Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-06-18

" That question has been frequently
asked, but never before answered by me
in print. In the winter Of 1870 held
ESRInSE#3H the position of manager Of the Atlantic
k0fS8lIU & Pacific Telegraph company. Omaha
then a town of about Is 900 popu-
lation with two daily papers, the Omaha Herald and
the Omaha Republican, each representing of the
two great political parties. The Republican
prosperous concern with lucrative party patronage
but its proprietor Major St A. D. Balcombe, not
a practical newspaper man. and, although the repub-
lcan party in the ascendant in Nebraska and
growing stronger from year to year, the paper had
been greatly dstanced by it's democratic competitor
ably edited by Dr. George L. Miller. Among the rank
and file of the republicans there much dissatis-
faction and party leaders who had endeavored to in
duce the of the Republican to infuse more vi
tally into the paper finally decided to start wide
awake republican, daily unless Major Bacombe would
sell Cis paper a controlling interest. Hts refusal
part the property except exorbtant price
left other alternative than to establish rival to
the Republican
- At that period, and for years previous, had
been the elegraphic correspondent for the New York
Herald Chicago Tribune, Cincinnati Commercial and
st. Louis Democrat, the Globe-Democrat. During
the six ending in 1862 while acting the local
manager of the Western Union Telegraph company
/ had also been agent of the Associated Press. My
practical experience a teegrapher and news gath
placed in close contact with the press and at
forded excellent opportunity for journalistic
training Incidentally it is pertinent state that
was an ardent republican, trained in the abolition
school, and had passed through the fiery ordeal of
union man living the heart of secession at the out
ibreak the war, and participating in several
paigns with the union armies
Connection With Omaha Tribune.
At the urgent request of a large number of promi-
Aent republicans, ventured upon the task of or
ganizing stock company having for its object the
tablishment of first class republican daily. After
aofth he NJ hard I eded
in securing in subscriptions to the stock of the
Tribune Printing company, $4,000 of which sub
<rscribed by myself. had not the remotest idea of
ever becoming editor of seeking any position in
connection with the paper My plan was to induce
some man with a national reputation to come to
Omaha and establish for it that would insure
it's supremacy in this section With this end in view
addressed letters to several of the most noted edi-
tors of thte country, and among these Horace
Greeley and Samuel BowlesJ The autograph response
of Horace Greeley, which is preserved by a
mento of the greatest Of American editors decphered
into plain English, reads follows:
NEW YORK TRIBUNE, NEW YORK, March IT.
1S70.-Dear Sir: / have yours Of the 18th inst. In
my judgment Mr.. Beeman Brockway of WATERFOWL
N Y, would make such a paper you want. He is
able, honest, well informed and temperate He was
formerly editor of the Reformer at Waterfowl and
has been of our republican canal assessors until
he was turned out. If you write him, ask the P. M
to forward in case he should be absent. Yours,
HORACE GREELEY,
Z. Rosewater. Esq. Omaha. Neb
Sam Bowles had been across the continent only
years previous and had described the country IL
his great work, Beyond the Mississippi" l endeav
ored in my letter to impress upon him the advantag
OF locating in OF the future great cities of the
west. Mr.. Bowles made the following response
THE REPUBLICAN,. SPRINGFIELD. Mass, Marcel
22, 1S7O-My Dear Sir: Your suggestions yer!
hattering. l should like many accounts to share
in the upbuilding of good journal at Omaha, but
fear is altogether out OF the question pretty
strongly anchored here II is very difficult thing
nay, impossible to improvise either journalist
Journal / cannot at this moment put my though
upon man worthy OF your consideration, but ma!
be able in day or two to suggest for you Wha
you should do is TO buy out the present republican
paper and then get better men into II. advise thi
most earnestly. 1t is great deal better and easie
than to undertake to Gust rival am. yours truly
\ SAM'L BOWLES.
\ Arrangements Completed.
In April 1870, negotiations entered into with
Hon. joseph Hall of Portland. Me-. proprietor Of thu