St. Joseph News-Press
Encyclopedia
The St. Joseph News-Press is a daily morning newspaper in St. Joseph, Missouri. It is the flagship of the News-Press & Gazette Company
which owns newspapers, television and radio stations and cable television systems throughout the United States.
which was founded in 1845 shortly after St. Joseph was founded. The Gazette was the only newspaper to be sent west on the first ride of the Pony Express
. The Evening News began publication on May 3, 1879 by J.W. and G.J. Spencer with a note that it would be "devoted to gab, gossip and paid locals." It claimed no political stance (in contrast to the Democratic Gazette). By 1883 it claimed "a larger circulations than the Daily and Weekly papers in St. Joseph combined."
In 1889, it was acquired by Charles M. Palmer
, a cohort of William Randolph Hearst
. Palmer was a broker for Hearst for many newspapers but would keep the Press..
One of its most colorful editors was Christian Rutt. Rutt was said to have originated the concept of Aunt Jemima
pancake mix. Rutt sold the idea to the Davis Milling Company in St. Joseph which marketed it at the World's Columbian Exposition
in 1893.
In 1903 The St. Joseph Post started publication and was quickly purchased by Palmer and was initially called the St. Joseph News and Press. In 1913 it moved into its headquarters at Edmond and Seventh Streets where it remains today.
Palmer eventually bought the Gazette. In 1939 he brought Henry D. Bradley
to run day to day operations. After Palmer died, Bradley would buy the papers in 1951. It remains in the Bradley family.. On June 30, 1988, the Bradleys pulled the plug on the Gazette and switched the paper to a morning.
News-Press & Gazette Company
The News Press & Gazette Company is a media company based in St. Joseph, Missouri, wholly owned and operated by the Bradley family. It is presided by Brian Bradley and David R. Bradley, with Hank Bradley , Eric Bradley and Kit Bradley serving on its Board of Directors. All are descendants of...
which owns newspapers, television and radio stations and cable television systems throughout the United States.
History
It traces its earliest roots to the St. Joseph GazetteSt. Joseph Gazette
The St. Joseph Gazette was a newspaper in St. Joseph, Missouri from 1845 until June 30, 1988, when its morning position was taken over by its sister paper, the St...
which was founded in 1845 shortly after St. Joseph was founded. The Gazette was the only newspaper to be sent west on the first ride of the Pony Express
Pony Express
The Pony Express was a fast mail service crossing the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountains, and the High Sierra from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, from April 3, 1860 to October 1861...
. The Evening News began publication on May 3, 1879 by J.W. and G.J. Spencer with a note that it would be "devoted to gab, gossip and paid locals." It claimed no political stance (in contrast to the Democratic Gazette). By 1883 it claimed "a larger circulations than the Daily and Weekly papers in St. Joseph combined."
In 1889, it was acquired by Charles M. Palmer
Charles M. Palmer
Charles M. Palmer was a Midwest newspaper broker who assembled much of the William Randolph Hearst media empire and an organizer of the Associated Press.Palmer was born in a log cabin in La Crosse, Wisconsin...
, a cohort of 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...
. Palmer was a broker for Hearst for many newspapers but would keep the Press..
One of its most colorful editors was Christian Rutt. Rutt was said to have originated the concept of Aunt Jemima
Aunt Jemima
Aunt Jemima is a trademark for pancake flour, syrup, and other breakfast foods currently owned by the Quaker Oats Company of Chicago. The trademark dates to 1893, although Aunt Jemima pancake mix debuted in 1889. The Quaker Oats Company first registered the Aunt Jemima trademark in April 1937...
pancake mix. Rutt sold the idea to the Davis Milling Company in St. Joseph which marketed it at the World's Columbian Exposition
World's Columbian Exposition
The World's Columbian Exposition was a World's Fair held in Chicago in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492. Chicago bested New York City; Washington, D.C.; and St...
in 1893.
In 1903 The St. Joseph Post started publication and was quickly purchased by Palmer and was initially called the St. Joseph News and Press. In 1913 it moved into its headquarters at Edmond and Seventh Streets where it remains today.
Palmer eventually bought the Gazette. In 1939 he brought Henry D. Bradley
Henry D. Bradley
Henry D. Bradley was a publisher of the St. Joseph News-Press who was the first member of the Bradly family which controls the News-Press & Gazette Company media company....
to run day to day operations. After Palmer died, Bradley would buy the papers in 1951. It remains in the Bradley family.. On June 30, 1988, the Bradleys pulled the plug on the Gazette and switched the paper to a morning.