The Frostburg Gleaner Explained

The Frostburg Gleaner
Type:Weekly newspaper
Founder:Henry Francis Cook
Publisher:Henry Francis Cook
Editor:Henry Francis Cook
Foundation:1899
Ceased Publication:1901
Headquarters:Frostburg, Maryland, U.S.
Oclc:22171127

The Frostburg Gleaner was a weekly newspaper that was published from 1899 to 1901 in Frostburg, Maryland, U.S.[1] It was founded by Henry Francis Cook, who acted as editor and publisher for the paper's short existence.[2] Cook had previously established The Frostburg Forum and The Frostburg News in 1897, and had also published the Friendsville Collaborator in nearby Friendsville, Maryland.[3] [4] After leaving the Forum shortly after its inception, Cook worked as a job printer until he started the Gleaner.[5]

Cook supported the prohibition of alcohol, and this was reflected in the Gleaner's banner, which read, "An Independent Prohibition Weekly."[6] A recurring feature of the paper was its "Gleanings" section, which collected "items of interest culled from various sources for the delectation of friends of the cause,"[7] which were typically articles warning of the evils of alcohol consumption and promoting the activities of local prohibition groups. In 1900, Cook appears to have written to a technical journal for printers called The Inland Printer, which offered criticism and advice to newspaper owners by request. The Inland Printer told Cook, "There is nothing to criticise about your paper. It is a newsy little weekly, nicely printed."[8] However, the paper's quality was not enough to keep the Gleaner afloat; its narrow focus on prohibition did not prove financially successful, and Cook closed the paper in 1901.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: About The Frostburg gleaner.. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Library of Congress. 18 February 2019.
  2. Book: History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania: With Genealogical and Personal History. Blackburn. E. Howard. Welfley. William Henry. Koontz. William H.. Walworth. 1906. 465.
  3. Web site: About The Frostburg news.. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Library of Congress. 18 February 2019.
  4. Web site: About The Frostburg forum.. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Library of Congress. 18 February 2019.
  5. Book: Ayer Directory of Publications, Part 1. Ayer Press. 1901. Philadelphia. 349.
  6. News: The Frostburg Gleaner. 1 August 1901. 18 February 2019. 2.
  7. News: Gleanings: From the Prohibition Corner of the Political Field.. 8 August 1901. The Frostburg Gleaner. 18 February 2019. 2.
  8. News: Newspaper Gossip and Comment. Byxbee. O. F.. October 1899 – March 1900. The Inland Printer. 18 February 2019. Chicago, Illinois. XXIV. 872.