Skidmore Signal Takes Name from Old-Time Newspaper

"A newspaper for local people" By C.H. Blanton. Friday, May 16, 1913 Vol.VIII No.22

As previously reported by the Signal, microfilm copies of the original Skidmore Signal newspaper were discovered in the library catalog of the University of Texas. The "new" Signal purchased a copy of the microfilm and plans to publish occasional excerpts from its predecessor. The original Skidmore Signal was established by C.H. Blanton in the early 1900's. The newspaper changed hands at least twice before its demise in 1918. Of the few issues that survived on microfilm, two other publishers were credited including W. Dickson and J.J. Jenkins. A 1913 edition of the Signal featured several pages of national news followed by a section of local "society" news. "Horseless Age Near, Is the View of Experts" reads one Page Two headline. "I expect to see the day when the keeping of horses in Washington will be prohibited on sanitary grounds..." The article goes on to say that "According to figures published by the department of agriculture, horse breeding is about the worst paying business that anyone can go into." Among the local news featured on Page 4 of the original Signal was an update on the local baseball team. "The baseball boys have received their new uniforms and to celebrate the event a game was arranged between the 'Hasbeens' and the 'Wouldbes,' in which the former proved good losers." A few of the advertisers included in the local news section included V.E. Kessler's Royal Typewriters, Farmers Mercantile, Niemeyer & Co. Dry Goods, J.B. Kempf Tailer & Hatter, and Steinmeyer & Co. Staple & Fancy Groceries. Look for more information about the original Signal in upcoming issues.