Newspaper Editors

James Weidman

I have always read, The Estevan Mercury was the First Newspaper in Estevan, started by a Mr. Bailey, until I found this article, dated Oct 22, 1892,
which states, a newspaper was to be started up in Estevan by a Mr. James Weidman, who was Editor and Proprietor, of the Rat Portage “Record” newspaper.
Today this is Kenora ON.
I have not seen this anywhere, so not sure what he even named it. note his name is spelled wrong in this article.

In 1880 he was Editor and Publisher of the “Progress” newspaper, in Rat Portage, Kewatin
It was published on Fridays, 4 pages, 21 x 27 size, Subscription $2.50, established in 1880

1893-94 he was Sec-Treasurer of the Western Canadian Press Association, listed under Ontario heading

1881 shown as a widower, no children with him, occupation Publisher, at Eastern Extension, Extension, Manitoba.

1891 in Qu'Appelle District, Assa. with wife and children
4th daughter might be Hilda O. M. Weidman, b- 1876 in ON
other 3 shown below

1901 living in Rat Portage
wife- Eliza J. ,
and 3 of his 4 children:
Son- Victor Nugent Weidman,
b- July 7, 1880, in ON
Daughter- Lila Klotel Weidman
b- Dec 30, ca 1883, in ON
Son- Roy Walter Weidman,
b- Mar 14, 1887 in Assa.

JAMES WEIDMAN, bio
Quoted from a book printed in 1894
Editor and Proprietor of the “Record”, Rat Portage, Ont.,
b- Sept 12, 1850,
In the township of Pickering, Ontario County, ON
He received his education in the public schools, and he is practically a self- made man.
He subsequently served an apprenticeship to the printing trade, on the “York Herald”, at Richmond Hill, ON.
Wwhere he originated the process of printing several colors at one impression, on a hand press.
He remained on this paper six years, and afterwards worked at different places, and in 1870, with another printer named Hart, established a Conservative newspaper,
The “Brampton Progress”, which lasted 2 years. In 1873 it became “The Conservator”.
In 1878, he started the “Selkirk Inter-Ocean” at Selkirk, Man., this being the first paper in the North-West, outside of Winnipeg.
In 1880, One article says August 1881, this plant was removed to Rat Portage, and the “Progress”, now “The News”, was established.
After sixteen months, he accepted the office of Registrar of Deeds for Manitoba, but when the territory was given over to Ontario, he lost the office.
In Nov, 1885, he started the “Qu'Appelle Progress” at Qu'Appelle, Assa., known as the “Progress”, advertised as a strong Prohibition newspaper.
In 1891, sold the same to Mr. A. C. Paterson, and returned to Rat Portage, in July, 1891, and established “The Record”, which is fast pushing to the front.
Mr. Weidman is one of the ablest and most pushing newspaper men in the Dominion of Canada, and possesses that keen insight and enterprise
which are so helpful in opening up the resources of a new country, and judging from his past successes, it is quite safe to predict for him a brilliant future.
In politics, he is an Independent-Conservative, and in religion, a Methodist, and is Superintendent of the Sabbath School, in his town.
He is also a strong prohibitionist, and a past D.D.G.M., in the Masonic Order.
Mr. Weidman has been married twice:
first, in 1873,
to Hattie Oriel Adair,
daughter of John Adair, of Toronto, ON.,
by whom he has one son and one daughter,
and second, in 1881, (after census)
to Eliza Jane Bamforth, b- Nov 12, 1862
daughter of Charles Bamforth, of Manitou, Manitoba,
by whom he also has one son and one daughter.

I haven't been able to find when and where he died.

Edward Alfred “Gink” Bailey

Found a Edward Bailey family in 1881, living in Woodstock, Oxford North, ON
wife- Eliza Bailey, b- ca 1838, in England, age 43,
Edward, shown age 44, as a painter.
Church of England.

1886- S. A. Bedford and E. A. Bailey, Winnipeg
- donated these items to the Manitoba Museum
- Cavalry Carbine, Pistol and Sword, Relics of the Windmill Fight, Prescott, Ont., 1838.

Oct 22, 1892
Mr. Bailey is opening up a business, with Mr. P.C. Duncan
No mention of a paper yet.
Same Bailey?

Nov 17, 1892
Mr. Bailey and family arrive from Brandon

1901 the Bailey family were at RM of North Norfolk, Tsp 11, Rge 10, Macdonald District in Manitoba
Edward Alfred Bailey
b- Nov 9, 1838, in England
Widow now- Editor of a paper
Son- John W. Bailey
b- June 10, 1870 in ON
Occupation- Reporter
Son- Charles Henry Bailey
b- Nov 13, 1877 in ON
Occupation- Printer
Son- Samuel J. Bailey
b- Dec 28, 1891 in Winnipeg MB
Son- James Diell Bailey
b- Oct 12, 1893 in Winnipeg, MB
Daughter- Ruth M. Bailey
b- Jan 28, 1897 in Winnipeg, MB

June 30, 1903
First Issue just days before this.

July 27, 1903,
Here we now see, Mr. Edward Alfred Bailey and his son Mr. Charles Henry Bailey are running the Estevan Mercury
under the name, Bailey and Son. Other notes say Bailey and Sons.

July 27, 1903,
Mr. Bailey has high credentials.
Oldest acting journalist in the west, with over 50 years experience.

John W. Bailey and Charles Henry Bailey

July 26, 1905
John W. Bailey listed as Editor of the Estevan Mercury
At that time he had spent 23 years in the west, and resident of Estevan for 3 years.
He was a brother of Charles Henry Bailey, both shown born in Ontario in 1906, living in Yellowgrass SK, on Railway Ave.
Charles 28, John age 36
Edward A. Bailey owned the Morden Herald, Morden MB

in 1911 census James and Ruth were at their Grandmother, Maria Finn's place at 86 Disraeli St., in Winnipeg, where James was in 1918 above
with them more Baileys, Cousins I guess to Edward Bailey's children, All 5 at their Grandma's place,
John Bailey- b- Dec 1892
Edna Bailey- b- July 1895
Maria Bailey- b- Mar 1899
all shown born in MB. all Baptists.
So obviously Edward had a brother too
Maria Finn, grandmother- b- Feb 1852 in USA
owned a Boarding House.

His son Charles Henry Bailey took out a western land grant on NE Section 33, Township 8, Range 22, W2

Then I found Edward Alfred Bailey's death notice,
He died May 31, 1918 at Tribune SK., age 84
Described as one of the outstanding figures in the Journalistic world of the West.
Moved to Manitoba in 1883 settling in Nelsonville, (Nelson) MB. Twp 3, Rge 6, W
He established the “Nelsonville Mountaineer”, Published from 1880-1885.
The CPR bypassed the town, and it died. Most residents moving to Morden.
The name of the community was changed to Dunston.
This town was the hub of Dufferin county 1877-1885, now a ghost town.
A few years later he conducted the “CPR Register” at Brandon MB.
and pioneered the way for several local papers, in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Then I found his son Samuel J. Bailey was in WWI, Reg #2636102, Rank SPR, enlisting in Regina, Oct 10, 1918, living in Tribune SK.
b- Dec 28, 1891, in Winnipeg MB
Single, Baptist religion,
Occupation- short/rein Driver
next of kin, his brother, Charles Henry Bailey who was living in Ogema SK

Then I found his youngest son James Diell Bailey, also enlisted in WWI, Reg #2380309, Jan 30, 1918 in Winnipeg MB, living at 86 Disraeli St. in Winnipeg, Single, Presbyterian,
b- Oct 12, 1893 in Winnipeg MB
Occupation- Sash maker
next of kin his father
Edward Alfred Bailey, living in Tribune SK
He married a Pearl Gilboy,
b- 1899
d- 1971
and had 4 children

Donald Culloden Dunbar

In 1905 the Estevan Mercury was sold to Donald Culloden Dunbar.

Estevan Mercury Office on 4th st in 1911
Lot 36 to Lot 37- #1131- Originally built for the “Union Bank of Canada”. Per Historical Tours Booklet it housed the Royal Bank after this, then Bank of Montreal, then Royal Bank again.

Donald Culloden Dunbar,
b- Apr 25, 1865 in Orangeville, ON
d- Oct 16, 1939 in Estevan
Buried in Estevan City Cemetery
He was ill for 2 years.

Father- Francis Grant Dunbar,
b- abt 1839, in Murrayshire, Scotland
Immigrated to Dufferin Co, ON
Mother- Matilda Dunbar, nee Culloden

Donald C. Dunbar married Jean Isabel Sewell,
b- June 1875 in ON
d- Aug 27, 1943
buried in Estevan City Cemetery
Father- J. G. Sewell
Married Aug 1905 in Oxbow SK

Came west from Ontario in 1903, Became Homestead Inspector in Oxbow.
Had 3 children
For a short period of time, He had a partner named Cameron.

On Dec 19, 1913, Mr. Dunbar was a Director of The Estevan Transit and Power Company Ltd.

D.C. Dunbar Home, built in 1912, 1201-1st Street
NW corner 1st St. and 12th Ave., across from the Catholic Church
photo Aug 2009

Donald Miller Dunbar

Donald Miller (Don) Dunbar,
b- Oct 1, 1906 in Estevan,
the son of Donald Culloden Dunbar

Don M. Dunbar was a printer himself, like his father, working on the staff of the Sudbury Star, in Sudbury ON, in 1933.
He worked at the Mercury for 8 years, prior to 1933, as News Editor. Becoming Editor of the first issue of “The Inco Triangle” out of Copper Cliff, ON
printing his first issue in 1936, retiring after Sept issue in 1971.

In the Nov issue 1971, he retells the story of the day the Estevan Mercury was printed on the streets of Estevan, literally, outside on the street.
They were moving the press to a new building, and the move was delayed, and his Dad said the paper had to get out, so they anchored the press down,
fired up the gas engine to run it, and to the astonishment of the public, printed that weeks issue, right there.

Don returned to Estevan when his Dad died in 1939 to run the Mercury. By 1944 he was growing restless, was offered the job at the Triangle again, so he moved to Sudbury, where he remained.
Mercury was sold to King and sons at that time.
He is married to Gwendolyn LaBranche of Three Rivers
had 2 children, son and daughter.

“The Estevan Progress” Newspaper

Building located on west side of 12th Ave, north of 5th St
The Progress operated from 1910-1912 by the Estevan Printing & Publishing Co.,

James Alpin Smith was the Manager

Mr. Smith was the first S.S.R. Commanding Officer. He also owned the Smith Block, on 12th Ave., just south of the old International Hotel, between 5th and 4th st in Estevan.
He was voted Mayor of Estevan in 1913. In 1911 Census he was a Wholesale wine and spirit merchant.
His wife was Lillian Frances Smith.
James was born in Canada in June 1866.
Lillian in Canada in April 1879.

John V. Comstock was editor The Estevan Progress Newspaper, ca June 1910

Sept 20, 1912 Issue found in ECI Cornerstone
Printed 1 year before
Herbert Thomas (Tom) Halliwell, A.G. Garrish, and Ernest (Ernie) Walter, bought the newspaper in 1913

Arthur George Garrish
b- bet Jan-Mar 1879 in King's Norton Registration District, England
d- Sept 20, 1963 age 83 in Vancouver BC
Chartered accountant. became Estevan Mayor 1924-25

Mr. Herbert Thomas (Tom) Halliwell,
b- July 11, 1881 in England, (bet July-Sept 1881, Registered in District of St Olave Southwark, London),
d-Sept 5, 1970,
buried in Archmount Cemetery, Lethbridge, AB.
He Served in the Boer War 1899-1902, Reg #28158, Corpl., 70th Company, 18th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry
Served his apprenticeship in London England
Immigrated in 1903 to Oxbow area.
1916 living with wife and 3 daughters on 4th st in Estevan, shown as a printer in a printing office
1921 he was living with his wife, Sarah Margaret Halliwell, and 4 daughters at 938 2nd St.
Setting up a plant in Manor SK first. He purchased the Progress in 1913, moving in 1925 to run the Weyburn Review, in partnership.
In 1927 he moved to run the Coleman Review in Coleman AB. Then operated the MacLeod Gazette in Macleod AB, until July 1961.
Anglican Religion, member of the Masons.
Baptism Date: 4 Sept 4,1881 Rotherhithe All Saints, Southwark, England
Father: Thomas Bennet Halliwell
Mother: Martha Elizabeth Halliwell
wife- Sarah Margaret Moir, married ca 1908 in Oxbow
Daughter of Joseph Dawes & Ida Adelia (Turner) Moir

The Estevan Progress was purchased by Mr. Donald Dunbar, who owned the Estevan Mercury, when the Estevan Mercury building, was destroyed by fire in 1925

Photo shows the Progress building now has “The Mercury, Print Shop” sign on it.

Never found anything on Ernest (Ernie) Walter, until an email from Lynn Kindopp, June 12, 2010.
Turns out I had his name as Walker, which was wrong, which explains why I couldn't find info on him.
From Lynn:
“Ernie was married to my grandpa Henry Wilson's sister Janie.
He started in the newspaper business here in Estevan, was in Calgary then ended up in Vancouver where he died”
From an article in Lynn's family history book, this info:
He was the Court reporter for the Vancouver Province when he died. He started at the Province in 1926.
He came to Canada from England in 1902. Born in London England, ca 1880.
In Estevan he started his career with the Estevan Mercury, then moving on to the Estevan Progress.
He homesteaded in the Estevan area, and was a Pioneer of the Albany School District #1072
In Calgary he was a reporter for the Albertan and the Herald.
He died- July 26, 1947, age 67 in Vancouver BC
When he died he was survived by his a wife, son Frank Walter, daughter Bee, Grandson, and a sister, Mrs. Bessie M. Jennings in England.
He was sick for 6 months before he died.
Cremated and his aches spread on the water, near Gibson's Landing.

Patten Printing and Stationary

Howard Wilbur Patten, who died in 1945, and probably his son, George Wilbur Patten, who died in 1962.
both buried in Estevan Cemetery.
Howard Patten printed a weekly paper, starting in 1933 to 1936, named “The News” in a building, 1 lot west of Bank Of Montreal on 4th st.. Howard came from Macoun SK, where he published the Macoun Post.

History of the Estevan newspapers is shown in various books, and I don't need to list them here.
My intent here is to expand on the Bio's of the Editors of these early papers.

©