Clay County Newspapers

Quite a number of newspaper enterprises have been attempted in Clay County, all of which cannot now be enumerated.

"The Far West" I founded in 1836, was edited by Peter H. Burnett, afterward Governor of California.

"The Western Journal", founded in 1841, was edited by Leader & Ridenbaugh.

"The Liberty Banner", founded in 1843, was edited by Henry L. Routt and T. W. W. DeCourcey, both lawyers, the former being the noted political "War Horse".

"The Western Pioneer", founded in 1844, was founded by William Ridenbaugh and edited by Benjamin Hays.

"The Democratic Platform", founded in 1853, was owned by Judge James T. V. Thompson and edited by Robert S. Kelly.

The "Clay County Flag", founded in 1860, was edited by C. Denny Dickerson.

'The Liberty Weekly Union", founded in 1867, was edited by Sallyards & Sons.

"The Clay County Democrat", founded in 1870, was edited by Holloman & Bowman, succeeded by Bowman H. Simons.

All the above named were published in Liberty and had brief existence. At Missouri City,

"The Richfield Monitor", founded in 1855, was edited and published by .James C. Vertrees, afterward judge of the Probate Court of Clay County.

Other papers have been published there by George W. Withers, T. L. P. Holloman an others. At Kearney, "The Sentinel", founded in 1875, had a brief existence.

"The Kearney Clipper" is now being published in Kearney and was a long time published and edited by Capt. J. L. Jennett. The publications in the county now are "The Liberty Tribune, founded by Robert H. Miller in 1846 and edited by him. This paper has changed ownership several times until now it is being edited and published by Irving Gilmer.

"The Liberty Advance" founded February 4, 1875, by George E. Patton, assisted by Thomas H. Frame. This excellent publication was conducted by Patton and Frame for about one year and they were succeeded by Thomas H. Frame in 1876, who in 1886, sold to John B. Munay and C. S. Murray, brothers, who in 1907, were succeeded by Charles F. Ward, who in 1916, were succeeded by C. S. Murray and Charles Storms, the latter selling his interest to H. H. Boggs in 1917. Murray and Boggs ably conducted the paper until November 1st. 1919, when Irving Gilmer became the sole owner.

The other newspapers in Clay County are as follows:

At Excelsior Springs, "The Excelsior Daily Call", the "Excelsior Springs Standard" and "The Christian Union Herald", established by Dr. J. V. B. Flack and now edited by William Hyder.

At Smithville the "Clay County Democrat".

At Holt "The Clay County Rustler."

At North Kansas City, "The Clay County News", founded in 1920. Probably in no county in the state, outside of the large cities, are there more newspapers published, and certainly in no county in the state where better and more ably conducted newspapers can be found. 

Clay County| AHGP Missouri

Source: History of Clay County, Missouri, by W. H. Woodson, Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, 1920.