YORK COUNTY NEBRASKA
OLD SETTLER'S HISTORY

      (66) The first newspaper published in York was the "York Monitor," E. H. White, Editor and Proprietor; the first issue was on June 6th, 1872, a five-column, four page paper, subscription price $1.50 per year, cash in advance. The first issue contained an add: Bell Bros., Groceries, Dry Goods, Hardware, Queensware, Boots, Shoes, and Agricultural Implements. They offered to take Railroad Bonds and Green backs for goods. It is presumed the early settlers had their pockets full of Railroad Bonds, or they would not have offered to take them. This issue also contained an Add. for Brahmstead & Kleinschmidt, General Mdse., Post & Warrington Attys., L. D. Stilson Contractor and Builder, D. Stonecypher, Furniture; also a notice for sealed bids for the erection of a Schoolhouse in Dist. 27, size 16 x 20 and to be built of pine lumber.

     The "Tribune" started by Frank and Arthur Wellman, brothers of Walter Wellman, who made the famous attempt to reach the north pole, and cross the Atlantic in a baloon.

     (67) In those days there were raging newspaper wars to thrill one with fantastic terrors.

     There were several editorial writers on the paper at that time and their well known characteristics are apparent to those who knew them well in after years. Here is one from W. E. Dayton's hand, you may be sure.

     Speaking in the paper of the Tribune Editor, who had interfered to prevent the county board from paying a printing bill, he wrote:

     "We challenge the paltry wretch to do his dirtiest. The cleanest thing he can do is dirty beyond expression and the nastier he becomes the sooner he will die of his own rottenness."

     P. N. Elarth had the following advertisement in the paper:

     "Swenskar.-- Behofen ni en Symaskin eller Musik -- instrument, hanvanden eder till."

     There was some humorous advertising in the paper that week which old residents well acquainted with the parties will enjoy as a reminiscent story.

     There was here at the time a very cranky and grouchy gentlemen, J. E. Phillips by name, selling musical instruments. At the same time John Oppfelt, our present neighbor, was dealing in the same line, as well as the late P. N. Elarth. Phillips was always suspicious of something or somebody and seemed to imagine that the other two dealers mentioned had combined against him, so he published this:

     "In view of some malicious combinations that have been formed by certain persons to injure my business, I have concluded to sell organs and pianos at cost for the next five years, if necessary.

     The next week this humorous reply appeared:

     "In view of certain malicious combinations that have been formed by certain parties against J. E. Phillips to (68) injure his business, we will assist him by selling organs and pianos at cost for the next five years if necessary.

     Mr. Elarth has gone to a better land, while the frosts of time have whitened and thinned the locks of neighbor John. Phillips left here nearly twenty years ago but if alive he no doubt remembers the kindness of the two men who came to his assistance when combinations threatened his business.

     The Wellmans sold to Whedon & Culley, who changed the name of the paper to the York Democrat. The "Tidal Wave" was started by Adams & Woolman in the interest of Greenback currency, run three weeks and was bought by T. E. Sedgwick changed to a Republican paper, "The Times," and has been built up to a daily and semi-weekly paper with a huge circulation. Besides the Daily Times, York has another daily. "The York Daily News" published by the York Blank Book Co., Thos. Curran Mang., and three weekly papers, The York Democrat, York Republican, and The New Teller.

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