History of Kansas newspapers
Creator: Kansas State Historical Society. Department of Archives
Date: 1916
The subtitle of this publication is "A History of the Newspapers and Magazines Published in Kansas From the Organization of Kansas Territory, 1854, to January 1, 1916." This history includes biographical sketches and some portraits of prominent editors. The bulk of the book contains listings of all of the newspapers published in the state, organized by county and then towns within that county. This listing begins on page 137. Newspapers that were being published in 1916 include the name of the editor/publisher, the frequency, how long it had been published, and notes about any predecessor papers. The information for each county also includes a list of all discontinued newspapers from that county. Each county listing begins with the date it was organized, the origin of the name, and some basic statistics. This volume is an excellent source on the early newspaper history of Kansas. A detailed index begins on page 323. The Kansas State Historical Society was founded by Kansas newspaper editors and its newspaper holdings represent an almost comprehensive collection of the newspapers published in all parts of Kansas, most of which are available on microfilm through interlibrary loan.

M. M. Beck to Governor JohnP. St. John
Creator: Beck, Mabel McLaughlin, 1879-1955
Date: May 15, 1880
In this letter, M. M. Beck, publisher of Holton Recorder, invites Kansas Governor St. John to speak on temperance matters. Beck also offers his opinions and advice on the ensuing election and Constitutional Amendment voting, as well as temperance and the Republican Party.

Moses Milton and Mary Beck's family in Holton, Kansas
Date: Between 1885 and 1890
This is a photograph showing Moses Milton and Mary Beck's family in their house in Holton, Kansas. Moses Milton Beck was born in Wayne County, Indiana, November 22, 1838 and died at Holton, Kansas, February 4, 1930. He held the rank of captain in the 18th Indian Battery during the Civil War. His wife, Mary, was born in Putnam County, Indiana, July 12, 1840, and died at Holton August 16, 1906. In 1869, they came to Jackson County, Kansas and in 1870 he started a drug store in Holton, and three years later he was appointed postmaster. He held this position sporadically until 1902. In 1881, he purchased his partner's interest in the Holton Recorder newspaper and was the sole proprietor until 1897 when his son Will T. Beck took an interest in the newspaper. He later transferred his interest in the paper to his son Will and daughter Martha. In addition to the post office, Beck held the office of director of the Penitentiary two years under Governor Morrill's administration. People in the photograph are (left to right) Lillian Beck (married a Holton), Mary Scott Beck, William Thorton Beck, Martha (Mattie) Moses Beck, Edward Scott (Ned) Beck, Clara Beck (married a Myer), and Moses Milton Beck.

Moses Milton Beck
Date: Between 1900 and 1910
This is a photograph of Moses Milton Beck who was born in Wayne County, Indiana, November 22, 1838 and died at Holton, Kansas, February 4, 1930. He held the rank of captain in the 18th Indian Battery during the Civil War. His wife, Mary, was born in Putnam County, Indiana, July 12, 1840, and died at Holton August 16, 1906. In 1869, they came to Jackson County, Kansas and in 1870 he started a drug store in Holton, and three years later he was appointed postmaster. He held this position sporadically until 1902. In 1881, he purchased his partner's interest in the Holton Recorder newspaper and was the sole proprietor until 1897 when his son Will T. Beck took an interest in the newspaper. He later transferred his interest in the paper to his son Will and daughter Martha. In addition to the post office, Beck held the office of director of the Penitentiary two years under Governor Morrill's administration.