on october 25, 1939, john s. knight, son of a noted ohio newspaperman, bought the "herald" from frank b. shutts. knight became editor and publisher, and made his brother, james l. knight, the business manager. the "herald" had 383 employees. lee hills arrived as city editor in september 1942. he later became the "herald"s publisher and eventually the chairman of knight-ridder inc., a position he held until 1981.