USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. I > Part 82
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On January 1, 1871, there was first published a paper called "The Song Journal" by C. J. Whitney & Company. It suspended in April, 1877.
In the year 1885 there was established, or reestablished, in Detroit, "The Song Journal," devoted to topics relative to music and literature, and published monthly. About 1895 "The Song Journal" was succeeded by "The Concert- Goer," a publication which did not depart definitely from the style of the former. It was then being issued by Wilcox & Haigh and edited by J. C. Wilcox. By 1905, however, "The Concert-Goer" had been discontinued.
"The Detroit Daily Hotel Reporter" was issued for a few years in 1887.
"Detroit Every Saturday," a social, sporting and dramatic weekly, was established in 1879. Charles W. Irving was managing editor. This publication lived only about eight years.
"The Detroit Trade Journal," G. W. Halford, editor, a weekly issue, sus- pended publication about 1893.
"The International Printer," monthly, was started in June, 1885, by A. M. Dewey & Company, but survived scarcely two years.
"The Detroit Commercial" and "The Dilettant," publications of widely different intent, were, however, of similar destiny-an early demise about 1886.
"The Michigan Builder," a weekly under the management of W. C. Cunning- ham, existed from 1885 until 1SSS.
"The Detroit Mercury," a weekly society paper, Charles Maxwell Parker, editor, was published for about three years in the middle 'SOs.
"The Michigan Horticulturist," under the editorship of Charles W. Garfield, began about 1SS4 and existed until 1886.
In the middle 'SOs there began a publication called the "National Benefactor," issued in the interest of inventors and manufacturers. It continued publication for about ten years.
"The River Gazette," a weekly by Louis Hawekotte, and issued for the passengers on steamboats and railroad trains, had a short life from 1885 until 1887.
"The American Dollar Monthly," a household publication published by the firm of Hess & Newkirk, was here from 1885 until 1887.
"The American Stove and Hardware," monthly, with J. E. Turner, had a brief existence during the 'SOs, as did the "Commercial Reporter," a daily edited by W. P. Rogers.
"The International Masonic Review," monthly under the editorship of C. C. Burt, came in about 1886 and went out in the early '90s.
From May 22, 1887, until about 1893 there was published "The Sunday World," a weekly, under the management of F. S. Crowfoot.
"The Detroit Dash," issued by the Western Newspaper Union in the inter- ests of the newspaper fraternity, was begun in 1887 and was published for about ten years.
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"The Northside Notion," a weekly newspaper for the northern part of the city, was established August 20, 1886, by J. H. Junkin and lasted until 1893.
In June, 1885, there was established "The Sunday Sun," which was pub- lished for some seven or eight years under the proprietorship of David Pryse Mackay. Ten editions were published between Thursday and Sunday of each week.
"The Argus" was published monthly by the Argonaut Literary Society from 1888 until 1893.
Beginning in 1888, the "Detroit Globe" was published for a few years.
"The Detroit Visitor and Michigan Hotel Reporter," a weekly published by the firm of Sullivan & Spratt, was issued from 1889 until 1893.
"Golden Dawn," a literary weekly, and "Marine News," were in existence from 1888 until 1893.
"The Building, Savings and Loan Review" was established in May, 1890, and continued publication for four years approximately.
"Detroit Family Gleaner," semi-monthly, was in existence in 1889 and probably continued for a few years.
"The Journal of the Brotherhood of Machinery Moulders," a labor paper, was established January 1, 1888, and was issued for about five years.
"Patriotic American," an independent publication, W. J. H. Traynor, editor, came in in 1889 and lasted a few years.
"The Business Man's Magazine and Bookkeeper" was started in the year 1888. "The Bookkeeper" was the title of an issue beginning in 1889. In 1906 the title is again listed as "The Business Man's Magazine and Bookkeeper" and two years later it again reverts to "The Bookkeeper." "The Bookkeeper and Home Study" is the title of a publication established in 1900. A news- paper directory of the day lists "The Business Man's Magazine" as having started in 1888. By 1912, however, all of the magazines of this name had disappeared.
"The Sower," a weekly, nationalist and independent, was begun October 1, 1888, and was published for about six years.
. "The Visitor's Gazette," started in 1885, passed out shortly after 1900.
"The Collector," afterward called "The Collector and Commercial Lawyer," was established in 1890 and was issued until 1905.
The "Evening Sun," a democratic paper, was established in March, 1890, with David P. Mackay as editor and publisher. This paper was discontinued prior to 1894.
"Once a Week," P. F. Collier, publisher, was inaugurated about 1890 and continued as a Detroit publication for about eight years.
"The Quarterly Register of the Current History," issued by the Evening News Association, lived for a few years in the early '90s, then was removed to Buffalo.
"Rope and Rubber" was the name of a publication of the Bookkeeper Publishing Company, which was issued for about four years beginning in 1890.
"The Saturday Night," with A. E. Meigs as editor, ran from 1890 until 1897.
By the year 1892 quite a number of new publications had been established in Detroit. Chief among these were: "The American Horse Monthly," "Am- erican Pharmacist," "The American Tyler," "Detroit Times," "Fraternal Gazette," "The International," "The Lookout," "Michigan Philatelist," "The
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Sodalist," "American Horseman and Farmer," all of which were published from two to fifteen years afterward.
"The Collector and Commercial Lawyer," afterward known as "The Col- lector," came in about 1893 and was published until about 1905.
By 1894 such publications as "Detroit Critic," "Detroit National Independ- ent," "The Foundry," "The Jury," "National Liquor Journal," "Once A Month," "Patriotic American," "Red Cross Gazette," "Town Topics," "Wayne County Recorder," and "People" had come into existence at Detroit and were published for a varying number of years.
"Trade," an independent weekly journal, devoted to the interests of the retail general merchants of Michigan, Ohio and northern Indiana, was estab- lished in 1894. In 1897 the paper was published by the Trade Journal Associ- ation and the name of "Trade" given. Previous to this time it had been called the "Herald of Commerce" and was issued by the Evening News Association. It was continued until about ten years later.
"The American Land and Title Register," "Board of Trade Market Report," "The Detroit Press," "Michigan Fancier," "Truth," "The Budget" and "The Sporting Record" were publications, now all defunct, which had been established by January 1, 1895.
"Justice," a weekly devoted to the single tax question and direct legislation and published by the Single Tax Association of Detroit, was started in 1895 and continued until 1905.
In 1896 the "Board of Trade Market Report" was succeeded by the "Detroit Daily Market Report."
A publication entitled "Cycling and Outing" made its appearance about 1898 and continued for some six or seven years. In 1899 and 1900 a number of new publications were started at Detroit, among them being: "The Bankers' Review," out by 1906; "Detroit Republican," which lasted from March, 1900, to 1906, and was published for the colored people of the city; the "Michigan Sentinel," a democratic family monthly, which was issued for five years; the "National Bankruptcy News and Reports," short-lived; "The Preacher Maga- zine," "Pure Food Era" and "State Affairs." "Phonometer," a magazine started in 1897 by George Andrew Lewis, was for those interested in the cor- rection of stammering. "The Detroit Informer," issued for the colored popu- lation of Detroit, was established in 1897.
"The Headlight," a monthly, issued by the Railroad Y. M. C. A. of West Detroit, was started about 1902 and continued until 1911. "Home Study," a monthly bookkeeping magazine, began in 1900 and survived until about 1911. "Michigan Degree of Honor Herald," published under the auspices of the A. O. U. W. lasted from 1901 until 1911. "The Wage Worker" and "Wayside Tales" were magazines of short life during the carly years of this century. "The American Press," "The Animarian" and the "Association Mail," the latter a Y. M. C. A. publication, had a like fate. "Our Commonwealth," a weekly in support of the single tax issue, was started in 1897, but continued only a few years. "Sail and Sweep" was established in 1902 aud had a brief life. "The Twentieth Century Review" was begun as a monthly in 1901 and was issued only a few years.
"Civic News," "Detroit Realty Journal," "Electrocraft," "Gas Engine Age" and "Motor Talk" were publications begun in 1905, all of which have now passed out of existence.
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"Capital," a weekly journal of finance, was started in 1907, and was pub- lished until about 1912. "The Citator," now a dead publication, had its begin- ning about the same time, as did the "Fraternal Motto," "Fraternal Weekly," "The Society News," "Railway Equipper" and "The Stellar Ray." In 1905 the "Detroit American," at first a monthly and before its demise a weekly, was started. "Pernin's Monthly Stenographer" was inaugurated in 1SS9; "Beach's Magazine of Business" was started about 1909; and the "Business World," by the Detroit Business University began as early as 1877.
"Knight's Progress," a fraternal monthly, started in 1909, but soon met its end, as did the "Michigan Dairy Farmer" and the "Michigan Pathfinder."
Of those publications which were established about 1911 and which have now disappeared, may be mentioned: "Good News," "International Hospital Record," "Mack Avenue Business Man," "Michigan Moose," "Zion News," "American Issue," "Electrical Review and Western Electrician" and "Brownells' Dairy Farmer." "The West Side Press," now out of existence, was begun in 1905. "Penberthy Engineer and Fireman" was an important manufacturing publication established in 1893 and issued for many years.
"The Bee-keepers' Review" was established about 1SSS and continued for some thirty years. "Friendly Elk" was started in 1904. "The North Side News," started in 190S, and the "Hamilton Boulevard Press," in 1915, were weekly papers of community interest.
"THE DETROIT FREE PRESS"
On Thursday, May 5, 1831, appeared the first number of "The Democratic Free Press and Michigan Intelligencer," Sheldon McKnight, publisher and editor. The office of the publication was at Bates and Woodbridge streets. The initial number of this paper was a four-page, five-column issue, which size was excused by the statement that "owing to an error in our order for paper we are obliged to print our first number on a smaller sheet than was intended." Local news was very meager in this first issue and the twenty columns were filled with political discussion, month old news from Washington, some old foreign dispatches and a few advertisements. Records show that during the first year of the paper's existence 38,000 copies were issued, a figure which would appear small for an average daily issue now. Sheldon McKnight, the first publisher and editor of the paper, was a nephew of John P. Sheldon, editor of the old "Gazette" and concerning whose tumultuous editorial career some- thing has been written previously. McKnight himself was associated with his uncle on the "Gazette," consequently knew the technique of the newspaper business. McKnight was editor of the "Democratic Free Press and Michigan Intelligencer" at varying periods during the first months of the publication's life, but for over a year and a half his name regularly appeared as "publisher," even during the time when he was not editor.
The establishment of the " Democratic Free Press and Michigan Intelligencer" was the result of a political situation, in other words the need of a strong news- paper with Jacksonian principles to combat the other Detroit papers which were supporting President John Quincy Adams. Two prominent men of Detroit, Joseph Campau and his nephew, Gen. John R. Williams, were the men who assumed the initiative in the matter by purchasing the "Oakland County Chronicle," which had been published by Thomas Simpson at Pontiac since June 25, 1830. Campau and Williams transported the equipment down to
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Detroit and placed it in the hands of MeKnight, with the understanding that he was to pay them when circumstances would permit.
On June 2, 1831, John P. Sheldon became the editor of the paper, but con- tinued only until August 25th following, when he resigned on account of illness. Following him an attorney. Charles Cleland, assumed the editorial chair. In February, 1832, Sheldon MeKnight, T. C. Sheldon and Andrew Mack bought out the original owners and MeKnight was appointed sole manager. Cleland was compelled to vacate the editor's sanctum in May, through public opinion arising from certain editorial comments upon public matters, and John P. Sheldon again became editor of the paper. In April, 1833, Sheldon having taken another position, Sheldon MeKnight again became editor as well as publisher. In the meantime the plant had been removed to a three-story brick building on the north side of Jefferson Avenue near Wayne Street and from here the paper was issued as a weekly until June 19, 1835, when it became a semi-weekly.
FIRST DAILY ISSUE
Conditions for enlarging the paper became more favourable and on Sep- tember 28, 1835 MeKnight issued the first number of "The Daily Free Press" which was the first daily newspaper published in the state and the subscription price was placed at $8 per annum. The issue was a ten by seventeen inch folio. In June, 1836, it was enlarged from four to six columns and the make-up generally improved. The office was then located on Jefferson Avenue and Shelby Street, northeast corner, or "at the sign of the Franklin Head. 63 Jefferson Avenue."
In February, 1836, Sheldon MeKnight sold his interests in the paper to L. Legrand Morse and John S. Bagg and in June following Bagg became sole proprietor.
On the early morning of January 4, 1837 the plant of the "Free Press" was burned, an experience which was to be repeated several times in later years. The flames broke out in the Sheldon Block, consumed it entirely, as well as several adjoining structures. Being midwinter and navigation closed, it was an embarrassing situation for the owners. However, it happened that Henry Barns had arrived in Detroit by boat some months previously, having with him a complete printing outfit which he intended to set up at Niles. In the Detroit port the vessel, carrying this cargo, had frozen into the river. He was induced to dispose of his equipment to the "Free Press", taking a part interest as recom- pense, and on the first of February he, with John S. and Silas A. Bagg, became the publishers, with offices over the King clothing store, southeast corner Jefferson and Woodward Avenues. From here the paper was again launched as a semi-weekly on February 28th and the daily was resumed as Volume I, Number 1, on June 5, 1837. John S. and Silas A. Bagg became proprietors February 16, 1838 and Asahel S. Bagg became sole owner April 10, 1840.
Removal was again made in August, 1841, to the museum building on the southeast corner of Jefferson Avenue and Griswold Street, and here, on January 1, 1842, the plant was completely destroyed by fire, in company with the office of the "Advertiser" and the entire block.
Within a few days a new firm was formed of Asahel S. Bagg and John H. Harmon and they secured an office at the northeast corner of Jefferson and Shelby, whence they issued a paper on January 11th. This was made possible by the securing of equipment from "The Macomb Republican" and "The Port Huron Observer". The issue was of varying size until January 28th, when the
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regulation edition was published. All progressed nicely until April 1st, when the borrowed press of the Port Huron paper was claimed by the owners, con- sequently the "Free Press" again shrunk in size for a few days.
From March 14, 1844 until January 7, 1845 the "Free Press" was published as an evening paper alone. A year previously a removal of the office had been made to Jefferson Avenue, opposite the Cooper Block, the same location as the Sheldon Block. On January 7, 1845 the edition was changed again to a morning issue. During the latter part of the year 1845 the office of the "Free Press" was moved to Woodward Avenue, opposite St. Paul's Church, just below Congress, and in 1846 the first power press in Michigan, in fact the first west of Buffalo, was installed. The first printing done on this machine was that of the Revised Statutes of Michigan for 1846.
Col. Charles B. Flood, from Columbus, Ohio, had been editor of the paper for a time, succeeding Bagg when the latter became postmaster. During Flood's regime the width of the paper was enlarged one column.
In May, 1847, John S. Bagg again became editor. On May 9, 1849 Asahel S. Bagg sold his interest to John S. Bagg, and early in the following year the paper was published by the firm of Bagg, Harmon & Company. In 1849, Bagg erected the building on the northeast corner of Griswold and Jefferson and moved the "Free Press" there. The firm name was again changed in June to Harmon, Brodhead & Company, with Thornton F. Brodhead as editor. In September of 1850, also, the office and plant were moved to 50 Griswold, just off Jefferson Avenue northerly. The "Free Press", in 1850, took over the sub- scription list of "The Detroit Commercial Bulletin" (established May 28, 1848 by Daniel Munger and George W. Pattison). On April 1, 1851 Jacob Barns, S. M. Johnson and Thornton F. Brodhead became the publishers of the "Free Press" under the firm name of Barns, Brodhead & Company. Brodhead and Johnson served as editors. In this year new type equipment was supplied, the paper enlarged to seven columns and power first applied to the press by steam. This innovation had been attempted in 1847, but adverse conditions caused its failure. The second attempt in 1851, and which was successful, came about when the "Advertiser", which had undertaken the printing of the Michigan Central Railroad conspiracy case, discovered the contract too large and con- sequently enlisted the services of the "Free Press". It was during the printing of these books that steam was first used.
On April 7, 1852 the "Free Press" went into the hands of Jacob Barns and S. M. Johnson. The latter served as editor and proprietor until February 3, 1853, when Wilbur F. Storey became editor.
Wilbur F. Storey had secured quite a bit of notoriety in the constitutional convention of 1850, where he appeared as a delegate from Jackson. He charged Gov. John S. Barry with undue exercise of his official influence on the delegates and moved that the governor be excluded from the floor. Although the governor was not removed, the attack of the belligerent Storey had the effect of causing him to be at least more discreet. Prior to this time Storey had published papers in Laporte, Indiana, and Mason, Michigan, had established the "Jackson Patriot", studied law, served as postmaster at Jackson, and operated a drug store in the same city. His success with the "Patriot" and his aggressive char- acter gave him prominence in democratic circles and in 1853 he was induced to take a half interest in the "Detroit Free Press", of which he became sole editor. He immediately enlarged the paper and on October 2, 1853 issued a
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Sunday paper, this taking the place of the Monday edition. Under Storey's management the "Free Press" became one of the most profitable newspaper properties of the time and one of the strongest publications of the country. He associated with himself a brilliant staff of journalists, including sueh men as J. Logan Chipman, Warren S. Isham, Tom Cook and Henry Starkey. Storey created a city news department, which had not existed in any prominence before this, and devoted his personal writing to political subjeets.
During the time Storey was at the head of the "Free Press" William E. Quinby, for many years later principal owner, became connected with the paper. This was early in 1860 and Quinby began to do legal reporting for the paper, which was the first reportorial work of the kind on any Detroit newspaper. At the outbreak of the Civil war, Tom Cook was sent to Washington as corre- spondent and Quinby became city editor, thus establishing himself and begin- ning a career of nearly a half century with the "Free Press".
In June, 1861, Wilbur F. Storey sold the paper to Henry N. Walker and went to Chicago, where he established the "Times". Two months later, Fred- erick L. Seitz beeame a partner with Walker and on the day before Christmas, same year, the paper was sold to a new firm composed of Henry N. Walker, Charles H. Taylor and Jacob Barns. In 1863 William E. Quinby purchased a quarter interest.
An interesting item in connection with the "Free Press" during the early days of the Rebellion was the meeting held in the office of the paper, at which time the Western Associated Press was organized. This organization was the predecessor of the Associated Press of today. The "Free Press" published morning and evening editions during the war and was known as the best authority upon happenings at the front and at Washington, largely by virtue of its splendid press service from these points. In 1865 the paper was reduced one eolumn in width and one in length, but a few months later was enlarged to eight columns and in August, 1866, was published in quarto form. This latter style was dis- continued in April, 1867, and the folio form renewed, with a subsequent enlarge- ment of one column in August.
In 1872 there arose among the proprietors of the "Free Press" a difference of opinion regarding the nomination of Horace Greeley for Presidential candidate on the democratie ticket, which eventually resulted in a change of ownership of the paper. Col. Freeman Norvell, then editor of the "Free Press", opposed the Greeley movement, but Quinby favored it and persuaded Henry N. Walker, who owned a half interest, to endorse the action of the convention. Walker suggested that Quinby purchase Norvell's quarter interest in the paper, at the priee of $25,000 which had been set, and also promised to turn the management of the plant over to Quinby. This was rather a stiff price for the day, but Quinby succeeded in making the purchase, and from that time held controlling interest. Judge Albert G. Boynton bought one-half of Walker's interest during 1872 and retained it until his death. Walker retired in 1875, whereupon William E. Quinby took over the remaining stoek.
On April 29, 1878 the newspaper plant, which had been moved to the north- west corner of Griswold and Woodbridge streets in 1860, was again destroyed by fire, entailing a financial loss of close to $50,000. The conflagration was eaused by the explosion of a gas main and within two hours the plant was in ruins. Editor Quinby lost no time, however, and immediately secured quarters for the mechanical department in an adjoining building and on the 30th, the next day,
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the "Free Press" was published as usual. The presses of the "Post" were placed at the disposal of the "Free Press" for this purpose. The devastated quarters were quickly replaced and within thirty days the paper was back in the old home, with increased accommodations.
The weekly supplement of the "Free Press", ealled "The Household", was first issued January 12, 1878, and was compiled especially for feminine readers.
On June 2, 1878, the "Free Press" used the paper-mache sterotyping process for the first time in the state, and issued a 32-page paper with a 4-page supple- ment, the work having been done upon a Bullock perfecting printing press which had arrived in Detroit the day before the fire. The paper was also changed in size from a folio to a quarto. In July, 1SS1, the publishers first sent paper- mâché matrices of their weekly edition to London, where a regular weekly papier was issued, with a few special columns added.
In the year 1884 the "Free Press" removed into a building at the corner of Shelby and Larned Streets, and in May, 1894, another removal was made to the "Abstract Building", 11 Lafayette Avenue, formerly occupied by the "Detroit Post."
Upon the death of Judge Boynton, Mr. Quinby purchased his interest and retained the same until the summer of 1905, when he sold a controlling interest to Frank J. Hecker, Charles L. Freer, William C. McMillan. This joint owner- ship continued until the autumn of 1907, when Edward D. Stair and Philip II. MeMillan bought out their interests. In 1908, illness compelled Mr. Quinby to dispose of his holdings to Messrs. Stair and McMillan. The present owner- ship of the "Free Press" is vested in a corporation (dating from July 31, 1896) which is comprised of Edward D. Stair, E. A. Meiser, James T. MeMillan, Jerome H. Remick, estate of Philip H. MeMillan, trustee estate of William C. MeMillan, William B. Lowe, William H. Pettibone (general manager), Phil J. Reid (managing editor), Otis Morse, George H. Nicolai of New York, and George Middleton of South Pasadena, California. The officers of the corporation are: Edward D. Stair, president ; E. A. Meiser, secretary ; and James T. McMillan, treasurer. The building now occupied by the "Free Press" was completed in its entirety in 1912.
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