At the end of 1891, from England, John traveled on the S.S. Nevada to New York. He then hopped a coastal vessel to Norfolk, Virginia, and road a train to Provo, Utah.
He lived in the Provo Valley for almost 4 years. John worked at the Provo Dispatch with his brother James H. Wallis who was editor of the bi-weekly paper.
Durind his work at the dispatch John joined the Utah Press Association. John R. and James H. are inducted into the Utah Newspaper Hall of Fame.
When the Dispatch closed, he founded the Rich County Round-Up in Randolf, Utah in 1896.The high elevation did not agree with his wife Elizabeth's health, following doctors advice they relocated to St.George, Utah. He and Elizabeth had met in London and spent a month together before he came to the U.S. She promised to come meet him, she made good on the promise in 1893.
After making it to Southern Utah, John founded the Washington County News in June, 1898 and soon closed in1900. He promised the area Judge D.H. Morris if the economy in the area picked up again, he would return.
In 1901, John tried American Fork in Northern Utah. He opened the Advance in April with a brand new newspaper plant. . . the area could only support it for 3 months. They moved to Rexburg, Idaho and took over Fremont County Journal. It lasted a year before Elizabeth decided she did not like the weather. They sold out in April, 1902. The Wallis's loaded a wagon and was not quite sure where they were headed.He had heard it was nice in Lewiston, Idaho so they pointed the wagon in that direction.
On the way to Lewiston, they came through Long Valley and hit Lardo, a little town on Big Payette lake.
They loved it so much they stayed, secured a homestead, and built a home. John purchased a new plant in Portland, Oregon and hauled it himself with a team of horses from Council, the nearest railroad yard.
John started another paper in Lardo named the Long Valley Advocate. He published the paper until selling out in April, 1907.
An interesting family story heard growing up was that of Elizabeth. In ill health, in the middle of winter, and weighing 95 pounds put out a fire the boys Archie an Alan had started when playing with the stove. Part of the bottom floor had burned and a portion of the roof had started when she managed to put the fire out by her self. This photo was taken per-fire, although it was restored. It was later used as the valley school house.
Judge Morris did contact John R. about the great economy recovery in St.George. Unfortunately, by the time John and Elizabeth had arrived, it had fallen once again.
They loved it in Southern Utah, and figured it time to quit moving around and make it work. The Washington County News was revived. In January 12, 1908 the first number came off the press.
John retired in December, 1927. He leased and eventually sold the Washington County news. The paper was published until 1988.
For his tireless dedication to the newspaper industry, John R. Wallis was inducted into the Utah Newspaper Hall of Fame in 1963.
John was awarded lifetime membership into the Utah Press Association in 1938. John is seated 3rd from left in the first seated row, his wife Elizabeth is 4th seat.
James H, his younger brother of exactly 2 years, is seated to their left. His wife Elizabeth is to his left. His life is no less remarkable. James was also a lifetime member of the UPA and served as vice president and president He is in the Newspaper Hall of Fame. He served as European mission president appointed by Joseph F. Smith. He was owner, editor, producer and publisher of many newspapers and publications in the U.S. and England, including the Ensign in 1889 and Vernal Express. He was also a lawyer, and served as executive secretary of the Utah Public Health Association. John served as president of the Southeast Idaho Press Association for 3 years as well.
No comments:
Post a Comment