About Fest=chronik. [volume] (Dubuque, Iowa) 1892-1892
Dubuque, Iowa (1892-1892)

Luxemburger Gazette and Fest=chronik

The Luxemburger Gazette was a German-language newspaper established for the Luxembourg immigrant population, both locally in Davenport and across the country. The first issue was published on August 4, 1871, and began with an announcement stating the paper's purpose to ensure that Luxembourgers "are represented by a publication that sheds light on our national character, religion, language, constitution, commerce, etc." The Gazette reported daily news of Davenport and Scott County, but also covered news of interest from Luxembourg to keep immigrants connected with their homeland. The Gazette was widely distributed in Iowa and across the Midwest, and even had subscribers in Luxembourg who purchased the paper for news of their relatives and friends who had moved to the U.S.

John A. Koob, a teacher from St. Donatus, Iowa, served as the Gazette's first editor. Koob stepped down as editor after one year and was succeeded by Nicholas Gonner. Gonner was active in the local community and was passionate about preserving Luxembourg culture. In an effort to maintain connections between Luxembourg immigrant communities, Gonner strove to gather as much information as possible about Luxembourg immigration to the United States. Shortly after taking over as editor of the Gazette, he issued a proclamation stating, "In order to attain a clear picture of the extent to which our fellow nationals have spread across the land, it is of the highest interest to know the story of the Luxembourger immigrant, to know the names of the pioneers who had the courage to venture into the wilderness, and to learn the number of people who live in the settlements. We, therefore, appeal to the clergy, to our newspaper sellers, and in fact to all those whose interest in Luxembourg is close at heart, to report to us any information of this kind." Gonner also announced his intention to write a book on Luxembourgers in the United States, and he printed lists of questions in the Gazette to gather first-hand accounts from readers.

Gonner's sons, Jean Pierre, Lorenz, and Nicholas Jr., joined him in business at the Gazette. Upon Gonner's death in 1892, Nicholas Jr. assumed the editorship and retained the position until the paper ceased publication in 1918. As with many other foreign language newspapers in Iowa, World War I led to the Gazette's decline. In 1914, at the beginning of the war, the Gazette published opinions in support of Germany and criticized President Woodrow Wilson for siding with England. When the U.S. joined the war in 1917, the Gazette reversed course and expressed its support for the United States and its troops. The controversial views on the war and its continued use of the German language led to diminishing public support for the Gazette, and its final issue was published on June 27, 1918.

Provided by: State Historical Society of Iowa