About Mrs. Grundy. (Tracy City, Tenn.) 1903-1930
Tracy City, Tenn. (1903-1930)

Mrs. Grundy and Mrs. Grundy of Grundy

Serving the residents of Grundy County in Tennessee, the newspaper known as Mrs. Grundy began life as the Tracy City News in the 1880s. It was known briefly as Mrs. Grundy of Grundy before becoming Mrs. Grundy in 1903.

Martin Marugg, a Swiss immigrant, published and edited Mrs. Grundy - "the official organ of Grundy County" - under the auspices of the Grundy Publishing Company. Marugg had previous newspaper experience at the Chattanooga Evening Democrat and the German-language Anzeiger des Sudens in Nashville. He also operated retail outlets in Greutli and Tracy City, Tennessee, and served as the vice-president of Grundy County Bank and as county auditor for ten years.

Later issues of Mrs. Grundy included an explanation of its unusual name in its masthead. "Mrs. Grundy" was a character in Englishman Thomas Morton's 1798 comedy, Speed the Plough in which "the wife of a lucky farmer" is "envied by Dame Ashfield, a neighbor, who constantly exclaims "What will Mrs. Grundy say," hence, society in general regarded ["Mrs. Grundy" as] a censor of morals."(Her character never actually appeared in the play but was only referred to by others.)

The front page of the April 9, 1903 issue of the newspaper entreated the citizens to remember that Mrs. Grundy was the "helpmate" of the area. "She wants clean, readable news from all over the county, and intends to merit the hearty cooperation and support of every Grundy countian.

Mrs. Grundy was available on Thursdays for a one-dollar annual subscription, and throughout a portion of the newspaper's lifespan, the weekly circulated under the motto: "O Liberties We Prize; Our Rights We Will Maintain." Mrs. Grundy reported local, state, regional, and national news from the news wire. Correspondents from communities around the county such as Gruetli, Monteagle, and Altamont covered births, weddings, obituaries, and the happenings of churches, clubs, and other organizations. Ads were published for both local and national products and services, but the paper emphasized that "Advertisements must have merit or they will not be accepted."

In 1930, Mrs. Grundy was succeeded by the apparently short-lived Cumberland Outlook.

Provided by: University of Tennessee