In the year 1875, Dallas Center's first newspaper was published briefly
by J. W. Jones. In December of the same year, the first permanent
newspaper appeared. The Dallas Center Globe. It was
published and edited by Sam G. Sloane. Twelve years later, in
1887, it as purchased by G. W. Bear, who sold it to W. R. Markley in
1897. In 1901, Elmer A. Emmert became the editor and publisher,
changing the name to The New Times. Mr. Emmert's first issue was
dated February 3, 1901.
In 1885, James L. Loring established and ably edited the Dallas Center
Local. In August 1886, another paper, The Times, was established
by Geo. E. E. Townsend. One year later it was combined with the
Dallas Center Local. Mr. Loring changed the name of the combined
papers to The Dallas Center Times in September, 1887. He continued
to publish the paper until 1903, when he sold it to Elmer A. Emmert.
Mr. Emmert combined the Dallas Center Times with the New Times and
retained the name of the Dallas Center Times. The Dallas Center
Times has been in continuous publication since it was established by Mr.
Loring in 1887, eighty-two years ago.
During the first few years after Mr. Emmmert acquired the paper, the
Times office was moved several times. In 1906, it was established
in more permanent quarters on the second floor of the Citizens Savings
Bank building where it remained as long as the office was in town, or
until 1959.
Mr. Emmert was "The Editor" in Dallas Center 45 years, thus
establishing the longest record of any previous local editor. He
sold the paper to Garth Mann in 1946. In 1958, Mr. Mann leased it
to Douglas Huigen for one year, and in 1959, it was sold to John Snyder
of Adel. The paper was then printed in Adel until 1963, when
Russell and Charles Boyles became owners. Russell Boyles, present
owner, composes the paper in Woodward but mails it through the Dallas
Center Post Office. Society editor, Bertha E. Small, maintains an
office in her home in Dallas Center.
With the exception of about six years, Bertha Small has been with the
Dallas Center Times since she started working for Mr. Emmert in
1906. Her first job was setting type by hand until the linotype
was installed in 1911. She operated the linotype until the office
was moved to Adel in 1959.
Editor E. A. Emmert, long-time editor and publisher, continued to be
associated with the Dallas Center Times after he sold it in 1946, until
his death in 1952. Mr. Emmert gained wide recognition for his
expert job printing and his vast editorial knowledge on many varied
subjects. He included astronomers, millionaire manufacturers,
politicians, metropolitan newspapermen and just plain folks in his host
of friends. He imparted inspiration, courage of conviction,
honesty is everyday living and uplifting thoughts and ideals to all who
knew him. Association with "The Editor" personally as
well as through the Times editorials has enriched the lives of many.
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