Newspapers of Fountain County - Fountain Businesses

The BOND OF PEACE, a Christian paper started in 1889 by M. Pittman – lasted about a year

The BULLETIN – “made its debut July 27, 1860 with George H. Marr as owner and editor.”  Daily edition but that failed after only one week – the weekly edition lasted only one year.

The COUNTRY COUSIN – supplement published by Hub Publications from the mid-1960s-mid-1970s.  It was in Fountain, Vermillion, Warren and Montgomery hcounties in their papers.

The COURIER – printed in Attica 1971-1976

FOUNTAIN LEDGER – see Ledger

FOUNTAIN-WARREN DEMOCRAT – established in 1884 – HW Thaten who sold it about five years later to J. Machler.  He owned it for three years selling out to R. McNeill.  In July 1892 McNeill turned over ownership to George M. Williams who sold it to Claude Williams in January 1927. Claude managed the Democrat for six years and sold to George Williams in Jan 1933.  Eugene Campbell bought the paper from George in December 1935 and sold it to J. Frank McDermond of the Ledger-Tribune in August 1936.  McDermond died October 8, 1946 and was succeeded by his widow, Inez F. McDermond.  In September 1949, she sold an interest to CJ VanLandeghem, who formed a corporation under the name Attica Newspapers, Inc.  January 1952, Mrs. McDermond and Van Landeghem sold to Donald M. Montgomery who in turn sold to Fountain-Warren Publishers in May 1963.  RM Hemphill headed this corporation which published a chain of newspapers and Montgomery was retained to manage the editorial department.  The Democrat ceased publication in March 1966.

The FRIENDLY ORACLE was a Democratic weekly paper and was established by Everett and Opal White in 1959 – they continued the journal through 1980.

The HERALD a Democratic party supporter was established about 1874 by John Spence who moved the press from Veedersburg where it had been called the Fountain County Herald.  After less than a year in Attica, Spence again moved the press to Lafayette, Tippecanoe County.

JOURNAL – Two papers under this name were published in Attica:  The first JOURNAL dates back to 1845 owned and edited by Enos Canut (or Kaynut, K’Nutt …) and Jonathan C. Campbell who had moved in from Independence in Warren County where it had been called the Wabash Register.  The Journal was independent in politics but leaned towards Democratic.  In 1848 the paper was sold to JJ Taylor and Davis Newell who moved it to Williamsport where it became the Wabash Commercial.  The second JOURNAL was founded by George Rowland a local doctor in 1877 as an independent paper. In October 1879, Rowland moved the press to Covington where it became the Covington Journal.

The LEDGER (Also called the Fountain Ledger and Ledger-Press) was first published in Covington as the FOUNTAIN LEDGER but Isaac Rice moved it to Attica in November 1852.  In politics the paper supported the Whig Part then of course became a Republican advocate when that party was firmed.  In 1858 Rice sold the paper to Clark W. Bateman who continued the journal until July 1862 at which time he sold it to Oscar F. Stafford. On January 16, 1864, the press and office were destroyed by fire; however, the Fountain Ledger was continued from a press in Williamsport without missing even one issue.  A new office was soon erected in Attica and the paper then moved back there.  In September 1864, Stafford sold it to Benjamin F. Hegler, who later shortened the title to the LEDGER. Lewis D. Hayes and Albert S. Peacock purchased the paper from Hegler in November 1874.  Peacock sold his interest to Hayes in July 1879 and Hayes turned around and sold the Ledger to Peacock and HC Martin in April 1880.  Martin disposed of his interest to Peacock July 1885.  About 1889 Peacock sold the paper to Edwin A. Nye who conducted the Ledger about a year, selling it back to Peacock who purchased the Evening NEWS from CD Case in January 1897 and converted it into the daily edition of the Ledger.  In February 1898 the Attica Ledger Printing Company was formed and took control of the paper. Owners at that point were Albert Peacock, president; Ed R Campbell, editor and Fred Cook.  Peacock sold to Roy C. Gault in October 1898; Cook disposed of his interest to CW Randall in May 1899 and AP Nave and Ed Campbell purchased Gaul and Randall’s interest in April 1901.  June 1902 Nave sold his interest to Will G. Ross while Edgar Webb purchased Campbell’s part in Sept 1904 and assumed control of the editorship.  Ross sold his interest to Webb about 1906.  A petition of involuntary bankruptcy was filed against Webb by his creditors on April 25, 1911 and the court named Albert Peacock as executor of the paper.  In early October 1911 the Ledger was sold to Harry F. Ross and his brother, Will G. Ross who discontinued the daily and merged the weekly with the Saturday Press to form the LEDGER-Press.  Harry Ross handled the editorial duties for this Progressive Republican paper.  In June 1915, the Ross brothers dropped Press from the title. J. Frank McDermond, Jr of the Daily Tribune purchased the Ledger from the Ross brothers in January 1918.  McDermond continued the Ledger as a weekly publication in addition to maintaining the Daily Tribune.  The Ledger printed its last paper August 19, 1921 then merged with the Tribune to form the Ledger-Tribune

LEDGER Press – see Ledger

The LEDGER-TRIBUNE began in August 1921 as a result of a merger between the Ledger and the Daily Tribune.  This Republican oriented daily was owned and operated by J. Frank McDermond, Jr who continued in this business until his death October 8, 1946 when his wife, Inez succeeded her husband as owner and editor.  CJ VanLandeghem purchased an interest in Sept 1949 and formed Attica Newspapers, Inc.  Donald M. Montgomery then purchased the Ledger-Tribune from Mrs. McDermond and VanLandeghem in early January 1952.

The CONCILIATOR - published as a Whig Party campaign paper in 1836 - supported the candidacy of William Henry Harrison for President.

The Fountain County CITIZEN - first issue in 1902 with DW Sanders as editor and publisher.  Weekly Democratic paper lasted about a year.

The Fountain County STAR originally published in Kiongman but Richard and Mary Jo Harney moved it to Covington on May 1, 1977. The Harneys continued to control the paper in 1980.

The Fountain County DEMOCRAT began in 1854 with LS Swart as publisher.  It opposed free-soil doctrines and favored prohitibion. Swart operated the paper a short time and sold it to CV Jones.  Miles L. Yetter became editor in the late 1850s and the Democrat ceased publication about 1859.

The Fountain LEDGER - began in 1851 by JP Luse and a man named Howison - supported the Whits.  Paper was moved by Isaac A. Rice to Attica in November 1852.  

FRIEND - see People's Friend

The GOSEPHEL ECHO established in 1888 as obviously a religious publican supporting the Church of Christ. A. Ellmore and WJ RIce served as editors and publishers in the late 1890s and in 1898 BJ Ellmore and BJ Elston were, while A. Ellmore remained as editor.  The Echo ceased publication in the early 1900s.

The INDIANA STATESMAN issued its first number on July 29, 1882 with John B. Martin as editor and publisher of the Greenback party and a temperance supporter. Martin leased the paper to Edward W Copner in Jan 1883 in order to devote more time to his legal practice. Copner only conducted the paper briefly and in March 1881 Martin sold the Statesman to IE Schoonover, terminating short thereafter.

Two Covington papers had the name JOURNAL

The first Covington Journal was found in 1867 as a Republican paper. Frank Seaman was editor and publisher when the press ceased publication around 1869.

The second  Covington Journal began in 1879 as a twice-weekly paper that advocated the principles of the Greenbacks. Around 1880 the publication frequency was switched from twice-weely to a weekly publication and the Journal ceased a couple years later.

The NEW REPUBLIC made its debut in 1872. FM Dice editor and publican of this Republican paper - ceased publication however after about a year.

The PEOPLE'S FRIEND (also referred to as the Friend) began in the fall of 1841 by John R. Jones who had moved from Virginia and brought the press from Cincinnati. In 1846 Jones sold the Democratic paper supporter to Solon Turman and moved to Vincennes where he purchased the Vincennes Sun. Turman continued to operate the People's Friend until his election to the state senate in 1853 at which time he sold it to Edward Pullen. Charles L. Hunsicker purchased the paper from Pullen in 1856 and he then sold it to HR Claypool on April Fooll's Day 1858.  Clayp9ool was eleccted to the state legislature in the fall of 1858 and sold the paper to his foreman, MVB Cowan who in turn sold to John H. Spencer the following spring. Spence proved to be a controlversial editor in 1860 he supported the secession of the South from the Union and condemned the North. During the war Union soldiers home on leave wrecked the newspaper office and to prevent further destruction, Spence purchased a six-pound cannon and had it set up in the offic.  In 1873 Spence sold out to Ezra VOris who soon sold to Benjamin Smith. Smith in turn sold the People's Friend to TD Collins in 1877.  Collins only owned the paper a few months and sold to Ed Hanes who in turn sold to Charles Gwynn and when he was appointed postmater in March 1887 he disposed of the paper to the legan firm of Schwin (John) and Booe.  Booe left the firm and Schwin assumed sole ownership.  It was around this time Schwin altered the title of the paper to the FRIEND.  Orland Douglass served as Schwin's assistant from 1891 until failing eyesight forced him to retire in 1896. Sept 1897, Schwin sold to RZ McNeill who soon became dissatisfied living in Covington and sold the Friend back to Schwin in Dec 1898.  In April 1922, John Schwin turned over the paper's management to his son, George P. though the elder Schwin remained the owner. John died in 1942 at the age of 98 and George assumed ownership. Bert and Dot Boggs of the Veedersburg NEWS purchased the journal in Sept 1945 and sold it to Mr. and Mrs. Anthony LePage in March 1948. In 1963 the LePages sold to the Covington Publishing Inc with Robert Hemphill taking over as publisher and Mrs. Bess editor when LePage retired in Sept 1971.  Allen served as editor for a month and was followed by David Poll.  Hub Press obtained the paper in 1977 and named William Harper as publisher and Edwin Farra as managing editor. The new owners printed the paper at their Attica Ledger-Tribun plant. Harper was soon succeeded bny Farrar and David Marchand assumed duties of editor. In April 1979 the paper was sold to Nixon Newspaper, Inc and the publication frequency was changed to every six weeks. Under the new ownership Greg P. Groch became business manager and James D. Lundy assumed the duties of editor. Groch and Lundy continued to direct the Friend in 1980 - anyone know the ultimate conclusion?  It sure was a long-running newspaper

PEOPLE'S PAPER - see SPENCE'S PEOPLE's PAPER

The REPUBLICAN - was started in 1893 by Charles H. Gwynn, who had purchased the press of the People's Paper from the estate of William F. Voygt. Gwynn apparently sold the paper to Thomas A. Clift on June 1897.  Clifton soon purchased the Fowerl Republican and sold the Covington one to CD Case in October of the same year. Clifton repurchased the paper in a couple of years but sold it again to J. Gus Lane and Grant Gossett in October 1900.  After being connected with the Republican for one month, Gossett sold his interest to Lane.  John F. Judy purchased an interest in 1900 and became sold publisher by January of 01 while CM Hane took over as manager.  Clifton took charge of the Republican for a third time in April 1901.  Wheeler McMillen purchased the paper in 1914 but sold it back again to Clifton in 1920.  April 1933, Thomas Clifton turned over th epaper's management to his son, Cooper Clifton. The elder Clifton died June 26, 1935 and his son assumed ownership.  Sylvan E. "Si" William bought the paper from Clifton then in AUgust 1939 and continued it for six years when he sold it to Mr. and Mrs. WIlliam L. "Bert" Boggs in late Sept 1945.  In January 1946, Albert Summers was named to head the editorial department. Mr. and Mrs. Boggs sold to Anthony and Bess LePage in March 1948 and in April 64 the LePages sold the paper to the Covington Publishing Company.  Robert M. Hemphill became publisher while Bess LePage remained with the paper in an editorial capacity. The Covington Rpeublican issued its last number pPril 10, 1968.  Also a long-lasting newspaper as was the People's Friend.

SPENCE's PEOPLE'S PAPER -- People's Paper after 1892 was published in Covington in 1874 by John H, Spencer who had moved the paper from Lafayette. In politics the Paper supported the Republic party.  In 1887 Spence sold to WIlliam F. Vogt who altered the title (can't say I blame him) to the People's Paper in 1892. Vogt died the next year and the paper was purchased from his estate by Charles H. Gwynn who changed the title to simple the Republican.

The WESTERN CONSTELLATION, a natural publican issued its first number July 18, 1834 under the direction of Henry Comington and ___ Sill who sold his interest to Comingtore just the next month and in Noember of the following year, G Snyder purchased an interest and became copublisher with Comingtore. In January 1836 Comingore sold his interest to Snyder who continued it until May of the same year then sold it to the firm of James P. Carleton and Henry Comingtore again. Carleton purchased controlling interest in the paper in March 1837 and changed the firm name to James p. Carleton and Company.  However, the Western Constellation probably stopped by that summer.

The WHIG was started by Hugh S. Todd in the fall of 1838 and was quite short-lived.

The CLIPPER was established by Robert A. McCLain in 1891 as an independent paper but didin't last long.

The TIMES made its debut in 1899 with RS Osburn as editor/publisher. This paper was independent in politics and concentrated on local news.  Earle Shular puchased the Times from Osburn in 1904 an dtwo years later sold out to Warren C. Bowers. In 1909 Bowers sold the journal to Daily M. Hudler who owned the paper but a yearand sold it back to Bowers.  Mrs. Elwood Dabvidson and JW Small assumed the management of the Times in 1916.  William I. Boggs replaced SMall as publisher in the early 1930s while Mrs. Davidson remained with the paper as local editor. WW Boggs became editor and publisher around 1943 but was succeeded one year later by WL "Bert" Boggs and in 1963 Boggs sold it to Hub Press, headed by Robert M. Hemphill and F. Hugh Miller who was named editor.  Later editors and managers included Mary E. Epperson, JT Warring, Martin H. Kruse and JD Burton. The paper printed its last issue on March 27, 198 and was then merged with the Veedersburg NEWS to become the Veedersburg NEWS-TIMES.

FOUNTAIN COUNTY STAR - see STAR

The JOURNAL was established in the late 1890s probably by GH Schuetz.  This independent publication was quite short-lived.

The STAR (also known as the Fountain County Star) made its appearance in June 1898 with John E "Pushroot" Moore as editor and publisher. The STAR was independent in politics, concentration most of its effort on local news. Around 1902 Moore sold the paper to AV Avery who operated the paper about four years when he sold it to Thomas Clifton who soon sold it to Theodore Moore and ___ Massey.  Bert O. Hudler purchased the STAR in 1907 and sold it to Richard A. Booe in 1916, and he leased it out several times in the 1920s.  Those who leased it include John Hand, Erasmus Parroto and Edwin F and Sally Baynes. Booe died in 1930 and the paper became the property of his daughters, Elizabeth and Jean. They became publishers while Teresa V. McAllister was hired to handle the editorial duties. J. Frank McDermond leased th epaper in the early 1940s and Teresa remained as editor. It was about this time the STAR became a Republican paper. Mr. McDermond died in 1946 and Miss McALlister lead the paper from the Booes and finally purchased it from Jean Booe in 1971.  McAllister sold the Star to Richard and Mary Jo Harney in early 1972 and on April 17, 1974 the title was altered to the Fountain County Star so as to include news from the surrounding townships.  On May 1, 1977 the place of publication was moved from Kingman to Covington.

The ADVOCATE, a Republican part supporter was started in 1910 by Clarence M. Bowman and WW Wade. Around 1911 Wade disposed of his interest to Bowman who moved the paper to Linden in Montgomery County in November of the same year.  

The HERALD made its debut in 1913.  This Democratic paper, which lasted about three years, was edited and published by WW Wade.

The HUSTLER an independent publication was established in 1897 by Alfred Parker. In May 1908 the paper came under the control of Earle Shular and was discontinued in 1910 and may have been succeeded by the Advocateor possibly the Enterprise.

The RICHLAND PRESS was founded by Henry P. Barnes in 1939. The paper was published twice a month until 1961 at which time it became a weekly.  Evertt and Opal White took over the journal in 1951 and they continued to direct the Democratic publication in 1980.

The ENTERPRISE printed its first issue on December 1, 1908 with Earle Shular as editor and owner.  Shular continued this independent paper until it ceased publication around 1915.

The REPORTER was established in 1912 by WW Wade and lasted until about 1915.

The ADVOCATE was first printed in 1886 with HA Clark as editor and John Woolridge as publisher. It was termined shortly after 1887.

The COURIER was brought out by Riley Runyan and Charles McClure Feb 11, 1882.  In politics it supported the Republican party but allowed other views to be expressed in its columns. In 1883 the paper was purchased by AN Higgins and Milo G. Stevenson who switch politics to Democratic. Higgins disposed of his interest to Freeman E. Miller in 1885 and the Courier ceased publication shortly after.

The FOUNTAIN COUNTY HERALD was started by John H. Spence in 1873. After publishing for three months in Veedersburg, Spence moved the paper to Attica where it became the Attica Herald.

The INDEX was found in 1906 by WJ Huff and Son and could have been the successor to the Record. Like the Record, the Index supported the policies of the Republican parfty but in 1907 it ceased publication.

The NEWS was started by Charles M. Berry around 1890 as an independent publication.  Berry continued to print the news of the Veedersburg community until his death October 15, 1913.  The paper was then sold by the Berry estate to Ernest E. Baker and Oliver W. McGaughey.  McGaughey had only been associated with the paper for a short time when he sold his interest to Ernest and Viola Baker. William I. Boggs purchased the News from the Bakers and in 1921 coverted the News into a Democratic paper in 1939. In 1942, Boggs' son, WL "Bert" Boggs became owner and editor. Bert and Dot Boggs owned and operated this paper for 21 years before selling to Hub Press headed by Robert M. Hemphill of Chicago in July 1963. Hemphill named F. Hugh Miller to handle the editorial department followed by first JT Warring and then Martin H. Kruse.  On April 17, 1968, the News was combined with the Hillsboro Times also owned by Hub to form the News-Times.

The NEWS-TIMES was formed April 17, 198 from a merger between the News and the Hillsboro Times. This Democratic paper was owned by Hub Press with Omega H. Pearson as editor and JD Barton as publisher. Sadly its last issue was less than two years later (Jan 7, 1970).

The RECORD made its debut in May 1899 with Robert St. Clair as editor and publisher of this independent publication.  Around 1902 St. Clair sold the paper to WJ Huff & Son who switched the paper's politics to Republican. The Huffs sold the Record to Roy FUlwide rin 1905 under who direction it was discontinued.  

The REPORTER began in 1876 as a very radical Republican paper by GW SNyder. Frank Adam became editor and owner in the early 1880s.  Arthur H. Clark purchased it from Adam in 1887, conducted it about three years and sold it to TA Clifton.  He ran the paper in Veedersburg for about a year then moved it to WIlliamsport in Warren COunty where it became the Warren Review.

The REVIEW was found in october 1874 by George Rowland, edtor and Henry P. Shives, publisher.  It was an independent paper at the beginning but in just a couple of years took-up the Greenback causes. After the 1876 election, Rowland sold the press to GW Snyder who ceased publication and used the equipment to start the Reporter.