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The Writings of Sam Konkel – A Voice of the Plains: Part 3
The Springfield Herald Years – A Newspaper for the People
A New Era for the Springfield Herald
In July 1913, Sam Konkel took ownership of the Springfield Herald, marking the beginning of a transformative period for the only surviving newspaper in Baca County. For Konkel, this was more than just a business venture—it was a return to the region where he had once founded The Boston World, the first newspaper east of Trinidad and south of the Arkansas River. His acquisition of the Herald allowed him to continue his passion for journalism, document the rapidly changing landscape of southeastern Colorado, and influence local discourse.
One of Konkel’s first acts as editor was to publish a Salutatory Address, a common practice for new newspaper owners at the time. In this greeting, he outlined his vision for the Herald, reflected on the paper’s historical significance, and reaffirmed his commitment to serving the people of Baca County. He also made it clear that under his leadership, the Herald would align politically with the Democratic Party while remaining a fair and reliable source of local news.
A century later, in 2019, the Plainsman Herald—the modern successor to the Springfield Herald—changed ownership once again. Kent Brooks, the new publisher, crafted his own Salutatory Address, inspired by Konkel’s words from 1913. His message not only paid tribute to Konkel but also highlighted the evolving challenges faced by local newspapers in the digital age.
In this article, we will explore both salutatories—Konkel’s 1913 address and Brooks’ 2019 tribute—to examine how the role of local journalism has changed, yet remained vital, over time.
Konkel’s 1913 Salutatory: A Bold Vision for the Springfield Herald

When Konkel took over the Springfield Herald, he framed it as a natural progression of history. Having started the first newspaper in the region nearly three decades earlier, he saw it as fitting that he should now helm the last surviving publication.
“With this issue, the for many years only newspaper in Baca County passes in control from the Herald Pub. Co. to the undersigned. The Herald is among the first newspapers published in the east end of Las Animas County, is the only survivor of those many ill-fated ventures, and it is consequently peculiarly fitting that the man who started the first paper published in this territory should come in ownership and control of the only surviving member of those early beacons lighting up the paths of the weary and footsore homeseeker in those old days.”
Konkel acknowledged the Herald’s longstanding Republican readership but made it clear that the paper would now adopt a Democratic stance. However, he assured readers that his goal was not to alienate anyone but to foster a newspaper that served the entire community.
“While the policy politically of the Herald changes with its change of ownership, control, and management, in its future conduct I shall aim to keep in mind not only the fact that a great many—a majority, probably, of its readers are Republicans, but that I want those Republicans to stay with the Herald; want them in fact to feel that the Herald is indispensable to them as a loyal news-giver and a home-circle friend.”
Beyond politics, Konkel emphasized the Herald’s role in preserving the local way of life. He envisioned the paper as more than just a news outlet—it was a record of history, a promoter of economic development, and a unifier of the community.
“I believe the first mission of a newspaper is to give the news; but a mission like unto it is giving expression to and drawing out public sentiment on matters of community affairs in common, in all things pertaining to the social and pecuniary interests of the county as a whole, or any part thereof, and particularly to its development and the proper exploitation of its interests and resources.”

Konkel also made a commitment to transitioning the Herald from a partially pre-printed newspaper (a common practice in small-town journalism at the time) to an all-homeprint publication, ensuring more space for local news.
His address concluded with a message of goodwill, borrowing from President Abraham Lincoln’s famous words:
“Mindful of the fact that there are limitations even to a salutatory, I will close with Lincoln’s famous, ‘Goodwill to all and malice towards none,’ and the hope that the Herald will be between us a mediator and a bond of friendship.”
A Modern Tribute: The 2019 Salutatory by Kent Brooks
In 2019, Kent Brooks purchased the Plainsman Herald, the latest incarnation of Konkel’s Springfield Herald. In his Salutatory Address, Brooks paid homage to Konkel’s words while acknowledging the challenges of running a local newspaper in the digital era.

Brooks began by recognizing the Herald’s long history, dating back to its founding in 1887. Just as Konkel had noted the many failed newspapers of his time, Brooks reflected on the ongoing struggles of print journalism.
“Certainly, things have changed since then, and some will question the viability of the medium and the sanity of the new publisher. Many will say … I get my news from Google and Facebook … like everyone else.”
While Konkel had to navigate shifting political landscapes, Brooks faced an entirely different battle: the decline of print journalism in the face of digital media. He cited a University of North Carolina report on the growing number of “news deserts”—communities without reliable local news sources.
“An October 2018 report from the University of North Carolina shows that news deserts—communities that lack a local newspaper, or are served primarily by ghost newspapers—are growing across the United States.”
Despite these challenges, Brooks echoed Konkel’s belief in the power of local journalism. He emphasized that a community newspaper, when done right, serves as the heart and soul of a town.
“However, a local newspaper, when done right, serves many functions and can still be the soul of the local community. Local publications that find a way to serve local needs are the only derivatives of the newspaper industry which show some resilience to the failing tendency of traditional media in a digital world.”
Brooks also cited legendary journalist William Allen White, whose 1916 words still resonate today:
“Our papers, our little country papers, seem drab and miserably provincial to strangers; yet we who read them read in their lines the sweet, intimate story of life.”
Just as Konkel had invited past subscribers to stay with the Herald, Brooks ended with a similar message:
“To those current subscribers of the Herald into whose hands this issue of the Herald may happen to fall, I want to send this greeting, and the hope that prosperity meets you on your journey and stays with you. To those who have strayed from the pages of this 132-year-old publication, I want to extend an invitation to come back.”
A Legacy of Local Journalism
The parallels between Konkel’s 1913 Salutatory and Brooks’ 2019 address reveal a fundamental truth: while the medium may change, the purpose of local journalism remains the same. Both men understood that a small-town newspaper is more than just ink on paper—it is a living record of the community, a force for civic engagement, and a guardian of local history.
Konkel’s Springfield Herald chronicled the early days of Baca County, preserving its stories for future generations. Today, the Plainsman Herald continues that tradition, standing as a testament to the enduring importance of local news.
In our next article, we will begin one of Konkel’s most significant contributions: his detailed writings on Old Boston and the settlement of southeastern Colorado
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