anaheim-gazette 1945-12-06

GAZETTE KNOWS GROWTH OF COUNTY AND CITY; PLANT GROWS WITH IT THRU YEARS Established only ten years after the colonists settled in the Santa Ana river valley, the Anaheim Gazette has been in closest contact with events in Orange county and Anaheim, watching its growth, its sorrows and its unbounded happiness and prosperity during its 75 years and this year is celebrating its "Diamond" anniversary, an honor that is attained by a comparatively few businesses today. The Gazette is the oldest newspaper in Orange county and the second oldest in southern California. Among its other distinctions, the Gazette has been owned by one family for the past 72 years and was edited and published by one man—the late Henry Kuchel—for a period of 48 years, and since his passing has been actively endited and published by Mrs. Henry Kuchel and his older son, Theodore B. Kuchel. Mr. Kuchel's immediate predecessor was his brother-in-law, Richard Melrose, who had edited and published the paper for 14 years before selling to Mr. Kuchel. Even before he acquired the ownership of the paper, Henry Kuchel was employed in the plant and even, as a very small lad, worked a little over a year whereupon Richard Melrose and Fred W. Athearn bought out his interests. This partnership lasted only a short time, Melrose acquiring his partner's interest and conducting the business alone until he sold in 1887 to Henry Kuchel. The latter was publisher and editor for 48 years. Upon his death more than ten years ago his widow and son, Ted, became the publishers and editors. Advertising in the first issue of the Anaheim Gazette was most generous, including most of the business establishments of the city and a large number of professional cards from Anaheim doc- Mr. Kuchel's immediate predecessor was his brother-in-law, Richard Melrose, who had edited and published the paper for 14 years before selling to Mr. Kuchel. Even before he acquired the ownership of the paper, Henry Kuchel was employed in the plant and even, as a very small lad, worked as carrier boy, having to be awakened at night to deliver the paper if it was late getting off the press. The first edition, dated Oct. 29, 1870, was issued by its founder, George Washington Barter, from a small plant located in a building on Chartres street at Los Angeles. Because the plant was not easily accessible to the public, Barter later moved the office to the Metz building in the 100 block on East Center street which later became the location of the Mullienix building. The building was later moved to East Chartres street. The next location of the Gazette was in a building just north of the old town hall on South Los Angeles street, later known as Miller's hall. Later, because of the unsafe condition of the building, the plant was moved to a new location on North Los Angeles street near Chartres, into a building owned by Mrs. Conrad Kuchel, mother of Henry Kuchel and wife of one of the original colonists. Fire destroyed this building in 1876, starting in an adjoining building, destroying two other buildings at the same time. Files were saved, however, but the Gazette missed two publication dates. Never before nor since has the Gazette missed an issue. Melrose, who owned the Gazette at that time, left immediately for San Francisco where he purchased new equipment for another shop that was installed in a brick building also on North Los Angeles street. Within a short time the Gazette was moved into its own new home erected on West Center street and at about this time Mr. Melrose Advertising in the first issue of the Anaheim Gazette was most generous, including most of the business establishments of the city and a large number of professional cards from Anaheim doctors, stores and hotels in Los Angeles. One of the Los Angeles advertisers in the first issue of the Gazette was the Desmond Hat Store. Professional cards were inserted by Dr. W. M. Hardin, one of the first doctors in the city; Dr. J.; A. F. Heyermann, grandfather of the late Joseph M. Backs, county clerk, who passed away in 1937 and Edward Backs; Attorney Charles A. Gardiner, who later purchased the Gazette, and Dr. V. D'Assonville, Real estate agents were represented by H. D. Polhemus, who was married Nov. 2, 1970, to Miss Emma M. Hanna of this city. Advertising space was also purchased by the Planters hotel, which was owned and operated by John Fischer, father of the first American girl born in Anaheim, Anna Fischer. Other establishments taking advantage of advertising in its first newspaper were O. B. Peck & Co., contractors and builders; businesses owned by Richard Heimmann and Oscar George, Phillip Davis and Gus Davis and W. Kalisher & Co., Langenberger, Blockman & Co., advertised its lumber business at Anaheim Landing. Langenberger was the first merchant in Anaheim. The American drug store, owned by W. M. Higgins, who was postmaster at one time, also had an advertisement for his drug store. His wife was a doctor, who also inserted an ad. Other space users in the first issue were L. Gunther, boot maker; Pioneer livery stables, owned by Goodrich and Mitchell; Arnold and Baldwin, blacksmiths and wagon makers; Anaheim Brewery and City Meat market. Other than Desmond Hat Store of Los Angeles street near Chartress street and for many years was the house was located on Los Angeles street near Chartress street for the three years to reclaim the land from the property on which it was purchased by E. E. Beaulieu a pioneer of Fullerton, he sented the house to the D.A. to become the Mother Colony House. The expense of moving the building from its original location was paid by Peter Weisel, whose father brought family from Wisconsin to Anaheim in the 90's. A Tribute to a Native Daughter, Mrs. Marie Duwyler Marie Dwyer was the daughter of R. Horstman, who was one of the original lot owners of the Vineyard Society. After her father's death her mother married F. A. Korn who took an active part in the business affairs of the Colony. She presented the monument dedicated to the Anaheim Pioneers in the Anaheim cemetery, translated the minutes of the Anaheim Water Company, which for a number of years were kept in the German language, into English. She donated the land on which the Mother Colony House is located at Sycamore and West streets and took an active interest in all matters appertaining to the benefit of Anaheim. George Hansen, the engineer who selected the land purchased for the Vineyard Society, Riutcel-Smith Store Formerly Pioneer Concern Riutcel-Smith furniture store is the direct descendant of the old establishment to the first frame house in Anaheim and used it for his quarters for the three years to reclaim the land from the property on which it was purchased by E. E. Beaulieu a pioneer of Fullerton, he sented the house to the D.A. to become the Mother Colony House. The expense of moving the building from its original location was paid by Peter Weisel, whose father brought family from Wisconsin to Anaheim in the 90's. In 1921 Graham disposed of business, selling to A.C.Riutcel and Roy Wethered who formed Old Mother Colony House now north of East Center on West Street, Anaheim Melrose, who owned the Gazette at that time, left immediately for San Francisco where he purchased new equipment for another shop that was installed in a brick building also on North Los Angeles street. Within a short time the Gazette was moved into its own new home erected on West Center street and at about this time Mr. Melrose became Anaheim postmaster, retaining the editorship of the Gazette. The post office was in the front of the building and the Gazette offices were located in the rear. It was during this time that Henry Kuchel became owner of the Gazette. The building was later purchased by Joseph Helmsen. To meet the needs of the growing Gazette, it was moved to Reiser's opera house at the corner of Center and Olive streets, with the opera house occupying the upper floor. Later the building was torn down and the Gazette moved into the Bushard building in the 300 block on East Center street where it remained for several years until it was moved into the office on North Emily street in the Masonic building where it is still located, however, occupying the greater part of the lower floor of this building and the main entrance having been moved from Emily street to 259 East Center street. George W. Barter, the founder of the Gazette, operated it for about one year and then sold to Charles A. Gardiner, who remained as owner and publisher for Other space users in the first issue were L. Gunther, boot maker; Pioneer livery stables, owned by Goodrich and Mitchell; Arnold and Baldwin, blacksmiths and wagon makers; Anaheim Brewery and City Meat market. Other than Desmond Hat Store of Los Angeles, a number of firms from that city were also represented in that first issue of Oct. 29, 1870. As the years have gone by, many improvements have been made in the Gazette, the plant not only having the distinction of being the oldest in Orange county but one of the most modernly-equipped plants for all types of fine printing and employing one of the largest payrolls in the city. Two Meihle vertical presses, one automatic Kluge as well as two type-setting machines are used every day. One hand-fed press for small jobs is on the floor and in use. The only offset lithography plant in Orange county is in use in the Gazette office along with numerous machinery items to make for better quality of fine work. Until the war put a stoppage on a great many types of paper, the Gazette also printed millions of four-color labels for citrus packers and other manufacturers. Like most all business institutions, the Gazette has had to buy inferior paper and supplies in order to take care of the customers and as soon as quality papers are on the market again, the commercial shop of the Gazette will again give the finest service and quality obtainable. The Gazette was a newspaper long before the typesetting machines were invented, the printer spending endless hours setting type by hand and by the light of a kerosene lamp in the very early days. Riutcel-Smith Store Formerly Pioneer Concern Riutcel-Smith furniture store is the direct descendant of the oldest furniture business in Anaheim and has the added distinction of conducting its business at the same location the original store was established. The business was established in 1871 by Ferdinand A. Backs and his brother, Joseph M. Backs, in a building at the corner of Los Angeles and Chartres streets. For 67 years residents of Anaheim have been able to purchase high grade furniture at this location. The Backs brothers had been in business seven years when they constructed the building now occupied by Riutcel-Smith company. The partnership between the brothers was dissolved in 1890, with F. A. Backs remaining in the original location and J. M. Backs opening his separate business in a building one-half block south. Twenty-two years later Backs In 1921 Graham disposed of business, selling to A. C. Riutcel and Roy Wethered who formed partnership to conduct the establishment. Upon the death of Wethered a few years ago Chas S. Smith acquired his interest in the name of the firm was changed to Riutcel-Smith furniture. The firm is one of the leading dealers for Electrolux gas refractors, Wedgewood gas range and the highest quality of furniture, rugs and other household furnishings. Hundreds of the customers of the store are/else descendants of many of the original customers or friends of those descendants. With their guarantee of absolute satisfaction or money back Riutcel-Smith now enjoy the privilege of hundreds of north Orange county residents. In days when the store was found the trade area was considered include six miles. Now that a has broadened to 27 miles. Both Riutcel and Smith came Anaheim from Grangeville, Idaho and both are now quite active organizations devoted to the interests of Anaheim. The average United States consumer ate five pounds less but during 1944 than he did during 1935-39. Old Resident Here Views Town After 66 Years' Absence The following item was published in the Anaheim Gazette of February 8, 1945, and concerns a former resident of this city. The story follows: "On Monday of this week, Wilbert J. Martin, 84 year old resident of Moro, Sherman County, Oregon, returned to Anaheim to see the town where he first attended school, after 66 years absence. A native of Santa Cruz, California, Mr. Martin came to Anaheim with his family when he was seven years of age. That was in 1868, about 11 years after the Anaheim post office was established. He recalled that two years later, in 1870, the Anaheim Gazette was established, as the first newspaper printed in the Vineyard Colony, which was Anaheim at that time. The Martin family lived in the old Coyote house, an adobe structure well known in those days. He remembers when the adobe school was built somewhere near the corner of Los Angeles and Canton streets." Everything in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers REFRIGERATION AND AIR CONDITIONING ENGINEERS 623 South Los Angeles Street ... ANAHEIM ... Phone Anaheim 24-Hour Emergency Service for Our Customers! Benefits of Advertising By JOHNNY WALLS (Published in Anaheim Gazette, March 28, 1895.) Benefits of Advertising By JOHNNY WALLS (Published in Anaheim Gazette, March 28, 1895.) Just listen to me, merchants, I will tell you something fine; I'm sure it will amuse you, you will find it in your line. In the direction of your business, did you ever stop to think Of the manifold advantages of using printer's ink? Place on paper your intentions of what you have to sell; State the prices of your products, and that you will treat them well, Then throw in some little locals in the Anaheim Gazette, And procure an extra salesman, you will need one you can bet. When you've made an ample fortune and retire from active life, And live serenely happy with your children and your wife, The neighbors will not question why you are not working yet: You can say your fortune centered from "A column of Gazette." (Johnny Walls has now retired and is living serenely and happily on his beautiful estate several miles east of Anaheim with his wife and friends about him. May he enjoy many more years of felicity.—Ed.) THE WEB We are now the "Factory Franchised Dealer sentative" for this county. Our business, the past seven years on high quality equipment, "topped" with this new franchise with "W. 10-ft., All-Purpose, Self-Service Refrigerated Display Case DEEP SUB-BASE TO IDEAL FOR MILK, HOLD 3 OR 4 LUGS OF BEER, DELICATESEACH KIND OF VEGE-SEN, PACKAGED TABLES, ETC. FRESH MEAT, FRESH BERRIES BEAUTIFUL WHITE PORCELAIN— Also Standard Display Cases with Fluorescent Interior Lighting ALSO THE NEWEST THING IN SHOWROOM WEBER SHOWCASE & FIXTURE C ESTABLISHED 1898 "Weber" Feat- —Equipment for the Futur Heavy Mate WORTHINGTON Phone or Call at Our Office for Everything in REFRIGERATION and AIR CONDITIONING TURE CO. EQUIPMENT "Weber" Features Beautiful — Rugged — Dependable — Equipment — Specially Designed and Engineered for the Future. Postwar Equipment with No Substitute Heavy Materials — Heavy Compressors and Coils, etc. 20 CU. FT. REFRIGERATOR “For the Better Homes and Ranches” Gleaming White Porcelain Interior Gleaming White Baked Enamel Exterior Concealed Hardware—Adjustable Shelves FROZEN FOOD CABINETS “Weber” “Roll-a-Door” Farm Freezers 4½ — 7⅓ — 10 — 12 and 20 Cube Feet