West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
THE NEWSPAPERS

Newspapering in West LIberty began 70 years ago, when C. Baker, son of a Wilton minister, launched the West Liberty Enterprise, April of 1868. Machinery cost money even then, so the paper was printed at Wilton until November of that year when The Enterprise was sold to C. D. Eaton and George Trumbo, who installed a plant here. Mr. Trumbo soon bought Mr. Eaton's interest, and in February of 1869 sold to J. W. MvElravy.

Mr. McElravy, who enjoyed the association of Harry Gregg for a time, retained the property until November of 1883 when The Enterprise was purchased by Harry Macdonald and Mrs. Lou Benjamin. Macdonald and Benjamin were at the helm until May of 1887, when their printer, Charles A. Bancroft bought the paper.

The field had proven attractive, and in 1884 The Wapsie Index was launched by Jont Maxson and Co., with James Morgan as editor, and from the same shop, The Dairy and Farm Journal was published. In January 1888 N. W. Ball became the Index editor, and six months later bought the paper. In 1892 Mr. Ball also became the owner of The Enterprise and merged it with The Index under the title Enterprise-Index. Mr. Ball died Dec. 18, 1892, but his widow continued publication of the paper with E. C. Nichols as editor, until 1894 when Jont Maxson and his son William, and P. R. Hardin leased the plant. In July of 1897 the property was purchased by J. W. McElravy.

Mr. McElravy sold a half interest in The Enterprise-Index, in March of 1902, to W. A. Leefers of Tipton, and R. C. McElravy, son of the veteran publisher, became actively engaged in the editorial work. In August of 1902, S. B. Osborn joined with Mr. Leefers and they purchased the McElravy interests in the plant.

Mr. Leefers sold his interest to C. T. Johnson of Tipton in February of 1903, and in October of that year, Mr. Johnson sold his share to Albert W. Jackson, who had been foreman in the shop. Mr. Jackson bought out Mr. Osborn in October of 1904. Mr. Jackson dropped "Enterprise" from the title, since which time it has been The Index.

Another competitor, titled The Ruralist, had appeared in the early turn of the century, under the touch of T. C. Anderson, but in 1906 William Maxson, who had spent some time in the printing of Chicago after leaving West Liberty, returned to his home grounds and purchased The Ruralist. Shortly thereafter Mr. Maxson joined forces with Mr. Jackson, and The Index again was alone in the field.

Mr. Jackson sold his half interest to Mr. Maxson in November, 1912, and in November 1920, Mr. Maxson sold the plant to Mr. and Mrs. George Hise who have retained it.

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