National Tribune was an independent newspaper and publishing company owned by National Tribune Company, formed in 1877 in Washington, D.C.
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The National Tribune (official title) was a post American Civil War newspaper based in Washington, D.C. published by The National Tribune Publishing Co. "A Monthly Journal devoted to the interests of the Soldiers and Sailors of the late war, and all Pensioners of the United States" was the caption under the title of the paper. The National Tribune newspaper served generally as the organ of the Grand Army of the Republic, (G.A.R.) and as a forum for old soldiers to share their reminiscences. Along with the newspaper, The National Tribune Publishing Co. printed historical publications, from pamphlets to hard-bound books, and ephemera empathizing on articles, stories and history of heroes and political figures figures figures to American Civil War of both Union and Confederate soldiers and armies. In more modern times, journal evolved to the its modern version, what is now Stars and Stripes.
The National Tribune was first published in 1877.[1] in Washington, DC. Owner and editor was George E. Lemon. The paper was headquartered at 615 Fifteenth St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia in an area considered "D.C's Newspaper Row", located just five blocks from the White House. The 8 page, 18" by 23"-sheet newspaper was distributed every Thursday, year round. The annual subcription for the monthly journal was $1.00 or 10 cents a copy. By 1890, the yearly circulation was 135,342. Dates of the monthly publication were 1877–1917: Vol. 1, no. 1 (October 1877), -Vol.36, No.28 to (July 12, 1917). On August 20, 1881 through July 12, 1917 the paper evolved into a weekly publication. Main subscribers were veterans of the past wars. The title, "The National Tribune" was used from 1877 to 1917 before it was restructured. An alternative title was United States National Tribune.
In 1884, John McElroy, after being editor for ten years of an Ohio-based newspaper,Toledo Blade, joined company as managing editor and built-up its reputation and Nation-wide distribution.
Byron Andrews, native of Evansville, Wisconsin, and a 1876 graduate at Hobart College in Geneva, N.Y., came aboard in 1884 as Business Manager in New York City office (66, World Building) of the National Tribune and a subsidiary news journal,The American Farmer. Prior to, Andrews for many years was with the Chicago journal Inter-Ocean as it's correspondent in Washington, D.C.and serving as Private Secretary to U.S.President Ulysses S. Grant to Industrial Excursions to Mexico, Cuba and abroad.
April 1893, Marilla Andrews, sister of Byron Andrews, was appointed editress of the American Farmer. "She is a lady of brilliant attainments, and will make her mark in the literary world. Women, evidently, are coming to the front." (The Items of Interest. A Monthly Magazine of Dental Art, Science and Literature, 1893.)
In its heyday, the Tribune was one of the top-paying newspapers properties in the country, at one time having a circulation of 250,000. A silver medal was issued by The New York World to commemorate it's reaching a circulation of 250,000. Presented by G.W. Turner through Byron Andrews, associate editor of the company based in New York. In December 1896, George E. Lemon died and buried in historic Rock Creek Cemetery in D.C. not far from the grave of Henry Adams. Immediately following his death, the company was sold and reorganized.
After Lemon's death, the firm of McElroy, Shoppell and Andrews,(John McElroy, Robert W. Shoppell and Byron Andrews), acquired the National Tribune Publishing Co. in April 1897. Robert W.Shoppell was former publisher, while Byron Andrews an associate editor and business manager for The National Tribune and The American Farmer (also owned by George E. Lemon & Co.) in New York for 15 years. The most prominent of the trio was John L. McElroy, who after ten years as managing editor of the Toledo Blade had assumed the same position with the National Tribune in 1884 and had served as president of the National Association of Ex-Prisoners of War. The changes under the new management, which by the close of the century was emphasizing the "it has not the slightest connection of any kind with a pension attorney of firm of attorneys" were that the paper now serialized several of McElroy's own novels and made hesitant bids to the members of the D.A.R. and S.A.R.. The National Tribune circulation by 1899 was 112,000. In 1902, Andrews retired and sold his interest to McElroy and Shoppell. In 1885, the company began publishing and printing: non-fictional "Standard books" of the general history, soldier life and adventures and important places pertaining to the Civil War; as well as other unrelated informative books. Most of the books were of softback, sold for 25 to 50 cents, and were only available through the National Tribune. Their concept was that retail prices were so low to allow wholesale prices, therefore they not sell to bookstores and newsstands. They usually advertised all of their other publications that were published in the inside of front and back cover. By 1899, they ceased selling and advertised at the end of the back inside cover "Terms: The foregoing books are not for sale. They are published for the sole purpose of rewarding those who raise clubs for The National Tribune. It is very easy to raise a club. Send for sample copies of the paper". Most copies were bound in leatherette covers.
John L. McElroy was born August 25, 1846 in Greenup, Kentucky grew up in Chicago, IL; 16 years old.
Enlisted in the American Civil War on March 29, 1863 as a Private. On April 16, 1863 he mustered into the "L" Co. Illinois 16th Cavalry. Promoted Hospital Steward September 9, 1863. Intra Regimental Company and transferred September 9. 1863 from company L to Field & Staff. He was captured as was a POW January 3, 1864 in Jonesville, VA then confined January 6, 1864 Libby Prison, Richmond, VA and moved March 1, 1864 to Andersonville Prison Camp in Andersonville, GA what is now the Andersonville National Historic Site. He survived and mustered out on May 20, 1865. He died October 29, 1929 in Washington, DC and buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.
Robert W. Shoppell of New York City was probably the first to openly mimic Palliser's method of mail-order practice. A dealer in publishing supplies and woodcuts. He began to organize some of his Cooperative Building Plan Association about 1880, and assembled some of his collection of miscellaneous illustrations into a paperwork booklet entitled How to Build a House: Cooperative Building Plans, Containing the Most Approved Designs for Villas, Cottages, Farm Houses, and Suburban Architecture, published in April 1883. Shoppell was the first to undertake a journal specifically to forward his mail-order business, with Shoppell's Modern Houses, An Illustrated Architectural Quarterly, begun in January 1886.
According to Casper's Directory of the American Book, News and stationary Trade of 1889 Shoppell is listed in directory, " Shoppell, R.W.-O B P, 24 Beekman, New York, New York. "Shoppel's Modern Houses"-(Est. 1886, Qu. Archit. 1.00.) Co-Operative Building Plan Assn.....63 BBroadway, New York, N.Y. After learning he was to move to Washington, D.C. to take part ownership of The National Tribune Publishing Co, had advertised "Wood Cuts and Electrotypes. Bought, Sold and Loaned. Over 10,000 on hand. All specially Selected and adapted for American Newspapers, Books, Magazines, etc, etc. R.W. Shoppell 48 Beckman Steet, N.Y." in The Publishers Weekly, A Journal specially devoted to the Interests of the Book and Stationary Trade. Volume 10 by R.R. Bowker company. July to December 1876.