Alexandersgatan 45 - Artur Jacklin

Artur Jacklin

Editor

(b. 1886 - d. 1956)

Artur Jacklin was the first typographer for Kaskinen's newspaper, "Kaskö Tidning", working there since it began operation, in 1914. Soon he had technical responsibility for the newspaper. Four years later, he was a shareholder and the chief owner of the newspaper, a position he held until his death. This building was Jacklin's home and also served as the printing house for the newspaper.

Before there was a newspaper in Kaskinen, the news was reported by old man Häggblad. He walked up and down the streets of Kaskinen, ringing an old bell to get people's attention. Then this 'town crier' would stop and call out the news and information of the day in a loud voice. He then continued his journey. Häggblad was paid three marks per news-reading. It is known that he was still using his news bell in 1918.

"Kaskö Tidning" was founded amidst the optimistic atmosphere of 1914. The railway had just reached the town, and with it came new economic possibilities. These were also politically exciting times in Finland. In 1917, the newspaper spoke out on behalf of autonomy for Finland, which was part of Russia at the time. Russian censorship was strict during that era, so the newspapers had to watch their words.

In September 1917, Russian soldiers went through the facilities of the newspaper - the Russian authorities suspected that the paper was printing revolutionary material. The newspaper was fortunate: nothing was found. The Russians did, in fact, have reason to be suspicious. At night, the newspaper was printing Civil Guard regulations for the Swedish-speaking regiment in Finland. They covered the windows with blankets so that the light would not reveal their presence. During the day, the printing plates were hidden in the attic. This was a dangerous thing to do, but the staff got away with it.

Jacklin did not write many of the articles himself, but he was a skilled editor who always had to take into account the limited number of pages and the newspaper's readership. His view was that no real censorship was needed in a free and independent country. He gave different views room in the newspaper.

In his leisure time, Jacklin enjoyed fishing, and he was known for being a friend of song and music. He was active in several associations, and youth issues were particularly close to his heart. Contemporaries described Jacklin as a quiet and slightly withdrawn man who was most comfortable
among close friends.

In 1964, after 50 years in Kaskinen, the newspaper was moved to Närpes. Then, for 14 years, this building housed a bakery that made cookies. Tasanko baked goods were sold all over Finland, and the bakery employed 15 people in its heyday. People in Kaskinen still remember the scent of fresh cookies wafting from this building.