The "Birmingham News" was launched on March 14, 1888, by Rufus N. Rhodes as "The Evening News", a four-page paper with two reporters and $800 of operating capital. At the time, the city of Birmingham was only 17 years old, but was an already booming industrial city and a beacon of the "New South" still recovering from the aftermath of the American Civil War and Reconstruction. Newspapers joined with industrial tycoons, academics and real-estate speculators in relentless boosterism of the new city. Prior to starting the paper, Rhodes worked as editor of the city's "Daily Herald." However, he and the publisher had a falling out over a proposed public works project. Rhodes supported construction of a viaduct across "Railroad Reservation" dividing north and south Birmingham. The "Herald"s publisher opposed the project. The dispute ended with Rhodes leaving to launch the "News" with the slogan "Great is Birmingham and "The News" is its Prophet!" The "News Bridge" (21st Street Viaduct) was dedicated on July 4, 1891, which Rhodes' paper hailed as the "grandest of all municipal achievements of great and glorious Birmingham."