of
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| History of Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume I, 1911, pages 397-399
THE NEWS-TRIBUNE. The Muscatine News-Tribune is a lineal descendant of the Democratic Enquirer, established by H. D. LaCossitt in 1848, who remained at the wheel until 1853, when for six months W. B. Langridge had the arduous task of steering the craft.
In 1854 the paper was sold to J. Carskadden and T. M. Williams, passing in 1855 into the hands of Williams, Gibson and Company, with Judge Robert Williams as editor. Under this administration the paper became vigorously democratic and was the first paper in Iowa to advance the name of James Buchanan for President. In January, 1856, the paper again changed parents, D. S. Biles and E. W. Clarke becoming sponsors for the firm. Mr. Clarke withdrew in a short time. Mr. Biles continued as editor and publisher until 1859, when he sold the entire outfit to J. Trainor King, who changed the name of the paper to the Review and gave it a daily attachment. The following year another change of proprietorship occurred E. H. Thayer being the purchaser and changing the name to the Courier. In 1864, Barnhart Brothers later proprietors of the Great Western type foundry of Chicago, purchased the paper and for eight years were very successful in their management when there was another change, G. W. Van Horne becoming owner. Another change was made in the name and the Tribune then appeared, which was issued as a weekly for two years when E. H. and W. C. Betts became associated in the proprietorship and a morning daily was established. Mr. Van Horne retired in 1877 and W. C. Betts died in 1879, when E. H. Betts became sole proprietor.
On November 30, 1887, the Muscatine News company was incorporated with a capital stock of $25,000 with the following officers:
William Huttig, president; William Hoffman, treasurer; George W. Van Horne as secretary. They began the publication of the Daily News. Mr. Van Horne was one of the most scholarly and gifted writers in the country and remained as editor until his death in 1895, when he was succeeded by Joseph Gerard Van Lent, as editor, who had been the city editor for 7 years, and who still remains as editor of the News-Tribune.
On May 1st, 1889, the Muscatine News Company acquired the Tribune by purchase and both papers were consolidated and were issued as the News-Tribune, a daily and semi-weekly issue being published.
In September, 1902, Messrs. Joseph G. Van Lent, Frank W. Eichoff and John C. Van Lent, decided to acquire the stock of the company, All three were born and reared in Muscatine and were imbued with the idea to give their beloved home town and community a newspaper that would reflect the views and keep full pace with the progress and growth of the city.
Joseph G. Van Lent had been connected with the News-Tribune and the News for 14 years past and enjoyed a wide acquaintance; Mr. Eichoff had a number of years' experience in the office of County Clerk and County Treasurer as well as several years' experience as local editor and manager of the evening paper; John C. Van Lent was a practical job printer and also served as assistant post master of the Muscatine post office for 11 years, under both political administrations, leaving his position to associate himself in the publishing business. The combination looked peculiarly well fitted to win success and on September 16, 1902, they purchased the stock of the company and the News-Tribune passed to the new regime.
It was and is the determination of the present owners to make the paper in all respects a worthy newspaper in the broad and modern meaning of the term. The news service is ample, reliable and wholly independent of its political opinion. It faithfully gleans and presents city, county, state and general world wide news with celerity and accuracy and publishes information that will instruct, interest and enlighten its readers.
In politics the News-Tribune is clearly and distinctly democratic, ever loyal to the principles and policies of the grand old party, the name of whose father and founder Thomas Jefferson, is enshrined in every American heart. In so doing it lends its influence toward advancing the cause whose triumph will redound to the individual and National welfare.
In matters of municipal concern the News-Tribune will aspire in the future as in the past to occupy advanced ground. Its unswerving fidelity to a policy of progress is known to all. Public spirit has prompted it in taking the initiative in the successful agitation leading to the construction of the high bridge, inauguration of the electric railway, brick paving and sewerage system, the acquiring by the city of its own water plant and the location of important industries, and in every way made itself an active factor in promoting the best interests of the city. The News-Tribune's loyalty to the city in the past is the best possible guarantee that it will be equally loyal in the future.
It is the first and highest purpose of the News-Tribune to excel as a purveyor of news and a reflection of public sentiment and it has invariably had the co-operation and support of a valued constituency and a generous patronage.
With the paramount desire to give all subscribers the benefit of current news and to deal fairly with the individual and with the public, the publishers are confident that they will have the continued good will and patronage of the community.
The News-Tribune is conveniently located on Iowa avenue and occupies a three story building including a basement, for its home. Its mechanical equipment is of the best with perfecting press, a battery of linotypes and all the accessories for printing a live daily newspaper. The first linotype in Muscatine county was installed by the News-Tribune in April, 1897.
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