Windsor Herald (published 1855-1861)
Currently Available Online
At OurOntario Newspaper Index (http://ink.ourontario.ca/browse/wh): 1855-1856
Another Newspaper With The Same Name
There was also another daily newspaper called the Windsor Herald that began publishing in December,
1901. It was started by Whalley and Craig, the same people who owned the Windsor Review at this time
(Detroit Free Press. 1901: Dec. 1st p.6) It likely did not publish for very long and there are no known
existing issues of this paper.
The Windsor Herald was Windsor’s first general newspaper, although the anti-slavery newspaper, the
Provincial Freeman, was actually the very first in 1853. The Windsor Herald was founded January 6th,
1855 by John McEwan. It was a weekly and was published every Saturday morning at 10 am. It was later
published Friday mornings. Each issue was 4 pages, with 7 columns per page. It cost $2 per year, in
advance. Its slogan was: “Ever watchful over Commerce and Agriculture”.
John McEwan tried to maintain a fairly independent political viewpoint, although his natural inclinations at
this stage leaned towards the reform movement. On page 3 of the January 13th, 1855 issue, he states:
“Neither the bias of a great name nor popular clamor, shall influence us….Those principles which have for
their object a reform in our institutions, shall receive our zealous support – every subject being discussed
with moderation and fairness.” Eight years later, as returning officer for Essex County in the 1863 election,
these principles were put to the test after a closely fought election was marred by poll book irregularities.
See the Journals of the Legislative Assembly of Canada, 1864 for more information. In the same
prospectus, he also says “the discussion of religious topics will be strictly prohibited”.
John McEwan remained owner and editor until April 1856, when he was appointed Sheriff of Essex
County, a position he held until 1883. He sold the newspaper to the printers: Robinson and Wade. For a
biography of John McEwan, see http://www.walkervilletimes.com/37/yellow-brick.html Under McEwan’s
editorship, the newspaper was a successful venture. In the January 13th, 1856 issue (p.2), he apologizes
to subscribers because he was unable to obtain a sufficient supply of paper and was 200 copies short. In
his farewell editorial, he speaks of the encouragement and support he received and hopes that “the
present large list of subscribers may suffer no diminution (Windsor Herald, April 25 th, 1856 p.2).
Unfortunately, this was not the case. The Township of Sandwich (1909) states on page 208: “The Herald,
it would appear, was not a shining success under the new proprietors, for in 1860 the plant was quietly
moved over the river, when the creditors weren’t looking”.