A century of community progress and pride

It is humbling to study the early years of the Southeast Missourian and the Naeter family, who not only persevered in their dream to build a great newspaper, but prevailed thanks to hard work, visionary leadership and enlightened skills. They, like my father Gary W. Rust, who later picked up the mantle of newspaper excellence in this area, are a uniquely American story.

Two brothers with newspaper experience but no money take a random trip on a riverboat in 1904 -- scraping together what money they have to buy the tickets -- disembark in Cape Girardeau and quickly fall in love with the town. Without capital, though, they leave their dream behind until representatives from the burgeoning river community track them down in St. Louis and convince them to gather funds from friends and family and put all at risk to buy a bankrupt newspaper. What they launch becomes one of the most renowned papers in the country.

Decades later, that newspaper, after falling into neglect under ownership of an international conglomerate, returns to local control under a dynamic and principled entrepreneur, Gary W. Rust, who had labored for years with little money but much heart to attain his own dream. Joining passion with heritage, the Southeast Missourian quickly rises again to national prominence.

This week we are culminating a year-long celebration of the Missourian's first 100 years. And what an amazing century it has been!

To borrow from the Southeast Missourian's archives, "Back in 1904 there were few telephones in town. Comparatively few houses had running water. There were no sanitary sewers, and outside toilets were the rule. Public transportation was by horse-drawn trolley cars. There were only a few automobiles, and in consequence no paved streets as we know them today. The movies, even in their initial form, had not made their appearance, and broadcasting was unheard of. The post office was small, and its annual receipts amounted to only $12,000. It cost only $16,500 to run the official city. Firemen worked on a voluntary basis, and four police officers looked after things. There were twice as many saloons as there were churches."

How different the world is today from those humble beginnings. Which begs the question: Why did this area grow?

To answer that question, the Naeter family consistently pointed to Louis Houck and his trains, the development of the college and individual business leaders who worked tirelessly for progress. But just as consistently, others pointed to the Naeters and to their newspaper, a credit which they addressed in an editorial on the 50th anniversary of this paper.

"The question has been asked frequently as to whether a town builds a newspaper or whether a newspaper builds a town," wrote the brothers. "The Missourian's views in this respect have been given before, but on this occasion they bear repeating:

"A newspaper can't build a town; it can't make a good one out of a bad one; it can't make a town grow.

"It can't bring factories; it can't make good schools; it can't rebuild churches and enlarge congregations.

"It can't defeat bad candidates for office, and it can't elect good ones, at least not very often.

"It can't compel law enforcement or honesty in the conduct of public affairs.

"But a newspaper can encourage people. A newspaper can be the eyes and the voice of the community. It can watch the trend of affairs; it can note the important things that other communities are doing; it can keep the people informed in all things.

"A newspaper can point the way; it can show how things can be accomplished; it can encourage people to go forward; it can create a wholesome atmosphere in which people can realize the beauties and joys of life, and then progress is made."

Today, the Rust family is grateful that we have the privilege to carry forward that vision of community stewardship and newspaper service. Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Scott City and the entire area are poised for dynamic growth, and the Southeast Missourian is eager to play its part. As the newspaper begins a new century, we do so steadfast in our faith about the promise of the community we serve and about the good of the people who live here. May God give us wisdom in this task.

Jon K. Rust is publisher of the Southeast Missourian. His brother Rex Rust is co-president with him of Rust Communications, which owns the Southeast Missourian. Owners of Rust Communications include Penny Rust Terry, Gary Rust II, Holly Rust Payne, Wynn Rust and their father Gary, who is chairman of the board.