562 Chronicles of the Cape Fear Rwer

lina. It has devoted its energies for the most part since that
time to the educational and moral advancement of the com-
munity, to advocacy of a commission form of government, en-
forcement of law, and the general upbuilding of the community.
In 1914, its business having outgrown its former quarters, an
eligible site was purchased from the Murchison estate, and
the paper has moved into a home of its own oh Chestnut Street,
overlooking the United States post-office grounds and in close
proximity to the business district of the city. With the removal

into its new home, a modern perfecting, stereotyping press
has been added to its equipment and other improvements have

been made.

Financially, the paper has prospered and was never upon a
sounder basis. The outlook for the future is all that could be
desired, and coming years are expected to justify fully the
faith that has inspired the present owners.

The Wilmington Messenger, which was founded by Julius
A. Bonitz, was removed to Wilmington from Goldsboro in
May, 1887, at the solicitation of a number of Wilmington’s
most influential business men, and the first issue was printed
June 29 of the same year in the old Journal Building on Prin-
cess Street. Mr. Bonitz was induced to move to Wilmington
after his plant had twice been destroyed by fire within a few
years. It was said that he gave Wilmington the most progres-

sive Democratic daily paper of its period. He continued as

owner and editor up to the time of his death, February 7, 1891,
and on April 5 of the same year the plant and good will were
purchased under foreclosure by Messrs. J. W. Jackson and

Benjamin Bell, and the paper was published under the firm
name of Jackson & Bell.

The Messenger was printed without missing a single issue
from Mr. Bonitz’s death until it was taken over by the new

proprietors, and it was continued as an eight-page publication.

The paper under its new. ownership was improved from time
to time, and for many years was one of the best edited and
most influential newspapers in eastern North Carolina. As a
leader in the campaign for white supremacy in 1898, under
the editorship of Dr. T. B. Kingsbury, the Messenger did com-
mendable service and was recognized throughout the State as
a powerful factor in aiding the Democratic party to accomplish
the political reforms of that period.

Dr. Kingsbury was succeeded in the editorial chair by Sam-

Peace Restored 563

uel T. Ashe, another experienced editor, who remained with
the Messenger until its suspension.

The Messenger suspended publication June 5, 1907, after
serving well its day and generation for twenty years. The pro-
prietors discontinued the paper in order to give closer attention
to the job department of the plant, this feature of the business
having greatly increased and having become more profitable
than the newspaper.

The Evening Review was published in Wilmington for sev-
eral years by its founder, editor, and proprietor, the late Joshua
x J ames, a prominent member of one of the old substantial
families of the Cape Fear, noted for its intelligence and re-
finement, its public spirit and unselfish devotion to the best
interests of our people. Mr. James was a born journalist, alert
intelligent, with the old-time urbanity which was a family
characteristic. Emerging from the four years’ war, he served
for years on the old Journal staff, and then, without the neces-
Sary means, he bravely undertook a task beset with difficulties
and which at times seemed insurmountable—the establishment
of an evening daily newspaper.

The Review was a clean, dignified newspaper, ably edited.
It had the good will of our community, and the lamented death
of its proprietor cut short the honorable career of one of the
builders of a better Wilmington. It lived from December, 1875
until July, 1898. 7 :

The Evening Dispatch was begun the 10th of J anuary, 1895,
Upon the “commonwealth basis” by four printers with very
slender pecuniary means, who agreed to work without any com-
a until the venture was established upon a paying foun-
se After two months’ struggle one of the four partners
— and the three survivors secured the services of Mr. R. K.

ryan as editor. For two years the paper had a precarious
existence, and dire necessity forced two of the promoters into
oe remunerative employment. The survivor, Mr. R. P.
= nays became the sole proprietor, and now after nine-
years of changing fortune he has established it upon a

und, paying basis, with a competent staff of enterprising men
a his efficient leadership. It has grown from a mere hand-
= of local items to its present respectable dimensions, and
rom its original dingy quarters into a home of its own which
Wee specially designed for larger growth and influence. Re-
cently it has been equipped with modern facilities, and its