Published: November 05, 2007 12:26 pm      

John Watson: The Cherokeean Herald

Texas joined the Union in 1845, and in 1848 Cherokee County was formed out of Nacogdoches County with Rusk as county seat. The Cherokee Sentinel published its first issue on Feb. 27, 1850. The current Cherokeean Herald traces it origin to this publication.

The paper has gone through many owners and name changes over the years but has remained in continuous publication. The name was changed to the Texas Observer after the Civil War, and it was here, working as a printer’s devil, that Texas’ first native-born governor, James Stephen Hogg, at the age of 16, began his career in the newspaper business. The Hogg family homestead is southeast of Rusk.

Some of the more notable publishers over the years were Samuel A. Wilson, a noted judge; John Benjamin Long, a U.S. Congressman, state legislator and mayor of Rusk; and state representative Wallace M. Ellis.

Emmett H. Whitehead and his wife, Marie, purchased The Rusk Cherokeean on June 1, 1950, from the late Frank and Marie Main. The last week of May 1950, the couple moved to Cherokee County and proceeded to put down roots.

The Whiteheads married Jan. 30, 1948. He started his journalism career in Livingston at the Polk County Enterprise. At the time they purchased the Cherokeean he was 23 and she was 22, the youngest publisher and editor of the “oldest weekly newspaper in Texas.”

The couple’s other business ventures included the publication of a second newspaper, The Cushing Citizen, which lasted five years. In August 1978, they purchased The Alto Herald maintaining its autonomy until 1989; at which time The Herald was merged with The Cherokeean, becoming the Cherokeean Herald, as it continues today.

In 1955 Marie and Emmett Whitehead established radio station KTLU-AM and added KWRW-FM in 1981. It is now a 25,000 watt station. Their business expanded in 1962 with a half-interest in the pioneer E-Z Vision Cable Co., one of the earliest cable ventures in East Texas. In 1964, the fledgling cable company was purchased outright by the Whiteheads and subsequently sold in 1988.

The Whiteheads also owned a registered Hereford cattle ranch near Rusk.

The Whiteheads had two daughters: Dr. Wendee Whitehead, a chiropractor in Austin, and Terrie Gonzalez, managing editor of the Cherokeean Herald.

I first met Terrie last May while doing a story on the Texas State Railroad. Mark Price, then operations superintendent for the railroad, had recommended that I see Gonzalez to get the background information on the railroad.

When I visited with Gonzalez I found out her father, Emmett H. Whitehead, had served as state representative for District 11 in Austin from 1973 to 1981. Other offices he had held included county judge and mayor of Rusk. He was serving as mayor at the time of his death Aug. 13, 2002.

If the Texas State Railroad had a “father,” Emmett H. Whitehead would hold the title. During his eight years in the Legislature, he helped create the TSR and get it funded.

Terri related a story about her mother.

“When mom married dad, she dropped out of school at Sam Houston without completing her degree,” she said. “When I was a junior in high school, she decided to transfer her credits and get her bachelor’s from Stephen F. Austin [State] University in Nacogdoches. As soon as she got that degree, she decided to keep going and get her master’s.

“At that time, there were about six newspapers in Texas all claiming to be the “oldest weekly in Texas.” She decided to let that be the topic of her dissertation [a 300 page book], which she let you look at in dad’s office. She proved, once and for all, that we are the oldest weekly, and now we have a Texas historical marker to prove it. Her dissertation was the definitive source in making the application.”

Marie Whitehead was recognized June 23, 2000, by the Texas Press Association for 50 years of service in journalism. More than 350 newspaper editors and TPA members attended the TPA annual convention in Arlington and joined in saluting this milestone. She remains active in the business and serves as editor.

Marie Whitehead, a vivacious lady, seems to be the motivating force that keeps The Cherokeean Herald on track. She takes an active part in the everyday operation of the business.

Emmett Whitehead received his 50-year plaque from the Texas Press Association on June 21, 1996.

A Texas historical marker in front of the building recognizes the newspaper’s 150 years of service as Texas’ oldest, continuously published weekly newspaper. The newspaper is now celebrating 157 years of publication.



John Watson is a Cleburne

resident who can be reached at texastraveler@sbcglobal.net.