Morgan County Democrat Archive

In 1900, Herman F. Tillman began publishing the Versailles Morgan County Democrat, an eight-page weekly published on Fridays. As the name suggests, the newspaper was Democratic in politics and served the residents of Morgan County, Missouri. It was especially geared toward readers interested in farming, mining, real estate, railroads, and the general news.

The Democrat had a reputation as an "ever-to-date and ideal newspaper, giving good service to its patrons in every sense." Tillman's leadership continued until 1906, when he sold the paper, printing plant, all fixtures, and all subscriptions to Wallace W. Kinloch from Ozark, Missouri. Kinloch, who had worked for over 20 years as an editor for the Ozark Christian County Republican, re-named the Versailles Morgan County Democrat the Morgan County Republican in 1906. Kinloch announced under the masthead that the paper was published "in the interest of the editor and the Republican Party." The Republican continued to be an eight-page weekly, now published on Thursdays, and Kinloch was described as an "affable and business-like gentleman" by his colleagues.

During the Christmas season, the Republican featured local children's letters to Santa Claus, and in fact, Kinloch announced that he had hired Father Christmas to be a guest editor: the December 21, 1911 issue states that "Santa Claus is editing this issue of THE REPUBLICAN, and, of course, will do a good job."

Kinloch served as publisher and editor for eight years before he quit the newspaper business entirely. The Morgan County Republican ceased publication in 1914.