Excerpt from Naugatuck Daily News – Monday, September 15, 1947
Industrial Exhibit Supplement

NEWS Only Local Paper In Naugatuck
Active Role in Community Affairs Taken Over Period of 50 Years

An establishment of more than 50 years’ service, the Naugatuck Daily News today continues its progressive policies in stimulating reader and advertiser interest and remains the borough’s only home-owned newspaper, presenting to the public non-partisan views in support of the community.

Broadening its scope by sponsorship of events of all types, the News has taken an active role in the community’s principal events. Based on the presentation of local news first and foremost, the newspaper gives a complete news type of coverage over all events and aims to promote good-will in the borough by granting a fair and unbiased over-all picture of the town’s activities.

The inception of the Naugatuck Daily News was about 1890 when a stock company was formed and the late Thomas W. Ahern, former postmaster, named publisher, according to historical records. Through the years it has been the belief that Mr. Ahern was the newspaper’s first publisher.

However, a Fair program of the Naugatuck fire department printed in September, 1895, carries an advertisement, which reads, “The Daily News. Naugatuck’s First Daily Journal. Irving J. Keyes, proprietor.” No records have been found verifying that Mr. Keyes was a publisher of the Naugatuck Daily News.

The News was the only newspaper in the local field with the exception of the Weekly Enterprise, and from 1908 to 1911 the Sunday Times, which was published in the borough with the cooperation of the Daily News.

Three Wars

The newspaper has played an important part in three wars, beginning with the Spanish-American War in 1898; World War I in 1914, and World War II in 1942.

The News was published on several sites prior to establishing its plant on North Main street, where it remained for nearly half a century.

Mr. Ahern was highly commended for his activities as a publisher and newspaperman. He died in 1927 and was succeeded as publisher by his son, Edward J. Ahern, who held the post until 1942.

It was in February of that year that the newspaper was sold to Rudolph M. Hennick of Waterbury, then advertising director of the Waterbury Republican-American, and prominent in Eastern newspaper advertising circles.

In December, 1942, Mr. Hennick moved the entire publishing plant to its present home at 169 Church street. Moving of the heavy machinery and equipment and resuming publication all within a few days was a feat which proved an interesting incident for the borough.

New Era

A new era in the life of the newspaper began immediately under the regime of Publisher Hennick, and it surged to new heights of popularity with the reading public.

Acceptance of the paper during the past five years has increased immeasurably as is shown by the extensive circulation in and about Naugatuck.

During World War II the newspaper participated actively in the promotion of war bond and other patriotic promotions, receiving recognition and citations from the War Finance Division of the U. S. Treasury Department for its efforts.

The News also sponsored two auctions during one of the several war bond drives. Address books from the newspaper were presented servicemen, and those whose families were regular subscribers to the newspaper were mailed the paper at their various stations as a gift. Veterans now in hospitals receive free subscriptions.

The end of the war saw an “extra” on the streets within 15 minutes of the official announcement.

The News was closely connected with the arrangements for the V-J Day Welcome Home celebration in 1946, and issued a special edition, pointing out Naugatuck’s part in the war.

Publisher Hennick has presented post and national colors to three new local veterans’ organizations—Gold Star Post, Catholic War Veterans; Montanari-Rado Post, Italian-American War Veterans; and Naugatuck Valley Detachment, Marine Corps League.

Sports Interest
As indication of the newspaper’s keen interest in furthering sports activities, it has sponsored golf tournaments, given various baseball, basketball and bowling trophies and helped promote the recent Spec Shea Day event. It has supported a movement to make plans for a local auditorium.

The newspaper was co-sponsor of last year’s Veterans of Foreign Wars essay contest, and a March of Dimes auction in the interest of fighting infantile paralysis was held under the paper’s auspices.

Last week the first “Pops” concert in the borough’s history was sponsored by The News. The paper’s policy is to assist as much as possible in the promotion of all civic events.

Radio Program
The paper has grown in many ways, including its own personnel and equipment. A great stride in its development was the institution last November of a daily news broadcast Mondays through Fridays from the plant’s editorial rooms over the facilities of Waterbury radio station WATR.

Two years ago the newspaper’s office was renovated, with the entire mechanical department being located in the building’s spacious basement, leaving the upstairs solely for business office, editorial rooms and advertising department purposes.

Further development of the News’ contribution to the borough is an endless process. Every day sees new challenges.

It is the expressed desire of Publisher Hennick and his entire staff to give untiringly of their efforts in producing a progressive newspaper in a progressive community.