native, when they gave him the slip, and rushed to the printing office for the election tickets and Globe they had come for.

They found the election tickets completed and packed up in fairly good shape. The Globe was printed but not folded, so they rolled them up, shouldered their burdens and made for the hotel barn, where they had left their team and wagon. Placing their sacred bundles in their wagon, covering them carefully with robes and blankets, even though it was well after midnight, they were about to get out their team and push for Beaver Falls, when it occurred to them that crossing the Minnesota river by ferry boat at that time of night might be questionable, and they decided to remain at the hotel over, night, but get a very early start the next morning. Going into the hotel they found O'Hara. who had been looking for them for some time. He asked for a chance to ride with them to Beaver Falls in the morning, which could not be well refused. To make matters worse, the hotel was crowded and Carrothers and O'Hara were forced to sleep in the same bed, which added to the difficulty of sneaking away from O'Hara. as Carrothers and Hall fully intended to do. Jim told Hall that he would not go to sleep, and he didn't. Ed. was soon snoring good and plenty. He was very tired, and Jim, who had cautiously taken the front side of the bed, slipped carefully and quietly from between the sheets, joined Hall, and the two of them hastened to the barn. The harness had been left on the horses, and, assuredly. that team was hooked to that wagon with some speed. But just as they were moving out of the hotel yard O'Hara appeared at the door and hailed them for that lift to Beaver Falls. They did not even look around, did not hear him; they were quite deaf about that time, and arrived in Beaver Falls in good season, a little jaded, but still eager for the affray.

The election tickets and Globe were taken to Hall's home. The newspapers had to be folded, and the tickets separated into proper numbered lots for distribution. This was got at by willing hands, but unskilled. They were slow at the work, thus the couriers, teams and outfits which were to start that morning to the remote parts ol the county, for the placing of the tickets and distribution of the newspapers, did not get away until afternoon, but the secret had continued to be well kept.

A little before noon O'Hara showed up in Beaver Falls. He had walked from Redwood Falls, a distance of about six miles. and was some peeved at Carrothers and Hall, but upon meeting Carrothers, that gentleman told him that he did not have the heart to wake him up when he was sleeping so sweetly, knowing how late he was up the night before, and how tired he must be, and that his greatest regret and sorrow was in not hearing him hail them in the morning, when they were starting out of the hotel yard, and he had a number of other plausible handouts, winding up by the suggestion that they adjourn to one nf the several wet-goods-emporiums, there to dim any wrath remaining, by "whatluhave," all of which O'Hara accepted, for the time being, with one eye closed.

About noon, that same day, the workers folding tin' newspapers and separating the. election tirkets had completed their job and all gone up town for lunch, or something, from D. S. Hall's home. Mrs. Hall was alone in the house, when who should appear at the door but Mr. O'Hara, well known to Mrs. Hall. He told her that her husband had sciil him for all the Republican election tickets there in the house, that Mr. Hall was in quite a hurry for them, and that lie, O'Hara, would take them right to them. Mrs. Hall had her suspicions, but she told O'Hara that she knew little of tirkets or matters political, which was true. O'Hara very politely excused himself and withdrew, saying that he would get some tickets from Hall, but he never did. Cox was in Beaver Falls that day, and O'Hara's object was to see if his. Cox's, name was on all of the Republican election tickets for the county, as district judge, as he was informed by Carrothers and Hall at Redwood Falls. Had he got hold of all the Republican tickets and discovered that the name of his friend Cox was on none of them, he might have made it quite difficult for the Republican candidates to get out more tickets and distribute them to the various polling places in the county in time for the election. It sure was a close call for them, which they fully realized after it was all past.

Captain P. H. Swift, who had been elected to the legislature the year before, but failed to be nominated by the Republicans this year, was on the People's ticket for the same office, against J. S. G. Honnor, the regular Republican nominee. The Rev. N. Swift, a Methodist preacher, was the People's party candidate for county auditor against D. S. Hall, regular. L. W. Dibble, People's, against James Carrothers, regular, for sheriff, Captain P. H. Swift against John M. Dorman for county attorney, and so on down the line.

The Globe gave each candidate on the People's party ticket a very dark brown roast, and even more. The messengers got away that afternoon with the election tickets and newspapers for the remote ends of the county, in fairly good shape, considering the excitement incident to the occasion, and must have placed their election tickets and newspapers in good hands, tor the regular Republican ticket, every man on it, was elected by an overwhelming majority.

Both of the newspapers "drew the long bow" in "throwing mud" and making charges against their opponents. What General Sherman said about war certainly applied to those political wolves. At that time it was a sure enough fight, all right.

Soon after the election Wells discontinued the Gazette, returning to Toma. Wisconsin, and to the newspaper business there. Captain P. H. Swift, the same fall, returned to Wisconsin, entered the news paper business, became prominent among tin newspaper men of that state, owning several leading papers. He died at Madison. Wis., within the last year.

This incident happened forty-six years ago. Forty-six years is a very short historical period, as history goes, and fortysix years don't cut much figure with eternity. Still, how many are left who engaged in that political death struggle in 1870? Ask them to stand up and be counted. They don't step up - they have practically all passed away. Beaver Falls, then the county seat and only village in Renville county, has disappeared with them. Such a short time ago Beaver Falls was bustling with activity, the citizens and county officials there were full of life, hope and activity, now all dead and gone. So gradually has all this disappeared, village and all, that we fail to notice or become impressed by it. Nature and an all-wise providence have arranged these things, no doubt, as they should be, but here is food for reflection for some of those now living, just the same.

Of all the candidates named on both the Republican and People's party for county offices that fall of 1S70, it is believed that only one of the number still remains alive, a good deal of effort, on the part of the publishers of this work, has failed to find another of that band of political buccaneers of that period, when all was considered fair in politics, as in war, and was the rule rather than the exception.

Darwin S. Hall, from among that number, still lives in Renville county, his home is in Olivia, the county seat, where his good wife and himself are rounding out a well spent life.

In those early days when he was in selfdefense exchanging "white lies" with Hon. Edmond O'Hara, he was "playing the game" as others played it. Conditions and times have changed, the heat and turmoil of pioneer days is over.

"Dar" Hall, as he is affectionately called by men, women and children alike, has lived to become the county's most prominent citizen, and throughout this and neighboring counties there is to be found no couple more highly esteemed than he and his wife, and no couple whom the people more delight to honor.

The third newspaper in Renville county was the Renville Times, established in August, 1S72, by Darwin S. Hall. In May. 1874, he sold the paper to Henry Kelsey. This, the oldest paper in Renville county, is still in existence at Olivia, under the name of the Olivia Times.

In 1SS1 there were four papers in Renville county: The Renville Times, at Beaver Falls; the Bird Island Post, and the Bird Island Blizzard, at Bird Island; and the Renville County Union, at Hector.

In 1901 there were eleven papers: The Morton Enterprise, of Morton; the Buffalo Lake News of Buffalo Lake; the Renville County Union, of Bird Island; the Hector Mirror, of Hector; the Star-Farmer, of Renville: the Fairfax Standard, of Fairfax; the Franklin Tribune, of Franklin; the Olivia Times, of Olivia; the Renville Record, of Renville; the Sacred Heart Journal, of Sacred Heart, and the Olivia Press, of Olivia.

In 1911 there were nine papers: The Morton Enterprise, of Morton; the Buffalo Lake News, of Buffalo Lake; the Hector Mirror, of Hector; the Star-Farmer, of Renville; the Fairfax Standard, of Fairfax; the Franklin Tribune, of Franklin; the Olivia Times, of Olivia; the Sacred Heart Journal, of Sacred Heart, and the Bird Island Union, of Bird Island.

There are now ten papers in the county: The Morton Enterprise, of Morton; the Buffalo Lake News, of Buffalo Lake; the Hector Mirror, of Hector; the Star-Farmer, of Renville; the Fairfax Standard, of Fairfax; the Franklin Tribune, of Franklin; the Olivia Times, of Olivia; the Sacred Heart Journal, of Sacred Heart; the Bird Island Union, of Bird Island, and the Danube Review, of Danube.

The Olivia Times was established by Darwin S. Hall at Beaver Falls, as the Renville County Times, in 1872. The Times was the third paper established in the county, the first and second being short lived, and for about fifteen years was the only newspaper published in the county. In 1874 Mr. Hall sold the Times to Henry Kelsey. who guided it through many a bitter contest in pioneer days, and who continued as its editor and publisher for twenty-five years. In 1890 Mr. Kelsey moved the plant to Olivia and ten years later sold it to Wilson & Soule, who changed the name to Olivia Times. H. W. Wilson bought out his partner's interest in 1902 and continued to publish the paper alone until January 1, 1908. when he sold the plant and good will to J. R. Landy, the present publisher. Mr. Landy has equipped the office with new and improved machinery and has one of the most up-todate offices of any country town in the state. In the great work of development in Renville county the Times has performed a service of incalculable value during the 43 years of its existence and is today numbered among the most influential country newspapers of the slate.

The Fairfax Standard. The people of Fairfax and community were given their first local paper in the fall of 1SS9 when the Fairfax Crescent was issued by the Kane Brothers. The paper consisted of four pages, two printed at Fairfax and two of the variety termed patent. James Kane, now judge of probate of Wilkin county, and John Kane, who died in St. Mary's hospital at Rochester. December 3, 1910, were the publishers of the Arlington Enterprise, and Charles L. Kane, now a prominent attorney of Benson, Minn., was in active charge at Fairfax. The files show that the Crescent, then the only Democratic paper in Renville county, passed into the hands of the Schmidt Brothers in 1891. O. H. Smith (then called O. H. Schmidt), now editor of the Lester Prairie News, had been associated with Mr. Kane as printer from the beginning of the Crescent. For a time alter Mr. Kane retired he was sole owner of the plant and then took his brother, F. W.. into partnership witli him, Later O. H. disposed of his interests to F. W. and returned to his home in Wisconsin to study law. F. W. conducted the Crescent for a time at his residence.

Crescent, the paper under his regime being issued in the frame building now occupied by Knudson's restaurant. Being a staunch Democrat, and the paper the only Democratic paper in the county, Mr. Brown was much in the limelight in Renville county and state politics.

During the year 1895 F. M. Rea became editor of the Crescent, continuing at its helm alone through warm political times. and otherwise. Work became strenuous for Mr. Rea, especially so after he was made postmaster in 1897, and W. F. Mahler, now editor of the Springfield Advance, was taken in as partner in issuing the Crescent, then a four page at home and four page patent.

With the Crescent still existing and expounding things to its liking, Fairfax business and professional men of the Republican type got together and organized the Fairfax Standard Printing Co.. and on July 14, 1898, the first issue of the Standard was sent broadcast over this section. A. E. Verity was placed in editorial charge of the Standard and for several weeks the various exchanges of Renville county and immediate section came out with editorials, some expressing sympathy in behalf of Fairfax' newborn paper, while still others expressed regrets for the Crescent. It was very evident that two papers in a place of but 500 population, Fairfax' num. ber in those days could not exist long without one giving way to the other.

On June 8, 1899, the Fairfax Crescent was absorbed by the Standard. A. E. Verity continuing as editor of the Standard and W. F. Mahler, who had been associated with the Crescent, was made local editor of what was then Fairfax' only newspaper. Practically the entire property of the Fairfax Standard Printing Co. was owned by Attorney A. V. Rieke and a, few others at that time. On April 25. L901, A. E. Verity, who had edited the Standard since its birth, bade goodbye to his readers as editor.

The issue of May 2, 1901, shows W. A. Miller at the editorial head. What happened to Miller in that one week certainly must have been enough, for the next issue found Paul F. Dehnel as its editor. Times must have been strenuous ones in the Standard office, for Dehnel remained as editor for only two issues and on May 23, llidl, James S. Mills tried his skill as pilot. He, too. lasted but a short while; it was during his regime as editor that it was demonstrated that John Barleycorn would prevent even a bright and well educated man from publishing a readable paper.

Angus Hay took charge of the Standard on September 12, 1901, and on April 10, 1902, made his first valedictory remarks. For several months the paper was issued without any particular man at its editorial head, but on November 13, 1912, Mr. Hay again took charge, only to make his second and final valedictory on January 1. 1903.

Editor Asa M. Wallace, of Grand Meadow, Minn., but formerly editor of papers at Wykoff, Preston and Chatfield, Minn., took charge of the Standard on January 8, 1903. The plant at that time was housed in a frame building, now remodeled and occupied by A. S. Black's jewelry store. For several years the Standard was published in the building mentioned above and on more than one occasion the force had to brace up the sides and front door to keep the place from collapsing whenever a heavy wind came along.

As time progressed Mr. Wallace added to the equipment of the Standard office, especially so after moving the plant to the frame building now owned and occupied by Will Lenz' bowling alley. Here the wind did not cause the force nor editor much alarm. During cold weather, however, the "devil" found it a difficult task to get things comfortable, and on many a press day lamps had to be lighted and set under the bed and disk preparatory to printing the Standard's four home pages, so cold was the building. The large rollers often had to be thawed out before they could be used, and on several occasions when the foreman went to adjust them to the press, a substance resembling molasses presented itself - the rollers had melted and ran together.

Along in 190S Mr. Wallace became owner of the plant and in October of 1910 he rented the very spacious and convenient quarters over the First National Bank building, which the paper is still housed in. At the time of moving into new quarters over the bank a large two revolution Campbell printing press was installed and on this the paper - "eight pages home print," is run off. In February of 1911 a Junior Linotype was installed, together with several other improvements in keeping with the village - electric motors taking the place "i the troublesome gasoline engine, and electric lights doing away with kerosene and gas lights.

Mr. Wallace, through his efforts in Governor Eberhart's behalf in the campaign ol 1910, landed the office of Assistant Fire Marshal of Minnesota, and in early January of 1911 he took Phillip Ploof and I. J. Zettel in as associate editors. The young men, in conjunction with Mr. Wallace, edited the Standard for two years, and in January of 1913 they leased same and operated the plant until December 31, 1914.

On December 14, 1911, a 16-page edition was printed, the young men, Ploof & Zettel. pulling off this stunt without the old man knowing about it until after the issue was out. On August 15. 1912. the Standard office performed a feat that caused the plant and force to be recognized all over Minnesota, in that a 32-page Souvenir Edition commemorating the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle of Fort Ridgely, was printed and circulated broadcast.

Mr. Wallace was not only a valuable man as editor of the Standard, but was a valuable addition to Fairfax, being at the head of many movements of development whereby the village and its people were benefited. He worked for what he thought was for the best interests of Fairfax and community, and though he was hanged in effigy and on a couple occasions had his office windows besmirched with dirt by those who did not agree with him on certain movements of reform, he made the most of his journalistic career here count, and is entitled to great credit for the splendid office which Fairfax and community enjovs today. Mr. Wallace at the present time is owner of the Sauk Centre Herald also, and is giving the people of that section an ideal newspaper.

When Mr. Wallace came to Fairfax in 1903 he employed as his foreman Phillip V, Ploof, of Wykoff, Minn. The young man worked on the Standard practically all of the years that have passed since then, with the exception of one year when he edited the Gibbon Gazette. In January of 1915 Mr. Ploof leased the Standard plant for a term of five years, and that he is1 making good can best be judged by the splendid support accorded him. On Octo ber 14, 1915. he issued a 20-page "Minnesota Booster Edition" that would do credit to a place several times the size of Fairfax. The issue puts Fairfax in the metropolitan class, so far as small villages go.

During the existence of the Standard the paper has been ably edited and today it ranks as one of the leading country papers of Minnesota. As to equipment, few offices in country towns excel, while the force which consists of Carl K. Vincent, foreman, and John Ploof, linotype operator, is one which makes work easier and enables the publisher to give his readers a better paper than would otherwise be the case. The Standard office of today enjoys a splendid business and is endeavoring by fair and courteous treatment to merit the substantial and united support of the business and social interests of Fairfax and i pmmunity.

The Hector Mirror is nearly a quarter of a century old, and though not the very oldest in the county, it is one of the oldest and one of the best. Much of its early history is lost, as no files were preserved by the publishers previous to 1901.

The first issue of the Hector Mirror appeared on June 15, 1889, and was started by Chas. Corson and Frank Dean, of Owatonna. Since that time the paper has changed hands and editors many times. It was disposed of by Mr. -Corson and Mr. Dean to a man by the name of E. E. Cook, now deceased. He was followed by M. B. Childs, and next by Chas. B. Dean. Mr. Dean sold the paper in March, 1904, to The Mirror Printing Co., and moved to Leeds, North Dakota, where he still owns and publishes a paper.

The Mirror Printing Co. remained the owner of the Mirror until three years ago, when they sold out to the present owner and publisher. Ralph Prescott, now editor and postmaster at LeRoy, Minn., ran the Mirror for the Mirror Printing Co. until February 7. 1908. He was followed by A. H. Freeman, now of New York City, who was editor until October 8, 1909. Under the management of Mr. Freeman the Mirror was enlarged, a new press purchased, and a number of improvements made.

From October 8. 1909, to November 8, 1912, the paper was leased by different persons for periods varying from two months to a year and a half. These editors were Dahlstrom and Norin, A. J. Norin, Norin and Darling, H. W. Darling and R. R. Strom.

The present editor, Ernest W. Nobbs, has been at the helm since November 8, 1912, and expects to remain for many years to come. The people of Hector have proven, by their loyal support and patronage, that they are entitled to the best paper that it is possible to publish in a town of this size, and it is the editor's intention to improve the make-up and plant as the years go by.

The Danube Review, published in the thriving and enterprising village of Danube, sometimes called the Baby Village of Renville county, was launched by Wallner Bros, on November 4. 1911. Two years later the senior member, E. C. Wallner, who edited and managed the Review, assumed full proprietorship. Charles A. Heilig leased the Review in June, 1915, and is the present editor.

The Review is a five-column, four-page paper, widely circulated throughout the county, and well patronized by local advertisers. It is independent in politics and published on Thursday of each week.

E. C. Wallner, formerly editor of the Danube Review, has resided in Renville county since early childhood. He first saw the light of day September 25, 1SS8, in F'aribault county, Minnesota. At the age of thirteen he entered the Buffalo Lake News office, where he learned the art of printing and also earned his living. Before locating at Danube he was employed in various newspaper offices in Minnesota.

The Morton Enterprise was established by O. A. Hogue in April, lSSti. and conducted by him until April, 1890. It then passed into the hands of Leroy Stegner, who conducted same until October of the same year, when he sold it to Geo. W. Lutz. During the year 1890 the only daily paper in this section of the state was issued at Morton. O. A. Hogue establishing it and publishing a few issues of a small four-page sheet about the size of a small poster. The daily was a failure financially, even with the large force at that time engaged at the quarries for patrons. The field was not large enough and it died a premature death for lark of support. The Enterprise remained the property of Mr. Lutz until November, 1S92. when he sold it to A. E. Hill and a Mr. Treadway under the firm name of Hill & Treadway. In January. 1S93. this firm was dissolved and the paper continued by Mr. Hill until April, lb.97, when Andy H. Keefe came into possession of it and made of it a successful newspaper and one which ranked among the strongest politically in this section of the state. Under his able management the plant also grew financially and became a money-maker instead of a losing game. In 1901 he sold the plant to R. M. Bottomley, a teacher, who lasted only a few months and landed on the sharp rocks of financial failure. The Enterprise was then revived again by Mr. Keefe, who conducted the same until May. 1902, when he again sold out, this time to Clark E. Gleason, who managed to remain in possession of the editorial chair tor four months, and he, too. gave up the unequal struggle to issue a newspaper on faith alone. Hal. E. Rogers was the next victim of the newspaper bug, and from September, 1902, to February, 1903. was the editor of the Enterprise, selling it to A. B. Allen, whose editorial page, "The Growler." gained considerable notoriety and the Enterprise again became a recognized medium of news. In December, 1904, he disposed of his interests therein to Smith & Hill, who continued its publication for a period of one year, when

0. W. Smith became sole owner. Mr. Smith continued at the helm for almost seven uneventful years and finally sold it to H. F. Rubey. the present owner, after having managed to publish the paper for a longer period than any other one man since its establishment in 1SS6. September

1, 1912. was the beginning of a new life for the Enterprise. The old job press which for so many years had ground out its work of one page of a newspaper at a time, and on which so many of the youth Of the village had taken their first lessons in the life of a printer, was replaced by a modern high speed cylinder printing press. A machine which at that time was the fastest and finest in the three adjoining counties. The old gasoline engine which had seen such rough usage and received so many cussings on account of its balky habits, was replaced by an electric motor. Other new and modern equipment was added and the plant is being brought up to a first-class condition to meet the growing demand of a continually growing patronage of a better class.

The Bird Island Union. Wesley Moran, practical printer and editor of Kilbourn City, Wis., came to Bird Island in July. 1N79. and established the Bird Island Post, the first newspaper published in Bird Island and the fourth in Renville county. It had a promising field and received a good support.

the county, the end of a railroad division, centrally located and bade fair to become the county seat if it could have the loyal and harmonious support of its citizens. But factional feeling crept in and became intensified by the Post siding with one faction instead of trying to harmonize their differences. So with the view of freezing Moran out. another paper, the Bird Island Blizzard, edited by J. M. Bowler, was launched by some publicspirited citizens of the village, the first number appearing April 21, 1881. Among those interested were Joseph Ladd and Geo. H. Magquier. The contest waxed warm for some time and then Moran hoisted the white flag and both papers were sold to B. B. Herbert, an enterprising newspaper publisher of Red Wing, who merged them under the name of the Renville County Union, edited by a practical printer named Edward D. Morris, from Herbert's home office; and thereupon peace was declared.

October 10, 1SS2, Herbert sold the plant to C. L. Lorraine, an experienced news paper man from Dodge county, who ran it successfully until February 1, 1891, when he sold it to Cyrus R. Sheppard, a man of sterling character, an early pioneer and prominent educator of Renville county. He was an able supporter of the Farmers' Alliance movement and the People's party.

He sold the paper to George T. Castle in June. 1S97. July 1, 1900. M. B. Childs and H. C. Sherwood purchased the paper from Mr. Castle and in July. 1901, Mr. Childs bought out Mr. Sherwood's interest. In November, 1903, the newspaper property was purchased by C. H. Sherwood and the business conducted until January 1. 1911, under the firm name of Sherwood Publishing Co.. witli H. C. Sherwood as editor and manager. At this time H. C. Sherwood purchased the property from his lather. C. H. Sherwood, and now owns the paper. At the tiriie the paper was taken over by C. H. Sherwood the name was changed to Bird Island Union. The plant is now housed in a modernly equipped building and is made up of two cylinder presses, two platen jobbers with individual mi it his. Junior linotype and other equipment necessary in a first-class newspaper and job office. From a two-page sevencolumn newspaper the Union has grown to an eight-page all-home print edition, liberally patronized by the business men of the thriving little village in which it was born and in which it has prospered.

The Franklin Tribune, a weekly paper which appears in Franklin every Friday. was established -as a legal newspaper April 24, 1899, by A. E. Hill, who published the first issue, April 22. 1S9S. April 1, 1901, Mr. Hill retired and C. Foley and Daniel Whetstone became the publishers, under the firm name of Foley & Whetstone. Mr. Foley retired February 13, 1902, and Mr. Whetstone became sole owner, publishing the Tribune until May 14, 1909, when he sold out to the present publisher and editor. Julius L. Jacobs, and went to Cut Bank, Montana, where he established the Cut Bank Pioneer Press.

The village of Franklin prior to Mr. Hill's establishment of the Tribune was served by the Franklin News, which was published for only a short period.

The Renville Star-Farmer. The Renville star was established in 1S8S by M. J. Bowling. In 1S91 a rival paper, the Renville Farmer, was started by Welch & Childs. It was short lived and in 1892 M. J. Dowling merged the papers into one, as the Star-Farmer. In 1S94 the Star- Farmer Company, a corporation, was organized, Mr. Dowling retaining some of the stock. In 1S97 W. A. and Nina Reid, two cii the incorporators, purchased all outstanding stock and became owners of the plant. Mr. Reid has been connected with the paper in an editorial capacity for twenty-one years and during that time the plant has been improved from year to year and within the past year a new press has been installed, and cabinets and a Mergenthaler linotype machine have been added to the equipment, thus making it one of the best equipped offices in this part of the state. The paper has the confidence of the community and has a large rural circulation thoroughly covering the field. It is issued every Friday.

The People's Watchman, a Populist paper, was established about 1895 by Captain John R. Lowe, now of Canada, then from South Dakota. The principal backer of the venture was O. T. Ramsland. After Captain Lowe left. O. T. Ramsland and Edward O'Connor secured a controlling interest for a while, with Mr. Ramsland as manager and R. J. Steele as editor. The next editor was Herbert C. Sherwood, who remained some nine months. The paper was then moved to Renville and published for a number of years by H. B. Brooks under the caption: The Renville Record, a continuation of the People's Watchman of Sacred Heart.

The Sacred Heart Journal. When W. B. Strom purchased the Hector Sentinel in 1S99. he moved it to Sacred Heart and .hanged the name to the Sacred Heart Journal. At that time he took Guy H. Small as a partner. The next editor was Harry T. Marsh. Marsh sold the subscription list to the newspaper at Renville, and the presses to people in St. Paul. However, the public-spirited citizens of Sacred Heart raised some money, secured the subscription list and the good will, and put Emanuel Nyman in charge. He was followed by John Cumford, James Fahey. Mabel Sortungstad and the present editor. H. L. Quist.

The Buffalo Lake News was established May 24. 1893, by a Mr. Vance, a Methodist minister, who published the paper one year, selling it to John C. Riebe and Frank

Warner. Jr.. in 1894. Two years later, in August, 1896. it passed into the ownership of G. W. Small, who published the paper until September, 1S99, when he sold it to J. R. Landy. Mr. Landy published the paper for eight years, selling it in November, 1907, to E. C. Clausen. Four years later, November 1, 1911, the paper was sold by Mr. Clausen to Thomas I. and Robert M. Foster, the present editors.

Discontinued Papers

The Fairfax Crescent was established in 1SS9 at Fairfax, and merged in the Fairfax Standard June S, 1S9S. Its history is found elsewhere under the head of the Fairfax Standard.

The Renville Station Weekly News was established in 1S79. D. C. Wadsworth was the publisher, and the paper was printed by C. A. Bennett at the office of the Granite Falls Journal in Granite Falls, Minnesota. J. T. Brooks took charge of the paper in is si i. After he relinquished it Mr. Bennett continued to get out the sheet for a while with such local items as were gathered by W. D. Spaulding. It was discontinued in 1881.

The Renville Weekly News was established at Renville in 1SS7. It was published by C. L. Lorraine and edited by Dr. Ed. M. Clay. It suspended publication in 1S8S.

The Renville Star was established in 188S at Renville by M. J. Dowling, editor and publisher. J. C. Spencer was the printer. About 1890, Mr. Dowling sold out to Mr. Spencer. He repurchased it in 1892 when the publication of the Farmer had practically bankrupted both papers. It is now consolidated in the Star-Farmer.

The Renville Farmer was started at Renville by Welch & Childs in 1891. H. B. Brooks was the editor. In 1S92 it was purchased by M. J. Dowling, who consolidated it with the Renville Star in the Renville Star-Farmer.

The Franklin News was established in June. 1S93. by the Rev. William Wigham. a Methodist Episcopal clergyman who preached in Franklin at irregular intervals. He resurrected the old Farmers' Alliance paper, engaged George E. Johnson to reset an entirely new paper, and conducted it as a Prohibition sheet. George E. Johnson, now of the Atwater Republican-Press, continued to manage the paper for the editor as printer. Mr. Johnson left that fall to work for the Morton Enterprise. The paper did not long continue. The reverend gentleman was not a good business man. and the Prohibition cause was not so popular then as now.

The Danube Herald made its appearance in 1904. It was printed at Buffalo Lake by J. R. Landy, and mailed to its subscribers at Danube. Later a printing plant was established at Danube in charge of A. E. Hill, of Morton. The paper continued in existence for several years. Its editors were Alfred Eiselem, F. A. Schroeder and James Moughan.

The Hector Union was started at Hector about June 1, 1881, by Edward D. Morris, as agent of S. P. Jennison and B. B. Herbert, of Red Wing. It was discontinued after a short time.

The Hector Sentinel was started in the early eighties by Attorney D. H. Sage. It was sold to W. P. Strom, who moved it to Sacred Heart and published it as the Sacred Heart Journal with G. H. Small as partner.

The Renville Record, a continuation of the People's Watchman, of Sacred Heart, was conducted at Renville for about four years, being discontinued about 1905. H. B. Brooks was the editor and publisher.

The Sacred Heart Bladet was a Norwegian paper which flourished for a while. Hans Ristvedt. who had been a newspaper man in Norway, was the principal instigator. Edward O'Connor and O. T. Ramsland owned the paper for a while. Thomas Sharp was one of the editors. Andrew Bromstad was editor and publisher of the publication from 1S91 to 1S95.

The Sacred Heart Posten was established by Knute Holien. It was printed in Norwegian and English, the "patent insides" being in English. After some two years, Mr. Holien sold out to Edward Johnson, who kept it alive for about two years, after which it was discontinued.