New Jerusalem Journal - 350 W Hyde Street

New Jerusalem's first newspaper, the Journal was established in 1806 by Aaron Crane, its first editor and publisher. It began daily publication in 1894; before then it was a fat weekly. It is still owned by the Crane family; Michael Crane, 62 years old, is managing editor, though he does little more these days than read the mail and curse his rival publisher, Harvey Gedney.
The Journal is published at 3 a.m. six mornings a week; Sunday papers are run Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. and distributed that evening. Though it has happened seven times since 1900, it takes a big event for a Journal special edition.
Issues currently cost 5 cents, since it's a bigger paper than the Advertiser, publishing about 20% more text daily than its New Jerusalem rival. Sunday issues cost 10 cents.
Of the two New Jerusalem newspapers, the Journal is the more conservative, featuring town and valley news to the virtual exclusion of international events. It is specially notable for its large number of county correspondents which report family visits and other crossroads events. It has never missed an edition in 122 years of publishing. Crane has been more protective of area businessmen, notables, and old families, and they have rewarded his concern with larger display ads and longer subscriptions.
Stored in the basement is a complete collection of Journals. This collection is priceless, since no other exists.
Beginning in the 1880s, issues were printed on acid-processed paper, and these later years have become more fragile. Access to these archives is grudging.
Journal office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 8 a.m. - noon on Saturday.
Elizabeth Garrison: Mrs. Garrison has worked as a secretary at the Journal for years and is fiercely loyal to Michael Crane and the Crane family. Anyone who wants to see the managing editor has to go through her first, and the steely New England matron and proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution is not easy to get past. As Michael Crane’s active role in running the paper has declined, so too has the amount of work that Mrs. Garrison has to do, though this does not mean she is idle, and she will not permit idleness in others.
Willard Peck: the Journal's chief reporter, 44 years old. Peck's family is of long standing in New Jerusalem, and his connections are excellent. He preserves his contacts by wise discretion, and he knows much more about New Jerusalem than he would ever consider using in published stories. He is not a stooge for wrong-doers; he honestly respects the citizens of New Jerusalem and will protect the least of them from scandal until his duty to the contrary becomes clear.
Peck is often accompanied by his devoted hound dog Able Body, a worthy companion and wise old news hound, who can sniff out a story unlike any other. Able quite literally has a nose for news and can quickly spot an unusual fact, strange tale, or lie.

Parent Location

Northside