Elijah Lovejoy
From Teacher to Newspaper Man

Surrendered His Life | Teacher to Newspaper Man | Founds the Observer | Arrives in Alton | How to Silence | Abolitionist | Final Showdown

Using some of the profits from his school, he bought half interest in the St. Louis Times and became the paper's editor.

It is important to note that this was a time when editing a newspaper required not only the ability to write but also the ability to fight. Newspaper editors called each other names in print that people today would not use in conversation. The editors also said exactly what they thought of public officials and others, and it was not uncommon for an editor to meet an opponent on the street and to end up badly beaten and bruised. Elijah Lovejoy enjoyed his job as editor at the Times which was concerned with politics and little else.

Elijah Lovejoy's early years in St. Louis were without close religious ties. His Christian upbringing remained an important thought dormant, part of this life. He did, however, hear various evangelists and religious leaders when they visited St. louis, but none made a significant dent in his lack of active interest in religion. In 1831, a religious revival was sweeping the country. The Rev. David Nelson—called Dr. Nelson—was a popular speaker at Western revival meetings and had a profound effect on Elijah Lovejoy.

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Elijah Lovejoy - Founds the Observer

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Surrendered His Life | Teacher to Newspaper Man | Founds the Observer | Arrives in Alton | How to Silence | Abolitionist | Final Showdown

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