Omar Bennett
The Lawton Constitution is a daily newspaper published in Lawton, Oklahoma. Established in 1903 as a successor to the Elgin Eagle, the paper has been in circulation since 1904. The Lawton Constitution was purchased by John Shepler in 1910, and it remained with his family until 2012, when it was sold to brothers Bill and Brad Burgess. The Lawton Constitution has had varying subscription costs over the years, with the daily edition costing $4 per year and the weekly edition costing $1 per year initially.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | The Lawton Constitution |
| Location | Lawton, Oklahoma |
| County | Comanche County |
| Type | Daily newspaper |
| Publisher | Southern Newspapers, Inc. |
| Previous Owners | John Shepler, Don and Steve Bentley, Bill and Brad Burgess |
| Circulation | 500 (daily) and 1,625 (weekly) from 1906 to 1907 |
| Cost | $4 per year (daily) and $1 per year (weekly) |
| Years Available | 1904-2018 |
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What You'll Learn
The Lawton Constitution's history
The Lawton Constitution, the pioneer paper of Comanche County, was established in 1903 as the successor to the Elgin Eagle newspaper. The paper was affiliated with the Democratic Party and had both daily and weekly editions. The daily edition was published daily except on Sundays, while the weekly edition was issued on Thursdays.
In 1905, the Constitution Company began publishing the paper, with J. Roy Williams serving as editor and S. K. Rush and H. M. Tilton listed as managers. James H. Timmons took over as manager starting with volume three. Both editions of the paper measured 15 by 22 inches, with the daily edition costing four dollars per year and the weekly edition costing one dollar per year. From 1906 to 1907, the daily edition had a circulation of 500, while the weekly edition had 1,625 subscribers. The following year, the weekly edition's circulation increased to 2,267. John N. Shepler then purchased the Constitution and became the editor.
According to the Library of Congress, The Lawton Constitution has been published daily in Lawton, Oklahoma, since 1911 by the Lawton Publishing Company. Sunday issues are numbered separately, and the numbering varies. The paper has also been issued on microfilm and is available online.
While the Library of Congress may not have copies of the newspaper, other libraries around the country may hold them. Interested individuals can check the "Libraries That Have It" tab on the Library of Congress website for more information.
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Daily vs weekly editions
The Lawton Constitution is a daily newspaper published in Lawton, Oklahoma. The newspaper began publishing in 1904, though some sources state it was established in 1903. It had both a daily and a weekly edition. The daily edition was published daily except for Sundays, while the weekly edition was issued on Thursdays.
The daily paper cost four dollars per year, while the weekly cost one dollar per year. From 1906 to 1907, the daily edition had a circulation of 500, while the weekly edition had 1,625 subscribers. The next year, the weekly edition's circulation increased to 2,267.
The Lawton Constitution was originally owned by John N. Shepler, who purchased the paper in 1910, according to some sources. It remained with successive generations of the Shepler family until his great-grandsons, Don and Steve Bentley, sold the paper on March 1, 2012, to brothers Bill and Brad Burgess, who are lawyers and businessmen in Lawton. The brothers later sold the paper to Southern Newspapers, Inc. in April 2018.
The Library of Congress may not have copies of the Lawton Constitution, but it may be held by other libraries around the country.
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Original cost
The Lawton Constitution, the pioneer paper of Comanche County, was established in 1903 as a successor to the Elgin Eagle newspaper. The paper was published daily, except on Sundays, and had a weekly edition issued on Thursdays. The Constitution Company began publishing the paper in 1905, with J. Roy Williams serving as editor and S. K. Rush and H. M. Tilton listed as managers. The original cost of the Lawton Constitution varied depending on the edition. The daily edition, published six days a week, cost four dollars per year. On the other hand, the weekly edition, which came out once a week on Thursdays, cost one dollar per year.
The Lawton Constitution had a modest circulation in its early years. From 1906 to 1907, the daily edition had a circulation of 500 subscribers, while the weekly edition had 1,625 subscribers. The following year, in 1908, the weekly edition's circulation increased to 2,267. In 1910, John N. Shepler purchased the newspaper and took over as editor. The Lawton Constitution remained under the ownership of the Shepler family for generations until March 1, 2012, when it was sold to brothers Bill and Brad Burgess, who are local lawyers and businessmen.
The specific dates of the pricing information for the Lawton Constitution are not explicitly stated in the sources. However, it can be inferred that the original costs mentioned refer to the pricing structure during the early years of the publication, likely around the time of its establishment in 1903 or shortly after the Constitution Company took over publishing duties in 1905. It is important to note that the costs may have changed over time due to various factors such as inflation, changes in production costs, or shifts in market demand.
While the exact values of four dollars and one dollar per year may seem relatively low compared to current newspaper subscription prices, it is essential to consider the historical context and purchasing power of money during the early 20th century. Additionally, the difference in price between the daily and weekly editions could be attributed to factors such as the frequency of publication, the amount of content included, or variations in targeted audiences. Unfortunately, the sources do not provide further details on the duration of these pricing structures or any subsequent changes in subscription costs for The Lawton Constitution.
In summary, the original cost of The Lawton Constitution's daily edition was four dollars per year, while the weekly edition was priced at one dollar per year. These prices likely reflect the publication's initial efforts to establish itself in the market and attract subscribers. Over time, as the newspaper evolved and changed hands, the pricing structure may have been adjusted to accommodate changing economic conditions and the costs associated with producing and distributing the publication.
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Circulation numbers
The Lawton Constitution, the pioneer paper of Comanche County, was established in 1903 as a successor to the newspaper, the Elgin Eagle. The paper had both daily and weekly editions. The daily edition was published daily, excluding Sundays, and the weekly edition was issued on Thursdays.
In its early years, from 1905 onwards, the Lawton Constitution had a relatively small circulation. The daily paper cost four dollars per year and had a circulation of 500 in 1906. On the other hand, the weekly edition, which cost one dollar per year, had a higher circulation of 1,625 subscribers during the same period.
The Lawton Constitution's circulation numbers grew over time. In 1907, the weekly edition reported a notable increase in circulation, reaching 2,267 subscribers. This growth trend continued, and by 1910, the paper had been purchased by John N. Shepler, indicating a healthy and growing readership.
While specific circulation figures for subsequent years are not readily available, the fact that the Lawton Constitution remained in publication for over a century, changing hands multiple times, suggests that it maintained a substantial readership in Lawton, Oklahoma, and the surrounding areas. The paper was passed down through generations of the Shepler family until 2012, when it was sold to brothers Bill and Brad Burgess, who were local lawyers and businessmen. This indicates that the Lawton Constitution likely retained its relevance and reach within the community, even as the media landscape evolved with technological advancements.
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The paper's ownership
The Lawton Constitution, a daily newspaper published in Lawton, Oklahoma, has had a long and varied history of ownership since its establishment in 1903 as the successor to the Elgin Eagle newspaper.
Initially, the paper was published by the Constitution Company, with J. Roy Williams serving as editor and S. K. Rush and H. M. Tilton listed as managers. James H. Timmons later took over as manager, and the paper flourished, with a significant increase in circulation between 1906 and 1908. During this early period, the daily edition of the paper cost four dollars per year, while the weekly edition cost one dollar per year.
In 1910, John N. Shepler purchased the Constitution, becoming the owner and editor. The paper remained under the ownership of the Shepler family for generations until March 1, 2012, when Shepler's great-grandsons, Don and Steve Bentley, sold it to brothers Bill and Brad Burgess, who were local lawyers and businessmen. This marked the end of the Shepler family's long association with the paper.
The Lawton Constitution changed hands again in April 2018 when the Burgess brothers sold it to Southern Newspapers, Inc. This sale marked another significant shift in the ownership of the historic publication, which had been under the stewardship of the Burgess brothers for six years.
While the current ownership of the Lawton Constitution is Southern Newspapers, Inc., it is worth noting that the Library of Congress may not have copies of all issues of the newspaper. Interested researchers or readers can check the "Libraries That Have It" tab on the Library of Congress website to locate specific editions of the Lawton Constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
The Lawton Constitution costs $4 per year for the daily edition and $1 per year for the weekly edition.
Yes, the daily edition is published daily except on Sundays, while the weekly edition is issued on Thursdays.
The Lawton Constitution was established in 1903 as a successor to the Elgin Eagle newspaper.
The Lawton Constitution was owned by John Shepler and his family until 2012 when it was sold to Bill and Brad Burgess, who then sold it to Southern Newspapers Inc. in 2018.
Yes, the Lawton Constitution is still being published as a daily newspaper in Lawton, Oklahoma.
