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The newspapers at present published in this county, are, the Journal and Argus, of Hart; the News of Pentwater, and the Shelby Independent. The three former are Republican, and the latter is Independent. They are all weeklies. The first newspaper (the Oceana Times), in the county was started in Pentwater, on January 10, 1862. the office being over C. Mears' old store, and the pioneer editor a German, named Fred. Ratzel, now a prominent journalist of Manistee. Mr. Ratzel was a genuine newspaper man, and got out a lively paper. Many are the anecdotes related of him, and his adventures with Flagg's mule, and otherwise, are stored up in the memories of the old residents. Mr. Ratzel was also the first government inspector of the harbor at Pentwater, holding it during the year 1865-66. In the Fall of 1869, Judson Palmiter bought out the Oceana Times, giving an interest to Amos Dresser, Jr., who had been a school teacher, and is now in Chicago. Trouble arose between the partners, and a seperation took place. Mr. Dresser gor a new outfit and issued his paper as the East Shore News. Messrs. Platt & Matthews started up the Times with old material, but after a time removed it to Fremont Centre. The News passed through a number of hands, it being under Rastall, Clark, Taylor of Ionia; next Mr. Lyon, next W. R. Porter, then W. J. Canfield & Co., who on March 1, 1880, sold to L. M. Hartwick, who still conducts it successfully. The paper is named the Pentwater News, and is a credit to the village. The files are particularily rich in historical items, and Mr. Hartwick still devotes considerable attention to the subject of pioneer records. The paper is prosperous and increasing in circulation. It has been Republican since its inception, and from a nine-column folio, it was changed, in 1874, to a six-column quarto. The Oceana County Journal, one of the oldest and most ably conducted Journals of the county, was commenced by Judson Palmiter, April 30, 1869, who sold, in 1874, to B. F. Saunders, but Mr. Palmiter repurchased in 1876, and on February 18, 1878, he took in Prof. Seth Edson as partner. In February 1880, Mr. Palmiter sold his interest to A. J. Garver, and the latter sold his interest in August, 1882, to Mr. Matthews, of the Fremont Indicator. The proprietors are, therefore, Messrs. Edson & Matthews. The Hart Argus had its origin in Hesperia, where it was commenced as a five-column folio by Frink & McIntyre, November 8, 1877, and conducted by Dr. L. A. McIntyre alone from April, 1878, when he removed the plant to Hart, where he issued the first number as a five-column quarto, on May 8, following, at which size it has ever since remained. In March, 1881, his eldest son, George, became a partner in the business. The Argus is an excellent local paper, and has a rapidly increasing circulation. The Shelby Independent is a handsomely printed sheet, and was founded and is still conducted by that pioneer of journalism, Judson Palmiter, April 10, 1880. The office is soon to be removed to more commodious headquarters in Mr. Palmiter's large new brick block. |