Houston Morning Star

The Houston Morning Star began publication as a daily newspaper on April 8, 1839. It was published by Ezekial Humphreys and Company and edited by John W. Eldridge, and printed in the office of the Telegraph and Texas Register, with which it interchanged news, each paper giving credit lines for borrowed editorials. Jacob W. Cruger became publisher after Humphreys's death on November 12, 1839. After Eldridge died in February 1840, D. H. Fitch became editor, on March 2, 1840. By July 14, 1840, the Star changed to a tri-weekly and reduced its rate from twelve to ten dollars a year. During 1841 James F. Cruger replaced his brother as publisher, and Dr. Francis Moore became editor. With that change the paper became less neutral and more anti-Sam Houston in policy. In style the Star more nearly resembled modern newspapers than did its contemporary publications in the republic, although it carried more advertising than editorial or news matter. The paper focused on local news, and its correspondent at the capital supplied regular political news. It continued publication until 1850, when it was succeeded by the Houston Telegraph. Special thanks to the Texas State Historical Association for their Houston Morning Star title information.