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History: Part I-Chapter IV... |
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PART 1 The Jackson Herald was never the same after 1932. There seemed to be something missing from those earlier years. At first there were the Alliance principles for which to battle. Then came the bitter fight against the Populists. From 1898 to 1932 there was a political career to follow. But from 1932 to 1950 there was only the paper. The Holders were over the hill and headed home--to retirement.
Wood Hill at Linotype The Herald sort of settled down to a routine, too. About the only campaigns the Holders conducted during their last eighteen years as editors were for more subscribers and more advertising. During the first three months of 1933 they ran a special subscription rate of one dollar per year. Not only that, but each week the paper published the names of those who had subscribed that week. Typical of the bids the paper made for advertising was the one in the issue of November 30, 1933, under the heading "LET THE HERALD BLOW YOUR WHISTLE." Mr. Holder said it would please him no little if the columns of his paper were used to blow whistles for enterprising merchants and thus attract buyers. "It would mean prosperity for both the newspaper and the merchants," he stated, and then told this story to illustrate: Once upon a time there were two peanut vendors. They set up their stands adjacent to each other on a busy board-walk in an amusement park. Each stocked the same quality of peanuts and had stands exactly alike. The first peanut vendor had a small steam whistle on his stand that piped continuously. The second vendor had none. As the crowd milled past they were attracted by the shrill whistle, and they bought peanuts. The second vendor got only the "leavings."3 By this time one of The Herald's big annual stories was about the annual North Georgia Conference of the Methodist Church. Beginning in the early 30's Mr. Holder gave complete coverage to these meetings. For many years he and Mrs. Holder were delegates to the event. Mr. .Holder says today he is as proud of his 61 years a steward in the Methodist Church as anything he ever did.4 The politician turned editor started a front page column in 1935, which often took half the page. It was a collection of odds and ends heard during the week. Some of the early titles were "Items Gathered by the Wayside," "Gathered as We go About," "Looking and Listening," "Some X-Rays," "The Passing Throng," and "Persons and Things." Not until November 23, 1944, did Mr. Holder settle on a name for his column. From that date until his retirement it was called "Along the Way." On December 19, 1935, under the heading "CHRISTMAS GREETINGS," Mr. Holder could write, "This is the forty-fourth Christmas the present proprietors of this paper have given greetings through its columns to the reading public."5 He continued: While the writer has not held uninterruptedly and steadfastly to this work throughout these forty-four years, the assistant editor and the business manager have unceasingly, year by year, month by month, week by week, given the news and happenings of this community through its columns.6 Of course, Mr. Holder referred to his wife and to W. H. Williamson. Early in 1936 The Herald began publicizing the fact that it did job printing. A half-page ad in the January 23 issue that year said, "Job Printing of Any Kind Done Quickly, Neatly, and Efficiently. Let us Do Your 1936 Printing. Keep Your Printing Dollar At Home."7 A week later Mr. Holder mailed sample copies of The Herald to some of his friends in an effort to increase circulation. He invited them to look the paper over, and said he would be pleased to enroll their names on the subscription list and let the paper be a their homes. In another year he was asking the people to cooperate in furnishing news to the paper. "The Herald is indebted to each person who in any way helps to fill its news columns," he said. And then: The newspaper man is blamed for a whole lot of things he can't help, such as using partiality in mentioning visitors, giving news about some folks and leaving out others, etc. He simply prints all the news he can find. Some people inform him about such things and others do not. We should not be expected to know the names and residences of all your uncles, aunts and cousins. Tell us about it. It's news that makes the newspaper, and every man, woman, and child can be associate editor if they only will.8 In later years Mr. and Mrs. Holder found time to attend the annual meetings of the Georgia Press Association. Mr. Holder's front page column of September 30, 1937, was devoted to the session at Adel that year. He commented on many of his old friends in the newspaper business. Of William G. Sutlive, ex-president of the Press Association, Mr. Holder said, "He is the greatest entertainer who ever presided over this Association. Whenever Billy Sutlive stands before an audience all get ready to laugh."9 A lengthy article in the issue of July 7, 1938, was about the sixty-third birthday of The Herald. Mr. Holder started at the beginning, pointing out that the paper was launched as The Forest News, and that the first copy came from the press on June 12, 1875. He then gave a round-up of what was printed in the first issue. The names of the previous editors and their length of service were mentioned. Mr. Holder told how his father had bought the paper from Craig and Williamson and presented it in part to him as a wedding present. At first the paper was owned by Mr. Holder and his brother, Thomas. At his brother's death in 1875, W. H. Williamson became business manager and a partner in the firm. Commenting on some of the physical changes in The Herald, Mr. Holder said: During these years the paper has been printed in the same office. However, changes have been made in its size and equipment. It is now an eight, instead of a four page paper. At first, it was printed on a hand press with a colored man as its power. Then came a new press, operated by steam, which was discarded for gasoline power and later electricity took its place. Then all type was set by hand, now it is put up each week by an up-to-date linotype. Then papers were folded by hand, now a machine does the work. Then all names were written, now they are printed on the paper.10 A little more than a year later, on August 17, 1939, The Herald announced the death of the business manager who had meant so much to the Holders and the paper. "The writer's hand trembles, his heart grieves, and his whole soul sorrows when he writes, 'Wade Williamson is dead'."11 Those words helped to make up the editorial, outlined with heavy column rules, in which Mr. Holder commented on the death. The piece pointed out that Mr. Williamson had been associated with The Herald for forty-eight years. All these years he and Mr. Holder had worked together in the same office. Of this relationship, The Herald editor said, "...There was never at any time any friction, nor disagreements, nor words of anger or passion between us."12 Two months later Mr. Holder announced that he had purchased the interest of W. H. Williamson in The Jackson Herald, and that he was now the sole owner. The announcement explained that in the future the work of editing and publishing the paper would be done by John N. Holder, Editor and Manager, and Mrs. John N. Holder, Associate Editor and Manager. The issue of October 19, 1939, carried their names and titles that way. Mr. Holder said of his wife at that time: Mrs. Holder has been an important part of this paper's organization since the incipiency of the ownership by the present Editor. For twelve years she was sole Editor, and at all times has had charge of the local page, the correspondence and bookwork. Her services have been valuable and quite indespensable.13 The year 1940 was a big one in the editorial career of Mr. and Mrs. Holder. At the Georgia Press Association meeting in Savannah they received a pin inscribed "Half Century of Service." In reality the pin was granted one year too early, for not until 1941 had the Holders completed fifty years as editors of The Herald. Nevertheless, the story commenting on the award in the issue of August 29, 1940, said it was in recognition of their fiftieth year as editors of the paper. "They have been Editors of the same paper, in the same town, in the same office and in the same county, where both were born and reared, during this period of years."14 "NEW HOME OF THE JACKSON HERALD" was a headline in the paper the following week. "After operating in one building for sixty years," the story read, "The Jackson Herald has moved into new quarters on Lee Street."15 Mr. Holder pointed out that, up to now, the paper had been a tenant, but that it now owned its home. The new building for The Herald was purchased from the First National Bank. The story said it required just one day to move and another day to set up the machinery and get it in operation. Come August 14, 1941, and the Holders were celebrating their fiftieth anniversary on The Herald all over again. The issue of that date quoted an editorial, headed "TWICE GOLDEN," from The Atlanta Journal: Congratulations and good wishes are pouring in on Mr. and Mrs. John N. Holder of Jackson County. Well may Georgia citizens take pride in the golden anniversary of this distinguished couple who have passed the half century mark in a happy married life and also share the distinction of having edited one of the most forthright weekly newspapers for fifty years.16
In July, 1942, another anniversary had rolled around, and the paper had entered its sixty-eighth volume. In the midst of another world war at this time, Mr. Holder wrote: Just now while other enterprises are enjoying prosperity, the revenue of country newspapers...has been reduced because of being deprived of automobile, tire, gas, nitrate, farm machinery and certain merchandise advertising. Despite this, we are rendering to our country every service that we can give and it rejoices our hearts to participate in this patriotic performance. Hundreds of inches of space are given freely to the government and its agencies. It is indeed gratifying that our subscription list has steadily grown in recent months. About sixty copies are sent each week to men in the service of our country...18 Just before Christmas in 1944 more than three hundred men in the armed services were subscribers to The Herald, and to them Mr. Holder wrote on December 21, "..Please know that you are remembered by friends and loved ones at home, but above all our Heavenly Father watches over you and cares for all."19 The issue of July 1, 1948, carried this headline, "FIFTY SEVEN YEARS OF NEWSPAPER UPS AND DOWNS," and under it these words, "We have never become so discouraged that we were ready to quit."20 Not because of discouragement, but because of 82 years and poor eyesight, Mr. Holder two years later was ready to retire. The Herald of August 10, 1950, carried pictures of Mr. and Mrs. Holder, and under these an article by Tom Williams, who that day became editor of the paper. Mr. Williams wrote: Today marks a historic occasion in the archives of southern newspapers. For the first time in over 59 years The Jackson Herald has not been published and edited by Mr. and Mrs. John N. Holder. This famous editorial team have retired for a long earned rest. During the long period Mr. and Mrs. Holder have served Jackson County and Georgia, they have aged in years only. At 82, Mr. Holder possesses a remarkable memory and keen judgment of expression. Three years younger, Mrs. Holder is as active and efficient as any enthusiastic young newspaper woman. Retiring in their sixtieth year, the team of Mr. and Mrs. Holder have gained the distinction of being the south's oldest active editors.22 In a brief announcement Mr. Holder gave defective eyesight as his reason for retiring, and then added: "In the future, The Herald will be published by Tom Williams and W. E. Matthews and edited by Mr. Williams. They have complete control and management of the paper, including editorials and news, and will be responsible for all obligations."23 Thus ends one of the longest chapters in Georgia journalism.
We your friends here at home, know better how to appreciate your many good qualities and sincere motives in all your efforts to raise the economic and moral standards of your hometown and community. We know, too, that your interest in matters pertaining to the best welfare in everything that would make for a better and a fuller life for all the people, has not been confined to your home town and community, but to all the people of your native state, and has to a very great extent permeated the hearts and lives of all the good people of Georgia. Your efforts have not been in vain, and your noble qualities and high moral ambitions will live on and be perpetuated in the lives of coming generations.24 As that Atlanta Journal editorial of August 10, 1950, pointed out: "They have regarded their wedding present of 59 years gone by, not merely as a personal gift, but as a public trust to be administered for the public good; and thus they have seen it grow in service and in value to their community."25 1 E. Merton Coulter, A Short History of
Georgia (Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press,
1933); p. 410.
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Living in Georgia
in 1933 differed little from living in the neighboring states.1
Likewise, life in Jackson was similar to that in any other Georgia
county. In her political allegiance the state clung closer and
closer to the Democratic party. She is the only state never to
cast her electoral votes for a Republican. In 1932 she gave almost
twice as many votes to Franklin D. Roosevelt as she had ever
cast for any presidential candidate throughout her history.2
The back page of
The Herald that week featured pictures of the editors and the
heading "CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, MR. AND MRS. HOLDER, ON
THIS, YOUR DOUBLE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY." What had happened
was that sixty-seven business establishments or individuals had
purchased a full page in The Herald through which to extend greetings
to the popular Jackson County couple on their anniversary. Mr.
Holder said the following week that, "The page of felicitations
had been carefully guarded and the Editor was given the surprise
of his life when he opened the first Herald off the press."17
That
full page advertisement of congratulations and best wishes, sponsored
by those sixty-seven persons back on August 14, 1941, seems just
as appropriate at Mr. and Mrs. Holders' retirement as it did
at their double golden anniversary. In part, the message read: