Adams County, Ohio - Chapter 23, 1880

By J. T. Smith

The Press of Adams county has been almost co-existent with the county. It is to the credit of the first citizens of West Union that they had barely secured proper shelter for themselves, a church or two, and school, before they had induced a courageous editor to undertake the publication of a newspaper in their midst, in a wilderness whose solitude had only been broken by the clearing-net yet completed, begun ten years before.

Prior to this the occasional mails had brought stray copies of National Intelligencer" from Washington, the Richmond and "Enquirer," and "Examiner," and New York Evcn- Po-t," while there were a few regular subscribers for "Niles*

Our first newspaper dates from the Spring of 1815, a time when the Cincinnati "Gazette" (established 1790,) the "Scioto Gazette, (1800) Marietta "Register," (1801) "Ohio Patriot," (N:w Lisbon, 1804) "Western Star," (Lebanon, 1803) Steubenville "Herald," (180G) "Belmont Chronicle," (8 . Clairsviile, 1813) "Butler County Democrat," (1814) and the "Telegraph," (also of Hamilton. 1^14; were the only newspapers in Ohio, then a frontier >tate. h was called the "Political rVnsor," and was cdited'ancl published by James Finley. This p per was first established in Williamsburg, then the county sea. of Clermont, by Thomas S. Foot and Robert T. Weed, in March. 1 Sl2. Foot & Weed sold the office to Finley in 1814, who published the paper car at Williamsburg, then moved the material to West Uniot tb ..g

The outfit of the office was scant, the old Ram . ess, n,: the type being much worn. The "Ceusor" was a . beet of 17ilt inchoK, though its four columns per page wci ider than uiuftl. It continued little original matter, hardly a local. Its extracts favored the administration and internal improvements, 'flic paper was published in the building where Mr. Uriah Upp now lives, which for a time served Finley as both office and residence.

A frequen- arbitrator of difficulties between his neighbors* Finley was elected Justice of the Peace in 181G, and served until 1819. Few of his official acts are remembered, except his marrying Robert C^vHwul other citizens. By his efforts West Union was first iucorporat\l, though remaining so but three years. In General Joseph Darlmton's Cost Book, No. 2, page 104, is this entry :

West Union Petition Of Incorporation

A confirmed bachelor of 40 or 50, he married Miss Mariah McFadden, daughter of Moses McFadden, of this place, a girl of 17 or 18 years. Mr. Finley was an honorable, easy-going, economical, very eccentric man, and great honor is due him and his immediate successors for their manly struggle to establish even a feeble press in our backwoods county. lie (lied in Brown county not long after leaving here.

Hon. John W. Campbell, then a practitioner here, was a contributor for the "Ceusor," mostly of original poetry. The paper and print arc still remembered as abominable.

The Village Register

Two young men, Ralph M. Voorhcese and John II. Wood next undertook publishing a newspaper in Adams county, of the above name, "making their best bow," Tuesday, June 17th, 1823. If the average country editors of that day be a standard by which to judge they were abundantly able to do this, for both were men of push and ability.

Their type was all new, having been purchased "of the new Cincinnati Type Foundry, at a cost of from 40 cents to $2 per pound, according to size." The new Strausburg Patent Press "was bought for this office at the gr?at cost of $180." It had "both iron platten and iron bed, a great improvement on the Ramagc."

With proper management, the work this press did, justified its owner's praise. For, considering the manner in which the type were inked, and the ink distributed, its excellent impression was wonderful. No revolving distributing cylinders, nor composition rollers, had then been thought of, the ink being distributed by great "balls," or sheep's pelts, stuffed with wool combings and saturated with ink, drawn rapidly and deftly over the forms.

The "Register" was published on strong, white, log paper with bold-faced long primer and minion type, and its advertisements Show that the office owned an excellent assortment of display letter. Typographically, and in other respects, this paper is the best ever published in the county up to that date. The publication days were Tuesdays, and circulation 300.

The first seventeen numbers were published "in the Sparks' building, on Market street," but the high-priced rent of $35 per year was too expensive, so the office was moved to the little old shop that then stood on the site of G. B. Grimes & Co.'s Banking House, "on Main street, opposite the Court-house," where it remained until November, 1824, then it was removed to the lower story of the Worstcll property, "on Mulberry street," where it drew its expiring breath in A. D., 1831.

John Kilbourn's "Ohio Gazeleer" for 1830, page 296, says of the "Village Register:" "This paper was established in 1823, and is still continued - having however, changed owners and characters several times."

Before speaking about owners a word about names. From 1823 to 1828 the name was simply "Village Register. " In 1828 it was "Village Register and Advocate," though what it especially advocated is not clear. From then until its discontinuance in February, 1831 the title was " Village Register and Anti-Masonic Investigator, " with the last clause at least explicit.

John Ii. Wood

Two editors for a country newspaper then were as much out of place as a sole editor for a metropolitan daily now would be so Mr. Wood returned to Cincinnati early in June 1824. He had come here from Chillicothe, but was a native of the Queen City. As a zealous Protestant Methodist, with Moses Lyon and Wm. L. Chappell, also of the Committee, Wood then published for the Conference, the "Methodist Correspondent," from 1830 to 1832. In August, 1831, he established the "Cincinnati Mirror and Ladies' Parterre," with Wm. D. Gallagher as chief editor, from which the "National Repository" i9 an outcome. Wood & Stratton were also well known early "Book, Job and General Printers," at south-west corner Walnut and Fifth streets. Of all the Adams county printers Mr. Wood's career was perhaps most varied. He was well educated, and a live newspaper man, with all the term implies, no died in Cincinnati.

Married Gov. Tlios. Kirkcr's daughter Mary, who is now the wife of Ilaydcn Thompson, of Ripley. Unlike Mr. Wood, the senior editor took great interest in his new home, and as early ns

1824, he undertook to establish a West Union Public Library, but the ungrateful settlers were thinking more about planting the vacant town lots in "Havana yellow leaf' than books, so tho movement came to naught, to no great sorrow. To appease his grief, or for other good reasons, he married about 1825, and his son and only child, Tho9. Voorhcese, is now a prominent steamboatman on the upper Mississippi.

A Local M. E. Minister

Of this place, the Rev. Allen D. Beasley, took charge of the paper, and soon formed a partnership with David Murray, jr., a young typo from Sugar Tree Ridge, Highlaud county, under the firm name of Beasley, Murray & Co.

Rev. Beasley, while active in all things, was a better exhorter than editor, and soon found that managing a newspaper office i9 no child's play. He put the paper entirely in Murray's hands, (with David's father as security for his fulfilling Beasley's contract with the administrators,) and returned to his former, more congenial calling. Murray claimed the rent was too high, refused to pay it, and thereupon Beasley secured an execution, which was put in the hands of David Miller, Sheriff of Highland county, but subsequent proceedings cannot be traced.

Mr. Beasley married Miss Elizabeth R. Cannon, May 15th, 1828, who died in 1831. He married Mis9 Miley Ann Truitt, March 20th, 1832, and soon moved to Indiana. About 1845, he went to Texas and for a time traded in mustangs, but the roughs, "greasers" and Indians were so uncivilized and quarrelsome that he was forced to make a sudden exit, a more rapid transition than his change of profession from clergyman to country editor and printer, to horse buyer. He died at his home in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, in 1863, and there his wife now lives.

David Murray, Jr

Was a popular journeyman, if not editor. The boys in tho office had some lines they used to sing with great zeal on his appearance later than usual certain mornings, which David eujoyed as much as they did. They were funnier then, than now : lie fulfilled the prophecy by having the Rev. James Laws marry him to Mis9 Grace Dunbar, (sister of David Dunbar, Esq., of Manchester,) April 22d, 1829. They soon moved to Georgetown, Scott county, Kv., where she died ere many years.

The motto of the "Register" was Shakespear's noble declaration, Nothing extenuate , nor set down aught in malice . The rates of advertising for twelve lines were three insertions for one dollar - about what has been charged by all papers since for the same space and time. The subscription price was $2 per annum in advance, or $3 at the end of the year. With Mr. Murray's departure in July, 1831, after a useful existence of over eight years, the "Register" suspended.

George Gregory, James Carl and John P. Hood all learned their trade in this office, while James Wormall and L. D. Campbell were the carrier bbys. An Englishman, named Benjamin Bull&icb, was also a compositor who contributed a great deal of poetry. His poems were popular and widely cok :ed by the papers of that time; possibly some are afloat in the almanacs yet. Bullfinch was at one time a Cincinnati publisher. Mr. Hood commenced learning his trade when only 11 yeai'9 old. At that time four faithful years were required to learn the mysteries of the printing business, instead Gf four weeks now.

In Vol. 1, pages 89-90, of the Records olf the West Union Presbyterian churchy i9 a long account of the trial and expulsion from the church of Mr. Murray for a violation of the Fourth Commandment, (in traveling in the mail stage to Maysville'-On the Sabbath,) and for shovirtg^One Wm. Thoroman out of his office, "for calling him a liar, kickiug 6aid Thoroman, and for using profane language on that and other occasions." But Murray, while apologizing for his profanity and Sunday travel, declared uuder similar provocation he would fight again. »

The Juvenile Journal

The greatest curiosity among West Union papers was the literary, miscellaneous and humorous "Juvenile Journal," a 5x9 inch semi-monthly, published by John Alien, In the "Village Register" office. The first number appeared Saturday, February 5th,

1825. In the absence of any reliable statistics to the contrary, this paper mav^be claimed as the first juvenile periodical west of the Alleghanies.

C ; i vino- ^ueli . mlitions, wasn't tli v charming a pretty huge undertaking ? Th fourth page was nearly always of original poetry, written by Miss Sarah Wright, of Xenia, a relation of Mr. Voorheese. 'I iis young laily possessed no little political genius and wrote a- odeentitled. "The Forty-Ninth Anniversary of American Independence," for the "Register" in 1824, that had a wonderful run in the country newspapers all over the Union. The only locals in the "Journal" were those of Cupid'* Ledger in w hich were chronicled all the marriages of the preceding halfmonth. The clippings were good and the spicy juvenile ought to Inn chad more than its hundred subscribers, (at seventy-five cents each per annum,) which couldn't support it, so it suspended at the expiration of its first year.

Mr. Allen left herein 1826, traveled over land to the Pacific coast, and on his return published an account of his journey; a readable hook that is still in existence. lie lived some years since in St. Louis.

A Yankee, succeeded Murray, Beasley & Co., and issued the first number of the "Courier of Liberty," in February, 1S.11. It was contemporary with the "Farmer's Chronicle," and with that paper, and all creation, waged a vigorous warfare on the Masonic question. In 3832, it supported Win. Wirt, the Anti-Masonic Democratic candidate for the Presidency.

The people were much divided on this question, but the "Courier" did not prosper. March 27, 1832, on Crapsey's own application. Joseph Riggs, County Auditor, at the suit of Nathan U nil ford, issued Crapsey the proper certificate of insolvency.

The paper was published w here Jacob Pffaummcr now lives, with the material of the old "Register" office. This paper was slightly larger than its predecessors. It suspended in June, 1833.

Mr. Crapsey taught the school here in the old district. No. 1, and improved the opportunity thus afforded by studying law. lb* was soon admitted; practiced here until about 1836, when he went to Cincinnati. There he now lives, and has since been elected Prosecutor of Hamilton county, lie was a good, though severe teacher, a fair lawyer, a keen editorial writer, a poor business manager.

West Union Register

George Medary came here in 1833, and established a red-hot Democratic journal called the "West Union Register." Its motto was, "All redress of political grievance is with the people ; if the lH*ople be with us, who shall be against us?" Its editor seems to have oct wpied his time mainly in extracting all the demagogical arguments and abuse be could find "against that daring monster, Bank," and with writing long editorials on the same subject. The arguments he used for "specie - and specie only," would .lave been an excellent campaign document against Gov. Allen in 1875, some forty years after they were written in support of his party's honest President. The paper was published for a time in the shops adjoining Daniel Boyle's residence, then moved down in a building on R. II. Ellison's lot. Medary was a vigorous j writ t, an extreme partisan, a poor business man. He made an assignment of bis effects to James Ilood, Esq., and left here for Clermont comity, March, 1835. lie was a brother to lion. Samuel Medary, who established the "Ohio Statesman," and was elected State Printer in the sessions of 1835-36.

The Free Tress

The first paper opposed to the Democracy ever published -re was the Whig paper, West Union "Free Press," published and edited bv Robert Jackman and James Carl. It dates from March, 1835. The "Courier." prior to it, had supported Wirt for the Presidency, who, though Anti-Masonic in belief, was in all oilier regards, "after the strictest sect," a Democrat. Mr. Jackman was born in Pennsylvania, but Mr. Carl was a native here ; died here in 1837, and now sleeps in our cemetery. The "Press" was a live newspaper, but of the wrong politics to flourish well, so in the fall of 1835, it was sold to

Soon after the "Free Press" had suspended, it occurred to Preston W. Sellers, who w as publishing the "Political Examiner" at Georgetown, that he could secure the legal printing of Adams county by ('hanging the title of his paper, and after working off his regular edition each week, print an edition for West Union. This he did, and from the Spring of 1839 to, Inly, 1841, we had the novelty of a West Union paper published 22 miles west of the. corporation line. Mr. James Ilood was its agent here.

November, 1811. Lewis A. Patterson, of this place, established this paper and continued its publication until his health was too poor to admit it, w hen he disposed of it to his brother, Jos. |\ Patterson, who in turn sold it to W. R. Clarke. Mr. Clarke sold it to John M. Smith, in November, 1846, who published it for a few years as a five column paper, then enlarged it to a large seven column sheet, and successfully continued it until sometime in 1859, when he sold it to It. P. Brown. Mr. Smith was elected Recorder, Representative and Probate Judge three times, of this county.

Mr. Brown continued the publication of this paper in a very disgraceful and distasteful manner to his party, until March 23d, I860, when he sold the office to W. II. II. Stallvards, for $13,000, if we may believe his egotistical card, in which he says lie came here to heal up a breach in the Democracy ; had done so, and now intended to remove the office. The "Democrat" was perhaps the most prosperous of all the Adams county pa perk, possessing a

Democratic Union

This organ was established and edited by T. J. Mullen and J. K. Billings, February 17, 1800, in opposition to Brown of the "Democrat." Mr. Mullen retired June 8, 1860, and was succeeded by John P. Patterson, October 25, 1861, the latter became sole owner.

Patterson was succeeded by John A. Coekcrill and S. E. Pearson in January. 1863. Its platform at Ibis period was in its own words, "Our position is that the South has rebelled, hut Northern sectionalism has provoked il, and we are against both Southern Rebellion and Northern Sectionalism.

Mr. Coekcrill became sole editor February 12, 1864. He was Succeeded by Wm. G. Billings who continued it until February 3, 1865, when the paper suspended. Of the "Union's" editors, Messrs. Billings and Mullen are both still praclieiug law in our county ; Mr. Patterson is a compositor on the Cincinnati "Commercial ;" Mr. Pearson is practicing law in Atchinson, Kansas, while Mr. Cockerill, after a brilliant career as managing editor of the Cincinnati " Enquirer," and one of the staff of the Baltimore " Gazette," is at present on the St. Louis "Dispatch." Of all the Adams county editors he has achieved most distinction. Mr. Will. G. Billings was drowned in the Ohio, in 1866.

The Scion Ok Temperance

Samuel Burwcll, editor and publisher, made its appearance Fclmiray 17, 1853. The office was then in the bank building. It was enlarged and otherwise improved December 1. 1854. Its r.iotto, was the high sounding phrase, "Unawed by Power and uuappalled by Fear." Thos. J. MoColIistcr was an associate editor with Mr. Burwcll from March 6, 1857, to June 7th, 1859. Though the words "of Temperance" had been dropped from the title many years before, they were retained at the first column of the editorial page until May 19, 1865. when they were changed to " West Union Scion." The title of the paper was changed from simply "The Scion," to "The West Union Scion" July 23, 18G9. The publication day was changed from Friday to Thursday, September 1, 1870. The " Scion" enjoys the distinction of being the oldest paper in the county or ever published in it. It has been a prosperous paper from the start and we trust its sun of prosperity may never set. Its politics has always been Republican, but there is nothing aggressive in its warfare. Circulation 900.

Hon. James Smith

At that time county Recorder. lie too was born in Pennsylvania, and was a half brother to Nathan Foster, who ipr still living. Mr. Smith's foreman and manager was Wm. Henry Harrison Stallvards, who now lives in Iroutoii, O. After serving acceptably as Recorder, Mr. Smith was nominated at the celebrated Log Cabin Convention, in Hillsboro, in 1840, as Representative for the Adams-Highland District, and elected the next October. Stallvards married Miss Ann Brown, September 16th, 1,837, and upon her death, her sister, Eliza Brown, both of this county, Mnv 28th, 1842. Eliza died of cholera in Portsmouth, O., and Stallvards has married the third time. The circulation of the paper before its suspension in 1839, had reached 300. Its motto was, "Open to all, influenced by none - wo follow truth where er it leads the way," and it was published in the second -lory of tin Bank building.

Friday, January 19, 1866, a live democratic organ of the above name made its appearance on our streets with J. W. Eylar as sole editor and publisher. June 14th, 1867, Mr. E. formed a partnership with his brother Oliver, under the firm name of J. W. Eylar & Bro., which existed until April 26, 1876, O. A. having in the meantime accepted a position on the staff of the "Dallis Daily Herald," and by his energy and ability has won golden opinions from the press in the " Lone Star State." Mr. J. W. Eylar has since successfully edited the "Defender," changing its form and type several times, until the present when it is more properous if not more influential than ever. The paper is a good newspaper and to that cause much of its influence and circulation may be attributed. Mr. Eylar has served four years in the Ohio Legislature.

llu* county, failing that there was a demand Ibr a nunc progrswive ncwspu|M'r formed themselves into a company, purchased a line outfit, and secured Ibe services of (!. E. Irwin, of Ihc "Portsmouth Republican," to conduct il. Tim directors in tlicir card say " that I hey did not eider I In* field with any desire or idea of speculation, Imt solely that the Republicans of tin* county might have a paper true io their interests and adapted to their intelligence, and iu every way worthy their patronage." The initial number of Ibis handsome thirty-two column, 26x42 paper, appeared on the 6lh (lay of July, 1S77, almost every merchant iu the county inserting an advertiseiiK ill llmrcin, and some two thousand copies struck off and circulated gratuitously. That the people wanted just such a paper as the "Era" was proven by the large number of subscriptions that came to it. On its second issue the books show that 300 papers were sent to paid-up sub scribcrs. The subscription and local advertising patronage at the present time, though both arc taken at the lowest rates, is larger and better than any paper printed in Adams count}. During the fall campaign of 1879, the circulation amounted t

Mr. (J. E. Irwin, who is now the largest stockholder in the enterprise and its editor, is a clear, forcible and fearless writer - one who earnestly endeavors to run along band in hand with the public sentiment of ail an intelligent and honest people, and who does not hesitate to force a clear path for genuine progress. Mr. Irwin is a thorough printer, a practical and prosperous newspaper man, having earned a reputation in the conduct of the Ports mouth (().) "Republican," which he owned and edited from 1870 to 1876. A part of the conditions of the sale of the "Republican" were that lie should not enter the newspaper business at Portsmouth for five years. In May, 1876, he was chosen City Clerk of the city of Portsmouth for one year, in which capacity he distinguished himself as a skillful book-keeper and a zealous and honest servant for the public. In May of 1877, he was called on to aid in the establishment of the "New Era" in Adams county, and lias located permanently at West Union. Mr. Irwin married in November, 1869, Miss IL L. Wright, daughter of S. M. Wright, of West Union, O., Mr. Irwin at that time being a resident of Cincinnati, and connected with the printing house of Tlios. Wrightson & Co., 167 Walnut street.

This was the first paper ever published in Manchester. After the death of Mr. Jackman, editor of the "People's Intelligencer," ©f West Union, Henry B. Woodrow bought the material of tin* establishment, removed it to Manchester, and Feb. 25, 1852, issued the first number of the "People's Intelligencer" at that place. The paper as it had previously been, while under Mr. Jackman's control, was Whig in its politics, and gave a vigorous support to Gen. Scott for the Presidency iu that year. It suspended April 6, 1853. The old press on which it was printed is now used iu the office of the West Union "Scion."

Manchester Gazette

After the "Intelligencer" suspended, it was several years before another attempt was made to establish a newspaper in Manchester. At length, on Friday, August 1, 1867, the first number of the Manchester "Gazette" made its appearance, with the name of

II. C. Doddridge as editor and publisher. The "Gazette" was a 24 column paper, and ably conducted by Mr. Doddridge, until failing health compelled him to retire from it.

On June 8, 1871, it passed into the bands of J. O. Shiras, who on that day made his editorial bow to the public, and presented them a 28 column paper and conducted it until December, 1871. when Iloldcrness & Glover purchased the establishment.

With the number for Thursday, Feb. 1, 1872, appear the names of Glover & Pierce as publishers and proprietors, without any formal farewell of the old proprietors or salutation of new editor. The announcement is simply made that John E. Pierce has bought out the interest of W. II. Iloldcrness, in the office. April 11th, 1872, it appeared with 32 columns.

August 8th, 1872, another change was made. The name of W. II. Iloldcrness takes the place of Pierce's and the firm is again llolderness and Glover.

From March 26th, 1874, to May 14th, the Gazette appeal's in greatly reduced size, the last date, May 14th, containing the valedictory of the editor. Tliediext number, May 21st, 1874, appears with its broad pages, containing 32 columns, and the picnsnnt smiling salutatory of a new editor in the person of Thomas P. Foster, publisher and proprietor.

July 9th, 1875, the name of W. II. llolderness again appears as sole editor, and who run the Gazette until April 44th, 1876, which number contains his valedictory and the salutatory of still another editor, W. C. Peiinvwrtt, who continued it until March 2d, 1877, with which number he announces its discontinuance. Thus ended the existence of the Manchester Gazette.

mission Appears to have been tho advocacy of tho romoval of the county seat to that place, i'lio bottor to roach tho care ami secure the intlucnce of the dominant party, in favor of its object, it adopted the name of Democrat, and advoented Democratic principles.

The vote on the question of removal having shown that Ibe majority of the peoplo were opposed to it, the Democrat suspended soon after tho election, in tho fall of 1871.

The lirst number of tho Manchester Herald was issued May 10th, 1878, by G. M. Iloloway. The material of tho offico was brought from Portland, Jay county, Indiana, and was owned by Iloloway and Tcinmonds. Tho Herald was a Democratic paper, mid remained under the management of Mr. Holoway until February 17th, 1879, when it yielded to financial embarrassments, and was bought by John II. Flaughcr, who changed its name to the

Tue Manchester Independent

'Phis paper now, as its name indicates is non-partisan. It was published by Mr. Flaughcr until November 29th, 1879, when it was sold to Messrs. Bailey and Ivirker. One or two changes have since taken place in the proprietors until Ernest T. Kirker has become editor and proprietor.

Ohio River Boatman

On the 14th day of May, 1880, appeared the first number of the Ohio River Boatman, at Manchester. It took the place of the Indpemlent. It is devoted to the river interests and steamboat men. It is a 10 column paper, E. T. Kirker, Publisher.