01/01/2026
Clippings from our past
Editor’s Note: Due to gaps in the archive, the Sun is moving forward from 1881 to 1890 this week, with plans to continue into 1892. By this time, the Sun had grown to an average of eight pages. These two years were significant in Kentucky’s history. The Constitutional Convention of 1890-1891, which enacted the constitution that remains intact today with numerous amendments since, began meeting in September 1890, and was presided over by the great abolitionist, Ambassador Cassius M. Clay of Madison County.
The Woodford Sun
Jan. 1, 1891
[Headline: The new Woodford Sun building]: Editor’s Note: This is the article reporting on the details of the Sun’s “new building,” which opened in early December 1890 and has been the home of the Sun ever since. Accompanying this is a “woodcut” of the exterior of the building. We do not know when the original top, flying the flag, was changed. The top quarter of this story is missing from the archival digital copy. We hope to locate the complete page in the University of Kentucky archives. So, here is the story verbatim from the archive: . . what may justly be called the handsomest newspaper office in Kentucky, and certainly one of the handsomest business buildings in Versailles. The building is 88 feet front. The lower floor is divided into two storerooms, one of them occupied by A.J. Kimmey, the Merchant Tailor, and the other by Schoberth & Edwards, as a green grocer and meat store. Those are beautiful rooms, with high ceilings, ample light and ventilation, plastered and prettily finished by cherry. The design of the front is very handsome, and is not properly shown by the cut which illustrates this article. The cut is a miserable one, giving the building a squatty appearance which it does not have, and no proper idea of the structure can be gained from it. We only use it because a there was not time to order another. The upstairs is occupied principally by the Woodford Sun offices, but there are several offices to rent, two of which will be occupied by Dr. J.L. Harris, the popular dentist. The newspaper offices are lighted and arranged with an especial view to the requirements of the Sun, and the prompt transaction of its business. Nothing has been omitted that could contribute to comfort, convenience, or the saving of time, and as the senior editor, who planned them, has had nearly ten years experience in this country newspaper business, he thinks he has them about right.
The equipment of the printing office is nearly all new, much of it having been purchased in the last few years, and few country offices have as large and as modern a plant. The presses are a Campbell Cylinder of the very latest improved pattern, and a new style Gordon Johber. The assortment of job, body, and advertising display type, is new and very ample and is constantly added to, as is also the stock of brass rule, handsome borders, and everything that is necessary to the highest class of work. But we will not go into a detailed description. Paper cutters, imposing stones, type cabinets, etc., are matters not especially interesting to the general public, and we spare our readers.
Our job department is our special pet and pride, and our facilities for turning out the handsomest class of work are as good as can be found in Central Kentucky. We meet city prices, and turn out anything from a visiting card to a newspaper.
The rapid increase in the circulation of the Sun has been a matter of pride and gratification to the editors. We have tried to give the people of Woodford a newspaper of pure and healthful tone, and sound Democratic principals, that would come as nearly as possible to meeting the wants of all classes, one that would give all the news in fresh and readable shape, one that would be interested in every enterprise that was for the public good, one that would lead the van in public improvements, and in everything that promotes the welfare of town and county, and last, but not least, one that could be welcomed to every family circle. While we have not attained to our ideal in this respect, we feel that we are making good progress in that direction, and the strong and rapid growth of our subscription list, evidence that the public appreciate our efforts. We are now printing the largest weekly in Kentucky, an eight-page paper with seven columns to the page, making 56 columns! It’s clear type and handsome typographical appearance are not the least among its attractions. Every issue contains all the news of Woodford County, in crisp and attentive shape, a summary of the most important events everywhere political matter, agricultural news, markets reports, Talmage’s sermons, choice miscellany, humor, sparkling short stories, etc. In what direction will $1.50 [a year] further go?
Not only in circulation is the Sun in the front, but it has, we think, the largest advertising patronage of any newspaper in the Bluegrass Region. This arises from two causes. First, the Sun not only has the circulation but is a newspaper that is carefully read, which is quite as important, and those are two things the advertiser most desires. Second, the beautiful typographical appearance of the paper, the handsome type used in advertisements and the care taken in displaying them effectively, are a powerful factor in making the people read them, and the Sun’s advertisers know and appreciate this.
On Dec. 29, 1890, Atchison A. Bowmar admitted his brother Daniel M. Bowmar as a partner in the Woodford Sun, and the firm will hereafter be titled “Bowmar Brothers,” which involves no change in the management of the paper.
[Headline: Early Days of Woodford]: In looking through the oldest records of the Woodford County Court we find that the meeting of the justices to organize the county of Woodford, then in the district of Kentucky in the state of Virginia, was held at the house of Caleb Wallace on May 5, 1789 – thus Woodford is nearing her 102nd birthday. There were present eleven gentlemen, who held commissions from Lt. Governor of Virginia Thomas Wood, appointing them justices of the peace. They were: Thomas Marshall, John Craig, Richard Young, John Watkins, William Cave, George Blackburn, John Finney, John Fowler, and William Trotter. Richard Young was appointed county sheriff and Bartlett Collins and Richard Fox were appointed deputies. Cave Johnson was appointed Clerk of the County Court, and Thomas Marshall as county surveyor. The first will was recorded on July 7, 1789, and was of Peter January. He gave two sheep to his wife and recommends her to the liberality of his two sons to whom he gave his land. The first deed was recorded on May 14, 1789, in which Bartlett Searcy conveyed 101 acres to Richard Searcy on McCracken’s road. The price was 100 pounds in Virginia currency. The first marriage was recorded on May 15, 1789, between John Major and Judith Trabue which was performed by the Rev. John Taylor.
[Headline: Mortonsville]: Born on Dec. 18, to the wife of F.J. Smither, a boy named “Kerfott”.
[Headline: Convention Report]: The committee on the Legislative Department submitted a lengthy report. It is more than twice the length of the article in the old constitution with a large portion devoted to prohibitive clauses the aim of which is to restrict local legislation by the General Assembly. The consideration of this report is expected to take up to six-weeks.
