USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri Volume I > Part 20
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CHAPTER XV.
THE NEWSPAPERS OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
By W. L. Moorhead.
During the past quarter of a century, or it might be better to say, dur- ing the past two quarter centuries, the development of Nodaway county along all lines reads like a flamniferous fairy tale written by some iridescent dreamer, but such is not the case, for all and even more than has been said in different chapters of this book is true-facts and statistical figures bear- ing us out.
Natural resources and an intelligent, progressive, sturdy citizenship must not be ignored when it comes to giving factors responsible for the great advancement, but in our opinion the newspapers have played no small part- their mission being to stimulate activity along commercial, political, moral. social and educational lines, and by throwing out the "life line." day in and day out. these papers have succeeded in drawing in a desirable class of people to populate our towns and hamlets and to improve and cultivate the rich soil for which Nodaway county is famous.
It has been very truly said that "the fate of every community is more or less inevitably bound up in its newspapers." and Nodaway county has, indeed, been fortunate in having men at the head of her newspapers with progressive ideas-men keen of intellect, clean and competent to act as mouth pieces of their respective communities-and these men have worked faithfully and effectively through years of famine as well as through years of plenty for the public weal, and while many of the pioneer editors have fought a good fight and finished the race, their papers and good works live after them.
With increased patronage and better facilities, the good to be accom- plished by the newspapers is greater now than it has been in the past.
Until thirty-two years ago, there was not a cylinder press in Nodaway county, even the papers at the county seat being printed on hand presses. and until twenty-nine years ago there was not a press in the county propelled by steam or other power, but today there are twelve or fifteen cylinder presses
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in the county run by gas, steam or motor power-and this is not all, there are five or six type-setting machines of the latest models in use by papers of this little kingdom, so it will be seen that the newspapers have kept pace with the growth and advancement of the county in which they are published.
THE FIRST PAPERS.
The first weekly paper published in Nodaway county was established by E. H. Snow, Sr., just before the breaking out of the Civil war and, if we have not been misinformed, it was called the Banner of Freedom. The paper was radical in its views and did not mince words in placing them before the public. During the Cranor campaign in 1861 the Rebels raided Snow's office, throwing his type and other material into the street in front of the office of Joseph Jackson. It is said that the type and slugs of the office were moulded into bullets and used by the Rebels for ammunition, but this is pos- sibly "poetry." After his office had been destroyed, Snow was told to leave Missouri and go quick or he would be sent to a country where he would soon melt, so he went to Kansas, where he died some years afterwards. His son, Edwin E. Snow, became prominent in politics in Kansas, editing for many years the Ottawa (Kansas) Journal, and was elected state printer by the Legislature when the Populist party was in control in that state in the eighties.
The next paper in Maryville was called the Gasette and was established in 1866 by Ex-Governor Albert P. Morehouse. Morehouse wanted a paper in which to publish the delinquent tax list and bought the outfit in Bedford, Iowa, shipped the plant to Maryville and put A. C. Votair, a practical printer. in charge of same. Morehouse put nine hundred dollars in the business and after publishing the tax list. gave the paper outright to Votair, the tax list not only paying for the plant but making five hundred dollars for Mr. More- house as well. The Gasette was Republican in politics and was under the control of Votair until 1867, when it passed into the hands of A. B. Cornell and the name was changed to the Reporter. The Republican party in 1870 became divided on the question of enfranchising the ex-Confederates and as the Reporter was against it, another paper was started, called the Republican with State Senator M. G. Roseberry and Joseph Jackson, county clerk, as its backers. James D. McClain, a practical printer, did the mechanical work as well as the local writing and the paper proved a success from the start, the first issue appearing in August. 1870. In 1871 the Republican absorbed the Reporter and from that time until the Tribune was established, it was the
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only Republican paper published in Maryville. The Republican has had a long and eventful career. its history in full appearing under its own heading.
FIRST DAILY PAPER.
The first daily paper published in Maryville was issued from the Re- publican office in September. 1878. The annual meeting of the conference of the Methodist Episcopal church was held in Maryville at this time, with Bishop Bowman presiding, and this was the conference daily. published for a week by Judge Ira K. Alderman, who is still an honored resident of the county. Such papers had been issued at other points, always at a financial loss, but in Maryville the daily proved a financial as well as a news and liter- ary success. It was a five-column folio, printed on good rag paper, its motto being "Men shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased."-Daniel xii :4. The paper gave complete biographies of Bishop Bowman and other church celebrities, much local news, extracts from sermons, excellent con- tributions, with not a few witty sayings "sandwiched in." Judge Alderman has preserved copies of the daily and is justly proud of them. He is a promi- nent Methodist and gave his time and talent to the church in getting out the paper and now has the honor of going down in history as the editor of the first daily paper published in Nodaway county.
DEFUNCT PAPERS OF MARYVILLE.
While the newspaper graveyard in Maryville is small, we have a few deaths to record.
The American Citizen was established in 1887 by B. P. Duffy and was independent in politics. Mr. Duffy was a lawyer and the paper was neglected. making it short lived.
The daily and weekly Advocate was established in 1888 by Frank Griffin, a lawyer of Maryville, who not only issued a daily and weekly. but got out what he termed a semi-weekly. The subscription price of the daily was six dollars a year, and, although the paper was small, it was highly sensational in its character and for this reason had quite a circulation for awhile. The name not being "loud" enough, to suit the sensational proclivities of its editor, the name was changed to Griff's Daily Review and sailed under this name until its existence ended. Griffin was said to have been the most disliked man in the county. although he had some very warm friends and seemed to be
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fearless in editing his paper, taking special delight in fighting the rum power. Being a lawyer, he knew how to keep within the bounds of the law and was never sued for slander, but finally he was shot dead on the streets of Mary- ville by C. G. Jesse, a druggist, against whom the Review had made ugly and serious charges. Jesse was tried and convicted and sent to state's prison for a term of two years. He lived his time out, but died soon after being liber- ated. After the death of Mr. Griffin the Review was run for a short time by his two daughters, but the paper virtually died when Griffin died.
The Maryville Times was founded in 1881 by John A. Peoples, the plant being moved to Maryville from Barnard, where Mr. Peoples had been con- ducting a paper. Peoples was a ready writer and conducted his paper along independent lines and for awhile had a large circulation, the Times at that time being the largest paper in the county, but "boiler plate" soon took the place of original and local matter and the paper withered away and died.
THE NODAWAY DEMOCRAT.
The Democrat was established in 1869 by Ex-Governor Albert P. More- house, and is known now as the "conservative paper" of Nodaway county. As the name indicates, it is strictly Democratic in politics, but conservative in everything, wielding an influence that is greater than many papers that are more pronounced and demonstrative in their views on matters of public moment. The present publisher, James Todd, Jr., is a young man only twen- ty-three years old and was born in Maryville. He has a practical knowledge of the printing business, however, as he was "born with a stick and rule in his hand" and has been employed in the office from "devil" up. He attended the Maryville high school and was taking a course in the State Normal when, on account of the death of his father, he was compelled to quit school and take up the work left by his father in the Democrat office and for one of his years he is doing better than it was thought possible by his closest friends. Mr. Todd is a prominent member of the Elks lodge, the Odd Fel- lows and the Masons, and, although a member of no church, "leans" towards the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Todd has a working force of six printers and runs his presses by an electric motor. The paper is located in its own building and is growing.
Besides A. P. Morehouse, A. C. Buel. W. J. Sloan, James Todd, Sr .. George W. Martin. Byron E. Condon and A. Dunn have been connected with the Democrat, but James A. Todd was the sage of them all, having
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been connected with the Democrat for thirty-two years. Todd & Condon started the daily Democrat in 1888 and this was run until October 1, 1895. when, on account of Mr. Todd's sickness, it was discontinued. Mr. Condon sold his interest in the paper to Mr. Todd January 8, 1898, and he was sole owner of the Democrat until his death, which occurred January 31, 1907, and since that time the paper has been owned by the Todd estate, with James Todd, Jr., as publisher and manager.
The founder of the Democrat, A. P. Morehouse, was elected lieutenant- governor of Missouri in 1884. Governor John S. Marmaduke died in 1887 and Mr. Morehouse succeeded him to the highest office in the state and proved a good governor. He died by his own hand at his home in Maryville September 25. 1901. Byron E. Condon died January 28, 1909. B. A. Dunn is now living at Waukeegan, Illinois, and George W. Martin in California.
James Todd, Sr., was postmaster at Maryville under Grover Cleveland's administration, but resigned the office after twenty-one months service. He was a member of the Democratic state committee two years and was ap- pointed a member of the state board of arbitration by Governor A. M. Dockery and was made chairman of the board. In 1904 he was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for secretary of state, but was defeated in the convention. He was also defeated for the nomination for Congress in 1904. He was treasurer of Hospital No. 2 for the insane at St. Joseph at the time of his death. The present publisher has all the papers ( with the exception of a few copies ) in bound volume and they are of untold value for reference.
THE MARYVILLE TRIBUNE.
The Tribune was established in 1893 by Curtis Wray, who is still at the helm, and the paper has to its credit a remarkable list of achievements, its editorial and news service being strictly up-to-date. The paper is Republican in politics and wields a great influence. Mr. Wray was born on a farm near Maryville forty-one years ago and his first ambition was to become a pub- lisher of a newspaper, so at the age of twenty-five years he reached his goal and has been in the newspaper business continuously since. He established the Daily Tribune in 1889 and, with the exception of its present competitor. it has been the only daily among the many launched in Maryville that has proven a permanent success. The Tribune owns its own building and is splendidly equipped with modern machinery, using electric motor to propel its presses and
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it was the first paper to install a modern typesetting machine. Its working force now numbers twenty people and the business and influence of the paper are growing. Mr. Wray has a nice family, is a thirty-second-degree Mason, Knight Templar and Shriner, and stands high in these orders. Such men as A. L. Gale. now doing newspaper work at Lincoln. Nebraska; E. E. E. McJimsey, politician and editor of the Springfield ( Missouri) Republican ; S. O. Dunn, editor of the Railway Age and Gasette. Chicago: W. A. Cham- berlain, recently editor of the Havana (Cuba) Post, and now holding a responsible editorial position with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and Homer Croy, editor of the Broadway Magasine, New York, received their first newspaper training in the Tribune office, Mr. Gale being associated with Mr. Wray in the ownership of the Tribune from 1893 to 1895, and Mr. McJimsey from 1895 to 1902. While Mr. Wray has never held a public office, he has been honored at different times in state and county affairs and keeps in close touch with the political world.
The Maryville Daily Republican has a history running back to the close of the great Civil war. The first paper in Nodaway county, as is shown in this chapter, was the Banner of Freedom, which was owned and edited by a loyal man named Snow, and for the attitude he held his paper plant was thrown out into the street and destroyed by bushwhackers and its editor virtually compelled to leave. This was in 1861, and there was no paper then in this county until the summer of 1866, when the Gasette was launched by A. P. Morehouse, as a medium by which the tax list of 1865 might be legally published. An account of this paper has already been given in this chapter. From this grew up the present Republican. After the Gazette had been founded, by bringing its material from Bedford, Iowa, in August. 1866. and continuing until 1867, it passed into the hands of A. B. Cornell, who changed its name to the Reporter. In 1870 the Republican was started by Roseberry and Jackson. The first issue of this paper was pulled from the press August 2. 1870. October 3. 1871. the owners sold the paper to Dr. H. E. Robinson, who became one of the best known editors in the state. and one of the most popular men who ever lived in the county. Under Robinson's administration and direction the paper quickly took a high rank among the country paper of Missouri. He edited the paper until 1875. when he sold out to B. A. Dunn and H. B. Swartz, for the sum of three thousand dollars. Poor health compelled Swartz to sell out to Dunn in 1877. Swartz was a splendid newspaper man, and had a bright future before him. He died of consumption in 1877.
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Dunn sold an interest in the paper in 1879 to Byron E. Condon, at that time one of the best practical printers in the state. The Republican under their management grew steadily in favor and held a high place among the newspapers of the state.
Doctor Robinson returned to the Republican again in 1888, and edited the paper until his death, in April, 1907. He became a great student of Missouri history and many of his historical studies were published in the Republican. Just a few months before his death, his son, Charles L. Robin- son, a talented young newspaper man, who was associated with the business of the Republican office, was killed during a performance of the Ringling Brothers circus at Maryville. A storm blew the tent over, and one of the huge poles fell on him.
Doctor Robinson's youngest daughter, Florence A., who was teaching in Port Arthur, Texas, after several years of study in the University of Missouri, resigned her position to take charge of the paper. Shortly after assuming control she was married to H. L. Hutchinson, who bought the paper from the Robinson heirs. He, with Daniel McFarland, formed a stock company, incorporated under the laws of Missouri for seven thousand dollars, known as the Maryville Publishing Company. The company received its charter on November 21, 1907. The Republican was then reorganized in every way, Mr. McFarland becoming editor and Mr. Hutchinson business manager. A daily paper was started while the company was being organized, the first paper appearing October 21, 1907. One of the best country news- paper plants in the state was installed, and the new daily was a tremendous success from the start.
Mr. McFarland has remained as editor to the present time and has had much to do with the remarkable growth of the paper. The present editor is a graduate of the University of Missouri. He did newspaper work in Kansas City, St. Louis and Columbia before coming to Maryville. He was born in Butler county, Missouri, April 7, 1880.
F. W. Bender is the present business manager and a stockholder.
In concluding, it should be added that in years gone by the paper was largely built up to the high standard which it still holds among the newspapers of northern Missouri, through the untiring efforts of Dr. H. E. Robinson, who practiced dental surgery many years, but always was an admirer of fine literature ; especially was he interested in the sciences and history. For many years prior to his death, which occurred when he was about sixty-two years of age. he had been in the habit of reading and assimilating fully three hun-
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dred volumes of choice reading matter each year. He showed his patriotism by being a member of Company F, Sixteenth Wisconsin Infantry, in time of the Civil war. His death was mourned greatly throughout Nodaway and adjoining counties.
THE NODAWAY FORUM.
While the Forum is the youngest paper in Maryville, it takes rank with the other publications there and won prominence for itself by the decided stand it took in the last campaign for William Jennings Bryan, styling itself the rock-ribbed, exponent of Democracy. The Forum was established by Charles J. Colden and the first number appeared October 24, 1901, issued from an upstairs room on South Main street. Later it was moved down stairs across the street into the W. C. Frank building, where it remained until July 1, 1909, when it was moved into its present commodious quarters under the Real Estate Bank building. Mr. Colden was editor and proprietor of the Forum for six years, selling a half interest in the paper to Dudley A. Reid, of Gillman City, Missouri, in July, 1907, and in the following October Mr. Reid became sale owner and proprietor. Mr. Colden is a Democrat of the old- school type and had the honor of representing Nodaway county two terms in the State Legislature and was president of the board of regents of the Maryville State Normal School for two years, resigning this position in 1908 to go to Kansas City, where he is now a prominent real estate dealer. Before going to Maryville, Mr. Colden was editor of the Parnell Sentinel and a school teacher. He is a born fighter, figuratively speaking, and succeeded in stirring up a hornet's nest in Maryville that he will never be able to quell. The present editor, Mr. Reid, is credited with being one of the most vigorous and original writers in the state and is given to writing verse as well as prose, his gems being copied widely through the state. He has converted the office from a primitive affair to one of the most modern printing establishments in the West and the prestige and popularity of the Forum is not on the wane. Mr. Reid began his newspaper career as country correspondent on the Gallatin Democrat and later became associate editor of that paper. In 1902 he bought the Winston (Missouri) Sentinel, in 1904 the Gillman Guide and then the Forum. Although a cripple, Mr. Reid has made his own way in the world from the time when as a boy he raised ducks and sold them to buy school books and traded his horse and buggy to the vice-president of Grand River College to apply on tuition, on down to the time that he began working on the
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Gallatin Democrat at the magnificent salary of five dollars per week. W. C. Van Cleave bought a half interest in the Forum November 1, 1909, coming to Maryville from Bethany, where he published the Democrat. He has also con- ducted papers at Springfield and Moberly, in this state, and, like Reid, he wields a ready pen and is familiar with all details of the newspaper business from "devil" up.
CLEARMONT PRESS.
This paper was established September 14, 1888. by L. E. Miller, now in the jewelry business at Craig, Missouri. The present editor. A. P. Skeed, bought a half interest in the paper in 1889 and the paper was run by Simpson & Skeed until March 1, 1901, when Mr. Skeed became the sole owner and has conducted the paper since. He is a practical printer, learning the trade in the office of the Knoxville ( Illinois) Republican, and has been in the business for more than twenty years. Mr. Skeed was born at Knoxville September 24, 1851, and is now married, with two children. In politics he is a Repub- lican and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The Newes is an excellent local paper and the people of its territory appreciate it. Mr. Skeed is trustee of his township, chairman of the school board and prominent in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of America lodges. He is a busy man, not only doing all of his editorial but all of the mechanical work on his paper as well.
THE BURLINGTON JUNCTION POST.
The Burlington Junction Post was established in July, 1879, by Frank Seaman, of Hopkins, and Will M. Smith, of the Legal Tender News of Mary- ville. It made its appearance as a seven-column folio, but was later enlarged to a six-column quarto. Martin Edward Hogan, shot and killed by Otto Sharp October 8, 1879, was the local editor and secured the first list of subscribers. The day of Hogan's burial the Post was sold to John H. Bryant and Prof. Byron A. Dunn, of the Maryville Republican. Two years later Professor Dunn sold his interest, but Mr. Bryant has always (excepting a short time while Mr. R. P. Tuten owned the property ) remained owner of the plant.
On July 18. 1883. the office was destroyed by the great tornado, the entire plant being rendered worthless. Mr. Bryant purchased a new outfit and re- sumed publication without the loss of a single issue of the paper. During
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1906 and 1907 Walter Mendenhall was actively connected with the Post, but in October. 1907, Mr. Bryant again became sole owner and editor. His son, Mark C. Bryant, is now in charge as foreman of the office and has a business interest in the paper. The office is well equipped, having a six-column quarto Potter power newspaper press, one thirteen-by-nineteen old-style Gordon job press, one nine-by-twelve Columbia job press. a four-horse-power Nelson gasoline engine, a Challenge paper cutter, beside proof presses and a full line of newspaper body and job type. The office is located in the second story of the Northwestern Bank building, in a room finished expressly for the Post, with good light, ventilation and every convenience needed for an ideal country printing office.
The Post has always enjoyed a good support, the business men and cit- izens of Burlington Junction, as a rule, having always been loyal to its inter- ests. Three other papers have been started in opposition to the Post, but none of them has ever prospered. The Ledger, by Frank Richards, was a very meritorious publication and remained in the field some five years when Mr. Richards became discouraged. sold his lists to the Post and moved to Lucas, Iowa.
The Post is Republican in politics, but makes a specialty of local news : its motto, "Just a Home Paper." indicates its mission and the fact of its loyalty to Burlington Junction and local interests accounts for its popularity among the people of the community. It is regarded as one of the best local papers in the state, is always clean in appearance and pure in tone-in fact. is a model home paper.
THE GRAHAM NEWS.
This is the youngest paper in the county, being established October 15. 1909, by H. T. Speer. Mr. Speer was born at Glenwood, Iowa. July 3. 1876. and is a member of the Christian church. He is married and has two chil- dren and gives close attention to the local work of his paper. He has only been in newspaper work for three years, but has spent most of his life in northwestern Missouri, serving as assistant postmaster at Craig for several years and was postmaster at Barado, Nebraska, under President Roosevelt.
NEW CONCEPTION COURIER.
This paper was established in 1908 by Thomas A. Carver and has the distinction of being published in the smallest town in the county. Mr. Carver does not meddle much with politics or religion, giving his time and talent
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to getting out a good local paper. He is trustee of his township and secretary of the school board, showing that he stands well with the people of his com- munity. He founded the Holt County Herald (now the Maitland Herald ) a quarter of a century ago and is now among the oldest working newspaper men in Nodaway county.
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