Winona County, Minnesota - Chapter 31 (2 of 2 so headed), 1883

The following are the birds known to exist in this county : duck hawk, pigeon hawk (common), sparrow hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, Cooper's hawk, marsh hawk, harrier or mouse hawk, red-tailed hawk (common), red-shouldered hawk (scarce), broad- winged hawk, bald eagle, great-horned owl, long-eared owl, screech owl, barred owl (summer), short-eared owl, snowy owl, saw-whet owl, hawk owl, day owl, black-billed cuckoo, yellow-billed cuckoo, hairy woodpecker, downy woodpecker, black-backed three-toed woodpecker, yellow-bellied woodpecker, pileated woodpecker, log cock, redheaded woodpecker, pigeon woodpecker, ruby-throated hummingbird, chimney swallow, night hawk, bull-bat, whippoorwill, belted kingfisher, kingbird, wood-pewee, olive-sided flycatcher, pewee, Phebe-bird, wood thrush, robin, brown thresher, catbird, redbreasted bluebird, titmouse, chickadee, white-bellied nut-hatch, American creeper, long-billed marsh wren, short-billed marsh wren, house wren, skylark, shorelark, black and white creeper, Maryland yellow-throat, black-poll warbler, scarlet tanager, barn swallow, blue-backed swallow, eave swallow, bank swallow, purple martin.

wax-wing, Bohemian chatterer, cedar-bird, clierry-bird, great northern shrike, red-eyed vireo, purple-finch, red-poll linnet, snow bunting, snowbird, swamp sparrow, song sparrow, tree sparrow, field sparrow, chipping sparrow, fox sparrow (frequent), rose-breasted grossbeak, ring-rail (occasional), bobolink, ricebird, cowbird, redwinged blackbird, yellow-headed bird, meadow lark, orchard oriole (not common), Baltimore oriole (common), crow blackbird, crow (on the increase), bluejay, wild pigeon (never abundant), common dove, pinnated grouse (scarce), rufi"ed grouse, quail (nearly exterminated), woodcock, Wilson snipe, jack snipe, bittern, stakedriver, least bittern (on river bottoms), marsh hen, Virginia rail, coot (in marshes). Besides these, there are met occasionally the sandpiper, the great blue heron, the green heron, the wild goose and brant, the blue-winged teal, the hooded merganser, the widgeon, the pintail, the mallard, the butterball duck, the wood duck, and other ducks. The wood duck breeds here.

The pioneers of Winona evinced a thorough appreciation of the power of the press as an important element in promoting the welfare ol the young city, and in the development of the promising territory of Minnesota. The first newspaper established was the "Winona Argus," September 7, 1854. It was published by Wm. Ashley Jones & Co., weekly, democratic in politics. Wm. Ashley Jones, Captain Sam Whiting, M. Wheeler Sargent and Eobert T. Hunter were among the contributors. Samuel Melvin, at the present time a merchant in Winona, was foreman in the Argus office. He purchased an interest in the paper in January, 1855, and continued about a year and a half, when he sold back to Wm. Ashley Jones, and the paper continued about a year and a half longer, during which Mr. Cozzens was for a time editor. After vicissitudes incident to a western town twenty years ago, it was compelled to suspend its publication in the month of September, 1857, not however, until it had accomplished a good work for southern Minnesota.

The "Winona Weekly Express" was the next venture in journalism. It was established about August 1, 1855, Wilson C. Huff, son of H. D. Huff, being the editor. The Express continued until after the election in November, when the office and material were pui-chased by a company formed to establish "The Winona Republican."

In the fall of 1855, some earnest republicans formed a jointstock company, purchased the material of the "Winona Express," and on the 21st of November, 1855, issued the first number of the " Winona Weekly Republican. " The names of these stockholders were Charles Eaton, E. L. King, C. F. Buck^ A. P. Foster, H. C. Jones, A. C. Jones, E. H. Murray, J. B. Stockton, J. S. Denman, H. T. Wickersham, Rufus Crosby, O. S. Holbrook, St. A. D. Balcombe, John L. Balcombe, Matthew Ewing, W. G. Dye, J. H. Jacoby, L. H. Springer. The newspaper was a seven-column sheet and conducted with ability. The editor was Captain Sam Whiting. The business manager was Walter G. Dye, who continued to occupy that position, with slight intervals, for about twenty-five years. Messrs. Foster and Dye purchased the stock of the other shareholders and became sole proprietors. On the 19th of June, 1856, D. Sinclair purchased the interest of A. P. Foster in the establishment, and it thus became the sole property of Messrs. Sinclair & Dye.' In the fall of 1856 Mr. Dye disposed of his interest in the concern to Messrs. Balcombe, Murray, Buck and King, who in a short time sold out to W. C. Dodge. The latter continued his connection with the paper only a few months, retiring on the 3rd of February, 1857, and being succeeded by Mr. Dye, who repurchased one half of the establishment. At this time the firm name was changed to D. Sinclair & Co., and has so remained ever since.

On the 2d of April, 1864, Sheldon C. Carey purchased one half interest in "The Republican" from Mr. Dye, who retired. Mr. Carey continued a member of tlie firm until his death on the night of December 28 of the same year he entered it, when he was drowned in the Mississippi river, Wisconsin, while out with a small party on a sleighing excursion. His death caused the most poignant grief in the community.

On the first of July, 1865, Mr. Dye resumed connection with "The Republican " as joint partner with Mr. Sinclair, and November 25, 1866, Mr. John Dobbs, an experienced practical bookbinder, became one of the firm, purchasing one third interest in "The Republican" establishment. In 1859 the proprietors of " The Republican " determined to try the experiment of a daily paper in Winona, and on the 19th of November issued the first number of the "Daily Review," a three-column paper somewliat larger than a sheet of foolscap. The publication of this little paper demonstrated the readiness of the people of Winona to support - not a first-class journal, but one of respectable size, considering tlie times. Accordingly the "Daily Review" was sto])ped, and) on the 19th of December, 1859, the "Winona Daily Republican " was started on its career. It was a five-column sheet, but was enlarged to a six-column sheet on the 8th of April, 1861, and on the 1st of July, 1865, it was enlarged to a seven-column sheet, its present form. The " Weekly Republican" has the honor of being the oldest republican newspaper in the state.

In 1867 the "well arranged three-story brick "Republican" building with basement was built. It was occupied in February, 1868. On the first of January, 1881, Mr. Dye retired, selling his interest to Mr. Sinclair. Mr. P. G. Hubbell, who had been connected with the ofl&ce since 1864, was appointed business manager, and so continued until the first of January, 1883, when Mr. W. E. Smith bought a third interest in the establishment, and Mr. Hubbell assumed the duties of managing editor of "The Republican." Through a long established career "The Republican," under the superior editorial management of Mr. Sinclair, has wielded a potent influence on the affairs of the county and state, while for the city of its choice it has ever been the zealous advocate and faithful friend. It is entitled to great credit as one of the important agencies in the development of Winona.

Returning to the history of other newspapers in the early years of the county, "The Times" was started by a man who came from Fountain City, Wisconsin. The proprietor purchased the material of the " Argus," but continued only a few months.

"The Democrat" was started on September 9, 1858, by C. W. Cottom, who came here from Rochester. He published an eightcolumn paper. In the course of a year or two he sold out to the Democrat Printing Company.

On the 11th of December, 1860, the "Tri-Weekly Democrat" was started by the Democrat Printing Company, with J. L. Thompson, printer ; C. W. Cottom, editor ; Wm. T. Hubbell, city editor. This was a five-column sheet. In the following summer the paper was closed out and was succeeded by "The State."

"The Winona Daily State" was established by Massey & Wheeler, July 11, 1861. It was a six-column paper. The daily was a morning paper, but it existed only a few weeks. Mr. Wheeler retired and Mr. Massey continued the publication of the "Weekly State," which was first issued Jul}^ 17, 1861. After an existence of a year or two the "State" suspended.

"The Winona Weekly Democrat" was established by A. G. Reed September 17, 1864. It was a seven-column paper and lived some two or three years.

The "Democratic Press," which was issued by Messrs. Meservey & Pomeroy, was another venture, which appeared in the fall of 1865, but continued only about six months.

"The Winona Daily Democrat" was established January 8, 1868, by Green & Gile. It was a four-page, seven-column journal. It was after\^ard owned by Green & Dresbacli, and then by the Democrat Printing Company. It suspended after a few months.

On the Yth of May, 1869, "The Winona Herald," a democratic weekly newspaper, was established by Mr. W. J. Whipple. It is still in existence under the proprietorship of Mr. Whipple, though leased to Mr. T. A. Dailey in the summer of 1882.

On February 13, 1869, an amateur paper entitled "The North Star" was started by some young men, with Geo. T. Griffith, editor ; Wm. F. Worthington, publisher ; H. G. Smith, treasurer ; JohnN. Nind, subscription agent. The little journal subsequently passed into the hands of Fred. W. Flint and John N. Nind, by whom it was published for several months.

In 1872 another amateur paper, "The Novelt}^ Press," was started at Homer by R. F. Norton. It was afterward removed to Winona and conducted by Eber Norton. In 1879, November 28, it was bought by Geo. B. Dresbach and the name changed to "The Democrat." In January, 1880, it was sold to Hiler, Busdicker and Dresbach, and was purchased in January, 1882, by Fred. W. Flint.

On the 9th of October, 1873, E. Gerstenhauer established a German weekly called "The Winona Adler," which still continues under the same proprietor.

On the 4th of July, 1873, the "St. Charles Times" was established by H. W. Hill. It was democratic in politics and continued until January 1, 1883, when it suspended.

On May 24, 1875, "The Sunday Morning Dispatch" was issued by D. B. Sherwood. Only one number appeared, the proprietor returning to Michigan.

On the 24th of April," 1876, " The Monday Morning Bulletin " was started by John Seigler. It continued for a few months and was removed to Wabasha, Minnesota.

On Januarys, 1877, the -St. Charles Union"' was established by Joseph S. Whiton. It is independent republican in politics, and a paper of general circulation in the western part of the county!

January 21, 1881, a German weekly newspaper, "The Westlicher Herald," was started bj Leicht & Schmid. The firm changed to Leiclit & Hunger July 1, 1881, and again to Joseph Leicht January 1, 188;], who is the present proprietor.

On the 2d of July, 1881, "The Winona Daily Tribune" was established by F. W. Flint as an evening independent republican paper. About the first of July, 1882, it was sold to Morrissey & Bunn and changed to a democratic paper in politics, still retaining the name of "The Tribune." In January following the paper was sold to a stock company and changed to a morning paper. It continued until April, 1882, when it suspended.

The year 1883, therefore, finds the following newspapers in existence in this county: "The Winona Republican," daily and weekly, republican in politics, established in 1855; "The Winona Herald," weekly, democratic, established in 1869; "The Winona Adler," German weekly, democratic, established in 1873; "The St. Charles Union." weekly, independent republican, established in 1877; "The Westlicher Herald," German, weekly, democratic, established in 1881.