you can't talk about texas history without the galveston daily news

An old typewriter sits next to the 1900 Storm exhibit in the Galveston County Museum that some visitors may just walk past without noticing. In this episode of Unboxing History, hosts Christine Hopkins and Jodi Wright-Gidley, director of the Galveston County Museum, explore this unique item that connects two pillars of Galveston history — the 1900 Storm and the Galveston Daily News, the longest continuously published newspaper in Texas.

The featured artifact is an 1891 Oliver typewriter once owned by R.B. Spangler, a compositor and telegraph editor for the Galveston Daily News. This machine not only helped tell Galveston’s story but also survived one of the most devastating natural disasters in American history.

A Unique Artifact from Galveston’s Past

As Jodi explains in the episode, the Oliver typewriter was ahead of its time. Its innovative U-shaped type bar allowed typists to see their work as they typed — a new invention in the late 19th century. The Oliver Typewriter Company, based in Chicago, still exists today, refurbishing vintage models and selling replacement ribbons for collectors and enthusiasts.

R.B. Spangler’s connection to Galveston history runs deep. As a compositor, he arranged the individual metal letters, lines, and illustrations that made up each page of the Galveston Daily News. He was also part of one of the first chartered typesetter unions in Texas, remaining active in the newspaper industry for more than 50 years. A 1910 article from the Galveston Tribune described him as “known to every man, woman, and child in Galveston,” a dedicated printer who “never missed a meeting and always lent a helping hand.”

Witness to the 1900 Storm

The story of the 1900 Storm — the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history — is inseparable from Spangler’s story. As the hurricane approached Galveston Island, Spangler was working late at the newspaper office downtown. Around 1 a.m., he received a telegraph warning of a storm forming in the Gulf, though details were scarce due to damaged communication lines.

Before heading home, Spangler typed what little information he had for the next morning’s paper.  When he left the office in the early hours, water was already rising along the streets. By dawn, the storm had intensified beyond expectation.

Though his home was destroyed, Spangler and his family survived. He returned to work, helping document the aftermath — listing missing residents, reporting on survivors, and ensuring that the people of Galveston could see their community’s story reflected in the pages of the Galveston Daily News.

The Galveston Daily News: Chronicling History Since 1842

To connect past and present, this episode features Leonard Woolsey, publisher of The Daily News and president of Southern Newspapers. He calls the typewriter a “jewel” of Galveston history and praises the museum for preserving such an important piece of the city’s heritage.

“The Galveston Daily News’ job then, as it is today, is to write history — to chronicle history,” Woolsey said. “Mr. Spangler’s typewriter was part of that. The words that told the story of the 1900 Storm came off that machine.”

Founded in 1842, The Galveston Daily News predates even the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. Over the decades, it has documented every major chapter of Galveston’s past — from the 1900 Storm and the Texas City explosion to the island’s Prohibition-era nightlife and modern-day hurricanes.

“It’s impossible to read Texas history without reading it through the pages of The Daily News,” Woolsey added. “Our local newspaper has helped preserve the story of Texas itself.”

Why Local News Still Matters

In the interview, Woolsey reflected on the enduring importance of local journalism. “A newspaper’s job is to put its arms around the community,” he said. “It’s the thread that connects us — capturing the voices, triumphs, and challenges that define who we are.”

Today, The Daily News continues that mission both in print and online. Digital subscribers can now explore fully searchable archives that reach back to the 1800s, including original coverage of the 1900 Storm and other defining moments in Galveston history.

Visit the Galveston County Museum

Visitors can see R.B. Spangler’s Oliver typewriter — the very machine that helped document the 1900 Storm — at the Galveston County Museum, located inside the Galveston County Courthouse at 722 Moody Avenue.

The museum is free to visit Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with private tours and the Padlock Mystery Game available by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Listen to Episode 17 of Unboxing History wherever you get your podcasts, or watch it on YouTube to see the typewriter and hear the full story behind this fascinating piece of Galveston history.

Learn more at www.GalvestonCountyHistory.org and follow the Galveston County Museum on social media for updates on exhibits, events, and future podcast episodes.