DEAF MUTE CRITIC (THE)

DEAF MUTE CRITIC (THE). A short-lived publication in Dubuque, the Critic was founded and closed between July and August 7, 1890. In July, the publication posted Frank Hemmelder, a deaf mute, to Davenport to represent the publication. (1) Professor De Coursey French was the editor; W. F. Fisher served as the business manager. Much of the history of the publication centered on internal litigation.

Fisher quit his position toward the end of July and claimed he had earned money which had not been paid. (2) Fisher sued French and was awarded $4. Fisher had legal representation. French, who was deaf and mute, represented himself. (3)

In 1891 it was reported the French had left town leaving behind several unpaid bills. Matt McCook ad Otto Schnoor took an attachment on the paper to satisfy a debt of $300. (4) In March 1895, French sold his entire interest in the publication to Matthew McCook and Edward Holycross. (5) The case in 1895 of , DeCoursey French vs. Matthew McCook, was unique in local judicial history because nearly all the witnesses were deaf mutes and the services of an interpreter were required for the testimony to be "heard." French sued McCook for $200 for services as editor. (6)

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Source:

1. "Local News in Brief," The Herald, July 9, 1890, p. 4

2. "Deaf Mute in Trouble," Dubuque Daily Herald, August 7, 1890, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=_OG5zn83XeQC&dat=18900807&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

3. "Local News in Brief," Dubuque Daily Herald, August 12, 1890, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=_OG5zn83XeQC&dat=18900812&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

4. "The Critic Cramped," The Herald, January 3, 1891, p. 4

5. "Municipal Molecules," Dubuque Daily Herald, March 19, 1891, p. 4

6. "Silence Reigned," The Dubuque Herald, November 23, 1895, p. 8