When any city is first founded, a race to see who will start the first store, church, saloon, or other usually ensues. The first newspaper is no exception. During pioneer times in Aberdeen, all newsprint arrived on the train so news reporters had to wait for their shipments before they could begin printing. However, at some point, rumor had it that one of the newspapers was preparing to print before the shipment arrived. In an attempt to “one-up” the other, news reporters began printing articles on muslin rather than waiting for the newsprint on the train. The photographs above depict some examples. The newspaper business was an exciting industry for the Aberdeen area. Short term Aberdeen citizen L. Frank Baum, writer of The Wizard of Oz, also published a popular newspaper while in residence. It was a light-hearted, witty paper filled with interesting comments about local residents.