As a former newspaper reporter, I know firsthand the long
hours and challenges demanded by the job of collecting news. Local news columns from the Sherburne County Star News reveal the difficulties
and dangers of the occupation of newspaper correspondent.
Early in 1897 the newspaper published appeals for news and
reports from around the county. “We
would be glad to have anyone residing in town or county send in news items,”
the editors wrote. “It is not necessary
that the items be startling ones, for instance a murder, or a house burning up
with all its inmates,” the paper published.
“Any little pleasant social occurrence is always interesting: an
entertainment you may have given; a trip you are taking; a friend who is
visiting you; … as well as the stand-bys; births, deaths, and marriages.”
Both the editors and the correspondents often found news
detecting difficult. In a local news
column from Becker published on January 1, 1897, the Star News reported, “A lady seemed quite ruffled because she did
not see a notice of her wedding last week.
Well, we didn’t get a slice of cake.”
The art of gathering news was also dangerous. As the Star
News reported in May of 1897, “Our reporter came near having his head
knocked to a peak for not having any items in the Star News last week. Then
there would have been something to write about.”
Reporting news demanded long hours, an ability to dig out
gossip, and accept dangerous assignments.
Not much has changed in the past 120 years. As you encounter the publishers, editors and
reporters of the Sherburne County Citizen,
the West Sherburne Tribune, and the Star News somehow acknowledge their
efforts. Reporting the news in
entertaining yet informative language remains a challenge and their efforts are
appreciated.
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