About The Sunday critic. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-19??
Wilmington, Del. (1883-19??)

The Sunday Critic

The Sunday Critic debuted on December 16, 1883, in Wilmington, Delaware. Published and edited by Charles H. Vary with Howard Shade listed as assistant, the paper announced in its opening issue that "We are small but vigorous. There is but one other Sunday paper in the state. The Critic will deal with all questions and all sides of politics when it is necessary."

The Sunday Critic covered local, national, and, in brief, foreign news. On the local level, the newspaper published Wilmington's birth, marriage, and death records each week. In addition, a column devoted to "Fire Laddies" included information about Wilmington's fire houses and its six fire engines. Other columns included "Wilmington Waifs," "Breakfast Buns," and "Business Budgets." Brief news items appeared on topics as diverse as the health of former New York governor Samuel Tilden, the use of Canton ginger as an ice cream topping, and the arrival of a new physician in Wilmington.

The Sunday Critic also reported on arrests for drunkenness, shootings, and murders occurring at both the local and the national level. Advertisements appeared such as for Wilmington's Grand Opera House production of Rajah featuring a "legitimate Madison Square Theatre cast." In addition, the Sunday Critic noted the rise of American winemaking compared with that France.

It is unclear when the Sunday Critic ceased publication, but it was most likely in 1884; the Critic is absent from the 1885 edition of Rowell's newspaper directory.

Provided by: University of Delaware Library, Newark, DE