- A third steamer Cape Girardeau was christened 100 years ago (3/26/24)
- Cape Girardeau christens its namesake (3/19/24)
- The humanist philosophy of Lester Mondale (3/12/24)1
- Cape Osteopathic Hospital opens its doors (3/5/24)
- 8 killed and a million dollars damage done in 1924 tornado (2/27/24)1
- Jackson's militant priest, county recorder at odds over marriage licenses (2/20/24)
- Streaking fad comes to Cape (2/13/24)2
100 years of the Southeast Missourian
A milestone for the Southeast Missourian newspaper passed quietly last week.
On March 1, 1918, this newspaper changed its name from The Daily Republican to The Cape Girardeau Southeast Missourian. The change was made as a tribute to the late Harry Naeter, the youngest member of a trio of brothers who resurrected The Republican in 1904. It was Harry's position that the newspaper should be independent of partisan politics. Harry died Feb. 22, 1918, at age 36, a week short of the birth of The Southeast Missourian, a change he had championed.
A front page article in The Missourian on March 1, 1918, announced the new name, as well as this newspaper's membership in the Associated Press.
THE CAPE GIRARDEAU SOUTHEAST MISSOURIAN,
A MEMORIAL TO THE LATE HARRY NAETER.
As a memorial to the late Harry Naeter the name of this paper today changes from The Cape Girardeau Republican to The Cape Girardeau Southeast Missourian.
In carrying out the plans Harry Naeter had uppermost in his mind, The Republican gives up its old name, which denoted political affiliations, partisan acrimony, and prejudice, to take up a new name and a new life with a view of being in a position to do better work for the people of Cape Girardeau and all Southeast Missouri.
Today this newspaper starts a new era with new visions and renewed ambitions. It had been Harry Naeter's desire for several years to get away from the handicap of a partisan paper and a short time ago he urged that the step be taken March 1st. He chose the new name, he suggested the making of the new name plate, which, in design, is different from any other in the state, and he had intended writing this announcement, but the Divine Spirit willed otherwise, and it now devolves upon his successors to carry out the plans.
In the future this paper, The Cape Girardeau (Southeast) Missourian, will not deal in partisan politics, but will stand for all things that seem best for the people of Cape Girardeau and Southeast Missouri. This paper may promote the election of certain men to office, but not for political reasons. This paper will undoubtedly oppose certain men for office in the interest of good government.
The publishers of this paper look back over the past dozen years and marvel at the progress achieved in all material directions. We take a look into the future and see still greater opportunities. The Cape Girardeau Southeast Missourian, being independent and under the influence of no party or class, will be in a better position to do its part and truly represent the greatest town in the greatest State in the Mississippi Valley.
With this view of the future the publishers of The Cape Girardeau Southeast Missourian, with their force of faithful assistants, take up the new spirit and cherishing the memory of Harry Naeter, pledge to do all in their power to make this paper a still greater force for good in order that it may be truly a memorial to one who loved his paper, his town and his country as dearly as his own life.
New Member of the Firm.
The Cape Girardeau Southeast Missourian will continue to be published by Naeter Brothers -- George, Fred and Harry. Although Death has stepped in and taken the junior member, the firm name remains intact.
Harry Naeter Jr., (above) to use the gift of a Divine Providence, who now seems to have been sent to the family as a special gift, enters the firm. He had an unusual struggle for life in his early days, just about such a struggle as this paper had when it started, but he is rapidly gaining and now seems destined to grow just as this paper has grown.
Harry Naeter Jr., takes the place of his father in the firm of Naeter Brothers. With such an inscription, with such a glorious field of endeavor and being unhampered with partisan lines, The Cape Girardeau Southeast Missourian takes up its renewed work with renewed confidence.
With a memory of the Harry Naeter gone and the impulse to build for the Harry Naeter just entering, the management is spurred on to greater efforts in making broader and more useful the heritage left by one Harry Naeter to the other.
A New News Service.
This paper makes more than one change today. It finally has succeeded in securing the Associated Press news service, and today The Cape Girardeau Southeast Missourian becomes a member of the Associated Press, with all its influence and NEWS service.
The Associated Press does not sell its service to all applicants. It is a close corporation. A publisher must first be elected to membership before the service is available. There are not many papers in Missouri getting the Associated Press service because certain strict requirements must be met.
This paper has finally reached the point where it can become an Associated Press member. On the day he died Harry Naeter was formally elected to membership in the corporation to represent the newspaper and today the service began.
The Associated Press is the pioneer news-gathering concern. It stands preeminent in this respect. Its NEWS has an unquestioned value for authenticity. It covers the world and with this service The Cape Girardeau Southeast Missourian is placed among the best newspapers.
First Steps in New Program.
Because of the recent loss sustained by this office, The Southeast Missourian is not able at this time to announce its full program for the future. Besides changing the name and acquiring the Associated Press Service, other things have been determined upon, but they will have to come later. Within the next week another announcement of general interest will appear and just as rapidly as affairs in this office can be reshaped the program agreed upon early this year will be carried out.
The publishers realize that to make The Southeast Missourian a newspaper worthy of the loyal support of all citizens who wish to see this great section grow and improve is no small task and to this end nothing within the means and power of the publishers will be spared.
Cape Girardeau and Southeast Missouri are entitled to the best district newspaper in the State because they deserve it, and The Cape Girardeau (Southeast) Missourian proposes to supply it.
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