THE PRESS OF ATLANTIC.

The "Atlantic Messenger," removed from Lewis by H. C. Johnson April 16, 1869, is the oldest newspaper in the city, and its birth has already been described. In 1871 J. R. Morris, Jr., became associated with Mr. Johnson in its ownership, the partnership continuing for two years. J. H. Willey purchased a half interest in 1873, but as he was a railway postal clerk gave little attention to it for a number of years. The firm of Johnson & Willey continued to publish the paper until January 1, 1880, when Mr. Willey became its sole proprietor and editor.

A STATE VETERAN OF THE "CASE."

At that time Mr. Johnson had been nearly thirty years a printer and newspaper man, and about a year after retiring from the "Messenger" started a job office in Atlantic. After conducting that for about two years he was employed in various printing establishments, and despite his seventy-two-years, is still able to do a good day's work at the case. In point of service he is one of the oldest printers in the State, and certainly none are more popular than "Clay" Johnson. His wife is still living, as are ten of their fourteen children. "Clay" is an Ohio man, and in 1852 commenced his trade in the office of the "Iowa City Republican," which was then owned by his uncle, Dr. S. M. Ballard. Afterward he worked for the State Printer in Des Moines; in the "Nonpareil" office at Council Bluffs, and in 1863 went into partnership with Frank H. Whitney, who was then running the "Cass County Gazette," at Lewis. In 1864 he established the "Cass County Messenger" at Lewis, and in 1869 its successor, the "Atlantic Messenger."

On New Year's Day, of 1880, Mr. Willey, the new editor and proprietor, introduced himself, thus tersely: "It is customary for incoming editors to indulge in a 'saluatory,' varying in length from a 'stickful' to a column, devoted to making promises as to what they propose to do. I do not care to do anything of the kind. If I make a success, people will find it out; and if I don't, they will know it soon enough." Mr. Willey proved a success during the years of his management of the "Messenger." The paper has continued to maintain an influential standing through the various changes, editorial and otherwise. A number of years ago the "Messenger" was purchased by E. H. Griffin, an Iowa educator of high standing, with a natural journalistic gift, and under his management it is still a strong force in the public affairs of Cass county.

"ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH."

On February 16, 1871, Lafayette Young, a practical printer and but recently city editor of the Iowa "State Register," established the "Atlantic Weekly Telegraph," a nine-column folio. Within a few years, under Mr. Young's energetic management and engaging pen, the paper was in the front ranks of the State journals. The "Telegraph" was several times enlarged, the facilities of the press room were improved and enlarged, and on December 8, 1879, the neat, six-column folio "Daily Telegraph" appeared. This was the first venture in daily journalism in Atlantic, and it proved such a success that the paper was enlarged a column in March, 1881. It is needless to say that under Mr. Young's management both "Telegraphs" were unequivocally and strongly Republican. E. L. Anderson is the present able editor and proprietor.

HIGH-PRICED "ANITA TIMES."

In the early 'seventies a young Wisconsin telegraph operator and printer named Charles F. Chase entered the employ of Hon. John P. Irish, on the "Iowa City Press." In the fall of 1877, in company with Claude Faust, he removed to Anita, Cass county, and established the "Times." The town was intensely Democratic, and, as it was understood in advance that the new paper was to bristle with Democracy, much interest was taken among the merchants and leading citizens in its first number. Accordingly on the 14th of November, when everything was ready and the form was laid upon the platen of the press, a large number of the prominent men of the town gathered in the office to watch the proceedings. A dampened sheet was laid upon the press, and Mr. Chase with his own hands speedily brought round the lever and an impression was taken. Laughingly he ascended a box which stood in the room, and proceeded to auctioneer the first issue of the "Times" to the highest bidder. Amid considerable merriment bidding ran quite spirited for awhile, and it was finally knocked down to Edwin Cate, the pioneer merchant of the town, for $25.

"CASS COUNTY DEMOCRAT."

For several years the paper was operated with good success, Mr. Faust retiring after a time. In August, 1880, Mr. Chase removed the office to Atlantic, and on the 11th of that month the paper was revived under the name of the "Cass County Democrat." It was established as an eight-column folio; it is now a six-column twelve page paper. Its first home was in some back rooms in the building then owned by S. F. Martin, at the corner of Chestnut and Third streets. Until the November election of that year the "Daily Democrat" was published in the interest of Hancock, but suspended the day following the county of the votes. In September, 1892, Mr. Chase sold the "Democrat" to Mr. Bilderback, but was obliged to take it back under his mortgage in the following year. During the Prohibitory amendment campaign of 1882 the "Daily Democrat" was again issued, and was discontinued when it had served its temporary purpose. In 1887 Mr. Chase again sold the paper to R. T. Young, but in the summer of 1889 bought him out and also purchased the interest which Mr. Young had sold to Mr. Bilderback. In 1894 Mr. Chase sold the property to E. D. Gardner, and was not again associated with the publication until 1903, when the Democrat Publishing Company was organized and purchased it. It was incorporated with a paid-up capital stock of $10,000, owned by its three officers, viz.: J. W. Cuykendall, president; Charles F. Chase, vice-president and general manager; Edwin P. Chase, son of Charles F., secretary. The present "Daily Democrat," a permanent issue, was established April 1, 1903, and is a six-column four-page paper, crisp and metropolitan in tone and tasty in appearance. Charles F. Chase is managing editor of both editions, and Edwin O., city editor and business manager.

THE DEFUNCT "CAP SHEAF."

"The Cap Sheaf" was one of the several early newspapers of Atlantic which failed to stand the stress of time and circumstances. It was established by D. M. Harris, in the spring of 1874, its first issue -- a six-column quarto -- bearing date of May 1st. Mr. Harris was an able writer and continued to publish the paper until the fall of 1875, when he sold it to James Pugh, who, under the name of "The Northwestern Journal," issued it as a prohibition paper. In August, 1876, it was purchased by J. A. Crawford, who revived the old name, "Cap Sheaf," and devoted it for about a month to the cause of Democracy. Its last issue appeared October 20, 1876, it being then under the editorial management of George S. Wedgewood.

"Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pp. 244-246. Transcribed April, 2013 by Cheryl Siebrass.