Our Past Is Present July 30, 2018

July 30, 2018

            You are reading “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

            Today’s program is a brief history about the Montgomery family’s ownership of the “Daily Union” newspaper.  The information used comes from an article written by Ron Wilson, director of the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University, which was released in February of 2017. Mr. Wilson wrote:

            “For four generations, the Montgomery family has been a leader in the newspaper industry in Junction and beyond. John Montgomery worked as an apprentice at a newspaper office in Iowa.  One day in 1865, young John received word by telegraph that President Lincoln had been assassinated.  He set the type to print the story in the newspaper and then delivered the papers himself. 

            After the Civil War, the young newspaperman came west to Kansas.  In 1888, he bought the “Weekly Union” newspaper in Junction City.  Four years later it became a daily.

            John Montgomery was succeeded by his son Harry, who served as publisher from 1936 to 1952, followed by John D. Montgomery from 1952 until 1973.  His son, John G. Montgomery, took over in 1973.  John G. Montgomery is the recently retired publisher of the “Junction City Daily Union” and other community newspapers in the region. John G. also serves as a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army and remains active in the Junction City community.   

It is believed that “The Daily Union” is the third oldest continuously published newspaper in Kansas.

            Chris Walker and the White Corporation, owner of the Emporia Gazette, assumed ownership of the “Junction City Daily Union” newspaper, effective March 1, 2018.  John G. will continue to maintain an office at the “Daily Union”, assist in the transition and remain involved in an advisory capacity.

            And… that’s today’s story on “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.