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Floresville Chronicle-Journal ceases operations

Floresville Chronicle-Journal ceases operations
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April 15, 2008
11 comments

FLORESVILLE -- A chapter in Wilson County history ended April 11 when the Floresville Chronicle-Journal ceased production after 131 years.

Operating under several different owners in recent years, the current owners said, “It is not financially feasible to keep the doors open” at this time.

The Chronicle-Journal began Jan. 26, 1877, as the Western Chronicle in Sutherland Springs, with E.B. Tarver as editor. The paper moved to Floresville, which became the county seat in 1873. For many years, the Chronicle was the primary source of news for the area. J.W. Anderson, the Dickey family, Joseph O. Boehmer, H.C. Thompson, and Dr. John V. Blake were at various times connected with publishing the Chronicle through the years.

In 1903, the Wilson County Journal was established by a stock company and operated successfully for a number of years.

In 1910, Sam Fore Jr. became editor of the Chronicle and the Wilson County Journal, both owned by Dr. J.V. Blake. Fore became the owner of the publications in 1912, when he was 22.

Fore combined the papers on Jan. 1, 1913. The two became the Floresville Chronicle-Journal. Fore and his wife owned and operated the newspaper until September 1963.

Because he had worked to build up the Chronicle-Journal for more than 50 years, Fore was careful in his selection of new owners. He wanted a family who would stay and keep the newspaper going.

Joe H. and Marjorie Fietsam became Fore’s successors, along with their sons, Jimmy and Donny. The Fietsams purchased the Chronicle-Journal in 1963.

Under their leadership, the newspaper saw many changes, from the original hot type print to offset printing in 1967, and from on-site printing in Floresville to a number of printers. These included the Seguin Gazette, Christopher Press, the Sonny Richards printing plant, and the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. Most recently, it was printed in Beeville.

The Fietsams moved the newspaper’s office from C Street to Third Street on the courthouse square in Floresville in 1974. Marjorie Fietsam became the sole owner and publisher of the Chronicle-Journal on the death of her husband Jan. 8, 2003.

In March 2005, the newspaper was sold to Thomas L. and Diane Brossart. Thomas Brossart became the publisher/editor. He introduced readers to The Journal Extra during summer 2005. This free publication offered area readers a taste of the Chronicle-Journal’s content. Readers still needed to buy or subscribe for full news coverage.

Plains Press Newspaper Corp. purchased the newspaper in March 2007. Jeff Jordan became the publisher, and publication of the Extra ceased.

The Chronicle-Journal was sold again in December 2007. Under Wilson County Publications LLC, Joe Baker became the publisher; Jason Clay Jansky was appointed managing editor. Under this leadership, the paper continued until April of this year.

The closure of the Floresville Chronicle-Journal follows a recent trend worldwide as print publications vie with other sources, such as online publications, for the attention of consumers.
 


Your Opinions and Comments
 
Tim Usavage  
san antonio  
January 7 at 12:43pm
 
 
The archives of the chronicle and wcn news should be made available on www.newspaperarchives.com
 
 
Richard Autry  
LaVernia, Texas  
December 19, 2008 2:22pm
 
 
Will there be an index to the archives of the chronicle on the WCN website that is searchable for past stories? While the are at it why not have an index for WCN too?
 
 
fred owens  
laconner, washington  
December 1, 2008 4:50pm
 
 
Floresville is no longer a two newspaper town -- that was a remarkable fact -- but it couldn't last forever. WCN better not get lazy.
 
 
Elaine Kolodziej  
Floresville  
December 1, 2008 2:16pm
 
 
The archives of the Floresville Chronicle-Journal are available at the Wilson County News office, 1012 C Street, in downtown Floresville. The public is welcome to make appointments ... Read More Read More
 
 
Sergio Casillas  
McChord AFB, Washington  
December 1, 2008 1:39pm
 
 
I am sad to read that the Floresville Chronicle will no longer be available to customers. I understand that cost for cost it is not feasable to remain open. I hope that it ... Read More Read More
 
 
kathy heaner  
san antonio  
April 19, 2008 7:52pm
 
 
I'm so very sad to see the chronical to close the doors because of the chronicle along with the wilson county was there when we needed help and The Onwer of the chronicle ... Read More Read More
 
 
Bonna Reed  
Floresville, Texas  
April 14, 2008 2:42pm
 
 
I am so sad that the Floresville Chroncile had to close their doors. Growing up in a large town and never knew what was going to happen, it was nice to know what was going ... Read More Read More
 
 
Margaret  
San Antonio, Texas  
April 14, 2008 2:09pm
 
 
I remember growing up as a child my Grandfather Pedro Cruz worked at Merchants. Every week he would bring home the weekly Floresville Chronicle Journal. I would wait for ... Read More Read More
 
 
Michele Hill  
Floresville  
April 14, 2008 1:49pm
 
 
Being originally from Jacksonville Ark. I used to come and stay the summers with my grandparents. I would work during the summer at Skarke's Cafe to make money so that I ... Read More Read More
 
 
Mary Baldwin  
Stockdale  
April 11, 2008 11:29pm
 
 
I think it's a shame that the paper had to close, I always enjoyed reading it and will miss it. Of course I miss the Stockdale paper too but local business just isn't enough ... Read More Read More
 

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