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The first newspapers in Texas, beginning in 1813, all had direct links to Nacogdoches. The leading family in the newspaper business was that of Col. R.D. Orton and his nephews, Robert W. (R.W.) and Giles Haltom. In 1899, following years of weekly newspapers, R.W., Giles and W.H. Harris established a daily newspaper under the name The Daily Phone. After six months, the paper became The Daily Sentinel. Initially, R.W. edited and managed The Daily Sentinel and Giles operated the presses. In addition to editorials, the Sentinel featured special editions to push for civic improvements, to note community accomplishments or to highlight the amenities of the region. A Weekly Sentinel was founded in 1900 and operated until 1936. When R.W. was elected to the Texas State Legislature in 1904, Giles took over the paper. The change became permanent when R.W. became ill and died in 1907. In 1918, responding to the clamor for news during World War I, an Associated Press wire service was added which drastically changed the format and content of the paper. Giles Haltom led the Sentinel until 1944 when it was sold to a local consortium. After World War II, Victor B. Fain returned to the Sentinel as editor. Fains editorials, leadership and positive influence guided Nacogdoches through many crises. The paper moved locations in October 1950 to North Fredonia Street and featured modern efficient equipment. In 2007, the Sentinel was honored with the Gov. James M. Cox public service award. Over the last century, the Sentinel emerged from its frontier past to become a record of the movements, history and progress of Nacogdoches. (2012) |
