Lee County Iowa
Genealogy
Lee County Publications
1836-1886
Publications
Beobachter des Westens (Western
Observer)-Constitution-Courier-Daily Journal-Daily Times-Daily Whig-Deutsche
Zeitung-Dispatch-Gate City-Gem City Democrat-Gem City Telegraph-Iowa
Statesman-Keokuk Democrat-Keokuk Post-Knight's Sword and Helmet-Lee County
Democrat-Lee County Record-Lee County Republican-Lee County Republican-Herald
Monitor-Morning Glory-Nip and Tuck-Patriot-Plaindealer-Republican
Herald-Saturday Post-Valley Whig-Weekly Gate City-Weekly Whig-West Point
Appeal-Western Adventurer
THE WESTERN ADVENTURER
The second newspaper published within the territory
embraced by the State of Iowa, was at Montrose, within the borders of Lee
County, and was edited by Dr. Isaac Galland. The first issue of this paper was
May 11, 1836. Dr. Galland's paper came out soon after and was called the
WESTERN ADVENTURER.
(First paper published in the new territory was in Dubuque)
The WESTERN ADVENTURER was sold out to James G. Edwards, and merged into the
FT. Madison PATRIOT, the first number being issued at that place March 28,
1838. It was this paper which suggested that Hawkeye be the cognomen of the
State. After the Territory of Iowa was established, it was moved to
Burlington, then the capital.
THE PLAINDEALER
The Ft. Madison DAILY PLAINDEALER is the outgrowth of the COURIER, the
first issue which appeared July 24, 1841 at FT Madison, by R.W. Albright. It
was neutral in politics. The first issue contained a description of the towns
in the county. In December of that year W.E. Mason purchased an interest in
the paper when the name was changed to the Lee County Democrat, and it became
an organ of the Democratic party. In 1842 Mason sold his interest to O.S.X.
Peck. Soon after Mr. Albright bought out Peck's interest and became sole
proprietor. In 1847 Mr. Albright sold out to George H. Williams, who changed
the name to the IOWA STATESMAN. He soon sold out to J.D. Spaulding, who edited
it until 1857, when Lewis V. Taft and others purchased it and was changed to
the PLAINDEALER.
Mr. Taft held the paper for four years, laboring for the interest of the
Democratic party, when he sold out to Messrs. J.D. Storms, B. Grossman and A.
Stoddard. The firm changed several times, when in July, 1859. W.P. Staub
purchased the entire plant. For about two years during Mr. Staubs
proprietorship, Dr, A.C. Roberts conducted the editorial pages. In the spring
of 1861 Mr. Staub, in connection with his weekly, issued a daily, called the
Gem City Telegraph, this not being a financial success, and in July, 1863, Mr.
Staub sold out to William Caffrey, with the condition that the paper was to
continue a Democratic organ.
Mr. Caffrey took possession in August, but did not adhere to the conditions of
the purchase; on the contrary, he changed it to a stanch Republican journal.
To the principals of this party it has been attached ever since. The paper
passed into several hands, and was finally purchased by J.G. Wilson, who
edited it awhile, and June 4, 1885, it became the property of J.H. Duffus, the
present proprietor.
THE GATE CITY
This paper was started under the name of the Keokuk Daily Whig, its first
issue appearing March 2, 1854, with James B. Howell as editor and proprietor.
It was a five-column folio, and depended for its news from the outside world
upon the river packets, the stage coach and the pony mail. In those days local
news was not a marked feature in journalism. After a year of publication the
name was changed to that which it now bears. The associates of Mr. Howell in
editorial work during his connection with the paper, were Mr. Cowles, who had
been connected with the Valley Whig, and who subsequently died in the South;
William Richards and S.M. Clark. They were all gentlemen of education and
ability, and unusually fine writers. During the period above referred to, J.W.
Delaplain, who was connected to the WEEKLY WHIG from its first issue, in
March, 1849, became interested in the paper, and was business manager.
The GATE CITY is the only morning paper issued at Keokuk. It's circulation is
large and covers a wide expanse of territory. J.B. Howell became owner of the
GATE CITY in December,1860, and so continued until 1863, when he sold his
interest to J.W. Delaplain, which interest he retained until 1866, when he
sold back his interest to Mr. Howell. Mr. Howell remained proprietor until he
was elected to the Senate of the United States, in 1870, when S.M. Clark
entered into partnership with him, and became editor-in-chief. Prior to this,
however, Jesse B., son of James B. Howell, became business manager, and in
1879 acquired an interest in the paper. James B. Howell died in June, 1880,
and his interest reverted to his son, since which time there has been no
change in ownership or management. It was started under the proprietorship of
John B. Russell and Reuben L. Doyle, who were newspaper men, of considerable
culture, and writers of ability. Russell sold out his interest to Doyle in the
spring of 1849, but remained with the DISPATCH as associated editor until he
was carried off to another world by cholera, in July, 1850.
There were many changes in the ownership of the paper, when in October, 1855,
it came into the possession of D. Reddington, who changed the name to the
SATURDAY POST. Prior to this, in January, 1855, Mr. Reddington started a
daily, to which he gave the very expressive, if not euphonious, name of NIP
AND TUCK. He changed the name the following February to the MORNING GLORY.
Reddington sold out the MORNING GLORY in September to A.T. Walling and Dr.
Hussey. In January, 1858, Mr. Reddington sold out the POST to William Rees and
Sons, who published it until 1860.
The MORNING GLORY was consolidate with the DAILY TIMES, a paper which had been
started in July, 1855, soon after it's purchase by Walling and Hussey.
Subsequently they sold out to Charles D. Kirk, from Louisville, Ky., who in
November, 1857, issued the first number of the Keokuk DAILY JOURNAL. Mr. Kirk
also published a weekly. The weekly and daily JOURNAL was sold by Mr. Kirk to
Newton, Hussey and Givin.
This firm became embarrassed financially, in May, 1859, and the paper passed
into the hands of Charles Smith, who conducted it until December, 1861, when
it was purchased by Thomas W. Clagett under a sale of foreclosure. Mr. Clagett
changed the name of the paper to the CONSTITUTION, and under his judicious and
able management it took a position as one of the leading Democratic journals
of the State. Charles Smith, who was an able writer, was the link which
connected the merging journals with the CONSTITUTION, and was retained as
associate editor.
For about ten years the CONSTITUTION was continued as a morning paper, when
its publication was changed to the evening. Judge Clagett died in April, 1867,
and his daughter, Sue H. Clagett, conducted the paper until July following,
when it was purchased by John Gibbons, H.W. Clendenin, George Smith and Thomas
Rees, who conducted it under the firm style of John Gibbons and Co., Mr.
Gibbons assuming editorial charge. Thomas W. Eichelberger, who had been
connected with the paper from 1874, as city editor, retained his position.
In April, 1877, John Gibbons sold his interest to other members of the firm.
John Gibbons, who was a lawyer by profession, went to Chicago, and entered
upon the practice of his profession, and achieved success. In June, 1881 the
CONSTITUTION was purchased by a stock company which had been organized, since
which time the paper has been enlarged and many improvements made in all
departments. In 1884 the new CONSTITUTION building was completed. It stands at
Sixth street between Main and Blondeau, and is an imposing structure.
When the CONSTITUTION went into the hands of the stock company, the editorial
and business management was placed in charge of Dr. W.A. George, who was ably
assisted by his brother Byron George.
THE KEOKUK CONSTITUTION
This paper is the outgrowth of the KEOKUK DISPATCH, the first issue of
which was cast before the reading world May 20, 1848, and through a series of
developments and changing of names it has reached its present commanding
position as a commercial paper and a Democratic organ.
KEOKUK DEMOCRAT
This journal is comparatively a new enterprise. It was established Jan 9,
1883, by P.R. Nelson and Co. It was started as a five column folio, and, as it
name indicates, Democratic in politics. In January, 1884, it was purchased by
a stock company, and under the management C. Maxwell was editor. This
management continued until March, 1886, when the paper was purchased by Madden
Eichorn and Bechtold, who held it for a short time, and then sold out to
Charles A. Warwick and Robert S. Ranson. In September they enlarged the paper
and made it independent.
FT. MADISON DEMOCRAT
Prominent among the positive and leading Democratic papers of the Sate of
Iowa today, stands the Ft Madison DEMOCRAT, which was founded by that old and
prominent citizen, and radical disciple of the party, Dr. A.C. Roberts, on the
anniversary of our national independence, in the year 1869. It was a
six-column folio and located on Pine street. In 1879 the plant was moved into
the new building which was erected for it on the corner of Second and Cedar
streets. In December, 1877, the paper was changed to a six column quarto.
The DEMOCRAT is now conducted by Dr. Roberts and his two sons, Nelson C., who
is the business manager, and Edward M., who has charge of the local
department. The agricultural department of the paper is in charge of W.G.
Kent, and that of the children, of Mrs. E.A. Burkholder. Dr. Roberts gives his
attention particularly to the political department, in which he feels at home.
REPUBLICAN HERALD
The REPUBLICAN HERALD was established Nov. 6, 1884 by J.H. and E.H.
Hardin. It was a five column quarto, Republican in politics, and was called
the LEE COUNTY REPUBLICAN. In November 1885, at was consolidated with the MT.
Pleasant HERALD, A Greenback paper which had been printed in Mt Pleasant for
about ten years, the plant which was brought to Ft Madison under the name of
the LEE COUNTY REPUBLICAN HERALD, and enlarged to an eight-column folio. In
the spring of 1886 it became dependant in politics, with Joseph Williams as
editor. The REPUBLICAN HERALD is a weekly paper with a fair circulation, well
conducted, and devoted to the interest of Ft. Madison and the development of
the county.
KEOKUK POST
The Post is the outgrowth of the BEOBACHTER DES WESTENS (WESTERN
OBSERVER), the first German paper established in Keokuk. It's first issue was
in 1855, when it was published by William Kopp. In 1857 he sold out to Leopold
Madler, and in 1858 Christ Mueller became proprietor. Edmund Jaeger succeeded
Mueller in the proprietorship of the paper, and soon thereafter it was burned
down. Judge Jaeger was followed by Mr. Rattick, and he, after a brief period,
sold out to Jacob Wholwend and Serth in 1862. Subsequently they sold out to
Rinker and Althaus. In 1865 Mr. Wholwend purchased Rinker's interest, and the
firm became Wholwend and Althaus. In 1869 Emil Bischof became sole proprietor
of this paper and conducted it until 1874, when he sold to Charles Norman, who
in February, 1877 sold to Adolph Wulff.
During these various ownerships the name of the paper was changed first to the
Keokuk DEUTSCHE ZEITUNG, and then to the Keokuk TELEGRAPH.
On Jan. 1, 1886, the paper was purchased by Hinzel Bros., and enlarged to a
seven-column quarto. They purchased from Bechtold and Son, who had it from
Wullf, who had conducted it four years. The name was change to the Keokuk
POST, and it was made a pronounced Democratic paper. It had always been
independent in politics, leaning, however, to Democracy, and is the
representative of the German people in this section of the country.
WEST POINT APPEAL
On the 1st of October, 1881, the first issue of this newsy sheet greeted
the public for the first time, its first issue being made October 1. It was
started by Allison Leadley, and came forth to the reading people of Lee County
as a seven-column folio, independent in politics, and liberal in religion. Mr.
Leadley conducted the APPEAL about one year, when he took Arthur Howard in as
a partner. This arrangement lasted about one year, when Leadley sold out his
interest to Albert Webster. This firm conducted it for a time and then sold to
H.W. Wright, who was succeeded by H. Johnson. In March, 1886, E.H. Thomas
purchased the office, and is the present proprietor and editor.
A job department is connected with the office of the APPEAL. It has a liberal
circulation; is a bright newsy sheet and well edited. Its editor believes in
West Point, and through the columns of his paper never fails to present its
attractions and advantages in the most favorable light.
LEE COUNTY RECORD
At Donnellson this paper was started by Lew Walters and J.M. Banks, Feb.
12, 1886. It was a six-column folio, and independent in politics, and was
continued by this firm until August 27, when it was purchased by the stock
association of which John Haffner was President. Lew Walters was retained as
editor and manager.
The RECORD is run in the interest of the tax payers' association of Lee
County. During the last election it supported the claims of Mr. Haffner, who
was elected Supervisor. It has been earnest in its labors for the association
whose interests it represents.
THE KNIGHT"S SWORD and HELMET
A monthly magazine bearing the above title is published at Ft Madison, and
devoted almost entirely to the Knights of Pythias, whose cause it most ably
advocates. It is published by the Pythias Printing Company, and is in its
tenth volume. H.W. Dodd is manager, and is an experienced newspaper man.
Through his skillful management this magazine has secured a large circulation,
and has become the leading exponent of this order.
The MONITOR is another magazine which is under the same management, and
similarly conducted, but is devoted to the interests of the Odd Fellows Order.
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