The Worland Grit was first published on the west side of the Big Horn River in the old Worland Camp on December 28, 1905 by J. P. May and printed on a small hand press.  It was later sold to A. G. Rupp and C. F. Robertson, soon after the first issue.  Charles Rupp, a printer and brother of Mr. Rupp, did the typesetting and Tom F. Daggett, an old newspaper man originally from New York, looked after the news and editorial departments.

The newspaper was moved over to the new town in the winter of 1905 and 1906 and continued publication under the same management.  Mr. W. G. Johnston became its owner in 1906.

Tom Daggett was a real character and an all around newspaper man, a fluent writer of unusual talent and a fast typesetter as well.  Several years before he had drifted into Bonanza when it was an oil boom town and published the Bonanza Rustler, which was printed primarily in the interest of Hon. W. A. Richards, who was a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor of Wyoming and was later nominated and elected.  Tom worked on several other papers in the Big Horn Basin and was always frail of body but very keen of mind.  He passed away in 1910 and his body lies in an unmarked grave in Riverside Cemetery at Worland.

A new power press was purchased August 12, 1911 and R. G. Culbertson obtained a half-interest in the Grist at the same time.  November 28, 1912 the new press was installed in the basement of the Stockgrowers Bank.

W. G. Johnston, editor and publisher of the Grit, passed away December 17, 1932, and his widow, Mrs. Winifred Johnston, assumed business and editorial management of the paper until its sale to the Big Horn Basin Newspapers, Inc. in September 1938.  Mrs. Johnston made an unqualified success during the time she managed the paper.

Noel Morgan wrote editorially and contributed much of the news for the Grit for 10 or 12 years.  Mr. Morgan was a staunch Republican and his editorials struck fire whenever occasion seemed to require.  He never beat around the bush and as a result his editorials were widely quoted throughout the state.

Change in ownership and management of the Worland Grit was the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Worland journalism.  The name of the pioneering Grit was retained until June 1, 1939, when the newspaper was changed to a daily publication and its name changed to the Northern Wyoming Daily News.

Historical Review  Development of the Worland Valley Washakie County Wyoming by C. F. Robertson.  p 94

Daily News History

I have spent many hours reading the issues of the old Worland Grit.  It is wonderful history of business, politics, and the lives of the people in this area of the state.

First Child Born In Worland

In 1904 a girl was born to Mr. and Mrs. Bowman Mercer, who were operating a boarding house in Camp Worland on the west side of the river.  The baby, Bernice Mercer was the first child born in Worland.  She married, and in 1941 resided in Chicago.  [Historical Review  Development of the Worland Valley by C. F. Robertson]

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