The Minneapolis Messenger has served as Ottawa County, Kansas' official newspaper since 1875. Originally published as The Sentinel by D. R. Crosby & Co., the paper was printed and distributed from Minneapolis. Every Thursday, it provided the latest news and information about local events in the county and broader U.S. affairs. In those days, newspapers were relied upon as a vital source of accurate, relevant news. While it may not be the primary source of news today, the Messenger continues to play an important role in uniting the community by sharing the lives of those who shape it.

Over the years, The Sentinel changed hands a couple of times. In 1876, Crosby & Co. partnered with Charles Hoyt, who, alongside Thomas Midgley, co-published the paper until 1878. Hoyt became the sole publisher in 1879, holding the position until 1883, when he sold the paper to D. M. Dunn and his son, C. M. Dunn. The new owners briefly renamed it The Minneapolis Sentinel before settling on Minneapolis Messenger within the year.

In 1885, D. M. and C. M. Dunn sold the newspaper to Alexander P. Riddle, a respected newspaperman and politician. The Dunns went on to establish their own publication, The Better Way. Riddle continued as publisher until his untimely death in 1909, at which point his son, Arthur F. Riddle, inherited the paper. Arthur published the Messenger for three years before passing the torch to Earl C. Woodward in 1913.

Woodward’s biography notes that his goal was to make the paper “alive with interest and of real practical usefulness,” striving to ensure it was “welcomed as a personal friend in the homes of its subscribers.” Woodward ran the newspaper until 1922, when George M. Gage and Ralph H. Osborne became the new publishers. By 1923, Ralph G. Hemenway had assumed control. A generational newspaperman, Hemenway was deeply involved in the community and served as President of the Kansas Press Association (KPA). He published the Messenger for 46 years until his passing in 1969, when his son, Bill Hemenway, succeeded him.

Bill Hemenway, who also served as mayor and councilman of Minneapolis, was later inducted into the KPA Hall of Fame for his outstanding contributions to his profession. In 1978, John and Mary Wilson purchased the business. John, who had joined the Messenger in 1964, and Mary witnessed significant industry changes throughout their time publishing. As noted in a 2013 article, “From typesetting by hand and hot lead, to linotype, to cold type, to personal computers, and from the internet to digital media, things have definitely changed.” John spent 49 years with the Messenger, and both he and Mary expressed deep appreciation for their community and emphasized the importance of supporting it.

In 2013, a new era of publishing began when two local families purchased the Messenger from the Wilsons. Erik and Londa Shupe, along with Jason and Jody Parks, became the newspaper’s owners and editors. Reflecting on the publication’s role, Erik stated in a 2013 interview, “[The Messenger is] a part of people’s lives, and we want that to continue.” When asked about his experience as a publisher, Jason shared, “I enjoyed being part of the community in a positive way. There are a lot of good people in our community, and it was an honor to help tell their stories.”

In the summer of 2024, Katie and Caleb Vanderhoff assumed the role of publishers. In an introductory article, Katie shared, “Our passion for Ottawa County and its residents led us to embrace the opportunity to acquire The Minneapolis Messenger. We view this endeavor as a chance to deepen our engagement with the community and contribute positively to its future. We are eager to share the stories of Ottawa County’s citizens and experience life alongside them… We warmly invite all residents of Ottawa County, past and present, to subscribe to The Minneapolis Messenger to stay informed about local news and events.”

We are proud to be a part of this great history and look forward to continuing the legacy that is The Minneapolis Messenger.