More newspapersThe following was printed in the 1911 Rose History:Rock County’s second newspaper was the Luverne Gazette, whose career was short. W.A. Hutton, formerly of Webster City, Iowa, brought a newspaper outfit to Luverne and on Aug. 20, 1884, put out the first number of the paper, an eight-column folio, with two ‘patent’ pages. W.A. Hutton & Co. were the publishers. Two months after the founding C.H. Craig leased the plant, got out one or two numbers, and then gave up the lease. Publication was discontinued until the first day of the year 1885, when the Gazette was revived by E. Savage and W.A. Hammond, who leased from W.A. Hutton & Co. Mr. Savage became the manager and conducted the paper until May. He, too, gave up the effort of publishing a second paper in Luverne and departed. The proprietors of the plant made one or two unsuccessful attempts to find someone who would revive the Gazette, and early in 1886 sold the plant to H.M. Bruner, who removed the plant to Iowa. The Times was the name of the next Luverne paper to be launched. It was democratic and appeared for the first time Feb. 18, 1886. Buchanan Brothers, sons of R.J. Buchanan, a well-known Iowa journalist, were the founders, W.T. Buchanan having the active management. The Times was not a financial success. The last number was printed April 28, 1887.The Luverne Democrat, a six-column quarto, was founded June 14, 1888, by Irving Bath and D.W. Bath, the latter having the management. Its life was short, the last number being issued on Oct. 5 of the same year. The plant was not moved, however, and immediately following its suspension appeared the Rock County News, printed from the Democrat office.Next week we will continue with the history of the Rock County News.Donations to the Rock County Historical Endowment Fund can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.
