Buchanan County, Missouri - Chapter 21: Newspaper. History, 1904

The Gazette and its Varied Course - The Herald, Volksblatt, News, Ballot, Press and Others - Tombstones in the Newspaper Graveyard of St. Joseph.

The history of St. Joseph is dotted with the graves of many newspaper ventures. The first newspaper, the Gazette, a weekly pubhcation, was estabhshed in 1845. ^^^^ ^^'^t issue appearing on Friday. April 25th. William Ridenbaugh was the proprietor and printer, and the name of Lawrence Archer, then a prominent attorney, is given as editor. It is said that the type and press were part of the equipment of the ]^Iormon paper, published at Independence, which had been suppressed. In 1854 Holly & Carter took charge of the Gazette, \.\\&n it passed into the hands of Gen. Lucien Eastin and next to P. S. Pfouts and J. H. R. CundifT. In 1857 these gentlemen began the publication of the Daily Gazette, the hrst daily newspaper issued in the city. This continued until the breaking out of the war. When it became unsafe to utter such political sentiments as the Gazette upheld, the proprietors suspended publication, laid away the pen and went to the front to do battle for the South with the sword. June 28, 1868, the Gazette again appeared. Colonel Cundifif, Mr. Ridenbaugh and Peter Nugent being the publishers. In December of 1873 the paper passed into the hands of Joseph A. Corby & Company. 'Jhe next publishers were F. M.

Tufts, George \V. Belt and J. B. Alaynard. In November of 1875 Maynard was succeeded by S. A. Gilbert. In April of 1878 the Gazette-Chroiiiele appeared, the Chronicle ha\- ing been published by Al. B. Chapman. Shortly after the consolidation, Charles B. Wilkinson and M. B. Chapman were announced as publishers. September 29, 1878, the ''Chronicle" was dropped from the name and the paper again appeared under its ancient and original title. In November. 1878, Charles B. W^ilkinson assumed sole editorial and business manag'ement. Alarch 12. 1879. it was announced that the paper had passed into the hands of the Gazette Publishing Company, a corporation' that was t(^ be under the direction of Charles B. Wilkinson, Lewis Burnes and \\'. E. Smedley, the latter of New York. Colonel Wilkinson was editor until July 12. 1879. when he went to Denver, where he died in January of 1881. Lewis Burnes died November 17. 1879. Then the management of the paper was in the hands of James N. Burnes. Jr.. until January i. 1886, with the exception of a brief period, from June to September. 1883. when it was managed by George E. King. Maj. John N. Edwards- was the editor of the paper from June. 1883, until

April, 1886. Mr. Burnes was succeeded as manager by Charles F. Cochran, January i, 1886, who, after the departure of Major Edwards, was the editor as well as the manager until he was elected to Congress in 1896. He was succeeded as manager by Frank Freytag, Jr., who remained in charge until July i, 1900, when he was succeeded b}^ Chris. L. Rutt. On August I, 1900, the Gazette and Herald were consolidated under the name of Gazette-Herald, with Chris. L. Rutt as manager and Frank B. Moore as editor. The owners were the Burnes estate and William M. Wyeth. About a month afterward the property passed into the hands of Walter B. Holmes of Memphis, Tennessee, who conducted it two months and then sold it to Charles B. Edgar and others who at that time published the Daily News. Mr. Edgar published the Gazette-Herald from the Daily News plant, with Chris. L. Rutt as editor, until March 30, 1902, when he sold the paper to Lewis G. Gaylord, of Colorado Springs, Colorado. From the time of its consolidation until its sale to Mr. Gaylord, the Gazette- Herald was published as an independent newsppaper. Mr. Gaylord dropped the hyphen and "Herald" and published the Gazette as a Democratic paper until November of 1903, when he sold it to a syndicate of Republicans, who are now publishing it as the organ of their party. Elmer E. E. Mcjimsey is the editor.

The second newspaper started in St. Joseph was the Adventurer, a Whig sheet, which made its first appearance in 1848. Tt was published by E. Livermore, and was at that period regarded as a worthy rival of the Gazette, its sole competitor in the county. In March, 1853, James A. Millan purchased the paper and changed its name, calling it the Cycle. It was independent. About a year after this. Mr. Millan took into partnership E. C. Davis, the first

State Superintendent of Public Schools elected in Missouri. A short time after this arrangement, in consequence of difference of political sentiment, Mr. Millan being a Democrat, the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Davis buying out his associate. The latter published the Cycle as a Whig paper about one year, when he, in turn, sold out to Matt. France, who continued ot publish it as a Whig paper for about another year. France then sold to A. K. Miller and Jacob T. Child, who changed the name of the paper, calling it the Journal. This wasabout 1856 or 1857. In 1858, 1859 and i860 the Journal was edited and published by John P. Bruce and Jacob T. Child. This paper strongly a(hocated the claims of Bell aiid Everett during the presidential canvass. It suspended publication about 1862.

It may not be improper to state here that in the spring of 1856 the first job printing office was opened in St. Joseph. This enterprise was started by Millan & Posegate, on the south side of Francis street, between Main and Second streets. Eighteen months after, Mr. Posegate, who had learned the printing business in the Cycle office under Mr. Millan, issued the first number of the West. It was a handsomely printed, eight-column weekly. His associates in the enterprise were Wellington Cunningham, Washington. Jones and Edward Y. Shields. The paper, with strong Union proclivities, was independent in politics. In the spring of 1859 a daily was started in connection with the weekly West. February 6, i860, Mr. Posegate bought out his partners and became sole editor and proprietor of the paper, warmly and ably supporting Bell and Everett for the presidency. In August, i860, he sold the West to James Tracy & Company. The paper, under this management, advocated the claims of John C. Breckinridge to the presidency, and boldly

The first German newspaper in St. Joseph w-as the Volksblatt. It was started in 1856 by Leopold Marder, who, two years after, sold the paper to J. H. Buschmann. This was in 1858. Francis Rodman, afterward Secretary of State, was editor. Wednesday, March 28, 1866, the daily evening edition, a fi\e-column paper, made its first appearance, published by Gustavus Heinrichs. In 1868 R. L. Morgenstern purchased the paper and Leopold Marder became editor. November 8, 1868, Conrad Eichler and H. W. Kastor assumed control. The firm was styled C. Eichler & Company. Colonel Kastor was editor. November 8, 1875, Herman Brunsing purchased the interest of Mr. Eichler. Mr. Brunsing was succeeded in 1886 by George L. Hermann-]\Iuehe. Colonel Kastor retired. Mr. Muehe was the publisher until his death in 1899. when the property passed into the hands of Mathias Heckel, the present owner. The V^oJksblatt is the oldest continuous publication in St. Joseph.

The press and other appliances of the West Company became the property of Col. Charles B. Wilkinson, who started therewith a Republican paper, the St. Joseph Morning Herald. The first issue, a six-column daily, appeared Wednesday, February 12. 1862, Wilkinson & McKibbin, editors and proprietors. - In the issue of April 10, 1862, the proprietorship was announced under the style of Wilkinson & Company. Saturday, October i, 1862. the Morning Herald appeared consolidated with the Daily Tribune. It continued to be published in this style till July 25, 1866, when "Daily Tribune" was dropped from its name and it again resumed its original simple title of Morning Herald. In 1867, Francis M. Posegate took charge of the business management of the

Herald. He remained with the paper three years, the first two as business manager for Wilkinson & Bittinger, and the third as a partner of the former, he having bought the interest of John L. Bittinger. In the summer of 1869, \Vilkinson & Posegate sold out to Hallowell & Bittinger. In April, 1870, the firm became Hallo well, Bittinger & Company, C. B. Wilkinson constituting the company of the concern. When Mr. Hallowell withdrew, the firm Ijecame Wilkinson. I Bittinger & Ward. July 8, 1871, Henry Ward 1 withdrew and the firm became \\'ilkinson & ! Bittinger, continuing as such until the whiskeyi ring developments of 1875. which w'recked the fortunes of both members of the firm. In the spring of 1876 John Severance, William D. O'Toole and Maj. John T. Clements purchased the Herald. July 11, 1876, it appeared reduced from its former size, a nine-column, to an eightcolumn sheet, and continued to be so published until near the close of September following, when Tracy & Company became owners of the concern, and immediately restored the paper to its former size - a nine-column folio. The issue of September 26, 1876, was the first to appear with the announcement "Tracy & Co., Proprietors." The head of the firm was Frank M. Tracy, the company included Robert Tracy and D. W. Wilder. In 1885 the property came into the hands of Col. J. W. Strong, who represented a stock company of local capitalists. After his tragic death, in June of 1886, the paper was managed by Col. William M. Shepherd, with the late George C. Smith as editor, who was succeeded by Charles Alf. Williams. In 1889, John L. Bittinger assumed editorial charge, the paper having passed under the control of Maj. Thomas J. Chew, Jr., and others. J. P. Knight was business manager for some years and was succeeded by W. B. Willim. Major Bittinger was succeeded in 1897 by

Edward F. Trefz, who remained two years and was succeeded by Frank B. Moore, who had editorial charge until the consolidation with the Gazette above mentioned.

Four different newspaper publications have borne the name of the ''News." The fir'it daily evening- paper issued in St. Joseph was established by i\sa K. Miller in 1862. It was called the News and lived about two months. In the summer of 1864 Jacob T. Child and Charles M. Thompson issued, from the Ga.zcttc press, a campaign paper called the Evening Neics. It was published in the interest of George B. McClellan and expired after the campaign. The Mo)iday Morning N'ezcs was started August 20, 1877, by Isaac Pfeiffer. Colonel Wilkinson took charge of the paper after several issues and made a hit with it. The last issue of the Monday Morning Nezvs appeared in June. 1878, when Colonel Wilkinson assumed editorial charge of the Gazette. In July, 1878, a week or two after its suspension, the material and franchises of the Monday Morning News were ])urchased by George E. King, and used by him in publishing an illustrated weekly. In October following he sold out to Judge Andrew Royal and W. M. Patton, who continued its publication under the original name of Monday Morning Ncivs. This, some time after, was changed to Westerii Nezi's. May 3, 1879, the Daily Evening News was started in the office of the Western Nezvs by Judge Andrew Royal and George H. Cross. It was, at first, a small four-column sheet. September 3rd following, this was enlarged. April 19, 1881, the paper was purchased by W. E. Bassett and J. W. Spencer, who enlarged and otherwise improved it. Gilbert J. Spencer succeeded W. F. Bassett in the partnership. In 1888 the paper was sold by J. W. and G. J. Spencer to Byron Dunn and George W. Martin of Maryville.

In July of 1889 the propert}^ was acquired by Charles M. Palmer and E. B. Haskell. C. M. Shultz was placed in charge of the paper, and continued to manage it until August of 1894. In September of 1894 Charles B. Edgar became associated with Messrs. Palmer and Haskell and published the paper until October of 1903, when he sold his interests to a company headed by Louis T. Golding of New York. The publication is now called Tiie St. Joseph Nezcs & Press, and represents the consolidation of the Daily A^ezes & Evening Press. The Press was established in August of 1902 by W. H. Turner and Howbert Billman of Chicago and was published for about 14 months, when it was absorbed by the News corporation. Mr. Golding is now the publisher of the Ah^zcs & Press and Chris. L. Rutt is managing editor.

The Stock Yards Jonrnal was established by Charles Thornton soon after the Stock Yards were opened, and was subsequently acquired by people interested in the Stock Yards. E. Neff was in charge for a time. W. E. Warrick lias been its publisher since 1899.

Of the weekly publications now in existence, the Catholic Tribune is the oldest. It was founded in April of 1879 at Kansas City, where it was published by William A. Maynard and W. W. Davis. In October of 1880 it was moved to St. Joseph, \\ here it was published for some years by Davis & Royal. Rev. Francis Graham, pastor of St. Patrick's Church, ,was also the publisher of the paper for a time after Davis & Royal. Peter Nugent and Michael Lawlor became the proprietors in July of 1889, and this partnership continued until 1892, when Mr. Nugent l^ecame the sole proprietor. In .\pril of 1894, Mr. Lawlor took charge of the property and has edited and published the Tribune since that time.

qtiently published by George W. Wrenn. In 1890 J. W. Spencer, who was then the pub- Hsher, sold the paper to C. M. Shultz. Ed. M. Taylor succeeded C. AI. Shultz, and for a time Purd B. Wright was interested with Mr. Taylor and edited the paper. In 1897 the Combe Printing Company acquired the property and placed it under the management of Ed. O. Wild. The Combe Printing Company relinquished its ownership after several years and M. M. Burns was the publisher until November of 1903, when W. P. Tracy, the present publisher, took charge and changed the name to Western Dry Goods.

The Western Fruit Grozcer was started in January of 1897 as a monthly publication de- \-oted to horticulture. The venture met with deserved encouragement from the l^eginning and the increase of business has justified many improvements. The J J 'ester n Fruit Grozver is published by the Western Fruit Grower Company. James M. Ir\ine is the editor.

The Modern Fanner ami Busy Bee, a weekly, represents the consolidation of two monthly publications, one devoted to agriculture and the other to bee culture. Both were edited by Emerson T. Abbott, who is also editor of the consolidated venture.

Of the monthly publications, the St. Josef^h Medical Herald is the oldest, having been established for a quarter of a century. Dr. Charles Wood Fasset, the editor and pulilisher, also issues the Medical FortnigJitly.

Free Democrat, May 29, 1859. to April, i86r. Those connected with the paper at various times were Joseph Thompson. Earl Marble, E. H. Grant, Frank M. Tracy, D. W. Wilder, B. P. Chenoweth and Robert Tracy.

Daily Tribune, August, 1862, to October, 1864. A. K. Abeel, Philomen Bliss. William M. Albin, James T. Beach and James Hunter were interested at various times.

Daily Union, December, 1864, to January, 1871. James Hunter. James T. Beach, E. J. ]\Iontague, Philomen Bliss, Willis M. Sherwood, William M. Albin, William Fowler, A. N. Schuster, J. ^V. Strong, J. W. Dinsmore. the Union Printing Company, R. D. Mitchell. Eugene Ayers, William Everett, C. W. Marsh and J. B. Hinman were at various times interested in the publication. Jacob T. Child was the first local editor.

There have been many ephemeral publications in St. Joseph, principally weekly society ventures, whose graves are unmarked, that started briskly and with the assurance of a high-school essayist upon the road to fame and fortune, but inevitably went to pieces upon the same old financial rock.