Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-09-24
VOL. xxxv11; NO, /.

OAAASAssA \ hHOA Va SSses'SJ
VOL. XXXVII; NO, /.
"reminiscences of Local Journalism
Since the Pee Dee's Birth.
Thirty-seven years ago the PLAT
DEALER was launched upon fine fitfu
sea of journalism, at New Oregon, b
its present publishers. The popula
ton of Howard county taken the yea
after at the census of 1860, was 3,16S
and of New Oregon township as givel
by the census of that year 75S
There lad been no beating of drums
no distribution of circulars announc
ing it's advent and not one name hat
been procured as subscriber for its
support, The theory of the pub
fishers was that they should first have
something to sell and if the article
was desirable it would huve pnr.
chasers proportional to population and
its appreciation of the article, Acting
always upon this theory they have not
been disappointed in either the de-
mand for, or the sale of their paper to
the public, and have no cause for COM
plant on that score. Liberal men OF
every faith and creed, and of all
shades of political opinion have
been its constant and unwavering
supporters, realizing that it extended
to others tho same right to their opin-
ions, which it claimed for its own,
scouting the term federation" and in
its place using the broader and better
word, freedom for thought and OF
speech.
The PLAIN DEALER from its incep-
ton has been aud is living exponent
OF its motto:
'.Pluck, Progress, Perseverance
and Patriotism in Politics.
Pluck, in establishing paper in a
county containing but 316S inhabit-
ants, old and young; Perseverance, ir
its publication each and every week
of the past thirty-six years: Progress,
in building up from small four page,
"a column sheet, to a TwIcE-A-WEEK
paper of Sc columns each week, thus
giving paper containing each week
eight more columns, than is given
in any other paper of the county;
Patriotism in politics, in it's adherence
to principles which it holds essential
to the public good, even when be-
trayed in the interests of London Jews
represented in Wall street by the Bel
mont-Morgan syndicate, by an admin
istration it helped to elect. 1t has al
ways been as ready to criticise poll
cies in administration in it's own party
which it regarded as detrimental to
the public welfare, as in the party OPP
posed, and will so continue. Its only
party pledge is to approve what it
comedies to be right and to condemn
what it believes is wrong.
In this connection it is perhaps
proper to note the adventurers who
sought wealth and fame through How
ard county journalism. First came F.,
Befffeeyy establishing the New Olegel
Republican, remaining long enough
to publish the delinquent tax list draw
his warrants, some $500, which he
took to DEBORAH and sold leaving his
sponsors in the soup.
Then came Fitz James Mckay a
bright, honorable and intelligent
young man with L. j, Gilmore and
across the azure sky flashed their
'Star of the West" flickering out in
thirteen weeks.
The Times was started soon after
the advent OF the railroad by Wood &
Mix, Wood retiring soon after aud
Mix dying about six months there.
after. During several months after
that. it was issued by G.. +. Brecken.
ridge as a sort of catch-as-catch-can
when there was legal printing which
promised a reward for the outlay.
w. N. Burdick then became it's pur-
chaser and publisher, and was sue
ceeded by |. A. Hoxie he selling the
Office to Togo & White and they to L.
+. Smith who transferred. it to its
present publishers j. C. s. Irene e.
Adams.
Next after the Times came Geo. w.
Haislet with the Peoples Representa-.
tive, as the official organ of Frank
Kyle, backed, supported and aided by
every corruptionist in the county in
their effort to wipe out the PLAN
DEALER. Its methods soon entailed
upon it the scabs of decay land was sue
coded by Geo. F. Crouch who soon rar
the length of his tether and was sue
ceeded by M. L. Jones who soon re
moved the office to Lime Spring;
thence to Spring Valley.
+. j. Stillman then came his mission
being the determination of both til,
Times and the PLAIN DEALER. Ate
a few brief months the Office left tn,
county.
Soon thereafter the Republican was
established by the Websters, who arc
conducting it with fair prospects d
success.
Then came w. A. Powers the cheek.
lest adventurer that ever invaded the
town with his Sun, which soon went
into the obscurity of an eternal
eclipse.
And finally we have had Cap Harris
guerrilla in newspaper business,
who after six months or more induced
Beadle q Akers to start u sort of
hybrid sheet under the pleasing title
OF Public Opinion, they soon learning
that public opinion was against their
enterprise. and they too have folded
their tents and gone.
ALI of these shystering sheets that
have gone, came brazenly before the
public asking advertising patronage
upon circulation from four to ten
times hat they ever had, and many
were the men who were imposed up