Isabella Carter
The Lawton Constitution, the pioneer paper of Comanche County, was established in 1903 as a successor to the Elgin Eagle newspaper. The paper had both daily and weekly editions, with the former being published from Monday to Saturday, and the latter issued on Thursdays. The Lawton Constitution was published by the Constitution Company, with J. Roy Williams serving as editor and S. K. Rush and H. M. Tilton as managers. The paper changed hands several times over the years, with John Shepler purchasing it in 1910, and it remained with his family until 2012 when it was sold to brothers Bill and Brad Burgess. The Lawton Constitution's staff size is not publicly known, however, the paper has had a history of mergers and changes in ownership, which may suggest a small staff size.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1903 |
| Year began publishing | 1904 |
| Year merged with The State Democrat | 1907 |
| Year resumed publication as The Lawton Constitution | 1911 |
| Year purchased by John Shepler | 1910 |
| Year sold by Don and Steve Bentley | 2012 |
| Year sold to Southern Newspapers, Inc. | 2018 |
| Previous owners | Bill and Brad Burgess |
| Frequency | Daily (except Sundays) and weekly |
| Cost of subscription | $4 per year for daily edition, $1 per year for weekly edition |
| Circulation (1906-1907) | 500 for daily edition, 1,625 for weekly edition |
| Circulation (1908) | 2,267 for weekly edition |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The Lawton Constitution is a daily newspaper published in Lawton, Oklahoma
- It was established in 1903 as the pioneer paper of Comanche County
- The paper was bought by John Shepler in 1910
- It was owned by successive generations of the Shepler family until 2012
- The Lawton Constitution was sold to Southern Newspapers, Inc. in 2018
The Lawton Constitution is a daily newspaper published in Lawton, Oklahoma
In its early years, the paper had a small circulation, with 500 subscribers to the daily edition and 1,625 subscribers to the weekly edition from 1906 to 1907. The following year, the weekly edition's circulation increased to 2,267. John N. Shepler purchased the newspaper in 1910, and it remained with his family for generations until his great-grandsons, Don and Steve Bentley, sold it in 2012.
The Lawton Constitution has played a significant role in the community, with former residents like Suzanne Hogan, who worked at the Library of Congress, crediting the city for shaping her work ethic and confidence. Hogan, who moved away from Lawton in 1999, fondly recalls the opportunities and connections she made in the city, including meeting her husband and starting her family. She pursued her passions for songwriting and music performance alongside her career, which included working for organisations such as the Telos Corporation and the American Red Cross.
Representative Tom Cole also acknowledged the impact of the small city of Lawton, highlighting how it nurtured big dreams. The Lawton Constitution, with its long history and connection to the community, has been a part of this dream-nurturing environment.
Virginia Colony: Forerunner of US Constitution
You may want to see also
It was established in 1903 as the pioneer paper of Comanche County
The Lawton Constitution, a daily newspaper published in Lawton, Oklahoma, began publishing in 1904. However, it was originally established in 1903 as the pioneer paper of Comanche County, succeeding the Elgin Eagle. In 1907, the paper merged with The State Democrat, becoming the Lawton Constitution-Democrat, published daily and weekly with T. M. Bixby as the editor.
The Lawton Constitution was the official newspaper of Comanche County and the City of Lawton. Comanche County, which includes towns such as Cache, Elgin, Fletcher, and Sterling, was formed through the opening of government townsites and the settlement of the remaining areas of the KCA Reservation, known as the Big Pasture. Lawton, established in 1901, is the county seat of Comanche County.
In 1910, John Shepler bought The Lawton Constitution, and it remained with his family for generations until his great-grandsons, Don and Steve Bentley, sold the paper on March 1, 2012, to brothers Bill and Brad Burgess, lawyers and businessmen in Lawton. The paper resumed publication under its original name, The Lawton Constitution, in 1911, and continued to serve the community as the primary source of news and information for the region.
The Lawton Constitution has played an integral role in documenting the history of Lawton and Comanche County, including significant events such as the cooperation between Fort Sill and Lawton for the common good of civilian and military populations. The newspaper has also covered various legal cases, such as the Athena Brownfield and 'Baby Beth' cases, and provided updates on local initiatives, like the Capital Improvements Program.
The Australian Constitution: Chapters Explained
You may want to see also
The paper was bought by John Shepler in 1910
The Lawton Constitution, a daily newspaper published in Lawton, Oklahoma, was bought by John Shepler in 1910. The paper was born in 1904 out of a dispute among Lawton Democrats. One faction, hoping to capture city and county printing contracts, set up its own newspaper by purchasing the weekly Elgin Eagle. The paper was then moved to Lawton and renamed the Lawton Daily Constitution under the editorship of J. Roy Williams. In 1910, Williams sold the newspaper to John Shepler, a Missouri native who had published the weekly Milan Standard in Missouri for 18 years.
Shepler had sold the Milan Standard in 1902 when he moved to Pawnee, Oklahoma, and purchased two weeklies, the Courier and Dispatch, merging them into the Courier-Dispatch. He sold the Pawnee Newspaper in 1909 and worked in the real estate and stock exchange business before purchasing the Constitution. John Shepler died in 1919, and his two sons, Ned and Fred, became co-publishers. Ned Shepler served as publisher from 1918 to 1967.
The Lawton Constitution remained with successive generations of the Shepler family until John Shepler's great-grandsons, Don and Steve Bentley, sold the paper on March 1, 2012. Don and Steve Bentley were the sons of Shirley Shepler Bentley, who was the widow of longtime publisher Bill F. Bentley. The paper was then sold to brothers Bill and Brad Burgess, lawyers and businessmen in Lawton, before being sold again to Southern Newspapers, Inc. in April 2018.
The Lawton Constitution has a long history of staying on the leading edge of technology. When John Shepler took over in 1910, typewriters and hand-or-machine-set type were the standard. In 1955, when The Lawton Publishing Company moved to its new building, it acquired the latest machinery, including Linotype machines. Today, the newspaper continues to embrace technological advancements, with typewriters giving way to computers and laser typesetters replacing Linotype machines.
Exploring Election Years: Constitutional Basis and Beyond
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It was owned by successive generations of the Shepler family until 2012
The Lawton Constitution is a daily newspaper published in Lawton, Oklahoma. It was initially launched in 1904 and was purchased by John Shepler in 1910. The Lawton Constitution remained in the Shepler family for over a century, passed down through successive generations of the family until 2012. John Shepler's great-grandsons, Don and Steve Bentley, sold the newspaper on March 1, 2012, marking the end of the Shepler family's long ownership.
The Lawton Constitution has a rich history in Lawton, Oklahoma, and the surrounding areas. Lawton is situated in Comanche County, and the newspaper has played a role in documenting and shaping the region's history. The newspaper's early years coincided with the development and growth of Lawton as a city, and it has witnessed and reported on significant events and changes in the community over more than a century.
John Shepler's acquisition of the newspaper in 1910 marked the beginning of a long period of family ownership. The Shepler family's commitment to the newspaper and its role in the community helped shape The Lawton Constitution's identity and influence in the region. During this extended period of ownership, the newspaper established itself as a trusted source of information and a platform for local stories and issues.
As the newspaper changed hands within the family over the years, each generation of the Shepler family left its mark on The Lawton Constitution. They guided the editorial direction, managed the business operations, and adapted to the evolving landscape of journalism and media consumption. The Shepler family's ownership ensured a degree of continuity and consistency in the newspaper's values and its connection to the local community.
However, in 2012, Don and Steve Bentley, John Shepler's great-grandsons and the then-owners of the newspaper, made the decision to sell. This decision brought about a change in ownership after more than a century. The new owners, Bill and Brad Burgess, were lawyers and businessmen from Lawton. They acquired the newspaper from the Shepler family, marking a new chapter in The Lawton Constitution's history.
The Lawton Constitution's staff size is not immediately available, but the newspaper's long history and daily publication suggest a dedicated team of journalists, editors, and support staff. The newspaper's focus on local news and its presence in the community indicate a close connection to the people and events of Lawton, Oklahoma.
The Constitution: Limiting Arbitrary Power
You may want to see also
The Lawton Constitution was sold to Southern Newspapers, Inc. in 2018
The Lawton Constitution, a daily newspaper published in Lawton, Oklahoma, was sold to Southern Newspapers Inc. in 2018. The paper was initially purchased by John Shepler in 1910, and it remained with successive generations of the Shepler family until 2012, when it was sold to brothers Brad and Bill Burgess, who are lawyers and businessmen in Lawton. The brothers announced their plans to sell the newspaper to the Houston-based company Southern Newspapers Inc. in March 2018, and the acquisition was completed in April of that year.
Southern Newspapers Inc. is a privately held, family-owned company founded by community newspaper pioneer Carmage Walls. The company specialises in community newspapers and owns several papers across Texas and Alabama. The Lawton Constitution, with its 16,500-daily circulation, became Southern Newspapers' first paper in Oklahoma and its 16th newspaper overall.
Lissa Walls, the owner and CEO of Southern Newspapers Inc., expressed her pleasure in a statement: "We’re very pleased the Burgess brothers chose our company to succeed them as the owner of The Lawton Constitution. The newspaper has a wonderful history of support for the community, which we fully intend to continue and enhance."
Brad Burgess also shared his thoughts on the sale: "We have enjoyed being stewards of this important community institution... We have been honored to work alongside the most talented writers, photographers, and staff in Southwest Oklahoma. The experience of being a publisher for The Lawton Constitution was a true honor and learning experience."
The sale of The Lawton Constitution marked a transition in ownership and a new chapter for the longstanding publication, as it joined the portfolio of Southern Newspapers Inc. and continued its tradition of serving the local community with quality journalism.
Alien Rights: US Constitution's Universal Application
You may want to see also
