USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. I > Part 81
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"The Detroit Daily Gazette" was first issued December 19, 1842, by Sheldon McKnight, who also published a weekly edition. This sheet existed about three years.
"The American Vineyard," a temperance and anti-Catholic publication, issued by E. McDonald, ran from September, 1843, until May 19, 1848.
"The Detroit Daily News" was first published July 7, 1845, by M. P. Christian, C. A. Hedges, E. M. Geiger, J. Campbell, and D. H. Solis. This was considered the best daily newspaper of Detroit up to that time, insofar as quality of news and make-up was concerned.
"The Western Excelsior," in the interest of the colored population of the city, was first published March 29, 184S.
One of the most elaborate publications of carly Detroit was "Wellman's Literary Miscellany," established by J. K. Wellman. The first number was issued in July, 1849, with D. F. Quinby as editor. It was an oetavo of forty- eight pages and within a comparatively short time the subscription list had reached six thousand. In February, 1851, the publication was sold to Luther Beecher and D. F. Quinby and its name changed to "The Monthly Literary Miscellany." In July, 1852, Beecher sold his interest to H. S. Sparks and a Mr. Russell and later A. G. Wood came into the company. In January, 1853,
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the name was again changed to "The Western Literary Miscellany," and a few months later Quinby bought out his three partners and in turn sold, on August 20, 1853, to Mrs. E. M. Sheldon. Again the name was altered to "The Western Literary Cabinet." The last number of the magazine was issued in August, 1854.
"The Detroit Daily Herald," John N. Ingersoll and W. T. Young, proprietors, existed from November 26, 1849, until December 6, 1850.
"The Monthly Hesperian and Odd Fellows' Literary Magazine" appeared in January, 185C, and was published by John N. Ingersoll and Henry Barns. The firm of Moulton, Craw & Company was afterward the publishers and during the last year of the three years' life of the paper the title was "The Monthly Hesperian and American Literary Magazine."
"The Peninsular Fountain," a temperance publication, was first published May 17, 1851, with Henry C. Knight, editor. Its life lasted about a year.
"The Northwestern Musical Herald," under Alex. MeFarren, publisher, and Charles Hess, editor, appeared in May, 1851, for a brief existence.
"The Detroit Commercial Bulletin," George W. Pattison, editor, a revival of an old publication, died with the burning of the Cooper building April 16, 1852, having been on the boards about two years at the time.
"The Detroit Catholic Vindicator," edited by Thomas R. Elliott and pub- lished by Daniel O'Hara, had its start April 30, 1853. In January, 1860, it was merged with the "Detroit Guardian," a Catholic weekly, which continued for about five months under T. C. Fitzgibbons.
"The Detroit Daily Times," the second paper of the name in Detroit, was published by G. S. Conklin and E. T. Sherlock, with John N. Ingersoll as editor. The first number appeared under date of May, 1853. It was purchased by Inger- soll & Tenny in November, 1854, and sold in December, 1855, to an association of journeymen printers, who continued its publication until the following spring.
"The Michigan Journal of Education and Teachers' Magazine" was estab- lished with the number of January, 1854, and was published by G. E. Pomeroy and Company, and edited by E. O. Haven, who afterward became a notable educator. For a number of years this paper was published at Ann Arbor, under several different editors, but was finally removed to Detroit again and here expired about 1860.
"The Ashlar," a monthly devoted to Masonry, was first printed in September, 1854, by Allyn Weston, and continued for several years.
"The Daily Evening News," the second paper in Detroit to bear that title, was first issued March 19, 1856, by the Franklin Printing Association, which was composed of William S. Bond, Charles S. Stevenson, Charles Miller, O. S. Burdick, Franklin D. Ross, and Henry Metz. Notwithstanding the fact that the subscription list mounted to 5,000, trouble arose among the managers and after about three months the sheet was discontinued.
"The Fireman's Journal," a weekly, first issued in September, 1856, by George W. Pattison, was in existence as late as 1861.
"Preston's United States Bank Note Reporter," made its first appearance December 4, 1856, with David Preston as proprietor. It was published semi- monthly for about five years, then monthly until December, 1865, when it disappeared.
"Brown's Reporter," by John Brown, then by J. H. Kaple & Company, lived from 1857 until 1859.
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"The Magazine of Travel" was published from January, 1857, to 1858 by Warren and Warren P. Isham.
"The Young Mens' Journal and Advocate of Temperance" was published in September, 1859, by Green & Brown. It survived about two years, then gave place to "The Transcript," a temperance paper published by S. D. Green. "The Detroit Herald," weekly, came in about 1859 under the editorship of Cornelius O'Flynne and Dr. Alvord. It was discontinued in 1861.
"The Spirit of the Week," a military and sporting paper, Frederick Speed, editor, was first issued March 17, 1860.
"The Michigan Democrat" was published by John S. Bagg in 1860, but lived only a few months.
"The People's Press," a workingman's paper, published by S. J. Martin, was issued from December, 1860, until April, 1861. Thomas C. Fitzgibbons was editor.
"The True Democrat" was printed in the office of George W. Pattison as a campaign paper in the fall of 1863.
"Froth," an illustrated comie weekly, was first printed, or lithographed, December 12, 1864, by a number of men connected with the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad. It was discontinued in November, 1865.
"The Detroit Journal of Commerce," weekly, established in 1865 by Thomas K. Miller, was merged in 1871 with "The Daily Sun," which latter paper was first issued October 2, 1864, and continued until 1876.
"The Peninsular Herald" was first issued at Romeo, Michigan, in June, 1864. It was afterward moved to Detroit, where it made its first appearance October 24, 1866. It was published and edited by Rev. John Russell and C. P. Russell. With several other owners it continued until February 1, 1872, when the name was changed to "The New World." It was finally abandoned July 3, 1873.
"The Detroit Price Current" was a small weekly issued during 1866 and 1867.
"The Detroit Monitor," a daily evening paper, published by Joseph Warren, was first issued June 1, 1867, and lasted four months.
"The Mechanic and Inventor" was first issued September 23, 1867, as the official paper of the Mechanics' and Inventors' Association. In December, 1874, it was merged with "The Scientific Manufacturer," a paper established by R. A. Sprague in September, 1873. After the merger of the two papers, the publication was called "The Scientific Manufacturer and Patent Intel- ligeneer." In the autumn of 1874 it was merged in turn with "The Journal of Commerce," the second paper of the name, established in 1874, and in April, 1876, the last-named paper was consolidated with "The Sunday Times." In February, 1877, this sheet was discontinued.
"The Odd Fellows' Wreath," first published at Mason, was first issued in Detroit September 1, 1868, by D. B. Harrington. In August, 1869, it was moved to Chicago and called "The Western Odd Fellow."
"Our Yankee Land," monthly, ran from January, 1872, until October, 1873.
"The Mystic Star," a Masonic monthly, edited by Rev. John M. Arnold, was published in 1872 and part of the following year, then moved to Chicago.
"The Boy of the Period," a small monthly, began November, 1872, and finished in August, 1876.
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"The Better Age," a temperance sheet, was published by J. Russell & Son on December 6, 1873. In the following October it was moved to Chicago.
"The Detroit Weekly Price Current," William R. Millard, manager, was first published in December, 1875, and discontinued in November, 1882.
"The Little People," by Johnstone & Gibbons, was published during the year 1875.
"Truth for the People," a weekly, was started January 1, 1875, by Mrs. M. J. E. Millar. On August 1, 1879, its name was changed to "The Michigan Truth Teller," but it failed to survive longer than 1880.
"The Capitol," one of the first high school publications, was issued in 1876 and 1877.
An interesting newspaper venture which was the result of a strike among the compositors of the "Evening News" was the publication of "The Evening Star" from September 23d to October 7, 1876.
"The Traveler's Illustrated Official Railway Reporter" was first issued in October, 1876, by the Western Railway Advertising Company. Two numbers only were put forth.
"The Detroit Daily Hotel Reporter and Railway Guide," the initial number of which was issued March 17, 1877, by William J. H. Traynor, was discontinued in the fall of 1885.
"The Marine Record" was a short-lived paper in 1877.
"The American Workman," "Rose's Nose," "The Red and White Ribbon" and "The Western Era" were other short-lived publications of 1877 and 1878.
"The Detroit National," the state organ of the greenback party, was issued for a year from February 28, 1878, by H. A. Griffin, then was merged with "Every Saturday."
"The Detroit Society News," the first publication of this nature in Detroit, was edited by Rev. Eugene D. Daniels. It was a weekly publication and continued from December 14, 1878, to March, 1880, when it was sold and re- established as "Every Saturday" by Moore & Parker. Subsequent owners were William H. Brearley, H. A. Ford and Miss Alice Cary. This paper, which was devoted to literary and society topics, was discontinued August 8, 1885.
"The Michigan Weekly Sun" was published here from January to October, 1879, by Horatio N. Mather, then moved to Jackson, Michigan.
"The Socialist," weekly, owned by the Detroit section of the socialist labor party, was issued from October 13, 1877, until June 8, 1878, then merged with "The National Socialist" of Cincinnati. Judson Grenell was the editor.
"The Michigan Homestead" made its appearance November 14, 1878, and in September, 1880, was merged with "The Agricultural World" of Grand Rapids.
"The Popular Era," a paper for the colored people, was first published by Albert Swain on May 31, 1879, but lived only until the following November.
"Moore's Masonic Messenger" was a monthly published by Charles Moore, beginning in October, 1879. It was discontinued in March, 1881, on account of Mr. Moore's death.
"Public Spirit," an illustrated weekly, was issued by L. A. Rose and Pat Reilly from July 12th to October 4, 1879, and then by William J. H. Traynor as "The Detroit Graphic." It was discontinued in February, 1881.
"The Sunday Herald" was first issued November 9, 1879, by J. F. Burnham. It was a weekly society paper. In June, 1881, the owner bought "The Detroit
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Times," which had been established in April, 1SS1. The "Herald," however, was discontinued November 20, 1SS1.
"Chaff," also a society paper, was first issued March 26, 1SS1, by D. J. McDonald and Lloyd Brezee. It was discontinued November 15, 1SS5.
"The Lever," a temperance weekly, first published at Grand Rapids, was first issued at Detroit in August, 1SS0. The last number here was dated March 16, 1883, and then the paper was moved to Chicago.
"Detroit Illustrated," a monthly quarto, published by Wesson & Wood, ran from September, ISSO, until December, ISS1.
"The Daily Mail" ran for thirty-five numbers after July 24, 1879.
"The Northwestern Review," a literary monthly, was published from January, 1880, until sometime in 1882.
"The Labor Review," monthly, published by Joseph A. Labadie, Judson Grenell, and Henry Pool, ran from January to July, 1880. It was revived in August, 1SS1, by Henry Pool as a semi-monthly, and continued until March, 1882.
"Our Catholic Youth," an illustrated monthly, by John C. Lappan, began in August, ISSO, and ended in February, 1882.
"The Detroit Unionist," semi-monthly, first came out March 10, 1SS2, and ceased March 28, 1SS3.
"The Evening Telegram," daily, by Rich & Son, lasted from August Sth to October 23, 1882. It was continued as "The Detroit Daily Times" from October 24, 1882, to January 31, 1SS3.
"The Western Land Guide," monthly, was inaugurated in May, 1883, by Willcox & Howell. It was discontinued in the fall of ISS6.
"The National People," an organ for colored people, published by W. A. Sweeney, was first issued in April and discontinued in July, 1SS3.
"The Detroit Times," a morning daily, was first issued December 4, 1883, at 47 Larned Street, West, and was conducted by a stock company. Charles Moore, Charles M. Parker, D. J. McDonald and Frank E. Robinson were managers. Fire completely destroyed the plant on the morning of April 11, 1884, but with the assistance of the other Detroit printing establishments, the edition came out as usual. It was sold to Lloyd Brezee November 22, 1884, but the paper was suspended with the issue of February 26, 1885.
"THE DETROIT TRIBUNE"
The history of this important paper in Detroit is a record of many con- solidations. The first paper which may be called the ancestor of the "Tribune" was "The Northwestern Journal," which was published first by George L. Whitney on November 20, 1829. It was a weekly, edited by William Ward, and established by the political friends of John Quincy Adams. At the close of its first year of existence the name was changed to "The Detroit Journal and Michigan Advertiser," the first issue of which under the new title came out November 24, 1830, and thereafter on Wednesdays, published by George L. Whitney. In 1831 Mr. Ward was succeeded as editor by H. W. Bellows, later a well-known Unitarian minister. Charles Cleland and Thomas Rowland were editors before 1833. On March 1, 1833, the paper was called "The De- troit Journal" and issued as a five-column semi-weekly. George Watson and George Corselius were editors of this sheet after Rowland left in September, 1834. On August 28, 1835, the paper was made a tri-weekly.
DAILY
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DETROIT DAILY POST BUILDING, NORTHEAST CORNER LARNED AND SHELBY
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The first paper merged with "The Detroit Journal" was "The Detroit Courier." The latter publication had been established by Stephen Wells on December 23, 1830, as a literary and religious newspaper. It was edited by George Brewster and issued every Thursday. William Ward, Franklin Sawyer, Jr., Wells & Ladd, Charles Cleland, Thomas M. Ladd & Company were asso- ciated editorially or managerially with the "Courier" during its span of life, which was one of frequent trouble. The last number of the paper appeared January 14, 1835, and thereafter it was a part of the "Journal," the consoli- dated papers having been published under the title of "The Detroit Journal and Courier." The first number appeared January 21, 1835. In the following month a semi-weekly edition, known as "The Journal and Advertiser," was established, and in August a tri-weekly edition was inaugurated.
The need of a daily issue, in order to keep pace with the times, soon became evident. Accordingly, on June 11, 1836, the first number of the "Detroit Daily Advertiser," by George L. Whitney, appeared. Subsequent owners and proprietors of this paper until 1842 were F. A. Harding, Franklin Sawyer, Jr., Augustus S. Porter, George Dawson, Morgan Bates, Gen. A. S. Williams. The plant of the "Advertiser" was destroyed by fire on January 1, 1842, at which time the location was in the third story of a building at the southwest corner of Woodward and Jefferson avenues. The regular edition was interrupted only three days, however.
The next paper taken in by the "Advertiser" was the "Daily Express," which had been first issued as an evening paper on June 2, 1845, by the firm of Smith & Gulley. Thereafter it was published for about six months, or until November 29, 1845, when the business was sold out to the "Advertiser." General Williams remained as editor of the latter publication until 1848, when N. I. Rawson, H. H. Duncklee and George W. Wisner became the proprietors. Before 1855 Rufus Hosmer, E. A. Wales, Allyn Weston and Mortimer M. Thompson were associated with the paper as editors or proprietors.
On June 30, 1855, four more newspapers were consolidated with the " Adver- tiser." These were: the "Free Democrat," "Michigan Organ of Temperance," "The Michigan Temperance Advocate" and "The Daily Enquirer." The "Free Democrat" had been established in the fall of 1852 by Rev. S. A. Baker. "The Michigan Organ of Temperance" was started May 12, 1852, and in 1853 was consolidated with "The Michigan Temperance Advocate," which had been established in December, 1852. Both the latter papers were merged with "The Free Democrat" prior to the merger with the "Advertiser." "The Free Democrat" was consolidated with "The Daily Enquirer" on February 5, 1855. The latter newspaper had been established January 18, 1854, with Rufus Hosmer, editor, and after the consolidation was called "The Democrat and Enquirer." Four months after its first issue, or, on June 30, 1855, it was con- solidated with "The Advertiser," which was given the stamp of republicanism under the editorship of Rufus Hosmer. This paper was issued an evening daily until November 19, 1855, during which time a weekly, "The Michigan Free Democrat," was also published. Silas M. Holmes, Frederick Morley, James E. Scripps and Martin Geiger were proprietors afterward until July 8, 1862, when "The Advertiser" was consolidated with "The Detroit Daily Tribune," the latter a whig paper established as a weekly October 23, 1849, under the management of Josiah Snow and Henry Barns and financed by Thomas C. Miller.
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During its existence "The Advertiser" had many locations. First located on the southeast corner of Woodward and Jefferson, it was later moved to the southwest corner, where the plant was destroyed by fire, as mentioned before. Then it was moved to the Sheldon Bloek, then back to the original location on Woodward and Jefferson, then to 226 Jefferson Avenue. In the autumn of 1852 E. A. Wales erected a special building for the paper at 212 Jefferson.
"The Tribune" soon absorbed the "Peninsular Freeman," a free soil paper which had first been issued in the fall of 1848 by Robert MeBratney and J. D. Liggett. "The Tribune" changed hands first in July, 1851, when Henry Barns and Benjamin G. Stimson became owners, and thereafter, or until the consolidation with the "Advertiser," George E. Pomeroy, B. Wight, Joseph Warren, Thomas C. Miller, James F. Conover, Joseph French and Francis B. Way were identified with the sheet. The "Tribune" was afflicted with fires. the nemesis of the early newspaper plant. The office on the northeast corner of Woodward and Woodbridge was burned May 18, 1856, and on December 31, 1858, it was again consumed by fire. Then the paper was printed at the "Ad- vertiser" office until removed to Shelby Street just north of Jefferson on the east side.
After the consolidation with "The Advertiser," the "Tribune" took the name of "The Advertiser and Tribune" and was published at the "Advertiser" office on Jefferson Avenue. The management of the new paper was vested in a cor- poration, headed by Henry Barns and James E. Seripps and a board of five directors. In January, 1864, the company bought "The Detroit Free Union," a semi-monthly which had been started July 18, 1863, by Frederick B. Porter. Eber B. Ward, James E. Seripps, Hiram Walker, Edward C. Walker, James F. Conover, Charles K. Backus, William M. Carleton and H. E. Baker were associ- ated with "The Advertiser and Tribune" either as proprietors or editors until 1877. In 1870 the paper was published from a building erected for the purpose on West Larned Street and in July, 1872, the first Hoe four-cylinder type-re- volving press in the state was installed.
ยท "The Advertiser and Tribune" was consolidated with "The Detroit Daily Post" in the year 1877. The last-named newspaper began publication March 27, 1866, as an eight-page daily. The paper was republican in color and was established by a stock company, of which Zachariah Chandler and Eber B. Ward were leaders. "Zach" Chandler was really the moving spirit behind the establishment of the "Detroit Daily Post," as he desired to start some opposi- tion to the old republican "Tribune" which had tried to dynamite his political ambitions. Carl Sehurz was editor for a time, followed by Frederick Morley. From January, 1876, until its consolidation with "The Advertiser and Tribune," the "Post" was edited by William Stocking.
The first number of the consolidated papers was issued October 14, 1877, and bore the title of "The Post and Tribune." A paper called "The Evening Telegraph" was issued by the same company for a little over a year. "The Post and Tribune" was sold to a stock company March 1, 1881. and a few weeks later William Stocking became managing editor of the paper, which position he retained until 1883, when Frederick Morley became the manager of both the business and editorial departments. On August 1, 1884, the publication was taken over by Joseph L. Stiekney and on the same date the unwieldy title was shortened to "The Daily Post." In 1885 the paper again changed hands and Charles A. Nimocks became proprietor. Again on August 1, 1886, James H.
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Stone received the management, acting for the interests of influential republican party leaders. On January 1, 1891, the "Tribune" was sold to James E. Scripps, and the ownership was then unchanged until its merger with the "Detroit News" on February 1, 1915.
"The Commercial Advertiser and Michigan Home Journal" was founded in 1861 by Charles F. Clark as a weekly publication under the title of "The Commercial Advertiser." The paper became the property of William H. Burk in 1863 and in the autumn of 1866 the first named title was adopted. This publication continued to be issued in Detroit until 1905, when it dropped out of sight.
"The Agricultural and Horticultural Journal" was established by the firm of Pope & Coleman January 1, 1869, with R. A. Koss as editor, and continued to be published until 1887.
"The Progress of the Age," a semi-weekly, was established in January, 1872 by Pope & Coleman and continued until about 1894. In 1887 the name was Germanized to "Fortshritt der Zeit."
"The Public Leader," devoted to the interests of wine, beer and liquor merchants, was started May 19, 1874, by a stock company and was published until about 1905.
"The Family Circle," by Pope & Coleman, a weekly first issued in January, 1878, had expired by the year 1887.
"The Michigan A. O. U. W. Herald," organ of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, was first issued in May, 1878, and lasted until about 1905.
"The Family Herald," a weekly story paper, published first by William J. H. Traynor May 7, 1881, continued until 1886.
"The Detroit Plaindealer," a weekly in the interests of the colored popula- tion, was first published May 16, 1883, by Jacob Coleman, Robert and Benjamin Pelham, R. Redman and W. Stone. This paper, which was republican in politics, continued until about 1895.
"The Center" was a weekly temperance paper, the successor of "The Michigan Prohibitionist," which was first issued August 28, 1884. The name was changed to "The Center" April 25, 1885, when Rev. Frank B. Cressey purchased the paper from a stock company. The paper was published until the early '90s.
"The Microscope," monthly journal, established in January, 1881, was first published at Ann Arbor, then in 1887 removed to Detroit, where it was issued until about 1893.
"The Detroit Trade Journal," later known as the "Detroit Trade Journal and Michigan Courier," was started by G. W. Halford on May 20, 1884, and lasted for about ten years.
"The Lamp of Life," monthly, was first issued in 1882 at Bay City by Rev. J. S. Smart, afterward moved to Albion, then to Detroit, where it continued as a magazine of "experimental religion" until about ten years later.
"The Labor Leaf" was first issued by the Detroit Typographical Union November 1, 1884, as a campaign paper, with Charles S. Bell as manager. In March, 1885, John R. Burton became owner. He improved the paper and in February, 1887, sold it to J. M. McGregor. On February 19th of the same year the title was changed to "The Advance and Labor Leaf," but the publica- tion lived but a short time afterward.
"The Freemason," a weekly paper for the Masonic craft, was first published
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November 15, 1884, and issued by Latour Brothers. This sheet survived until the early '90s.
"The Index" or "The Detroit Index," a weekly sheet, was published for the first time November 15, 1877, by T. J. Crowe and had a life of something over fifteen years.
"The American Meteorological Journal" was established in May, 1884, as a monthly by the W. H. Burr Publishing Company, with quarters in Mechanics' Hall. This journal was out by 1887, however.
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