Connecticut western news., 1921-06-30
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE
 CONN. WESTERN NEWS
Its Editors, Owners and Vii cissitudes During
 Fifty Years

We can almost hear some of the old timers say, back in 1871, that the whole world was headed straight for Tophet, or if not the world, then this section of north western Con- necticut. What else could one ex- pect if a railroad and newspaper were thrust upon them all in one year? Did they not get along com fortably without either for many years and was not this steam engine an invention of the Old Man hlm- self?
 According to the report in the first paper published, July fl, 1871, the Connecticut Western News, Joseph l.. Pease, owner and editor, was given a welcome by State Line Engine No. 1 with prolonged blasts from it's whistle, while the booming of a cannon also announced the birth of a newspaper to MT. Pease. This was responded to by ringing the church bell, after which the track layers formed a procession and marched to table hastily prepared by the ladies of the village, where a banquet was served. The Lakeville Band then put in an appearance ln it's new band wagon, drawn by four handsome steeds furnished gratui- tiously by the livery stable there.
 Said Editor Pease: Ut is rather an agreeable coincidence, that without a moments previous thought or pre- meditation on the part of anybody, the first press that was ever in the town---so far as we have been able to ascertain---chanced to be brought in to our village the same day and almost the same hour, the locOmo- tive entered it. Thus two engines of civilization keep pace with one another" ,55lg.-.-...-aa---, ,.s.....-
 When the\News was little more than five years of age, or in Octo- Der, 1876, MT. Pease decided to move the plant to Canaan, where it has since been published. In the heighth of his career MT. Pease fell victim to pneumonia, which resulted in his death in 1878.
 While the paper was owned by MT. Pease, it was printed on Guernsey press, a type that is no longer manufactured, while one "Nigger" Brown furnished the mo- tive power.
 Judge A. T. Roraback was named administrator of the estate and offered the plant fer sale. A com rany was formed, headed by the late Col Hardenbernh, which assumed ownership of the narer in the |atte>' part cf 1873. Gel. Ha~1cnhc~"h v'sT chosen editor and n9arc IF an@ !a'-o-' ho acn i~ad the i1terea.s cf q: other members.
 During the propr;etorship of Col Ha.:denbcrgh, H2T machinery was added and the plant otherwise inn prcved and enlarged. The N7ws lrrosneye3 -nder h:5 loederc11in. 57rtil s failing health and pressure e other b7sine9s made it imperative that he give ID newspaper work. On April 3, 1893 he sold the paper to the late Sam7el c. Beck}ev, Col. E"Idan- bereh died of typhoid pncrnaonia April 2, 1892.
 Under 3he ownership of MT, Beck ley, the News continued to prosper until 1906. A company was then formed known as The Canaan Print ing company which purchased the News and also the job printing business of Charles H. Pease, com bining the two. This company un- der various editors and managers still owns and conducts the plant along more modern lines, of which We will say a word later.
 When the newly formed company took over the plant, Harry M. Doty was secured as it's editor and Charles H. Pease, business manager. MT. Pease, son of the founder of the News, had had a wide experience in the printing business which was in- strumental in placing the plant on sounder basis than ever. Editor Doty was born in Chatham, N. Y, where he was educated and for several years before coming here was local editor of the Chatham semi-weekly "Courier'' MT. Doty remained with the News for about five years, when he again entered the employ of the Chatham "Courier" where he is still employed.
 John Rodemeyer was the next edi- tor of the News, coming here in 1911. John, being native son and having learned the trade at the News plant, soon made good. A few months later G. Willis Parsons be- came connected with the plant as
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