The Hopkins Historical Society was established in 1998, beginning with the donation by Russell and Anna Cross of the building that housed the Hopkins Journal, a weekly newspaper published for over 100 years. The Journal was first published in 1875 by owner and editor James M. Pierce who owned it for 2 years. From 1877-94 six different editors tried their hand at publishing. William Lincoln Moorhead, the “Deacon” as he was known, became editor and publisher in November 1893 until his death in 1939. His daughter, Helen Moorhead Wright and her husband Joe became editors and publishers for 19 years. Russell was a foster child of the Moorheads and worked in the Journal office as a young boy, until eventually he and his wife Anna bought the business in 1958. From 1893 until the Journal was sold in 1977, it was continuously run by family, ending with Russell and Anna in 1977.
The printing equipment used by the Journal was donated with the building and is still housed in the Museum. From it’s founding in 1875 until 1909, The Journal was printed on a completely hand-operated, one-page Washington printing press. In 1909 a Country Campbell printing press, powered by a gas engine, later replaced by an electric motor was used until 1953. At that time a Babcock 10 Optimus was purchased from the Wright’s from the defunct Maryville Tribune. The Babcock, known as “Big Bertha,” came with a “folder.” From 1875 until 1909, every page of The Journal was folded by hand; but with the addition of the Dexter folder, which operated off the same drive shaft of the Country Campbell, made the weekly folding job much faster. From being folded by hand to turning out 1,000 to 1,200 quarter-fold copies an hour was a huge improvement. However, the Dexter had a few quirks, and the Deacon and later on Joe Wright were known to use foul language to help it along. During these times, Lawrence Sargent, longtime pressman and strong Christian, was warned to cover his ears. Most of the printing equipment used by Russell and Anna for the Journal and their printing business later on are still on display in the museum for viewers to enjoy.
The massive, yet delicate, spring activated hot metal (525 degrees) linecasting machine on display is a Linotype Model No. 5, manufactured about 1910, was rebuilt and purchased by Deacon Moorhead for the Journal in 1927 and was used for 70 years until it became obsolete. It weighed approximately 2000 lbs and was geared to make six castings per minute, which in newspaper work is about 3 columns per hour. It was rebuilt twice in the Journal shop, in 1950 and 1965.
The Galley Proof Press on display was manufactured by Nolan. It was used to pre-proof linotype and advertising composition before the type is locked on a press for final printing.
The Chandler and Price 12 X 18 Craftsman Platen Printing Press on display was used for commercial printing in the Journal and later in Cross Printing for 45 years. The press was purchased from the defunct Maryville Tribune in the mid 1950’s.
A metal casting on display was originally the bed of a one-page printing press used by the Journal. It was replaced by the Country Campbell in 1909 and thereafter used as a makeup table.
There are several other antiques such as a hole punch, ad plates, pig molds and a table top cabinet with many drawers of letters in different styles and sizes to put together an article one letter at a time.
Last but not least, a wall in the front room of the museum was dedicated by Russell and Anna Cross to “The Way It Was.” This wall holds the last 8 pages of the Journal printed letterpress with columns of print and ads. Also on the wall are several “tools of the trade” for viewing.
The Hopkins Historical Society is located on the East side of the North/South Main street of Hopkins and is open from the first Tuesday in May to the last Tuesday in October from 1 pm to 3 pm or by appointment. The museum has many items of Hopkins history besides these mentioned above. Visitors are always welcome!
Credit to Co-Publishers, Russell and Anna Cross, Hopkins Centennial and A Time Capsule of Hopkins History
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