History of Massac County

Chapter XI.

Newspapers

Page 80-82

The early newspaper adventures were neither profitable or permanent. A. Mr. Wood, son-in-law of John B. Hicks, founded a pioneer paper, which was later succeeded by another, published by a druggist named Duncan.

D.W. Lusk in the latter "50's" founded "The Sentinel," which from a regularly published sheet, dwindled into a semi-occasional newspaper under the editorial management of Edward McMahon who purchased it, and went to war. Lusk went to Shawneetown and established The Mercury, thence to Pekin and later published his book, "Politics and Politicians of Illinois." In 1864 Henry Laughlin purchased "The Sentinel" outfit, revived the paper for a short while, sold out and office material was moved away. These were democratic.

In August, 1865, Capt. J.F. McCartney came home from the war and found no newspaper. He paid $1,500 cash for an outfit at Mound City, brought it to Metropolis, founded the "Promulgator," a radical Republican organ, which succeeded from the first because of its outspoken sentiments. Becoming district attorney he sold the office to Benjamin O. Jones in 1870, after five years service. In 1872, A.J. Alden bought a half interest with Mr. Jones, introduced new printing material, shipped other material to Mound City, and issued the "Pulaski Patriot." When Alden was admitted the name was changed to "Massac Journal" from "Promulgator."

Alden sold his interest in the Pulaski Patriot to Jones in 1873 and also his interest in the Journal. Dr. Waggoner, immediately bought the "Patriot" and Jones continued in charge of the Journal, until he sold half interest to R.W. McCartney, with whom Mr. Jones was reading law.

R.A. Davisson and Walter Moreland, then a practical printer, took charge. Moreland later dropped out and Ed Melone in 1884 associated with Davisson. W.H. Hines succeeded them and in January, 1888, the firm became Hines & Starkes. In May, 1892, A.N. Starkes bought out Hines, and continued the publication of the Massac Journal as sole proprietor until August 1892, when it was consolidated with the Republican, and called the "Massac Journal-Republican," published by A.N. Starkes & Co., composed of A.N. Starkes and P.H. Norris, the latter having purchased the Republican early in 1892 of D.R. Pryor, its founder, 1890.

Mr. Norris retired in August, 1896, and sold his half interest to Mr. Starkes, who sold the office later to the Journal Printing Company, April 17, 1897, O.J. Page, editor and manager. In the fall of 1897 O.J. Page became sole proprietor and continued so until May, 1899, when G.C. Harner purchased an half interest and Page & Harner conducted business until August, 1900, when Page sold his half interest to W.H. Miller. The office is now conducted by the firm of Harner & Miller, Page having purchased the Leader, Marion, Williamson county, Ill.

In 1867 W.J. Ward began the publication of "The Times," and in 1869 sold it to W.A. McBane, who increased its size from a four column to a six column folio, all home print. Captain J.F. McCartney purchased "The Times" of McBane and changed the politics from Democratic to "Independent," editing the same seven years, when he sold it to A.K. Vickers, who removed the material to Vienna, Ill., after publishing the same in Metropolis for some time. "The Vienna Times" is the legal successor.

Hal. Armstrong, about 1877, began the publication of "The Democrat," but it failed to survive. J.D. Stewart & Co., with F.A. Trausdale, editor, began the publication of "The Metropolis Democrat," 1878, continuing until 1892, when Mr. Stewart retired, leaving Trausdale editor and publisher. In January 1899, A.N. Starkes purchased "The Metropolis Democrat" of Mr. Trausdale and converted it into an independent paper, "The Herald."

The newspapers have gradually increased in size and typographical neatness from small folios to six column quartos. Dailies have frequently been plunged upon the journalistic sea, but have been sunken by the winds of non-support. "The Evening Herald" a five-column folio, two sides patent, is being issued by the Herald Printing Co., and is in its second year.

The Colored Baptist Church Society for several years maintained a church paper, "The Baptist Truth," under the editorial direction of Elder J.B. McCrary. It has since been moved to Cairo and Mr. McCrary now publishes and edits "The Metropolis Gazette," a weekly five column quarto devoted to the interests of the colored race, and republican in politics.

In 1898, G. Lay Wolfe began the publication of "The Brooklyn Eagle," a six-column quarto at Brooklyn, Illinois. It was first independent, but has since become Republican in politics. R.B. and T.B. Thompson published "The Weekly Review," and afterwards the "Egyptian Obelisk," a proposed literary journal for Southern Illinois, both of which suspended as various others have done. The latest newspaper venture is the six-column folio, Democratic paper, "The Metropolis Tribune," issued by "Stewart & Mulkey," as the firm name, and composed by Messrs. S.M. Stewart and C.L.V. Mulkey.

On to Chapter XII

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