The sale of the Republican-Leader to a group of Pennsylvania newspaper publishers was announced today.
Oldham Paisley, President of the Republican-Leader, Inc., and editor of the Marion Daily Republican, continues as publisher and consultant to the newly formed corporation, Marion Publishing, Inc.
Edwin Soldner has been named General Manager and Richard Darby News Editor of the paper, which is headed by Henry Satterwhite, who is also publisher of several Pennsylvania newspapers and is chairman of the board of Allegheney Airlines. All present employees are to be retained.
The Marion Daily Republican started publication on June 18, 1913. The Marion Weekly Leader is one of the oldest newspapers in Southern Illinois.
Oldham Paisley, President of the Republican-Leader, and editor of the Marion Daily Republican, stated that his health (a coronary last August) necessitated the sale. In finding a buyer, Paisley insisted that the new owner must continue the publication of the Marion Daily Republican in Marion, which is part of the new agreement. The new owners have the right, at a later date, if found advisable, to join the national trend of converting to offset printing of the newspaper.
Editor Paisley and his father, the late W. O. Paisley, purchased the Republican-Leader from the late A.C. Hentz in 1915. At that time it was a four page, six column newspaper with about 500 paid subscribers, a very small commercial printing plant and occupied one half of what is now the Marion American Legion building.
The Republican now has over 5,000 paid circulation and the largest private commercial including offset, printing plant in Southern Illinois. It occupies over 11,000 square feet of floor space in a three story building and owns the vacant lot due north of its building.
W. O. Paisley died June 2, 1944 while his son was serving with the U.S. Army in New Guinea. Mrs. W. O. Paisley continued the business until their son returned and was discharged from the army. In 1948 the Paisleys purchased the Marion Evening Post from Harry L. Crisp and consolidated the two newspapers. Mrs. Paisley died March 24, 1953.
The new owners operate several daily and weekly newspapers and have a wide experience both in the newspaper and commercial printing business.
After more than 50 years helping to build the City of Marion and the county of Williamson as well as the Marion Daily Republican, the present owners feel they have found trustworthy hands to carry on their life’s effort.
The sale was handled by the brokerage firm of John A. Park, Jr. and Company of Raleigh, North Carolina.
(Marion Daily Republican article dated June 18, 1970)