HUMBOLDT COUNTY'S NEWSPAPER

The first newspaper in Humboldt County was the Moccasin, a manuscript sheet, and was circulated among the settlers.  It was edited by M. D. Collins at Sumner in Delana Township in 1856, but was only published for one year.

The Humboldt County True Democrat, a weekly paper, edited by S. H. Taft, was established in 1866.  In 1869 the paper was renamed the Republican and a new press was purchased.  In 1869 the paper was sold to J. N. Weaver who in turn sold back to Taft in 1872.  During Mr. Taft's absence in the East, A. M. Adams edited the paper followed by Frederick H. Taft.  The paper was now known as the Humboldt Kosmos.  In 1874, F. H. Taft, then 17 years old, became editor and manager, and he continued in this capacity until 1882 when the paper was sold in turn to Bissell and Kenyon and to J. B. Swinborne.  April 1, 1893, the paper was sold to Frank Jaqua, owner and editor of the Republican and was incorporated with that paper under the name of the Humboldt County Republican.

The Humboldt County Independent was established at Dakota City, 1860, its equipment of a few cases of type and an old Washington iron hand press was brought from Fort Dodge by an ox team.  The paper shortly was discontinued, but revived again in 1863, and in 1874, passed into the hand of A. M. Adams, who edited the paper until his death at which time the late A. E. Minion became owner and editor.  This paper, in 1929, was sold to the Jaqua interests of the Humboldt Republican who still publish the paper under the same name each week on Saturday and the Humboldt Republican on Thursday.

Editor Frank Jaqua was the dean of all Humboldt County editors, having published the Humboldt Republican for fifty five years.  He was also the most noted and one of the State's ablest editorial writers, and upon his death, the newspaper of the State editorialized upon the loss of one so gifted in the art of journalism.  The two sons, Lawrence, as editor, and Franklin, as business manager, and Franklin's son, John, as a partner, carry on the publications of the Republican and Independent in the same efficient manner as their famous Father and Grandfather.

John Hopkins, in the early 1900's came from Bradgate and published the Herald Democrat for several years.  John was an able editor of the old school, and his sharp and spicy comments on politics and the State of the Union drew many a laugh.