Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-12-31
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.

ALIEN a n OhlA NhLGA
The Josh volume OF the Alexandria
Gszeite closes with today's issue. AS
heretofore stated, while the Gazette
counts its years from 1900, the paper was
published during the last score OF the
18Th century, copies of the Gazette bear
inc the dates 1898 to 1895 being oc-
ca.ionally unesrthed to attest this, while
the court records OF Alexandra show the
Gsz,tte was published as early as 1854
But the regular files only run back TO
1900.
There we're a number Of sporadic pub
LEGATIONS termed newspapers printed 10
this country as far back ss 1904, but the
bulk of these we're short-liVed, some hsV-
ing survived but one issue. Others,
however, had longer tenufes OF life, but
during the revolutionary war newspaper
mortality WIS great, aud most Of those
which had appeared occasionally before
the outbreak Of hcsnlities did not re-
sumo publication after the close Of the
conflict.
The Gszstte gss a post-reyolutiOnary
enterprise, and appeared at an opPortune
time. Apart from the town OF Alexan
dris. what is now known as the entire
e ghth Congressional district was but
spsrsely settled, and this place was the
market town for large portion OF east
trn Virginia. The Gazette WAS neces-
EARLY the official paper for the counties
adjacent to Alexandria.
At that time, as now, a special tri-
weekly edition was printed for circals-
ton 10 the country for the reason that IN
most places the mails were received but
three times a week, others semi-wetkly,
while numbers Of inland places had to
await the arrival OF a weekly mail.
In the year 1910 there were hut
tweuty-seven newspapers published In
the United States. Among this number
was the Alexandria Caste. The others
we're printed in New York, Boston,
Philadel phia, Baltimore, New Orleans,
Charleston, 5. c., and Georgetown, D..
@. Most of the Gazstte's contemporaries
of that time have long since died. The
Gszetle, however, has continued under
sll political and financial conditions,
and is today enjoying patronage seldom
attaiued at any time in its history, aud
is as much of an essential as ever.
The history Of newspaper enterprise
in this and neighboring cities during the
past hundred ytars would occupy more
space than can be devoted TO the subject
at this time, but many now living can
remember some of the journals cotem-
poraneous with the Gazette which have
long since ceased to exist. The National
Inteligeucer, published by Gales and
Seston, was fret issued in 1900, and
continued 10 be published for sixty
seven years. 1t fell out of the race
shortly after the close of the civil war.
etween forty aud fifty other papers
ere published 10 the capital city at
ferent times during the nineteenth
injury, and at the present time but one
lay claim 10 age. The Gszstte has
ice as many years to its credit, how
er.
The Gazette will begin its lO9th
lume tomorrow, having been read by
ople in three centuries. 1t will be the
deavor of those having charge of 1t to
lintain Its reputation, and to use every
ertion to make it an essential in every
sxandria household. It's arrival is
and ever has been anticipated in
families and counting houses Of
,st of our people for many reasons,
silly from the fact that it contains
the local happenings 10 as extended
N as possible, while all the current
VS. of the world is presented as soon
the ocean cables and telegraph COM
hes can transmit It. Apart irom
Sc features, the city advertising ap.
IFS in i,s columns, rendering it home
litution which but few can afford 10
without.
We wish all cur subscribers and ad-
rtiseis happy New Year.