St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-05-29
The Minneapolis Morning
Newspaper Property Sold
to a Syndicate,
In Which Col. Lowry, Mr..
Blethen and Mr.. Smith
Will Figure.
The Price, Including News
Franchises, Placed at
About 100000.
Ferment in the Tribune Of
flee, Where a Clean Sweep
Is Expected.

For several weeks past the air of the
Twin Cities has been surcharged with
rumOrs and gossip of the sale of one or
more of the leading newspapers; and
while it was the general belief that
nothing would actually result from the
stories in such active circulation, at the
same time there was quite an interest
felt in what might turn out to be the
transfer of important newspaper
property. Ever since his disposal of
the Tribune. last summer. A. j.
Biethen has been uneasy and restless
and did not appreciate the luxurious
ease and retirement which followed
upon his retirement from active news
paper life. He longed for return to
the cares and excitement OF daily.
paper. and has been casting about him to
secure a reinvestment in the fascinating
and irksome business. He was reported
one week as negotiating in Kansas City,
the next in Washington and the next in
Duluth; but while it was seriously am
nounced that these deals '.meant busi-
ness" Col. Blethen returned to the
Twin Cities still disconnected with the
cares and responsibilities. of news
paper management. The stories
died a natural death it was
believed. but it transpired it was mere
ly cataleptic condition, for. when he
turned up two weeks ago with William
Henry Smith, of Chicago, general man
ager of the Western Press association,
and appeared again in the market, the
rumors took new life. 1t was reported
A SYNDICATE HAD BEEN FORMED
embracing, besides Messrs. Blethen and
y, fNDl II IL
other capitalists, and that some news
paper would certainly be purchased.
Conferences with tine present owners OF
the Minneapolis Tribune. MeSsrs. Has
kell and Palmer, became frequent Oc-
currences, and it was daily whispered
that that paper would soon pass into the
possession of the syndicate. This was
most streuuOusly denied by the Tribune
authorities, and, as William Henry
Smith returned to Chicago, the denial
was accepted: but few days since the
press association magnate returned, and
reopened the mouths OF the gossipS.
At last deal was made. and it was
yesterday officially announced that the
Tribune had been purchased and the
property would, on June l, pass into
the hands of the syndicate. This was
confirmed by parties to the contract and
is beyond doubt true. 1t was stated the
delay was occasioned by the distance
which separated Haskell pere from
Haskell fills, and that at length an un-
derstanding was reached. The pur-
chase price is not given, but it is under
stood the sale was made on basis of
something less than 5000 and that
this sum includes the news franchises.
THE TRIBUNE OFFICE
was in state of ferment last night over
the event, as it had already been ru-
mOred that in the event of deal there
would be a clean sweep. When Mr..
Palmer succeeded Mr.. Blethen there
was practically clearing out of the old
force, which was replaced by friends of
the new management. 1t is now given
out that Charles Alf Williams, long a
protege of Mr.. Blethen, will become
managing editor, and that position
high up in the scale will be held down
by son of William Henry Smith; and
further. that new head to each de-
partment may be expe eted in the near
future.
There are various other rumOrs in the
air, several of which are said to come
from Mr.. Blethen himself, and they
lack confirmation. 1t is said the new
syndicate is both wealthy and ambi-
tiOus, and is reaching out for Twin
City property with both hands. The
statement is made by those presumably
on the inside that within a week several
startling and interesting transfers Will
he announced