The Cass County Sun

I have worked at the newspaper here in Atlanta for 13 years now.

When I was hired in as the Sports Editor, I was the Sports Editor of two papers.

The Cass County Sun was Linden’s newspaper established in the mid-1870s and still holds the distinction of being the oldest business institution in Cass County.

The Sun combined with the Atlanta Citizens Journal back in 2020 but is still producing news.

If I can remember right, the Sun is the oldest business still in operation in Cass County and the Journal was the third oldest.

The Sun part of the Journal-Sun will be 150 years old in June of 2026 and the Journal will be 150 in 2029.

Founding and Early Years

The Cass County Sun first appeared in 1876, published in Linden by Charles A. Kesseler. It began as a weekly voice for the citizens of Cass County, offering local, state and national news, commentary and advertising. Early issues, preserved in The Portal to Texas History, date back to at least July 1883. By 1890, Linden had a population of about 414, and the newspaper had already established itself as a key institution in the largely rural community.

Editorial Role and Community Engagement Through the decades, The Sun has chronicled the growth and challenges of Linden and its surrounding areas — from agricultural changes, educational developments, to the political life of Cass County. It attracted prominence during the Populist movement; for example, an 1894 campaign was covered significantly by the paper under the leadership of J. W. (initials) who purchased it in 1889. It has also served as a consistent record-keeper: obituaries, local business news, notices (such as for the Linden Cemetery Association), and social events were staples in its pages.

Continuity and Preservation

The paper survived through major historical periods — economic booms and busts, world wars, the Great Depression, and the technological transitions of the 20th and early 21st centuries. Its archives, which span more than 53 years of digitized issues (more than 8,000 pages), are accessible via the University of North Texas portal and reflect its long-standing service.

Recent Years

By the late 20th century, The Cass County Sun sometimes bore the name New Cass County Sun but retained its core identity. It remains a weekly publication headquartered in Atlanta. Its motto, often reflected in its branding, emphasizes its age and roots: “Oldest business in Cass County.”

I’m looking forward to seeing the newspaper turn 150. The newspaper is one of the last links bridging the past to the future.

My hope is that the Journal-Sun will continue to serve as a record of truth, facts and reliable information for many more years to come.