57 Years in One Family HISTORY OF 'MOLONG EXPRESS' 1945.

Molong Express and Western District Advertiser NSW

12 Jan 1945

57 Years in One Family

HISTORY OF 'MOLONG EXPRESS'

In last issue, 'Old Timer' reviewed the' history of the Molong Press, from the time the 'Express' (Molong's first newspaper) was founded in 1876. 

A few days ago, we yarned about the old days with Mr. Fred Leathem, now of Parramatta, whose family ran the 'Express' for 57 years. 

Fred himself was associated with the paper for 41 years. He is now employed at the Howard Auto Cultivator works at Northmead. 

The 'Express' was founded 68 years ago by two Leathem brothers, Henry and John, and they ran it jointly until 1879, when Henry died, leaving a widow and young family.

The business was then sold by tender, and the widow, Mrs. Marion Leathem, became the sole owner.

FOUR SONS. 

With the assistance of her four sons, Charles, William, John and Fred.

Mrs. Leathem carried the paper on, in the face of opposition from the 'Argus,' until her death about 23 years ago.

Charles and John then took the 'Express' over, and William and Fred stayed on with them.

Subsequently Bill left newspaper work to become a station book-keeper.

Jack met with a fatal accident on the Molong-Manildra road, and his interest in the business passed to his widow, Mrs. Harriet Leathem.

Later Charles bought out his sister-in-law's interest, and became sole owner, his brother Fred continuing on with him.

The long association of the Leathem family with the 'Express' ended in 1933, when Mr. W. P. Stanger bought the business, subsequently merging the two Molong papers.