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The principal facts embodied in this chapter are compiled from an article entitled "Silver Paper Anniversary -- a Retrospect of Newspaper Life in Fairfield," prepared by W. W. Junkin, Esq. (the oldest continuous editor in the State), and published in The Fairfield Ledger on the 22d of May, 1878.

"The editor of the Ledger first set type at the age of ten years in the office of the Wheeling (Va.) Argus. His parents removed to Iowa in 1844. In the fall of 1847, he commenced again an apprenticeship in the office of the Iowa Sentinel, which had been established in Fairfield, by A. R. Sparks, that year. In the summer of 1848, Mr. Sparks sold the Sentinel to Ezra Brown and R. B. Pope. This threw the Ledger boy out of employment, but Mr. Sparks kindly procured him a situation at Des Moines, with Barlow Granger, and he aided in issuing the first number of the Star, in June, 1848, being the first paper printed in that city. He remained at Des Moines several months, and shortly after his return to Fairfield secured a situation on the Ottumwa Courier, published by Street & Warden, where he stayed during the winter of 1849-49.

"In November, 1849, Orlando McCraney established the Ledger, and was anxious that its present editor should enter into partnership with him; but a situation as a compositor was all he desired, and this he secured. In the spring of 1851, he left Fairfield, going as directly as the state of his finances would permit, to Richmond, Va., where he remained in the State printing office for nearly two years.

"May 16, 1853, he returned to his home at Fairfield, and found A. R. Fulton in possession of the Ledger, or the Ledger in possession of Fulton. On the 26th of May following, he purchased a half-interest of Fulton for $450, and commenced the newspaper business and the battle of life in earnest. This partnership continued very pleasantly until August 14, 1854. The business was not profitable for two persons, and after a little preliminary arrangement, Mr. Fulton retired, receiving $450 for his interest in the office. With kindly aid and encouragement, Mr. Junkin took hold of the business with the intention of making an influential local and paying newspaper. In the latter direction, he succeeded much better than in the former, believing at this time that there never was a year that he did not make more money than he spent.

"The life of the Ledger and its editor has been uneventful. He stuck to business and improved his paper as his means and ability gave him opportunity. He found warm friends who aided him by their wise counsel, and can now number over one hundred names on the subscription-books which were placed there twenty-five years ago. These friends will stick to him while life lasts. Thousands of other friends have continued to aid and encourage him, and at this time there are about one thousand on the books whom the editor regards as his personal friends.

"On the 8th of August, 1868, Mr. Junkin formed a partnership with Ralph Robinson, receiving $2,500 for one-half interest in the office. This partnership continued pleasantly and profitably until January 5, 1875, when Mr. Robinson retired, receiving $4,500 for the interest that he had previously purchased for $2,500. Power-presses and other improvements had enhanced the value of the office."

When Mr. Robinson retired, Mr. Charles M. Junkin, a son of the "oldest continuous editor in Iowa," succeeded him as co-manager, bringing with him not only the experience he acquired under the careful direction of his father, but in the Government printing office at Washington City.

The 25th of May last completed the silver anniversary of Mr. Junkin's connection with the Ledger, and as he had married in 1854, and raised a son (and seven other children--four girls and three boys) and schooled him in the "art preservative," he admitted that son (Charles M.) to an interest in the business. The Ledger is now conducted under the firm name of W. W. & C. M. Junkin.

Mr. Junkin continues: "This article is longer than was intended, but it would not be completed did it not give a brief history of the newspaper business in Fairfield. This will necessarily be imperfect, as files of the newspapers published here cannot be procured.

"The Iowa Sentinel (Democratic) was started in June, 1847, by A. R. Sparks. In 1848, it was sold to Brown & Pope. Mr. Pope died, and the paper was then sold to D. Sheward, who continued its publication until 1854, when his brother W. H. Sheward took possession and run it until 1855, when it died the death. The material was purchased by D. N. Smith, and the editor of the Ledger very complacently packed up the material for shipment to Corning.

"The Fairfield Jeffersonian was started September 18, 1857, by T. Buckey Taylor. In two weeks, Mr. Taylor tired of a Democratic paper, and sold to H. N. Moore and I. J. Tolan. This partnership did not continue long, Mr. Moore retired, and the paper was published by Tolan & Hanna. In a short time, Mr. Moore connected himself with the paper again. Then Tolan & Hanna went out, and Samuel Jacobs became Mr. Moore's partner. Sometime in 1860, Mr. Jacobs retired, and, in the fall of that year, Mr. Moore closed publication of the Jeffersonian, and shortly afterward, Mr. Junkin bought the material.

"The Constitution and Union was started by D. Sheward on the 8th of August, 1861, and was discontinued in the fall of 1863.

"In the fall of 1864, Rev. A. Axline started the Home Visitor, an educational journal. He formed a partnership with R. H. Moore, and, in 1866, we believe, A. R. Fulton became connected with it. In the fall of 1867, W. B. Murray bought Fulton's interest. In December, 1867, the editor of the Ledger concluded that the Visitor had run long enough, and made a proposition to purchase it, which was gladly accepted by Mr. Axline. The material was merged in the Ledger. In 1865, the Iowa Democrat was started, and continued until the grange excitement culminated in a desire for a county organ. The Iowa Democrat ceased to live, and on the 10th of January, 1874, the Industrial Era made its appearance with I. T. Flint and J. B. Kent, proprietors. Mr. Kent soon dropped out, as it was much work and no pay. Mr. Flint struggled on until September, 1875, when it gave up the ghost. The restarting of the Iowa Democrat early in 1875, by M. M. Bleakmore, had something to do with the demise of the Era. The Iowa Democrat was continued until August, 1877, when it was purchased by Woodward & Edwards, who changed the name to Fairfield Democrat."

In April, 1878, Frank Green purchased the Democrat material and changed the name of the paper to the Fairfield Tribune, under which name the paper is continued. On the 20th of April, O. L. Hackett became associate editor with Mr. Green, and, under their joint management, the Tribune promises to master the vicissitudes and trials that crippled and destroyed so many of its party predecessors.