It was founded as a pioneer newspaper in
Omaha, Nebraska, on May 8, 1871, by
Edward Rosewater a Jewish immigrant from Bohemia who supported abolition and fought in the Union Army. The
Bee was Nebraska's first regional newspaper, and was regarded nationally for its advocacy and success. By 1875 the
Bee had a circulation of 2,520 and by 1882 circulation had increased to 6,100. Although it was primarily a local paper, the
Bee also carried national and regional news in a simple eight column design. The paper's slogan was "Industry, Frugality and Service." in 1888 Rosewater built the
Bee Building to accommodate its presses, which were claimed to be the largest in the country. After his father carried the paper to national fame before his death in 1906, the paper began to slip under his son Victor Rosewater's control. Another newspaper,
Omaha World-Herald published reports condemning the violence with the headline "Frenzied thousands join the orgy of blood and fire". The newspaper was sold to millionaire
Nelson B. Updike, a local grain dealer, in 1920. In 1927, Updike purchased the
Omaha Daily News and merged his papers to form the
Bee-News. In June 1928 the
Bee-News was sold to
William Randolph Hearst. In October 1937, Hearst sold the paper to the
Omaha World-Herald for $750,000, which promptly discontinued its publication. Early 20th century American author
Elizabeth Higgins Sullivan worked for the Omaha Daily Bee newspaper and various
Chicago daily newspapers. She was devoted to
Women's suffrage and the social settlement movement. ==References==