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July 15, 2024
Today in Texas History
On this day in 1865, August Siemering founded the German-language Freie Presse für Texas in San Antonio. Siemering, born in Germany in 1828, came to Texas in 1851 and later opened the first public school in Fredericksburg.
He was an ardent Republican and abolitionist, though he had been impressed into the Confederate army in 1861, and the Freie Presse became known as one of the leading Republican newspapers in the South during Reconstruction.
A few months after founding the paper, Siemering also founded the English-language San Antonio Express, in which the prominent Republican journalist James P. Newcomb bought an interest in 1867. Siemering sold the Express in 1877 and died six years later.
The Freie Presse ceased publication in 1945.
He was an ardent Republican and abolitionist, though he had been impressed into the Confederate army in 1861, and the Freie Presse became known as one of the leading Republican newspapers in the South during Reconstruction.
A few months after founding the paper, Siemering also founded the English-language San Antonio Express, in which the prominent Republican journalist James P. Newcomb bought an interest in 1867. Siemering sold the Express in 1877 and died six years later.
The Freie Presse ceased publication in 1945.