USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 41
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"All who may think we are now going to bind ourselves by many promises as to what shall be our future course of action, are sadly mistaken. We always have been obstinate, and bound, we will not be. We profess to be ruled by no party, clique or set. Shall endeavor to make the Review an advocate of that which we believe to be right.
"It shall be our aim, however, to devote the paper, first, to local news and interests; in furtherance of that object we invite a correspondence from all
THEODORE ROOSEVELT AT DENISON
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REVIEW BUILDING UNDER CONSTRUCTION Issuing the paper in old frame building while brick block was under construction
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upon any interesting topic. In its columns may be found all the official news of the county.
"Politically, it will be radically republican. Working with the republican party so long as their principles accord with truth and justice. Yet we propose to treat honestly all who may differ with us politically, and not to indulge in personal political abuse.
"Fun, art, agriculture and general miscellany will each have their due share of attention.
"All in all, we shall endeavor to give you a live paper, and one that we trust you may be proud of. We ask your support and influence in extending its circulation, feeling confident that we ask not in vain."
The form of the paper was soon changed to an eight-column, four-page paper, part of it being printed in Chicago. It continued in this form until 1873, when it was changed to its present form, a six-column paper of eight pages.
The Review prospered under the management of Mr. Ainsworth for sev- eral years; finally, however, he suffered from severe mental trouble and the Review was temporarily edited by Mr. H. C. Laub and other of Mr. Ains- worth's friends, but finally he was able to resume the editorship.
In the year 1874, Mr. J. Fred Meyers, who was at that time a chief of division in the Treasury Department at Washington, D. C., visited Denison looking for a location. He became interested in the village and was assured the cordial support of the people. Accordingly, in the fall of 1874, he pur- chased the Review, the editorship of which was to be his life work. Mr. Meyers retained an active interest in the Review and its fortunes until the time of his death, May 1, 1898. He was sole editor and publisher until 1882, when he sold the paper to Wrigley Brothers, although he continued to be the editorial writer. In April, 1884, he repurchased the paper taking as his partner his son, Charles K. Meyers. During much of the years following, Mr. J. Fred Meyers was absent from the city, having been appointed to a position in the treasury department by President Harrison, and the management of the paper was in the hands of his son, with the exception of the editorial columns. In 1893, this partnership was dissolved, Mr. Charles Meyers going to Mason City, where with his brother, F. W. Meyers, the Cerro Gordo County Republican was pur- chased. Following this Mr. Meyers leased the Review to Mr. C. E. Wood, who retired from the paper July 1, 1897, when it was leased to F. W. Meyers and E. F. Tucker. They continued the publication of the paper for several years, Mr. Meyers later leasing his interests to Mr. Tucker. Mr. F. W. Meyers re- sumed control of the paper January 1, 1905. Soon after that the Review Pub- lishing Company was formed with Mr. Meyers as editor and manager. This position he resigned January 1, 1910, having sold his interests to Hon. J. P. Conner, the Review being now under the management of his son, R. P. Conner, with F. W. Meyers as editorial contributor.
Under the editorial management of Mr. J. Fred Meyers, the Review was one of the best known and most largely quoted newspapers in Iowa. It had a great and commanding influence with a large circle of readers and the edi- torial portion of the paper was the one first read and longest remembered. For many years the Review occupied a frame building on the corner of Main and
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Tremont streets and this was finally succeeded by the handsome brick structure on the same site. The office is one of the best equipped of its kind, being pro- vided with a linotype machine of latest model, with good press and all needed equipment. The Review has been consistently republican since its first issue and has done much in the support of its party principles and to secure those honors which have been worthily bestowed upon Denison citizens from time to time. The Review now has a circulation of 2,800, and may well be con- sidered one of the strong weekly papers of Iowa.
THE DENISON BULLETIN.
With the growth of Denison occurred that healthy division of public opinion which is the life of any town. The political unanimity which prevailed im- mediately after the war was broken by differences on economic questions and this state of affairs made an opening for another newspaper in Denison. To Mr. G. W. Stephens, the founder of the Review, must also be given the credit for founding the Denison Bulletin, which began its existence in 1873, with Stephens and Daniels as editors and publishers. After two years the interest of Mr. Daniels was purchased by Mr. A. B. Keith who had, prior to that time, been employed on a Dunlap paper. A building was erected on Broadway, which was the home of the Bulletin for many years. In 1875, Mr. Keith pur- chased Mr. Stephens' interest and the paper, which started as an independent organ, became Democratic.
Mr. Keith was a clever and brilliant writer and a good newspaper man. Unfortunately the careers of both the Review and the Bulletin during these and succeeding years were marred by many bitter personalities which form the only dark pages in Crawford county's newspaper history. The political revo- lution of the early 'Sos by which Crawford became a democratic county, gave added prosperity to the Bulletin and it continued a successful career under the management of Mr. Keith until 1889, when he sold the paper to Mr. Henry A. Cook, who was its editor and owner until 1897. In the campaign of 1896, Mr. Cook refused to follow the majority of his party in the support of Bryan, and this course caused such an estrangement among his party followers, that he thought best to retire from the field, and the paper was sold to a stock company composed of a number of prominent democrats of the county. In the fall of 1897, Mr. G. L. Caswell, came from Rock Rapids, Iowa, and purchased the paper which he has since edited, continuing it as an exponent of democratic doctrines. In 1902, Mr. Caswell purchased the corner property on Main and Tremont streets directly south of the opera house, and on the site of Denison's first store building, and in 1903, the Bulletin moved into the first home of its own which it ever had. In 1910, the old building was replaced by a modern, two-story and basement, brick building which makes a very pleasant and suit- able newspaper home. In 1905, the Bulletin was equipped with a Unitype typesetting machine, and in 1910 the office was further equipped with electric power, completing what is now a modern and up-to-date plant. The paper is now published as a twelve-page, six-column weekly, and gives excellent news
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service. There will always be room for two strong well edited newspapers in Denison, and both will doubtless continue their successful careers for many years to come.
THE VAIL OBSERVER.
The oldest paper in Crawford county outside of Denison is the Vail Ob- server, which is now in its thirty-third year. The Observer was founded by G. A. W. Davidson, in May, 1878. In 1879, the paper was purchased by J. Otto Engstrom, who again sold it in 1880, to Gregg and Roberts. The Ob- server began life as a six-column, four-page paper, printed all at home; later it was changed to an eight-column folio and ready prints were used. Mr. Rob- erts bought the interest of Mr. Gregg and conducted the Observer until his death, in the spring of 1881, when his father, J. H. Roberts, Sr., ran it for a short time before disposing of it to H. C. Ford.
October 1, 1881, Mr. Davidson repurchased the paper and soon after changed it to a five-column quarto. In 1885, he sold to Mr. R. A. Nicholson who again changed the paper to its present size as a six-column quarto and who con- ducted it most successfully until June, 1897, when he sold to Mr. C. C. Vail. Mr. Nicholson, enlarged the plant in many ways, adding a new job press and replacing the old hand newspaper press by a cylinder press. Mr. Vail also added much to the office installing gasoline power and making other improve- ments. January 1, 1910, Mr. Vail sold the Observer to Mr. M. J. Monaghan, the present publisher, who is proving both popular and successful.
In politics, the Observer has always been run on a strictly non-partisan basis, thus avoiding the enmities usually incurred by political organs. Its sole aim is to give the news of the people of Vail and Crawford county. It enjoys an excellent advertising patronage and shows every sign of prosperity.
DIE DENISON ZEITUNG.
In point of seniority, the next paper in Crawford county is Die Denison Zeitung, established in 1879, by J. Fred Meyers, as a German edition of the Review. The fact that this paper was found necessary and profitable is evi- dence of the large German emigration which had already taken place. Die Zeitung, for many years had its home with the Review and was under the direct editorial control of Mr. J. Fred Meyers. During the later years of Re- view ownership, Mr. Frank Faul was employed as editor. The fact that Mr. Meyers remained a republican while a larger part of his German constituents entered the democratic party, caused such dissatisfaction with the editorial management of the Zeitung that Mr. Meyers found it advisable to dispose of the paper and he accordingly sold it to Prof. J. F. Harthun, who had come to Denison as a teacher of a German school founded by the Germania Verein. Mr. Harthun has been a successful publisher of the Zeitung for many years. His paper is independent in politics and has a wide following. He is a polished German scholar, and is highly respected by his constituents.
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CRAWFORD COUNTY DEMOKRAT.
This paper was founded in 1887, and was first owned by a stock company of prominent German democrats, with Mr. Frank Faul as editor. Mr. Faul became the owner of the paper in 1897, and continued as editor and publisher until January 1, 1911, when he sold the paper to Mr. Henry Finnern and Mr. Otto Vosgerau, who are the present publishers. As its name implies, the paper has always been democratic in politics and has filled its field of useful- ness with much credit. The present publishers are young and ambitious men of experience as printers and publishers and under their management the Demo- krat will undoubtedly continue to be a strong factor among the newspapers of the town.
DOW CITY ENTERPRISE.
The Dow City Enterprise is the direct descendant of the "Boyer Valley Clipper." established in Dow City in December, 1888, with E. E. Nichols, then superintendent of the school, as editor. Mr. Nichols continued the publication of the Clipper until February, 1891, when it was purchased by A. H. Rudd, who continued to publish it by that name, until May of the same year, when it was changed to its present title, "The Enterprise." Mr. Rudd continued as editor until April, 1895, when the paper was leased to A. E. Pelton, who pre- sided over its destinies until January 1, 1896, when T. J. Wayne became its editor and continued until July 1, 1896, when the owner A. H. Rudd, resumed charge. Mr. Rudd has been the editor and publisher since that time. When the paper was purchased by Mr. Rudd, the consideration was only $200, but he has added to it from time to time until it is now equipped with large and modern power presses, gasoline engine, and all the other necessary machinery and type for a large and complete office. The Enterprise started in a small rented room, and it is now in a home of its own, yielding excellent returns to its capable and well known editor. The earnings of the office for the first year under the present ownership were about $800, and in 1910 the earnings were $3,230.
Prior to the establishment of The Clipper, a paper known as the Criterion, was published in Dow City, having been established in 1878, by F. Bangs. The life of this paper was about one year. Even prior to this Dow City enjoyed newspaper privileges through the medium of a written paper which was read at Lyceum readings.
THE CHARTER OAK TIMES.
The Charter Oak Times was one of the first papers established along the line of the Manilla and Sioux City branch of the Milwaukee. The paper was founded by J. Edward McMullen, and we will let him tell his own story as to the starting of the paper. Mr. McMullen says :
"In May, 1887, by invitation of citizens, I visited Charter Oak, reaching there about the time passenger traffic went into effect. The town was crude in
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its newness, for excepting the Old Oak store, kept by W. W. Cushman, hardly another building was completed. At Centerville, South Dakota, where I had come from, I was told what a barren and God-forsaken section of Iowa Char- ter Oak was in, but in driving over the hills, to my joy I found myself in the center of a rich and thriving' farm and stock country. I immediately de- cided that Charter Oak had the making of a splendid town, and set about to move my little printing outfit from Centerville. When it arrived, the only place I could find was a little tar-paper shack that stood behind the Old Oak store. It had been used as a bed-room for a wagon maker by the name of John Cooper, but for a newspaper, he gladly vacated. My first issue of the Times was in June, 1887. It was a seven-column folio, printed on pink paper, and a few years ago I was told that several copies were in existence. The paper took from the start, everybody wanted it, and as for advertising, I had so much that the Dunlap Herald once said: 'The Charter Oak Times has more advertising and less reading matter than any other paper in Iowa.'
"Charlie Wood erected an office and residence building for me and later the land company gave me a lot for advertising, and I soon had an office build- ing and home of my own. Shaw & Kuehnle loaned me $400 on my office outfit when I moved in from Dakota, and though I was slow in paying, they treated me royally. Owing to illness, I sold out in 1891, to Hills & Jennings, a sale which I have always regretted.
"Before the Times was established, Mr. J. Fred Meyers issued a small sheet from his office in Denison for the benefit of the then booming town, but when I came in he gracefully retired and then and forever after he was one of my best friends, and much of his advice I cherish to this day."
The present owner of the Charter Oak Times, H. H. Sturges, bought the business and the plant from F. L. Hills, who is at present recorder in Wood- bury county. Mr. Hills had held the possession of the paper only about six- teen months, but the months were crowded full of cares and sorrows, until he was glad to be released. While here his wife was taken sick, and for nearly a year she was in a hospital, at last giving up the struggle and leaving her family to travel the sea of life alone. After leaving Charter Oak he re- turned to his former home at Oto, there to regather his spent forces and regain his stand among the men of business.
Mr. Hills purchased it from Jenness & Shoup. Mr. Shoup had conducted the Herald and L. B. Jenness, later of Danbury, now gone west, purchased the Republican from W. S. McVey. They effected an agreement by which the two papers were merged, and the old name of the Times, which had been dropped on a former merging, was revived.
Mr. Sturges entered the Charter Oak field on the 23d day of June, 1901. Since that time he has been at the wheel. During the ten years of his management the paper has been increased in business, both in its advertis- ing patronage and circulation, and the plant has been materially improved. Power was added in 1908, and the type equipment doubled. The Charter Oak people are very loyal to their newspaper, and in return the publisher volunteers, thirteen dollars, seventy-five cents; for taking gun accoutrement and is doing his best to make it worthy of them.
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THE SCHLESWIG LEADER.
The town of Schleswig had been organized but a short time before the need of a newspaper was felt. This demand was met by the launching of the Schleswig Herold, edited by M. R. Hueschen. This paper made its first appearance January 1, 1900, and was printed in German. October 1, 1903, the paper was purchased by F. J. Branaka, who made it an English paper, with a portion printed in German, and who changed the name to "The Leader." Mr. Branaka continued with the paper until August 1, 1909, when it was purchased by the present editor, R. E. Vaughan. The paper is independent in politics, gives the news of the vicinity, and is popular with its people.
THE KIRON NEWSPAPERS.
Three months after the appearance of the Schleswig Herold, or to be more exact, on March 24, 1900, the first Kiron newspaper made its appearance. The paper owned by Ward Brothers, and was called the Sentinel. Later H. T. Ward became the sole owner, and he sold his interest to Lawrence & Son in 1905. These owners merged the "Sentinel" with "The News," the first issue of which appeared on Tuesday, February 22, 1902. The first issue of "The News" was an eight-page, home print sheet, eight by eleven inches in size. The subscription price was 25 cents per year. On the Saturday before the News and the Sentinel were to be consolidated, Fred A. Lawrence, the ambitious young editor, was stricken by death and P. C. Lawrence, a younger brother, be- came the editor.
The News continued under the management of J. A. Lawrence and P. C. Lawrence until August 18, 1910, when it was purchased by the present editor, E. B. Nordell. Mr. Nordell is a Crawford county boy, born in the old town of Kiron, in 1892. He gained his education in the schools of the county and at Denison College, and he entered the newspaper business without an hour's experience in the printing line. That he has made the "News" a success, speaks much for his grit and ability. The News is a good local paper and has ex- cellent support.
THE MANILLA ENTERPRISE.
The Manilla Enterprise represents the survival of the fittest in the Manilla newspaper field. For a number of years two newspapers struggled in the field which at that time was barely sufficient for one. The result as usual was poor newspapers, factional struggles, and ill feeling. Manilla is to be congratulated that it now has but one newspaper and that a good one.
Shortly after the town started, the Manilla Register was launched by a Mr. Baer. This plant was purchased by E. E. Nichols, who for many years was a factor in the newspaper history of the town. Several years later M. Morgan issued a paper known as the Manilla Advocate. This paper suspended publication and Mr. Morgan leased the Register, which he conducted for two years. Mr. Nichols then resumed charge of the Register, publishing it for a
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year after which it was suspended. In the meantime M. Morgan established the Manilla Republican. This paper lived for several years and until its sub- scription list was taken over by the Denison Review. The Manilla Monitor was another paper established in 1889, which led a precarious existence of only six months.
The Manilla Times was established August 11, 1899, by J. J. McDermott. It was first published as a five-column quarto, then enlarged to six columns, and is now a seven-column, eight-page paper. In 1907, the Enterprise publishing plant of Defiance, Iowa, together with the large stock catalogue printing busi- ness, was purchased of S. E. Zollinger, and the plant was moved to Manilla and consolidated with the Times. This gives the office a linotype and a first- class newspaper and job printing plant. The paper is independent in politics and has a large circulation and good advertising patronage, not only this, but it is as good a weekly paper as is published in any town the size of Manilla.
Not all the papers published in Crawford county have been successful. There have been a number of attempts to establish a third English paper in Denison, all of which have failed. Mr. Ben Spear issued a populist paper for some time. Mr. H. A. Cook made the most pretentious effort in this line, establishing the Journal, which was published as a gold democratic paper. The Journal was finally purchased by the Review, as was the last of the three papers attempted, which was edited by W. S. McVey. Mr. McVey was also at one time editor of the "Republican," published at Charter Oak, and of the Arion "Anchor." Manilla was also blessed with two papers for some time, the "Register," which was last published by Mr. Morgan, having been merged into the Denison Re- view, as was also the Arion Anchor. Taken all in all, the press of the county has been very creditable to its people although, as usual, the editors have given more and received less than almost any other class of people. The days of the "poor editor" have fortunately passed, however ; pumpkins and cord wood are no longer recognized legal tender in the editorial sanctums, and the newspapers of the county may now, all of them, be said to be on a good paying business basis.
WEST SIDE JOURNAL.
West Side seems to have been considered a splendid field for newspaper enterprise, and at one time there were three newspapers in the village. West Side has had a series of newspapers, and a number of well known pioneer edi- tors have graduated from that community. At present West Side rejoices in an excellent local paper styled The Journal and edited by Mr. Max Hueschen.
CHAPTER XXX.
THE OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.
One of the annual events which is becoming more interesting and important with each passing year is the Old Settlers' Picnic held under the auspices of the association of that name. These picnics have been the occasion for much elo- quence and fervid oratory but their chief charm lies in the meeting of old friends, the familiar faces seen again, the grasp of welcoming hands. No one who has not lived with these kindly, capable people for many years can appreciate them at their full value. It is not until one has lived with them and joyed with them and sorrowed with them, yea, not until one has gone down into the Valley of the Shadow with them and they with him, that he can really know the people of Crawford county for what they are.
For many the light of other days is round them, the gaps in the crowd are filled with shadowy faces, there are echoes from inaudible voices and smiles from unseen lips. The ranks of the pioneers are thinning fast. Very few re- main of all the young, intrepid men and women who found their homes in the well nigh trackless wilderness of Crawford county a half century ago. Of the period from 1860 to 1870 there are more but it is only after the third decade of county history is reached that we find them in considerable numbers. The death roll of the past eleven years speaks eloquently of the passing of the pioneer. The facts are that the genuine old settlers are becoming extinct and that the young settlers are becoming old. The old settlers' picnics have done much to foster the love of our county, of our homes and of each other. The institution is a part of the great melting pot in which German-Americans, Irish-Americans, Swedish-Americans, American-Americans lose their hyphenated names and be- come Americans one and all.
In previous chapters has been noted the gatherings out of which the Old Settlers' Picnics have had their origin. The Fourth of July celebrations with their "free dinners," at which almost every citizen of the county was present. The Centennial celebration at which Thos. Dobson, the first historian of the county, re-told the story of the early days, the first real gathering of old settlers as such at Deloit. The story has been thus brought down to the year 1900 and it is from this point that we take up the story of the old settlers' picnics.
The Picnic of 1900 .- This was held at Dow City and it was a great success. Hon. A. Van Wagenen, of Sioux City, was the orator of the day. Uncle Morris McHenry presided and among the speakers were J. R. Romans, Taylor Dunham Vol. I-24
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and John Dobson. Mrs. Bruner read an interesting history of the western part of the county, and Charles McHenry sang some of his inimitable songs. At the business meeting Mr. J. B. Romans was elected President, and it had long since become the honored and established custom to elect N. L. Hunt as secretary.
The Picnic of 1901 .- This was held at Denison on August 22nd. President J. B. Romans presided. Mayor A. D. Wilson gave the address of welcome and S. J. Woodruff the response. Hon. J. P. Conner was the chief orator and his address was followed by an original poem by J. L. Ainsworth. Mr. John Dobson read a biography of Mr. J. B. Huckstep, Hon. H. C. Laub a biography of Charles Noble and Uncle Morris McHenry read biographies of Ethan and Esau McKim and S. B. Greek. The three oldest children born in the county were found to be N. L. Hunt, Mrs. Mary Greek Carey and A. H. Rudd. The three oldest set- tlers present were Mrs. Margaret Mason Richardson, John Dobson and John Rudd. The officers elected were H. C. Laub, President; John Dobson, Vice President ; N. L. Hunt, Secretary ; and Morris McHenry, Historian.
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