Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1910-02-11
JOURNALIST PIONEERS
The Men Who Welded the Pen
in the Early Territorial Days.

Pierre, S. D., Jan. 3l.-The gather
ing of the State Press association at
Sioux Falls suggests a brief notice of
the real Nestors of Journalism in
South Dakota.
Perhaps the man who has had the
longest service is George w. Kings
bury, of Yankton, who for As years
has been in the newspaper line in
Yankton and has almost without in
PERMISSION devoted himself to his pro-
fession and still daily contributes to
the columns Of the Yankton Press
and Dakotan, with which he was so
many years identified as proprietor.
There is a facility about Mr.. Kings
bury's writing and an individuality
in his expression hat makes his work
readily recognizable wherever it
appears. He has had a large part in
moulding affairs in Dakota territory
and South Dakota.
Frank M. Ziebach, who founded the
h old Dakotan in 1861. still re-
sides in the state, but has not for
many years been engaged in newspa-
pei work. He too, is a strong and
individual writer.
There is still living a South Dakota
newspaper man who preceded both
Ziebach and Kingsbury in this field,
but his home is without the
state. Samuel J.. Albright, now
a resident of the Soldiers home at
Columbus, Ohio, established the
Dakota Democrat at Sioux Falls.
July 2, 1859. He was a vigorous writ
er. The quality of the ne a
gotten out by Albright, Ziebach and
kingsbury in those primitive days of
the early territory must be a marvel
to all who examine them. They
published blanket sheets filed with
the raciest and most entertaining
matter. They discussed national
policies with the strength and per-
spicuity of the editors of modern
metropolitan newspapers and their
faith in the future Of Dakota and the
Northwest was sublime and inspiring.
L think next to this primitive trio,
comes Arthur Linn, of Canton, who
landed in 1ankton in 1869 after IL
years Of metropolitan newspapering,
most of which was upon Harper's
Weekly. He at once engaged in his
profession at the old capital and has
l believe been continuously connected
with Dakota newspaper enterprises.
His characteristic work upon the
Canton LEADER is familiar to all who
notice South Dakota publications.
He has lost none of his vigor with
passing years, while his work has
taken added charm as it has become
more and more imbued with the
mellowness and benevolence born of
long observation and experience.
Wheeler S. Bowen, born to the edi-
torial craft, began his Dakota career
in company with George w. Kingsbuy,
on the Press and Dakotan in 1874.
With brief intervals, in public office,
Mr.. Bowen's professional work has
been uninterrupted. Upon the Press
and Dakotan. the Sioux Falls Press
and finally upon the H%uronite, Mr..
Bowen has impressed himself upon
the people until he is the acknowl-
edged most virile and accomplished
writer in the state. No other writer
al use irony so effectively, no other
SO possesses the art of graphic ex-
preston by mere suggestion. Withal
he is a man Of vision and comprehen-
sive intelligence.
l do not know who is next in order
Of time, but suspect it is Willis Fl.
Bonham, of the Deadwood Pioneer
Times, who dates from 1877, but the
honors must be about even between
Bonham and Joseph B. Gossage, Of
the Rapid City Journal. Both are
men Of power who have stuck by
their work most resolutely and made
successful business and editorial ca
reers
The editors who have passed the
quarter century mark in professional
work In this field are legion and in
olude In their number, G. ]. Mcleod,
Of Aberdeen; Frank Mease and Jim
Stahl, Of Madison; Paul butcher
and George Breed, Of Brookings; Car
Yer Sherwood Of Do Smet; J. F. Halli-
Day Of 1roQuois; Lyman G. Bates Of