The presses first started to roll in Johnson County in 1852. The Big Sandy News had its small beginnings when a printer by the name of Smith came to Catlettsburg with great aspirations of a thriving newspaper. Within two years the demise of the paper was apparent and publication stopped. One of the main reasons that have been cited was lack of patronage.

Catlettsburg seemed to be home to many a fledgling paper.

Many other cities also heard the call of the freedom of speech.

 The Big Sandy News was established approximately 1885.

The Paintsville Herald was established on May 2, 1901 as part of the newspaper called the Commercial. The history of the Herald was much like a roller coaster. The patronage, the writers and the paper were award winners. Unfortunately the mechanical means of production were no match for the process.

The History of Johnson County by Mitchell Hall sums it up best. In 1928 he wrote:

            "The Herald is now rounding out its twenty-seventh years of service and boosting of Paintsville and the Big Sandy Valley. These many years have been strenuous ones but not without their pleasures to the Herald Force." He furthermore states that," The good newspaper deems it a pleasure to serve its community and its readers and is fully aware that is only through giving a full measure of service that it can progress and prosper.

He goes on to say that the motto that was strictly adhered to by the managers was, "Keeping Everlastingly At It Brings Success." As we have read, and our ancestors before us, the daily news of our area one knows that this motto still stands.

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This page compiled for the Johnson Co KyGenWeb by M. Merritt ©2001

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