TheNorthern Argus, first published on 19 February 1869, is a newspaper printed inClare, South Australia. It was later sold toRural Press, previously owned byFairfax Media, but now an Australian media company trading asAustralian Community Media.
TheNorthern Argus newspaper (as distinct from theSouthern Argus published inStrathalbyn) was founded by Alfred Clode and his brother-in-law[1]Henry Hammond Tilbrook (c. 1848– 9 September 1937). The first issue was greeted with polite silence by other newspapers, most saying nothing more than it was "the same size as theWallaroo Times". TheKapunda Herald observed that it had been produced under difficulties, and would refrain from criticism.[2]
In 1870 Henry's brother Alfred Tilbrook (c. 1847 – 10 July 1913) was taken on and Clode left the partnership[3] to found an English-language newspaper in Japan.[4] Robert Kelly succeeded Clode as editor, to be followed by Robert's father William Kelly (6 February 1827 – 30 January 1913) when Robert left to become a minister of religion. William Kelly served as editor for 13 years (and was a longtime mayor of Clare),[5] followed by Alfred Tilbrook.[6] Henry retired in 1889; the partners then becoming his son Reginald Henry Tilbrook (16 December 1870 – 4 November 1944)[7] and Alfred Tilbrook. Ownership and management of the business passed to Reginald's three sons: Eric Hammond Hanley Tilbrook (1895–1966), Maurice Henry Tilbrook (1897–1963), and Godfrey Vincent Tilbrook (1901–1975).
TheBlyth Agriculturist (6 November 1908 - 25 June 1969) was begun as an offshoot of theNorthern Argus newspaper and ran until 1969, covering news for Blyth and nearby regions.[8]
Like other Rural Press publications, the newspaper is also available online.[9]
Issues fromVol.1 No.1 of 19 February 1869 toVol.LXXXV No.5832 of 22 December 1954 have been OCR digitised from photographic copies by theNational Library of Australia and may be retrieved usingTrove.