THE NEWSPAPERS OF DIXON
As a frequent visitor to "The Telegraph" office located on South
Peoria Avenue in Dixon, I have as most others probably have done,
that is, to enter the building and walk past a large piece of
machinery with perhaps an occasional glance just to see what it is.
Not having the time or curiosity to stop and examine it until just
recently, I soon discovered that this item also had an impact on
early Lee County history.
Upon closer examination what seemed before to be just a hunk of
metal, was a hand-operated Washington Printing Press and is the type
of press from which the first edition of this newspaper was printed
on.
It was on May 1, 1851 that Volume One, Number One, of "The Dixon
Telegraph and Lee County Herald," the first paper printed in Lee
County appeared, with Charles R. Fisk as publisher. The first edition
of the newspaper contained the following sketch of Dixon:
"All we shall say of our town at present is that it is
beautifully situated on the eastern bank of Rock river, about 75
miles from its mouth, and contains a population of 700 or 800. The
landscape on either side of the river at this point is truly
delightful; consisting of gradual slopes and tables, for sixty rods
back, covered with a somewhat sandy soil, and at this season, a
carpet of living green, thus furnishing sites for residences,
surpassed by few, in any part of the world.
The Methodist and Baptist denominations have each a well
furnished church edifice of which the one owned by the former has a
bell.
Here are also several land offices, a telegraph office, a court
house, 3 hotels, a livery stable, a market and 8 or 10 stores. There
are also several professional men and mechanics in all departments of
trade, and last but not least, is our printing establishment.
There is, moreover, a dam across the river at this place,
furnishing one of the best water powers in all the state. A saw mill
is already in operation on one bank and a large flouring mill is
about to be erected on the other.
Measures are also being taken to construct a bridge over the
river at this point, which is now crossed by a good rope ferry boat,
which is in operation night and day. These considerations together
with the fact that several stores and dwellings are now in progress
of erection, and that stages meet here from almost every direction,
and that a branch of the Central Road, is soon to pass through this
town to Galena, conspire to render Dixon one of the most desirable
places of residence in the western country. Capitalists and others,
we think, would find it to their interests to make us a visit, with a
view to investment and locature."
One of the first advertisements from that edition was for the
newspaper itself, which read, "Wanted - a few pounds of lard to burn
in lamps, at this office."
Other newspaper adventures came into being and have all fallen by
the wayside through the years. Some of these notable occurrences
began on October 26, 1854, when the "Transcript", a democratic paper,
made its first appearance with Charles Allen as editor. Less than a
year later Prof. Eberheart became editor of the Transcript.
June 27, 1855 had the first edition of the "Daily Whisper" being
distributed on the streets of town. It was described as, " a spicy
little sheet which contained some peculiar reading." It was to be
issued semi-occasionally.
On Jan. 15, 1857, the "Dixon Weekly Republican" springs to life
from the ashes of the Transcript, with S.W. Beckwith and E.H. Leggett
as editors. By July 9th the Telegraph combined with the Republican,
and now had B.F. Shaw and Mr. Beckwith as editors. The paper was
called the "Republican and Telegraph," until Feb. 7, 1867 when the
name was changed by dropping the word, "Republican."
Charles Meigs, Jr. started a newspaper called the "Dixon Weekly
Monitor" during July of 1858. In a short span of only four months the
paper failed and was purchased by E.B. Stiles, L.W. Atherton and J.V.
Eustace. Their first edition appeared on Nov. 24, 1858 and was known
as, "The Dixon Advertiser."
The "Dixon Herald", a new weekly newspaper, edited by A.C.
Bardwell made its appearance on Feb. 14, 1868. By Dec. 2, 1869, the
Telegraph and the Herald were united under the name of the "Telegraph
and Herald."
July 9th of that year also had, "The Lee County Democrat"
printing its first edition, owned by E. Giles and edited by S.C.
Postlewait. By 1871 the paper became sold and on March 6, 1872 the
name was then changed to the "Dixon Sun."
The Telegraph did what other publications could not do for one
reason or another....... endure. For almost 143 years it has served
the community and area around us. What had begun as a 4 page weekly
edition had undertaken some 32 years before becoming a daily
newspaper in November of 1883.
Some milestones have been accomplished during the history of the
paper. In recognition of 50 years as a newspaper, on May 1, 1901, an
eight page souvenir edition was printed. By comparison, the Telegraph
celebrated its 100th birthday by printing a 272-page edition, which
was the largest ever published by the Telegraph. That edition
contained some 16 sections and weighing in at a hefty four pounds.
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the Lee County Historical Society. They are not to be reproduced,
redistributed, sold, or otherwise altered. These pictures and
articles are for the sole private, non-commercial use for research
and education. These pictures may not be used without the expressed
written permission of the Lee County Historical Society.