Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1841-10-22
To Our Patrons.

Dos To Our Patrons.
The present number closing the first volume OF the
Herald, we deem the present an appropriate and pro-
DER time to take review of career since our first
association with you from which we may, justly we
trust. draw deduction as to the most proper course
to pursue for the future and form calculation APP
preaching to accuracy as to what we may hereafter
expect.
When one year ago we launched our little bark
in this place. to US and to many friends the result Of
the enterprise was thought doubtful. In every sec
ton of our wide spread country little weekiies, mush
room-ike, had sprung up in every Little village, and
in the same sunk carly. on the approach OF
season unfavorable to their growth. In many places
they have had the aid of ambitious politicians and
land spectators to keep up their brief existence but
found an early grave, until confidence has been lost
in them, and the people have become dstruslul and
10th to promise encouragement to others. Under
this Iamentabe state of the newspaper press, the
Herald was commenced, without the promised aid of
either Spectator or politician, further than citl-
zens willing to encourage the enterprise, but with
determination that if industry, economy and perseve
rance could ensure success, it should be attained.
Our village was small, our country thinly settled,
and our mail facilities inadequate to speedy inter-
course with the surrounding country, so, of course,
our list was small With full determination that
as we had put our hands to the plough, we would
not look back until the experiment whether Demo-
ha n1 in ufO ShOud
be fairly tried we commenced our labors with the
Herald. By unceasing toll we have brought the first
volume to close promptly issuing our sheet on our
regular days of publication, which has seldom, if ever
before been tue case with our western country pa
pcrs. Our list has increased with rapidly truly
encouraging and nearly equals that of the old
est papers in the Territory and in advertising and
lob work liberal patronage has been bestowed.
Since the commencement of the Herald, our place
has rapidly grown, and increased in population, and
the surrounding country welcomed its proportionae
share of those who have sought home in Iowa, all
of which combine to form in US the belief that the
perrnanency of the Herald is no longer a matter Of
doubt To the numerous friends who have lent their
assistance in extending the circulation of the Herald,
we return our warmest thanks, as well as to those
who have unsolicited, conferred their patronage
upon us.
During the past year, it is scarcely deemed neces-
sary to state that we have encountered many ohsta-
cles in our way. The scarcity of money throughout
the country has been severely felt that it has been
with difficulty that we could obtain the means Of car
rving on our operations, even while conducted In the
most economical manner. Believing that sub
scribers would willingly discharge the accruing debt,
when possible, we have permitted the names of nu-
merous persons unknown to to go upon our books,
and in but few instances, as yet, have we presented
bills for subscription, consequently the far greater
portion of our past years earnings have not yet been
realized, and our receipts falling short of our neces-
sary expenditures has necessarily involved in
few small debts, relief from which, by means acquired
from those in arrears, is very desirable.
For the future we shall promise nothing, but leave
the reader to judge of what our paper will be from
the past. We have devoted our whole time and
means 10 make it interesting and useful, and as to
how far we have succeeded we leave it others to
Judge. If business shall again resume its wonted
activity throughout the country, we may be enabled
to add to its interest," perhaps to size by the close
of another year, if patrons shall be prompt in dis
charging their dues.
Wishing you happiness and prosperity, we shall
pass from the first the second year under prospects
more lattering than when we first began.