The First 100 Years: A History of The Salt Lake Tribune 1871-1971 by O.N. Malmquist

15 Goodwin Out — Kearns In THE FIRST HINT of a change in the ownership of The Salt Lake Tribune, which had had three owners in its first thirty years, appeared in print while Senator-elect Thomas Kearns was celebrating his victory with supporters and friends and preparing to go to Washington to take his seat.

On January 29, 1901, The Salt Lake Herald published a rumor story under the heading: "Senator Kearns Does Not Want The Tribune." The news item said: A rumor has been in existence for the last few days to the effect that Senator Thomas Kearns was about to break into the newspaper business through the purchase of The Salt Lake Tribune. It has been said that the Senator had a desire to shine in journalistic circles and that, when notice was given him that The Tribune was on the market, he jumped at the opportunity.

Last night Senator Kearns laughed at the idea. 'It is absurd,' said he. 'People say I would shine more as a miner than as the editor of a newspaper and I don't know but what they're right. I certainly have no intention of breaking into the newspaper business at this time. . . .' ] 192