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MAGGIE'S LAST MEOW
This last Saturday the Memorial Service was held for Marguerite Dexter Campbell, former
editor and publisher of the Mariposa Gazette. And thus an era ends. John L. and Katie Dexter and for a short time
brother Roland Dexter, purchased the Gazette from John L. Weiler in l918, with John having started as editor in l9l8. John
Dexter, ex-teacher and Superintendent of Schools and Katie edited the Gazette until their deaths just six months apart in
l946-47. Dale K. and Marguerite came from Le Grand where they were publishing the Le Grand Advocate starting in l938 to join
her father as partners in the Gazette...
For a short two year period, Marguerite's younger sister, Kay and her husband Dean
Olson, took over the paper. Later, in 1945 to 46, they leased the paper to Louis and Vera Schmoll of Livingston and Merced
while they went to Oregon to ranch cattle. Returning to Mariposa, Marguerite resumed the publishing of the Gazette while Dale
became the Manager of the Mariposa County Fair. Marguerite's father began the life long task of gathering artifacts of
Mariposa County history and his natural interest drove him to create a museum in the old Gazette building which now sets at
the Mariposa Museum and History Center. This Sons of Temperance building became oddly a saloon before becoming the Gazette
Building. In 1942 a new building addition was added with the offices and print shop and the old building became a museum. In
1948 the museum building was transferred to the Mariposa Fair Grounds and later to the History Center.
Marguerite continued to
develop the interest in Mariposa History and two of her finest efforts were the special centennial edition of the Mariposa
Gazette, and the special edition published for the 125th anniversary of the Court house and Gazette. She gathered photographs
and stories from members of pioneer families and published them in a well designed tabloid, both editions of which have become
valuable collector's items of Mariposa History. Her father John was responsible for a number of special historical
publications including the 1929 Pathe Film honoring the county pioneers at the dedication of the monument still standing in
front of the Court House and causing the publication of N. D. Chamberlains Call of Gold, which was taken from the early
writing of the Gazette covering the county history as covered by the various publishers from the papers inception. Each
generation of Dexter-Campbell that was involved in the publishing of the Gazette were well respected and loved members of our
community.
But publishing the Gazette was just part of the service and love that Marguerite brought to Mariposa. She and Dale
had three Children, Delmar, Linda and Dexter. She took in many other children during her active years giving them everything
from a home, a bed, a meal and sage advice to assist them to become useful adults and assets to our community. The extent of
her generosity to the children of Mariposa is known only by her family and the young people that she helped along the way. As
a publisher her love of Mariposa and positive attitude about our community kept her as a valuable councilor to county
government and to the many organizations and events that she supported. For a number of years she wrote a weekly column
entitled "Maggie's Meow´ reviewing and commenting in a positive way on the activities of the day. If she had a problem with
the direction of various issues within the County, she would made every attempt to be accurate in her reporting and positive
in her offerings. Some years ago the ownership of the Gazette passed from the family. The years that the Dexter-Campbell
family held the reigns of the Gazette were eventful and well documented. Marguerites contribution will always be recognized as
important to the continuation of the story of Mariposa County. The Gazette is the continuous source of history for our county,
and regardless of the ownership or the quality of reporting, none the less it is our main record of life in this old mining
camp. Marguerite served her community well and should always be remembered for her splendid life.
Leroy Radanovich
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Leroy Radanovich
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