San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-09-03
PROUD EXPRESS.

newspapers in San Antonio, there
are many omissions, as well as
some inaccuracies. The reminis-
cences written by Col. j. p. New
comb, are an interesting feature
in the writeup, but there are omit
ted many particulars of latter day
publications. In its own history
| it omits the fight it had with the
anarchist element, when Col.
Frank Grice was compelled to
buckle down to the case as a type
setter, with his suspenders hang
ing to his flanks, while the pers-
peration rolled down his rosy
cheeks in great chunks, Col.
Grice didn't want any more ex-
perience with the strikers, so he. in
troduced the Mergenthalers in
to his office, thus getting rid Of
the agitators, by throwing about
twenty men out of job.
Col. Ferguson, of the Times, had
the next battle with the commune.
Later, the LIGHT has had its ex-
perience, and sit still shines for
ALL"
The Express also forgets to men,
ton the fact that some of it's best
employes and late writers, re-
ceived their first newspaper in
structions on the LIGHT; that it at
times, has even borrowed it's regu-
lar editors.
In speaking of the LIGHT it mix
es up the history as follows:
"The Evening LIGHT was start
ed by j. p. Newcomb, January 20,
1881. 1t was the first dime-a-week
daily paper, and was a success
from the start. The LIGHT may
properly be said to have grown out
of the Surprises small thumb sheet
that dealt in local hits. The LIGHT
was incorporated by Newcomb &
Clifford in May 1881, but subse-
quently passed into the control and
management of Thomas b. John
son, being edited by w. S. Mess
mer. The LIGHT is the leading
Republican daily in the state"
CORRECT ACCOUNT.
| The ~'EvENING LIGHT" was in
corporated by James p. Newcomb,
A. w. Clifford and 7. B. johnson.
The first issue was January Goth,
1881, with James p. NewcOmb
as editor, and Il. B. Johnson
as business manager. The
"EvENING LIGHT" was started on
the ruins of the TEXAS SUN upon
which A. w. CLIFFORD had sunk
about $l5, 900 advocating immigra-
ton into Western Texas, under the
patronage of Col. H. M. Hoxie
and T. w. Pierce. The "SUR-
PRISE" was only a little ephemeral
sheet, written by j. p. Newcomb,
while the mechanical work and
advertising hustling was done by
the present manager of the LIGHT.
On November first, 1881, a new
charter was applied for and issued
to A. w. Clifford, T. b. johnson,
and w. l.. Winter, under the name
and style, "SAN ANTONIO LIGHT
PUBLISHING COMPANY" The
"EvENING LIGHT" ceased to exist;
the name of the paper being
changed to the "SAN ANTONIO
DAILY LIGHT" w. l.. Winter
was elected editor, and Il. b. John
son, as secretary and treasurer
and general manager.
About year later, Mr.. w. s.
Messmer succeeded w. l.. Winter
as principal editor, having pur-
chased his interest, while Il. B.
Johnson bought the stock of A. w.
Clifford. The present owners and
officers of the LIGHT are publ ished
in the paper.
The Express can well be proud
of its achievements in building up
a'big morning daily paper, where
it has had monopoly of the field
with practically no opposition
for nearly twenty years; while the
LIGHT for the past fourteen years
has witnessed the birth and de-
mise of an afternoon competitor.
about once every two years.
The Express forgets to mention
the fact that the LIGHT has never
changed its politics; that it is the
only Republican newspaper that
has existed in the south so long a
time as fifteen years; that the
Sunday Morning LIGHT is the on
ly venture of the kind in Texas;
that when the city printing gets to
be worth $13, 200 a year again, we
too will put up fine printing office
building, when the Mergenthalers
and presses of today will be back,
number.
A Months Weather.