Oscar S. Stauffer
Encyclopedia
Oscar Stanley Stauffer was founder of the media company Stauffer Communications
and is often credited with starting the bandwagon for Kansas Governor Alf Landon
getting the Republican
nomination for President of the United States in 1936.
At the time of his death, Stauffer owned 20 newspapers, two television stations, nine radio stations and several affiliated operations in 11 states.
Stauffer was born in Hope, Kansas
. After graduating Abilene High School (Abilene, Kansas)
in 1906, Stauffer went to work for William Allen White
at the Emporia Gazette
for $6/week. White fired him in 1908 to force him to attend the journalism school at the University of Kansas
.
After graduating Kansas he worked five years at The Kansas City Star
.
In 1915 he bought his first newspaper with the Peabody Gazette in Peabody, Kansas
, and was editor until 1922.
In 1930 he formed Stauffer Publications from six newspapers he owned.
In 1935 Stauffer encountered Kansas City Star editor Roy Roberts
and is reported to have asked him, "Look here Roy, when are going to do something about getting Alf nominated?" Shortly thereafter, Roberts, Stauffer, Kansas City Star reporter Laci Haynes and Pittsburg, Kansas
publisher Fred Brinkerhoff chipped in $500 each to open an "Alf Landon For President" campaign headquarters in the Muehlebach Hotel
in Kansas City, Missouri
. Rather than printing any stationery
, the publishers used the letterhead of Arkansas City Daily Traveler in Arkansas City, Kansas
.
In 1975, the Kansas State High School Activities Association
began the Oscar Stauffer Award, which each year honors a sports broadcaster and newspaper reporter for their outstanding coverage of high school athletics in the state.
Stauffer Communications
Stauffer Communications was a corporation which until 1995 owned many media and other companies in Topeka, Kansas including the Topeka Capital-Journal and WIBW, WIBW-FM, and WIBW-TV....
and is often credited with starting the bandwagon for Kansas Governor Alf Landon
Alf Landon
Alfred Mossman "Alf" Landon was an American Republican politician, who served as the 26th Governor of Kansas from 1933–1937. He was best known for being the Republican Party's nominee for President of the United States, defeated in a landslide by Franklin D...
getting the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
nomination for President of the United States in 1936.
At the time of his death, Stauffer owned 20 newspapers, two television stations, nine radio stations and several affiliated operations in 11 states.
Stauffer was born in Hope, Kansas
Hope, Kansas
Hope is a city in southern Dickinson County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 368. The motto of Hope is "There Will Always Be Hope In Kansas", which is also the name of a song.-History:...
. After graduating Abilene High School (Abilene, Kansas)
Abilene High School (Abilene, Kansas)
Abilene High School is a fully accredited public high school located in Abilene, Kansas, USA, serving grades 9-12. The school is a part of Abilene Unified School District 435. The current building serves students from the city itself as well as outlying areas covered by the nearby Chapman district...
in 1906, Stauffer went to work for William Allen White
William Allen White
William Allen White was a renowned American newspaper editor, politician, author, and leader of the Progressive movement...
at the Emporia Gazette
Emporia Gazette
The Emporia Gazette is a daily newspaper in Emporia, Kansas.The newspaper rose to national attention after William Allen White bought the newspaper for $3,000 in 1895. The paper rose to national prominence and influence in the Republican Party following a White editorial in 1896, "What's the...
for $6/week. White fired him in 1908 to force him to attend the journalism school at the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
.
After graduating Kansas he worked five years at The Kansas City Star
The Kansas City Star
The Kansas City Star is a McClatchy newspaper based in Kansas City, Missouri, in the United States. Published since 1880, the paper is the recipient of eight Pulitzer Prizes...
.
In 1915 he bought his first newspaper with the Peabody Gazette in Peabody, Kansas
Peabody, Kansas
Peabody is a city in Marion County, Kansas, United States. It is named after F.H. Peabody, of Boston, former vice-president of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. Peabody is well known in the region for its Independence Day Celebration on July 4, and its historic 1880's downtown main street...
, and was editor until 1922.
In 1930 he formed Stauffer Publications from six newspapers he owned.
In 1935 Stauffer encountered Kansas City Star editor Roy Roberts
Roy Roberts
Roy Roberts was an American character actor. Over his more than 40-year career, he appeared in more than nine hundred productions on stage and screen.-Biography:...
and is reported to have asked him, "Look here Roy, when are going to do something about getting Alf nominated?" Shortly thereafter, Roberts, Stauffer, Kansas City Star reporter Laci Haynes and Pittsburg, Kansas
Pittsburg, Kansas
Pittsburg is a city in Crawford County, in southeastern Kansas, United States. It is the most populous city in Crawford County and in southeastern Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 20,233.-History:...
publisher Fred Brinkerhoff chipped in $500 each to open an "Alf Landon For President" campaign headquarters in the Muehlebach Hotel
Muehlebach Hotel
The Muehlebach Hotel is a historic hotel building in Downtown Kansas City that was visited by every President from Theodore Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan. It is currently operated as one of three wings of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown.-History:...
in Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
. Rather than printing any stationery
Stationery
Stationery has historically meant a wide gamut of materials: paper and office supplies, writing implements, greeting cards, glue, pencil case etc.-History of stationery:...
, the publishers used the letterhead of Arkansas City Daily Traveler in Arkansas City, Kansas
Arkansas City, Kansas
Arkansas City is a city situated at the confluence of the Arkansas and Walnut rivers in the southwestern part of Cowley County, located in south-central Kansas, in the central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,415....
.
In 1975, the Kansas State High School Activities Association
Kansas State High School Activities Association
The Kansas State High School Activities Association is the organization which oversees interscholastic competition in the state of Kansas at the high school level. It oversees both athletic and non-athletic competition, and sponsors championships in several sports and activities.The KSHSAA was...
began the Oscar Stauffer Award, which each year honors a sports broadcaster and newspaper reporter for their outstanding coverage of high school athletics in the state.