Publisher

The Eagle is North Bend’s oldest continuously operating business, with its first issue being published on Nov. 4, 1897. Forerunners of the Eagle Eight newspapers were published in North Bend before the Eagle came along. The earliest was the Independent, which began publication in 1879 by the local physician, Dr. Elwood. At the time, North Bend's population was 45 people. Elwood's Independent lasted two years, but there were plenty of aspiring journalists ready to take its place. Other early newspapers in North Bend include the Bulletin (1881-1882), Flail (1882-1888), Journal (1885-1886), Protector (1888-1889), Star (1889-1892), Argus (1890-1897) and Republican (1892-1897). Eagle Publishers 1897-1899: J.C. Newsom & C.S. Fowler 1899-1948: J.C. Newsom 1948-1951: Henry E. Williams 1955-1955: J.L. Webster 1956: Mrs. J.L. Webster 1956-1969: Dennis Young 1960-1964: Robert H. & Mary Ostdiek 1964-1970: Kenneth Lockwood 1970-1976: Richard & Vona Van Cleef 1976-1995: Lois & Fred Lambley 1995-1997: Chris & Cheryl Chebuhar 1997-2006: Cheryl Chebuhar Sudbeck 2006-present: Nathan Arneal It was relatively cheap to start a newspaper in those days. A printing press good enough to do the job could be had for between $500 and $1,000. However, it took money to keep a paper going, and most of these early ventures folded (pun intended) because of a lack of financial support. Papers moved on for various other reasons, too. The Flail publisher, C.W. Hyatt, moved his paper to Fremont looking for a broader audience, although he only lasted a few years in Fremont anyway. The Star was destroyed in a 1892 fire and editor Rod Smith decided not to revive it.