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The
Newspaper Press
in Kentucky
HERNDON J. EVANS
Foreword by Barry Bingham, Sr.
Research for The Kentucky Bicentennial Bookshelf is assisted by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Views expressed in the Bookshelf do not necessarily represent those of the Endowment.
Copyright 1976 by The University Press of Kentucky
Paperback edition 2009
The University Press of Kentucky
Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth,
serving Bellarmine University, Berea College, Centre
College of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University,
The Filson Historical Society, Georgetown College,
Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky State University,
Morehead State University, Murray State University,
Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University,
University of Kentucky, University of Louisville,
and Western Kentucky University.
All rights reserved.
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663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40508-4008
www.kentuckypress.com
Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available from the Library of Congress.
ISBN 978-0-8131-9324-3 (pbk: acid-free paper)
This book is printed on acid-free recycled paper meeting the requirements of the American National Standard for Permanence in Paper for Printed Library Materials.
Manufactured in the United States of America.
| Member of the Association of
American University Presses |
Contents
Illustrations follow
Foreword
HERNDON EVANS spent more than half a century as a Kentucky newspaperman. In his long career he did many journalistic jobs, including the editorship of a small-town weekly and of a city daily.
Always his love was for the written word. He used writing as a tool for communicating with readers of all kinds, for promoting good causes, for stirring the hearts of Kentuckians to the joy and pride and responsibility he himself felt for his native state.
To such a man, it was important to polish his writing to a clear sheen of meaning and tone. It is sad, then, that Herndons fine eight decades of existence did not stretch quite far enough. He would have liked to do the final editing job on the book he wrote about The Newspaper Press in Kentucky.
Much as his friends regret that final quirk of time, however, we must all be grateful that his book is being published for the pleasure and enlightenment of many readers. The editors of The University Press of Kentucky have handled the manuscript with affectionate care. They have given the work to us in as nearly the form that Herndon would have provided as it is humanly possible to do.
Thus we have this labor of love before us. We can read about the Kentucky journalists of two centuries as though we were hearing Herndon talk about them. They are all real people to him, all old friends. We can see the fellow whose first issue was delayed because a great part of the type fell into pi in the carriage of them from Limestone [Maysville] to the office.
We recognize the Jovian tones of Henry Watterson: The carpet-bagger is a nuisance. Carpet-bagging is a swindle. If General Grant means what he says, let him abolish both, and if his party be sincere, let it confirm his act.
But we also recognize a more modest scribe, the old-fashioned society editor who burbled over a wedding in such words as : A queen rose of the rosebud garden of girls who beautify and adorn the family residence of Mr. John Downing was transplanted last evening to the family of Mr. William Kendrick.
Herndon Evans was always a journalist, a member of what he calls in the book our wonderful profession. His work never prevented him, however, from taking a personal and zestful part in a variety of causes he found challenging. At the Mountain Laurel Festival, in the long fight to preserve Cumberland Falls, in the chair at a meeting of the Kentucky Press Association, in Democratic party campaigns for candidates who commanded his enthusiasmHerndon was a wholehearted participant.
The current issue of conflict of interest never applied to Herndon Evans. His interest was always centered in the Kentucky press. The press, in turn, was important to him as a vehicle for informing the public and steering it toward what he deemed the best and most enduring values of the Commonwealth. His spirit speaks to us, cheerfully and effectively, through these pages.
Barry Bingham, Sr.
Preface
LATE IN THE SUMMER of 1974 I was invited to write the history of Kentucky newspapers as one segment of the Kentucky Bicentennial Bookshelf. I was quite naturally hesitant, since I had never done anything of this nature and I felt utterly inadequate for the task. I asked for time to think it over.
