Newspapers of Rock CountyThe following was printed in the Rose History of 1911:"At the date of the publication of this volume, six weekly newspapers are published in Rock County, namely: Rock County Herald at Luverne by the estate of the late H.J. Miller, A.O. Moreaux, editor and manager; Luverne Journal by R.H. Ross, managing editor; Magnolia Advance by I.M. Cady, Beaver Creek Banner by H.H. Peters, Hills Crescent by A.A. Hanson, and Hardwick Star by W.R. Minard. Only these six journals survive out of a total of 19 that have been founded since the newspaper history of Rock County began. Of the 19, seven were county seat journals, the Herald, Gazette, Times, Democrat, News, Journal and Western Literary Journal; five were published at Beaver Creek, the Graphic, Bee, News-Letter, Magnet and Banner; one, the Crescent, at Hills, here, the Citizen, Advance and Initiator, at Magnolia; the News and Star at Hardwick; and the Pioneer at Kenneth. The period of life of these papers varied from a few weeks to 38 years. In pioneer communities of the west the establishment of the first paper was always an item of great importance. A new settlement required a champion, and not until the settlement boasted a news journal was its permanency assured. After the founding of the pioneer journal it became "our paper" to all the residents — an institution in which to take pride — and everybody assumed the duty of seeing that it was properly supported. Sentiment entered largely into the new enterprise, and it has seldom occurred that the pioneer paper did not have a long life of usefulness. Notable examples locally are the Rock County Herald, Windom Reporter, Jackson Republic, Worthington Advance and Pipestone County Star. The little settlement at Luverne was no exception to the general rule, and I find that in the spring of 1872, when the town boasted little except a determination to become greater, the people were clamoring for, and offering a bonus for a newspaper. A correspondent signing himself ‘Settler’ wrote the following, which appeared in the Jackson Republic of May 29, 1872. ‘The citizens are very anxious to have a county paper established here and there is no doubt that it would receive good support. There is a bonus offered of about $400. One gentleman offers $150 cash and will subscribe for 50 copies; many others will take from three to 10; therefore come along, Mr. Editor, and we will cordially welcome you, one and all.’ "More will follow in my next column.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.
