Staying a Century

As the "Sun-Herald" began its 100th year of service to the folks of Charlotte County, it re-dedicated a promise made by the first publisher.

Robert Kirby Seward "kicked off" the "Punta Gorda Herald" on Feb. 17, 1893. Its masthead slogan was, "In God We Trust -- All Others Cash." The paper's first editorial declared: "We do not know with what favor the "Herald" will be met by the people of Punta Gorda, for we are informed that the newspaper business heretofore has been a failure. But we have an abundance of pluck and energy, and so long as our ammunition holds out we propose to stay in the field."

Kicking off a newspaper had literal meaning in those days because Seward's little printing press was foot-operated. It produced two pages half the size of those in today's newspapers. Type was set by hand, one letter at a time. A week's work was eight pages of type on two sheets of paper. The paper sold for five cents a copy, or a year's subscription for one dollar.

The " Herald" said it was "born in an Office on Marion Street," but its printing shop was next door to Hart's ship chandlery on the southeast corner of Cross Street and Retta Esplanade. The publishing statement read simply: "By Seward and Proctor." We know only Proctor's initials, G.W. He may have been the editor, a partner in the printing business or a financial backer. The only signed article by him in that first edition was a front-page romantic poem. Whatever the relationship of Seward and Proctor, by May 1895 Seward is listed as "Editor and Proprietor."

The "Herald" devoted its front page to a promotion of the booming community. The lead-off story --- headlined "A MAGICAL-GROWTH" -- was signed by the initials A.T.H. The writer was Dr. Alfred T. Holleyman, a northern sportsman, who had platted the town of Cleveland the year Col. Isaac Trabue laid out Punta Gorda. Holleyman dabbled in real estate at both towns and supported the "Herald" for what it promised. He pointed out that seven years earlier "a single cabin stood upon the ground now the thriving town of Punta Gorda. The town was a hundred miles from any railroads, and the whistle of a steamer was almost unknown upon the waters. Now the silence is broken by the sound of l,500 voices, the rush and roar of the railroad train, the whistle of steamers and all those other sounds that tell of life, enterprise and progress."

In the previous year, said Holleyman, 76,000 tons of phosphate was shipped from the Punta Gorda railroad terminal. Five fisheries gave occupation to hundreds of employees, an ice factory was turning out 25 tons daily, 13 mercantile establishments were busy, and three cigar factories were in operation. There was one bank, two markets and two saloons -- "all prospering."

Prospects Bright

The writer emphasized that there were two drugstores in Punta Gorda -- the Gulf Pharmacy operated by Dr. W.H. Burland, and the Punta Gorda Drug Co. by Dr. A.T. Holleyman. The Hotel Punta Gorda, built at a cost of $65,000, accommodated 400 guests and was considered the most luxurious south of Jacksonville. In addition, there were the smaller Southland, Georgia and Pioneer hotels furnishing "homelike comforts." "Within sight of this place are the towns of Charlotte Harbor and Cleveland, each with first class hotel accommodations," reported Holleyman. The Cleveland Hotel, not so incidentally, was owned by Holleyman. As it now stands," boasted the "Herald," the city's prospects are as bright and certain as the revolution of the earth."

News of the day was gleaned from local gossip and complimentary copies of other newspapers which were mutually exchanged. Biggest story of the week was word from Congressman Mallory that his bill to designate Punta Gorda a "sub-port of entry" had ben approved. The sum of $35,000 was appropriated to dredge a channel to the city docks.

Considerable excitement was raised over a shooting affray which occurred at a disreputable place known as the "lobby." Participants in the fracas were "some young men from Arcadia who had been `seeing the town' and two well known young men of Punta Gorda."

"The affair began by the Arcadia boys shooting at a colored man. The two Punta Gorda boys rose up in defense of the negro and resulted in a general fight in which many shots were fired. A young man from Arcadia was slightly injured. The pugilists were fined $15."

Right Rev. William C. Gray, Episcopal bishop for South Florida, was in town conferring with members of St. James Church about erecting a sanctuary in the near future. Said the paper, "This will make six churches for Punta Gorda, including the colored denominations."

In out of-town news, the "Herald" reported: "Hawaii, one of the Sandwich islands, wants to be annexed to the United States. The population of this island consists of a motley throng representing most every nation on earth. It is principally the American population who wish to be annexed. They consist of a handful of adventurers, ex-baseball players, etc., who have been posing as government officials under the recently dethroned queen. The U.S. would derive very little benefit from the annexation."

Advertisers in that first edition included:

"D. Hart --- Ship Chandler And Dealer in Staple and Fancy Groceries, Hardware, Crockery, Dry Goods, Clothing, Hats, Shoes, etc."

The Pastime Saloon advised the public that it dealt in "Fine Whiskies, Wines, Beer and Ale. The Best And Nothing But The Best. Pool Rooms Upstairs."

Cheap Pete's, the Poor Man's Store, announced, "A nice lot of cakes, crackers and confectioneries has just arrived."

The Punta Gorda Livery Stable stated it ran "a daily hack line to and from Ft. Myers, at night if wanted."

Capt. W.F. McMillen, owner of the sloop "Flossie" wanted it known that he provided a "ferry boat" (shared charter) for tarpon fishing and sailing parties.

Seward began his career in 1891 as a teenage printer for John Marsh, publisher of the Fort Meade "Leader." Marsh launched the weekly "Beacon" at Charlotte Harbor Town to serve it and Punta Gorda. The editor was R.S. Hanna. Equipment consisted of a single-sheet hand press and several trays of type. The paper folded within a year when Editor Hanna quit because his pay was so far in arrears.

Seward then traveled as a "tramp printer" -- working for newspapers at Orlando; Anderson, Ala.; Atlanta, Ga.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Wheeling, W.Va.; and Jacksonville.

When the "Beacon" ceased, a printer named Young G. Lee started a weekly newspaper at Charlotte Harbor called the "South Florida Home." However, it published only a few issues. John Cross, who had platted Grove City on Lemon Bay, published a few editions of "The Sub-Tropic."

Thus, the field was open when Seward returned to Punta Gorda to found the "Herald" and marry Laura Wotitzky, daughter of Jacob, the city's first merchant.

Punta Gorda's first, great fire occurred in November 1895 and destroyed the "Herald" building. It was publication day for the newspaper. Seward had just handed his compositor the last batch of copy. Noticing the air was laden with smoke, Seward looked out a window and saw flames coming from the upper, rear windows of Gus Hart's general store just an alley width away.

Seward rushed over to tell Hart his store was on fire and had difficulty convincing Gus he was telling the truth. Strenuous efforts to control the blaze were unavailing. It spread to destroy the building in which it started and several adjoining structures, including the "Herald." Two employees of the newspaper were able to remove only a few cases of type and a small cabinet. The press could not be rescued because of its weight.

The young publisher was discouraged. For a time he contemplated giving up. Seward was dissuaded by his brother-in-law, James Sandlin, and other business men. He obtained credit from friends in Atlanta for the purchase of a new press and type.

Resumed Publication

W.G. Welles, a friend at Arcadia, also extended credit for materials to erect a new frame building on the site of the burned one. The house was unique in that its corners were beveled, giving it an octagonal shape. The office and printing shop occupied the ground floor. Seward resumed publication within a few months. He and Laura lived upstairs until their deaths many years later. The building was torn down about 1965.

Seward, called Kirby by those who knew him, recalled the fire on the occasion of the "Herald's" 50th anniversary: "The business people recognized the value and importance of a newspaper in the life of the community. They supported it with advertising and job-printing business. They backed my efforts whole heartedly."

Seward took pride that thereafter the newspaper never missed publication. He acknowledged that there were the "usual" minor mishaps, mechanical troubles and threats that came to publishers.

There were occasional outbursts reminiscent of the old west, said Seward. Punta Gorda was a shipping point for cattle to Cuba. A cattle dock was located near today's Fishermens Village. Cow hunters, as they were called, drove their herds down Marion Ave. to the dock. Afterwards, the cattlemen would come to town to spend their money and "shoot things up, all in the spirit of good clean fun."

Seward sold the newspaper in 1901 to Adrian P. Jordan of Thomasville, Ga. Seward opened a dry goods store on Marion Avenue where the Professional Building now stands. In later years he became mayor of Punta Gorda, president of the Chamber of Commerce, and a charter member of the Rotary Club.

Jordan was a dynamic publisher and editor. He borrowed money to construct a two-story brick building still standing on the southeast corner of Marion Ave. and Taylor St. --- though altered to art deco style during the 20s. The "Herald" office and shop occupied the second floor. Various stores from time to time occupied the first floor.

The first few years were difficult for Jordan because he had over-extended himself to buy the newspaper, put up a commercial building and build a home. However, he persevered and kept the paper going through the national financial panic of 1907.

Unfortunately the ponderous printing machinery on the second floor threatened to collapse the building. Therefore, Jordan moved the printing press to a first floor addition on the rear. The telephone exchange moved into the space vacated by the printing press.

Finally, in 1913, Jordan constructed a large brick building expressly for the "Herald" at the northeast corner of Taylor St. and Herald Court. The building is occupied today by an editorial, subscription and classified advertising office of the "Sun-Herald."

Jordan was active in politics and threw his paper into the campaigns, making the "Herald's" influence felt in statewide elections. He played a considerable part in making a fellow Punta Gordan, Albert W. Gilchrist, governor of Florida. Gilchrist, in appreciation, appointed Jordan state food and drugs inspector, a position the latter held for six years.

Jordan's political stands, and his fearless exposure of crime, brought threats to his life. An attempted assassination failed.

By now, the "Herald" had grown to the point it was difficult for one man to manage. Consequently Jordan in 1919 sold a half interest in the paper to Paul Garrett. The two men formed a corporation with Jordan publisher. Garrett was editor and general manager. Garrett continued in this capacity until his death in 1936. Adrian Jordan's son, Adrian Crenshaw Jordan, took over ownership of the "Herald" upon the death of his father in April of 1928. Garrett edited the "Herald" during Florida's "great land boom" of 1924-28 --- exciting times for developers, speculators and investors. The boom made millionaires overnight, and broke them just as fast. The "Herald" reported the frenzy to eager readers. A good example is the banner story of Christmas Day 1927. The headline in big capitals shouted: "BIGGEST PROJECT YET ANNOUNCED."

The project was the Pasa Bonita Development west of the Punta Gorda sand flats. It was announced by the Ruff Realty Company of Tampa with a capital of $10 million. According to the news story, the development would include a "unique feature" -- a canal 300 feet wide and 20 feet deep running through the entire length of the property.

"It is, of course, known here," said the "Herald," "that the land on the point is low and marshy. However, the promoters say that considering its immense value as a development tract they will spare no effort or capital to clear it and fill in so that the entire level of the property, totalling some 900 acres, will be raised five feet, making it practically as high as the city."

Pasa Bonita fell victim to the Great Depression, as did thousands of other ambitious developments throughout Florida. The marshy point of land was developed much later as Punta Gorda Isles with 55 miles of smaller canals.

Succession of Publishers

A.C. Jordan sold the paper in 1951 to the first of a succession of publishers that included the "Fort Myers News-Press," "St. Petersburg Times, and Thomson Newspapers chain. A weekly free-circulation "Charlotte Sun" was established in 1979 by Derek Dunn-Rankin, president of Sun Coast Media. This paper expanded to twice weekly, thrice weekly and finally to daily. The "Sun" and Herald merged under Dunn-Rankin's leadership on Jan. l, 1979. In preparation to going to a morning daily, the publisher built a modern newspaper plant on Harborview Road at Charlotte Harbor Town. A giant, Goss Urbanite newspaper press and associated equipment was installed. It can spew out 30,000 hundred-page papers an hour.

Today, the "Charlotte Sun-Herald" has the largest circulation in the county because its staff of 200 journalists, salesmen and printers make good on Kirby Seward's vow to stay the course with a community- oriented newspaper.

Author: Lindsey Williams