Site of James S. Hogg Newspaper
Longview, Gregg County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Texas' first native governor (1891-1895), James Stephen Hogg, founded here in 1871 his first newspaper, the Longview News. He was then 20 years old. In his paper Hogg was a strong supporter of educational and governmental improvements for Longview. He campaigned against radical reconstruction policies, railroad subsidies, lawlessness. This venture, following earlier apprentice news work, showed Hogg's alertness, self-confidence. He was a publisher for 3 years. This experience developed his qualities of leadership and led to later success as a statesman. (1967)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Here in 1871, at just twenty years old, James Stephen Hogg founded his first newspaper, the Longview News. In its pages he pressed for better schools and government while campaigning against radical Reconstruction policies, railroad subsidies, and frontier lawlessness. The three-year venture sharpened the leadership that carried him to become, in 1891, the first native-born governor of Texas.
Why it matters
Small-town newspapers were training grounds for a generation of American public figures, and this one launched the career of the reform governor who would reshape Texas politics.
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Related people
- · James Stephen Hogg
Themes & tags
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