Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: A History of Two Rival Newspapers
The story of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is a reflection of the growth, political strife, and industrial evolution of Wisconsin. What began as a fierce rivalry between two distinct publications—the Milwaukee Sentinel and the Milwaukee Journal—eventually culminated in a merger that created one of the state's most influential media voices.
The Origins of the Milwaukee Sentinel
Founded on June 27, 1837, the Milwaukee Sentinel was born out of conflict. During the city's "bridge wars," a period of intense competition for dominance between the east and west sides of town, the Milwaukee Advertiser published disparaging remarks about the east side. In response, co-founder Solomon Juneau provided the funding for John O'Rourke to establish the Sentinel.
The paper's early years were marked by financial instability and partisan volatility. Under the influence of Democratic politician James Duane Doty and later the Whig party, the Sentinel became a central player in territorial politics. By December 9, 1844, the paper transitioned into a daily publication, helping it establish itself as a major political force in the nascent state of Wisconsin.
Notable figures passed through the Sentinel's editorial offices, including Jason Downer, a future Wisconsin Supreme Court justice, and Increase A. Lapham, a naturalist who contributed to the founding of the National Weather Service.
Growth, Innovation, and the Civil War
Under the leadership of editor Rufus King, a West Point graduate and descendant of a U.S. Constitution signer, the Sentinel expanded its influence. King not only managed the paper but also served as the first superintendent of Milwaukee public schools and a delegate to Wisconsin's second constitutional convention.
The American Civil War brought both prosperity and operational challenges. The Sentinel's demand grew so high that it sometimes printed five editions in a single day. To combat a shortage of skilled printers, the paper began hiring and training female compositors (typesetters) in 1863, a move that caused friction with the Milwaukee Typographical Union.
This era of frustration with manual typesetting led editor C. Latham Sholes to attempt building a typesetting machine. While that specific project failed, Sholes later invented the modern typewriter after becoming a city comptroller.
Political Battles and the Rise of the Journal
Throughout the late 19th century, the Sentinel remained deeply entwined with the Republican party. However, internal disputes over the defense of unregulated corporations led to the resurrection of the Milwaukee News as the Republican and News in 1880. Eventually, the two merged to become the Republican-Sentinel.
This environment of partisan control led managing editor Lucius W. Nieman to resign after the paper refused to report a Democratic victory in a Republican stronghold. Nieman joined the fledgling Milwaukee Journal, which began as The Daily Journal in 1882. The Journal gained acclaim for its investigative reporting, such as Nieman's exposure of a deadly hotel fire that the Sentinel had defended due to stockholder interests.
The Progressive Era and Corporate Ownership
By the 1890s, the Sentinel began moderating its views to align with the Progressive Era. However, after the paper criticized the utility monopoly run by Charles F. Pfister and Henry C. Payne, Pfister bought the Sentinel outright in 1901 to protect his business interests and expand his conservative influence.
In 1924, the Hearst Corporation acquired a majority stake, eventually merging the Sentinel with the Milwaukee Telegram. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Journal expanded into broadcasting, launching WTMJ radio in 1927 and WTMJ-TV in 1947, the first television station in Wisconsin.
The Merger and the Modern Era
By 1995, the economic landscape of print media had shifted. Facing rising newsprint costs and declining circulation for the Journal, Journal Communications merged the two rivals. The final separate issues were published on March 31 and April 1, 1995, with the first combined Milwaukee Journal Sentinel debuting on April 2, 1995.
In April 2016, the era of local ownership ended when the Gannett Company acquired Journal Media Group for $280 million. The publication was integrated into the "USA Today Network Wisconsin," aligning its layout and digital strategy with Gannett's national standards.
Key Facts
- Founded: The Sentinel began in 1837; the Journal began in 1882.
- Innovation: Former Sentinel editor C. Latham Sholes invented the modern typewriter.
- Broadcasting: WTMJ-TV, launched by the Journal, was Wisconsin's first television station.
- Merger: The two papers merged on April 2, 1995.
- Acquisition: Gannett Company purchased the publication in 2016 for $280 million.
| Feature | Milwaukee Sentinel | Milwaukee Journal |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | June 27, 1837 | 1882 |
| Early Political Leanings | Whig / Republican | Investigative / Independent |
| Key Contribution | First daily paper in territory | First TV station in Wisconsin |
| Final Independent Issue | April 1, 1995 | March 31, 1995 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the Milwaukee Sentinel founded?
It was founded in 1837 to counter disparaging statements made about the east side of Milwaukee by the Milwaukee Advertiser during the city's "bridge wars."
Who invented the typewriter in connection with the paper?
C. Latham Sholes, an editor for the Sentinel, invented the modern typewriter after failing to create a typesetting machine to solve the paper's skilled labor shortage during the Civil War.
When did the two newspapers merge?
The Milwaukee Sentinel and the Milwaukee Journal merged to become the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on April 2, 1995.
Who currently owns the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel?
The publication is owned by the Gannett Company, which acquired it in 2016 and integrated it into the USA Today Network Wisconsin.
What was the significance of WTMJ-TV?
Launched by the Milwaukee Journal in 1947, WTMJ-TV was the first television station to go on the air in the state of Wisconsin.