This newspaper's name change – from Times to Sentinel – occurred in 1895

The history of the Webb City Sentinel for most of the 20th century is well documented so we decided to look into the early history of the Sentinel from 1895 to 1906. 

The Webb City Times ceased publication on Feb. 1, 1895, when the newspaper took on a new name, the Webb City Sentinel. James E. Payne took over as editor in March 1895, with Thomas J. Shelton assuming management in August of the same year. The Sentinel was a staunch Republican paper during this period.

There were several legal matters to clear up with the change in the newspaper name, and the Webb City Sentinel advertised that they would pay a dollar for a copy of the old Webb City Times to help address these matters. 

T.J. Shelton ran the Sentinel until August 1897, when he sold it to H. D. Routzong. Shelton had taken on a partner by the name of Gallagher and after his death he decided to sell the newspaper.

Shelton then went on to found the Carterville Journal. Hubert D. Routzong was running the Buffalo Hotel that was located across the alley from the Sentinel and took Shelton up on his offer to sell his interest in the newspaper for $5.

Routzong soon discovered there were many mortgages and debts owed by the newspaper. Upon the advice of a lawyer, Routzong ran a foreclosure advertisement in the Sentinel and on the day of the sheriff’s sale his employee, Jay House, bought the paper for $1. This sale cleared up all of the prior mortgages and liens that were held against the Sentinel.

Jay E. House was an old friend of Routzong, who came to work as an editor for the Sentinel during the summer and fall of 1898. He later became one of the nation’s best known newspaper columnists and the author of many books. He also served as mayor of Topeka, Kan.

The Webb City Sentinel was a daily paper at this time. Amy Conklin, Gertrude Crandall, Agnes Kent and Lottie Munson worked as compositors, each making a wage of about $4 per week. Jay House’s arrival allowed Routzong to work the business side of the newspaper and help grow the publication.

Ed Summers was hired to help write editorials and local copy along with handling the printing jobs. 

Jay House left to attend his father’s funeral, became ill and never returned to Webb City.  He went on to write for the Topeka Capital, Philadelphia Public Ledger, and the New York Evening Post. 

In January 1899, Routzong sold the Sentinel to J.C. Welch and John E. Willis, of Lansing, Mich.

Welch wrote that in April 1899 the circulation of the newspaper was about 200. The equipment was in poor condition and publishing the newspaper was such an undertaking that Willis became discouraged and returned to Michigan.  Welch said that it was only the loyalty of the Sentinel employees, Ted Routzong (nephew of H. D. Routzong), Lottie Munson, Floy Chapman, Lola Conhour and Lon Thomas, that helped him continue publishing the Sentinel.

In the fall of 1899, Welch sold the Sentinel to Finis E. Adams. He returned in 1900 and went to work for Adams, occupying almost every position in the paper. Welch remained until June 1902, when he left to pursue other endeavors. He again returned in 1905 and worked until 1906 before returning to Michigan.

Adams ran the Sentinel until 1906, when he sold it to Hal M. Wise Sr. and James E. Stickney.

After a number of years, James Stickney sold his interest to his nephew, Walter Stickney, who would partner with Wise. After World War I, Wise purchased the Stickney interests and continued as editor until his death on April 16, 1948. His son, Hal M. Wise Jr., took over the operation of the paper and ran it until his death on June 7, 1958.