From the web site:
Most people know the DeFuniak Springs Herald was established in 1888. Most people also think the Herald is the county’s oldest newspaper. However, that’s not exactly true, although it’s not exactly false, either.
The DeFuniak Springs Herald was not the first newspaper to be published in DeFuniak Springs. A newspaper called, “The Signal” was the first newspaper in Walton County. A gentleman by the name of W.B. Saunders was the pioneering editor, publishing the first paper in 1884. After his untimely death, the paper continued for a while thanks to the determination of his wife. Mrs. Saunders, with the assistance of Mrs. Clara Dryer continued to put out the paper for some time. However, it proved too large a burden and they sold it to Dr. Henry. Dr. Henry sold it to a stock company. By this circuitous route, it soon landed in the arms of Larkin Cleveland, who, as owner and publisher, re-named the paper the DeFuniak Springs Herald. Cleveland wrote in the somewhat grandiose style popular in that day. He kept the townspeople informed and amused for decades, and his passing was mourned in newspapers across the Florida Panhandle.
While the Herald was putting out its weekly paper, other would-be media moguls arrived to try their hand at the newspaper business.
The second journalistic effort was “The Critic,” under the management of a Mr. Coulter and Mr. Shugart. It folded nearly as quickly as it appeared. Next came “The Rambler” under the management of Mrs. Sallie Cummings. It was noted at the time that the lady’s “idiosyncrasies and their consequences would make an interesting narrative, but, of course, that’s another story.”
In 1892, Royal W. Storrs arrived and opened “The Breeze.” Nearly 40 years later, the Breeze reported that “under his energetic and able direction, (The Breeze) has developed into an acknowledged influence, and is today one of the leading papers of West Florida.” After his death, management then passed to J.B. Allen for several years and it was then purchased by Royal’s brother, Howard C. Storrs.
http://www.defuniakherald.com/
