Page:Oregon Exchanges volume 7.djvu/1



Vol. 7

[''Miss Goodrich, a senior in the Oregon School of Journalism, interviewed Will G. Steel, veteran Oregon newspaperman, whose experience dates back to a time before many of the present leaders in journalism in this state were born. The result is a bit of early-day newspaper history.'']

STABLISHING a newspaper that "saved the state" for his party in one of the most severe political crises through which it ever passed, without a cent in his pocket and with only his credit to see him through, was the experience of William G. Steel, of Eugene, who edited the first issue of the Albany Herald in 1879.

"I did not even have enough money to pay the freight from Portland on the machinery which had been loaned to me without charge," said Mr. Steel. "I only knew that I wanted to start the publication of a newspaper in Albany. I went to Sam Robinson, Portland representative for the American Type Founders' Association who, fortunately, was a friend of mine, and told him what I wanted. He offered me $250 worth of machinery and equipment if I would pay the freight on it. In my financial straits, I could not even do that, so I sought aid from Ed Hirsch, than state treasurer.

"Ed," I said, "I want to start a paper in Albany, and I haven't any money. Can you lend me some?"

"How much do you want me.

"I told him that twe would do, and he gasped. But he gave me the twenty-five and I paid the freight on the machinery."

There were at the time two papers already published in Albany, Mr. Steel said, the Democratic Democrat and the dead Republican Register. The latter was owned by Col. Van Kleev, and was not worth $500. Mr. Steel, who was eager for publicity in the community, offered the publisher $1,500 cash for his paper.

"He refused my offer and held out for $2,000, which was exactly what I wanted," laughed Mr. Steel. "I didn't have fifteen cents to offer on his good for-nothing publication; but I knew that the fact that I had made him an offer would circulate quickly throughout the community, and prepare the way for my coming. A few days later, my own equipment arrived, and it was up to me to find a place to begin business. I had a friend, Bill Parish, who owned a building in town, the upper floor of