Special Collections and Archives in the Wright State University Libraries and the Dayton Metro Library have partnered together to create an online archive of the most complete run of Wright Brothers newspapers available to date. Both the Dayton Metro Library and WSU's Special Collections and Archives house original issues of the Wright Brothers newspapers. By combining the two collections in an online archive, this valuable resource will be available in a readily accessible format worldwide.
The Wright Brothers operated a printing business from 1889 to 1899, before they started their bicycle business, and before they tackled the challenge of flight. Over the years, they worked on several publications and local newspapers, including: The Midget, a small school newspaper; church pamphlets; the West Side News; The Evening Item; parts catalogs for bicycles; and the Dayton Tattler, published for neighborhood friend and noted poet and novelist, Paul Laurence Dunbar.
This project was made possible through a donation to the Communication Department at Wright State University from The Greenwood Family. For more information on this collection, please visit Wright State University Special Collections and Archives.
This series collects newspapers from The Midget, the West Side News, and The Evening Item.
-
West Side News, October 26, 1889
Orville Wright and Edwin Sines
West Side News was a weekly newspaper published by the Wright Brothers. This paper, published in March 1889 through May of 1890, featured news from the west side of Dayton. The front page of this issue features a reprint of a poem from the Somerville Journal, anecdotes, reprints from other newspapers, and a short commentary about a newspaper in New York saying that "Edison has no peer." On the fourth page there is a story about an expedition to the west coast of Africa to observe the eclipse that would happen on December 22nd of that year. Also included in this issue are national news, local news, humorous stories, and advertisements.
-
West Side News, October 19, 1889
Orville Wright and Edwin Sines
West Side News was a weekly newspaper published by the Wright Brothers. This paper, published in March 1889 through May of 1890, featured news from the west side of Dayton. The front page of this issue features stories horse faking lameness, a bird's nest made out of clock springs, an article on the chemical composition of stars, and more. Also included in this issue are national news, local news, humorous stories, and advertisements.
-
West Side News, October 12, 1889
Orville Wright and Edwin Sines
West Side News was a weekly newspaper published by the Wright Brothers. This paper, published in March 1889 through May of 1890, featured news from the west side of Dayton. The front page of this issue features an anecdote about a representative in the House of Representatives plagiarizing a report, a man bringing suit against a woman for ruining his clothes, and more. On the second page there is a small editorial about the importance of a Congress of American Nations. The third page has a small write-up on the building of the Library of Congress. Also included in this issue are national news, local news, humorous stories, and advertisements.
-
West Side News, October 5, 1889
Orville Wright and Edwin Sines
West Side News was a weekly newspaper published by the Wright Brothers. This paper, published in March 1889 through May of 1890, featured news from the west side of Dayton. The front page of this issue features anecdotes about a Quaker barber and a parson, a sculptor and a critic, and a story about the attempting to fly the hot air balloon "Horla" to a height of five miles. Also included in this issue are national news, local news, humorous stories, and advertisements.
-
West Side News, September 28, 1889
Orville Wright and Edwin Sines
West Side News was a weekly newspaper published by the Wright Brothers. This paper, published in March 1889 through May of 1890, featured news from the west side of Dayton. The front page of this issue features anecdotes about an elderly woman becoming disillusioned with her husband, a story about the Persian Shah granting money to a man that impressed him, an update on Dr. Brown-Sequard's "Elixir of Life," and more. On the second page there is a editorial recommending that the local high school add a mechanical department to help young men see what they are suited to and to encourage "High School inventive genius" to develop inventions. Also included in this issue are national news, local news, humorous stories, and advertisements.
-
West Side News, September 21, 1889
Orville Wright and Edwin Sines
West Side News was a weekly newspaper published by the Wright Brothers. This paper, published in March 1889 through May of 1890, featured news from the west side of Dayton. The front page features an anecdote about offending a tavern owner, a reprint of an article about transferring skin diseases via hotel soaps, and a discovery of a ancient village in Egypt. There is a short article titled In Memoriam published on behalf of the Women's Missionary Society of Summit Street United Brethren Church remembering Susan Wright. Also included in this issue are national news, local news, humorous stories, and advertisements.
-
West Side News, September 14, 1889
Orville Wright and Edwin Sines
West Side News was a weekly newspaper published by the Wright Brothers. This paper, published in March 1889 through May of 1890, featured news from the west side of Dayton. The front page features an anecdote about a lawyer from Kentucky defending a chicken thief, commentary about the fees of local street cars, and more. Also included in this issue are national news, local news, humorous stories, and advertisements.
-
West Side News, September 7, 1889
Orville Wright and Edwin Sines
West Side News was a weekly newspaper published by the Wright Brothers. This paper, published in March 1889 through May of 1890, featured news from the west side of Dayton. The front page of this issue features an anecdote about the large feet of George Boone and a story about a young boy riding a "horse-car." Also included in this issue are national news, local news, humorous stories, and advertisements.
-
West Side News, August 24, 1889
Orville Wright and Edwin Sines
West Side News was a weekly newspaper published by the Wright Brothers. This paper, published in March 1889 through May of 1890, featured news from the west side of Dayton. The front page of this issue features an anecdote about a servant and his master, a report on an Dr. Brown-Sequard's "Elixir of Life" being tested by H. P. Loomis in his laboratory, and more. On the third page there is a small obituary for the American mathematician Elias Loomis, as well as a write-up on the trial of prize fighter John L. Sullivan on the fourth page. Also included in this issue are national news, local news, humorous stories, and advertisements.
-
West Side News, August 17, 1889
Orville Wright and Edwin Sines
West Side News was a weekly newspaper published by the Wright Brothers. This paper, published in March 1889 through May of 1890, featured news from the west side of Dayton. The front page of this issue features a reprint of an article about the two different woman finding niche markets to support their families and other anecdotes. The second page features a small story about the construct of a track to be used by the Fifth Street Car Company, which will use battery powered cars instead of being powered by a line. Also included in this issue are national news, local news, humorous stories, and advertisements.
-
West Side News, August 10, 1889
Orville Wright and Edwin Sines
West Side News was a weekly newspaper published by the Wright Brothers. This paper, published in March 1889 through May of 1890, featured news from the west side of Dayton. The front page of this issue features an anecdote from a Union captain, a minister asking for both coffee and tea, and more. On the second page there is a small note that Bishop Wright has gone to the east to attend a conference. Also included in this issue are national news, local news, humorous stories, and advertisements.
-
West Side News, July 31, 1889
Orville Wright and Edwin Sines
West Side News was a weekly newspaper published by the Wright Brothers. This paper, published in March 1889 through May of 1890, featured news from the west side of Dayton. The front page of this issue features a short article on the ratio of males to females in Great Britain as well as humorous anecdotes. On the fourth page there is a short write-up regarding resuming work on the Panama Canal. Also included in this issue are national news, local news, humorous stories, and advertisements.
-
West Side News, July 20, 1889
Wilbur Wright and Orville Wright
West Side News was a weekly newspaper published by the Wright Brothers. This paper, published in March 1889 through May of 1890, featured news from the west side of Dayton. The front page of this issue features several humorous anecdotes including a reprint about an Edward Corliss not disturbing a bird's nest for his building project and more. On page three there is a story about counterfeiters on Home Avenue. Also included in this issue are national news, local news, humorous stories, and advertisements.
-
West Side News, July 13, 1889
Wilbur Wright and Orville Wright
West Side News was a weekly newspaper published by the Wright Brothers. This paper, published in March 1889 through May of 1890, featured news from the west side of Dayton. The front page of this issue features several humorous anecdotes including a story about Horace Greely, editor of the New York Tribune, a reprint from the Youths Companion, and more. The second page features an update from the Improvement Association, as well as a short article regarding the impending amendments to the Constitution of Ohio. Also included in this issue are national news, local news, humorous stories, and advertisements.
-
West Side News, July 3, 1889
Wilbur Wright and Orville Wright
West Side News was a weekly newspaper published by the Wright Brothers. This paper, published in March 1889 through May of 1890, featured news from the west side of Dayton. The front page of this issue features several humorous anecdotes including a story about Highland chiefs, native Arabic children diving for pennies, and more. Of note, the second page features an obituary of Mrs. Susan Catharine Wright, née Koerner, wife of Bishop Milton Wright, and mother to the Wright Brothers. All siblings attended with the exception of Lorin who could not be reached in time for the burial. Also included in this issue are local news, humorous stories, advertisements, and more.
-
West Side News, June 22, 1889
Wilbur Wright and Orville Wright
West Side News was a weekly newspaper published by the Wright Brothers. This paper, published in March 1889 through May of 1890, featured news from the west side of Dayton. The front page of this issue features several humorous anecdotes including a story about watermelon theft, a miser negotiating the price of rope, and more. The second page features an update from the West Side Improvement Association regarding selection a location for a new school house and routes for laying out Home Avenue. Also included in this issue are national news, local news, humorous stories, and advertisements.
-
West Side News, June 15, 1889
Wilbur Wright and Orville Wright
West Side News was a weekly newspaper published by the Wright Brothers. This paper, published in March 1889 through May of 1890, featured news from the west side of Dayton. The front page of this issue features several humorous anecdotes including a story about a silver thief, the confusion caused by colloquial English, and more. On the second page there is a correction to a statement made in a previous issue regarding the number of deaths from flooding of the Yellow River in China. Also on the second page is an editorial discussing what businesses the West Side of Dayton needs. Also included in this issue are national news, local news, humorous stories, and advertisements.
-
West Side News, June 8, 1889
Wilbur Wright and Orville Wright
West Side News was a weekly newspaper published by the Wright Brothers. This paper, published in March 1889 through May of 1890, featured news from the west side of Dayton. The front page of this issue features several humorous anecdotes including a story about the etymology of the phrases "elephant in the moon" and "mare's nest." Additionally, there are several articles about the Johnstown Flood in Pennsylvania, as well as a summary of the Improvement Association's last meeting. Also included in this issue are national news, local news, humorous stories, and advertisements.
-
West Side News, June 1, 1889
Wilbur Wright and Orville Wright
West Side News was a weekly newspaper published by the Wright Brothers. This paper, published in March 1889 through May of 1890, featured news from the west side of Dayton. The front page of this issue features several humorous anecdotes including a story about a wife attempting to appeal to a demanding husband. On the second page there is an article about a catastrophic flood in Pennsylvania. Also included in this issue are national news, local news, humorous stories, and advertisements.
-
West Side News, May 25, 1889
Wilbur Wright and Orville Wright
West Side News was a weekly newspaper published by the Wright Brothers. This paper, published in March 1889 through May of 1890, featured news from the west side of Dayton. The main features in this issue are a story about physical prowess of past historical figures and other anecdotes. Additionally there is an obituary for the "celebrated deaf and blind" Laura Bridgman. Also included in this issue are national news, local news, humorous stories, and advertisements.
-
West Side News, May 18, 1889
Wilbur Wright and Orville Wright
West Side News was a weekly newspaper published by the Wright Brothers. This paper, published in March 1889 through May of 1890, featured news from the west side of Dayton. The front page of this issue features several humorous anecdotes including a story about a Virginian during the Civil War, a doctor and a visitor, a servant, and more. Beyond the front page there were stories regarding a request to have a water fountain installed on the corner of Third and Williams streets, a summary of the meeting of the Improvement Association, and information regarding the division of the United Brethren Church. This rift in the United Brethren Church had far reaching implications and caused the church to be split into two separate groups each with the name Church of the United Brethren in Christ. Milton Wright was the only bishop to side with the minority group in the church. Also included in this issue are national news, local news, humorous stories, and advertisements.
-
West Side News, May 11, 1889
Wilbur Wright and Orville Wright
West Side News was a weekly newspaper published by the Wright Brothers. This paper, published in March 1889 through May of 1890, featured news from the west side of Dayton. The main features of this issue are an article about the United Brethren Church's General Conference and recent adoption of a new constitution, a story about a lisping officer, and an article about recent history of the Samoan Islands. Also included in this issue are national news, local news, humorous stories, and advertisements.
-
West Side News, May 5, 1889
Wilbur Wright and Orville Wright
West Side News was a weekly newspaper published by the Wright Brothers. This paper, published in March 1889 through May of 1890, featured news from the west side of Dayton. The main features in this issue are a story about a man from Toledo, Ohio attempting to convert a coal stove to burn petroleum and an article about the monthly meeting of the West Side Improvement Association. Also included in this issue are national news, local news, humorous stories, and advertisements.
-
West Side News, April 27, 1889
Wilbur Wright and Orville Wright
West Side News was a weekly newspaper published by the Wright Brothers. This paper, published in March 1889 through May of 1890, featured news from the west side of Dayton. The main features in this issue are a short article on how "Hindoos" [sic] about planting and culling crops, an article about "condensed" food from Scientific American, an article on the "Chinese Almanac" and how it impacts Chinese citizens, and more. Also included in this issue are national news, local news, humorous stories, and advertisements.
-
West Side News, April 20, 1889
Wilbur Wright and Orville Wright
West Side News was a weekly newspaper published by the Wright Brothers. This paper, published in March 1889 through May of 1890, featured news from the west side of Dayton. This is the first issue that features Wilbur Wright as editor and Orville as the publisher. The main features in this issue include an anecdote about a rough railroad trip from the Laramie Boomerang, an article advising parents to engage and encourage young boys in their curiosity from Architect and Building News, and an article encouraging citizens of the West Side to open and patronize businesses instead of going to Dayton. Also included in this issue are national news, local news, humorous stories, advertising and more.
