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Show Thursday, AprU 2, 1981 - Page 10 Continued from Page 2 business and population did not justify two newspapers. A more recenet addition was the "American Fork Weekly News," published by Tom Evans in the 1950's. As is often the case, local residents cannot . recall exactly when the newspaper was founded. A.F. Gaisford, retired "Citizen" publisher, stated he believed the paper was circulated sporadically for two or three years. A former staff member recalls the last issue was printed in January, 1955. But the town's diary and journal that stayed around to record the continuing story was the "Citizen," born on May 24, 1903, American Fork In the News Jakeman and Gray. It is not known if this was published at the same time, or was perhaps a forerunner of the "Citizen," since its original format also included coverage of American Fork, Lehi and Pleasant Grove. Started in 1919, the "American Fork Tribune" was published in competition to the "American Fork Citizen." Editor W.E. discontinued Ellsworth publication after three months, when he found that the city's Books of Local Interest are available at Friday's Learning to Draw on the Powers of Heaven A Soul So Rebellious The Will To Win: The 20 Curl Brinkman Story Discount on ALL Books thru April PRIDAY'S OFFICE SUPPLY 60 West Main AMERICAN FORK, UTAH Easter Sewing Specials Deluxe Featured Lightweight Free Arm Stretch Stitch ZigZag brother Pacesetter 13 different built in SE-30- 0. stitches (no cams!) Automatic button Holes with W.D. Loveless as father-edito- r. Little is known about its early history, because all copies before 1914 were destroyed by fire. According to A.F. Gaisford, the early publication office was at 34 North Merchant street above Boley's store. ' Volume XI, No. 38 of - the "American Fork Citizen," dated Saturday, January 3, 1914, is the first issue on file in the microfilm library at the University of Utah. The front page of the eight-pag- e issue is of makeup, with the title in Bodoni type across the top. The "Lehi Department" and "Pleasant Grove Department" were regular features. S. W. Ross and L.W. Gaisford are listed as publisher in the January 17, 1914 issue for the first time. The address is listed as "opposite tabernacle" and subscriptions were $1.50 per year. A.F. Gaisford recalls ihat his uncle, L.W. Gaisford, also issued ihe paper from an office on the southeast corner of Main and Center streets. During the decade from 1910 to 1920, American Fork's main industry was mining. Mining news and advertisements for mining equipment and brokers are predominant. Of nine items on a 1916 front page, seven were related to mining news. The paper's political news was impartial, with most news being local happenings. The "Lehi Department" was dropped in 1916. In 1919, L.W. Gaisford bought 6ul S.W. Ross's interest. Mining still dominated the news, although in 1923 there. was a push for location of a steel plant on the north end of Utah Lake. In December, 1922, ownership of the paper went to A.F. Gaisford and A.F. Gaisford, Jr. For some reason, the volume number was changed from Volume XX to XI and continued in that sequence. A.F. Gaisford adds that in 1926, he, V.W. Gaisford and E.R. Gaisford became publishers. The paper became a member of the National Editorial Association early in 1929. Mining news declined while farm news grew. The great depression is reflected in the lessening amount of advertising in the 1930's. The face of 'World War II on the home front is mirrored in the news of the early - 1940's war bond drives, local men wounded in battle, rationing, stories about returning servicemen and eulogies to those who would never return. American Fork grew rapidly in the 1940-5- 0 decade, with the arrival of the longed-fo- r steel as a result of war effort. Due much to the paper's continued support of the industry, American Fork was ready to begin housing immediately and soon outgrew the two neighboring towns. In May, 1942, the "Citizen" published a tabloid style industrial and resources edition, and continued to support the steel industry in news editorials. Growth also made it possible for the newspaper to drop the "Pleasant Grove Review" in 1942 and concentrate on American Fork news. . " As the war closed, city celebrations returned. Headlines noted: "Initial Steel Day proves very successful." This change from Poultry Day to Steel Day emphasized another change in the economy - a cycle from mining to agriculture to Nobody seemed to notice that the original Bodoni headline changed to Gothic in 1947, but everybody noticed that the paper changed in publication day to Thursday in 1948. Merchants liked it, for it meant longer weekend semi-industri- shopping. The American Fork Citizen continued to reflect the tone of the under community In-ne-s, Press." Monograming, darning and appliquing Limited Warranty 1938. "American Fork Citizen," Volume XI, No. 38, January 3, 1914, 10 present. University of Utah microfilm and bound copies. Nelson, Lowry, "Some Social and Economic Features of American Fork, Utah," BYU studies. No.4M933. Shelley. George F., Early History of American Fork, 1942, published by Am. Fork City, 1945. Personal Interview A.F. Gaisford, retired editor of "American Fork Cit izen". You just may save yourself some money as well. 25 oa Alier. J. Cecil. "Early Uiah Journalism," Ulan Siaie Historical Socieiy. Sail Lake Ciiy. rami 3 color sewing 7. Sources: It was at this time that the newspaper's printing method was changed from letterpress to offset, which allowed for more versatility in layout and picture use. Innes was always looking for ways to improve the newspaper so From "Spokes. in the Wheel," he purchased a $55,000 offset press, going into partnership to courtesy of David L. Kjar) form AMOR Printing Company, making his firm the first weekly in Utah County and only the second in the state of Utah to go to offset printing. In January 1979, Innes' sold the Twin needle for 2 Sugg, retail $498. Save $200 Sale Ends April 17th the management of A.F. Gaisford, and its shop also did job printing for the community. In 1963, longtime newsman A.F. Gaisford retired, and the operation was purchased by E. Russell editor of "The Lehi Free American Fork Citizen, the Lehi Free Press and the North Utah County Shopper to Western World Newspapers, a newspaper management group that owns a number of newpapers in the western United Stales. Mike Stansfield was the publisher of the new corporation - Newtah, Inc. -and produced the newspapers for 18 months. Stansfield then move on to become publisher of the Iron County Record in Cedar City. Subsequently, Kenneth E. Harvey, former editor, was advanced to publisher. In August, 1980, Newtah acquired the Pleasant Grove Review, purchased from Jack Pace, a P.G. resident long in the printing business. This addition enabled the three papers to effectively serve the entire north Utah County area. In December, 1980, Harvey accepted a teaching position ai,ihe University of New York at Buffalo, and he left the ihree papers in the hands of a new publisher, Brett R. Bezzant. With news from three towns to manage, Randall E." Wright was installed as editor. From the beginning, the editors, of course, printed news. But they were also weaving the fabric of the printed history of the town. The city family can look back on the newspapers as its diary, journal and picture album. Each old copy is a treasury of knowledge, not only in names but in a way of life. That's the story of a town and its newspapers, and the story con--. tinues every week. Years At Farmers, we like to reward folks who take care of them- Lynn's selves. So we offer discounts on auto, life and "home- Small Appliance owners insurance to people who haven't smoked in two 26 S. Main Pleasant Grove years. t. Here are three more things Farmers is doing to stop the 785-400- 8 Authorized Dealer COMPOSING ROOM of the American Fork Citizen in late 1919 shows "hot lead" printing equipment. Perc Gaisford, son of early publisher, was one of plant employees. (Photo courtesy of Belly G. Spencer! rapid rise of insurance costs. So, call me today to see if you qualify for savings and learn about Farmers fast, fair, friendly service. 0 ARNIE CARD0N 768-364- 127 E. 0 State Rd. Lehi ' |