Apr 20, 2016 6 min read

There was a time, as we have often noted, when most communities in the mid-Monongahela Valley had their own newspaper – daily and weekly publications that were the primary source of local news for residents.

Most of those newspapers are now part of history. Some ceased to exist because of economic reasons. Others became part of mergers that created larger papers.

For residents of Fayette City, the end of an era came March 8, 1957, when The Fayette City Journal published its final edition.

“Loss of vital help to the armed forces Selective Service System, plus a trend throughout the country turning to the reading of larger dailies, rising costs, lack of local support have forced to form the decision to discontinue the publication of this 57-year-old weekly,” the Journal announced that day 59 years ago.

The passing of the Fayette City newspaper has not been forgotten by many who read it faithfully.

“It was a very good hometown paper,” said Jack Young, a Fayette City native now living in Shepherdstown, W.Va. “It was the voice of the community, if you will. We did read other papers, the area dailies and the Pittsburgh papers, but the Journal offered news that the others didn’t have – local items about community events and the people and times of Fayette City. Even after I left town to go to college and then joined the Navy, I looked forward to reading it.”

The Journal masthead emphasized it was “Published weekly in the interest of Fayette City, Belle Vernon, Washington and Jefferson Townships and Surrounding Areas.”

The final edition was labeled Volume LVI, Number 37.

In announcing the newspaper’s demise, the Journal Company said it would continue to be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at its offices at 315 Main St., “where we will continue to fill your printing and stationery needs.”

The staff also offered a sincere note of appreciation to its faithful readers.

“Those of you who have sent in stories of local interest and aided in any way, and to the friends we have made through our association with the newspaper, again we say a humble Thank You,” it said.

The publisher also reminded subscribers to the Journal who were in arrears or to whom they would make refunds, “at our earliest opportunity, settlement will be made.”

In view of its decision to discontinue publication, the Journal Company also offered a summary of the 57-year history of the newspaper.

The Fayette City Journal was established in 1900 by C.W. Beam and purchased in 1905 by E.D. Steinman and his wife, Clara Steinman. At that time, the staff comprised two or three girls employed to set type by hand and two men.

“It soon became known as a family newspaper as he three sons of Mr. and Mrs. Steinman and their daughter Mabel took turns in assisting with the work of the paper,” the recollection said. “Fayette City was a lively place at that time and an 8- to 12-page newspaper was a common thing. It was not long until a linotype machine was installed to take the place of so many type setters.”

Harry Steinman, the youngest son, left the employ of the Journal and “now connected with the Washington Observer in Washington, Pa.” the 1957 account said. “Herbert Steinman has his own printing shop in Masontown, and Edward Steinman, who stayed with his father for many years, was called to Philadelphia by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, but later returned to the newspaper game and is now with the Philadelphia Inquirer and is living in Upper Darby.”

The newspaper was leased to Allen Keenan in 1945, because of the illness of Edward Steinman Sr. In 1949, Keenan gave up the newspaper to enter the ministry.

Laura Strauser, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steinman, managed the plant for two years.

In 1951, Henry M. Badzik, the longtime owner of a printing company in Donora, purchased The Fayette City Journal and operated it until it ceased publication.

hile the lead story in the March 8, 1957 edition focused on the end of the Journal, other Page One stories that exemplified the local flavor of the newspaper included these:

Washington Township Water Authority met with representatives of LeStrange and Co., Pittsburgh investment bankers, and sold revenue bonds to finance purchase of the Fayette City Water Company Water Company, both of which were recently acquired by the authority.

Mike Yetsconish of Fayette City has been named Turn Foreman on No. 2 Hot Mill of the Pittsburgh Steel Company, it was announced by Works Manager Joseph E. Simonin. ?

Fifth-grader Chuckie Toia has performed a stunt that has made local basketball fans sit up and take notice. In an abbreviated cage contest during Fayette City’s winter recreation program young Toia scored 36 points.

Three members of the Fayette City Volunteer Fire Department attended the March meeting of the Fayette County Firemen’s Association held at Vanderbilt. They are Earl Opfar, fire department president, and William Rutledge and Charles Wilson.

The final edition also offered a poignant message from Mrs. Laura Strauser. Featured under the solemn heading of Obituary, it read this way:

“Goodbye is such a little word

“To say what is in our heart.

“We do not like to take this road

“But all friends soon must part.

“I am but a weekly newspaper.

“I had tried so hard to do

“The many things that are required

“With help that is too few.

“Fifty-seven years I have told

“Of births and marriages and death.

“Of happy times and sad ones too

“And of those that have crossed our path.

“But now my journey is really over,

“For help you cannot get.

“So, I must follow comrades who

“Have long proceeded me in death.

“I bid adieu to all my friend

“And hope they will think kindly

“Of the past – the fun we had.

“Times make these changes sadly.”