1884. The daily was discontinued after a few months, but the weekly was continued under various editors until 1908. Originally Democratic, it served the Republicans in 1896 and after.
THE PORTLAND TELEGRAM
The first number of the Portland Evening Telegram appeared on the afternoon of April 16, 1877, founded by H. L. Pittock, who had started the Morning Oregonian 16 years before; E. D. Crandall, and C. M. Elliott. Mr. Elliott was listed in the Portland city directories of 1877 and 1878 as a printer, and in the 1878 directory Mr. Crandall's name appears; he is listed as a reporter.
These three men, Henry E. Reed related in a reminiscent article in the 50th anniversary number of the Telegram, "appear to have run the paper for the first seven or eight months. 'Which of them was the editor, or whether or not there was an editor, have no knowledge,' said Reed (46). "In those early times an editor quite often did other things besides editing, such as soliciting ads and subscriptions, sweeping the office floor, and setting type when the printers filled up on beer."
A. C. McDonald, a San Francisco newspaper man, arrived in Portland late in the same year, and with Crandall and Elliott incorporated the Telegram Publishing Company. The name of Henry L. Pittock was not used in the company, but it was the common understanding that Mr. Pittock was the backer, since neither of the other three men had any money of his own. W. R. Struble became editor of the Telegram in January 1878. He was then about 22 years old. His salary was $20 a week—which may give an idea of newspaper salaries of the period.
After the death of Mr. McDonald, who was killed in an encounter with James K. Mercer, assistant editor of the Evening Bee, changes in the Telegram management were frequent. Mr. Reed gives the following personnel for the next few years:
1879-80—W. D. Palmer, publisher.
1881—T. F. Kane, manager.
1883—Mrs. C. A. Coburn, editor; H. M. Clinton, city editor. "'Pop' Gardner," Mr. Reed recalled, "went to the Telegram from the Northwest News in 1883, and I believe he was manager part of that year, and Mr. Stearns part of the year."
1882—D. H. Stearns, manager of advertising department; H. M. Clinton, city editor.
