Newspapers have always played a vital role in the development of new communities. Many were published in Madison County and Alton despite the difficulties involved in shipping presses and circulating the newspaper to residents. More than 40 newspapers were started in Alton between 1819 and the present. The Alton Spectator was begun in 1832, by O.M. Adams and Edward Breath at Upper Alton. A November, 1837 edition of the paper was notable in its lack of comment on the Lovejoy murder. The Alton Telegraph was first published on January 15, 1836. It was founded by R.M. Treadway and L.A. Parks, and has bee the one newspaper in continual operation to the present day. In 1893, publisher Wilbur T. Norton sold his Telegraph stock to J.A. Cousley. The Telegraph was published by the Cousley and McAdams families until 1985, when the daily paper was purchased by Ralph Ingersoll II and Sunrise Industries. In this picture is the May 11, 1836 issue which included advertisements for delicacies such as pickled oysters and peach brandy, window glass, valuable real estate, and cash advances made on consignments by Godfrey, Gilman & Co. Many religious, political and foreign language papers were published over the years. Photo: File Photo
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