The South Norwalk Sentinel launched in November 1870, as a politically independent weekly newspaper, published every Thursday, under the editorship of C. V. Arnold. H.E. Wing became editor of the newspaper in early 1871, and he re-asserted the paper’s independence on March 2, 1871, writing, “I assumed the management of the Sentinel early in January, under an agreement that it should be the mouthpiece of no man or party.” As a newspaper with the stated goal of being independent, the Sentinel ran letters to the editor expressing a range of political perspectives. Yet the newspaper still provided political and social commentary, particularly on local issues, and in support of labor and the temperance movement. Along with news of people, organizations, and businesses in South Norwalk, the Sentinel included some coverage of news and events in surrounding towns, including Bethel, Danbury, Darien, New Canaan, and Westport. It also covered villages and neighborhoods of the town of Norwalk, including East Norwalk, West Norwalk, and the village of Rowayton. In 1873, James Golden joined E.A. Horton as a joint proprietor. Later, the newspaper became a family-run enterprise, under the ownership of the “Golden Brothers”: James Golden, Richard H. Golden, and John Golden. On November 14, 1885, the Sentinel published its first expanded eight-page issue, which included more national and state news and “miscellaneous matter.” It also changed its publication day to Saturday. The South Norwalk Sentinel ceased publication on December 23, 1887, succeeded by the daily Evening Sentinel. Also available on microfilm from Yale University, New Haven, Conn. Daily eds.: South Norwalk daily sentinel, Sept. 20-22, 1871, and: Evening sentinel (South Norwalk, Conn.), Dec. 3-23, 1887. Issues for Nov. 16, 1871- also called: Whole no. 53. Editors: C.V. Arnold, <1870>; H.E. Wing, H.N. Durney, <1871-1874>; J. Golden, <1875>; James Golden, R.H. Golden, John Golden, <1875-1876>. Publishers: E. A. Horton, <1870>; Horton & Golden, 1873-1874; Golden Brothers, <1875-1876>. "Independent."
