Richard Henry Blacklidge  

Blacklidge Heades Hoosier State Press Association

Lake Maxinkuckee Summer Resident Highly Honored

Richard H. Blacklidge of Kokomo and Culver, general manager of the Kokomo Tribune, has been elected president of the Hoosier State Press associtation

Mr. Blacklidge, who served as vice president of HSPA for the past year, too over the presidency July 1. He succeeds Ware Edgar, publisher of the two weekly newspapers at Knox.

ELected vice president was C. Richard Johnson of Boonville, while William a Dyer Jr. In Indianapolis was re-elected tresurer. The new secretary is Virgil M. McClintle, publisher of The White County Mr and Mrs Blacklidge are popular longtime summer residents of Lake Maxinkuckee, residing ar 2296 East Shore Drive.

TheHoosier State Press Association is composed of all the major newspapers of Indiana, inclduing the CUlver Citizen. It is regared as one of the outstanding newspaper organizations of the entire United States. Wray E. Flemin is the association's general counsel and the man most responsible for it his standing.

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Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame was established in 1966 by the Indiana chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi
Inducted 1971

Born in Kokomo, Indiana on June 7, 1914, Blacklidge was the son of Kent H. and Bernice (Kautz) Blacklidge.

He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University in 1936 and was associated with the University newspaper, The Exponent during his career at Purdue, but he actually began his career in journalism with the Kokomo High School paper.

Immediately after his graduation from college, Blacklidge began selling advertising for the Kokomo Tribune in 1936. In 1938, he was elevated to the position of business manager, a position he held for 17 years.

In 1956 he was named publisher of the paper. He is credited with dynamic efforts in developing modern newspaper technology and in the application of systematic research to publishing problems during his career with the Kokomo Tribune.

Blacklidge served with the Army Air Force in 1944-1945 and has been past president or director of several professional organizations. Among these are the Inland Daily Press Association (President, 1960-61) and the Hoosier State Press Association (President, 1956-57 and 1967-68).

He was the first Hoosier elected to the presidency of the American Newspaper Publishers Association in 1970. He was an active member of the Howard County TB Association and the United Fund as well as the American Legion and Elks Club. He married Marian Reinhartsen on January 5, 1938.
by R.S. Pritchard

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Bernice Blacklidge
Birth: 1888
Death: Oct. 29, 1967 Kokomo, Howard county Indiana
Burial: Crown Point Cemetery Kokomo Howard County Indiana

Richard H Blacklidge
Birth: Jun. 7, 1914
Death: May 24, 1993
Burial: Crown Point Cemetery Kokomo Howard County Indiana,

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Kokomo Tribune
Published: October 24, 2005

Serving North Central Indiana since 1850

Covering central Indiana since 1850, The Kokomo Tribune also publishes the Howard County Weekly, ... The Tribune has a long history with the Kokomo community. It made its first appearance on Oct. 30, 1850, when the Howard Tribune, a weekly newspaper, was published for a handf ul of readers... From 1897 to 1981 the newspaper was owned and operated by John Arthur Kautz and his descendents, his daughters and their families but primarily by the Blacklidge family (Bernice Kautz, one daughter, was married to Kent H. Blacklidge). John Arthur Kautz was owner and publisher until his death at which time Richard H. Blacklidge became CEO. Richard Blacklidge, Arthur Kautz's grandson, was publisher until 1978. Kent Blacklidge was publisher from 1978 until the newspaper was sold in 1981. The Kokomo Tribune was one of the most recognized small daily, family-owned newspapers in the nation in its day.... In 1981, Thomson Newspapers Inc. purchased the Tribune ... Then, in 2000 Thomson sold Tribune to the present owners, Community Newspapers Holding Inc., the parent company of many other Indiana newspapers, weeklies, commercial printing and direct marketing businesses....

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Elizabeth Ann "Libby Blacklidge Newell, 91, passed away at 1:47 P.M. Monday, June 7, 2010 at her home after a brief illness.

She was born Oct 26, 1918 to the late Kent and Bernice (Kaus) Blacklidge.

She married Charles W. Newell Nov. 13 1941 and he preceded her in death


Libby atteneded Tobe Coburn School of Fashion in NYC and graduated from Indiana University. SHe was part owner of the Kokomo Tribune and the Kokomo Opalecent Glass Co. and a founding member of radio station WIOU in Kokomo. As a volunteer, Libby worked many years for the American Red Cross. Her interest in the sport of croquet and her outstanding contributions to the growth and enjoymnet of that sport, resulted in her being recongnized by the United States Croquet Assn.


Survivor inclde he son, Daniel "Drew" Newell of Kokomo, three grandchildren Alexandra Newell, Daniel Newel II and Jonathon Newell. She was preceeded in death bey her parents, her husband and a daughter, Tamara Newell

Private memorial service celebrating the life of Libby, will be held at a later date.


Memorial contribution may be made to the U. S. Croquet Assn. 700 Mango Rd In Palm Beach, FL. 33506. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements