Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-04-24
SOME OLD NEWSPAPERS,
interesting Copies Possessed by
Frederick Hamlen of This City.

Among Augusta people who take az
interest in preserving articles of his
tOr!cal value. especially such as pertain
to matters of local Importance. is Fred
erick Hanilen, who was for many years
enc Of the leading business men on the
street. Among other treasures, Mr.
Hamlen recently showed a Journal
man some copies of old newspapers
which would probably be hard to du-
plicate. One of these is the first issue
Of the kennebec Journal, Vol. 1. No. l.
published Jan. IS, 1925. The date line
states that the paper was to be pub
lisned every Saturday morning. by
Russell Eaton and Luther Severance.
In the introductory editorial the
founders of the paper give what might
De termed an apology for adding an
other to the already crowded list OF
newspapers, but at the same time de-
clare their prophetic belief that "tha
State of Maine is destined. to take
Il nign rank among her western sisters
10y the growth of her important indus
tries. The editorial further announces
that the policy of tie paper will be &c
tell the truth in all things. to publish
|
culture and to keep its columns open
for the conservative expression of thu
opinions OF its constituency.
Among the news IF the issue is the
statement that the presidential election
returns are all in, with the result that
jackson receiy ed 80. Adams "a. Craw
ford IL. and Clay 81 votes. Other de-
partments of the paper are those Of
Legislative and congressional news,
roetry, miscellany, etc.
A copy Of the paper published 10
Years later shows az increase in size.
and marked increase in the amount
Of advertising matter, fcreshadowinS
of the immense growth this line of
business was destined to acquire. In
1885 Luthe9 Severance was the sole
editor.
But another and older relic of Au
susta journalism, going back beyond
the century mark, is copy of tn
"Kennebeck Intelligencer." published,
Friday, Sept. %. 1891, by Peter Edes.
near tho court house in Augusta, Dis
trict of Maine. There is more foreign
than local news, one lengthy item be-
Jig the British kings speech before
parliament. An evidence that revolu-
tionary preiudices We're still strong is
shown by an item-"TO be sold by the
printer hereof, dialogue between the
Devil and George III, tyrant of Britain
etc.
An item of particular historical i'm
Tortancc is that announcing the mar
rage. at London, Of John Quincy
Adams, ESQ, ambassador from the
United States of America, to the court
of Berlin and son OF the President OF
| the United States. to Miss Lou
se Johnson. second daughter of Joshua
johnson. Esq. OF Great Tower Kill.
Another paragraph denotes the con-
servatism # the publication, and at Il {
same time the prevailing respect fol
! the right of free speech "The piece
signed 'Whackem and Co. pointed a
the Brigadier General, we had rather
supp,ess thar make public; however
if the AUTHORS insist upon its publica'
ton, next week. our high esteem for {
fee press will only induce us TO com
ply with their request"
The comparison of these early speci
mems of news distributors with the ga
lCers of today, issued daily and evel
many times day is good ILLUSTRATION
of the advancement made in our man
ner of living iWing the past century