The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-04-30
Chicago Nesvspapermen, G.
G. Rice and L. L. Jones,
Purchase Big Plant.
J. NJ. DIXON TO LIVE
IN CITY, HE SAYS
Retiring Owner, for II Years
Head Of Company, to
Take Vacation.

Announcement of the sale of the
plant of the Missoulian Publishing
company, including The Missoulian and
the Missoula Sentinel, was made yes
terday by Joseph NJ. Dixon. The prop
erty has been sold to George c. Rice
and Lester L. Jones, Chicago news
paper men. The new owners will as
sumo control today.
Exactly II years have elapsed since
Mr.. Dixon assisted in the resuscitation
Of The Daily Missoulian. The retiring
owner has been in charge since May
1, 1900. The Missoulian really came
into being in 1873. when The Mon
tana Pioneer, established in 1870 as
the Missoula and Cedar Creek Pioneer.
adopted the name which this paper
carries. The Missoulian passed through
stormy years and had quite disap-
peared in 1900. when Mr.. Dixon and his
associates consolidated two struggling
weeklies and began publishing The
Daily Missoulian. The Missoulian Pub
fishing company was incorporated in
1902 and. with some minor changes in
membership, has persisted.
Accidental Ownership.
Naturally feel somewhat regretful
over disposing of the daily newspapers,
as I had become much interested in
the work." said Mr.. Dixon yesterday.
'But am not a newspaperman, in the
professional sense, and the detail in
volved in being compelled to give all
of my time to the work made it i'm
possible to look after other matters
in which am interested.
THE ownership Of these newspapers
came to me more by accident than de-
sign on my part. It has been just II
years. the first day of May, since we
resurrected The Daily Missoulian. At
to recover from the terrible depression
Of the '93 panic. We had two little in
efficient weekly newspapers of the
patent inside variety. I wanted Mis-
soula to have at least some kind of a
daily newspaper, as a matter of town
their plants and put in a little cash
and we started The Daily Missoulian.
It was four-page, six-column sheet,
with a pony telegraph report, with one
linotype. It was not much of a sheet
but it at least gave Missoula daily
newspaper.
Plant Has Grown.
"From time to time, as the town grew
The Missoulian plant expanded. until
today we have. I think, the most COM
plete printing plant in the state. From
a mechanical force of two men and a
boy and an office force of one man
and woman, The Missoulian force
today carries a total of 50 regular en-
ployes, with weekly payroll running
between $3.50 and $1,000. This in
cludes all departments of the business
newspapers, job plant, lithograph
and book bindery-but does not in
clude the carriers. news boys and cor
respondents, which would make a
total force Of more than 100 people.
The New Owners.
"The new owners are George c. Rice
and Lester L.aJones of Chicago. Both
are old. experienced newspaper men.
For many years Mr.. Jones was busi-
ness manager of the Chicago Daily
Journal and Mr.. Rice was connected
with the editorial staff of the same
paper. They have brought with them
from Chicago, as editorial writer, Mr..
Hutchens, who has had much exper-
fence on Chicago and New York dailies'
"Missoula is just entering upon an
other period of expansion, and with
experienced men In charge, am sure
the community will not be disappointed
in the character of the newspapers. We
have the finest organization Of mer
and women in the entire northwest
and I have been very proud of them.'
Vacation First.
ASKED as to his plans, MIR. Dixol
said. 81 have no special plans in view
except that Of continuing to help il
every way that can in the develop
ment of Missoula and western Mon
tana- l have lived here for 25 year
and hope to live here just about tina
much longer. From one cause Or an
other, have never yet had what "
call q real vacation. This summer
expect to spend some time at my ranc
on Flathead lake and at Poison. wheI
I am in hope of developing a herd {
high grade Holstein cattle. l now hay
about 40 on my farm there and expet
to bring out from the east 80 MOI
full-blood. registered Holsteins, in til
near future.
II have great hopes that with tn
advent of the beet sugar industry
these west side counties dairying wi
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