USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > The city of Detroit, Michigan, 1701-1922, Vol. I > Part 83
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THE DETROIT NEWS
"The Evening News", as the present "Detroit News" was first called, was first issued August 23, 1873 by James Edmund Seripps, the founder, and for the first two months was printed at the "Free Press" office. It was a small four-page, six-column paper, and sold on the streets of Detroit at two cents per copy. The advertisements occupied three columns of the first page. Approxi- mately 6,500 copies were disposed of on the first issue.
James E. Seripps, the founder, was born in London, England, March 19, 1835, came to the United States when nine years of age, located near Rushville, Illinois, with his parents, and entered newspaper work in 1857 as a reporter on the "Chicago Democratie Press", afterward consolidated with the "Chicago Tribune". At the age of twenty-four years he came to Detroit as commercial editor of the "Daily Advertiser" and became part owner in 1861. Upon the consolidation of the "Advertiser" and "Tribune" in 1862, he became business manager and, a year later, editor. During his newspaper experience, Mr. Seripps evolved many ideas of his own as to the proper conduct of a newspaper Vol. 1-52
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and for many years formulated his ideas with the deliberate purpose of estab- lishing a paper of his own which should embody the innovations and improve- ments. The morning papers in Detroit at this time had only a circulation of about 13,000, although there were 20,000 families in the city, consequently Mr. Scripps believed that a newspaper venture at this time would be highly profitable. During the first year, however, he lost several thousand dollars, but the second year netted him $6,000 profit, with a circulation averaging over 13,000 daily.
The dream of James E. Scripps was a newspaper with a circulation of 10,000. In the fourth issue of the "News" the announcement was made that the sub- scription list had reached between 8,000 and 9,000, and in 1906, on May 29th of which year Mr. Scripps died, the circulation was in excess of 100,000, in 1918 more than 225,000, and in 1921 more than 220,000 for the daily and 250,000 for the Sunday issues.
In the early days, the "News" soon got the reputation of a "sensational" sheet, not in the sense of "yellow" journalism, but as a paper which printed fresh and live news, and varied the stilted and stereotyped style which had always been accepted as the only newspaper style. This was a part of the founder's idea, to give the people a maximum of news at a minimum price. Mr. Scripps himself wrote as follow about his paper in these days:
"With no political ends to serve and with entire absence of ill feeling, the city editor began to handle the city's news with much of the same freedom that would be allowed in conversation. It was a revelation to staid, prosy Detroit, and the News quickly got the reputation of being a 'sensational' sheet, although compared with later up-to-date journals in our larger cities it was commendably moderate and respectable. Naturally some took offense to it, but the people generally like it, even the so-called better classes."
From the temporary site on Griswold Street the plant was moved to Shelby Street, between Congress and Larned, two months after the first issue. It occupied this site until October 15, 1917. The first home of the paper had been a small frame house, near the sidewalk, and at the corner of an alley. To this was added a small, one-story brick press room which served until 1877, when a more commodious building, sixty by thirty feet, was erected. Ultimately, the "News" occupied a four-floor building fronting 120 feet on Shelby Street and 140 on Larned. In 1888, George G. Booth became assistant to Mr. Scripps in the management of the paper. He and the owner of the paper soon per- ceived the necessity of larger quarters for the growing paper and considered the erection of a larger building on the Shelby Street site. When the time came, however, this plan was not believed feasible, and property at the south- east corner of Shelby Street and Lafayette Boulevard was bought. This was in time also discarded. In November, 1913, property extending 280 feet on Second Avenue from Fort to Lafayette, with a 150-foot frontage on both, was purchased for nearly a quarter million dollars. This was the site of the old Zachariah Chandler home. Ground was broken here in November, 1915, for the present "News" building, of which Albert Kahn was the architect. The completed structure as occupied by the paper beginning in October, 1917, is one of the most complete and attractive newspaper plants in the country, em- bodying every equipment and convenience which is known to the newspaper profession. This newspaper remains the property of the Scripps family.
During its life, the "News" has fostered numerous other newspaper ventures.
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In November, 1878, its first offspring, the "Cleveland Press" was established; in 1880 the "Chronicle" began publication in St. Louis; and in 1881 "The Cin- cinnati Post" was added. Out of this league grew a powerful organization, but Mr. Scripps eventually withdrew from all of the other publications.
In 1891 Mr. Scripps purchased the "Detroit Tribune" and after conducting it as a separate publication for a number of years it was consolidated with the "News" and became the early morning edition. At different times other pub- lications were absorbed into the "News", such as the "Union" and the "Times". The "News" brought out a Sunday edition November 30, 1884, which was amalgamated with the "Sunday Tribune" October 15, 1893 and entitled "The Sunday News-Tribune". This compound name used for a time even after the regular "Tribune" ceased to appear. On the day before the "News" entered its new home, however, twenty-four years after the consolidation of the two papers the publishers revived the name of the "Detroit Sunday News".
The one venture of the "News" outside the field of the daily newspaper was not a success. From 1887 until 1892 a weekly edition called "The Echo", was published, being a condensation of the "News" columns.
THE DETROIT JOURNAL
.
"The Detroit Evening Journal" was established in Detroit by Lloyd Brezee and the first number was issued September 1, 1883, with Brezee occupying the position of editor and C. C. Packard that of business manager. This paper began as a two-cent daily and was rather a venturesome undertaking, owing to the lack of capital. However, on December 6, 1883, a stock company was formed and a capital stock of $37,500 was established. In May, 1884, this capital was increased to $50,000 and a controlling interest in the publication was sold to Samuel J. Tomlinson, who became managing editor. Tomlinson retired in May, 1885, and William Livingstone, Jr. became the proprietor. Under the latter Frank E. Robinson was appointed managing editor and Henry S. Harris as editorial writer. Harris resigned in 1886 and was succeeded by Edward G. Holden.
On May 7, 1887 there occurred another change of ownership, when the five hundred shares of the company were sold to William H. Brearley. This arrangement continued for a number of years, when a stock company was formed and the paper purchased by this organization. Walter Hunsacker then became managing editor. In 1908 the "Journal" again changed ownership by the purchase of the majority of stock of the paper by Henry Stevens and Edward D. Stair. Harry P. Hetherington became managing editor at this time, and remained until his death. He was followed by T. C. Greenwood, who, in turn, was succeeded by Grove Patterson, the present incumbent. The present owner- ship of the "Journal" began in 1917, but a corporation was not formed until April 25, 1919. The officers and owners of this corporation are: N. C. Wright, president; H. S. Talmadge, vice president; Paul Block, secretary; and C. C. Vernam, treasurer. The latter two are residents of New York. The building of the "Journal" was constructed and completed in 1906, the plant of the paper having occupied space at the rear of the same location prior to that time.
THE DETROIT EVENING TIMES
The "Detroit Evening Times" was established on October 1, 1900, under the name of "Today" by James Schermerhorn. The latter conducted the paper as
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an evening daily for twenty-one years or until the latter part of the year 1921, when, the property having previously been placed in the hands of a receiver, it was purchased by William Randolph Hearst and added to the long string of Hearst papers in the United States. Although meeting with adversity in a financial way, the "Times" was a paper with a personality. The individualistic editorial style followed by the editor stood out from the common run of journal- istic composition. Detroiters came to know and like the pithy and humorously pointed sentences which came from the Schermerhorn pen and will continue to enjoy the Today column, as the former owner and editor retains his connection with the publication. The office and plant of the "Times" is at 313 Bagley Street.
OTHER DETROIT PUBLICATIONS
"The Detroit Courier", formerly the "Wayne County Courier", was estab" lished at Wyandotte in May, 1870, as "The Wyandotte Enterprise", by D. E. Thomas. In 1876, after having several different owners, the paper was removed to Detroit. At this time it became the first greenback paper in Michigan, its polities before having been republican. In 1879 it reverted to republicanism again. The paper is now published weekly as an independent sheet.
"The Michigan Railway Guide" was established as a monthly publication in May, 1877, by Emil Schober. A publication of this nature has been in existence in Detroit almost steadily since that date, but not always under the same name. "Wood's Official Railway Guide" was published for many years by John R. Wood, who is now the publisher of the "Michigan Railway Guide", issued monthly.
"The Bay View Magazine", of literary nature, and published monthly from October to May inclusive, was established in 1893.
"The Indicator", semi-monthly, devoted to insurance topies, and now published by a stock company, was first issued as a monthly in May, 1882, by the firm of Leavenworth & Burr. Very shortly after its establishment it was changed to a semi-monthly and was issued by the W. H. Burr Publishing Com- pany.
The "Western Newspaper Union", weekly, was originally the successor of "The Michigan Ready Print", established in 1877 by Joseph Saunders. The first number of the "Union" was published January 1, 1883, with M. H. Red- field as manager.
"The American Boy", monthly publication, issued by the Sprague Publishing Company, was established in the year 1899 in Detroit. This is one of the largest and best known juvenile magazines in the country and has a subscrip- tion list of something over a quarter million, going to every state in the Union and to many foreign countries.
The "Horseshoers' Journal", a monthly publication issued by The Master Horseshoers' National Protective Association, was established in Detroit in the year 1875.
"The Michigan Farmer" dates from the year 1843, and succeeded "The Western Farmer", which was founded at Detroit January 19, 1841 by Josiah Snow. Bela Hubbard and William Harsha were editors of "The Western Farmer" for a time until January 21, 1843, when the plant was sold to D. D. T. Moore, who removed it to Jackson, Michigan, changed it from a semi-monthly to a monthly, and issued it February 15, 1843, as "The Michigan Farmer and Western Agriculturist". The second volume of the paper was published as "The Michigan Farmer and Western Horticulturist". Following this there
JOURNAL
JOURNAL BUILDING
EVENING NEWS BUILDING, 65 SHELBY STREET, ABOUT 1881
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came a rapid succession of proprietors and editors. Wilbur F. Storey and R. S. Cheney came in control of the paper November 1, 1844 and on March 15, 1845 sold out to H. Hurlbut, and in April, 1846, H. G. Woodhull became a partner. The third volume, under Hurlbut, was issued as "The Michigan Farmer". Removal was made from Jackson to Detroit on March 20, 1847, and in Decem- ber, 1847, Warren Isham began the publication of the paper, changed it to a semi-monthly, and in 1849 it was enlarged, also published both at Detroit and Jackson. A. S. Williams was also a proprietor with Isham for a part of the time during this period.
In April, 1853, this paper was purchased by W. S. Duncklee and R. F. John- stone and in the next year Duncklee sold out to Miss L. B. Adams. In Sep- tember, 1854, the paper absorbed "The Farmers' Companion and Horticultural Gazette", of which C. Fox, J. C. Holmes, Linus Cone and Charles Betts were editors, and which had been published since December 1, 1852. At the close of the year 1858 "The Michigan Farmer" became a weekly. In September, 1861, it was sold to a man named Doty, who published it for about twelve months. In the autumn of 1862 W. S. Bond and George Snyder became proprietors and in 1863 they sold out to H. N. F. Lewis, who changed the name of the paper to "The Western Rural" and in 1867 moved the paper to Chicago.
In May, 1869, R. F. Johnstone, with Robert Gibbons, established a new weekly paper called "The Michigan Farmer and State Journal of Agriculture". The first number was issued on the 15th of the month. After June, 1886, Johnstone having died, the publication was issued by the firm of Gibbons Broth- ers. In 1893 the paper was bought by the firm of Lawrence & Brother of Cleve- land, Ohio, proprietors of "The Ohio Farmer", and in 1895 the name of the con- trolling firm was changed to The Lawrence Publishing Company. On November 28, 1889 the publication known as the "Michigan Fruit Grower and Practical Farmer" of Grand Rapids was purchased, and again, August 30, 1905, the Free Press "Farm and Live Stock Journal" was absorbed. At this time, also, the name was changed from "The Michigan Farmer and State Journal of Agricul- ture" to the style of "The Michigan Farmer and Live Stock Journal". The publication has its own plant on West Lafayette Avenue and is issued by the Lawrence Publishing Company to over 80,000 subscribers, 95% of whom are residents of the State of Michigan. I. Roy Waterbury is the editor-in-chief of the publication.
"The Motorman and Conductor", a monthly publication, is the official journal of the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Em- ployees of America. The publication was founded in 1895.
"The Gateway" was first issued in August, 1903, as a monthly publication, devoted to topics of interest to and pertaining to the people of the state, such as resources, history, economical and social questions and political aspects. John F. Hogan is the editor and founder of this publication.
"Concrete" is a prominent trade publication of Detroit, issued monthly by the Concrete-Cement Age Publishing Company. The paper was established in 1904 and issued under the title of "Concrete". With the July, 1912, issue this magazine consolidated with "Cement Age" of New York and "Concrete Engineering" of Cleveland, forming the publication known as "Concrete-Cement Age", which title, however, was eventually changed back to the original and simpler form.
"The Michigan Investor", published weekly by The Michigan Investor
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Publishing Company and devoted to subjects of a financial and capitalistic nature, was established in September, 1902, by Frank R. Alderman and J. E. Phelps. The latter soon dropped out and Frank Carter and John Russell became interested. Mr. Carter became principal owner in 1909.
"The Michigan Banker", published monthly by the Michigan Bankers' Association, H. M. Brown, editor, was founded in the year 1904.
"Detroit Young Men", published weekly by the Young Men's Christian Association, was established about 1905.
"Michigan Roads", issued monthly by the State Review Publishing Com- pany, was established in 1905 and specializes in such subjects as indicated by the title.
"The Detroit Saturday Night", a weekly newspaper of pretentious style and make-up and of a very high standard, came into existence March 2, 1907. Two old newspaper men of Detroit, W. R. Orr and Harry M. Nimmo, were responsible for the establishment of this publication and within a very few months the strength of their convictions that a broad field existed for such a paper were justified. Within four years the paper occupied its own building, with its own composing and press rooms and ranks now with the leading publi- eations of Michigan's metropolis.
The "Michigan Contractor and Builder", issued every Saturday by the Contractor Publishing Company, and devoted to the building trades, was begun in 1907.
"The Michigan Manufacturer and Financial Record", one of the leading magazines of the United States dedicated to the field of industries and finances, was established in October, 1908. The magazine is published weekly by the Manufacturer Publishing Company, which is officered at present by John A. Russell, president; Edward R. Grace, vice president; John P. Fitzgerald, vice president; Ira W. Welbon, secretary and treasurer; and Harold High, managing editor.
"The Detroit Golfer", official monthly publication of the Detroit Distriet Golf Association, was established in May, 1921.
"The Gleaner Forum", an agricultural journal, had its beginning in Detroit as early as 1894 under the title of "The Gleaner". Two years ago the present title was adopted, when the publication was changed from a farm to a fraternal paper exclusively. The circulation of this paper comprises all the gleaners in the country.
The "Fraternal Index", monthly publication of the Star of Bethlehem Tem- ple, was inaugurated in 18SS.
"The Lyceum World", a publication of interest to lectures and entertainers, issued monthly, was started in 1908.
"The Club Woman", the monthly publication of the Detroit Federation of Women's Clubs, was established at Detroit in 1908. It is devoted to subjects pertaining to women's clubs.
"The Little Stick", weekly, is published and was founded by Charles H. Culver about 19CS.
"West Detroit Times", a weekly newspaper under the proprietorship of W. C. Wines, was established in 1893.
"The Stove Mounters' and Range Workers' Journal", a trade publication issued monthly, was started in 1895.
"The Detroiter", the weekly publication of the Detroit Board of Commerce,
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W. A. Mara, editor, was established in the year 1910, having been issued from September of that year until January, 1911, as the "Bulletin of the Detroit Board of Commerce."
"The Social Moose", a monthly fraternal magazine, was begun in 1909 and is published by the Social Order of Moose.
"The Trestleboard", a Masonic publication issued monthly, was inaugu- rated in 1908.
"The Dispatch-Reporter", issued weekly by the Dispatch Printing Company, was founded in 1911.
"Quill", the quarterly publication of the Sigma Delta Chi, was started in 1912.
"Modern Building", a bi-monthly published by the Truscon Steel Company, was established at Detroit in 1914.
The "Upper Gratiot Review", an independent weekly paper, issued by the Vannatter Printing Company, began in 1914.
The monthly publication known as "Black and White"was established in 1916 under the editorship of Harry M. Nimmo.
"The Pilot", published by the Locomotive Engineer and Conductors' Manual Protective Association, came into existence about 1912.
"The D. A. C. News", monthly publication of the Detroit Athletic Club, was established in 1916.
"D. B. U. Topics", the journal of the Detroit Business University, was established in April, 1915.
"St. Clair Heights Enterprise", weekly paper, was started about 1915.
"Building Materials", published monthly by the Concrete-Cement Age Publishing Company, was established in 1919.
"Pipp's Weekly", a local publication, E. G. Pipp, editor, was established in 1920.
"Varsity News", the school paper of the University of Detroit, published weekly during the collegiate year, was started in 1917.
"Civic Searchlight", published by the Detroit Citizens' League, was started about 1917.
"Detroit Banker", issued by the American Institute of Banking, first ap- peared in 1917.
"Detroit Labor News", a weekly publication issued by the Detroit Federa- tion of Labor, was instituted in the year 1913.
The "Lincoln Highway Forum", published by the Lincoln Highway Associa- tion, has been in existence since June 1, 1919.
The "News Letter", published by the Detroit chapter of the American Red Cross, was established in 1917.
"Northern Navigator", issued by the Northern Navigation Company, came into being about 1917.
"The Social Secretary", under the editorship of Mrs. Noel C. O'Brien, was begun in 1918 and is issued annually as a social and club directory.
"The State", published by the Young Men's Christian Association, was started about 1917.
"The Tamarack", issued by the University of Detroit, came out first in 1917.
"Michigan Business Farming", a weekly agricultural paper, published by
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the Rural Publishing Company, G. H. Slocum, proprietor, was established about 1912.
"All The Arts", now issued quarterly, is in the fifth year of its existence, having succeeded another publication known as "Arts and Artists", which had been issued about two years.
"American State Banker", published monthly by the American State Bank, was started in 1917.
"Auto School News", issued by the Michigan State Auto School, has been in existence about two years.
"Blue Triangle", a monthly, published at the Young Women's Christian Association, was begun in June, 1919.
The "Bulletin of the Institute of Art of the City of Detroit" was established in January, 1904, and is now issued monthly from October to July inclusive.
"Citer-Digest", published by H. C. Ruen, in January, May and December, is a publication of legal character, and was established in December, 1910.
"The Detroit Leader", a weekly newspaper for the colored residents, re- publiean in politics, was established in 1909.
"Detroit Masonic News", published monthly by the Detroit Masonic Temple Association, was started in January, 1920.
"Foundry World", monthly, published by the H. M. Lane Company, was established in February, 1917.
"Michigan Architect and Engineer", issued monthly, was established in April, 1919.
"Railway Maintenance of Way Employes' Journal" was established as a monthly in the year 1890 and is now under the editorship of C. P. Howard.
"Real Estate" is the official journal of the Detroit Real Estate Board, and was established January, 1919.
Of interest are the various publication in the City of Detroit which are styled "house organs". A few of the principal ones of this group are:
"After Five O'clock": Curtis Company.
"Bell Telephone News": Michigan State Telephone Company.
"Burad Service": Burroughs Adding Machine Company.
"Burrough's Calculator": Burroughs Adding Machine Company.
"Burrough's Bulletin": Burroughs Adding Machine Company.
"Burrough's Clearing House": Burroughs Adding Machine Company.
"Burrough's Magazine": Burroughs Adding Machine Company.
"Burrough's Micrometer": Burroughs Adding Machine Company.
"Burrough's Overseas": Burroughs Adding Machine Company.
"Business": Burroughs Adding Machine Company.
"Citigas Doings": Citizens' Gas Company.
"Combustion Chamber": Underfeed Stokers of America.
"Detroit Life Bulletin".
"Dime Savings Bank Trade Letter".
"Dodge Bulletin": Dodge Brothers.
"Employer and Employe": Michigan Mutual Liability Company.
"Entire News": U. S. Tire Company.
"Federal Traffic News": Federal Motor Truck Company.
"Fenestia": Detroit Steel Products Company.
"Furniture of the Times": R. J. Sullivan Company.
"Goodrich": B. F. Goodrich Rubber Company.
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"Grinnellogram": Grinnell Brothers.
"Headlight": Larned, Carter Company.
"Home Furnisher".
"Hudson Triangle": Hudson Motor Car Company.
"Hudsonian": J. L. Hudson & Company.
"Idea": Frederick Stearns & Company.
"Liberty Bell": Liberty Motor Car Company.
"Market Report": Michigan Drug Company.
"Michigan Mutual Messenger": Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Company.
"Modern Pharmacy": Parke, Davis & Company.
"The New Idea": Frederick Stearns & Company.
"Oakland Sales News": Oakland Motor Car Company.
"The Packard Employes Paper": Packard Motor Car Company.
"Paige Power": Paige-Detroit Motor Car Company.
"Power Notes": Diamond Power Specialty Company.
"The Punch": Maxwell Motor Company.
"The Quietarian": Hyatt Roller Bearing Company.
"Reminder": Detroit Insurance Agency.
"Rogers Co-Operator": Detroit White Lead Works.
"Rotoscope": Detroit Rotary Club.
"S-N-P" Saturday Night Press.
"Service": Pere Marquette Railroad.
"Sirocco": American Blower Company.
"Solvay-Ite": Solvay Process Company.
"Studebaker Liberty Bulletin": Studebaker Corporation.
"Synchroscope": Detroit Edison Company. "Three Circles".
"Timken Magazine": Timken-Detroit Axle Company.
"Trade Letter": Dime Savings Bank.
"Trade Letter": National Bank of Commerce.
"Velvet Brand Tips": Detroit Creamery Company.
"Veterinary Notes": Parke, Davis & Company.
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