The Index-Journal from Greenwood, South Carolina • Page 46

The Index-Journal. Centennial Edition, Greenwood. S.C. AA-13 Friday, May 30, 1997 Greemvood County Centennial 5 a 1(D) Years off Comity "if Jounraali TfT" 4r Greenwood County The Index-Journal has grown with Editor, co-owner Watson had special love of history By HARRY LEGARE LOGAN Special to The Index-Journal COLUMBIA The memories dim with time. It's been 40 years since Granddaddy Watson died, but any history of "his" newspaper would not be complete without paying homage to the man to whom history was so important.

And I know how special a section of the newspaper celebrating its history would be for him and his children, all of whom are now deceased, including my mother, Virginia Watson Logan. It is also for his grandchildren especially his two "namesakes" -one a history professor at the University of North Carolina and the other a newspaper editor at The State. Local history was Harry Watson's love, and for 10 years he wrote a weekly column of historical sketches and information on pioneer families and notes of events in surrounding counties. In 1970 they were edited and published in book form by his daughter, the late Margaret. I.

Watson, longtime reporter for The Index-Journal. I can still picture "Granddaddy" working from home in the back hallway of his Taggart Avenue home, "Sunnyside," where he did most of his writing. He suffered from tuberculosis but still wrote columns and editorials from home, assisted by another daughter. Louise Montague Watson. He was a tall, thin man who always wore a suit.

I can necr remember him dressed any other way. Astory told to me by my aunt Louise that I. think probably gave a true nirturf of mv nrandfather. He had ioined an area baseball team as a The Mundy family represents a rarity in modern newspupering that is growing more so: local ownership. Frank came up from the ranks of circulation director to become owner.

Upon his death, Eleanor M. Mundy became president and publisher. Their daughter, Judith Mundy Burns is vice president and secretary. The Rurnses have three daughters, two of whom have been 'directly 'involved with The the Index-Journal for most of their lives. Margaret had one habit that projected her as something of a character.

She elicited stares among visitors to the paper as she pounded away at the typewriter while puffing vigorously on a corncob pipe. It was back to January 19, 1919, when the Index and Journal decided it was in their best interest to stop competing for advertising and subscribers in what was becoming win. young man out ended up as tne league umpire, wncn usKeu By ROBERT BENTLEY l-J Chief Executive Officer GREENWOOD What do the following names have in common? The Advocate, the Anti-Monarchist, the Argus, the Atlas, the Guardian, the Leader, the Light, the Times, the Tribune, and the New Era? The answer is that they all were newspapers, either published or planned, for Greenwood before the 1890s. Obviously none of them survived, at least under those names. None lasted for more than two years, as a matter of fact.

A seemingly promising one in intellectual quality, was the Greenwood Times, which was destined to be edited by noted teacher and historian Dr. John Henry Logan. However, it never got off the presses due to lack of interest by investors and subscribers. In one instance, not only did the paper not survive, but the editor didn't either, due to a fatal dispute with a editorial rival. Had this not occurred, you might be reading The Index-Advocate rather than The Index-Journal.

The Greenwood Advocate was founded 1894 by W.W. Thompson to support fiery agrarian reformist Gov. "Pitchfork Ben" Tillman. Tillman was opposed by H. Rowell's Greenwood Leader, as well as The Laurens Advertiser, The State, and the Charleston News and Courier.

On May 3, 1894, Thompson, who had been associate editor of the Leader, answered a claim by his successor Rowell that a free railroad pass in Thompson's possession had been issued to the newspaper and not to Thompson and therefore it belonged to the Leader. Thompson's answer was to shoot Rowell, who died of the wounds. The Leader died along with him. A few weeks later R.B. Wilson purchased the Advocate.

Probably to escape the notoriety, in 1895 he renamed it the Greenwood Journal, one root of the eventual Index-Journal. But the first known Greenwood paper was the Anti-Monarchist, brought to Old Cambridge from Edgefield in 1811 by Thomas M. Davenport. Its name is believed to be a revival of the anti-England feeling prior to the War of 1812. About 1820, Davenport and his paper returned to Edgefield for.

reasons unknown. Please see WATSON, page AA-20 longtime personnel in the posit iK they occupy today. This helped enable I Mundy and Judi Burns to lead 'he" paper into changes neiesstlaie the computer age, while still 'pn serving the stronger characteristics' of the naocr most hotablv K' local journalism and Greenwood County until his death in 1956. That name was Harry Watson, who would serve as editor for more than 50 years. Watson's honors and awards are far too numerous to be cited here, but he was tremendously respected and revered example of personal journalism, which today is a diminishing part of Americana.

A longtime resident says most Greenwoodians would not refer to articles and editorials they read in the newspaper; rather, they would allude to "what Harry said." There was no need to use Harry's last name. Watson was committed not just to his function of printing news and expressing editorial opinions. He considered it a sacred duty to let Greenwood residents know about their history and their culture, either through conversation or his writings. In 1940 Watson started a series called "Old Roads," which quickly became more about old families than old roads. He had intended the feature to be occasional, but its popularity led to weekly publication that didn't end until 10 years later.

Failing health and eyesight were obstacles to Watson's goal of condensing the columns into a book. However, this task was completed in 1970 by his daughter, Margaret, assisted by her sister, Louise. Their book is entitled "Greenwood County Sketches: Old Roads and Early Families," which was a must to local genealogy and history research. The late Watson daughters, who were unmarried, worked for Most of these papers seem to have had either religious or political missions as evidenced by the two that shut down when their editors decided to become ministers, and one was folded after its lawyer-editor got elected to political office This fledgling village was without a paper for much of the period after the Civil War. Its residents redd imported papers from larger and more sophisticated communities such as Ninety Six, Abbeville, Saluda and Edgefield.

Finally, though, one succeeded for the long haul. It was the Greenwood Journal. Its success, and the potential for even greater population and economic growth, spawned a competitor in 1897, The Greenwood Index Starting to sound familiar? Both of these papers were started as weeklies, then they expanded to bi- and tri-weeklies with occasional reduction of of their frequencies before becoming afternoon dailies. They had some unique, pioneering characteristics. The two papers were the first weeklies in S.C.

to share a modern invention, the linotype, which prevailed through mid-century but are all but extinct in American newspapers today. There were a number of number of ownership changes in the papers during the early years. Statements reflected the names of Rufus B. Wilson, F.M. Allen, J.M.

Carr, Dr. George Gardner and the Rev. Pittman. But in 1900 a name emerged on the masthead and ownership statement of the Index that was to have a profound influence on commitment to local news. The mother and daughtu have another commitment: to vate family ownership of the p.i which makes it an increasingly l.ue-; institution.

Half-way through the 20th ccntu ry, two-thirds of the nation newspapers were privately ow ned. usinl 1 ly by local families. Today private1 ownership constitutes only on clear as a one-paper market. Since their merger, the Index-Journal has been the sole daily paper in Greenwood. Before 1909 both papers had been published for 10 years at an address called the "Syndicate Block," which was on the west side of Main Street.

Then it moved into an old brick building on Maxwell which was about as spartan a facility as has ever produced a newspaper. The building had two stories with no air conditioning. It was sweltering in the summer, and the old letterpress rested on a dirt floor. But it was a good community newspaper, beginning to be financially That's because it was managed by three veteran executives who had earned such respect and confidence of this growing, community that they were able to buy the paper in 1957 from Harry Watson's heirs with a bank loan that required no collateral. It was at this juncture that the paper began taking on modern characteristics that you see today.

It was owned by three partners: Frank Mundy, a hard-driving circulation expert, Bill Wilson, who specialized in advertising and finance, and Ed "Buddy" Chaffin, an editor of substantive writing skills, a keen interest in local history, and strong editorial opinions. He also had an eye for talent, evidenced by the hiring of his chief assistant, young William A. Collins. Collins, who today is the paper's executive editor, was hired away from Chaffin by Columbia papers but was hired back by Mundy. He's only the paper's third editor.

The triumverate of Mundy, Wilson and Chaffin ushered the Index-Journal into its modern era and in 1963 into a brand new state of the art building, the same building that it occupies today. The owners had a unique arrangement of succession. Upon the death of one, the survivors had the option of buying the shares of the deceased. Wilson died -and -Chaffin passed away in 1977. This left Mundy the sole owner until his own death in 1981.

Mundy left the paper to his family. His widow, Eleanor, is president and publisher, and his daughter, Judith Burns, who is vice president and secretary. Before Frank's death, he made a number of sweeping organizational changes that set the general management structure and many of its iourin oi muti ica jjupeis. mi remainder owned by reuional. -i tional and international tions.

Those who favor the pmspect of continued local ownership of Greenwood County institutions should be encouraged by recent ae tivitics or two or us young emens ai. v.iaire Durns speru most oi i summer as an Index Journal newsroom intern while she atteink I Erskine College, and Mundy Bums intends to enroll this fall in the journalism school of the Unicrsih "el South Carolina, where her and, grandfather attended. They are the daughters of Jimmv and Judith Mundy Burns. County has been tuned into radio since 1941 jority owners were Georgia broadcasters. According to information given to Ford Weeks, a Lander student for a 1967 research paper by Cook, "50 oercent of the stations' information MAKING CBS WEEKEND BASEBALLyWORLD SERIES EMERALD HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ADAM MYRICK SOUTH CAROLINA FOOTBALLBASKETBALL CAROLINA PANTHERS FOOTBALL I ANDER UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL RAUCH WISE power is 4,100 watts with a 390-foot tower.

When Dan Crosland retired in 1977, new General Manager Jim Owens programmed Adult Contemporary music on WCRS-FM. Later, the call letters were changed to WSCZ. In 1982, WCRS and WSCZ were sold to Eaton Broadcasting Corporation with William P. Eaton serving as president. Under Eaton, WCRS AM began a "Big Band" nostalgia format with NBC News.

WSCZ-FM programmed Adult Rock with the NBC "Source" Network. In 1983, WSCZ started to air a modern country format and ABC News. Butch Moore was a key person during these years. Former sales manager Rav NASCAR fan, brought' all of the NASCAR races to the area on a regular basis via WSCZ. WCRS and WSCZ were purchased by Georgia native Art Sutton in 1994.

Sutton's Greenwood Broadcasting continues to operate WSCZ as WCRS-FM with a stereo country music format. Clemson University footballbasketball and Greenwood High football are heard on WCRS-FM. The WCRS-FM slogan is "The Emerald City's Country." WCRS-FM recently be-. came the Lander sport station: 1350 WLMA-AM Greenwood's second radio company operated a 1 watt day-timer on 1350 AM with the call letters WGSW. George B.

Cook Jr. was general manager of WGSW, Radio Greenwood whose ma games. College games were mostly purchased from out of town sources. Two popular sportscasters were Randy Davidson and Carroll Sexton, "The Voice of Greenwood." Greenwood oldtimers may remember some of the WCRS people: Phil Agresta, Otto "Hank" McDonald, Russ MaCalee, Newton Smyth, Jake Presson, Fred Heckman, Dave Moss or Jim Hale. World War II news, weather reports, comedy and variety Greenwood heard it on local radio.

Charles Sparks remembers when musical programs were produced from electrical transcriptions with announcers reading scripts. Phonograph records could not be used due to copyright restrictions. Otto McDonald recalls studio shows by "Pee Wee" Devore and his band. Ralph Norman says a 50-commercial package sold for $50. WCRS-AM now operates fulltime with 1,000 watts on 1450 AM, and airs CBS News and several popular talk shows.

Soon be 56 years old, WCRS, "The Voice of Greenwood," is the 12th-oldest station in the state. 96.7 WCRS-FM In 1965, WCRS-FM (96.7) returned to the air with 1,300 watts and a 430-foot tower. Carroll Sexton says the programs of WCRS AMFM were simulcast except for sports and other special programs. The studios and transmitter were moved to the present location off Durst Avenue. Through the years, WCRS-FM has gone through several power changes.

Currently, the By WALLY MULLINAX Chairman, S.C, Broadcasters Assn. Archive's Committee GREENWOOD Radio is mobile. At home, work, driving, walking or jogging, radio can be a constant companion. However, there was a time when the family listened to just one radio, jf indeed they had one. Those have been called the Golden Days of fadio.

Several say this is how radio began in Greenwood. WCRS-AM 1450 In 1941, Greenco Inc. president bouglas Fcathcrstone, a local attorney, and C.A. Mays, vice president 4nd secretary, started WCRS. The studios were located on Wilson Street near Lander.

Beginning with 250 watts, the power was raised in J959 to 1,000 watts daytime. General Manager Dan Crosland's appreciation for words became a standard of quality. The news sources were NBC, the AP Wire and a local staff member. Through the years, the musical fare was generally middle of the road." Ralph Norman became commercial manager in 1942 and remained until his retirement in 1982. Another Greenwood native, Charles Sparks, was employed in 1946 to build an FM station.

WCRS-FM operated with 6,000 watts for 13 years, but surrendered that license because it was unprofitable. Sports have always been popular with Greenwood listeners. Mike Gannon was the first sportscaster to air Legion baseball and Greenwood High School football al time was allocated to local news and one-fifth of the air time was devoted to programming of a racial nature." The music content was pop' and country. Employees listed in the Weeks' paper in 1967 were D. Melvin (Mel) Riley, James Warren, J.

Ray Bowie, John Kiser and Furman Corley. Longtime Greenwood residents mention "Sheriff Ed" as a popular WGSW personality. Black Gospel deejay. Jesse Williams was also very popular. The station was sold to WCRS newsman Darrell Evans in the 1980s.

The call letters changed to WQXJ, but by this time FM radio had caught on and across the country "stand-alone daytimers" found it tough sledding. Eventually, 1350-AM went dark and, despite several attempts to revive it by radio warriors, nothing seemed to work until Ron Moore began a talk format in "1993. Currently. Wl.MA is operating with studios on Laurens Highway and transmitting from a tower site near Waterloo. Ron Moore says he is president of Radio, which has other investors, Wl.M A airs MBS news, Atlanta -Falcons Football and other features.

The Wl.MA slogan is "News Radio." CBS AUGUSTA MASTERS GOLF REPORTS. ABC CONTEMPORARY NEWS UPSTATE AP NEWS AND SPORTS WALLY MULLINAX SCORES, CONTESTS BOB PAGE SPORTS BOOGIE IN THE MORNING THE STAN LEWIS SHOW BROTHER JESSE WILLIAMS AND SUNDAY FRIENDS COUNCILMAN FRED ARMFIELD COUNCILMAN GONZA BRYANT REPRESENTATIVE ANNE PARKS FREQUENT TIME AND WEATHER CHECKS DOPPLER WEATHER AND RADAR REPORTS. AP CONTEMPORARY MUSIC WMTY 103.5 FM Greenwood's Most Powerful FM Station 25.000 Watts U-20 Se RADIO, jmge.