It was then bought by Joseph B. Gossage in the autumn of 1874, and the next year George C. Darrow became a partner in the ownership. The Telegraph was then published under the firm name of Joseph B. Gossage & Company. In 1878, a rival newspaper appeared, the Plaindcaler, which was started by W. H. Michael. In 1881, this paper was sold to A. C. Drake who consolidated it with the Telegraph which he then owned. This gave the Telcgraph-Plaindcaler a clear field for some time. J. C. Bush bought it, and then Charles Callahan was the controlling spirit of the Telegraph for a number of years, "Plaindealer" being dropped from the name. For a long time now, H. E. Gapen has been the able editoi. He is a good politician as well as an efficient newspaper man and the combination has led to the Telegraph taking the leading place in the local newspaper world. Mr. Gapen has served as county attorney five times and was later county judge.

The files of the old Telegraph have contributed materially to the history of the county as herein recorded.

J. F. Wellington ran the Sidney Democrat for a period about 1886-1887, but owing to a change of administration it ceased to exist.

The Sidney Journal came into existence in 1888. It was supported by some politicians who were dissatisfied because the Telegraph sold space to the Democrats. They declared that the Telegraph, which was then managed by Charles Callahan, "had sold its birthright for a mess of pottage." The new paper won official patronage during 1890-1891, but its owner sold out. The paper was not successful and its publication ceased. The farmers rise in political prominence in 1890, brought new interest and a paper was started by L. C.