The first number of the Madison County Record, J. H. Daughterty, publisher, appeared May 31, 1879. The plant was burned December 1, 1879, when the paper suspended until February 1, 1880. December 12, 1884, J. W. Elsey became proprietor, when the name was changed to Madison County Democrat, so continuing until July 18, 1885, when Augustus Lowe secured the plan, and the name became War Eagle Republican, which was subsequently removed to St. Paul. In October, 1885, the Democrat was re-established by J. W. Baldwin. Bohannan & Gage became proprietors in March, 1886, and J. T. Gage, the present publisher, in May, 1886. The Democrat is a fair exponent of the principles of its party, and in every sense adapted to promote the best interests of the county." (Goodspeeds' History of Madison County....)
