Hugh Ike Shott

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Hugh I. Shott

Hugh Ike Shott (1866–1953) was a newspaper editor, pioneer broadcaster, and Republican politician in the U.S. state of West Virginia.

He was born in Staunton, Virginia in 1866 and apprenticed as a printer. He moved to the then-booming new city of Bluefield, West Virginia. There he took control of the Bluefield Daily Telegraph, the city's primary morning newspaper. He, via straw parties, also controlled the "competing" evening Mountain Sunset Review.

He was also involved in the railway mail service and was postmaster for several years. In that era, postmaster was a political appointment given by the President of the United States.

He was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1928 and re-elected in 1930. However he was defeated in 1932, and defeated for the United States Senate in 1936.

In 1942 he was a candidate for the special Senate "short term" caused by the resignation of Matthew M. Neely. He won and served from November 18, 1942 to January 3, 1943. The election was almost honorary, as the Senate only met twice during his term of office. He was not a candidate in the regular election, held on the same day, for the following regular six-year term. He was referred to as "Senator" for the rest of his life, however.

In broadcasting, he obtained the liscense for the only station, at the time, in Bluefield, WHIS, with the call letters standing for his initials, in 1928. In 1948 he obtained a companion FM station. Both continue in operation today.

His control of both daily newspapers and both of the primary radio stations gave him a virtual news monopoly in his area. His outlets were a bold pro-business and anti-New Deal voice.

He died in Bluefield on October 12, 1953.

In 1955 his heirs obtained, by the only special exception ever granted by the Federal Communications Commission, the only television station in the city, which likewise carried his WHIS initials.

After extended litigation, the United States Supreme Court ordered that no one company could own both the primary AM and FM stations, the only TV station, and the only daily newspaper in the same town. WHIS-TV was sold and the call letters changed to WVVA in 1979. His name lives on in WHIS-AM although it also was later sold, as was the FM station and several other radio stations he owned. Today none reflect his viewpoints.

Preceded by James F. Strother	U.S. Representative of West Virginia's 5th Congressional District 1929–1933	Succeeded by John Kee
Preceded by Joseph Rosier	Class 2 Senator from West Virginia 1942 - 1943	Succeeded by W. Chapman Revercomb