PORT BYRON TIMES

After Shipman left, E. H. Johnston and T, Nathaniel Belcher purchased a press and type and started a printing office in Port Byron. Not long afterwards there came along a man named Lyman E. Knapp, who represented himself to be just the man to run the concern, and Belcher and Johnston installed him in the position of business manager, etc. The new paper was named the Port Byron Times.

Its first issue bore date March 24, 1859 . The change of name of the Port Byron paper from Messenger to Times and the establishment of a printing office on this side of the river, gave a little impetus to the affair, but it was a hopeless task from the beginning to attempt the establishment of a paper there. The price was only $1 a year and it was neutral in politics. It was a six-column paper. Belcher and Johnston finally got rid of Knapp and took in his place one Chambers P. Ober. The paper continued in existence about a year and a half.

 

Historic Rock Island

Submitted by the Webmaster

 

Wini Caudell and Contributors

All Rights Reserved

Illinois Ancestors

112006BMKF