I believe that it’s important for anyone who knew Eldora Nuzum as I did, to respond to the reference under West Virgina History (The Inter-Mountain – Saturday, Aug. 17).

Certainly, I knew Eldora Nuzum very well because she was the I-M editor during the 10-or-so years that I served as a reporter. This was before I joined Davis & Elkins College as Public Relations Director with editorial responsibilities. I refer to D&E because my experience at the I-M qualified me for that position. Mrs. Nuzum was quite upset that I had accepted the job, because we were always short-staffed and she was desperate to keep reporters. We worked hard because each of us had multiple stories to pound out by deadline each day.

Eldora was proud to become the first female editor of a daily newspaper (the Grafton Sentinel) in West Virginia in 1946. Of course, she went on to serve three decades as editor of The Inter-Mountain, where she was Editor in Chief.

She was dedicated to the job and never hesitated to use her authority. Deadlines were very important as they are at most newspapers. At the I-M, a driver would pick up the papers for delivery in outlying areas in other counties. So it was not unusual to have her actually scream at a reporter to finish a late-breaking story to comply with the deadline.

Eldora was also a very generous person. Very often, on a Saturday afternoon after a long week, she would invite staff to go out for food and drinks. We enjoyed her company and came to respect her talent as well as her attitude, and we never forgot that she was indeed a warm and thoughtful person.  I miss her still!

Now to the present day: I must add that anyone who criticizes the Inter-Mountain for any reason should bite their tongues and be sent for a mental evaluation! They ask too much. We are extremely fortunate to have a daily newspaper, edited by an experienced editor, Brad Johnson. I say this not because of my former association as a reporter, but simply because we should look at The Inter-Mountain as a prize, six days a week, that brings us important local news announcements, as well as state and national news. 

Across the country, many newspapers are closing down because the costs of writing, publishing and distribution have gotten beyond budgets. The process is costly! Think about it when you read The Inter-Mountain. Thank you, Brad and your reporters, who make it happen!

Mary McMahon

Elkins