The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1899-09-16

The following very interesting sketch
of the early newspapers of Meridian
was prepared by Col. j. j. Shannon and
enclosed in a letter to the editor of this
department, dated June 20, 1887. 1t is
a valuable contribution not only to the
history of the press of Meridian, but con-
tains other matters of general interest:
"We learn from gentleman who was
one of the pioneers of Meridian, that
the first paper published here was com
menced by Mr.. W. L. Spinks, in the
year 1859. The gentleman to whom we
refer, Mr.. John T, Ball, induced Mr..
Spinks to locate here and gave him
material aid in the undertaking. Mr..
Ball came here before Mr. RagSdale's
purchase of the McLemore land, and is
entitled to the honor of having named
the town Meridian An effort was
made afterward when Mr.. Ragsdale
had his part of the town laid off into
lots, to change the name to Ragsdale
City. but it met with little favor. Mr..
Ball had the postotfice established as
Meridian, though the Mobile Il Ohio
railroad depot was first called So
washee, but finally Mr.. Ball succeeded
in having the name of the station
changed to Meridian.
''Mr. Ball says Mr.. Spinks' paper was
called The Meridian. 1t was intended
to help boom the town, and secure the
courthouse for Meridian, At that time
there was a population of not more than
so here, and where the city now stands
was an old field and part of it swamp.
The courthouse was at old Marion, and
papers were published both at old
Marion and Marion Station. Mr..
Spinks continued to publish his paper
at Meridian until 1861, when he vol
unteered in Capt. Crumpton's Com
many, of the Thirteenth Mississippi
Regiment. Mr.. Spinlls was lieutenant
in the company, and was killed during
the war. After Mr.. Spinks' death the
naper passed into the hands OF Mr.
willis Brewer, who continued to pub
lisb it until July, 1868, when he sus-
nended publication and accepted
situation on the Clarion, which mad
been removed from Paulding to Merl-
diar and was commenced as daily in
1868. The paper published by Mr.
Rra,ver was called, we think, the Merl-
dian Advocate. Mr.. Brewer probably
changed the name from the Meridian
RI the Meridian Advocate.
"After the death of 5. K. Adams IN
the early part of 1860, the Clarion was
purchased by A. r Carter and D. D.
shannon, and published by Garter "
shannon at Paulding, until June loo"'
when shannon purchased Carter 5 m
terest and removed the paper to Meri-
dian. 10
uy;Iis Brewer, referred to above,
. flor the war published paper at
uavneyille. Ala; was elected to the
1arislatpre. and held the office of State
,'a;tor for four years, and we think, Is
- state senator. Mr. Brewer was
rornc man of considerable literary
o++airments and most exemplary
%ah;.s He is now prominent and in
enential citizen of Alabama, ana mas
,.,ritter history of that State that Is
regarded as a very creditable work.
From July, 1868, to November lSo''
.xoort for a few weeks during Sher-
enanis raid in February and March
1854 the Clarion was published daliy'
and until the close of the war took 'he
ocular ,, press dispatches. For a con
-,55..a1,ls time the Clarion had d daliy
i.e,,Iation of 5000, was the only dally
- ,be state and circulated in all parts
Of the State that had any MAJ, lae,.'
t,es In he winter Of 1868 Col Sn an.
non sola are-third interest IN Tue