The history of Coleman newspapers is much like that of Coleman and Coleman County.  They go a long way back and have seen a lot of changes.  At this time there are two Coleman newspapers, under the same ownership and published in the same plant, but for most of the long years there were competing publications and for several years the city had three newspapers.  In format the papers have ranged from full size to tabloid and in frequency have ranged from weekly, to semi-weekly and daily. Printing process for most of the years was hot type, but is now cold type or offset.

     The City of Coleman was laid out in the summer of 1876.  The first newspaper, the Coleman "Telegram," issued its initial publication on Saturday, October 12, 1878.  A copy of the "Telegram" is on display in the Coleman Museum.  It is not known how long the 'Telegram" was around, but it did not survive.

     The Coleman "Voice" was established in 1881 by James J. Callan.  Mr. Callan operated the paper until the 1890's when he sold to J. H. Tucker.  Mr. Tucker was with the paper until 1909.  The "Voice" has been published continuously since that time.  The May 17, 1983 issue marked the beginning of the 103rd year of publication by the paper.  It is one of the two oldest business institutions in Coleman.  Of course the paper is now known as the "Democrat-Voice."  The "Democrat" was established in 1897 by Will Hubert, later sold to W. F. Leonard and T. E. D. Shepherd, and consequently merged in 1909.  The name of "Democrat-Voice" was first used in February 1910.

     Records reveal there were other newspapers along the way.  The "Review' was established in 1893 and acquired by competition in 1899.  The "News" was established in 1907 and acquired in 1912.

     Following consolidation of the "'Democrat" and "Voice" in 1909, the "Coleman ,e had moved to Coleman some five years earlier from Cross Plains where he published the "Review."  Before moving to Cross Plains, Autry had published the Blanket "Signal."

     Concerning "The Voice"' and "The Democrat," it is recorded that the "Voice" was a Republican newspaper, and that the "Democrat" came to life during an especially "hot presidential campaign." Thus the merging of the two newspapers was also a merging of political differences.

     When the "Coleman Democrat-Voice" was re-organized from the two newspapers, it started as a corporation with stock being sold to local merchants.  The paper was operated by L. F. Wade and Claude McClellan. In 1911, R. G. Hollingsworth purchased the paper and then sold in 1915 to H. H. Jackson.  In the early 1940's, Mr. Jackson sold the paper to a Mr. Olson from Minnesota.  About a year later he re-purchased the "Coleman Democrat Voice" and operated same another two years before retiring again.  In the 'forties the paper changed hands several times.  Owners were C. C. Woodson, Sam Braswell, Wendell Bedichek, Bill Bacon and Dick Reavis.  Sidney Smith was an owner in the early fifties.

     In the late 'forties, Reavis purchased an interest in "Coleman County Chronicle" and in 1951, the Autrys and Reavis purchased the "Democrat-Voice."  In 1954, the Autrys bought out Reavis and the Autry family has operated the Coleman newspapers since that time.

     After R. A. Autry Sr. established the "Coleman County Chronicle" here in 1933, he continued in active management of the firm until his sudden death in 1965.  His two sons, Milton and Roy, Jr. worked at the newspaper when they were in school and then left for service in World War II.  Upon return following the war they became partners in the newspaper and are today publishing the Coleman "Democrat-Voice" and the 'Coleman County Chronicle."  Another generation is also around, as Roy Autry's son and son-in-law, Brett Autry and Stan Brudney are associated with the papers.  Wives of the publishers, Clementine and Martha, also serve on a part-time basis at the newspaper.  Mrs. R. A. Autry Sr., who worked at the newspaper for many years, is now retired but still retains ownership interest in the Coleman papers.