| Show UTAH PRESS ASSOCIATION letter to them congratulating them on their large family and stating in part You are the kind of American citizensthor oughly believe in and for whomfeel the highest regard Wallis began his American journalistic career on the staff of the Juvenile Instructor church publication Later he was employed by the Provo Dispatch and still later was local editor of the Logan Leader He then moved into publishing ranks and was the owner of many Idaho and Utah newspapers Before his death on August 23 1940 he was said to be one of the oldest newspaper men in the Intermountain area One of he was -behind fellow Utah publishers Sam Raddon of Park City and John Stahle of Bountiful Raddon at that time was three years older and would newspaper eight years longer Wallis was associate editor of the Utah Enquirer in Provo during 1888 and 1889 He purchased the Nephi Ensign in September 1889 aspartner of John Field who had pre viously been the paperco-publisher Their debut delayed by plan actually occurred February 1890 The neighboring Manti Home Sentinel editorially commented We have not yet congratulated Nephi on their securing the talented James Wallis as the purchaser and editor of their city and county paper We waited til we could be heard in the flood of compliments that were poured in Wallis significantly changed the Ensigneditorial approach from anti-Mormon to pro-Mormon and as he would in subsequent plants he owned decidedly improved the mechanical department In Nephi it was accomplished withCincinnati cylinder press and new type faces The Provo Enquirer commented that the changes made quite an improvement in the general makeup of the paper The new type causes matters to appear inclear light He proved himself an outspoken editor as well and before 1890 had passed was charged with criminal libel -and exonerated Disagreement with the Postmaster also resulted inbit of fisticuffs ondowntown street with the newsman la belledclear-cut victor 636 Digital image 2005 Marriott Library University of Utah Al rights reserved |
