Brown County MN Archives History - Books .....Newspapers 1916 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/mnfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 November 22, 2014, 1:16 pm Book Title: History Of Brown County, See Below CHAPTER XVII NEWSPAPERS OF BROWN COUNTY. America boasts of free speech and free press. Sometimes these gifts bestowed upon our citizens by the founders of our great republic are abused, but nevertheless they are and ever will obtain as cardinal principles of a democratic form of government. The newspaper, like other business enterprises, ever follows close on the track of the hardy pioneer in every country that is settled by an intelligent people. It has a power that no other single influence has. By the press public opinion is shaped. By the printed page the people are kept in close touch with the great world around them. Agriculture, science, religion, education and general enlightenment are all kept alive and active for the betterment of mankind. As a general rule the patrons of newspapers demand and obtain men to conduct papers which are interested in the general good of the community. Such has been the case in Brown county. FIRST NEWSPAPER. The first newspaper in Brown county was the New Ulm Pioneer, established in 1856, soon after the founding of the frontier village. It was one of the adjuncts and a potent factor used by the German Land Association, with H. Kompe as its original editor. This publication passed through several hands until 1862, when the presses and all material was destroyed by the Indians during the massacre in August of that year. A reference was made by Father Alexander Berghold, in his interesting and authentic history of this county, in which work he says: "Many zealous citizens of the free-thinker type exerted themselves too much, and the leading newspaper, the New Ulm Pioneer, edited by Naegele & Gerstenhauser, had a great deal to say. Imbued with socialistic views, they entertained the false idea that religious congregations in a free city were detrimental to the public welfare, and a prolific source of dissensions among the people. The columns of the New Ulm Pioneer of that time, setting forth the social and religious condition of affairs, contain many items of great interest to the historian. This misconception of the idea of freedom brought great discredit upon the city of New Ulm, especially among religious people. The same feelings were entertained toward all who were not Germans, especially toward those whom they called 'Americans.' This was a great financial drawback to the town, and, of course, the Turners Society was held responsible for it all." THE NEW ULM PIONEER. The first settlers who founded the German colony of New Ulm arrived here October 7, 1854, and less than three and one-half years later the first newspaper was published here in the German language. Lambert Naegele and Eugene Gerstenhauer were the publishers and Heinrich Kompe was the editor. Tire first issue was published in January, 1858. It was a five-column, four-page newspaper and carried the following motto: "INDEPENDENT IN EVERYTHING AND NEUTRAL IN NOTHING." With the issue of January 6, 1859, G. W. Otto Barth became the editor. In January, 1859, another member was added to the firm and from that time until March 2, 1861, Naegele, Gerstenhauer & Company appeared as the publishers. At that time they sold out to Editor Barth, who continued as publisher and editor until June 14, 1862, when Julius Pause assumed the ownership and editorship of the paper and removed the plant to his place on Broadway between Fourth and Fifth North streets. Prior to that time it had been published in the Diedrich building, on the corner of Minnesota and Third South street. The last issue of the New Ulm Pioneer was published the week preceding the Indian outbreak August 18 to 25, 1862. From that time on until February, 1864, the colony of New Ulm was without a newspaper. THE NEW ULM PLAIN DEALER. As eariy as 1870 the necessity for an English newspaper was recognized and made itself felt by the non-German speaking citizens of New Ulm and vicinity and with the aid of some of the local business men funds were raised for the publication of an English newspaper. The first issue of this newspaper, under the name of the New Ulm Plain Dealer, made its appearance on November 4, 1870. The names of Clothier and Walsh appeared as publishers, and George Walsh was the editor. This paper was destined to be rather short-lived, however, and hardly two years had passed before it foundered on the rocks of adversity. The last number was published December 20, 1872. THE NEW ULM HERALD. The next English newspaper venture was the New Ulm Herald, which was published by the Herald Printing Company. The main parties connected with the New Ulm Herald at its inception were Capt. W. Siegler and his brother, J. A. Siegler. After struggling along for a couple of years they turned the plant over to C. B. Tyler, with Winniousky as editor. This was July 2, 1875. On November 22, 1878, having been in existence for nearly six years, the New Ulm Herald suspended publication. THE NEW ULM NEWS Until 1892 the Democrats of New Ulm bad been without an English party organ, and feeling the need of such a mouthpiece, induced H. L. Henry of Dakota to locate here. The first issue of the New Ulm News, as he styled his newspaper, was published on September 6, 1892. On the 17th of May, 1895, J. J. Green, one of the veteran newspaper men of the state, purchased the plant from Mr. Henry and continued publishing and also editing the New Ulm News until October 30, 1909, when he sold the plant to the New Ulm Publishing Company, and the paper ceased to exist as a separate organ, the subscription list being transferred to the New Ulm Review, also a Democratic organ. NEW ULM POST. The New Ulm Post, the oldest German weekly of Brown county, was founded in February, 1864, and the first number was issued on February 5th, 1864. Wolff and Hofer were the publishers, and A. Wolff was the editor. The newspaper was published in the postoffice building on Broadway, known in later years as the Forster building, and located two doors north of the city clerk's office. Joseph Hofer became the sole owner of the newspaper on June 10, 1864. At that time it was a six-column, four-page paper. With the issue of July 29, 1864, Ludwig Bogen became the editor and publisher, and continued as such until May 12, 1865, when the Post was published by Bogen and Naegele. In July, 1869, the plant was removed to the Blatz building on Minnesota street. In October, 1869, Ludwig Bogen became the sole owner of the newspaper, and continued as such until April 18, 1886, when he died. He was also its editor. In 1873, the New Ulm Post appeared partly in English. In the middle of December, 1876, the plant was removed to the Bogen building on Center street, where it remained for over twenty years. After the death of Ludwig Bogen, the ownership and management of the newspaper devolved upon Albert A. Bogen, a son of the former publisher, and he secured the services of J. H. Strasser, as editor. During the time that Ludwig Bogen was the publisher of the newspaper it had espoused the cause of the Republican party. Shortly after Albert A. Bogen took charge of the newspaper, and during Cleveland's first campaign for the presidency, it became an exponent of Democratic principles, and has so continued. During the school fight, which was at its height in 1892, an offer was made to Albert A. Bogen by the opposition to those who were in control of the public schools at that time, to sell his newspaper plant to them, and he was on the point of doing so when he was importuned by friends to sell his plant to them. They purchased the plant in August, 1892, and sold it again the following week and on September 8, 1892, the newspaper was sold to J. H. Strasser, the editor of the paper, and he continued as editor and publisher of the newspaper until April 13, 1896, when he sold the plant to Edward and Armand Petry, who assumed charge of it under the name Of Petry Brothers, and published the paper until November 22, 1905, when they sold the plant to the New Ulm Publishing Company. They continued as editors of the paper until June 15, 1909, when E. J. Buehrer assumed the editorship. Mr. Buehrer continued in the work until October, 1911. Since that time Albert Steinhauser has been the editor. He became the sole owner of the Post on March 2, 1916. Prior thereto and on December 16, 1915, he had purchased the Fortschritt from the Brown County Co-operative Publishing Company. The last issue of the Fortschritt appeared the last week in December, 1915. Since that time the New Ulm Post and the Fortschritt have been consolidated under the name of the former which is at the present time published from the office of the New Ulm Publishing Company. The New Ulm Post is a twelve-page, six-column newspaper. THE MINNESOTA ANZEIGER. Another German weekly was ushered into existence at New Ulm, June 26, 1874, under the name of the Minnesota Anzeiger, with J. M. Broome as editor and publisher. This newspaper was, however destined to have a very short career and, with the issue of August 21, 1874, only two months after its founding, it passed out of existence. DER FORTSCHRITT. Der Fortschritt, a German weekly, was established at New Ulm, March 26, 1891, by Theodore Rein and John Schlumpberger as an organ of the Farmers Alliance, which movement was in its heyday in the early nineties. While it catered to the farmers and laboring classes generally, it was liberally supported by the business men. Ernst Brandt, who had formerly been connected with the New Ulm Post, and later was one of the publishers of the New Ulm Review, bought the paper and its plant April 28, 1892, and continued as its editor and publisher until December 2, 1912, when he sold out to the Brown County Co-Operative Publishing Company, a corporation made up of members of the Socialist party. Under the Brandt regime Der Fortschritt assumed an independent editorial policy, with leanings towards the Democratic. As a Socialist organ it became radical to the extreme and as a consequence lost much of the support and confidence it formerly enjoyed. The venture did not prove a financial success and the stockholders decided on December 16, 1915, to accept an offer for the purchase of the plant and subscription list made by Capt. Albert Steinhauser, publisher of the New Ulm Post. The final issue of the paper appeared December 28, 1915, and the subscription list was added to that of the New Ulm Post. The Fortschritt plant was a well-equipped newspaper and job office and for more than twenty years enjoyed the patronage of business men generally. NEW ULM REVIEW. Gen. Joseph Bobleter got into the newspaper game as early as March, 1877, when, on the fifth of that month, he published the first issue of the Monthly Visitor. It is reported that his friends made so much fun about a monthly newspaper trying to collect the daily happenings of a community that Mr. Bobleter decided to enlarge the paper and publish it weekly. The first weekly issue was published on January 2, 1878, under the name of the New Ulm Review. It was then a five-column four-page newspaper. The twelfth number of volume 2 appeared as an eight-column, four-page paper and it was published in that form until volume 8, when it changed to a six-column quarto. On January 1, 1887, Mr. Bobleter sold the Review plant to Ernst Brandt and John H. Weddendorf, who assumed the publication of the Review, under the firm name of Brandt & Weddendorf. Charles L. Roos, who had been doing editorial work on the Review under Colonel Bobleter, was continued as managing editor until March 7, 1888, when he resigned. He was succeeded by Emil Weschcke, who became the managing editor and continued as such until January, 1889, when he quit the newspaper field. Fred W. Johnson's name appears as the editor of the New Ulm Review for the first time in January, 1890. He became the owner of the Review on November 25, 1891, and was the editor and publisher until April 3, 1895. At that time Johnson took in Ernst Wicherski as a partner, and the Review was published by the firm of Johnson & Wicherski until November 25, 1896, when Ernst Wicherski became the sole owner of the newspaper. F. W. Johnson continued as the editor until February 15, 1899, when he was succeeded by Attorney Einar Hoidale, who helped out Mr. Wicherski with the editorial work for a short time. On April 12, 1891, he was succeeded by Max Latte, who was the editor of the paper until the latter part of August, 1899. In November, 1899, E. R. Barager assumed the editorship of the Review. On January 9, 1901, he also became the publisher, having bought out Ernst Wicherski. Six months later E. R. Barager sold the plant to W. R. Hodges and Asa P. Brooks, both of Sleepy Eye, who took charge of the Review with the issue of June 12; 1901, with Asa P. Brooks as editor. On November 22, 1905, the New Ulm Review was purchased by the New Ulm Publishing Company, and they have been the owners and publishers of it ever since. Asa P. Brooks resigned as editor on November 1, 1906, and was succeeded by Fred W. Johnson, who continued editor until June 15, 1909, when he was succeeded by E. J. Buehrer. Mr. Buehrer held down the editorial chair until October, 1911, and since that time Capt. Albert Steinhauser and Miss Harriet Payne have been the editors. The New Ulm Review is now a six-column, eight-page paper and the subscription price is $1.50 per year. It is an independent Democratic newspaper and enjoys a wide circulation and the patronage of the business men of the city. The New Ulm Publishing Company eliminated the New Ulm News on October 30, 1909, by purchasing of J. J. Green the subscription lists and the good will of the New Ulm News. Besides publishing the New Ulm Review, the New Ulm Publishing Company maintains an up-to-date and efficient job department. Several years ago they installed a Monotype, and for a long time enjoyed the distinction of being the only country newspaper in the state to be so equipped. They are also equipped with four job presses and recently installed a Huber cylinder press to take care of the fast growing business in the job department. Besides publishing the Review, the New Ulm Publishing Company prints the New Ulm Post for Mr. Steinhauser; The Messenger, a quarterly published by the students of the Dr. Martin Luther College; The Missionsbriefe, a German monthly published by the China Mission; Mind and Body, and the American Turner, monthly publication for the Turner Publishing Company of Minneapolis. The present officers of the New Ulm Publishing Company are Emil G. Hage, president; Alfred Schroeck, vice-president, and Albert Steinhauser, secretary and treasurer. BROWN COUNTY JOURNAL. The Brown County Journal, published at the city of New Ulm, was established by its present owner, Philip Liesch, October 15, 1898, as a Republican newspaper. At first it was a six-column paper, but has since been enlarged to that of a seven-column quarto, and is issued at a subscription rate of one dollar and fifty cents per year. It has an extensive circulation in the counties of Brown, Nicollet and Redwood. The Journal is a thoroughly up-to-date newspaper, which seeks, and does give all possible news of city and county np to the hour of going to press each week. Connected with the Journal plant is a modern printery—a job department in which all kinds of artistic and commercial printing is executed. Electric power is employed in the running of the various kinds of machinery, which include a linotype, three job presses and two-revolution book and job presses, with all such fixtures and material used in a twentieth-century printing plant, either in town or city. This office is centrally located just off of Minnesota street, in a modern brick structure, which is leased for a term of years. On account of the rapidly increasing business, the building has had to be enlarged twice within a few years. Whether one visits the Journal office on business or out of curiosity, they are at once impressed with the neatness and order found on every hand in counting room, editorial rooms, and the extensive printing establishment, and with the impressions must come the conclusion that the guiding hand who has managed so successfully the business for the last eighteen years must be able and competent in all that it takes to conduct a modern printing office. NEW ULM VOLKSBLATT. The German newspaper, styled the New Ulm Volksblatt, published weekly at New Ulm, was founded on September 21, 1892, by the Volksblatt Publishing Company. It is a Republican paper and in size and form is a seven-column quarto. It was established by the company just named and by it conducted until October 1, 1897, since which date it has been owned by Philip Lieseh, who also owns and edits the Brown County Journal, which is printed in the same building. The Voiksblatt is two dollars a year, and has a large circulation throughout Nicollet, Brown and Redwood counties. The job department is complete in every detail. Here is found every necessary appliance for executing modern commercial printing in excellent style, either in the German or English languages. The building, its style and location has already been mentioned above in the history of the Brown County Journal. The Volksblatt is to the German people what the Journal is to the English-speaking population in the communities in which it circulates. With the large German population in the country in which it pays its weekly visits, it is almost necessary that a first-class weekly newspaper be supplied, and in this Mr. Lieseh has made a success from the start. His paper is now almost a quarter of a century old. SLEEPY EYE HERALD-DISPATCH. The Sleepy Eye Herald-Dispatch was established in February, 1880, by Thomas E. Bowen, as a Democratic newspaper. The changes in ownership and editors have been about as follow; On May 5, 1890, Mr. Bowen sold the property to York & Marcellus, and two months later, W. R. Hodges purchased the paper and has conducted it ever since. Up to June 8, 1907, the paper was known as the Sleepy Eye Herald, but on that date he bought out his competitor, the owner of the Dispatch, and consolidated their names, making it the Herald-Dispatch. Mr. Hodges owns his own office building and has a good circulation in Brown and adjoining counties. His subscription rate is one dollar and fifty cents a year. The size of the paper is fifteen by twenty-two inches. The job business in this office is good and here is executed as fine work as can be found in any Minnesota printing office. Its equipment includes two cylinder presses, two jobbers, a linotype, folder, etc., making it modern throughout. OTHER NEWSPAPERS. An account of the newspapers of Sleepy Eye written in 1882, says at that date there were in Brown county the Brown Courty Republican, published by C. Browmwich, and the Sleepy Eye Herald, Democratic, by T. E. Bowen. Another publication there was the Sleepy Eye Wide Awake and the Gazette. COMFREY TIMES. The Comfrey Times was established on March 9, 1900, by W. R. Hodges, Sleepy Eye, and at first it was six-column, two pages, printed at home. It is now a six-column, four-page sheet. It is independent in politics. The office is equipped with a Diamond power cylinder, Chandler & Price and Clipper job presses. A two-horse International gas engine furnishes the power for the establishment. The job work executed here is fully up to the standard required nowadays. The proprietor owns his own building. The yearly subscription rate is one dollar and a half, if not paid in advance, but twenty-five cents less if in advance. On January 1, 1902, the paper was sold by W. R. Hodges to W. B. Brooks, who has published the paper ever since. Prior to the present owner taking the paper, Mr. Hodges, founder of the paper, had various managers, and among such were Hans Gyrthdahl, Harry Roe, W. B. Brooks, who worked one year and purchased the property. The Times has a good circulation in the counties of Brown, Cottonwood and Watonwan. SPRINGFIELD ADVANCE. The Advance published at the village of Springfield, was established in 1887 by Fred A. Wright, as a five-column, four page paper. Its present size is a six-column, all home print and runs from eight to thirty-two pages per week. It is independent Republican in its politics. The subscription rate of the Advance is one dollar and a half per year, in advance, at home and two dollars if sent to Canada. Its circulation is largely in Brown and Redwood counties. The equipment of the printing plant consists of all that is needed in a modern up-to-date printing office, including two Gordon presses, a drum cylinder book and job press and a newspaper press. The power to propel the plant's machinery is a two-horse gasoline engine. All sorts of excellent job work is turned out at this office weekly. HANSKA HERALD. The Herald, published at the little village of Hanska, was established in 1901, by Reverend Upton, who sold to Mr. Dresser, and by him to J. H. Haenzie and he in turn sold to A. B. Eggensperger, who purchased the property in January, 1906. This is an eight-page, six-column paper; is independent in its political hearings, and has a subscription rate of one dollar and fifty cents per year. It has a fair circulation in Brown and Watonwan counties. It is published in a leased building, and the owner makes a specialty of line commercial printing. This branch of the Herald's business is quite extensive, and reaches out into the Dakotas and all over Minnesota's southern counties. Its equipment includes a linotype machine, a stitcher, perforator, etc., and these are all run by electric motors. Within the last few months the property has been known as the holdings of the A. R. Eggensperger-Jones Company, Walter Jones having acquired an interest in the property. The Herald is a live local journal conducted on modern business principles by energetic men. THE ADLER. The Adler was the name of a German newspaper established in 1892 at Springfield, and continued about two years. It was started by Frank L. Manderfeld and others. It was a small weekly journal which was sold to a German school teacher named Klemme, but did not run long thereafter. Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY MINNESOTA ITS PEOPLE, INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS L. A. FRITSCHE. M. D. Editor With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families VOLUME I B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY, Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mn/brown/history/1916/historyo/newspape58gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mnfiles/ File size: 23.2 Kb