Cooper County, Missouri - Chapter 19: The Press, 1919

The first newspaper in Cooper County was established at Boonville about the year 1834, and was called the "Boonville Herald." It was owned by James 0. Middleton, and edited by Benjamin E. Ferry, who was afterwards county clerk of Cooper County. In the year 1838, Robert Brent bought one-half interest in the paper from James Middleton, and on the 8th of April, in that year, they changed the name of the paper to that of "The Western Emigrant." March 7, 1839, C. W. Todd purchased Brent's interest in the paper, and the paper was edited about one year by Messrs. Middleton and Todd. April 30, 1840, C. W. Todd purchased Middlton's interest in the paper, and changed the name to that of the "Boonville Observer." C. W. Todd continued as sole proprietor of the paper until Feb. 3, 1842, when he sold one-half interest in it to T. J. Boggs. March 29, 1843, F. M. Caldwell and J. S. Collins purchased the paper from Todd & Boggs. They continued to edit it in partnership only until June 7, 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 June 9, 1846, when Caldwell sold out his interest to Allen Hammond. Hammond continued to edit it alone until Nov. 7, 1850, when F. 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 Augustus W. Simpson, who remained publisher of it until it ceased publication in 1861, on account of the excitement incident to the war. In politics the paper was Whig until the year 1354, 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. Yoeman. The first number of it appeared in July. 1839. It was the first Democratic paper published in western Missouri, and was established mainly to aid in the campaign of 1840. On April 22, 1841, Yoeman sold one-half interest in the paper to Edgar A. Robinson, and the paper continued to be published by Yoeman and Robinson until Aug. 9, 1843, when Ira Van Nortwick purchased it from them. It waa afterwards successively owned by Quisenberry, 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 Benjamin F. Buie, who filled its columns exclusively with discussions in regard to the great question of temperance, which was then agitating the public mind. Buie 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 "Missouri Register," Messrs. Ward & Chilton, started a weekly campaign sheet, which advocated the claims of Van Buren for President. As soon as the campaign was over, and Van Buren defeated, the paper ceased publication. The name of this paper was the "Boonville Argus."

"The Coon Hunter" was published by Ward & Shelton, in 1840. The next paper was the "Democratic Union," established in the fall of 1844, and run by Blair and Chilton. Following this in succession in 1847, was a Whig paper, called the "Boonville Bulletin," published by Caldwell & Hammond. On Dec. 31, 1850, Messrs. Caldwell and Hammond, proprietors of the "Boonville Observer," commenced the publication of a sheet, called the "Tri-Weekly Observer," which was printed three times a week. It was continued unutil March 8, 1851. "The Iris," a college magazine, was published in 1851. In 1852, the "Central Missourian" was started, but was soon discontinued. It was succeeded by the "Boonville Missourian," in 1853, which occupied the same office. The paper was edited by A. C. Speer, who was a strong advocate of Whig principles, and also a staunch friend of the temperance cause. "The Ladies' Garland" was started in 1856. The next paper was the "Boonville Patriot," which was established by a man named John Gill, in the year 1856. It was afterwards sold to F. M. Caldwell, who continued to publish it until the year 1861, when the materials, presses, etc., belonging to the office were seized by General Worthington, in command of some Federal forces at Jefferson City, and taken by him to the latter place. Soon afterwards, Lewis H. Stahl went to Jefferson City, and with the assistance of some of the most influential Federals, succeeded in getting possession of the material belonging to the office, which General Worthington had seized, and brought them back to Boonville. Immediately upon his return, Messrs. Caldwell and Stahl commenced the publication of the "Boonville Advertiser," the first number of which appeared June 15, 1862. After publishing it for some time, they sold out to Messrs. Drury and Selby, who published the paper for a year or two, when F. M. Caldwell & Company again got possession of it, and continued proprietors of it until April, 1878. The editors of this paper, during this period, have been J. G. Pangborn, H. A. Hutchinson, George W. Frame, Charles E. Hasbrook, Judge Benjamin Tompkins and S. W. Ravenel.

October 25, 1875, the proprietors of the "Boonville Advertiser" commenced the publication of a daily edition of the same, under the name of the "Boonville Daily Advertiser". The "Daily Advertiser" was discontinued March 7, 1879. Mr. Ravenel took charge of the "Advertiser" in March, 1878, as manager and local editor, and on March 7, 1879, leased the paper, and was until 1884 manager and editor. He was succeeded by Walter Williams, now the dean of the College of Journalism at the State University. He in turn by Messrs. Stahl with James R. Allen, editor. Succeeding Mr. Allen as editor was Lucien Wright. Later the paper was pui'chased by the veteran editor Capt. C. J. Walden, who is now the manager and editor of the same.

The "Boonville Eagle", a weekly paper, was established in Sept. 1865, by Milo Blair. Sept. 28, 1875, he took Charles H. Allen into partnership with him. In politics it was republican.

The "Wachter Am Missouri", a paper published in the German language was established in 1867, by L. Joachimi. It was purchased in 1874 by F. W. Ludwig, who changed its name to the "Central Missourier". Haller was the proprietor until 1907. It suspended publication Dec. 26th, of that year. In politics it was republican.

George W. Ferrell started the "Boonville Weekly Topic", Aug. 18, 1877, and after running it about eight months, F. M. Caldwell became owner. Caldwell published the paper alone till Feb. 8, 1880, when A. B. Thornton purchased an interest. September 18, 1880, Col. H. A. Hutchison bought Thornton's interest, the paper was edited by Hutchison, and published by Caldwell & Hutchison, Caldwell as business manager. It was democratic in politics. Capt. S. W. Ravenel and William McCarty then became the owners of "The Topic" until the same was purchased by Col. William Switzler, who changed the name to the "Missouri Democrat". Switzler in turn was succeeded in the ownership of the "Democrat" by W. D. Jones, who, after running it two or three years sold it to Gordon Kapp. The Democrat was then changed to a daily and as such prospered for a year or so. The last two or three months it was edited and conducted by N. H. Johnson and Simpson after which Gordon

Kapp, who was the owner, disposed of the property. Some time during the 80's the "Boonville Tri-weekly Star" made its appearance under the management of Bert Plant, with whom was associated at different times a number of writers and editors. The paper was of a sensational character and its columns were open to various writers. It flourished for a while and died of mental exhaustion.

The "Western Christian Union" was started a number of years ago by the Rev. E. W. Pfaffenberger, which throughout the years has been a pleasing, interesting and beneficial journal.

The "Pilot Grove Bee" was established in 1882, the first number being issued the first week in September, by James Barton. It was a sevencolumn folio, and democratic in politics. This plant was purchased by J. J. Dickinson, afterwards major of the 6th Missouri regiment in the Spanish-American War and now a prominent newspaper man in New York City, and the name was changed to the "Pilot Grove Record". He was succeeded in ownership of the paper by Traughber and he in turn by D. L. Roe and Charles Houx, D. L. Roe eventually becoming the owner. D. L. Roe afterwards sold the paper to W. F. Johnson, who after conducting it about two years disposed of it to W. R. Annan. This paper sometime during the years was changed to the "Pilot Grove Record", its present name, and through successive changes came into the possession of G. B. Harland, who is now the owner and editor.

In this history of the newspapers of Cooper County, we should not omit from the list the "Shave Tail Courier", which deserves honorable men-

At an early day, Napoleon Beatty, quite an original character, lived 18 miles west of Boonville, in Cooper County, on what was called Shave Tail Creek. In that vicinity a store was located, the predominating articles of trade being tobacco and whiskey, the latter the matutinal drink of the old pioneer. Beatty was noted for his bonhommie, and was not only the recognized fiddler of the neighborhood where he resided, but was intensely fond of and well posted in all the rural games and sports of that day. During his early manhood he was

"In wrestling nimble, in running swift; In shooting steady, in swimming strong. Well made to strike, to leap, to throw or lift, And all the sports that shepherds are among."

His fiddle was his inseparable companion, and when spending an evening with friends, he had the happy faculty of discoursing to them the most delightful music, always accompanying his instrument with a unique and improvised song, which was replete with wise and startling hits and felicitous inuendoes, touching the vulnerability of some one or more of his entranced and rustic auditors.

Beatty was the sole editor and proprietor of the "Shave Tail Courier", which appeared, at regular intervals, in manuscript form. The happenings, the sayings and the doings of the neighborhood were faithfully gathered and garnered by this original chronicler, who read aloud his paper to his admirers, in his own inimitable style. If there occurred a dance in the locality, a record of it was made in the "Courier". If a quilting party or a shooting match came off, the particulars were given in the "Courier". If a wedding took place, the event was mentioned in a recherche manner in the "Courier". The bride was the special theme for highest eulogium, and the wedded pair elicited the warmest wishes for their future happiness, in fact, the "Courier", like the good mirror, reflected not only the redoubtable editor's views of matters and things, but reflected as well, on popular subjects, the will of the people.

The "Blackwater News" was established in Blackwater, Mo., in the seventies by Thomas Horn, who was a forceful and vigorous writer. It was conducted by him until the time of his death and is now successfully managed by his widow, Mrs. Horn.

lication of the "Central Missouri Republican". The first issue of this paper appeared July 1, 1884. Some of the prime movers and stockholders in the enterprise were Eugene Haller, Prof. A. H. Sauter, Martin Haller, and Col. C. C. Bell. Others were interested also but we have not the names at hand. This journal continued under various editorial management until about 1904 when Mitchell and Mitchell became the owners, who after conducting the paper a year or so, sold it to John M. Grimes, who in turn sold it to Meadow. In a short time, however, Mitchell again became the proprietor and conducted the paper until his death. Ferguson and Harte then purchased the same from the widow of Mr. Mitchell on the first day of February, 1915. Ferguson retired from any connection in August of that year and Mr. Houston Harte is now the proprietor and editor of the same. It is an up-to-date, newsy, and bright paper.

The present Bunceton "Weekly Eagle" was established in Bunceton in 1888 by the late J. Monroe Norris under the name of the "Bunceton Enterprise". In a short time Mr. Norris sold the paper to Asa W. Pizer and Dr. J. B. Norman, who in turn sold it in 1889 or 1890 to W. E. Gold, who changed the name to the "Bunceton Weekly Eagle". After publishing the paper a short time Gold sold to J. L. (Fritz) Johnson, who in turn sold to C. L. Cully, who upon his appointment to the postmastership in Bunceton, sold to L. 0. Nelson, in June, 1893.

Soon after acquiring the "Eagle" Mr. Nelson took into partnership with him his brother, W. L. Nelson, and the firm name became L. 0. and W. L. Nelson and remained such until Aug., 1915, when L. 0. Nelson relinquished the active management of the paper to become postmaster at Bunceton. Edgar C. Nelson, who had been connected .with the "Eagle" in a reportorial capacity for several years, became the active publisher and the firm name became Nelson Bros.

The "Eagle" is the most widely read newspaper in Cooper County and is known all over Missouri as a county farm and stock weekly. For many years special attention has been given to county farm and stock news and the "Eagle" has had a wonderful success along that line. It is never less than eight pages, all home print, and during the busy season in the spring it often carries from 12 to 16 pages.

In politics the "Eagle" has always been Democratic. It is one of the few weeklies in Missouri that is strictly cash in advance as regards subscriptions, and its readers seem to appreciate this policy.