Dale County AlArchives News.....Ozark's Oldest Business Moved Here From Newton in 1870 October 15 1970 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Christine Thacker http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00033.html#0008100 May 2, 2004, 7:33 pm Southern Star The Southern Star, Dale County's county seat newspaper, traces its origin back to Newton where it was established in 1867 by Joseph A. Adams. He was born in Oak Bowery, Chambers County, on October 15, 1843, and died in Ozark on February 4, 1887. His was the surroundings and opportunities afforded the youth of the country back in those early years - a lot of hard work on the farm, and small chance for education and recreation. In 1866, after service in the Confederate Army, being a man of "his own," he struck out for himself and moved into the frontier country of Dale County, where he settled at the county seat, Newton. Without previous experience, but with the vision and the longing, he established a weekly newspaper there, The Southern Star, in 1867. Typical of the times, the paper was hand set in its entirety, eight pages of six columns each, and was printed on a Washington hand press. LOCATES IN OZARK During the fall of 1870, after Ozark had become the county seat, Joseph A. Adams moved The Southern Star to the new county seat and set up for business as a weekly newspaper publisher, and job printer in a building on the northwest corner of the square. W. L. Andrews, noted historian of his time, in an article in The Star in 1899 stated, "The new town then had a newspaper and under an able and loyal editorial management did noble service for the young city in the pines." Joseph A. ADAMS continued as editor-publisher until his death in 1887. For 12 years he served as circuit clerk, and through good service with the newspaper and in his official capacity built up for himself a host of friends throughout this section of the country. At the death of Joseph A. Adams, his eldest son, Joseph H. Adams (father of Probate Judge Kirke Adams), became publisher of the Star. He had been brought up in the office, and knew the intricacies of editing and publishing a weekly newspaper as perhaps few men at that time were able to achieve until they had spent long and tedious years of grinding ex perience. He continued in active management until June 15, 1903, when he left the paper to the care of his younger brother, John Q. Adams (father of present editor- publisher emeritus John Q. ADAMS), while he venyured into other business endavors. The name of Joseph H. ADAMS appeared at the masthead until his death, in 1918, at which time John Q. ADAMS became owner and publisher. And through these years the Star grew in size and brilliance. TRADITION CARRIED ON True to the tradition established in the Adams family, Jesse B. Adams assumed the role of editor-publisher upon the death of his father in 1925. Jesse B. Adams remained in this position until his death in 1952, at which time his brother,JOhn Q. Adams, who had been associate editor and business manager since 1930 assumed the overall management of the newspaper. John Q. Adams continued in this capacity until his eldest son, Joseph H. Adams, namesake and great grandson of the Stars founder, became editor in August, 1957, the position he still holds, and has since become editor- publisher. Perhaps the most indomitable spirit in the history of The Southern Star was Mrs. Vivian B. Adams, wife of John Q. Adams, and mother of three sons, Jesse B., William F., and John Q. Mrs. Adams died on June 4, 1969, after active association with the Star from the time of the death of her husband in 1925. She assisted her two sons, Jesse B., and John Q. Adams in publishing The Southern Star in a multitude of ways, and remained active in the work related to publishing a newspaper and producing commercial printing until just a few weeks before her death. Long hours meant nothing to "Miss Vivian" as she was always there and ready to pitch in and do what had to be done to "get the paper out," proof read, re-write,keep books, wrap the papers, and address them for mailing, and when that was over for the week lend a hand in finishing job work. STAR AWARDS The Star has been recognized in numerous ways over the years. In 1928, The Victor Hanson Loving Cup was awarded by The Alabama Press Association For Rendering The Best Community Service Of Any Weekly Newspaper in Alabama. Editor Jesse B. Adams was one of the early presidents of the Alabama Press Association, serving in 1934-35. During the editorship of the current editor,a number of awards have been received in competition with other Alabama weekly newspapers in the Annual Better Newspaper Contest sponsored by the Alabama Press Association. Included among these awards have been: BEST EDITORIAL (1st 1959-60; 2nd 1966-67; 3rd 1967-68; honorable mention 1962- 63; 1968-69). BEST NEWS STORY (1st 1966-67; honorable mention 1957-58; 1965-66; 1968-69). BEST SERVICE TO HIGH-FAY AND TRAFFIC SAFETY: lst l965-66. BEST SERVICE TO EDUCATION: (2nd 1966-67; 2nd 1967-68). BEST NEWS PHOTO: (Honorable mention 1964-65). TYPOGRAPHY AND MAKE-UP: (Honorable mention 1964-65). BEST ORIGINAL COLUMN: (3rd 1963-64; honorable mention 1962-63). BEST SPORTS PHOTO; (1st 1967-68, 3rd 1958-59). Currently employed by T h e Southern Star in addition to Joseph H. Adams, editor-publisher, and John Q. Adams, publisher-emeritus, are Edward W. Free, linotype operator, Billy J. Blankenship, and John W. Herring, printers and makeup men, Wilton Dyck, student apprentice printer, Florence H. Jinks, reporter, Bobby J. Mathis,advertising- commercial printing sales, Pamela J. Herbold, bookkeeper and secretary, Elaine Hugbes, student office assistant. Special part time help engaged in publishing this Centennial edition have been Pat Mason, Dot Adams and Horace Snell. Jesse B.Adams Heads Ala. Press Assoc. (Reprint from The Southern Star, Wednesday, July 26, 1933): TUSCALOOSA, July 23—Members of the Alabama Press Association had scattered to their homes Saturday after bringing to a close their two-day session at the University of Alabama, and electing Jesse B. Adams, of Ozark, as their new president. Mr. Adams, who publishes The Southern Star in the South Alabama town, was chosen at the final business session Fri- day afternoon to succeed Forney G. Stephens, editor of The Southern Democrat at Oneonta. Bruce Shelton, publisher of The Tuscalcosa News, was chosen vice- president of the organization succeeding Mr. Adams who held that post before being elevated to the presidency. E.C. (Cody) Hall, editor of The Alexander City Outlook and a member of one of Alabama's foremost newspaper families, was again named sec.-treasurer. Other officers re-elected were Rowe P. Greer, The Sylacauga News, convention secretary; J. C. Norwood, The Cullman Tribune, historian; Mrs.Scottie McKenzie Frasier of Dothan, poet for the association, and Howard C. Smith, of Montgomery, reporter. Officers for the Alapressa, the association's publication were again chosen as follows: Webb Stanley, Greenville, editor; P. 0. Davis, Auburn, associate editor; N. C. Cady, Birmingham, business manager. Southern Star At Present Location In Ozark Since '31 The Southern Star was first located in a building on the northeast comer of the square when it moved to Ozark from Newton. For a number of years it was located in the building now occupied by Ward and Adams, the period depicted in the two photographs below, and in 1931, after being burned out, located in the building where it is presently operating on East Reynolds St. This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/alfiles/ File size: 8.0 Kb