Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-11-03

teachers, and such books us the coun-
try could afford, schools were main
tained till greater conveniences came
along with all the other advantages
that are the natural result of growth
in population and wealth.
But, SO late as 1854 and 1855, one Of
the great levers of commerce and
general intelligence was lacking in
Marion County. In the midst OF all
these evidences of advancement the
need of a local newspaper must have
been felt. This need was, in meas
ure, supplied by the publication OF
the Iella Gazette, early in 1855.
Early In the autumn Of 1854, i. II.
Grant, a practical printer, came from
the eastNtQ Pella, and entered into
'co-partnership with II. p. Scholte,
for the purpose Of publishing a
weekly newspaper i'm that town.
They Immediately set about making
the necessary preparations. A press
and type were purchased, building
suitable for a newspaper Office erect
ed, and list of subscribers obtained.
At length after a delay Of several
months after the enterprise was first
announced to the public, the first
number of the Peila Gazette, the first
newspaper printed in the County,
appeared under date of February l.,
1855; and it was, just Mt that time,
the most western paper published in
Iowa before reaching the Missouri
river. The Dcs Jfoines Star, pub
lished at TT. Des Moines, had sus-
pended operations just previously.
The Gdzette was a large sheet,
seven columns to the page, beauti-
fully printed from new type, OF n
size rather smAler than is generally
used for country paper. The lead
ing editorial was a lengthy article by
Mr.. Scholte, consisting mostly OF II
brief history of the Holland Colony.
In an article headed "Defining our
Position Mr.. Grant said:
at is not our intention to remain
silent upon the great political ques-
tions of the day. But we wish it to
be distinctly understood that we do
not intend to give blind credence
to the Vaccinations of any Of the
parties now dominant. We shall
lNlflar0svw our sentiments respect
ing any Of the great movements Of
the age, regardless Of political bias.
Whenever we can consistently APP
prove OF any acts performed BY either
party, which seem TO us to be calcu-
lated to benefit our State, or the great
national confederacy, we shall cor
daily lerd our influence TO sustain
and promote such measures"
In his address "To the Public" in
the same issue, the same writer
added:
"The difficulties and expenses
which have attended us in reaching
this position can hardly be appreci-
ated by any one unacquainted with
the business, and with the difficulties
incident ton new country"
Like most. pioneers, the Ga@ettc
began witha small list Of subscribers,
and but fewof these paid in advance.
Evidently, but few persons wished
to risk their money in an enterprise
Of this kind till they could be assured
Of its success. Notwithstanding this,
the paper held it's own for several
years, gradually Increasing IFS pat
ronage along with its more recent
competitors. Mr.. Grant continued
his connection with the Gazette till
some time in 1857 or 1853, after which
the paper was suspended for some
length Of time. In the summer or
fall of 1859 it was resuscitated by 5.
NJ. Hammond, published by him In
quartO form, and edited by Dir.
Scholte, as campaign paper. From
November till March, 1860, 1t was
published by Hammond & Hannold,
when it was finally discontinued,
and the subscription list transferred
to the knOrrWe Journal.
On the first Of October, 1855, just
eight months after the Gazette was
started, the first number Of the
KpO1TiNe Journal was issued by VIM.
NJ. Stone (since Governor Of Iowa
as editor and proprietor. The press
upon which it was printed was that
OF the old Toliey Why, published at
keokuk.
The Journal was published in. the
interests Of the Republican party,
but devoted much of its space to the