100th Anniversary

100 Years Ago Today: The Graphic Under New Management

Stronghurst Graphic - April 15, 1926

This issue of the Graphic marks the beginning of a new editorial and business management of the paper. 

As announced in last week’s issue, A. H. and Nellie V. Kershaw, past owners, and A. H. Kershaw, editor and business manager, have disposed of their interest in the business, and it will hereafter be carried on by the undersigned.

During the fourteen years which Mr. Kershaw has had control of the Graphic; it has grown into a paper, which, measured by the extent of its subscription list, and the loyalty of its subscribers, will compare favorably with any country weekly in this part of the state. 

This result has been attained largely through Mr. Kershaw’s able management, and the wisdom manifested in his control of its policies. 

Besides the large number in Henderson and adjoining counties, there are many scattered throughout every state in the union, who are either at one time residents of this vicinity, or who have ties of a social nature,which keep them interested in the happenings which it is the province of a local newspaper to record. 

A large number of these have been personally acquainted with the retiring editor, and no doubt the paper has been to them in many ways like a weekly letter from an old friend. It is but natural that these should feel something of a sense of loss in the withdrawal of Mr. Kershaw from further connection with the paper.

We desire to assure them, however, that although they may miss the distinctive style to which they have become accustomed in reading of the events occurring in this locality, it will be our endeavor to make the Graphic an interesting budget of news, which they will peruse with some degree of pleasure and satisfaction.

To the people of Stronghurst and vicinity we will say that we intend to devote our time and energy in making the Graphic, in the future, what it has been in the past, a credit to the community, and a paper worthy of your united patronage and support.

Having made Stronghurst my abode for the past twenty years, and having given my son Paul the advantages offered by the public schools, with his assistance, before graduation this year, and afterwards, we hope to keep the Graphic up to the high standard it has attained.

We realize that while a newspaper can be very important factor in promoting welfare of a town and community, it on the other hand cannot exist without the co-operation and support of the people; and we therefore do not hesitate to ask that you lend us your assistance in making the paper what we would like to have it be.

In politics we believe the strength of character and ability of the individual to be more important than the party to which he may belong. 

At the same time we hold that it is impossible for a newspaper to deal intelligently with the affairs of a community and remain absolutely independent in politics; and we believe that it should affiliate itself with some political party. Therefore as the Graphic has always been a republican paper we shall continue it so in name.

Chas. M. Bell, Publisher