One hundred nineteen years ago this week, my grandfather, W.C. Simons, arrived in Lawrence to start a newspaper.

He was 20 years old and was accompanied by his brother, L.A. Simons, 17. It had taken them three days to travel by horse and buggy from St. Joseph, Mo., to get to Lawrence. They were eager to get into the newspaper business even though there were seven other papers being published in Lawrence at that time, along with a couple of papers on the Kansas University campus.

Once in Lawrence, they were joined by W.C.’s brother-in-law, J.L. Brady. They started business with the Lawrence Record on Dec. 14 with a capital investment of $50. Others in the newspaper business in Lawrence didn’t offer much encouragement. In fact, writers of the Lawrence Journal wished them well but added, “there was not much chance of success.”

Lawrence was not a pretty sight when my grandfather arrived at the northeast corner of the city. He later wrote, “That December 14th day of 1891, it was raining, but instead of a town with wide paved streets, brilliantly lighted and festooned with Christmas decorations, the streets were a sea of mud, lighted only by a faint and flickering single gas light at each street intersection with burning gasoline, or kerosene, flares in the front of a few enterprising stores.”

Simons had grown up in a sod house in Hodgeman County, near Jetmore, and had limited formal schooling. Nevertheless, he was optimistic and thought there was a good opportunity for another newspaper in Lawrence.

That was 119 years ago, and over these years, there have been many changes in the news and information business. My grandfather faced and overcame many challenges in his days. Those in the newspaper business today, as well as those in magazine, radio, book and television enterprises, all are facing many challenges. The entire information business is changing at a time when more people want more information.

Our system of government is based on an informed citizenry knowing what is going on, whether at the local, county, state or national level. With this information, citizens are expected, or at least have the opportunity, to make wise decisions about all kinds of matters — the election of government leaders, school board issues, land use, industrial development or even the performance of a football coach or university chancellor.

Knowledgeable observers say they believe there never has been a greater demand for information than there is today but that this information or “news” needs to be accurate, honest and balanced.

Although this writer can be accused of being biased on the subject, the newspaper is the best means of collecting and disseminating the news. Yes, there can be and are abuses and poor performances, but overall those in the newspaper business are driven by the desire to do the best we can to inform the public about what is going on.

New technology has made it possible to deliver information by many means. My grandfather would be shocked to see how many ways a person can get the news — 24 hours a day, at unbelievable speed, in color, in newspapers, on radio, television screens, computers and hand-held devices.

The newspaper business is facing many challenges. For example, the publisher of the New York Times recently said he didn’t know whether there would be a printed version of the Times 14 years from now.

The World Company, parent of the Journal-World, is fortunate to have talented, visionary and hardworking associates who are determined to have the Journal-World successfully navigate the sure-to-come changes from newspapers in the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s to what newspapers — communication companies and community information providers — are likely to be in 2011 and beyond. Fortunately, the company is well positioned with digital expertise and visionary individuals to help guide us in this period of transition.

It’s going to be a challenging but exciting period for the World Company as we enter our 120th year. It’s also going to be a challenging time for Lawrence, KU, Kansas and our entire country. Competition is intense, and there is no justification to relax or be complacent.

There was nothing easy for those living and doing business in Lawrence 119 years ago with the muddy streets and no guarantees of success, but the leaders at that time were positive and optimistic. They worked hard and they prevailed.

Whether or not there will be a Journal-World 119 years from now is unknown, but it is the intention of the current management to meet today’s challenges and provide the people of the Lawrence area, by one means or another, a trustworthy source of information.