“A Competent Set of Carriers To Serve Subscribers”

Posted on by hchm-curator

by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Curator

With the summer months ahead, many young people will be looking for employment.  Newspaper delivery has long been a popular summer or first job.

The Evening Kansan Republican employed “a competent set of carriers”   to deliver the newspaper each day.

Evening Kansan Republican, 9 May 1908, p.2.

Evening Kansan Republican, 9 May 1908.

Carriers were expected to place the newspaper in the box provided by the subscriber.  Prompt delivery was also expected.

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Evening Kansan Republican employees, photo in the Western Journal of Commerce, Newton, Ks 1901, p.16. Carriers in the front.

In March 1916, Mrs. H.L. Hart, chairman of the Civics Committee, noted that after visiting with several home owners about “beautifying the lawns” that many were “discouraged in their efforts because of school children, the delivery boys and newspaper carriers making paths in the grass by walking across the grass.” She noted that she had talked to officials and “offenders” and hopefully the problem could be resolved.

kansancarriers

Carriers for the Evening Kansan Republican, September 14, 1935. (Top lt-rt): Delbert Ryun, Gilbert Miller (Walton), Ralph Coleman, Norman Johnson, Jewell MConnell, Floyd Walters, Rufus Baehr, John Nunemaker (Hesston), Otis Hall (Moundridge), Jack Whitlock. (Middle): Austin Wiebe, Norman Kackley, Eurene Maschoff, Lloyd Phillips, Lester Davis, Alvan Huston, William Gay, Kenneth Bellatti, Leonard Schroeder. (Bottom): Earl Becker (Halstead), Eldon Clark, Eugene Walton (Sedgwick), thomas Parks, Glenn Shoults, Webster T. Bolin – Circulation Mgr., Marvin Epp – Rural Circulation, Roger Regier, Ervin Zielke, Edward Gilchrist.

Recently, a carrier’s bag was donated to HCHM.  The canvas over the head bag was used to deliver the Newton Kansan in the 1960s by Gordon Hall.

Canvas Newspaper Bag, ca. 1960s. HCHM 2013.2

Canvas Newspaper Bag, ca. 1960s. HCHM 2013.2

 

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baginterior

Paper boys met before route to fold the newspapers and place in bag.

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What memories do you have of summer jobs?

Sources:

  • Evening Kansan Republican 9 May 1908, 7 March 1916
  • Western Journal of  Commerce, 1901.
  • HCHM 2013.2 Accession Record Notes: Gordon Hall