The Leader purchased the Transcript in 1899 and continued in operation with William H. Green as the editor.

In 1905 the Leader was sold to William B. Gildart (1848-1918), an attorney who came from Stockbridge in August of 1903 to set up a law practice here. The Leader became the only competition to the Albion Recorder after the Albion Mirror folded in 1910. On August 1, 1914, the Leader moved its location to the old Albion Mirror building at 113-115 W. Center St. where it remained for the rest of its existence.

One of Gildart’s popular features was the Pioneer Sketches he published in his paper during 1908, containing the biographies of Albion pioneers who were still living. These also included a photograph of the subject, and proved to be an attraction for subscribers. When the Sketches were being published, the Albion Mirror realized the draw that these had, and started with a series of its own, entitled the Biographical Sketches which ran in 1908 and 1909.

Upon Gildart’s death in 1918, the paper was discontinued. Unfortunately, only a few scattered issues, plus the complete run of issues containing Pioneer Sketches remain today. Fortunately, these have been microfilmed and are available to researchers today. From our Historical Notebook this week we present a photo of the Leader office at 105 W. Porter St. Standing in front are William Gildart’s sons (L-R) Emerson and Ralph. How many of our readers have in their possession old Albion newspapers such as those mentioned here?