The Omaha Sunday Bee
PART TWO
EDITOEIAL
PAGES ONE TO TWELVE
PART TWO
SOCIETY
PAGES ONE TO TWELVE
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VOL XLIt-NO. 49.
Nebraska Women Who Edit Bright Country
Anna SizaS
tNARJ ATfiPfiS
Personal Points and Professional
Characteristics of' the Women
Who Adorn the Journalism of
Nebraska Home-Makers as
Well as Leaders of Thought
By EUNICE HASKTNS.
BBRASKA has a goodly number of
women who have entered the profes
Bional or industrial field, and there
have made good; and many of these
are engaged In the publication of the
bright weekly newspapers that have
gained for the state the name of having the best
"country" press known the world around. These
women are not amateur editors, are not experi
ments, but are established as practical workers in
the field of Journalism, understanding its most dif
ficult phase perfectly, and each week are proving
themselves fitted in every way for the task they
have undertaken. It is something 'of a stunt at
any time to make a good newspaper in any sort of
town, and the smaller the town the more Imperative
the demand that the paper shall be worthy 'the
patronage It must have in order to live. And that
woman Is willing and capable to enter on the com
petition that is so fierco, and sufficiently energetic
and versatile to wrest Buccess in this field is a
tribute Indeed to her genius. That the Nebraska
newspaper women take themselves seriously Is not
to be wondered at, and that they appreciate the
high calling they have chosen is evidenced by the
excellence of the publications they direct The
annual gathering of the Nebraska State Press asso
ciation always finds conditions brightened and pro?
ceedings enlivened by the presence of a splendid
body of women editors, and the meeting in Omaha
next week will not vary from those of recent years
In this regard.
I have been asked by The Bee to write a chapter
on the women who edit and generally manage news
paprs in Nebraska, outside of Omaha, and feel that
the better way to do it is to Introduce the ladles,
one by one, with Just a word of comment as to her
personality and her work. In praising one all are
praised, and as only the best of feeling exists
between them, professionally and personally, I am
jure that what is here said will be' taken in the
ipirit in which it Is written just a brief mention,
collection of intimate fafats, in the credit of which
til share.
Mrs. Mary E. Butler of Lincoln is editor and
publisher of the Nebraska Legal News', the offi
cial organ of the bar and courts of Nebraska. The
leath of her husband led to the work. She makes
Jt-
a comfortable living for her family and maintains
a home. She waB oducatad at a Missouri normal
school. Mrs. Butlor'e paper discusses themes of
court, law, etc. She is fond of musio, books and
society.
Miss Annie L. Miller, who began on the Lincoln
State Journal as Bociety editor in 1898, is known
by reputation if not personally all over'the state
by her page.
Mrs. Lillian M. Krause married an editor, Qeorgo
Krause, and that 1b the reason she la associate ed
itor of the Humboldt Leader. She worked more
or less for thirteen years, actively the last three
years, always in her husband's office, at Fiandreau,
S. D., and at Humboldt. She maintains a home
and takes part In Humboldt society. She likes
caring for chickens and flowora, and doing fancy
work as recreation. Mrs. Krause is a member of
tha-Alpha 8tudy club, of the Presbyterian church,
is worthy matron of the Eastern Star and is inter
ested in other local societies. She 1b a past grand
of the Rebekahs.
Mrs. H. O. Taylor, as Miss Jessie Hart, was mar
ried to H. O. Taylor at Havelock, la., April 22,
1913. Mr. Taylor Is president of the Nebraska
Press association and is owner of the Central City
Nonpareil, of which he was editor until ho went to
Lincoln to assume his duties as state railway com
missioner. Mrs. Taylor learned the printing busi
ness at Havelock, la., on the Item, of which she
had entire charge for a time. Two years ago she
began work on the Central City Nonpareil, resign
ing her position about the first of this year.
Mrs. Elfleda E. Compton was born on a planta
tion in Maryland in 1864. In 1880 her father and
brother established a paper at Waverly, la. She
was a teacher, but helped in the office, and later
at her brother's death Inherited his Interest. In
1886 the plant was sold and In 1887 the family
moved to Scotia, Neb.', where she completed a law
course begun earlier, and was admitted the bar
In 1890, She entered into a law practice with her
father, but took the clerical part. In 1898 they
leased, and afterward bought, the Greeley Citizen.
"She took the management of the Citizen and her
father continued his legal work. In 1901 she was
married to Frank P. Compton, a newspaperman of
Seward county, who became business manager and
his wife senior editor. They work together an-1
Mrs. Compton keeps house. ThlB year they were
able to extend their usuaj four days' vacation to
four weeks, and took a Pacific coast trip from Seat
tle to San Diego, Mrs. Compton and her husband
OMAHA, SUNDAY MORNING, MAY 25,
'fJft.W II II II II II II II II II U I I
novor solicit work, as they do not believe In bo
doing.
Miss Anna Hunt learned the trade In the Reg
ister office at -Aurora, and later remained in
Republican office of the samo town noarly
the
ton
years. For a time, when she did only tho tvno
setting, Miss Hunt was recognized as one of the
best compositors in Nebraska, particularly special
izing in this part of the work. Since Now Year's
she has been managing the Kennard Enterprise and
doing local work, but for one year previously Bho
was the editor and publisher, leasing from an os
tate. She expected to buy tho paper,- but it was
sold for far more than she cared to pay. The pub
lisher of the paper lives at Blair and writes the ed
itorials. Mlsa Hunt believes that one can follow
tho newspaper game to earn a living and at tho
samo time get an education.
Mrs. W. C. Norton for four years has been tho
assistant of her husband, W. C. Norton, In the pub
lication of the Humboldt Standard. Her greatest
hobbies are "cleanliness In the office and neatness
about the work." Sho workB at tho office Boven
or eight hours each diry, and very often puts in a
few extra hours after supper, yet she is able to
maintain a home. . Mrs. Norton is fond of outdoor
life, is a member of the Presbyterian church and
is treasurer of tho Rebekahs. She keeps away from
the office gasoline engine, in which once her dress
and apron wero wound around the whoels.
Miss Florence E. Reynolds Is business man
agor, editor, bookkeeper and local reporter for the
Minden- News, published by the News Publishing
company, in which sho is a stockholder and tho
secretary-treasurer. Miss Reynolds began newB
paper work at the age of 17 In the office ?f t
Harlan County Democrat, then owned by N
LudI, now state printer. She knows all about tho
mechanical work. She knows what It Is, too, to
lescue aaper from a fiery death, for twice while
she had the Axtoll Times leased its office was de
stroyed by fire, the first fire taking the plant also,
1913.
the second fire taking the otfico boforo a now
plant had boeri established. Miss Reynolds has
been with tho Mlndon News five years. Just now
her rights are sufficiently numerous and require
. so much attontion that Bho is not yearning for tllo
ballot, yet sho edits a strong republican paper and
knew Just where sho stood last fall when tho party
divided. Miss Reynolds has a hobby of a gallop
ing, runaway type poetry, yet it i seldom that a
poem appears in the News. Tho walls of her room
fairly bristle with bits of vorse.
Mrs. Charles O. Humphrey is joint owner with
her husband of tho Verdon Vodotto. Sho was
-Miss Ada Abbott of Falls City, daughter of a
pioneer. She bogan teaching school at tho ago of
15, and engaged in newspaper work because sho
married an editor. They have been bo successful
financially that Mrs. Humphrey Is now ablo to In
dulge in women's clubs to hor heart's content, af
filiating at Falls City, her girlhood homo, with
which she still keeps In close touch. She has been
corresponding secretary of the Woman's club at
Falls City tho last two years, and is chairman of
tho present yearbook committee. She is a member
of tho Eastern Star, of the Shakespeare club and
scretary of tho Reavls-Ashley chapter of the
Daughters of the American Revolution, all of Falls
City. Mrs. Humphrey 1b Nebraska state editor for
tho Magazine of Womon's Federated Clubs, and as
a member of the state health committee read a
papor on "Eugenics" at the recent Wooplng Water
convention. Last Thursday sho did office work
until midnight in order to attend a mooting of the
Research club at Stella the noxt afternoon.
Mrs. A. P. Kelly is typical of the editor's wlfo
who is not his assistant In business. Mr. Kelly is
editor of tho North Platto Telegraph. Tho Kollys
have a lovely homo In North Platto, and Mrs. Kelly
aswlfe and the mother of three children is ideal.'
She' is an active worker in the Methodist church,
is much interested in prison work and helps in
every possible way tho poor. She and hor husband
ore so kind and friendly to neighbors that their
automobile is almost used as a conveyance for the
public between their residence district and the busi
ness portion of the city.
Mrs. Cora E. Nevln, who was well known by tho
newspaper fraternity all over Nebraska for many
years owing to her connection with tho Laurel Ad
vocate, says now she is only a housekeeper, al
though It Is said that sho handles a special house
hold column for tho Laurel Advocate.
Mrs. Marie O'Donnell Weekes has love and ro-
SINGLE COPY' FIVE CENTS.
Newspapers
XTrJ.A . T.Kelly, noaTH PiAfre
manco blonded in her experience as owner of thd
Norfolk Press. Aftor graduating from the Weal
Point High school, Bho taught country school and
waa correspondent from her district for two or
threo papors., Hor news letters attractod the atten
tion of the editor of tho West Point Democrat, and
Bho accepted bis offer to tako. a position In his ot
fico. When she decided to go into business for her
self she needed an all-around newspaperman for a
partner, and waa attractod to W. H. Weekes by tho
neat appoaranco of his paper. Tho partnership thus
formed became permanont by their marriage a
year and a half later. Mrs. Weekes trios to mako
tho Press each week carry at least one message that
will bring happiness and betterment to someone.
Mrs. Weokes is said to bo a candidate for the post
office at Norfolk. She has a fino Collection of
china pitchers that sho has been gathering for sev
eral years, and tho writer suggests that tho women
at tho coming press association have a tea party
and shower her with pitchers.
Mrs. Annie Vlo Gatoa is succeeding so well at
editor and manager of tho Blair Tribuna that thl
publisher, W. R. Williams, can afford to resldo at
present in sunny California. She was "brought up"
on newspapor work, her mother having been an
editor, and began about thirty years ago, not con
tinuously, however, until the last fifteen years, fol
lowing the doath of her husband at Stella. He wai
a railroad man, and when agent for the Missouri
Paclfio at Stella she helped him more or less in his
office for seven years. Mrs. Gates makes her home,
with her son, Ray Gates, who is principal of the.
Blair High school. She founded the Baker Brick
bat at Baker, Kan., in 1887. When living at Au
burn one year she received a nice vote for mayor,
.when not even a candidate, and It was, said of her
"the votes wero given because of the brave stand
she took in regard to the rights of men." Mrs.
Gates has misled two pross associations In twelve
years.
Mrs. Mary C. Hitchcock holds, a unique place la
Nebraska newspaperdom, as editor of the Mutual
Insurance Journal at Lincoln, of which she has
had entire charge foreven years. There are only
two publications in the United States entirely do
voted to mutual insurance, and Mrs. Hitchcock's is
the oldost. Her poper is published monthly in:
magazine style, sixteen pages, and Is devoted to,
mutual insurance news, fire prevention and fire
protection work. Her daughter, MIbs Julia, is her
assistant Mrs. Hitchcock has been- editor of t
' (Continued on Page Twelve.)
