“A work in Progress”

ANAHUAC— Today is March 27, and for many, it will be like any other day, a Thursday this calendar year, but for The Progress, it marks the 117th anniversary of the paper.

For the current staff, it marks the first celebration of the paper’s history for most of us, although our publisher and editor have had previous ties to the paper.

“This celebration is not some major milestone, although anything celebrating 117 years is rather unique, but it is the start of an inquisitive journey for me,” Area Editor Russell Payne said.

Our previous belief was that the paper was first published in the summer of 1908. After Payne looked into the history of the paper just last week, much to his surprise, he found the anniversary was this week.

“I am really hoping to get to know this paper and its history better, and for me, it is important that we understand Chambers County and tell its story going forward,” Payne said.

First published in 1908 by Harry Weimar, the paper has an extensive history, evolving over the decades to become what it is today.

“Chambers County: A Pictorial History,” by Margaret Henson and Kevin Ladd, provided a bit of insight into the origins of the paper.

“A group of Anahuac boosters formed a stock company to publish a newspaper in early 1908. These stock holders included Col. F.M. Hamilton, L.R. Miller, B.R. Garland, Anson Miler and Dr. G.H. Fahring. They first persuaded Harry B. Weimar, publisher of the Galveston Labor Journal, tome his press to Anahuac. Capt. John Kilgore not only moved the heavy press but also the household goods of the Weimar family on board the ‘Friend’ in February (1908). Weimar recalled thirty years later that the entire ton turned out to help haul the press up the embankment to the old Willcox home at the corner of Miller and Bolivar streets,” the book said. “The investors named their paper the ‘Anahuac Progress,’ reflecting the upbeat feeling of the day.”

According to the book, 80 subscribers paid $1 for a year’s subscription. Anson Miller became president of the publishing company and L.R. Miller was the secretary.

To give a little insight into what the paper originally looked like, the late Ladd, historian, spoke of an edition of the paper from March 25, 1910, which can be found on the Stephen F. Austin State University website.

“This issue contains no murders or wars or financial scandals,” Ladd said. “It just tells about the daily events of ordinary people, which in our modern and somewhat depressing times is sort of a great relief.”

Looking at an edition from August 21, 1908, Ladd’s words ring true.

On the front page, there was a column called “Casual mention of people who are coming and going.” The column details movements of Anahuac residents and people visiting the area, including those who visited a neighbor’s house.

In today’s time, it would be considered odd, but it was a common practice in small-town newspapers during the 20th century. The casual mention included some familiar names, including Wilcox and White.

In that same edition, a column called “Rice News” provides snippets of various farms around Texas and Louisiana, from Double Bayou to Beaumont to Orange to Crowley, Louisiana.

The very first edition of The Progress, published Friday, March 27, 1908, can be found at the Sam Houston Regional Library and includes news from across the country and Texas.

Just under the title, it stated, “Published in the Interest of the People of Chambers County— ‘An Injury to One is the Concern of All.’”

The first issue included an article detailing a Texas Supreme Court case between H.R. Wallis and H.S. Williams, a dispute over where the Chambers County Courthouse should be.

The county courthouse and jail were located in Wallisville, “built there by the residents of the county at a considerable cost,” according to the article.

“Anahuac aspired to have the countyseat within her precincts, and last fall (April 11, 1907) an election was held in the county to determine whether or not the change should be made. The election carried in favor of moving the county seat to Anahuac by a substantial majority,” the article said.

Wallisville residents contested the election, beginning in the commissioners’ court and leading up to the Supreme Court.

The paper also included editorial cartoons similar to the ones found today, even a sports column titled “Points for the Child Athlete.” The sports article was written by Albert Payson Terhune, athletic expert of New York Evening World.

Advertisements featured throughout the paper include Ogden and Willcox’s ad for farm machinery, wagons, carriages, saddles and more; J.E. Broussard’s ad for general merchandise, including dry goods, shoes, hats and groceries; Beason and Hamilton’s Law, Land and Loan Co.; Wilcox and Swinney’s ad for livestock; Chambers County Development Company; Chambers County State Bank; Hamilton and Fahring’s ad for rice and orange lands; Anahuac Townsite Company; and ads for ailments and medicines.

So, as we celebrate the 117th anniversary of The Progress, the current staff is committed to telling the story locally.

“It is our commitment to continue the long tradition of The Progress and continue the efforts of those who dreamed it a reality,” Payne said. “We are determined to make it the best we can. I guess you could say it’s a work in Progress.”