David Atwood was apprenticed as a printer with his brother's newspaper in Hamilton, New York before he arrived in Madison on Oct. 15, 1847. He soon became employed as a compositor and assistant editor at the "Madison Express" for $6 a week and board. He purchased the paper with partner Royal Buck in 1848, changing its name to the "Wisconsin Express" to expand its outlook. He also established the paper editorially as an outspoken opponent of slavery. In 1852 the weekly paper merged with Wyman's "Wisconsin Statesman" to become the "Wisconsin Daily Palladium" for three months. On Sept. 30, 1852 it changed its name again to the "Wisconsin Daily Journal" and to its current name in 1860. To bring in more revenue Atwood followed his brother's example in the east and began a lucrative sideline business of printing law books.