Comber Independent (published 1883-1890)
The Comber Independent was founded by Alfred Mellish on August 9th, 1883. It was a weekly publication
and came out on Thursdays. The Windsor Evening Record (1904/01/23 p.7) published a detailed account
of this paper’s early years: “In the fall of 1887, the paper changed hands no less than four times in quick
succession, and finally the plant was moved to Tilbury, and Mr. E. J. Lovelace, then foreman of the “Essex
Liberal”, brought a new plant to Comber, and commenced the publication of a larger and much improved
sheet, retaining the old name “Independent”. In February 1890, Mr. Lovelace sold his plant to Mr. Jas.
McCollum, who moved it to Windsor, and started “The Twin City Quill”, afterwards changed to the
“Sentinel”. The books and goodwill were sold to Messrs. Johnson & McKay, of the “Leamington Post”. The
business was transferred to Mr. Chas. Clark at the same time, and the plant formerly used by the defunct
“Leamington Tribune” was moved to Comber and “The Herald” trumpeted forth the same week, the new
paper retaining only the volume numbers of the old sheet.” There are no known existing issues of the
Comber Independent.