Clinton County, Ohio - Chapter 11: Clinton County Newspapers, 1915

Chapter 11: Clinton County Newspapers

It has been just one hundred years since Clinton county had its first newspaper and during this century at least fifty-two papers have appeared on the journalistic horizon of the county. No less than thirty-four of these have been published in Wilmington ; Blanchester and New Vienna have furnished six each; Sabina five and Clarksville one. This list would probably be increased if it were possible to get the exact facts, but the names of only fifty-two papers have been found. In the appended list may be found a schedule of these papers arranged by towns and, as near as possible, in the order of their appearance.

Sabina New Vienna

Newspaper men have frequently tried to sum up, in a pithy paragraph, the function of the newspaper and thousands of articles have been written on its influence on modern life. Perhaps no more apt summary of the place of the newspaper in our civilization of today has ever been written than that of Joseph H. Finn, a newspaper man of Chicago. and delivered by him as part of an address before the Associated Advertising Clubs of - the World in the spring of 1915. His apostrophe follows:.

"Born of the deep, daily need of a nation - I am the Voice of Now - the incarnate spirit of the Times - Monarch of Things that Are.. "My 'cold type' burns with the fireblood of human action. I am fed by arteries of wire that girdle the earth. I drink from the cup of every living joy and sorrow. I know not day nor night nor season. I know not death, yet I am born again with every morn - with every moon - with every twilight. I leap into fresh being with every new world's event.

"I am majestic in my strength - sublime in my power - terrible in my potentialities - yet as democratic as the ragged boy who sells me for a penny.

"I am the consort of kings - the partner of capital - the brother of toil. The inspiration of the hopeless - the right arm of the needy - the champion of the oppressed - the conscience of the criminal. I am the epitome of the world's Comedy and Tragedy.

"My responsibility is infinite. I speak, and the world stops to listen. I say the word, and battle flames the horizon. I counsel peace, and the war lerds obey. I am greater than any individual - more powerful than any group. I am the dynamic force of Public Opinion. Rightly directed, I am the creator of confidence; a builder of happiness in living. I am the teacher of patriotism.

True American

Clinton was barely four years old when the first paper was started, sometime during the winter of 1814-15. This paper bore the patriotic title of True American and was established by Rice Gaddis and Israel Abrams in the village of Wilmington. No copies of the paper have been preserved and its history is therefore necessarily obscure. How long it was issued is unknown, but it was only a few years. Abrams severed his connection with it in 1816. According to the account given in the former history of Clinton county, a stray copy of the paper, dated August 15, 1816, was No. 66 and this would place the initial issue on May 20, 1815, providing the paper was issued regularly every week. Tradition says that after the paper was discontinued, Gaddis took the press to his home on Todd's fork, where he did job work for awhile.

The Galaxy

The second paper to make its appearance in Wilmington was given the name of Galazy by its founder, George Denny. The first issue of this paper was on October 29, 1821, and seems to have been anti-slavery in sentiment. It led a more or less checkered career for about two years, passing away sometime during 1828. It was a weekly, with a subscription price of two dollars per year.

The Wilmington Spectator

In December, 1823, and probably immediately after the Galary suspended publica-+ tion, Jeremiah Reynolds commenced the Wilmington Spectator but it died of inanition in the eleventh month of its existence. This paper was probably a supporter of Henry Clay for President. Why the paper was discontinued will always remain more or less of a conjecture, but it is a fair presumption that lack of patronage fully accounts for its brief career.

The Western Argus

The first issue of the Western Argus made its appearance on November 11, 1824, under the management and editorial supervision of B. Hinkson and J. MecManis. This firm retained its connection with the paper until November 17, 1825, when they sold it to John B. Seamans. The new editor evidently thought he could better the paper by changing its name, since sometime during 1828 it appears as the Wilmington Argus. The paper struggled along until June 26, 1829, when it made its last appearance.

The Clintonian

After the discontinuance of the Argus in the latter part of June, 1829, there was no paper in the county until sometime in November of the same year. At that time W. H. P. Denny started the Clintonian and on April 4, 1830, rechristened it the Clintonian and Farmers' Repository. The new name eyidently did not bring the editor the desired results, for inthe following year he burdened it with the new title of the Clintonian and Farmers' and Mechanics Journal. This new name was more than the sheet could stand. In a short time the editor was advertising it for sale, "as he wished to go into other business," and sometime in 1831 the paper breathed its last. Whether he sold it or gave it away, or quietly let it rest, the historian has been unable to ascertain. It is more than probable that the press and equipment were used by the next courageous editor who started a paper in Wilmington.

A Quartet Of Sheets

continued six months. ~Samuel Pike and Thomas B. Palmer began, in July, 1832, the publication of the Democrat and Railroad Advocate, but it lasted only about a year.

About this time, July, 1832, The Democrat and Herald also made its initial appearance.- There seems to be no positive evidence as to who founded this paper, but the earliest known copy in existence, bearing the date of April 19, 1833, shows that it was printed by Pike & Camron. On May 10, of the same year, Pike & McKibbin were the publishers, but by June 7, 1834, Camron had hecome the editor and publisher. It remained in Camron's charge until January 2, 1835, when it came under the control of J. & T. McKibbin. The last issue of this paper was dated January 8, 1841.

The first number of a paper called the Farmers' Herald was issued by Truesdell & McKibben in December, 1832, but it seems that only three numbers were ever taken from the press.

The Western Whig

The first issue of the Western Whig appeared in October, 1838, but who its founders were is a disputed question. Some claim that it was started by John O. Truesdell and Stephen P. Drake, and that Robert Barclay Harlan later took an interest and became the editor of the paper, which was continued under that name for only a year. Others claim that it was started by Harlan himself. However, it is certainly known that R. R. Lindsey soon became proprietor and from the time of his ownership there is no doubt as to its successive owners. Lindsey took charge of the paper between September 18 and December 13, 1839, and changed its name to the Clinton, Republican. It was a stanch Whig sheet and supported "Tippecanoe and Tyler too" with all the enthusiasm at its command. In 1846 Lindsey sold the paper to David Fisher, and from that time down to the present - a period of nearly seventy years - some member of the Fisher family has been connected with the paper or its successors.

The father of David Fisher, Adams Fisher, came from Pennsylvania to what is now Clermont county, Ohio, in 1799. The elder Fisher had taken a prominent part in the Revolutionary War and had seen hard service in many of the bloodiest battles of the struggle for independence. His son David had all the energy and ability which characterized his worthy father and it was not many years after the family located in Ohio that young David became known as an eloquent speaker in political campaigns in the Whig cause. He was elected to the General Assembly from Clermont county in 1842 and after serving for a couple of terms removed to Clinton county and purchased the Clinton Republican as above mentioned. He was a success aS a newspaper man from the start and in the fall of the same year he located in Wilmington he was chosen to represent this congressional district in the congress of the United States as a Whig.

Upon taking bis seat in Congress, David Fisher called on his son. William Byrne, to take charge of the paper in his absence. The son had just fairly gotten started as a lawyer at Batavia, Ohio, but, at the request of his father, he forsook his practice and came to Wilmington to assume the management of the paper. William B. Fisher had intended to remain in the newspaper business only until his father was again able to take up the work. but he took a strong liking to the business and in 1850 bought the paper from his father. David Fisher then moved to Cincinnati, where he died a third of a century later ut the advanced age of ninety-three years.

William B. Fisher was connected with the paper as proprietor and editor for twenty years. From 1850 to 1852 he had Franklin Corwin as a partner; in the latter year Dr. A. P. Russell, recently deceased, purchased Corwin's half interest, and remained a partner of Mr. Fisher until 1860. In that year he sold his interest to Fisher and went to Columbus to assume the duties of the office of secretary of state. to which he had been elected. Mr. Fisher then conducted the business alone until 1866, when he sold a half interest to Capt. D. L. Way, now residing at Jacksonville, Florida. In 1870 the health of Mr. Fisher failed and on November 10, of that year, he disposed of his interest to Frunk Browning, the firm becoming Browning & Way. On November 18. 1875, the Browning Brothers became the proprietors of the paper, the new firm being also interested in the publishing business at Batavia, Ohio. Frank Browning died suddenly in August, 1878, and his brother, C. N. Browning, at that time a clerk in the employ of the United States government at Washington, D. C., at once returned to Wilmington to assume charge of the paper. The Clinton Republican continued in the hands of the Browning family. with C. N. Browning as editor, until January 1. 1909. The members of the Browning family connected with the Clinton Republican for thirty-five years were Carrie, sister of the Browning brothers, Emma M. and Allen E., daughter and son of the late Frank Browning, and Grace Browning Ballard and Kent Browning, daughter and son of C. N. Browning. C. N. Browning is living in Wilmington and is hale and hearty despite his eighty-four years. He was the editor of the Clinton Republican for thirty-five years, a longer period in the editorial chair than any other man in the county. In 1909 Dr. O. J. Thatcher bought the Republican and continued as sole owner and editor until the fall of 1910, when he organized a stock company, incorporated as the Clinton Republican Company. Doctor Thatcher became president and treasurer of the new company and continued as editor. On September 1, 1911, Doctor Thatcher sold his interest in the company to Thurman Miller and others, Mr. Miller becoming managing editor. This arrangement continued until January 1, 1918, when the Wilmington Journal and Clinton Republican were consolidated under the name of the Wilmington Journal- Republican.

At this point it is necessary to tell of the founding of the paper which was to be the forerunner of the Wilmington Journal. About 1864 the Garvin Brothers began the issuance of a paper called the Franklin College Monthly, a paper devoted to the interests of Christianity and education. The history of this paper is very obscure and it has been impossible to trace its career with any degree of certainty. How long it lasted or what became of it is one of the unsolved mysteries. However, it is known that in February, 1868, the Garvin Brothers appeared on the scene of action with another monthly sheet bearing the illuminating title of Journal of Information. This paper was the direct progenitor of the Wilmington Journal, which appeared for the first time under this title in the latter part of 1868 with the Garvin Brothers as editors and proprietors. On May 5, 1869, Garvin & Lowery appeared as its owners, and on May 11, 1870, the firm name of A. H. MeVey & Company appeared at its head. W. H. P. Denny assumed charge of the paper on October 20, 1871, and continued as proprietor and editor until April 12, 1877, when John Tudor became proprietor and James M. Vernon, editor. Early in 1880 Vernon bought a half interest and before the end of the same year became the sole pro- prietor. In 1884 William B. Fisher's sons, William G. and Charles R., bought the paper. At the time the former was with the Cincinnati Commercial and the latter was finishing the last of a six years' term as deputy clerk of the courts of Clinton county. Under the firm name of W. G. & C. R. Fisher, the brothers assumed charge of the Journal in April, 1884, and continued it under this title until January 1, 1913.

On this date the Wilmington Journal and the Clinton Republican were consolidated under the name of the Wilmington Journal-Republican, a company being organized to take over the two properties. Charles R. Fisher became manager of the company and bis brother, William G., became one of the directors. the brothers being the former publishers of the Journal. Thurman Miller, the former editor of the Clinton Republican. became the editor of the consolidated paper and also secretary-treasurer of the new company. The new paper is published in the office of the former Journal at the corner of Main and Mulberry streets. The Journal-Republican bas a circulation of over four thousand, a circulation which exceeds that of all the other papers of the county put together. An unusual feature of this large circulation lies in the fact that it is composed of subscribers who have paid in advance. The paper is Republican in polities. but handles all political questions in a calm and dignified manner which insures political opponents courteous treatment. The paper, which is issued each week on Wednesday. contains from ten to sixteen pages to the issue. The paper is ranked among the best weekly newspapers in the state; its columns are well edited. free from all slang, devoid of sensationalism and dignified in all that it has to say. It makes no pretense to take the place of the city daily, preferring rather to devote its columns to local news. .

Short-Lived Ventures

In 1844, J. & T. McKibbin established in Wilmington a campaign sheet, known as the Democratic Star, advocating the election of James K. Polk. It was discontinued at the end of the year.

R. R. Lindsey, formerly of the Clinton Republican, began in May. 1847. to issue the People's Press; it was independent in religion and politics, but soon died.

The Wilmington. Banner was started in August, 1848, by John W. Kees, with W. 'Fuller and J. W. Kees as editors. Information concerning it is extremely meager, but it seems that, on March 1, 1849, W. Fuller and W. Tillinghast were the editors. It ran for only about a year and supported the candidacy of Lewis Cass for President in 1848.

Previous to this, perhaps several years before, Tillinghast had published a paper called the Reveille (or Revillee), but little is known of it. On January 2, 1850, he began the publication of a radically Democratic, but anti-slavery, paper, the Hmpyrean. It was discontinued on September 13, 1851.

The Herald of Fréedom made its appearance on October 31, 1851, from the press of J. W. Chaffin. J. Gibson and J. B. Dunn became its editors on August 5, 1853. On February 24, 1854, Gibson sold out. his interest to Dunn, who ran it alone until January 26, 1855, when it stopped publication only to appear on February 9, as the Wilmington Independent with J. W. Chaffin as publisher. Its existence stopped on November 16, 1855.

Considerable flurry was caused by the appearance of the Independent Citizen on December 14, 1855, with J. D. Thurston as publisher. It is thought that the first number was all that was ever issued.

The publication of the Wilmington Watchman was begun January 26, 1856, by Bayham & Brodness. This paper saw a rather checkered 'eareer in its brief life. On February 20, 1857, it was in the hands of Isaac S. Wright; June 5, 1857, it belonged to Tillinghast; October 16, 1857, to R. E. & A. W. Doan; March 12, 1858, to J. D. Hines and A. W. Doan; May 7, 1858, to H. 8. Doan and I. S. Whinery; August 27, 1858, to H. S. Doan;

A Republican paper, Aid to Progress, was started in 1868, by A. D. Rhonemus, and continued for about three years. Another Republican, paper was started about the same time, the Tanner and Typo, and issued for a short time by Melville Hayes.

On October 6, 1870, A. E. Routh issued the first number of the Wilmington Weekly Gazette. This paper, on May 25, 1871, passed to William C. and James T. Gould. It was discontinued about a year later because of lack of support.

The Clinton County Democrat first appeared in Wilmington on May 14, 1880, with Thomas M. Procter as publisher and editor. Mr. Procter continued the paper until September 6, 1881, when his wife, Mrs. Mary V. Procter, became its editor and publisher. James K. Newcomer became the owner :and editor on January 1, 1883, and J. S. Hummel, the present editor and publisher, bought the paper of Mr. Newcomer on January 1, 1884.

Thirty-one years of continuous operation under one management bespeaks the success which has been made in the publication of this Democratic organ in Clinton county, where the preponderance of the Republican vote has always before made the life of a Democratic paper very uncertain.

This paper has always upheld the principles of Democracy and has been a stanch believer in and supporter of the Democratic party, aggressively sustaining the party's canse at all times and under all circumstances. In all matters of local eoncern the Democrat has taken the same active interest and it has ever been a leader in the promotion of progress and good government in Clinton county. The constancy and vigor with which the Democrat has served its party and its community have been rewarded by a liberal support and a substantial growth.

Clinton Review

The Clinton Review, a pretentious magazine, the first issue of which contained one hundred and ten pages, appeared in December, 1914. According to the title page, it was to be published monthly by the Clinton Printing Company, with Robert R. Doan as editor. The magazine contained a certain amount of local features, a review of the world's events and a carefully selected fiction department. Unfortunately, the magazine was not able to finance itself and but six issues came off the press. It was then discontinued and the plant later became the home of the first daily newspaper in Clinton county.

The Wilmington Daily Herald

The Wilmington Daily Herald, the first daily paper in Clinton county, issued its first number on Thursday, July 29, 1915. The newspaper plant is owned by the Clinton Publishing Company, capitalized at ten thousand dollars. Robert R. Doan is the managing editor. The paper has correspondents and agents in all the towns of the county.

Two issues appear daily - a morning edition, for delivery on the nine rural routes adiating from Wilmington, and an evening. edition, which is delivered by carriers in Wilmington and other towns in the county. The paper is Republican in politics.

The Herald has excellent service and is thereby able to keep its readers in touch with the world's events from day to day. The paper is a sevencolumn double folio in size. The plant is well equipped for the publication of such a paper and, in addition, can do all kinds of job printing on short notice. A linotype machine was installed when the paper was started and since that time many other improvements have been added. It is delivered by carriers at ten cents a week; three dollars per year is charged for mailed copies.

Blanchester Star-Republican

The Blanchester Star-Republican is a remote descendant of the Blanchester Herald, & paper which made its first appearance on March 24, 1870, under the management of S. R. Nickerson. For a year and a half Nickerson struggled with the sheet and then disposed of it to James S. Turk, who, thinking to better its fortunes, shortly after changed its name to the Marion Independent. The change of name did not seem to have the desired result, since the wavering sheet passed into oblivion about the first of October, 1872.

When the next newspaper appeared in. Blanchester is 1iot known, but it must have been many years afterwards. The fire of October 18, 1895, destroyed all evidence which might help to establish the newspaper history of the town up to that time. The data above given is recorded in the county history published in 1882. The present editor (S. C. Eldridge) of the Star-Republican says, in speaking of his paper, "S. H. Pye was my predecessor and published the paper for the four years prior to May 1, 1913, since which time I have been publisher, owner and proprietor." The hyphenated name of the paper would seem to indicate that there were once two papers here, the Star and Republican, respectively, but of their origin, history or the time of their consolidation, there is no information. The present paper is Republican in polities, is issued weekly and has a circulation of sventeen hundred. It is a six-column double folio, twenty-two by thirty inches in size. The equipment of the paper includes a two-revolution press, two jobbers, electric stapler and perforater - a new five-thousand-dollar equipment.

Blanchester News

The Blanchester News issued its first number on July 22, 1915. with C. M. Dionne, publisher, and Dr. I. O. Bennett as editor. It was a five-column folio, independent in politics, and was to appear weekly. The editor was a former minister of the Blanchester Christian church, and, later, a chiropractor, On July 31, 1915, the Blanchester News was sold by its owner, C. M. Dionne, to the Clinton Publishing Company of Wilmington for five hundred dollars and thus ended the career of a paper which had been established the previous week.

Sabina News-Record

The Sabina News-Record dates from the consolidation of the Sabina News and the Sabina Record in July, 1898. The Sabina News was the successor of the Sabina Telegram, started November 6, 1874, by S. R. Nickerson. On April 8, 1876, Nickerson sold the 7'clegram to E. I. Mann and on March 29, 1877, its successor was established by Ely & Sanders: the Sabina Record was started in January, 1890, by James F. Gaskins. The News was later edited by W. H. Sanders. and still later by Z. R. Sanders and John Manlove. In May, 1885, the Vers passed into the hands of Griffith & Gaskins. Gaskins withdrew from the firm to start the Record and. as above stated. consolidated the two papers three years later. Mr. Gaskins became identified with the Vews on April 15, 1885. and has therefore been in the newspaper business in Sabina for thirty years. The Vews- Record is independent in politics. It is a six-column double folio in size and is issued every Thursday morning. The circulation is one thousand and fifty. The equipment includes a pony cylinder. ten by fifteen-inch Gordon jobber. junior linctype. folding machine. gasoline engine and full assortment of modern type and material. The paper has been in a brick building of its own since January, 1898.

Sabina Teibune

The Sabina Tribune issued its first number on April 11, 1894. It was established by M. D., J. H., Howard and George C. Barns - four brothers - with J. H. Barns as editor. The latter died in October, 1896, and two of the other brothers later sold out to Howard, who has been sole editor and proprietor since 1904. The paper is independent in politics. It is a six-column double folio, with a weekly circulation of six hundred and fifty. It is issued on Tuesday of each week. The plant is equipped with a Campbell cylinder press and all the necessary type and material for doing all kinds of first-class job printing.

Clarksville Herald

The Clarksville Herald has been published in the town of that name for several years under various names and by diverse owners. It is a single sheet, weekly, and is devoted solely to local news and advertising. It has been impossible to get a history of this paper and the copy which was sent the historian had neither volume nor number indicated, so that it was impossible to tell the age of the present sheet. It is published by the Herald Printing Company.

New Vienna Reporter

The first newspaper was established in New Vienna about 1870 by James D. McClintock and was known as the Weekly Register. This paper was sold in 1878 to J. M. Hussey and Daniel Hill and the name changed to the New Vienna Record. J. M. Hussey later became the sole owner and publisher. He afterward sold to a man by the name of Williams, who, after publishing the paper here for some time, removed the plant to some point in Illinois.

The New Vienna Reporter was established about 1880 by H. M. McIntire, who moved his plant here from Albany, Ohio. The plant has since been owned successively by J. J. Pittser, Edward Priest, D. W. Callahan, I. A. Shanton and Eugene C. Lewis, the present owner.

The paper is now a seven-column, twelve-page paper, which circulates in both Clinton and Highland counties. It has one of the most up-to-date plants in southern Ohio and one of the two linotype machines in this section of the country. Eugene C. Lewis is Owner and publisher and Austin W. Boden has been editor and in charge of the advertising since May 1, 1915.