The Lincoln County Herald Archive

First issued in 1865, the Lincoln County Herald was a four-page weekly, published on Fridays in Troy, Missouri.  Edmund J. Ellis was the sole editor of the Herald until May of 1867 when he was joined by Theodore D. Fisher.  In December 1868, Ellis sold his interest to Fisher, and by that time, the paper was issued each Thursday.  Publication of the Herald changed again--to every Wednesday--on June 5, 1872.

Like all newspapers, the Herald was always searching for subscribers. As it commenced its second volume on December 28, 1866, the newspaper emphasized that it was only “$1.50 in advance for a whole year—just 12 ½ cents a month.” Printing a similar appeal on November 24, 1870, the Herald reminded readers that its “course has been an independent one, the Organ of no Ring or Clique, but an uncompromising advocate of the cause of the DISFRANCHISED” and that it would continue to “keep its readers posted in all matters of interest, State and County, but more particularly the County.”

Furthermore, Theodore Fisher had many acquaintances among journalists and was not afraid to comment on the personalities that made up the profession around the state. Fisher ensured that the paper was an interesting read, giving candid descriptions of his Missouri colleagues. After attending a convention of Missouri editors, he published many such descriptions in the June 4, 1873 issue, including write-ups of “Col. Norman J. Colman of the Rural World, always ready to shoot off his mouth; J. N. Edwards, the hyperbolical editor of the Kansas City Times; the eccentric Malone of the Jackson Cash book, and a host of others, whose ‘personals’ would make an interesting chapter, but our limited space and time and our imperfect acquaintance with them prevents. Altogether the editors are a motley crew….”

On June 18, 1873, the newspaper changed names when the publishers of the Lincoln County Herald and the Troy Dispatch entered into a partnership and formed the Troy Herald, an eight-page paper published every Wednesday which was edited by Theodore Fisher and Jon. A. Mudd.  The latter left the paper in December of 1876 due to failing health and sold his interest to William T. Thurmond.  The Troy Herald ceased publication in 1890.