The Paper War of Snohomish: How One Man’s Canoe Trip Launched a Newspaper
In January 1876, editor Eldridge Morse navigated the Snohomish River by canoe to secure his printing press, launching the *Northern Star* amidst fierce competition from rival publishers.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Nearly one year ago the matter was frequently considered in connection with starting a newspaper at Snohomish City, to represent the growing interests of the Snohomish. Proposals were submitted during that time to over a dozen different newspaper men for them to start a weekly paper at this place. Each proposal was accompanied by promises of liberal support.
The respective parties were particularly grateful to the public spirit displayed by the citizens of the Snohomish in their support of each enterprise established in their midst for the development of the community, and equally liberal support was guaranteed any lone man who would start a paper here. Several different parties took enough interest in the matter to come to Snohomish City -- talk with our people, and examine our institutions; and promised, if we would only give them sufficient time, they might start a paper here.
Some six weeks ago, all those who had seemed in earnest in the matter, having abandoned their idea of going ahead at present, for the purpose of starting a paper this season. And liberal support being promised me, I took the matter in hand, and commenced the paper myself. Having a very intimate acquaintance with only the people of the Snohomish, and their public enterprises, and fully believing that always give a more generous support than they promise.
Desiring the establishment of such an organ as much as any citizen of the community, I at once took the matter in hand. In a few days raised sufficient support to make the financial success of the paper for its first year certain. Then I took time to examine a number of different proposals for sale of press and materials. Finally purchasing a very complete outfit of H.A. Hewitt Esq. of Olympia, W.T. brought it to Snohomish and this the first number of the Northern Star is the result.
"The business is entirely new to me, this being my first attempt in the field of journalism. Therefore I ask from veterans in the field, a lenient judgement for errors committed by me relating to their art. And the courtesies and assistance usually accorded..."
Owing to the great amount of labor necessary in order to get up a press, and get out an entirely new paper, and the consequent uncertainty as to the exact date on which the first number of the STAR would appear, we have not attempted to chronicle the movements of steamers or vessels that make regular trips to our river. But hereafter we intend to notice the appearance of every one that runs here.
The new paper in Snohomish is to be called the Northern Star, and Eldridge Morse Esq. is to be its Editor.
This founding story highlights the precarious nature of local media ownership in the 19th century, where a single entrepreneur's logistical nightmare—navigating rivers by canoe to secure equipment—determined the fate of community information. It mirrors modern struggles for independent journalism, where economic viability and supply chain logistics often dictate whether a local voice survives against larger corporate interests.
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