New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-07
REAL HARD LUCK STORY
II Corner in the History of 1.-THE st.
Christopher AdU6rtiser.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: 1t Is more than 10 years since THE ST.
Christopher Advertiser established 1t is the
oldest newspaper in the West Indies Ii has been
published almost unhrokenly during this long period
OF time Its history IL interesting as IL Is I'M
usual. In this period of very nearly one and one
quarter centuries II has been conducted by the same
family the periodical hav.ng descended in owner
ship through the hands OF the Cables in direct
line OF ancestry, and printed on the same spot for
more than century.
On January = 1906 sthe periodical reached the
123d year OF existence circumstances had arisen
in this long period of time which necesstated the
publication Of five issues OF the journal so Tar
an In 1913 the plant removed TO
temporary quarters in order that the premises OF
the paper should be repaired after the earthquakes
OF that year. and weeks issue lapsed- In 1854 dur
ing the epidemic OF cholera in St. kits. when four
thousand persons were carried off by the scourge.
another issue lapsed- In 1867. when fire destroyed
almost the entire town OF Basseterre the office OF
THE Advertiser being included IN the properties
destroyed. the Issue for Tuesday, July 9. could not
be published. Like the phoenix rising from its
ashes. it was published as small sheet from July
Is. 1857 for several months. until printing outfit
could be obtained. IN 1878. owing to supply OF
printing paper ordered not arriving on time. an
issue fell through And in 1905, owing TO break
down of the press. the issue for Tuesday December
., lapsed
lapse OF five issues IN period of rs years is
not bad record for newspap per published in a
small island But this is merely corner in the
history Of a newspaper which. through good report
and evil report has through these long years
'braved the battle and the breeze OF West Indian
journalism
complete breakdown of the printing press has
caused the suspension OF THE Advertiser -
the last issue being dated January Is. 1ss-and the
disaster the existence of the oldest news
paper in the West Indies-"one OF the landrnarks''
IN the history OF the Caribbean isles
The serious depression in this island (and indeed
the West Indies) of the last twenty years has so
reduced my ability TO find the ways and means 10
provide printing press and. what is almost as
necessary at present, some new type that the pros
pect of restarting the old journal Is more thar
gloomy. am therefore prompted 10 appeal to you.
sir. a colleague. in the hope that you VIII not
deem this appeal an imposition, but that In your
large heartedneSS you may find II convenient 10
help colleague IN distress
Apart from any financial help a gift OF q little
type dong primer preferred) would be equally &C
ceptable
Any help afforded will be publicly acknowledged
unless there be a request the contrary
Reference be made to Mr.. W. f. Vera mer-
chant Basseterre. St. kits. or 10 the Honorable
]. T Manchester, Sandy Point. St k1tts Your
obedient servant. X CABLE,
Editor and Proprietor.
The ADVERTISE Office. ST. kits