#TBT: The first issue of the Caller rolled off the press in 1883
On Jan. 21, 1883, the first edition of the Corpus Christi Caller greeted readers for the first time.
Headlines weren’t eye-catching at all: The front page was filled with small typeface declaring “Railroad Talk” and “Man Milliners,” surrounded by ads for various professionals: J Williamson Moses, attorney; Spohn, Burke and Hamilton, physicians; A.M. French, civil engineer and land surveyor; and Louis De Planque, photographer.
The introductory column on the second page detailed how the Weekly Caller had been created by the consolidation of two earlier newspapers, Corpus Christi Free Press and Sunday Morning Ledger. The three editors/publishers/managers were Eli T. Merriman, William P. Caruthers and Ed Williams. The editors explained the new paper would “call on” all previous subscribers of the two papers — hence the name, Caller.
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If you are curious, people have been suggesting alternate names of the paper for 140 years, either for their own amusement or as an insult (I’ve gotten at least two emails with suggestions in the last month). The first edition of the Caller had a column titled, “What’s in a name,” where the nameless editorialist states:
“Much has been said already about the name of our paper. It has been dubbed the 'Brawler,' 'Crawler,' 'Bawler,' 'Collar,' 'Screamer,' 'Screecher,' etc., etc., and some have even asked us the meaning of the word 'caller.' This, to us, was adding insult to injury. Should we ever have occasion to start another paper we shall advertise for ten years (standing ad), in advance of its publication for a name, offering a chromo valued at $1,000,000 for one that will please everybody and lull crying babies to sleep. The fortunate discoverer or inventor shall have his paper and advertising free for the balance of his natural life.”
The Caller also reprinted the San Antonio Light’s remarks on the name in that first edition: “We don’t like the name. 'Calleragain' would have been better, or 'Call me to Dinner,' but 'Caller” is bad. 'Bawler' would have been more appropriate.”
The issue also included notes on the extreme cold that had been blasting through the state and rest of the country. Houston recorded the temperature at 22 degrees the day before the Caller published. Corpus Christi didn’t escape the cold either, hitting 24 that same morning. The night the first Caller hit the hand-cranked press, the ink had to be cut with coal oil to soften it and scuttles of burning coals placed under the press to warm it enough to continue printing.
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The editors quite literally stopped the presses the first night, when someone arrived with late-breaking news. Mrs. Mark Downey, a popular citizen, had given birth to triplets. Other news of the day was the pressing importance of railroad expansion, a near-burglary at M. Lichtenstein’s dry goods store, an enjoyable party held at the home of the Perry Doddridge family and an idea to plant orange groves on Padre Island.
The four pages of news seemed to satisfy the readers of Corpus Christi, population just over 3,200. The editors had noted, “We shall endeavor to vary the matter and make-up of the Caller so as to meet the favor of as many of our patrons as possible.”
Allison Ehrlich writes about things to do in South Texas and has a weekly Throwback Thursday column on local history.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: #TBT: The first issue of the Caller rolled off the press in 1883
