Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-11-30
AUGUSTA ONCE
SUPPORTED FIVE
WEEKLY PAPERS

Inc passing Of the weekly news
paper, as printed in Augusta, is
marked, temporarily at least, by the
transfer OF the printing of the Maine
Farmer from this city to Wateryille.
II was only few years ago. that in
TINS city, =. five weekly periodicals
were printed. Boosting subscription
lists well along in the thousands.
The weekly kennebec journal. the
Maine Farmer, the New Age, the
Home Farm and the Gospel Banner
We're included in the Augusta week.
lies. Now with the Maine Farmer
being printed in watervilie, that
marks the passing Of the last Of this
famous quintet.
According. to North's History the
publication OF the Maine Farmer was
commenced by DR.. Ezekiel Holmes in
Winthrop. in January, 1882. Its pub
LEGATION was continued at Winthrop
with Indifferent success until Russell
Eaton in November, 1884, purchased
the establishment and removed 1t to
Augusta on the first Of the following
January, locating in the Granite bank
building. Mr.. Eaton had been long
engaged in publishing the Kennebec
Journal with Luther Severance and
was the master Of the newspaper pub
fishing business. He procured a pow
er press and new type and enlarged
the paper, which assumed neat ap-
pearance in folio form under the
continued editorial charge Of DR..
Holmes. Mr.. Eaton, December 16,
1858. disposed of the Maine Farmer
to Holman and Manley. James S.
Manley, in anticipation Of his ap-
preaching death in 1851. sold his half
OF the establishment to William S.
Badger and later it was published by
Homan and Badger. The Maine
Farmer then was bought over by
corporation. known as the Maine
Farmer Publishing company. with a
number of Augusta men as the own
ers. Mrs. Clare H. Harvey was editor
for some time. Lord and Daesey are
now the proprietors OF the paper.
Howard Owen was for many years
editor of the Maine Farmer after he
sold out his interests in the Kenne-
bee Journal. The Maine Farmers
subscription list was once at least
$1,000.
The New Age was published for 35
years by two ex-governors. the late
General Harris NJ. Plaisted and Fred
erick W. Plaisted. Augustus present
postmaster. 1t was for many years
the leading Democratic weekly paper
OF the State. The New Age was first
the Maine Standard.
The Home Farm was established by
Samuel l.. Boardman and was located
in the Journal building. He continu-
ed to be the publisher of the Home
Farm until it's end Mr. Boardman
was one of the best known agriculture
al writers in New England. Lack Of
financial support was the reason for
the disseminating Of the Home Farm.
The Gospel Banner. a weekly Uni
tartan newspaper. was issued July
90 1895. under the editorship of Rev.
William A. Drew, who was also pro-
prietor. He was assisted by two as
sociate editors, Rev. Calvin Gardiner
and Rev. George Bates. Arthur w.
Berry became interested in the paper
and printed it in 1889 In September,
1S43, Berry sold his interest to Ho-
man & Manley. They were publishers
until January, 1859, when they pur-
chased the Maine Farmer and sold the
Banner to Bicknell and Ballou. Rev.
George =. Quimhy was one of the la
ter editors and he was followed by
Rev. r. ]. Mead. who was also editor
Of the Banner for a good many years.
The Gospel Banner was the States
leading Tniversalist church paper.
The establishing of the rural mail
service makes 1t possible for the citi-
zens of the rural communities to OBJ
tain the daily newspapers. whereas
before the rural mail service he relied
upon the weekly paper for his news.
Now, the rural resident instead of
hitching old Dobbin to the shay and
driving to the country store most
every day. has his mail brought to
his mail box each day.
Such a set Of conditions might
cause laments from some of the more
idealistic. who might mourn the
passing OF the country post office.
No large does Farmer Brown use the
paper day as an excuse to get to
town, sit around the stove and talk
over the affairs of state: no longer
can he, with clear conscience join
the hew-tobacco brigade, with the
paper in one hand and a set of firm
in the other as to how
the nation can be run.
But even so there are some splendid
weekly papers in Maine and even so.
there are still country stores, as we'll
as the Grange and other community