04/28/2026
This is the only known copy to exist of the “Ridgway Reporter” published in Ridgway, CO from Dec. 1904 to Nov. 1906. Walter Elder purchased the press and printing appliances from Ellen Cassedy, who had published the “The Populist” for the prior ten years.
Elder declared his paper to be Republican in political leanings, a stark change from “The Populist” which backed the People’s Party.
Elder struggled making ends meet during his two-year stint, and in a tongue-in-cheek goodbye to publishing declared that he couldn’t continue because he was spending all his time counting his cash.
This lone surviving issue was obtained by descendants of Elder who found it in a pile of belongings. It was sent to the “Ouray County Plaindealer” which in turn donated it to the Ouray County Historical Society around 2015.
The publication date is August 31, 1906. Advertisers include the Mentone Hotel, once Ridgway’s marquee hotel, located at the corner of Cora and Clinton. It burned down November 18, 1935. Another advertiser was R. A. Hotchkiss, of the prominent Hotchkiss family. You’ll note that “Hotchkiss” is misspelled in the ad.
Elder’s motto for the paper: “We help those who help us.”
Our mission is to preserve, protect, procure, exhibit and interpret whatever relates to the natural, social and cultural history of Ouray County and the surrounding San Juan Mountain region of Colorado.
Consider donating your historic items to us.
Ouray County Historical Society
420 6th Ave.
Ouray • Colorado
970-325-4576
ouraycountyhistoricalsociety.org
