Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1910-02-08
BUSINESS CHANGE.
r. H. johnson Retires From the News
paper Field After Forty-one Years
Of Labor.

=
Of Labor.
For some time negotiations have
been going on between stockholders
of the Sun Publishing Co., a newly
organized concern, and r. II. john
son. These negotiations were for the
purchase by the former of the title of
Mr.. johnson in the Central Wiscon-
sin newspaper. The deal was event.
ually made, and in the last issue of
the Central Mr. Johnson said his
adieu to his readers. The plant was
turned over to his successors the fol-
lowing day, Saturday.
SUN PUBLISHING co.
Since late last summer movement
has been under way for the organic
ing of stock company to start
another newspaper in the city. After
considerable work, enough stock was
secured, but for various reasons the
matter of getting started has been
hanging fire for some time. At one
time it was rumored the company
would start with an entirely new, out
fit, but later negotiations were opened
with Mr.. Johnson for the purchase. of
his plant.
The Sun Publishing Co. has filed
articles of Incorporation, giving its
capital stock as $4,000 The incor-
porators are t. f. Delaney, E. A.
Hochtritt, w. E. Hudtloff, G. A. Oss-
valid, Otto Mueller. Chas. Helke and
Pat Burns.
The name of the paper will be
changed to that of The Wausau Sun,
and the plant will be moved within a
very short time to some building on
the west side of the river. Those in
charge assure us that it will be indie
pendent in politics. w. A. Brawley
will have charge of the local and
and editorial columns of the paper,
and E. ID. Underwood will be fore
man of the workroom. Mr.. Brawley
has had long experience in the news
paper field and is forceful writer,
while Mr.. Underwood is an exper-
fenced printer and with his eyes shut
can tell the difference between hair
space and thing-um-abob.
R. H..JoHNsoN.
In mentioning this item of news
we cannot refrain from saying few
words about the retiring editor, and
his work in the newspaper field.
The Central Wisconsin was estab-
lished April % 1857, by ]. w. Club
buck and John Foster The support
of the paper had about as much
strength as there is to circus lemon
ade, and after passing through sever
al hands it finally became as dead as
Dickens character John Morley. But,
like Morley, it's ghost appeared, and
on October IA, 1868, R. III. johnson
and brother Charles purchased the
plant and good will, and instead of
having ghost on their hands they
made of it a very live paper. Charles
retired in 1869, and r. H. has guided
the destinies of the paper ever since.
Two-thirds of his entire life has been
spent at the rudder wheel of that
paper.
In 1884 he established the first daily
newspaper to be conducted in the
Wisconsin valley, and for two years
published a German newspaper in
connection with the Central.
Aside from his newspaper work,
Mr.. Johnson has filled many offices of
trust creditably to himself. On Jan.
Ii, 1876, he was appointed by Presi-
dent Grant as postmaster of Wausau.
He was reappointed by Presidents
Hayes and Arthur and retired in 1885.
He was at one time internal revenue
guager for the Sixth district; in 1890
he was appointed special agent of the
interior department, to collect
statistics of manufactures; in the
same year he was also appointed
receiver of the United States land
office, retiring in 1898; a few years
ago, when the state opened an inter-
nal revenue Office here, he was made
agent and held the position until the
Office was closed.
We have been associated with Mr..
Johnson in business and social way
for so long that now when he retires
from the newspaper field it makes us
feel as though we-as though we
Well, we can't explain it.
We know little of his plans for the
future, but in whatever field of en-
deavor he enters he will carry with
him the best wishes of the entire COM
munity for his success.