Omaha Bee
Encyclopedia
The Omaha Bee was a pioneer newspaper
in Omaha, Nebraska
founded on May 8, 1871, by Edward Rosewater
, a Bohemian Jewish immigrant who supported abolition and fought in the Union Army. The Bee was regarded as a Republican newspaper, and early on featured Rosewater's opinions. The paper's editorial slant frequently pitted it against the Omaha Herald, the Omaha Republican and other local papers. The Bee was Nebraska's first regional newspaper, and was regarded nationally for its advocacy and success.
The paper's slogan was "Industry, Frugality and Service." in 1888 Rosewater built the Bee Building
to accommodate its presses, which were claimed to be the largest in the country. After his father carried the paper to national fame before his death in 1906, the paper began to slip under his son Victor Rosewater's control. The Bee was criticized for sensationalizing alleged attacks by black men in 1919 and contributing to tensions that resulted in the Omaha Race Riot of 1919
, three deaths and thousands of dollars in property damages.
The newspaper was sold to millionaire Nelson B. Updike, a local grain dealer, who merged it with the Omaha Daily Herald to form the Bee-Herald. In 1927 it was sold to William Randolph Hearst
, who in turn sold it ten years later to the Omaha World-Herald
, which promptly folded the Bee.
E.W. Ingram, founder of the White Castle
fast food chain, got his first job from Rosewater in 1900 as a cattle reporter.
According to a 1954 World-Herald report, "Edward Rosewater actually did not have journalism in mind when he launched the first edition of the Bee on June 19, 1871, to influence the public in favor of the ratification of a legislative bill originated by him, creating the Board of Education."
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
in Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
founded on May 8, 1871, by Edward Rosewater
Edward Rosewater
Edward Rosewater, born Edward Rosenwasser, was a Republican Party politician and newspaper editor in Omaha, Nebraska...
, a Bohemian Jewish immigrant who supported abolition and fought in the Union Army. The Bee was regarded as a Republican newspaper, and early on featured Rosewater's opinions. The paper's editorial slant frequently pitted it against the Omaha Herald, the Omaha Republican and other local papers. The Bee was Nebraska's first regional newspaper, and was regarded nationally for its advocacy and success.
The paper's slogan was "Industry, Frugality and Service." in 1888 Rosewater built the Bee Building
Bee Building
The Bee Building, later called the Peters Trust Building and finally the Insurance Building, was located at 17th and Farnam Streets in Downtown Omaha, Nebraska. It was an architectural landmark in early Omaha that was built in 1888 by newspaper editor Edward Rosewater to house his Omaha Bee...
to accommodate its presses, which were claimed to be the largest in the country. After his father carried the paper to national fame before his death in 1906, the paper began to slip under his son Victor Rosewater's control. The Bee was criticized for sensationalizing alleged attacks by black men in 1919 and contributing to tensions that resulted in the Omaha Race Riot of 1919
Omaha Race Riot of 1919
The Omaha Race Riot occurred in Omaha, Nebraska, on September 28–29, 1919. The race riot resulted in the brutal lynching of Will Brown, a black worker; the death of two white men; the attempted hanging of the mayor Edward Parsons Smith; and a public rampage by thousands of whites who set fire to...
, three deaths and thousands of dollars in property damages.
The newspaper was sold to millionaire Nelson B. Updike, a local grain dealer, who merged it with the Omaha Daily Herald to form the Bee-Herald. In 1927 it was sold to William Randolph Hearst
William Randolph Hearst
William Randolph Hearst was an American business magnate and leading newspaper publisher. Hearst entered the publishing business in 1887, after taking control of The San Francisco Examiner from his father...
, who in turn sold it ten years later to the Omaha World-Herald
Omaha World-Herald
The Omaha World-Herald, based in Omaha, Nebraska, is the primary daily newspaper of Nebraska, as well as portions of southwest Iowa. For decades it circulated daily throughout Nebraska, and in parts of Kansas, South Dakota, Missouri, Colorado and Wyoming. In 2008, distribution was reduced to the...
, which promptly folded the Bee.
E.W. Ingram, founder of the White Castle
White Castle
- Castles :* The White Castle, East Lothian, once a hill fort in the Lammermuir Hills, East Lothian, Scotland, a district today known as Nunraw* The White Castle , an 11th-century castle in Wales- Food and drink :* White Castle , a U.S...
fast food chain, got his first job from Rosewater in 1900 as a cattle reporter.
According to a 1954 World-Herald report, "Edward Rosewater actually did not have journalism in mind when he launched the first edition of the Bee on June 19, 1871, to influence the public in favor of the ratification of a legislative bill originated by him, creating the Board of Education."
External links
- "Victor Rosewater". An oral history account of the paper from the Nebraska State Historical Society.