100th Anniversary

100 Years Ago Today: C. M. Bell Acquires Stronghurst Graphic

Stronghurst Graphic - April 8, 1926

With this issue of the paper the control of the Graphic passes from the hands of A. H. and Nellie V. Kershaw, past owners and A. H. Kershaw, editor and business manager, to Mr. C. M. Bell, who for the past 20 years has been at the head of the mechanical department of the printing plant.  

By terms of the agreement entered into between the former owners and Mr. Bell, the latter assumes control and management of the plant and equipment and will also direct the editorial management of the paper. 

Impaired health on the part of the writer of this article, who has been business and managing editor of the Graphic for the past 14 years, was the main consideration influencing his decision to retire  from the newspaper game; and when Mr. Bell signified his desire to change his status from that of employee to owner and manager of the plant negotiations were started which resulted in a deal for transfer being effected.

The Graphic was established in September 1888 by Mr. J. M. Thornber.  In April, 1889  Mr. J. F. Mains purchased a half interest in the business and three weeks later became the sole owner.  

He guided the destinies of the paper, unaided until December 1910 when the writer purchased half interest in the business.  

The partnership thus effected lasted until October 1912 when Mr. Mains disposed of his interest to his partner, who has since that time, with the exception of an interim of one year, given his best endeavors to the task of steering the craft over the uncertain sea of journalism. 

The interim mentioned above was from March 1922 to March 1923 when Mr. L. E. McAndrews operated the paper under a lease...

A word on the one who next week assumes management of the Graphic:  Mr. Bell has for the past 20 years been more than a mere employee in this establishment.  

Although working on a salary, he has always taken what has virtually amounted to a partner’s interest in the business and has been loyal and devoted to the ideals and principles which the Graphic has tried to maintain.  

He has thoroughly familiarized himself with all the branches of the newspaper and job printing business and with the assistance which he will have from his son, Paul, who is a member of the Senior Class of the local high school and editor of the “Voice of S.H.S.” department of the Graphic, they will no doubt maintain a high and satisfactory standard of efficiency in his conduct of the paper.

He Will no doubt be the recipient of considerable free advice from more or less well meaning friends engaged in other lines of work, as to the methods and policies which he has assumed; but we believe that we can safely assure patrons of the Graphic that he knows far more about the ethics of journalism and about what it takes to constitute a successful newspaper than all the busy-bodies in the community.

We want to thank all of the friends whose loyalty and good will has made it possible for the Graphic to maintain its existence on a paying basis during the years past, and to bespeak for Mr. Bell an even more generous and liberal support in his endeavor to record the news of the community and furnish an advertising medium for the use of those engaged in business.

A. H. Kershaw