History of Early St. Louis Newspapers

Note: This list does not include the German newspapers, of which there were many. According to Edward's Great West, published in 1860, the Germans formed at least one half of the city's population.

The Daily Evening News, jointly owned by Charles G. Ramsey and Abraham S. Mitchell, was established in 1852, and started with the small circulation of five hundred copies. It was ably edited and soon became regarded with favor by the community. Its circulation has continually increased until it has reached 4,000 dailies, 7,000 weeklies, and 500 tri-weeklies, and the weekly expenses of the establishment are nearly $1,000. Mr. Abraham S. Mitchell, editor, Mr. Daniel N. Grisson, associate-editor. There are also able reporters connected with the journal.

Source: Edwards' Great West ...And A Complete History of St. Louis, by Richard Edwards & M. Hopewell, M.D., St. Louis, 1860

This paper is an outgrowth of the old Journal of Commerce, a weekly newspaper established in 1858. About 1871, Mr. W. V. Wolcott, in connection with some other gentlemen, conceived the project of establishing a daily newspaper. The Journal was commenced as an afternoon paper, under the editorial management of Mr. Hume, a versatile and forcible writer. The proprietors had many obstacles to surmount, but they succeeded in placing the evening Journal on a paying basis. Afterward, about 1875-6, the Journal was changed into a morning newspaper, and assumed a place in the public esteem which was a prophecy of the steady growth which has marked its subsequent history. The Journal may now be regarded as a firmly established institution; and the sprightliness of its local department and the ability of its editorial articles have secured for it not only a large circulation, but no little influence in giving direction to public opinion. Mr. Hume has been editorial director since the commencement of the publication of the paper. Major Emory S. Foster is the chief editorial writer on the Journal.

Source: A Tour of St. Louis; Or, The Inside Life of a Great City by Joseph A. Dacus, James William Buel, St. Louis, 1878

This already popular journal was established in 1859 by Messrs. Peckam & Bittenger, who, in a few months afterward, disposed of it to Mr. Eugene Longmaier, a young gentleman of fine attainments, who has commenced his editorial career with munch promise.

Mr. Longmaier is particularly suited to the atmosphere of St. Louis, for he was born in the Mound City — his parents also, and his grandparents; and his great-grandmother, Madame Elizabeth Ortes, is the oldest inhabitant of the place. His journal is decidedly partisan, and embraces the Democratic creed. It has a daily and weekly issue.

Source: Edwards' Great West ...And A Complete History of St. Louis, by Richard Edwards & M. Hopewell, M.D., St. Louis, 1860

The Dispatch is the oldest evening journal in St. Louis. Long ago Charles G. Ramsey, Esq., published the Evening News. This was in the troublous war times, and Mr. Ramsey, who is a gentleman of great independence and boldness, succeeded in incurring the ill opinion of the military authorities, which was not particularly advantageous to the interests of the Evening News. The Dispatch had its birth about that time as the lineal and legitimate successor of the Evening News. Messrs. Foy and McHenry conducted the Dispatch for a number of years with marked success. It was eventually sold to other parties - Mr. D. Robert Barclay and Mr. W. H, Swift being of the number. Mr. Swift edited the paper for a brief time, when Mr. D. Robert Barclay, who owned a controlling interest, having formed a new company, became President, and Stilson Hutchins manager, and chief editor. Like all the newspapers enterprises of that gentleman, the Dispatch proved unsuccessful to his associates, as a financial enterprise. The paper was finally offered for sale, and the controlling interest became the property of Mr. W. R. Allison, formerly of Steubenville, Ohio, who conducted the paper as President of the company until the spring of 1878, when the Dispatch was transferred to the Wolcott & Hume Company, proprietors of the Daily Journal. The Dispatch is a newsy paper, devoted to the interests of the National or Greenback party, and the only evening paper belonging to the Western Associated Press.

Source: A Tour of St. Louis; Or, The Inside Life of a Great City by Joseph A. Dacus, James William Buel, St. Louis, 1878

The youngest, and at the same time the most vivacious, brightest, and interesting of St. Louis newspapers, is the Evening Post. The first number of this paper was issued January 10, 1878, by John A. Dillon, Esq., formerly editor of the Globe, and then on the staff of the Globe-Democrat until within a few days of that time. The character of the paper was clearly foreshadowed by the first number. It was to be newsy, to give prominence to all local incidents worthy of being noted, to be independent in all things, and neutral in no contingency; it was to be literary in character and tone, removed from prosy dullness, and yet from poetical extravagance. Its first promise has been kept. The Post has improved with its weeks and months of existence. The Saturday evening edition of the Post is a full-sized octavo journal, not surpassed in excellence by any Western journal. From the very beginning of its journal-life, the Post has commended itself to the public, and its merits have won for it success by securing for it a large patronage. The paper is published by a company duly incorporated, but, as yet, Messrs. Dillon and Cunningham have borne the burden, and retain the stock.

The Evening Post is a member of the National Associated Press, and receives a great portion of its news over the Atlantic & Pacific Telegraph lines. Much of its news is obtained in the way of special dispatches however, and the paper has shown a commendable enterprise in laying out large sums of money on this department.

Source: A Tour of St. Louis; Or, The Inside Life of a Great City by Joseph A. Dacus, James William Buel, St. Louis, 1878

It was about the year 1831-32 that a Mr. Steele commenced the publication of a paper styled The Workingman's Advocate. This paper was subsequently transferred to Messrs. Bowlin & Mayfield and the name changed to The Western Argus. In succeeding years the Argus passed under the control of Mansfield, Lawhead, Corbin, Watson & Davis, and finally became the property of Col. Gilpin, who eventually sold the paper to Shadrach Penn, who changed the name to The Missouri Reporter. This paper was continued under the editorial management of Penn & Treat, until the death of the former in 18—, when the paper was purchased by Mr. Pickering, who changed the name to St. Louis Union. After some mutations, the property was sold to Mr. R. Phillips, who managed the paper with varying fortunes for a time, when he disposed of his interest to Mr. William McKee, and his associates, a combination of practical printers, who had a little while before established a small paper called the Signal.

The possession of the Union lead the publishers of the Signal to change the name of the paper to The Missouri Democrat, in the year 1852.

Thus was laid the foundation of one of the leading newspapers of the American Union.

The Democrat, during the first years of its existence, gave an able and brilliant support to Senator Benton, who was about that time a candidate for Congress. During the Presidential campaign of 1856, the Democrat supported the candidacy of James Buchanan. Hon. Francis P. Blair was one of the most active promoters of the interests of the Democrat during more than ten years after it was commenced. After the election of Mr. Buchanan, the Democrat, which had before exhibited evidence of Free-soil proclivities, gradually became more staunchly favorable to the doctrine, and when the Republican party was fully organized for the campaign of 1860, this journal was fully committed to the support of the principles of that party.

The Globe-Democrat Building The Democrat supported the candidacy of Mr. Lincoln, and his election secured a victory to the Republican party and precipitated the war. There was no hesitation on the part of Mr. McKee and his associates. They espoused the Union cause and were bold in defense of the Government. On several occasions the office was threatened with violence. Guards of soldiers protected the property.

It was about the year 1857 that Hon. B. Gratz Brown purchased an interest in the Democrat and became editorially connected with it. Subsequently, however, he transferred his interest to Mr. George W. Fishback, who had also purchased an interest about the same time, in 1857.

In 1863, Hon. F. P. Blair, who had been connected with the paper for a period of eleven years, retired. His one-sixth interest was transferred to Mr. Daniel M. Houser. Hon. B. Gratz Brown retired in the same year, and a new firm was organized under the name of McKee, Fishback & Co., which continued the business and built up a great journal. In 1872, Mr. Fishback becoming dissatisfied with the. management of the journal, made a proposition to buy the interests of his associates or sell to them his shares. The settlement of the differences was finally left to the courts, and the establishment was sold, the bidding being restricted to the original owners. Mr. Fishback became the purchaser for the sum of four hundred and fifty-six thousand one hundred dollars. A new company was organized, Mr. Fishback retaining the controlling interest. Associated with him were Messrs. W. P. Fishback, Otto H. Hasselman, R. Holmes and Joseph B. McCullagh, the last-named becoming the chief editor of the Democrat.

During the fall of the year 1872, Messrs. McKee & Houser commenced the publication of a first-class journal, under the style of the St. Louis Globe. During the autumn of 1873, Mr. Joseph B. McCullagh transferred his services to the new enterprise, and the Globe at once assumed rank among the best journals of the country. During these years a bitter warfare was waged between the rival papers—the Democrat and the Globe. This strife was terminated in 1875 by the purchase of the Democrat by Messrs. McKee & Houser, proprietors of the Globe. The price paid was three hundred and twenty- five thousand dollars. The two papers were consolidated under the title of Globe-Democrat. Messrs. McKee & Houser are proprietors, and Mr. Joseph B. McCullagh continues as the editorial chair.

The success of the Globe-Democrat has been quite remarkable. It is no disparagement to the other excellent journals of which St. Louis can boast, to say that this success attends merits which few journals in the land possess. Unquestionably the Globe-Democrat is conducted with great ability, a fact which the public is not slow to recognize.

Source: A Tour of St. Louis; Or, The Inside Life of a Great City by Joseph A. Dacus, James William Buel, St. Louis, 1878

This is the name of a highly promising journal, born at the commencement of the year 1860, and under the charge of R. V. Kennedy, T. M. Halpin, and James Peckam. It is truly a family and literary paper, and the only one that can lay claim to that appellation west of the Mississippi.

Source: Edwards' Great West ...And A Complete History of St. Louis, by Richard Edwards & M. Hopewell, M.D., St. Louis, 1860

The Missouri Democrat was established in 1852 by William McKee and William Hill, under propitious auspices. All the patronage which had been bestowed upon the Sentinel and Union, two popular journals, was turned upon the new enterprise; for both of these papers were discontinued at the commencement of the Democrat; so that it could enter upon its career with the fairest prospects.

The wants of the community required the establishment of a journal of the political tenets advocated by the Democrat, for since the establishment of the “Barnburner,” some years previously by Mr. McKee, in 1848, freesoilism had become very popular, and the new journal came into being with hosts of friends. In consequence of feeble health, Mr. Hill sold out his interest to Mr. Georg M. Fishback, a son of Judge Fishback, and a humorous and popular writer. He is the commercial editor of the paper, and is most efficient in that department.

Day by day the Democrat has been gathering strength and popularity, and now, in the eighth year of its existence, ranks second to no other paper in the great Mississippi Valley.

Source: Edwards' Great West ...And A Complete History of St. Louis, by Richard Edwards & M. Hopewell, M.D., St. Louis, 1860

This journal is entitled to a first mention, because the period of its existence embraces all that is essential in the growth of our city, and most that is interesting in the history of the whole West, for the Republican has chronicled the events of the times since St. Louis was an insignificant village of log and frame houses, containing a population of little more than one thousand inhabitants. Within the ponderous tomes of files preserved in the vaults of that office since the issue of the first number of the Missouri Gazette, in July, 1808, until the present time, is preserved the history of St. Louis and of the West, since very nearly the date of the occupation of the Territory of Upper Louisiana by the Government of the United States. At the date of the commencement of the publication, St. Louis was in Louisiana, that is to say, the territory now embraced within the limits of the State of Missouri constituted a county in the Territory of Louisiana. The name of the paper was changed in 1809 to Louisiana Gazette. In 1818 the name was changed back to Missouri Gazette. In 1821 the name of the paper was changed to Missouri Republican by its then proprietor, James C. Cummins, who had purchased it in 1820 from its founder, Joseph Charless. In 1822 Mr. Cummins transferred the paper to Edward Charless, a son of the Charless who had established the paper, who continued it under the same name.

The first printer to work in the West was a Mr. Hinkle, who set up the first form of the Gazette in a little one-story building on Main Street, near the corner of the old market. Of course, in those days there were no power-presses, and they had not yet learned to make composition rollers, the inking of the forms, as well as operating the press, was a task to be performed by hand. The old Ramage press, from which copies of the first newspaper published in St. Louis were taken, was a very rude contrivance, and yet it was equal to the best presses of that age. This first rude hand-press served to supply the St. Louis public with their newspaper until 1827. It required forty days in those days for an item of news to travel from Washington to the banks of the Mississippi.

In 1822 the Republican had, by two enlargements, attained the size of twenty by twenty-six inches. Josiah Spalding was taken in as a partner in that year, the style of the firm being Edward Charless & Co., under which style the copartnership lasted until February, 1826, when Edward Charless again became sole proprietor. In March, 1828, Nathaniel Paschall became associated with Mr. Charless, and the firm was established as Charless & Paschall. At this time the paper was increased in size, its dimensions being twenty-two by thirty-two inches. No essential change was made until April, 1833, when it was published semi-weekly and weekly, and two years later a tri-weekly issue was ventured upon. In May, 1835, the sheet was enlarged, measuring then twenty-four by thirty- four inches ; and on September 30, 1836, St. Louis witnessed an event, for it was on that day that the Republican first appeared as a daily paper. It was also published tri-weekly and weekly. The last few preceding years had been attended with a vast increase in population, demanding a corresponding expansion of facilities for furnishing news to a greatly increased list of subscribers.

The Republican Building In July, 1837, Charless & Paschall sold the concern to A. B. Chambers, Oliver Harris, and George Knapp. In August, 1839, Mr. Harris withdrew, and the paper continued under the firm of Chambers & Knapp. On the 1st of January, 1840, the sheet was enlarged to twenty-six by thirty-eight inches, and Joseph W. Dougherty became a proprietor, the style of the firm now being Chambers, Knapp & Co. Mr. Dougherty was connected with the paper but a short time, and on his retirement the firm resumed the title of Chambers & Knapp. November 20, 1843, the Republican enlarged its dimensions to twenty-seven by forty-six inches, and on the 1st of January following, increased to twenty-eight by forty-eight inches.

In May, 1849, the office and fixtures of the Republican office were destroyed in the great conflagration of that year. In the beginning of the year 1851, the paper was established in the five-story building on Chestnut Street then just completed, which was regarded at the time as one of the finest newspaper establishments in the country. The paper was enlarged to a sheet measuring thirty- one and a half by fifty-two inches. In October, 1853, the paper was further enlarged to the immense size of thirty-three by fifty - six inches. The quarto form was adopted October 8, 1872.

Mr. A. B. Chambers, so long one of the proprietors of the Republican, died May 22,1854. One year from that time May 19,1855, George Knapp, by the purchase of the Chambers interest, became sole owner of the establishment. During August in that year, Nathaniel Paschall and John Knapp were admitted as partners, and the firm name changed to George Knapp & Co. In 1866, Mr. Paschall died, and Mr. William Hyde, who had joined the staff as a reporter in 1857, was promoted to the chief editorship of the paper, having previous to that time been admitted to an interest in the proprietorship. Before the death of Mr. Paschall, the firm of George Knapp & Co. had been changed into a joint stock company, and the elder Pasdiall was succeeded ill the directory of the company by his son Henry G. Paschall, who still retains that position.

On the evening of May 24, 1870, the Republican office, situated on Chestnut Street, between Main and Second, was burned down. It was a five-story brick building, with basement for machinery. The destruction was nearly total, including an eight-cylinder Hoe press, job office, bindery, type, fixtures, etc., involving a loss of one hundred and eighty thousand dollar, on which there was one hundred and six thousand five hundred dollars insurance. All the files of the paper from 1808 down were saved. Among the property destroyed was a valuable library of books of reference. A four-cylinder Hoe press was protected in a tire-proof vault, and saved, and but one day's issue of the paper was missed. A temporary two-story brick building was erected on the old site, and on the 18th of June the office was moved into it, where it remained until the present Republican building was erected and ready for occupation.

On Wednesday, January 8, 1873, the Missouri Republican had a grand opening and house-warming in its now building. The newspaper had taken possession of its new quarters some time before, and the great presses and the composition and editorial departments were in perfect running order. The proprietors of the Republican extended invitations to all their personal acquaintances and friends of the paper to join with them in celebrating their new epoch. A large concourse of old and leading citizens responded, and the spacious rooms and halls of the building were filled from top to basement. After the usual introductory festivities were over, there was a rare festival of speeches and congratulations. The time chosen was the forty-sixth anniversary of the connection of the senior proprietor, George Knapp, with the establishment.

The new Republican office stands on a lot eighty feet on Third Street, extending back one hundred and ten feet on Chestnut Street. The work was commenced September 1, 1870, and the entire lot was excavated to the depth of twenty feet. The foundations were sunk still deeper. The building has a front on Third Street of seventy-six feet ten inches, and a front on Chestnut Street of one hundred and three feet five inches. It is five stories high above the pavement, the distance from the sidewalk to the crest of the dome being one hundred and twenty-five feet. The style of architecture is that of the Renaissance, which combines strength, durability and beauty.

Source: A Tour of St. Louis; Or, The Inside Life of a Great City by Joseph A. Dacus, James William Buel, St. Louis, 1878

The People’s Press — A daily journal, independent in politics and religion; its aim, time people’s good.

The People’s Weekly Press — An Excelsior family newspaper.

Edwards’ Monthly — A journal of western progress, an organ of the progression in art, literature, science, agriculture, banking, internal improvements, etc., etc.

Edwards’ Western Almanac — A correct and standard almanac for the million, containing also sprinklings in every department of knowledge — a yearly visitor which every family looks for with pleasure.

Source: Edwards' Great West ...And A Complete History of St. Louis, by Richard Edwards & M. Hopewell, M.D., St. Louis, 1860

The St. Louis Daily Express was established in 1858, by Wm. Cuddv, a gentleman for many years practically connected with journalism. Its first issue was in a miniature form, which continued for some months, until its increasing patronage justified its increasing size. It is now a large and respectable sheet, and progressing in influence and circulation. It is published also weekly.

Source: Edwards' Great West ...And A Complete History of St. Louis, by Richard Edwards & M. Hopewell, M.D., St. Louis, 1860

This popular sheet was established in December, 1852. It is at present owned and ably edited by Mr. James L. Faucett, under whose efficient management it has reached an extensive circulation. It has a daily circulation, and likewise an extensive weekly one.

Source: Edwards' Great West ...And A Complete History of St. Louis, by Richard Edwards & M. Hopewell, M.D., St. Louis, 1860

In the beginning of July, 1866, it was announced that the St. Louis Daily Times, "an uncompromising Democratic newspaper," would be published during that month in this city. A few weeks later the first number of the paper appeared. It was originated by D. A. Mahony, Stilson Hutchins and John Hodnett, all formerly residing in Dubuque, Iowa. Mr. Mahony was the first chief editor of the Times, and Stilson Hutchins was at first both a writer and business manager. Mr. Hodnett WAS associated in the proprietorship, and contributed largely to the success of the undertaking by his business tact and energy.

During the first years of the existence of the Times, Mr. Mahony labored assiduously and with no little ability to secure for that journal a recognized standing among the great newspapers of the West. Mr. Hutching early evinced a marked predilection for politics, and brought to bear no small amount of energy and ability in advancing his personal interests. It is no light task to establish a newspaper in a city where long established and able journals already acceptably occupy the field. But the ability of its first editor; the energy and tact of its "outside business man," John Hodnett, and the audacity and daring of its political engineer, united in giving the Times a creditable standing among the newspapers of the city.

Mr. Mahony differed with Mr. Hutchins in regard to his business methods, and left the paper. For a time Hutchins and Hodnett, the former being chief editor, conducted the paper with indifferent success, until Major Henry Ewing, a gentleman of polished manners and great ability as a writer and business man, purchased a large interest in the establishment and became associated in the editorial conduct of the journal. The prosperity of the Times was greatly advanced by the accession of Major Ewing.

In 1872 Major Ewing became dissatisfied with the course pursued by Mr. Hutchins, and purchased his interest in the paper for the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, and Hutchins retired. The Times made rapid advancement after this event for a considerable period, when the death of Major Ewing necessitated a disposal of his controlling interest. A company of gentlemen, including Mr. Charles A. Mantz, Major George B. Clark, Estell McHenry and others, became purchasers of the Ewing interest, and the paper was published by the St. Louis Times Company, of which Charles A. Mantz was the President. Its success was not marked under this management. In 1875 Mr. Hutchins succeeded in inspiring the managers of the Times with a sublime faith in his capacity as a business man and journalist, and became again interested in the property. But the difficulties under which the company labored were not removed, and in 1876 the paper was placed in the hands of Major Celsus Price, its receiver, at the instance of the creditors, and after due notice, was sold, John T. Crisp, acting for Hutchins, becoming the purchaser, and once more he became the controlling manager. The success of the paper, however, was pot secured by the success of its editor. The ''hard times" was made responsible for the lack of support accorded "the organ" of the Democratic party in Missouri.

It is needless to trace the history of the paper for the next year succeeding its purchase by the Times Company, of which John T. Crisp was President and Stilson Hutchins principal manager. The result was a failure, and the financial distress of the company" necessitated a foreclosure of the mortgages which had been placed upon its property. This event occurred in 1877, and Mr. B. M. Chambers, the holder of the largest number of bonds, became the purchaser.

Under the management of Mr. Chambers, the Times has made rapid progress, and is already a paper of no small influence in the politics of the State. The present management of the Times has accomplished much in removing the objections which were alleged against the paper when under the control of others in the past. Steadily and surely the paper is assuming a front rank among the great journals of the country. The public has implicit confidence in the honor and integrity of Mr. Chambers, and the staunch support given to the Democratic party endears it to the hearts of a large majority of the people of the State. Mr. Richard H. Sylvester, an accomplished journalist, had long had connection in an editorial capacity with the Times, and much of the success which has attended the paper is due to his ability and character as a writer and gentleman. He is now principal editorial writer.

Source: A Tour of St. Louis; Or, The Inside Life of a Great City by Joseph A. Dacus, James William Buel, St. Louis, 1878

There are also in the city of St. Louis several other daily and weekly newspapers published in the English language — the St. Louis Observer, published weekly by A. F. Cox, and edited by the Rev. Milton Bird; the St. Louis Presbyterian, published weekly by Messrs. Keith & Woods, and edited by the Rev. James H. Page; the St. Louis Christian Advocate, a weekly sheet, published by the Methodist Conference, and edited by the Rev. D. R. M’Anally; the Western Watchman, published weekly, and edited by the Rev. William Cromwell; the Central Christian Advocate, a weekly sheet, edited by the Rev. Joseph Brooks; and the Western Banner, published weekly, and edited by Mr. B. D. Killian.

All of these journals are edited with ability, have a respectable circulation, and exercise an important influence in the various circles of society.

Source: Edwards' Great West ...And A Complete History of St. Louis, by Richard Edwards & M. Hopewell, M.D., St. Louis, 1860

Selected Newspaper Clippings (1859-1909)

St. Louis Newspapers on Microfilm at St. Louis Public Library, 1808-2000 (Outside Link)