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Merrick County
On Line Resources

Merrick County's 100th Year: 1858-1958

BURLINGTON SECTION CREW ABOUT 1904
Left to Right: Tupper (bridge boss), Smith (agent), agent's
helper, . . . . ?, Norton Lambert, . . . . ?, Loren Mc Murrin,
Bill McMurrin, Clem Lambert, Grover Farlee, Frank
Freelend, Joe Corigan, section boss.

Newspapers Published in Palmer

At least six different newspapers started publication in Palmer prior to the establishment of the Palmer Journal with its first issue published on June 29, 1911. Most of the earlier publications were of short duration, expiring after a few issues, or at most, after a year or two. The Palmer Journal, on the other hand, seemed to prosper from the start, and has kept pace with the development of the community.

List of newspapers, the editors and date of first issues:

The Palmer Sun, Chas. I. White, October 7, 1887.

The Palmer Express, J. C. L. Wisly, December 15, 1899.

The Palmer Record, Geo. B. Picket, April 5, 1901.

The Palmer Prodigal, Fred G. Shaffer, 1892.

The Palmer Echo, R. I. Elliott, March 18, 1903.

The Herald, George Charron, July 16, 1909.

The Palmer Journal, Ralph E. DeWolfe, June 29, 1911.

In March, 1913, Perry Gage became editor of the Journal, operating it until February 1, 1934, when Miner E. Harris took over. On January 17, 1955, Warren Rice, the present editor and publisher, took charge

Here are a few stories gleaned from the first issue of the Palmer Echo, published March 18, 1903:

Abram Colborn died March 16, 1903.

A meeting was held by Palmer business men to consider establishing a ferry across the Loup River. (There was no bridge then). They sent a committee down to the river bank to look things over, but the spring flood made the water so high they had to postpone action,

A "crowd" of young men went to St. Paul Sunday on a handcar. The river raised and. washed out the river embankment. Chunks of ice were strewn on the track when the boys tried to come home. They speeded up to get past the bad spot and the handcar slammed into a telegraph pole that had lodged across the track. Then they found fifty yards of track washed out. The young men stayed in St. Paul overnight returning home next day, but not by handcar nor railway.

AN EARLY DEAL IN REAL ESTATE

On December 30, 1876, Thomas Blinkinsop received title to the 160 acres he had homesteaded on south of Palmer. It consisted of the east half (80 acres) of the farm where Dorothy Nicholas now lives 1 1/2 miles south of Palmer and the 80 acres south of there occupied now by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Vincik, where Shady Rest service station used to be.

Mr. Blinkinsop's land title was signed by President Chester A. Arthur. In 1877, John F. Campbell purchased this land for a team of oxen and $75 in cash.

Compliments of
CENTRAL GRAIN CO.
Central City

Compliments of
SACK LUMBER CO.
Central City