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Encyclopedia Dubuque

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NEWSPAPERS. Dubuque has been the scene of intense competition in the field of newspaper publication. On May 11, 1836, the first issue of the [[DUBUQUE VISITOR]] was published by [[KING, John|John KING]]. Like many of its successors, the ''Visitor'' had a short life. The ''Iowa News'', the next paper in Dubuque, ran its first issue on June 3, 1837. The lead story concerned the confessions of an alcoholic.
[[Image:paperboys.png|left|thumb|350px|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]NEWSPAPERS. The newspaper business in early Iowa was very difficult.  Proof of this fact comes from the history that between 1836 and 1860, 118 newspapers ceased operations. (1) Acclaimed historian William J. Petersen stated, "It is doubtful if any other pioneer enterprise encountered so many pitfalls. (2) See listing of newspapers at the end of this entry:


The ''Miners Express'', the first strong political paper in Dubuque, began publication around August 1, 1841Avery Thomas purchased the needed materials in Cincinnati.  [[WILSON, David S.|David S. WILSON]] and Andrew Keesecker who had been involved with the ''Dubuque Visitor'' were the editors. Known as the "Thunder" for its support of Democrats over Whigs, the ''Express'', published by Avery Thomas, merged with the ''Iowa News'' in 1842.  In January 1845, Keesecker sold his interest in the paper of [[GREENE, George|George GREENE]], an individual often credited with the development of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Support for the Whig Party came through the Democratic ''Telegraph'' first published by [[MCCRANEY, Orlando|Orlando MCCRANEY]] in 1848.  
Early newspapers suffered through over-expansionIt was not unusual for several papers of the same political leaning to be developed in the same small community. In August of 1857, Dubuque had seven newspapers, six of them dailies. At the time there were 3,939 families in the city that had a population of 15,000. By 1947 Dubuque's population of 45,000 was being served by one paper. (3)


Newspapers flourished in the following years. A paper called the [[IOWA TRANSCRIPT]] appeared in 1843. By 1854 Dubuque hosted four daily papers including the ''Dubuque Observer''; ''Dubuque Tribune'', the first of the daily newspapers (1851); ''Dubuque Herald''; and the ''Miners Express''. There were also four weekly newspapers, including the ''Demokrat'' which was published completely in German, and one tri-weekly publication. News in early Dubuque was often hard to find as most people were busily involved with [[MINING]]. Those who read the papers found advertisements for doctors and peddlers on the front page with local news farther back. Obituaries appeared in many sections of the paper and under such titles as "Called Home" and "Taps."
Obtaining supplies or employees to publish a newspaper was difficult. The failure to obtain paper or ink because of high water on the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]] or roads impassable because of weather could lead to a shutdown of a paper for days...or months.  There was a lack of journeymen printers and strikes occurred. In 1857 a Dubuque editor explained to readers that a walkout of employees had left one person to print the paper. For the editor lay the tasks of paying staff, buying supplies, and attending every community function to collect news while dealing with late payments from advertisers or subscribers. (4)


[[Image:dubuquetimes.png|right|thumb|350px|]]In 1854 the ''Dubuque Herald'' merged with the ''Miners Express'' to form the ''Express and Herald''. By 1855 the word "Express" had been dropped, and the Northwest, founded in 1855, was bought out. In 1857 the ''Dubuque Daily Ledger'' and the ''Dubuque Times'', the only Republican daily journal in Iowa, began publication. The only other newspaper to enter the 1860s market was the ''Union'', a paper that lasted only several weeks. During the [[CIVIL WAR]] the ''Times'' and ''Herald'' argued bitterly. By the close of the war, Dubuque was supporting ten papers.  
Dubuque has been the scene of intense competition in the field of newspaper publication. On May 11, 1836, the first issue of the [[DUBUQUE VISITOR]] was published by [[KING, John|John KING]]. Like many of its successors, the ''Visitor'' had a short life. The ''Iowa News'', the next paper in Dubuque, ran its first issue on June 3, 1837. The lead story concerned the confessions of an alcoholic.
 
The ''Miners Express'', the first strong political paper in Dubuque, began publication around August 1, 1841.  Avery Thomas purchased the needed materials in Cincinnati.  [[WILSON, David S.|David S. WILSON]] and [[KEESECKER, Andrew|Andrew KEESECKER]] who had been involved with the ''Dubuque Visitor'' were the editors. Known as the "Thunder" for its support of Democrats over Whigs, the ''Express'', published by Avery Thomas, merged with the ''Iowa News'' in 1842.  In January 1845, Keesecker sold his interest in the paper to [[GREENE, George|George GREENE]], an individual often credited with the development of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Support for the Whig Party came through the Democratic ''Telegraph'' first published by [[MCCRANEY, Orlando|Orlando MCCRANEY]] in 1848.
 
Newspapers flourished in the following years. A paper called the [[IOWA TRANSCRIPT]] appeared in 1843. By 1854 Dubuque hosted four daily papers including the ''[[DUBUQUE OBSERVER]]''; ''Dubuque Tribune'', the first of the daily newspapers (1851); ''Dubuque Herald''; and the ''Miners Express''. There were also four weekly newspapers, including the [[DUBUQUE NATIONAL DEMOKRAT]] which was published completely in German, and one tri-weekly publication. News in early Dubuque was often hard to find as most people were busily involved with [[MINING]]. Those who read the papers found advertisements for doctors and peddlers on the front page with local news farther back. Obituaries appeared in many sections of the paper and under such titles as "Called Home" and "Taps."
 
[[Image:dubuquetimes.png|right|thumb|350px|]]In 1854 the ''Dubuque Herald'' merged with the ''Miners Express'' to form the ''Express and Herald''. By 1855 the word "Express" had been dropped, and the Northwest, founded in 1855, was bought out. In 1857 the ''Dubuque Daily Ledger'' and the [[DUBUQUE TIMES]], the only Republican daily journal in Iowa, began publication. The only other newspaper to enter the 1860s market was the ''Union'', a paper that lasted only several weeks. During the [[CIVIL WAR]] the ''Times'' and ''Herald'' argued bitterly. By the close of the war, Dubuque was supporting ten papers.  


In 1871 [[QUIGLEY, Patrick J.|Patrick J. QUIGLEY]] and S. D. Rich founded the ''Dubuque Daily Telegraph'', a paper historians have credited with supporting reforms to improve living conditions. The quarrels between the Democratic ''Herald'' and the ''Republican Times'' continued during Reconstruction, but occasionally the two cooperated as on February 6, 1887, when the ''Herald'' helped publish the ''Times'' after a fire ruined the Times' offices and damaged their press.  
In 1871 [[QUIGLEY, Patrick J.|Patrick J. QUIGLEY]] and S. D. Rich founded the ''Dubuque Daily Telegraph'', a paper historians have credited with supporting reforms to improve living conditions. The quarrels between the Democratic ''Herald'' and the ''Republican Times'' continued during Reconstruction, but occasionally the two cooperated as on February 6, 1887, when the ''Herald'' helped publish the ''Times'' after a fire ruined the Times' offices and damaged their press.  
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[[Image:101_0041.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Pocket watch marked "Globe Journal" perhaps given after years of employment. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding. ]]The 1890s in Dubuque newspaper circles were times of merger. The ''Ledger'' was sold. The name was changed to the ''Globe'' which bought the ''Times'' and another paper, the ''Journal''. The ''Globe-Journal'' became the city's evening paper, while the ''Times'' was the morning paper. The ''Times'' and ''Journal'' consolidated in 1906 to become the ''Times-Journal''. Two competitors, the ''Telegraph'' and ''Herald'' merged in 1901 to become the [[TELEGRAPH HERALD]] (the name was hyphenated until 1973). In 1919 the ''Daily News'' attempted to find publishing room in Dubuque but was ultimately purchased by the ''Times-Journal'' in 1921.  
[[Image:101_0041.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Pocket watch marked "Globe Journal" perhaps given after years of employment. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding. ]]The 1890s in Dubuque newspaper circles were times of merger. The ''Ledger'' was sold. The name was changed to the ''Globe'' which bought the ''Times'' and another paper, the ''Journal''. The ''Globe-Journal'' became the city's evening paper, while the ''Times'' was the morning paper. The ''Times'' and ''Journal'' consolidated in 1906 to become the ''Times-Journal''. Two competitors, the ''Telegraph'' and ''Herald'' merged in 1901 to become the [[TELEGRAPH HERALD]] (the name was hyphenated until 1973). In 1919 the ''Daily News'' attempted to find publishing room in Dubuque but was ultimately purchased by the ''Times-Journal'' in 1921.  


The circulation of the ''Telegraph-Herald'' continued to grow. In 1914 the paper moved from rented space at 7th and Main to more spacious quarters at 5th and Main. In 1927 the paper, under the presidency of [[WOODWARD, Fred W.|Fred W. WOODWARD]], negotiated the purchase of the ''Times-Journal''. In 1935 [[WOODWARD, Frederick Robert|Frederick Robert WOODWARD]] joined the paper as its secretary and treasurer. The first issue of the paper to be printed from the present building at 8th and Bluff appeared on the [[STREETS]] on July 14, 1930.  
The circulation of the ''Telegraph-Herald'' continued to grow. In 1914 the paper moved from rented space at 7th and Main to more spacious quarters at 5th and Main. In 1927 the paper, under the presidency of [[WOODWARD, Fred W.|Fred W. WOODWARD]], negotiated the purchase of the ''Times-Journal''. In 1935 Frederick Robert Woodward joined the paper as its secretary and treasurer. The first issue of the paper to be printed from the present building at 8th and Bluff appeared on the [[STREETS]] on July 14, 1930.  


In 1965, after a court battle, the Woodward family purchased total control in the paper from the Quigley family. The ''Telegraph Herald'' is today a division of [[WOODWARD COMMUNICATIONS, INC.]]  
In 1965, after a court battle, the Woodward family purchased total control in the paper from the Quigley family. The ''Telegraph Herald'' is today a division of [[WOODWARD COMMUNICATIONS, INC.]]  


On February 29,1966, the ''Telegraph Herald'' made newspaper publishing history by using the first Goss Metro Offset double-wide press ever built.
On February 29,1966, the ''Telegraph Herald'' made newspaper publishing history by using the first Goss Metro Offset double-wide press ever built.
During its first 50 years these were the newspapers published in Dubuque and their founders or publishers: (5)
           
                      Dubuque Visitor, John King, 1836
                      Iowa News, Coriell, King & Russ, 1841
                      Transcript, Houghton, 1843
                      Miners' Express, Wm. H. Merritt, 1837
                      Tribune, A.P. Wood, 1846
                      Telegraph, Orlando McCraney, 1848
                      Herald, D. A. Mahony, 1851
                      The Spike, L. A. Thomas, 1852
                      Express and Herald, J. B. Dorr & Co., 1853
                      Observer, R. I. and A. Thomas, 1854-5
                      Staats Zeitung, Bittman, Haig & Co., 1855
                      National Demokrat, F. A. Gniffke, 1856
                      Republican, C. C. Flint, 1856
                      Northwest, H. H. Heath, 1857
                      Times, Clement & Lyon, 1857
                      Turnverein, 1858
                      The Union, Samuel McNutt, 1861
                      Commercial, J. W. McLaury, 1866
                      News, D. C. O'Regan, T. T. Duffy and others, 1871
                      Evening Telegraph, S. D. Rich and others, 1871
                      The Arungs, George Halslett, 1874
                      Luxemburg Gazette, 1875
                      Nord Iowa Post, P. Karberg, 1875
                      Presberterianer, 1875
                      Saturday Night, B W. Blanchard, 1876
                      The Statesman, B. W. Blanchard, 1876
                      Advertiser, B. W. Blanchard, 1877
                      Evening Dispatch, B. W. Blanchard, 1877
                      Der Iowa, 1879
                      The Independent, Walter Thurtell, 1880
                      Evening Democrat, Flynn, Cooney, Sawyer and others, 1882
                      Prohibitionist, Revs. Bennet, Burreil and others, 1884
                      Anti-Prohibitionist, R. V. Shurley and others 1884
                      Western Youth, C. D. Kelly, 1884
                      Telegraph-Democrat, P. J. Quigley and others, 1884


---
---
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Sources:
Sources:


Oldt, Franklin T.  ''The History of Dubuque County''.  Chicago: Goodspeed Historical Association, p. 70-72
1. Petersen, William J. "The Good Old Days?--Well, Not Exactly," ''Telegraph Herald''
 
2. Ibid.
 
3. Ibid.
 
4. Ibid.
 
5. "Telegraph-Herald Established 1851," ''Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal'', August 24, 1930, p. 21
 
Oldt, Franklin T.  '''The History of Dubuque County, Iowa'''.  Chicago: Goodspeed Historical Association, p. 70-72


[[Category: Publications]]
[[Category: Publications]]
[[Category: Media]]
[[Category: Media]]
[[Category: Newspapers]]

Latest revision as of 18:13, 21 September 2021

Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald

NEWSPAPERS. The newspaper business in early Iowa was very difficult. Proof of this fact comes from the history that between 1836 and 1860, 118 newspapers ceased operations. (1) Acclaimed historian William J. Petersen stated, "It is doubtful if any other pioneer enterprise encountered so many pitfalls. (2) See listing of newspapers at the end of this entry:

Early newspapers suffered through over-expansion. It was not unusual for several papers of the same political leaning to be developed in the same small community. In August of 1857, Dubuque had seven newspapers, six of them dailies. At the time there were 3,939 families in the city that had a population of 15,000. By 1947 Dubuque's population of 45,000 was being served by one paper. (3)

Obtaining supplies or employees to publish a newspaper was difficult. The failure to obtain paper or ink because of high water on the MISSISSIPPI RIVER or roads impassable because of weather could lead to a shutdown of a paper for days...or months. There was a lack of journeymen printers and strikes occurred. In 1857 a Dubuque editor explained to readers that a walkout of employees had left one person to print the paper. For the editor lay the tasks of paying staff, buying supplies, and attending every community function to collect news while dealing with late payments from advertisers or subscribers. (4)

Dubuque has been the scene of intense competition in the field of newspaper publication. On May 11, 1836, the first issue of the DUBUQUE VISITOR was published by John KING. Like many of its successors, the Visitor had a short life. The Iowa News, the next paper in Dubuque, ran its first issue on June 3, 1837. The lead story concerned the confessions of an alcoholic.

The Miners Express, the first strong political paper in Dubuque, began publication around August 1, 1841. Avery Thomas purchased the needed materials in Cincinnati. David S. WILSON and Andrew KEESECKER who had been involved with the Dubuque Visitor were the editors. Known as the "Thunder" for its support of Democrats over Whigs, the Express, published by Avery Thomas, merged with the Iowa News in 1842. In January 1845, Keesecker sold his interest in the paper to George GREENE, an individual often credited with the development of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Support for the Whig Party came through the Democratic Telegraph first published by Orlando MCCRANEY in 1848.

Newspapers flourished in the following years. A paper called the IOWA TRANSCRIPT appeared in 1843. By 1854 Dubuque hosted four daily papers including the DUBUQUE OBSERVER; Dubuque Tribune, the first of the daily newspapers (1851); Dubuque Herald; and the Miners Express. There were also four weekly newspapers, including the DUBUQUE NATIONAL DEMOKRAT which was published completely in German, and one tri-weekly publication. News in early Dubuque was often hard to find as most people were busily involved with MINING. Those who read the papers found advertisements for doctors and peddlers on the front page with local news farther back. Obituaries appeared in many sections of the paper and under such titles as "Called Home" and "Taps."

Dubuquetimes.png

In 1854 the Dubuque Herald merged with the Miners Express to form the Express and Herald. By 1855 the word "Express" had been dropped, and the Northwest, founded in 1855, was bought out. In 1857 the Dubuque Daily Ledger and the DUBUQUE TIMES, the only Republican daily journal in Iowa, began publication. The only other newspaper to enter the 1860s market was the Union, a paper that lasted only several weeks. During the CIVIL WAR the Times and Herald argued bitterly. By the close of the war, Dubuque was supporting ten papers.

In 1871 Patrick J. QUIGLEY and S. D. Rich founded the Dubuque Daily Telegraph, a paper historians have credited with supporting reforms to improve living conditions. The quarrels between the Democratic Herald and the Republican Times continued during Reconstruction, but occasionally the two cooperated as on February 6, 1887, when the Herald helped publish the Times after a fire ruined the Times' offices and damaged their press.

Pocket watch marked "Globe Journal" perhaps given after years of employment. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding.

The 1890s in Dubuque newspaper circles were times of merger. The Ledger was sold. The name was changed to the Globe which bought the Times and another paper, the Journal. The Globe-Journal became the city's evening paper, while the Times was the morning paper. The Times and Journal consolidated in 1906 to become the Times-Journal. Two competitors, the Telegraph and Herald merged in 1901 to become the TELEGRAPH HERALD (the name was hyphenated until 1973). In 1919 the Daily News attempted to find publishing room in Dubuque but was ultimately purchased by the Times-Journal in 1921.

The circulation of the Telegraph-Herald continued to grow. In 1914 the paper moved from rented space at 7th and Main to more spacious quarters at 5th and Main. In 1927 the paper, under the presidency of Fred W. WOODWARD, negotiated the purchase of the Times-Journal. In 1935 Frederick Robert Woodward joined the paper as its secretary and treasurer. The first issue of the paper to be printed from the present building at 8th and Bluff appeared on the STREETS on July 14, 1930.

In 1965, after a court battle, the Woodward family purchased total control in the paper from the Quigley family. The Telegraph Herald is today a division of WOODWARD COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

On February 29,1966, the Telegraph Herald made newspaper publishing history by using the first Goss Metro Offset double-wide press ever built.

During its first 50 years these were the newspapers published in Dubuque and their founders or publishers: (5)

                     Dubuque Visitor, John King, 1836
                     Iowa News, Coriell, King & Russ, 1841
                     Transcript, Houghton, 1843
                     Miners' Express, Wm. H. Merritt, 1837
                     Tribune, A.P. Wood, 1846
                     Telegraph, Orlando McCraney, 1848
                     Herald, D. A. Mahony, 1851
                     The Spike, L. A. Thomas, 1852
                     Express and Herald, J. B. Dorr & Co., 1853
                     Observer, R. I. and A. Thomas, 1854-5
                     Staats Zeitung, Bittman, Haig & Co., 1855
                     National Demokrat, F. A. Gniffke, 1856
                     Republican, C. C. Flint, 1856
                     Northwest, H. H. Heath, 1857
                     Times, Clement & Lyon, 1857
                     Turnverein, 1858
                     The Union, Samuel McNutt, 1861
                     Commercial, J. W. McLaury, 1866
                     News, D. C. O'Regan, T. T. Duffy and others, 1871
                     Evening Telegraph, S. D. Rich and others, 1871
                     The Arungs, George Halslett, 1874
                     Luxemburg Gazette, 1875
                     Nord Iowa Post, P. Karberg, 1875
                     Presberterianer, 1875
                     Saturday Night, B W. Blanchard, 1876
                     The Statesman, B. W. Blanchard, 1876
                     Advertiser, B. W. Blanchard, 1877
                     Evening Dispatch, B. W. Blanchard, 1877
                     Der Iowa, 1879
                     The Independent, Walter Thurtell, 1880
                     Evening Democrat, Flynn, Cooney, Sawyer and others, 1882
                     Prohibitionist, Revs. Bennet, Burreil and others, 1884
                     Anti-Prohibitionist, R. V. Shurley and others 1884
                     Western Youth, C. D. Kelly, 1884
                     Telegraph-Democrat, P. J. Quigley and others, 1884

---

Sources:

1. Petersen, William J. "The Good Old Days?--Well, Not Exactly," Telegraph Herald

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.

4. Ibid.

5. "Telegraph-Herald Established 1851," Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal, August 24, 1930, p. 21

Oldt, Franklin T. The History of Dubuque County, Iowa. Chicago: Goodspeed Historical Association, p. 70-72