Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-01-08
81 W. N
A5.I.BGS 81 II
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portant part. He was a man of abll-
ity, sagacity and prudence, ana ne
ever welded a vigorous and versa
tile pen.
After he disposed of his interest
in the Journal, Mr.. Stevens was ap-
pointed United States minister to
Paraguay, then to Sweden and Nor
way. and in 1889, to the Sandwich
Islands, where a Journal editor. Luz
Their Severance, had 40 years before,
served with distinction. In all these
positions Mr. Stevens served his
country with dignity and credit ana
the closing act of his life, the at
tempt to spread the folds OF tne
American flag over those fair Pacific
isles, was a worthy end to noble
and patriotic career. Mr.. stevens
travelled extensively and did con-
siderable amount of valuable literary
work. In 1879, 20 years after he
retired from the Journal, ne was
again its political editor for about
a year and half. He died Fepruary
8. 1895 a year and half after ms
return from the Sandwich 4slahos 10
his beautiful Augusta home.
Sprague, Owen & Nash-Spraguc
The members of the new flrm OF
Sprague, Owen & Nash, whose name
appeared at the head of the paper
in January, 1869, were well equlppau
for tho task before them. Mr..
Sprague. who assumed the duties of
political editor, came from the Rock
land Free Press. Mr.. Owen, the To-
cal editor. had for 10 years served
in various capacities in the Journal
office, and Mr.. Nash, who had charge
of the business affairs, was of the
Hallowell Gazette. They were young,
all full OF ambition and energy, ana
they made an able trio.
They procured a new press,
"Campbell's Best" new outfit OF
type, and proceeded to enlarge the
paper. It was increased from seven
to nine columns in all. 20 inches in
length, making it the largest weekly
paper in Maine. The first number
OF this enlarged form was issued
October 20, 1869. The paper was
issued each Wednesday, having been
changed from Friday, which had
been the dpy of publication for al
most 40 years, with the issue or
March %, 1868.
The next step of the enterprising
firm was the establishment of the
Daily Kennebec Journal. which was
done after q year of ownership, the
first number appearing Saturday
January /, 1870. The Journal since
1882, had issued a tri-weekly-and
for a few years daily-edition dur
ing the legislative season, and 1t was
now felt that the growth OF this ana
the adjacent cities and their many
interests demanded the establish
ment of a permanent daily news
paper. Several times before daily
paper had been started in Augusta
and failed for want of support. The
Daily Journal started with every
prospect of success, having a circu-
lation Of about 400. almost wholly in
Augusta, and a good advertising pat
ronage. The legislative tri-weekly
was now given up. The price OF the
daily was made 81 yearly.
For the first year or two. the daily
was not a financial success, but it
soon got upon it's feet and for 10
years the Journal-daily and week
ly-prospered under this manager
ship. The size and makeup of both
remained the same, but in quality
there was a steady advance. With
the issue of July u. 1879, it was
announced that Messrs. Owen and
Nash had disposed of their half in
terest to Charles A. Sprague, the son
of the senior member of the firm.
and the firm continued as Sprague
& Son. The new member of the firm
assumed the duties of the business
managersnip while his father re-
manned at the editorial head of the
paper. Mr.. Owen. after 20 years of
faithful service on the Journal, as
sumed. little later. the general edi-
torship of the Maine Farmer
, Mr.. Nash, who was at this time
for four years in succession elected
mayor of the city, purchased the
Maine Farmers Almanac printing
and publishing establishment which
had been founded by Ezekiel Good
ale in Hallowell in 1897. This he
moved to Augusta and soon took
| possession of the block built for the
purpose at the foot of Oak street.
In addition to his successful publish
ing business Mr.. Nash has done a
considerable amount of literary work
of a historical and biographical ma
ture.
For eight years the names of
Sprague & Son continued at the
head of the Journal.