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The Pittsburgh Courier
Masthead ofThe Pittsburgh Courier
TypeAfrican American newspaper
FormatWeekly newspaper
Owner(s)John H. Sengstacke(1965–1966)
Founder(s)Edwin Nathaniel Harleston, Edward Penman, Hepburn Carter, Scott Wood Jr., Harvey Tanner
EditorRobert Lee Vann(1910–33, 1935–40)
P. L. Prattis(1956–65)
FoundedMay 10, 1910;114 years ago(1910-05-10)
Ceased publicationOctober 22, 1966;57 years ago(1966-10-22)
RelaunchedNew Pittsburgh Courier
CityPittsburgh,Pennsylvania
CountryUnited States
Circulation357,000 (as of 1947)

ThePittsburgh Courierwas anAfrican American weekly newspaperpublished inPittsburghfrom 1907[1]until October 22, 1966.[2]By the 1930s, theCourierwas one of the leadingblacknewspapers in theUnited States.[3][4]

It was acquired in 1965 byJohn H. Sengstacke,a major black publisher and owner of theChicago Defender.He re-opened the paper in 1967 as theNew Pittsburgh Courier,making it one of his four newspapers for the African American audience.

Creation and incorporation

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The paper was founded by Edwin Nathaniel Harleston, who worked as a guard at theH. J. Heinz Companyfood packing plant in Pittsburgh. Harleston, a self-published poet, began printing the paper at his own expense in 1907. Generally about two pages, it was primarily a vehicle for Harleston's work.[1]He printed around ten copies, which he sold for five cents apiece.[5]

In 1909, Edward Penman, Hepburn Carter, Scott Wood Jr., and Harvey Tanner joined Harleston to run the paper, although they did not contribute financially. They named the paper asPittsburgh Courier,after thePost and CourierofCharleston, South Carolina,Harleston's hometown. Harleston prepared thecopyof the first issue of theCourierat his home, and Penman and Carter ordered five hundred copies from a printer inPhiladelphia.The five men sold most of the copies of this issue throughout theHill Districton January 5, 1910. During this period,Courierissues were four pages in length.[6]

In early March 1910,Robert Lee Vanndrew up incorporation papers for theCourierand began writing articles.[5]Although theCourierwas being printed by the Union News Company in Pittsburgh to save money, by March Harleston began to run out of money for the paper. Through Vann's connections, the paper was able to attract some wealthy investors, includingCumberland Willis Posey Sr.[6]On May 10, 1910, thePittsburgh Courierwas formally incorporated, with Vann handling the legal means.[7]During the summer, the paper was expanded from four to eight pages, but struggled withcirculationand financial solvency due to a small market and lack of interested advertisers.[7]In the fall of 1910, Harleston left the paper for financial and creative reasons.[8]Vann became editor, a position he would hold until his death in 1940.[1]

Editorship of Robert L. Vann

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TheCourierunder Vann prominently featured Vann's work as a lawyer and public figure. In the early 1910s, a staff of four (Vann, a secretary, a sports editor, and an errand boy who also proof-read and handled mail) operated from a spare room above a funeral parlor in the Hill District.[9]But in 1914, theCouriermoved to real offices on Fourth Avenue.[10]As editor, Vann wrote editorials encouraging readers to only patronize business that paid for advertisements in theCourierand ran contests to attempt to increase circulation.[11]In his Christmas editorial at the end of 1914, Vann wrote of the paper's intent to "abolish every vestige ofJim Crowismin Pittsburgh. "[12]

Ira Lewis, editor and later president of thePittsburgh Courier,back row, far left, at theNegro National Leagueannual meeting held in Chicago on January 28, 1922

In the 1920s, Vann made efforts to improve the quality of the news included in the growing paper. In November 1925, theCourierjoined the Associated Negro Press, the news collective of African American publications.[13] Under Vann, the "Local News" section of theCouriercovered the social lives of the upper- and middle-class members of the Hill District. This included accounts of vacations, marriages, and parties of prominent families and the goings on of local groups, such as the PittsburghFrogs.[14]Vann stirred up controversy—and 10,000 new readers—by hiringGeorge Schuylerin 1925, whose editorials and opinions made him known as the "blackH. L. Mencken"[15](who was aCouriersubscriber).[16]In addition to Schuyler's contributions, the paper also ran special features by writers such asJoel Augustus Rogersand serialized novels, such asWalter Francis White'sFire in the Flint.[17]Sports was well covered by writers includingChester L. Washington,who began writing for the paper while still in high school in Pittsburgh,Wendell Smith,[18]andCumberland Posey,son of one of the first investors.[19]The sports coverage focused on African American leagues, sometimes to the exclusion of white sporting events in Pittsburgh, including the1927 World Series.[18]

TheCourieralso worked as a tool for social progress. Most significantly, the paper extensively covered the injustices on African Americans perpetrated by thePullman Companyand supported theBrotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters.[20]Vann wrote to gain support for causes such as improved housing conditions in the Hill District, better education for black students, and equal employment and union opportunities.[21]However, Vann often used hisCouriereditorials to publicly fight with theNational Association for the Advancement of Colored People(NAACP) andW. E. B. Du Boisover issues such as PresidentCalvin Coolidge's grants of clemency to black soldiers involved in theHouston Riot[22]and Vann's allegations thatJames Weldon Johnsonembezzled money for personal use from the NAACP and theGarland Fund.[23]This disharmony was resolved in 1929 by published apologies by Vann, Du Bois, and Johnson, and within the decade, Du Bois became a regularCouriercontributor.[24]But in 1938, Vann'sCourierended up at odds with the NAACP once again. Vann, through national campaigns and contact with PresidentFranklin D. Rooseveltpursued inclusion of African American units in theUnited States Armed Forces.Vann saw this as an achievable step on the path to integration of the military, but the NAACP leadership, primarily Walter White, publicly disagreed with this half-measure, despite the protests ofThurgood Marshall.As a result of theCourier'sinfluence and Vann's political clout, New York CongressmanHamilton Fishsuccessfully added an amendment prohibitingracial discriminationin selection and training of men drafted to theSelective Training and Service Act of 1940.[25]

In 1932, Vann officially put theCourierbehind theparty realignmentof African Americans. He urged readers to vote forDemocrats,writing, "My friends, go home and turnLincoln's picture to the wall. "[26]

In 1927, theCourier'sNew York Citybranch manager, Floyd J. Calvin, began broadcasting the weekly "Pittsburgh CourierHour "on New York radio.[27] By 1928, theCourier's four editions (local, northern, eastern, and southern) were distributed in all 48 states and internationally, and by 1938, the paper was the largest American black weekly, with a circulation of 250,000.[14]Vann legitimized theCourierwith a professional staff, national advertisements, a dedicated printing plant, and wide circulation.[28]

Later years and legacy

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Following Vann's death in late 1940, close associate Ira Lewis filled his role as president and executive editor. TheCouriermaintained its upward trajectory, reaching an all-time circulation high of 357,000 in 1947.[29]When Lewis died in 1948, Vann's widow, Jessie Mathews Vann, assumed the role of president-treasurer.[30]

Upon the entrance of the United States into World War Two, the editors of thePittsburgh Couriernominated African American journalistFrank E. Boldento be an accreditedwar correspondent.Bolden was one of only two African American war correspondents accepted, and became a nationally recognized journalist, in addition to being city editor of theCourierfrom 1956 until 1962.[31]

In 1953, theCourierpublished sixteen regional editions, totaling 250,000 copies. This drop in circulation in just six years illustrates theCourier'sdecline.[32] TheCourier's decline can be attributed in large part to advances during theCivil Rights Movement,because as white publications included more African American news, circulation steadily fell.[31][33]Also, the paper struggled without the financial expertise of the late Ira Lewis.[34]

P.L. Prattis,a career journalist, rose from city editor in 1936, to managing editor in 1948, to executive editor of thePittsburgh Courierin 1956.[1]In 1947, Prattis was unanimously granted membership in the US Senate and House press galleries by the executive committee of the Periodical Correspondents Association. That year he was the first African American journalist permitted to enter theUnited States Congressvia thePeriodical Press Galleries of the United States Congress.[citation needed]He remained executive editor until 1965. In 1965, Prattis retired from theCourierafterJohn H. Sengstackepurchased the ailing paper.[1]

Some prominent contributors to theCourierwereJoel Augustus Rogers,who worked as a journalist for theCourierin the 1920s, andSam Milai,editorial cartoonist for theCourierfor 33 years. TheCourierwas the first to spot the talent of a youngWilliam Gardner Smith,who was hired by theCourierwhile still in high school. This was in 1943, some years before he gained attention as anexpatriatenovelist and journalist living inFrance.[35]Trezzvant Andersoncovered the early years of the civil rights movement for the paper.[36]

Couriercomic strips

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ThePittsburgh Courierpublishedcomic strips,evensyndicatingsome to other black newspapers. The first strip of note wasSunny Boy Sam,originally byWilbert Holloway,[37]which launched in 1928 and continued past the demise of theCourier.[37]TheCourieralso publishedYour History,written byJoel Augustus Rogersand originally illustrated by George L. Lee. Patterned after the look ofRobert Ripley's popularBelieve It or Notcartoons, multiple vignettes in each cartoon episode recounted short items about African Americans from Rogers' research.Your Historyran from November 10, 1934, to July 31, 1937. It returned in November 1940, illustrated by long-timeCouriereditorial cartoonistSam Milai.In 1962 the strip was retitledFacts About The Negro,continuing for the rest of theCourier's run.[38]Jackie Ormes'Torchy,which ran in theCourierfrom May 1, 1937, to April 30, 1938, was the first syndicated strip by a black woman.[39]

Other notable strips published in theCourierincluded Jay Jackson'sAs Others See Us[40]and Jackie Ormes'Patty-Jo 'n' Ginger(1945–1956).[41]

From August 1950 to August 1954, theCourierpartnered with theSmith-Mann Syndicateto publish a weekly color comics section calledCarousel,[42]featuring a line-up of strips aimed at an African American audience. These strips included:

  • Chisholm KidbyCarl Pfeufer(August 19, 1950 – August 11, 1956) — also had atopperstrip calledAlan O'Darefrom 1951 to 1954
  • Don PowersbySam Milai(August 19, 1950 – November 1, 1958)
  • Funtimeby Edo Anderson (1951–1954)
  • Guy FortunebyEdd Ashe(August 19, 1950 – October 22, 1955)
  • Kandyby A. C. Hollingsworth (1954–1955)
  • Loharby Bill Brady (1950–October 18, 1958)
  • Mark Huntby Michael Tam and/or Edd Ashe (c. 1950–October 22, 1955)
  • Neil Knight of the Airby "Carl and Mac" (c. 1950–October 22, 1955)
  • Sunny Boy Samby Wilbert Holloway (c. 1950–c. 1958)
  • Torchy in HeartbeatsbyJackie Ormes(August 19, 1950 – September 18, 1954) — also had apaper dolltopper stripcalledTorchy Togs
  • Woody Woodenheadby Edo Anderson (August 19, 1950 – August 4, 1956)

Many of the strips continued on as daily, black-and-white strips afterCarouselceased.

New Pittsburgh Courier

[edit]

John H. Sengstacke,publisher ofThe Chicago Defenderand a national figure for black newspapers, closed theCourierin 1966. He re-opened it in 1967 as theNew Pittsburgh Courier.[43]

References

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  1. ^abcde"Percival L. Prattis Papers Finding Aid".Archives Service Center Finding Aids.University of Pittsburgh.RetrievedOctober 7,2013.
  2. ^"Courier".Chronicling America.Library of Congress.RetrievedOctober 7,2013.
  3. ^Greenwald, Maurine Weiner, and Margo J. Anderson (1996).Pittsburgh surveyed: social science and social reform in the early twentieth century(Digital ed.). Pittsburgh, Pa: University of Pittsburgh Press. p. 282.RetrievedOctober 10,2013.
  4. ^Hynds, Ernest C. (1980).American newspapers in the 1980s.New York: Hastings House. p. 110.ISBN978-0-8038-0490-6.
  5. ^abBuni, p. 42.
  6. ^abBuni, p. 43.
  7. ^abBuni, p. 44.
  8. ^Buni, p. 46.
  9. ^Buni, p. 49.
  10. ^Buni, p. 53.
  11. ^Buni, p. 51.
  12. ^Buni, p. 54.
  13. ^Buni, p. 52.
  14. ^abGlasco, Laurence. "Double Burden: The Black Experience in Pittsburgh." (1989). Samuel P. Hays (ed.).City at the point: essays on the social history of Pittsburgh(Digital ed.). Pittsburgh, Pa: University of Pittsburgh Press. p. 82.RetrievedOctober 10,2013.
  15. ^Buni, pp. 136–140.
  16. ^Buni, p. 141.
  17. ^Buni, p. 142.
  18. ^abBuni, p. 145.
  19. ^Buni, p. 144.
  20. ^Buni, p. 163.
  21. ^Buni, pp. 61–70.
  22. ^Buni, pp. 147–148.
  23. ^Buni, pp. 152–153.
  24. ^Buni, p. 160.
  25. ^Buni, pp. 305–312.
  26. ^Stave, Bruce M. (1970).The New Deal and the last hurrah: Pittsburgh machine politics.Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh, Digital Research Library. p. 34.
  27. ^Buni, p. 140.
  28. ^Buni, pp. 133–134.
  29. ^Swetnam, George (1956).The Bicentennial history of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County: a source edition recording the early and contemporary history of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, Pennsylvania through the medium of extensive research and the life histories of its most constructive members--chronicling the backgrounds and activities of its prominent families and personages with emphasis on their accomplishments in making Pittsburgh one of America's greatest cities, v.2.Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Digital Research Library. p. 357.
  30. ^Buni, p. 325.
  31. ^abArchives Staff."Frank E. Bolden Papers".Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh.RetrievedOctober 21,2013.
  32. ^Mulkearn, Lois, and Edwin V. Pugh (1954).A traveler's guide to historic western Pennsylvania.Pittsburgh, Pa: University of Pittsburgh Press. p. 38.
  33. ^Glasco, p. 93.
  34. ^Buni, p. 326.
  35. ^Jackson, Jacquelyn. "William Gardner Smith" fromDictionary of Literary Biography.Thomson Gale, Thomson Corporation ©2005-2006.
  36. ^"Trezzvant Anderson".Reporting Civil Rights.Library of America. Archived fromthe originalon 7 March 2012.Retrieved21 September2015.
  37. ^abHoltz, Allan."Ink-Slinger Profiles: Wilbert Holloway",Stripper's Guide(February 13, 2012).
  38. ^Holtz, Allan."Your History",Stripper's Guide, April 22, 2011.
  39. ^Cavna, Michael (January 31, 2014)."RIP, Morrie Turner: Cartoonists say farewell to a friend, a hero, aWee Palspioneer ".The Washington Post.Archivedfrom the original on March 10, 2016.
  40. ^Jackson, Tim.Pioneering Cartoonists of Color(Univ. Press of Mississippi, 2016).
  41. ^Onion, Rebecca."Fifty Years Before Boondocks There Was Patty-Jo 'n' Ginger",Slate(August 13, 2013).
  42. ^Knoll, Erwin. "Smith-Mann to Launch Comics Supplement",Editor & Publisher(July 21, 1951). Archived at"Comic Book Experts - Can You Help Us?",Stripper's Guide(June 12, 2007).
  43. ^Hutton, Frankie (12 September 2007)."Pittsburgh Courier".Encyclopedia of American Journalism.CRC Press.ISBN9780203942161.RetrievedNovember 6,2013.

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