Denison Herald
February 14, 1993

Black History Month
BULLETIN WAS A FAMILY BUSINESS
By Lee Alyce McGrew

The Gate City Bulletin was the first and only Negro weekly newspaper in Denison.  It was established around 1913 as, basically a family business.  Joseph Owens and his wife, Mary Elizabeth, and their 3 children - Joseph, Jr., Nellie and Ralph - all worked as soon as they were old enough to read and set type.
As the paper became successful, it also became too large for the family to handle on its own.  The Owens began hiring other Negroes as salaried employees, which was not an easy task because, at that time, it was difficult to find other Negroes who knew how to set type and run the old-fashioned printing presses.
Through much prayer and training, the following people were hired onto the staff: Stella Mickens, Artie Grissom, Bertie Platt, John Coleman, Jr., and Wesley Mims.  Today, all are deceased except for Coleman.
The business did well until a fire struck and the building was destroyed, but it was eventually restored.
Decendants of those who worked at The Gate City Bulletin still live in Denison, including the daughter of Nellie Owens Venson and her husband, Oscar; Winifred Venson Rogers, who recently retired from the public schools after 27 years of teaching.
The only surviving member of the Owens family is Mrs. Venson, who at the age of 87, is an organist, pianist and secretary for Hopewell Baptist Church in Denison.
Over the years, editor Joseph Owens clipped editorials and other stories he had written which he felt exemplified the plight of Negroes in Denison.  An editorial by Owens follows and was written in 1913.  It was titled "Smiles."

"It was their first child.  Of course, it was the sweetest babe in the world.  Every parent thinks that.
"This babe must have a baby carriage.  The fond parents carried it to the furniture store where they made the selection of a carriage.  Seating the babe in the same, they wheeled it out of the store and down the street.
"Soon, they observed that they were attracting attention.  People they met smiled broadly and laughed outright.  This annoyed the young couple.  John gave the carriage into the care of Mary and stepped backward to see what was wrong.  He was horrified to see that they had forgotten to remove the sale card which (read) in bold print, 'Our Own Make'."

Lee Alyce McGrew is a member of the Denison City Council and is writing a guest column in honor of Black History Month, which runs through February.  She asks that anyone with information and stories relevant to Black History in Denison to contact her.