The Bronte Enterprise, Bronte, Coke County, Friday June 2, 1939

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Submitted by Mary Love Berryman - marylove@tyler.net
3 Nov 2000
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HISTORY OF THE BRONTE ENTERPRISE
By Merle Ash
 
Following is the theme of Miss Merle Ash on her graduation from Bronte 
high school last week. We print the theme not only because we are 
directly interested of course, but also it contains history that can 
thus be preserved.

"The Bronte Enterprise" is the name of the local newspaper of Bronte. 
It was extablished in the year of 1907 by Mr. C. H. Bently who came to 
Bronte from Tennessee at the time the railroad had just entered the 
town. At this time the town was small but gradually growing. Mr. Bently 
gave the paper its present name.

Due to the drouth and crop failure of 1909 and 1910, the town did not 
grow much and naturally the newspaper didn't either. Mr. Bently sold 
the paper and plant to D. M. West who then resided at Miles and owned 
a paper there. Mr. West employed Mr. C. W. Goff, once an editorial 
writer of leading dailies, to help him carry on both publications.
Mr. West kept the paper until 1912 and then sold the publication to 
T. R. Butler. Mr. Butler had been a resident of Bronte and was engaged 
in the drug business. He published the paper awhile but soon sold it 
to A. J. Nelson.

The paper continued until about 1916 and then suspended publication. 
About 1918 Mr. J. D. Scott, who now resides at Lubbock, Texas, bought 
the plant and began the publication of the local paper again. George 
Scott, son of J. D. Scott, owner of the paper in 1918 was the man after 
whom the American Legion of Bronte is named, he being the only Bronte 
boy who went over seas and did not return.

In 1920 Mr. J. D. Scott sold the plant and business to Mr. W. C. Redman.
 In January, 1923 Mr. Redman sold a half interest to D. M. West, who 
was pastor of the Baptist church. He assumed the job as editorial 
manager. Later in the year Mr. West bought Mr. Redman's interest and 
became sole owner.

Mr. West began modernizing the printing plant. In 1924 he installed new 
type faces, a modern country newspaper printing press and other 
equipment, finishing the installation of a modern printing plant by 
installing one of the latest models of type setting machines.
At the establishment of the newspaper, it was printed on a large job
press. It was rather difficult to read and it took a long time to get 
the paper printed. When Mr. West bought the paper in 1910, he installed 
a Washington Hand press which would print two pages at a time. The 
present equipment is modern.

Mr. West bought the present business home of the Enterprise in 1924 
and moved into it. The paper has operated continuously ever since.
The circulation has increased. At the the present it covers all of 
the Bronte territory.

The Bronte Enterprise, owned by D. M. West, is one of the attractions
of Bronte.

Permission granted by Observer/Enterprise for publication in the
Coke County TXGenWeb Archives