Exhibit 99.1

                     [GAYLORD CHEMICAL LOGO]

                  Press Release - Jury Verdict


     On December 9, 2003, Gaylord Chemical Corporation and its
parent, Gaylord Container Corporation agreed in principle to
settle all claims, including claims for compensatory and punitive
damages, arising from the October 23, 1995 explosion of a rail
tank car at the Gaylord Chemical plant in Bogalusa, Louisiana.
In exchange for payments by certain of its insurance carriers and
assignment of the companies' insurance coverage rights against
its non-settling carriers, Gaylord Chemical and Gaylord Container
will receive full releases and/or dismissals of all claims for
damages, including punitive damages.  Neither Gaylord Chemical
nor Gaylord Container contributes to the settlement.  The
settlement is subject to a fairness hearing and final court
approval.

     On December 10, 2003, a jury in Louisiana awarded punitive
damages of $92 million in favor of a class of plaintiffs
allegedly injured in the release and against the companies'
insurance carriers that did not settle.  The jury's decision does
not affect the companies' settlement reached by Gaylord Chemical
and Gaylord Container.








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