UNIVERSITY OF IOWA EXTENSION BULLETIN
EDWARD H. LAUER, Ph.D., EDITOR
NUMBER 175                                                        JULY 1, 1927
NOTES ON THE HISTORY OF IOWA NEWSPAPERS, 1836-1870
by
KATHERINE YOUNG MACY
PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY, IOWA CITY

LUCAS COUNTY

Little Giant took its name from Stephen A. Douglas during that eventful year, 1856, when it was founded by George M. Binckley.  This champion of Democracy was noted for his prolific creation of short-lived newspapers.  He rechristened his paper the Chariton Mail after two or three issues.  Associated with him were A. C. Cameron and W. T. Wade who soon after bought an interest.  The venture went on the rocks after a few mournful numbers.

Chariton Patriot was founded by John Edwards, in 1857, with F. M. Fairbrother later associated in publication.  The newly established Republican party had in the Patriot an earnest advocate, though Lucas county was Democratic.  Editors or proprietors during the years thru 1870 were Val Mendel, Charles Austin, E. B. Woodward, T. M. Stuart, Eugene Fawcett, J. W. Ragsdale, George H. Ragsdale, Moses Folsom, T. W. Fawcett, and W. H. Maple.

Chariton Democrat appeared in 1867 with John V. Faith as founder, editor, and proprietor.  He was a sharp, incisive writer whose bitterness sometimes overcame his sense of fairness, hence the paper was not always in good repute.  Clint Parkhurst became associated with him for a short time in 1870.  Faith's encounter with General Weaver and his subsequent apology in the columns of the Democrat have become traditions in the county.

transcribed from The National Archives



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