Inter-Ocean
Selkirk’s first newspaper was the Selkirk Inter-Ocean.
On the evening of March 5, 1878, James Colcleugh and a small group of friends gathered to discuss financing a newspaper for Selkirk. Most of the friends offered a few hundred dollars, but Colcleugh committed to give the publisher a building rent-free for three years.
In September 1878 the first issue was published. James Weidman was the publisher. It cost 2$ per year to subscribe and each issue was four pages long, the standard of the time. A new issue was printed every Friday.
While the newspaper contained news, town gossips, and advertisements, the true purpose was to boost the town and its prospects in order win the battle with Winnipeg for which town the train would pass through.
In August of 1881 the paper ceased publication.
Selkirk Herald
Part way through 1882 another newspaper commenced in Selkirk – the Selkirk Herald. The publishers and owners were Gemmel and Groff. They operated at the intersection of Eveline Street and Manitoba Avenue, which was the business district in Selkirk. The paper was “devoted to the interests of the Town of Selkirk; County of Lisgar; and generally the Province of Manitoba”.
The newspaper was released weekly on Friday morning and cost 2$ for a yearly subscription. The paper started as four pages but grew to six pages. In July 1884 the newspaper reduced its price to 1$ per year.
General topics of the newspaper included a town directory, ads, council news reports, local and national news, and personal notices, such as deaths, births, marriages, and events. The newspaper always included a serial, such as “The Silkrobbed Cow” by W.H. Williams.
The Selkirk Herald stopped operation in 1885.
Almanak Um Fyrir Árið
Selkirk was also the location of production for a yearly Icelandic newspaper. It was written by Sigfus B. Benedictsson, a well-known writer, poet, and publisher in the Manitoba Icelandic community. The paper was printed at the printshop that he and his wife, Margret Benedictsson, owned.
The Almanak was published on January 1st in 1900 to 1904.
Selkirk Record
On November 26th, 1885, the Selkirk Record was started. James Stewart and Sons were the publishers and proprietors. The real person in charge was one of the “Sons”, Robert Stewart, who owned and operated newspapers in Selkirk for nearly 50 years. The offices were located on Clandeboye Avenue. The newspaper, which was four pages, was released each Thursday and cost 1$ a year.
The newspaper focused on local and country news. Frequent sections included ads, a town directory, serials, correspondence, and a train table.
Selkirk Record And Canadian Fishing Gazette
Robert Stewart changed the name of the Selkirk Record to the Selkirk Record and Canadian Fishing Gazette in 1895. He changed the name and rebranded his newspaper to appeal to the huge fishing industry in Selkirk.
At some point Robert’s office moved from Clandeboye Avenue to Manitoba Avenue, and 1896 his offices on Manitoba Avenue burned down.
The newspaper was published on Thursdays and was longer, with eight pages per issue. It continued to cost 1$ per year. The content was generally similar to the Selkirk Record, including ads, local news, short stories, and included more news about agriculture and fishing than the Record had.
Selkirk Weekly Record
Robert Stewart rebranded his newspaper again in 1903 under the name of Selkirk Weekly Record. It continued to be published on Friday mornings, at eight pages per issue. A yearly subscription cost 1$.
The newspaper contained ads, local and national news, personal notices and obituaries, local events, serials, and short stories. There were often large medical sections with home remedies, new tinctures and medicine to buy, and scientific announcements.
When the newspaper was sold in 1933, it also marked the end of Robert Stewart’s 48 year-long career with newspaper in Selkirk.
Selkirk News
The Selkirk News started in July 1886. It was started by the Selkirk Liberal Association and financed by Mayor F.W. Colcleugh. The newspaper generally spread news and opinions of the Selkirk Liberal Association.
No copies of the Selkirk News have survived.
Selkirk Expositor
From 1899 to 1909 the Selkirk Expositor was published. No information or copies of the newspaper remain.
Selkirk Selkirkingur
During 1901 and 1902 a weekly Icelandic newspaper was published in Selkirk. No copies or information remain available.
Selkirk Record
The Selkirk Weekly Record was bought by C.A. Croucher and Taylor in 1933. It was renamed to the Selkirk Record on October 26th, 1933. The offices were located on Clandeboye Avenue. It was published weekly on Thursdays and cost 2$ per year.
The newspaper was four pages and included such topics as local and international news, ads, serials, religious Sunday school lessons, agriculture, “social and personal” which included events and announcements, and recipes.
On August 2nd, 1934, Taylor left the paper and Croucher became sole owner for a while. The last proprietor and publisher was George C. Kroft. The newspaper stopped on May 1, 1947, to merge with the Selkirk Journal.
Sources
Legislative Library of Manitoba
Newspaper Archive
Selkirk: The First Hundred Years by Barry Potyondi
Selkirk Enterprise and Lake Centre News
Selkirk Record
Selkirk Journal
Selkirk Regional News
Selkirk Enterprise and Lake Winnipeg Argus
Selkirk Enterprise
Selkirk Weekly Record
Selkirk Record And Canadian Fishing Gazette
Almanak Um Fyrir Ario
Selkirk Herald
Selkirk Inter-Ocean
