Raleigh, N.C., News-ObserverHandmade Civil War news made in Harnett County
BY MICHAEL RAY SMITH
BUIES CREEK — In the stacks of Duke University’s library is a collection of handwritten newspapers that tells the odd story of an eccentric journalist who copied out the news to a list of subscribers that numbered 100 readers.
On April 9, 1861, John McLean Harrington, Harnett County’s first journalist, wrote – by hand – to warn readers of his The Weekly News of a threat: “We learn that Lincoln has sent troops around South. If it is to continue [to] the seceding states, we may look for warm work in a few days. Whatever may be their destination, it looks rather suspicious. We hope it may be only a sensation [sic] rumor.”
Click here to read more.
Fayetteville, N.C., Fayetteville ObserverOp-ed: A Civil War journalist in Harnett wrote newspapers by hand
By Michael Ray Smith
From the April 9, 1861 issue of The Weekly News: “We learn that Lincoln has sent troops around South. If it is to continue [to] the seceding states, we may look for warm work in a few days. Whatever may be their destination, it looks rather suspicious. We hope it may be only a sensation [sic] rumor.”
Those are the words of John McLean Harrington, Harnett County’s first journalist, who not only used his pen to warn his readers of the coming threat, he went one better: He handwrote his newspaper for his circulation list of 100.
Click here to read more.
Sanford, N.C., Sanford HeraldCIVIL WAR: Harnett got its war news by hand thanks to one man
By Michael R. Smith, Special to The Herald
LILLINGTON — On this date 150 years ago, Harnett County’s first journalist worked on his handwritten newspaper hinting that North Carolina was in the process of seceding from the Union.
And he did it the old fashion way … in episodes.
On May 14, 1861, journalist John McLean Harrington reported in his handwritten four-page Weekly News that the Harnett Light Infantry “is a very fine company and consists of over a [sic] 100 men. They are improving rapidly in drill.”
He went on to report the pay for officers of the Confederate States — “Colonel, $175 per month” … “Captains, $108” … “Privates, $11 per month.”
On May 14, 1861, journalist John McLean Harrington reported in his handwritten four-page Weekly News that the Harnett Light Infantry “is a very fine company and consists of over a [sic] 100 men. They are improving rapidly in drill.”
He went on to report the pay for officers of the Confederate States — “Colonel, $175 per month” … “Captains, $108” … “Privates, $11 per month.”
Click here to read more.
OTHER INTERVIEWS
My Page
Interesting expert of the week, cursive edition
Most Most of us spend the day typing away – on keyboards, cell phones, tablets – so is it any surprise that cursive is a fading skill? We posed the question, and a few others, to Michael Ray Smith, distinguished scholar at World Journalism Institute and distinguished visiting professor at The King’s College.
- http://www.profnetconnect.com/profnetmaria/blog/2011/09/16/interesting_expert_of_the_week,_cursive_edition Click here to read a ProfNet interview.
Michael Ray Smith is a professor of communication studies at Campbell University. Smith discusses how journalism departments have adapted to changes and what type of individual will survive as a journalist in today’s market. He also addresses digital storytelling and the parts of journalism that may be lost as we enter the virtual realm.
- http://www.ourblook.com/Reporters-and-the-Media/Michael-Ray-Smith-on-Newspapers-Online.html Click here to read an Our Blook interview on Online Newspapers.
- http://www.bpnews.net/printerfriendly.asp?ID=36955 Click here to read a BP wire story.
- http://www.ehow.com/info_7878635_phd-dissertation-requirements.html Click here to read Smith on Ph.D. requirements.
