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October 28, 2021
Today in Texas history
By Bandera Spirits of Texas
On this day in 1945, the German-language San Antonio Freie Presse für Texas, one of the leading Republican papers in the South in the years after the Civil War, ceased publication. August Siemering and Company started the paper in 1865, a few months before starting the San Antonio Express.
Two years later James P. Newcomb became involved in the operation of both papers. The German paper, with Siemering as editor, was a five-column, four-page publication issued bi-weekly, tri-weekly, and, at times, daily. Siemering, who had been a vocal opponent of slavery, was a staunch Unionist despite having been impressed into the Confederate army.
The company sold the English paper, the Express, in 1877, but continued to do the mechanical work until the Express bought its own presses some years later. Siemering died in 1883; the Freie Presse continued as an eight-page, six-column weekly until it was discontinued.
Two years later James P. Newcomb became involved in the operation of both papers. The German paper, with Siemering as editor, was a five-column, four-page publication issued bi-weekly, tri-weekly, and, at times, daily. Siemering, who had been a vocal opponent of slavery, was a staunch Unionist despite having been impressed into the Confederate army.
The company sold the English paper, the Express, in 1877, but continued to do the mechanical work until the Express bought its own presses some years later. Siemering died in 1883; the Freie Presse continued as an eight-page, six-column weekly until it was discontinued.