The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-05-08
Editorial Comment
A Newspaper Memory
Chicago Journal of Commerce)


Dissemination of simple annals through county
seat newspapers is not what it was forty even
thirty years ago. Great physical changes have
come to it, and its spiritual phases also to have
been modified. There grew up under the old type
setting system, before the linotype machines dis
placed the big of nonpareil, minion, brewer,
bourgeois and primer body types, and the point"
system changed these names into 6, z, 3, Q and 10
point fraternity Of printers and editors In this
brotherly association editor might 60 to the devi.
if in need but rowing printer could always find
food and shelter in newspaper plant, and some
times drink also if the editor was convivally in
cned In return he gave day or two of throwing
down dead distributing type back into the
cases-before he set out anew on his never ending
Odyssey. Thus the art Of printing protected its
Migrants from starvation Strange characters drift
ed into the county seat Offices usually very thirsty
Setting type requires mental concentration nimbla
fingers and prolonged confinement to one bodily
position. 1t is exhausting work for both mind and
nerves. Perhaps this accounts for the all but uni
versal appetite of printers for strong stimuants-
thirty years ago. One day worn and battered
rniddle-aged man came into middle-west county
seat newspaper office. He was nearly all in. Cof-
fee and nourishing lunch revived him. Then it
came out that he was not printer, but engraver
on wood. His bundle contained kit of engraving
tools, blocks of type-high engravers wood, and a
multitude of printed specimens of his work. Here
was talented man indeed artist who could draw
beautiful and elaborate designs and make of them
cuts for the printer. He specialized ornamental
letter heads, checks. buildings, and other business
stationery.
But the drink habit had him. He could stave it
off only until Saturday, and then for two days he
was dead to the world. Then came hours of pitifui
weeping broken stories of misspent life, strong
coffee and another futile effort break the chains
that bound him. His newspaper hest suggested a
design for the head of his editorial column and an
other for an ornate letterhead. Those were days
when simplicity in stationery was not in vogue in
country towns. The tramp engraver made cuts
clear and beautiful though Of course not 50 soft in
tone as Autographs The cut for the letterhead has
vanished, and every sheet printed from it, in the
flight OF three decades, but the editorial column
head, perpetuated in eectrotypes has graced the old
Tribune" ever since 1t shows Roman tribune of
ancient days, standing on the platform of baslca
wrapped in toga with one arm extended, and ad-
dressing an assembly, with Roman buildings and
hills in the distance For many years it has been
regarded by many subscribers as q picture of the
editor, and SO has served its purpose well as dis
tinctive design.
The man who made it spent two months making
woodcuts for business men in the town. sleeping in
the office on lounge and patronizing the saloons
Then he drifted away. Poor old Halpn we won
der what his fate has been SINCE Is we hope happi
ness finally took up its abode with him after his
|wanderinss.