Musings - Grateful twice a week

The recent changes in publishing days of The Sonoma Index-Tribune brought back memories of our decision in 1985 to change from publishing just one day a week to twice-weekly.

At the time, the newspaper had been published here once a week for 106 years. Changing to twice a week (Tuesdays and Fridays) was a really big deal, and we were more than a little bit anxious about whether our readers would accept the change.

They did, and it turned out to be a good decision and remained so until the digital age changed how people get their news. For some, a print edition is no longer their first choice.

Fortunately for those who still prefer ink on paper, the current publishers of The Sonoma Index-Tribune still deliver print editions to those who request it, carrying on a legacy that began here in 1879, the year that Benj. Frank, decided to found The Sonoma Index as a weekly publication.

Frank, who was succeeded by Harry Granice, my great-grandfather, in 1884, wrote in that first issue of of 1879 the following:

“We present the Index today for your inspection, and if you like it we respectfully ask your patronage to the extent of one year’s subscription, which is only $3, in advance. We came here to stay, because this is one of the finest valleys on the Pacific Coast. We are confident that we shall like the people, and by making a good paper we expect to receive their kindest regards in return… Bear in mind too that judicious advertising pays everybody who has anything to sell or in any way offers his or her services to the public, besides it makes the printing business all the more interesting to us.”

Some of the top news items in that first issue included the following:

“G.W. Clark has supplied a long-felt want in this community by providing a hearse. He is fully prepared to do undertaking on short notice.

“The Sonoma Valley Railroad is being pushed along as rapidly as men and money can do the work, and in a few weeks we expect the whistle of the iron horse will wake up citizens of our little burg.

“The fine little steamer ‘Sonoma’ is making her regular trip-weekly trips between Embarcadero (via Sonoma Creek) and San Francisco and is doing a good freight and passenger business. Her officers are very accommodating gentlemen and pay the strictest attention to all business entrusted to their care.

“We are indebted to General Vallejo for some historical documents that will be read with interest by everyone, of which we will take due notice in a future issue of our paper.

“The principal of our public school reports the school in a flourishing condition. C.L. Ennis has charge of the scholars in first and second grades, Miss Ella Ewell those in third and fourth, Miss Tillie Hope those in fifth and sixth and Miss Sarah E. Morton those in seventh and eighth. For the month ending April 30, 154 pupils were enrolled – 90 boys and 64 girls. The average daily attendance was 138 each month. Mr. Ennis thinks parents and friends of the scholars don’t encourage the teachers and scholars enough in their work by frequent visits to the school. Parents, visit your school more frequently. Much good can be accomplished by so doing.

“Dunbar schoolhouse, ten miles up the valley from here, was burned down on Thursday night last, between nine and ten o’clock. It was undoubtedly the work of an incendiary.”

Today, Sonoma Valley still has newspaper able to keep local residents informed on what is happening in their home town. Not all communities these days are so fortunate. It still arrives at my doorstep twice a week, and I’m grateful for every issue.