Cooper County, Missouri - Chapter 7, 1876

The first newspaper, in Cooper county, was established at Boonville, about the year 1834, ^"^ ^^^ called the Boonville Herald, It was owned by James O. Middleton, and edited by Benj. E. Ferry, who was afterwards County Clerk of Cooper county. In the year 1838, Robert Brent bought one-half interest in the paper from Jas. Middleton, and on the 8th day of April in that year, they changed the name of the paper to that of The Western Emigrant, On the 7th day of March, 1839, ^- ^ - Todd purchased Brent's interest in the paper, and the paper was edited about one year, by Messrs. Middleton and Todd. On the 30th day of April, 1840, C W. Todd purchased Middleton's interest in the paper and changed its name to that of the Boonville Observer ; C. W. Todd continued as sole proprietor of the paper, until the 3rd day of February, 1842, when he sold one-half interest in it to T. J. Boggs. On the 29th day of March, 1843, F. M. Caldwell and J. S. Collins purchased the paper from Todd & Boggs ; they continued to edit it in partnership only until June 7th, 1843, when F. M. Caldwell purchased the interest of Collins, and became sole proprietor. Caldwell soon sold one-half interest in the paper to Allen Hammond, and it was edited under the firm name of Caldwell & Hammond, until the 9th day of June, 1846, when Caldwell sold out his interest to Allen Hammond, and returned to Virginia, on account of the feeble health of his wife. Hammond continued to edit it alone, until Nov. 7th, 1850, whenF. M. Caldwell returned from Virginia and again purchased a half interest in the paper. They continued to edit it in partnership for several years, when they sold the paper to Augustine W. Simpson, who remained publisher of it, until it ceased publication in 1861, on account of the excitement incident to the war. In politics this paper was Whig, until the year 1854, when the Whig party ceased to exist ; it then became Democratic, and remained so until it ceased publication.

The next newspaper established was the Missouri Register^ published by William T. Yeoman. The first number of it appeared in July, 1839. ^^ '^^^ ^^^^ first Democratic paper published in western Missouri, and was established mainly to aid in the campaign of 1840. On the 22d day of April, 1841, Yeoman sold one-half interest in the paper to Edgar A. Robinson, and the paper continued to be published by Yeoman and Robinson until the 9th day of August, 1843, w'hen Ira Van Nortwick purchased it from them. It was afterwards successively owned by Qj.iisenberry, Price, Ward & Chilton, the last named of whom continued to publish it until the great temperance excitement broke out in 1853. The paper had previous to this time, been taken up almost exclusively by political discussions, but it was then purchased by a man named Bowie, who filled its* columns exclusively with discussions in regard to the great question of Temperance, which was then agitating the public mind. Bowie soon sold out the paper to Allen Hammond, and soon after this, the paper ceased publication, for want of patronage.

During the heat of the campaign of 1840, the editors of the Missotiri Register, IslQSSYS.y^^divd & Chilton, started a weekly campaign sheet, which advocated the claims of

On the 31st day of December, 1850, Messrs. Caldwell & Hammond, proprietors of the Boonvillc Observer commenced the publication of a sheet called the Tri-Weekly Obsc7'ver^ which was printed three times a week. But it did not continue long, as it was forced, for lack of patronage, to cease publication March 8th, 185 1.

The next paper was the Boonville Patriot^ which was established by a gentleman by the name of Gill, in the year 1856. It was afterwards sold to F. W. Caldwell, w^ho continued to publish it until the year 1861, when the materials, presses, &c., belonging to the office, were seized by Gen. Worthington, in command of some federal forces at Jefferson City, and taken by him to the latter place.

Soon afterwards, F. M. Cald^^^ell w^ent to Jefferson City, and with the assistance of some of the most influential federals, succeeded in gaining possession of the materials belonging to this office which Gen. Worthington had seized, and brought them back to Boonville. Immediately upon his return, Messrs. Caldwell and Stahl commenced the publication uf the Boonville Advertiser, the first number of which appeared on the 15th day of June, 1862. After publishing it for some time, they sold out to Messrs. Drur}^ and Selby, who published the paper for a year or two, when Messrs. F. M. Caldwell & Co. again got possession of it, and have continued proprietors of it to the present time. The editors of this paper, during this period, have been J. G. Pangborn, H. A. Hutchison, George W. Frame, Geo. W. Ferrel and Chas. E. Hasbrook ; the last named, is editor at the present time. In politics, this paper is now and always has been democratic.

daily edition of the same, under the name of the Boonvillc Daily Advej'tiser. It is still published, and seems to have met with very good success.

The Boonville Eagle^ a weekly paper, was established in September, 1865, by Milo Blair. On the 28th day of September, 1875, ^^ ^^^^ Chas. H. Allen into partnership with him, and the paper is still published by Messrs. Milo Blair & Co. In politics it has always been Republican.

The Wachter Avi Missouri^ a paper published in the German language, was established in 1867, by L. Joachimi. It was purchased in 1874 ^7 ^ ' ^ ' Ludwig, who changed its name to The Central Missonrier. F. W- Ludwig is the present proprietor. In politics it is Republican.