Wise County Messenger
115 South Trinity
Decatur TX
Started by William Forster
in 1880, the "Messenger" was published in Paradise (10
miles southwest) and Alvord (11 miles northwest) before a permanent
move to Decatur in 1885. Early editions included poems, love stories,
and lists of strayed animals and mail at the dead letter office.
N. W. and H. A. Halcomb became the owners in 1894. Two of their
staff members, Marvin Smith and R. E. "Dick" Collins,
bought the paper in 1907. A correspondent during the Spanish-American
War, Collins worked on the staff for 40 years. Mergers with Decatur
papers include the "Post" (1890), "News" (1935),
and "News Review" (1940). (1981)
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