Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1858-06-09
Starting a Newspaper.
BY WILLIAM s. HALLOCK.

BY WILLIAM s. HALLOCK.
The ubiquity of the printing press is
one Of the characteristics of the age
Every corporation and company must
have its special organ to advocate its
peculiar advantages,-every village
must be represented be an ''Advocate, :"
a ''W atchman" or a s'Torchlight."-
What a few years ago was confined
exclusively to the cities, is now extend
Ell to almost every village and town in
the country. The press is now an in
dispensible requisite to advance the
character and interest of any locality.
1t is a very easy matter for a few in
dividuals, interested in some enterprise
to convene and do the ''wind-work"
/, towards establishing an organ; but to
come up promptly with the ''material
aid is widely different. To promise
five hundred subscribers, to produce
by mysterious method Of addition a
thousand dollars to be made by lob
work and advertising, is easier than to
hand over 81, 900. r.. ..........
Now, the good citizens of Blowtown,
wanting to increase the value of sscor-
ner lots'' and s'beautifuI suburban resi-
dences," determined to establish a
weekly newspaper. To mature this
design, innumerable meetings were
held at the stores and such places as
were most convenient At these meet
ings, Squire Pussman, Elder BIowhard,
Squire Easy-and-sIow, Uncle Ultraman,
and the Messrs. Skinhint, took the most
prominent part Thc matter was pre-
sented in every possible light. Pussy
man thought the enterprise of vital i'm
portance-one which would do great
good without much sacrifice on their
part. Elder Blowhard urged that a
press be Immediately established;
though they should at first be compelled
to make a little sacrifice, they would
realize double the amount in less than
SIX months, In the way of rise in
| property name Of their beautiful
institution-Cornhill College, would
| be sounded abroad, and Blowtown
would be known afar off: Squire Easy
and-slow said he was for the measure.
Uncle Ultraman thought that paper
would pay the business men, as they
could advertise at small cost and re-
ceive a great benefit; besides, if they
could once get the ching a going,
they would shirk all responsibility on
the individual embarking in the enter
prise and he couldn't back out, and if
there was any loss, it would be the pub
liShcr's. The MessrS. Skintlint said
their motto was ''the greatest good at
the least cost;;'' and that they believed
a press would edo the thing
''For a press''-was the verdict Of
the citizens of BloWtown. The next
thing was to find some one to engage
in the enterprise, who would control
the paper and puf the town. This was
easily accomplished. A young printer,
who was attending college at Blow
town, by fattery, fair promises and
misrepresentation, was seduced from
his studies and persuaded to assume
\ the responsibilities Of editor, publisher
! and printer of the prospective paper.
to appear under the euphoneous title of
''1he Blortomr Scientific Iacestiga-
tor Subscription papers were circu-
lated and signed by men, women and
boys, 50 that in a short time formida
bic list of names was presented But
2 then, ''what's in a name?" The fire
hundred names were made up in about
the style of |kansas election returns" ;"
A few individuals subscribed for as
many as ten copies. This was consid
cred by them great sacrifice.
Our young. editor now began to feel
sanguine of success. Such glowing
pictures were presented to his mind.
and such assurances of ultimate sue
cess, that he began to look with con-
:. tempt on other papers, which were a
reality and not utopian dream. He
was induced to believe that the eInves-
E tigator' would soon be the first paper
Of the country, its subscription
list would 90 up to thousands.-that
, everybody's children would soon be at
tending Cornhill college; and that of
course eyerybody's parents would take
; the paper, to learn how their sons and
daughters progressed, that the Pro-
/ Ifessors Snizzle would adorn and enrich
the columns of the new journal with
, sparkling gems from their s:classical''
. and :'gifte d pens. This was a bright
, picture to be contemplated by an am
bilious, enthusiastic mind Ers
The citywas immediatel, visited, and
f the necessary material purchased for
Y issuing country newspaper. In due
+ time the press and fixtures arrived at
Blowtown, where there was a great
: hurrah, and exclanlations Of s'what a