History of the Salem Times-Commoner
Early Salem Newspapers
“The American Eagle”
C. 1852 Publisher Thomas F. Horetz. A true campaign publication, typical of the time frame. Supporter of General Scott for President. Small sheet 22X32. Proved not to be a financial success as its support was small. It was an early attempt as a newspaper in Salem.
“The Spectator”
C. 1856 Another short lived early publication, considered a campaign paper, an advocate of the young Republican Party. The publisher was James E. Coulter with family ties to Marissa, IL and formerly connected with the Belleville Press. Coulter was recognized as one of the able writers upon political issues of that day and time. After the close of the campaign the paper was suspended after being sold locally to E. C. Devore. It became the Salem Register and continues in publication until April 26, 1858. Sold to Joseph M. Prior, it became The Independent, with a Republican nature and became suspended December, 1858. Possibly southern Illinois at that time was not a profitable field for Republican journals.
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“The Salem Weekly Advocate”
The beginning of what has become the Salem Times Commoner.
C. 1851 The first publication that would over the years become known as The Salem Times Commoner. Started by members of the Merritt family, well known in journalism of the State. John W. Merritt of Belleville, Illinois was previously editor and publisher of The Belleville Advocate. He removed to Salem November 20, 1851. In connection with his son John H. Merritt, the first numbered issue of The Salem Advocate made its appearance. Type and press were bought from the A. P. Ladew & Company type foundry, St. Louis, MO. A 7 column folio, it was devotedly attached to the principals of the Democrat party, supporting Joel A. Mattison for Governor and Gustave Koerner for Lt. Governor. It would continue unchanged until November 20, 1856. It was reinstated once again, November 1, 1858 with E. L Merritt, J. D. Merritt and J. W. Merritt (as Editor). It reestablished The Advocate “in a new dress.” It announced “it will remain with fairness, but, with decision, the old-fashioned principals of the Democratic Party, and is an adherent to the Douglas wing of the Party. There was no change in management until October 1, 1860 when a Richard F. Tong became a partner in the paper while the Merritt’ continued in control and directed the publication and editing until August 15, 1865 when it passed into the hands of Louis V. Taft purchasing the press, materials and good will of concern. Taft then sold his interest in the printing business to M. G. Beviall with The Industrial Advocate associated with Dr. J. W. Cope acting as Editor. It once again returned to Messrs. Merritt & Pyles, appearing as The Herald Advocate. Its first issue and name was made November 19, 1880.
“The Marion County Herald”
C.1860 In the latter J. M. Prior and F. S. Murphy started a Republican paper in Salem bearing the name Marion County Herald. Sadly three numbers were issued when suspended. Several attempts were made to form newspapers bearing the names of Loyalist and the North-Western Baptist leaving very little information.
“The Salem Republican”
C. 1866 In Februaryfollowing T. C. Fulks and Peter M. Johns formed a partnership in the printing business, opened an office and commenced the publication of The Salem Republican. In June Fulks retired from the business and John continued the paper until 1876 when he passed the office over to John A. Wall, who took his turn editing, and him it passed under the control of I. S. Hitchcock, who continued the paper until the winter of 1869-70 when it stopped. The office removed to Missouri. Several exchanges were made while using the name The Salem Republican, until The Kinmundy Register, established by W. L. Arnold in 1879. Twenty-six issues were made when the office was removed to Salem where Mr. Arnold established the Marion County Republican which became one of the leading Republican journals in the county. The first issue was October 23, 1879. In July 1881, P. C. Fulks and W. R. Burton purchased the Republican from Mr. Arnold. A partnership was formed between T. B. Pyles and John H. Merritt who set up an office and issued the first number of the Marion County Herald June 2, 1876. The publication continued until November 19, 1880 when they purchased The Advocate and consolidated it with The Herald, after which the paper was known as Herald Advocate. It is the organ of the Democratic party in this portion of the state.
“The Salem Times-Commoner”
c. 1921 to Present
According to the Salem Times-Commoner, “Starting at the age of 14, Adolph Dietrick was engaged in the business for 56 years. He was one of Salem’s oldest businessmen, in terms of years of active business ownership at time of retirement. He went to work for the newspaper, then called the Salem Republican, in 1918 and two years later acquired an interest in partnership with C. W. Vursell. He took over complete ownership in 1948. In 1950 Bill Dietrick acquired part ownership in the business. The partnership was expanded to include G. E. Buhner and E. M. Jones. In time Don Russell joined the firm. The Time-Commoner came under the ownership of G. E. Buhner who purchased the interests of Adolph and Bill Dietrick in 1963. And as they say…the rest is history!
This information was gathered from the keepsake edition of the Salem Times-Commoner, Salem, Illinois October 2, 1973 while celebrating the cities Sesquicentennial, Tuesday, October 2, 1973. The special souvenir edition helped the community to have a better understanding both birth and progeny of our local newspapers history, and what an interesting life is has had, and survived. We share the papers history in part as a souvenir of today presenting the bound books for public use. The papers generously given to the Marion County Genealogical and Historical Society and the Bryan-Bennett Library by the owners of the Salem Times-Commoner has eased many minds of the Salem community as to what will happen to them. They will remain housed at the library and kept in the Library Board Room when they can used for research, or just purely for enjoyment with 24 hours’ notice. Guidelines for their use with assistance is available on the website. Many of the newspapers are available on microfiche housed in the library. Desired copied will require assistance by the library staff.
–Compiled by the Marion County Genealogical and Historical Society