Book dossier

Newspapers and periodicals of Illinois

by Frank W. Scott

This is a 600 page guide, arranged by towns. Indexes at the back are organized by chronology (begins 1814, on page 415), newspaper names, persons names, and counties. “A very valuable part of this record is the ably written introduction (of 104 pages), in which Professor Scott traces the social and economic conditions of Illinois Territory—its population, means of transportation, education, politics, etc.—when its first newspaper was established, at Kaskaskia, in 1814, and on to a recent period. His review of the history and progress of journalism in the State is divided into five stages; the first including the decade from 1814 to the election of 1824, resulting in the defeat of the pro-slavery convention question; the second, from 1824 to the “coonskin and hard cider” campaign of 1840; the third, from 1841 to 1860; the fourth, comprising the following decade to 1870; and the fifth, to 1879. In each stage were new elements of popular opinion, new political issues, and, latterly, many new mechanical aids to the printing art, improved transportation of mails, and telegraphic facilities of inter-communication, that greatly influenced the newspaper industry.” – Review in Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society Vol 4 1911-12, pp 110-111.