W. A. Hemphill letters, 1871, 1971

Summary

Creator:
Hemphill, W. A.
Date:
1871, 1971
Extent:
1 folder(s) 2 letters
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

W. A. Hemphill letters, ms1026, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

A letter dated September 19, 1871 from W. A. Hemphill, proprietor of the Atlanta Constitution, discussing another of his business enterprises -- that of running an undertaking establishment -- is written to the manager of his funeral parlor and concerns financial matters. Accompanying is a note of October 8, 1971 from Reg Murphy, the editor (in 1971) of the Atlanta Constitution to Gary L. Doster referring to Hemphill's letter.

Biographical / historical:

The Atlanta Constitution was founded when Carey Wentworth Styles and two partners, James H. Anderson and W. A. Hemphill bought the Atlanta Daily Opinion newspaper and renamed it The Atlanta Constitution, beginning publication on June 16, 1868. A charter subscription to this early paper cost $10 a year, $1 a month. Atlanta was still under martial law during the Reconstruction era. The founders advocated the return of a constitutional government as had existed before the Civil War, thus the name. Styles sold out to Hemphill and his future father-in-law Anderson six months later. Not long after that Anderson turned his share over to Hemphill who was then the controlling stockholder until 1876.

Access and use restrictions

Preferred citation:

W. A. Hemphill letters, ms1026, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.