.)~~ Spring 2009 ",'

Celebrating 200Years of Newspapers in Michigan

If, as it has been said, journal­ all from the same source at the ism is the first draft of history, then same time. And when the rush newspapers are the original history of daily life passed by yester­ books. Because of the close relation­ days paper, it was taken up by ship between reporters and schol­ historians, who continued to use ars, it is particularly appropriate that it for their own purposes. the Clarke Library's current exhibit Newspapers are a peculiar celebrates the 200th anniversary of institution because although Michigan's first newspaper's publication. they often assume a public On August 31, 1809 the Michigan function they are, nevertheless, Essay; or) the Impartial Observer, privately owned, commercial appeared on the streets of Detroit. It enterprises. People often was a small paper of only four pages, talk about "our paper" and one of which was printed in French, towns sometimes celebrate and, in the end, a very short-lived and at other times bemoan enterprise. But those few pages the quality of their local opened one of the most important newspaper. But the bottom windows on Michigan and its people. line is that almost every Americans, then and now, learned newspaper has a bottom about their world, exercised their line, and if the ink printed democratic rights, discovered what there is not black the paper will disappear, was happening in their community, however much the community may and planned their weekly shopping trips believe it to be theirs. Because of this herently contradictory, Michiganians dichotomy the history of newspapers have lived with the contradiction, and is an unusual mixture of an institu­ made it work, for two centuries. In this issue ... tion which serves public needs and is In creating an exhibit about often engaged in public education but Michigan's newspapers, there are Acknowledgment of Donors. .3 which is able to perform these tasks some significant limitations. One is Wilbur Storey...... 4 because of private enterprise and that there is a dearth of easily found profit. Although this appears in- published information about Michigan's Speakers in the Library . . . . .5 Continued on Page 2

Leonard Refineries Documented .. . 6

A Final Word...... 7 Continued from Page 1 newspapers. The irony that an industry newspapers IS not simply a matter newspaper to sell their wares. As that lives by the printed word should, of New York City doing it first, and a result of competition for the in fact, be documented in scattered everyone else sooner or later copying public's attention and for ad dollars, printed sources is obvious, but pain­ the papers of that ~ ...... ___ ~ circulation fell. For- fully true. city. merly profitable papers Another limitation is found in the Conventional began to lose money. geographic scope of most existing newspaper histories Many dailies simply national newspaper histories. These also suffer from a stopped publishing histories tend to focus on newspapers narrative that is focused while others merged along America's eastern seaboard, on the "progress" to survive. with a particular emphasis on New of newspapers from The newspapers York City. Without denigrating the small weeklies to that more often importance of newspaper developments great metropolitan flourished into the in that great metropolis, Michigan's dailies. These mass- twenty-first century, newspapers often prospered in ways circulation papers are were those most often either different from the New York usually represented as ignored in the national City press or in a manner that reflected the late nineteenth histories: community yet varied significantly from the century's arbiters of newspapers with no trajectory of the Eastern papers. The national policy. And national or interna­ history of America's and Michigan's it is certainly true tional aspirations. that the leading news­ Intensely focused on paper publishers in the late nineteenth community news that was too century, men like William Randolph voluminous to make the restricted - Hear-s-t-ef Je-se[>h- P-ulitzer, we:fe-a -time ef- a -televisiorr-flews broadcast well known to the public of their era and often considered too trivial for as network television's anchor newscast­ the major metropolitan dailies, and ers are today. serving as a vehicle for focused But the mention of television advertising, local papers survived and reminds us of awkwardness in presenting sometimes prospered. triumphal histories of ever larger and The history of Michigan's news­ more influential newspapers. By the papers is a peculiar arc that begins late twentieth century, with a few very with weekly newspapers, moves to notable exceptions, America's a period when newspapers in the great metropolitan dailies, state's leading cities became our first including those in Michigan, mass media, and then slowly returns were in retreat. Radio, again to local newspapers which find television, as well as a continuing social and economic the internet, could all niche that allows them to continue deliver "the news" more and in many cases prosper despite quickly and with equal the decline of the big city dailies. if not greater authority. The history of Michigan's papers Those same alternative documents this story. It is our story media could also deliver to tell, and we hope you will visit us mass audiences to to view the exhibit which shares this advertisers, who no story and will run through the end of longer needed to rely August. on the pages of a widely distributed

2 7hanl{ 1fou {of' 1fOUf' SUffOf'f Each year the Library's collections and activities are enhanced and supported through the generosity of our many friends. As in the past, we are pleased to acknowledge those who, through their kindness and concern, have made it possible for the Library to continue to grow. Thank you for your help. List of 2008 Financial Donors List of 2008 Material Donors American Chemical Society, Midland Karen Adams, Mount Pleasant Ms. Carol Baker, Richland Barb Baedder, Lawrence, KS Mr. Geoffrey Bardett, Mount Pleasant Aaron Bauer, Saginaw Valerie and Frank]. Boles, Mount Pleasant LeRoy Barnett, Grand Ledge Mr. George Borel, Ann Arbor Marilyn Beckh~m, Beverly Hills Dr. Mary Ellen Brandell, Mount Pleasant Bendey Historical Library, Ann Arbor Mr. and Mrs.)ames A. Bruss, Harper Woods Valerie and Frank]. Boles, Mount Pleasant Mrs. Karen Louise Chapman, Puyallup, WA Fel Brunett, Fife Lake Robert and Susan Clarke, Harbor Springs Dale Bunker, Mount Pleasant Mrs. Sandra B. Croll, Harbor Springs Kevin lk Elizabeth Campbell, Midland Dr. Janice]. Hartwick Dressel, East Lansing Monroe Causley, Boynton Beach, FL Mr. Tom Endres, Mount Pleasant Dr. & Mrs. Norman Clarke,Jr., Beverly Hills Mr. Michael Federspiel, Midland Charles Cleland, Norwood Follett Corporation, Rivergrove, IL Mrs. Clarence Clohset, Birmingham Dr. and Mrs. Sidney Graham, Mount Pleasant William T. Clynes, Saginaw Dr. and Mrs. John Grossa, Mount Pleasant CM Life, Mount Pleasant Mr. and Mrs. Edwin C. Helwig, Mount Pleasant CMU Park Library, Mount Pleasant Mrs. Kathleen Flynn Jackson, Cass City CMU Program Board, Mount Pleasant Ms. Susan R. Kaltenbaugh, Jefferson, MD CMU Public Relations, Mount Pleasant Mrs. Christa Kamenetsky, Mount Pleasant CMU Residence Halls, Mount Pleasant Mr. and Mrs. J. Hudson Keenan, Mount Pleasant Mrs. Harold Cook, Mount Pleasant M~. Kie.rap, l5-een~n, Wh~at9n, IL . Mrs. Sandra R Croll, Harbor Springs Dr. A. M. and Ul~na ' Klymyshyn, Mount Plea;a~t John Cumming, 'Mount Pleasant Mr. Ira Kreft, Naperville, IL Sue Ellen Deni-Owen, Mount Pleasant Michigan Business Education Association, Cedar Springs Department of Natural Resources, Lansing Mr. and Mrs. Thomas]. Moore, Mount Pleasant Wendell Dilling, Midland Ms. Nathalie E. Osborn, San Diego, CA Dennis Fas, Levering Mr. Brian A. Palmer, Corvallis, OR Michael Federspiel, Midland Ms. Helen Perry, Grand Blanc Richard Fidler, Traverse City Mrs. Holly Perry, Grand Blanc Mary Jane Flanagan, Mount Pleasant Ms. Gretchen Robert, Holland Sandy Folsom, Mount Pleasant Ms. Robin Melvin Sabo, Mount Pleasant Tanya Fox, Coleman Ms. Susan Sadenwater, Freeland Friends of the Archives, Detroit Conference, Clinton Mr. and Mrs. David Salisbury, Blanchard Gary Giaffone, Mount Pleasant Dr. James Schmiechen, Saugatuck John Grossman, Tucson, AZ Dr. Susan Stan, Mount Pleasant Pamela Grudzien, Mount Pleasant Mr. William Strickler, Mount Pleasant Darby Gwisdala, Mount Pleasant Ms. Kathy Swem, Fishers, IN Mitch Hall, Mackinaw City Mr. Jerry Tutde, unknown Thomas Hall, Mount Pleasant Mr. and Mrs. John Weatherford, Mount Pleasant Jeff Hancks, Macomb, IL Mr. Jack Westbrook, Mount Pleasant Keith Harrison, Holt Mr. Eugene E. Woodward, Midland Ruth Helwig, Mount Pleasant Mrs. Marilyn Jean Zorn, Mount Pleasant Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, Midland Vivian Hilfiger, Hillsdale Florence Hill, Crystal Brigid Hinkley, Mount Pleasant Kirk Hise, Genoa, OH Ryan Hoffman, Mount Pleasant Hope College, Holland Continued on Page 4

3 Continued from Page 3 Diane Reed O'Keefe, Pointe Shores Off Campus Library Services, Mount Pleasant List of 2008 Material Donors Wayne Osborn, Delavan, WI Joan Hornak, Mount Pleasant Marie Plude, Gladwin Hoyt Library, Saginaw Public Relations and Marketing, CMU, Mount Pleasant !MC Library, Mount Pleasant Registrar's Office, CMU, Mou~t Pleasant Elaine Jacobsen, Cedarburg, WI Lawrence Robbins, Browns Mills, NJ Joyce Joslin, Mount Pleasant C. Robinson, Bellwood, IL Susan Kaltenbaugh, Jefferson, MD Lance Ruter, Mount Pleasant Sue Karmon, Mount Pleasant M. David Samples, Brooklyn, NY Deborah Kohn, Traverse City John Schroeder, Butler, WI Evelyn Leasher, Blanchard Casey Seiter, Mount Pleasant Charles Lentz, Midland Jules Serbenski, Paw Paw Rod Leslie, Clare David Shirley, Mount Pleasant Library of Michigan, Lansing W. Sidney Smith, Mount Pleasant Robert Madden, Mount Pleasant Bill Spear, Alpena Richard Maltby, Midland Astrid Swanson, Mesa, AZ Sue Ann Martin, Mount Pleasant Al Tennant, Holland Prad Mather, Midland Eric Torgerson, Mount Pleasant . Marian Matyn, Clare Toward a Fair Michigan, East Lansmg Michael McDonnel, Kalamazoo Jeff Tuma, Mount Pleasant Dr. Robert McDougal, Indianapolis, IN Paul Venzke, Minot, ND Chris McKee, Traverse City Daird and Willa Ware, Saginaw David McMacken, St. Louis Wayne State Press, Detroit Michigan Historical Review, CMU, ~ount Pleasant Jack Westbrook, Mount Pleasant Michigan State University, East Lansmg Vera Wiltse, Mount Pleasant Gerald Mickett, Acme Berniece Wolfgang, St. Louis Richard Moehl, Mackinaw City Jennifer Wood, Kalamazoo Thomas Moore, Mount Pleasant J. Sandra Wood, Mount Pleasant Arnold Newman, Mount Pleasant Q1

~~ ______-=--~~~~=~ """'c~_ = f."* Wilbur Storey One of Michigan's most colorf~ in the North. When Civil War dubious taste, but a sure instinct for and controversial editors worked m shall come) it will be a war here in sales he included as a regular feature a Detroit in the years just prior to the Michigan and here in Detroitj and colu~n entitled "Scaffold Scourings." Gvil War. In 1853 Wilbur Storey became in every Northern state. Storey sometimes complained editor of the Detroit Free Press. In an era that often there were not enough Storey, however, was n<;>t jus~ a of partisan newspapers, Storey was a partisan editor, he was also an mventlve local events with which to fill his paper. As fierce Democrat and a bitter opponent he lamented in 1859, "There seems newspaperman. Storey took a "d~~ of the emerging Republican Party. hardly stir enough among the public spiridess montage of SCIssors ~d paste Storey is often remembered for and infused it with an unending supply to keep up appearance~ of life ... " a particularly inflammat?ry es~ay of local news much of it sensational. To address this inconveruence, Storey printed as news articles stories that opposing the Lincoln adrruru.st.ratlon Storey r~gularly print~d articles in the days leading up to the ClVil ,war. were undoubtedly fictionaL The Free in the paper about loc~ s

5 Leonard Refineries Documented

The Library is deeply indebted The company's advertising cam­ to Chris McKee, who has given the paigns also encouraged customers to Clarke Library a comprehensive obtain regular automotive service at collection of Leonard Oil Company the firm's gas stations. In the winter publicity campaigns from the 1950s of 1952-1953, the company built an and 1960s, as well as many other ad campaign around the slogan "If company records. your car won't start, we'll pay the At one time Leonard Oil, which bill." The "Leonard Winter Starting ~ was based in Alma, was one of Plan" did have a few qualifications: Winter -Starting Michigan's leading refiners and the car had to pass a preseason Plan retailers of petroleum products. The check-up; receive oil changes every company was founded in 1936 when 1,000 miles, at which time an additional it took over a refinery in Alma that check would be performed by the had begun operating in 1934. In the owner's Leonard gas-station mechanic; 1950s and 1960s, Leonard Oil was one and, of course, the vehicle was to of Michigan's best-known companies. be fueled exclusively with Leonard gas. Its advertising campaigns were often Not only were its products heavily innovative and built around the advertised, but the company also took quality and high octane of its products. the unusual step of sponsoring major In 1956 Leonard marketed a gasoline programs related to the outdoors. wh ose octane rating was 105, The best-known of these endeavors p owerful enough to fuel an airplane, was the television show, "Michigan similar trophies to bring home. or, as rne--aclsclearly~implie(t;fnake Outdoors." Seasun after seasDn,-each-- Aftecthe-company merged with your Oldsmobile "Rocket 88" accelerate Thursday night at 7:00 p.m., this show Total Petroleum in 1970 Leonard as if it was about to fly. celebrated the triumphs of Michigan's Oil operated under the name hunters and fish- "Total." In 1972 Total moved the ermen. Successful firm's headquarters from Alma to sportsmen routinely Denver, Colorado. Total subsequently appeared on the sold its Michigan holdings to Ultramar show's set to tell Diamond Shamrock CUDS) in 1997. their tales and In 1999 UDS sold its 179 Total often display their retail outlets to Marathon Ashland trophies. ''Michigan Petroleum. Marathon, however, was Outdoors" reminded not interested in purchasing the Alma the viewers regu­ refinery. Unable to find a purchaser larly of the free for the refinery, UDS stopped pro­ hunting and fishing duction at the facility in 1999, and the guides available at plant was subsequently demolished. Leonard stations We are delighted to add this and the 1mpor­ wonderful collection of regional tance of Leonard corporate history, and more than a gasoline in getting few fond memories, to the Clarke V1ewers to their Library. destinations, where they might find Mort Neff (right) and guest on Michigan Outdoors.

6 A Final Word

Elsewhere in this newsletter the stock market - again, we measure someone whose financial situation there is printed a list of friends the depth of the decline not by just a has declined to write a check for the whose gifts helped support the library number, but rather by looking back­ library. But doing so is important, in 2008. These are tough times. ward to the last time we have seen perhaps even essential. Watch any news cast and the cascade similar numbers. Knowing what it I know it is a difficult time to of bad financial news is almost was like then helps us understand ask for support, and I know that unavoidable. Unemployment is up. what may be in store for us now. our friends may not be able to donate The stock market is down. Icons History, however, is not just a as generously as they may have of American industry and core way to understand the depth of our even a few months ago, but I ask components of Michigan's economy difficulties. History is also a tool that you to remember the importance of teeter on bankruptcy. And in the points to ways through which we may history, the importance of historical midst of all this turmoil history ascend out of our challenges. From libraries, and the importance of the and libraries seem to slide into the Great Depression through the 1990s Clarke, and find a way to continue insignificance. American economic history offers a to share with us your support. I am Without denying or minimizing wide range of policy solutions to always grateful to our friends, the difficult economic challenges hard times. Some have failed. Some but never more so then now, we all face, a moment of economic have worked. Some have worked knowing how hard it is to make a crisis is the wrong moment to forget better than others. Knowing the gift. Thank you for your generosity last our past, and the institutions that approaches of the past; knowing how year. And thank you, in advance for maintain it. Far too often far too the New Deal dealt with the Great your continuing generosity despite many individuals, including those Depression; understanding · how these challenging times. I recognize in positions of authority, relegate the federal government resolved the sacrifice it entails and pledge to history to an interesting pastime, the savings and loan banking crisis spend every dollar as wisely as we something to turn to when the of the 1980s, knowing this and other knowhow. pressing matters of the day have aspects of our history inform and been addressed. History, however, shape our current national debate Frank Boles is not simply an enjoyable antiquarian about how best to shorten what is, by adventure or a way to divert our­ any measure, an economic storm. selves from the problems of today. Even in hard times, perhaps most Richard Norton Smith History matters, particularly in times significantly in hard times, history will be speaking on March of trouble. matters. Even in hard times the 24th at 7:00 p.m. in Warriner's The obvious example of how institutions that preserve history and Plachta Auditorium. history helps us understand our current make it available, to serve the interests On the 200th anniversary situation is the way the news media of the casual researcher or the public of Lincoln's birth, he answers uses history to give stories context. policy maker, matter. Over the last the interesting question of History makes various financial few months I have been "making why Lincoln is the president by numbers understandable. How high the rounds" asking donors for their whom all others are measured. is unemployment - the worst since continued support of the library. Complete information some year in the past. How low is I readily admit it is not easy asking regarding his CMU visit can be found on page 5.

7 Friends of the Library The eMU Friends of the Library is a membership organization __$50-99 Fellow that supports, through contributions and volunteer activities, the programs of the University Library, the Clarke Historical Library, and __$100-249 Benefactor Off-Campus Library Services. __$250-499 Heritage Friend Clarke Library Board of Governors Donor recognition on a chair John H. Logie, chairman (2005-2009) Frank Boles (library director, ex officio) __$500-999 Legacy Friend Norman E. Clarke, Jr., M.D. (family representative) Donor recognition on a table Susan Clarke (2007-2011) Sandra B. Croll (2008-2012) _ _ $1,000 Visionary Circle Michael R. Federspiel (2007-2008) Donor recognition on a stutfy carre~ open book Timothy Hall (chair, dept. of history, ex officio) stack) or room Thomas Moore (dean of libraries, ex officio) Michael Rao (president, CMU, ex officio) Apply my contribution to: (check one on!YJ William Strickler (2006-2010) __ Clarke Historical Library Ormond S. Danford, emeritus member (IQ(IQ(IQ __ University Library Clarke Library 5 tqff __ Clarke Historical Library & Frank Boles, director University Library (Off- Campus Library Christa Clare, administrative & acquisitions specialist Services is supported through the Universiry John Fierst, reference librarian Library) Tanya Fox, catalog database specialist Kim Hagerty, microform services specialist __ This is a joint gift. Please also credit: Marian Matyn, archivist Pat Thelen, scanning specialist _ _ _ Susan Powers, reference assistant John Cumming, director emeritus (IQ(IQ(IQ Name______Newsletter Stqff Address.______Frank Boles, editor Mary Ward Graham, copyeditor Amy L. Motz, layout & design (IQ(IQ(IQ Published by the Clarke Library City______Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48859 phone (989) 774-3352; fax (989) 774-2160 State & Zip______email: [email protected]; Internet: www.clarke.cmich.edu

Central Michigan University, an AA/EO institution, strongly and actively strives Printed by eMU Prinring Services to increase diversity within its community (see www.cmich.edu/aaeo.html).

Non-Profit Organization eMU U.S. POSTAGE PAID CENTRAL MICHIGAN Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859 UNIVERSITY Permit No. 93 Clarke Historical Library Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED