Hospodář

Czech written newspaper Hospodář was founded in 1890 in Omaha, Nebraska by Jan Rosický for newly arrived immigrants from Europe. Many of them wanted to farm in America but farming conditions were very different in comparison with European techniques. Therefore, newcomers needed advice for the new environment as well as different information about soil conditions, climate, and agricultural machinery. Hospodář recommended proven seed and planting procedures for different regions of America, provided dealerships of heavy agricultural machines, livestock sales and auctions, fertilizer and seed salesman. Jan Rosicky founded Hospodář and several other Czech language newspapers. After her father’s death in 1909, Růžena Rosický took over the management of printing and editorship of Hospodář and the publishing house in Omaha, Nebraska. Later Automatic Printing Company owned by the Piskač family took over the management of Hospodář.

In 1961 Mr. Joe F. Holásek of West, Texas bought the publishing rights of Hospodář and he merged the Čechoslovak and Hospodář newspapers. At this time Mr. Jerome Kopecký worked in the publishing company. Later, he became Editor in Chief of Hospodář. The West News Publishing Company was sold in 1974 to Mr. Linn Pescaia. When Hospodář was published in West most of the technical and editor’s work was continued by Jerome Kopecký who kept working with Hospodář. During the Cold War the communist government of Czechoslovakia allowed the Hospodar into the country. It is believed that Hospodar was the only or one of the few western newspapers allowed. About three to four issues a year where confiscated when it mentioned democracy, TGM, or other forbidden topics.

In 1974 Jan Vaculik came to help him and they worked together for more than 15 years until May 1989. In the spring of 1989 Hospodář’s existence was threatened, however, the publishing rights were bought by Jan Vaculik and his family saved Hospodář for future generations. He hoped he could count on help and support and understanding of readers. Nevertheless, the numbers of readers are decreasing with each year and newcomers do not sufficiently substitute losses.

At this point, it is important to express thanks to all those who are helping us to keep Hospodar in existence. We witness a decrease in the numbers of people reading and writing Czech and the number of fluent readers are dwindling. We hope that the renewal of interest in Czech heritage in Texas and in other regions will help us in our work. During more than 119 years of existence Hospodář adjusted content of articles to reader’s interests. As mentioned, at the beginning Hospodář was informative and instructive newspaper for new immigrants, later Jan Rosický informed readers about fraternal and mutual insurance agencies, cultural, social and festival events. Hospodář continues this tradition and includes articles of similar nature and interests. One can find historical articles from the past and present, memoirs, youthful recollections, spiritual and religious discussions, short and long descriptions from various festivals from the Czech Republic.

One can see Hospodář to be very educational and entertaining newspaper in the Czech language for today’s readers. It relates to Czech readers from around the world where Czech people settled, as well as the Czech Republic and also to those readers who would like to improve their Czech reading and writing skills. Many descendants of Czech and Moravian immigrats from the 19th and 20th century still have copies of old newspapers or remember their parents or grandparents receiving Hospodar. The Hospodar archives are located in Lincoln, Nebraska at the University of Nebraska.

About half of editions are sent to the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the other half is sent throughout North and South America including the US, Canada, Mexico, Bolivia, Argentina, all parts of Europe, to Asia and to any destination where post delivery is available. Interested people who cannot read Czech may subscribe for someone who can read Czech. Hospodář has to find new subscribers and supporters in order to continue offering news as one of the few Czech newspapers published in North America and only one of two newspapers currently published in Texas. For more information about subscription rates write to this address: Hospodář c/o Jan Vaculik P.O. Box 301 West, Texas 76691-0301 USA Telephone number: 254-826-3838. Email address jan_vaculik@hotmail.com.