Yellowstone Journal
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| − | Published in Miles City, beginning on July 24, 1879, The Yellowstone Journal (weekly) represents the first newspaper established in eastern Montana, only three years after Custer’s demise at Little Bighorn and following upon the construction of Fort Keogh by Colonel Nelson Miles. From its beginnings as Miles Town in 1877, the military and later the cattle industry dominated the town, and Custer County’s first newspaper reflected those interests. The Journal’s first editor and owner, Major [[Thompson P. McElrath]], a veteran of the Civil War and son of the New York Tribune owner and assistant editor of both the Philadelphia Evening Journal and the New York Weekly Century, relocated to Miles City, Montana in May 1879 for his health. McElrath had a financial interest in promoting the fledgling town, appointed the U.S. Land Office commissioner a year after his arrival and acquiring major real estate interests over time. In January of 1880 W.D. Knight, a printer and pressman from the Black Hills appeared in Miles City, and by December 1881, he acquired an interest in the Weekly Journal, and on October 18, 1882, Knight began publishing the Daily Yellowstone Journal, a six column, 21.5 x 15 inch newspaper, with a declared Republican perspective. | + | Published in Miles City, beginning on July 24, 1879, The Yellowstone Journal (weekly) represents the first newspaper established in eastern Montana, only three years after Custer’s demise at Little Bighorn and following upon the construction of Fort Keogh by Colonel Nelson Miles. From its beginnings as Miles Town in 1877, the military and later the cattle industry dominated the town, and Custer County’s first newspaper reflected those interests. The Journal’s first editor and owner, Major [[Thompson P. McElrath]], a veteran of the Civil War and son of the New York Tribune owner and assistant editor of both the Philadelphia Evening Journal and the New York Weekly Century, relocated to Miles City, Montana in May 1879 for his health. McElrath had a financial interest in promoting the fledgling town, appointed the U.S. Land Office commissioner a year after his arrival and acquiring major real estate interests over time. In January of 1880 W.D. Knight, a printer and pressman from the Black Hills appeared in Miles City, and by December 1881, he acquired an interest in the Weekly Journal, and on October 18, 1882, Knight began publishing the Daily Yellowstone Journal, a six column, 21.5 x 15 inch newspaper, with a declared Republican perspective. During those years the newspaper proclaimed themselves to be “the only newspaper between Bismarck, North Dakota and the Rocky Mountains.” |
| − | The paper existed as a '''weekly''' continuously from '79 to '01, and as a '''daily''' for most of the period from '82 to '93 (except for a pause spring/summer of '83. | + | The paper existed as a '''weekly''' continuously from '79 to '01, and as a '''daily''' for most of the period from '82 to '93 (except for a pause spring/summer of '83. If indeed, it started as a daily on 19 Oct 1882, it may be tied in to the fact that the Western Union telegraph reached Miles City the day before, providing a source of daily news from outside town. The Northern Pacific had recently reached Miles City as well. |
The paper was distributed in the morning, so it contained yesterday's news and was printed over night. | The paper was distributed in the morning, so it contained yesterday's news and was printed over night. | ||
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The Daily Yellowstone Journal continued through the 1920s, and then a Weekly Yellowstone Journal persisted through 1936. In 1911 a rival newspaper hit the streets of Miles City, The [[Miles City Star]], published by [[J.D. Scanlan]], former editor of the [[Red Lodge Picket]] and an active member of the Montana Republican Party. | The Daily Yellowstone Journal continued through the 1920s, and then a Weekly Yellowstone Journal persisted through 1936. In 1911 a rival newspaper hit the streets of Miles City, The [[Miles City Star]], published by [[J.D. Scanlan]], former editor of the [[Red Lodge Picket]] and an active member of the Montana Republican Party. | ||
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| + | ==Disclaimers== | ||
| + | In 1882, three paragraphs were included: | ||
| + | * No bills of the papers are valid without a written order signed by the publisher. | ||
| + | * The editor is not responsible for the opinions of its correspondents. | ||
| + | * This paper is the only official organ for legal notices in and by Custer County. | ||
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| + | ==Timeline== | ||
| + | ===1882=== | ||
| + | 19 Oct 1882 YJ: A good job printer can obtain steady employment at this office. Address the publisher. | ||
==Links== | ==Links== | ||
The Library of Congress has [http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86075021/ digitized many issues]. | The Library of Congress has [http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86075021/ digitized many issues]. | ||
