Fairfield County, Ohio - Chapter 18: The Press, 1912

Chapter 18: The Press

The Pozver of the Press - The Ohio Eagle - "Items of Ye Olden Time" - The Lancaster Gazette - The Democrat - The Messenger - Fairfield - Pichawav Nc'U's and The Amanda Herald.

The world owes a large debt to those who have disseminated its news. In the olden time, runners carried tidings by word of mouth,, as did Eucles, the fleet runner, from Marathon to Athens, bringing the news of the great victory at Marathon, 490 B. C. The Kings of Babylon sent their riders on royal chargers, shod with silver shoes, to the four quarters of the kingdom, bearing the mandates of the throne. In modern days, steam transmitted the news of the world on land and over seas - then the electric current came into play:

Greeley, James Gordon Bennett, Richard A. Dana, W'hitelaw Reid, Joseph Pulitzer, William R. Hearst, H. H. Kohlsaat, Victor F. Lavvson and Henry Watterson, are just as much a part of our history as are Sherman, Sheridan or Grant. Ohio has had many great and able editors, and writers - and in each county their names and the papers they represent, have become household words.

The literary side of Fairfield's growth has not been neglected or overlooked ; in fact, the newspapers have lead the way, and the county can boast of a long list of ably edited papers, one of which "The Ohio Eagle" is the oldest in the State, published under one and the same name. It is fitting, therefore, that this chapter begin with an account of that paper.

The first newspaper established in Lanthe aid of Wireless Telegraphy, to read the caster was "Der Ohio Adler," a weekly peworld's doings almost before they happen, riodical printed in German by Jacob D. Die- Thus the press has exerted a most power- trich. There is some dispute as to the exful influence upon civilization. It has spread act date this paper was started ; some say intelligence and moulded public opinion. 1807, and others say it was 1809. It is gen- The great editors of America - Horace erally understood, however, that Mr. Die- trich came to Lancaster in 1807 and at once beg^an the publication of "Der Ohio Adler." The earlier issues of the paper are extinct but the \\'etzlers, now owners of the "Eagle," have framed, and now adorning the of^ce wails, several copies, dating as far back as 1812.

The sheets were 16 l^y 20 inches in size, the paper of coarse texture, and a dull white color, the mechanical execution very good. In about 1813 the paper passed into the hands of Edward Shaeffer, who changed it to English and called it "The Ohio Eagle." It, was , howe\'er, issued in both the German and English for some time up as late as 1816. Edward Shaefifer remained editor and manager for several years and was succeeded by John Harman as editor, previous to 1820. The office Ijurned in 1844 and many of the old files were destro3'ed. In 1828, Thomas W. White became editor of the "Eagle" and he was later succeeded by John Brough, who afterwards became governor of Ohio. He and his brother Charles conducted tlie paper in 1839. In 1841 Samuel Pike bought out the Broughs and about one year later he sold out to Dr. Casper Theil and it was while Theil was its owner and editor that the office burned.

From 1844 to 1881 the following editors have sat in the editorial sanctum and wielded the editorial pen: H. H. Robinson, D. Robertson. F. M. Ellis, J. B. Dixon, Newton Schieich, Jackson Gruber, John L. Tuthiil. John M. Connell, Charles Roland, William Baker, William L. Rigby, John C. Kite, Victor Zahnm. Tliomas Wetzler and Edward T. Wetzler.

In the spring of 1890 Mr. Wetzler and his son, Edward Wetzler, launched on the journalistic sea "The Lancaster Daily Eagle," which prospered from the first and today is one of the most popular of the daily papers in the state, while The Ohio Eagle has grown until it is one of the largest and most creditably managed weeklies in the state. Beyond a current newspaper literature, it has been strictly a political partisan paper. In 1828 it supported the claims of "Old Hickory" Andrew Jackson for the presidency against John Quincy Adams and after the National Convention of 1832, at which the supporters of Jackson adopted the name of "Democratic party," the "Eagle" continued to support the Jackson ticket in 1836, and the Van Buren ticket against William H. Harrison and has always since been the Democratic organ in Fairfield county, which has never failed to cast a Democratic majority at each succeeding election.

When Thomas Wetzler died in 1899, his sons, Edward as editor, and Charles, as business manager, assumed control of the paper and l)oth the daily and weekly publications have made steady and substantial advancement. In February, 1897, Daniel B. Tidd became city editor of the "Daily and Weekly Eagle" and has held that position uninterruptedly for fifteen years and for ten years Miss Fannie Wetzler has held the position of society editor and all connected with the paper strive to make each issue better than the last.

The "Eagle" enjoys the distinction of having been conducted under the same name longer than any other Ohio publication and is also one of the oldest newspapers in the state.

A Marriage Cross - "I hereby forewarn every man not to trust my wife, Margaret, or lend to her on my account, because I have determined not tf) pay one cent for her after this date."

One Hundred Di^llars Reward - Run away from the subscriber, li\ing in Moorefield, Hardin County, Virginia, on the 29th of April last, a negro man named Berry. He is about 20 years of age ; height, live feet, eight inches, round shoulders, slender build. He is active and undaunted, but not viciously inclined; reddish lips, stutters wdien closely questioned. Whoever will secure said slaxe in any jail of the U. S. so that I can get him again, shall receive the above reward, and all reasonable charges paid, if brought home, July 15. 1815. William Cunningham.

The following peculiar and interesting notice to the public appeared in "The Ohio Eagle," August 24, 1815, over the signature of George Bright :

Notice To Tue Puiu.Ic

On Sunday last, the 20th in.st., the following circumstance occurred at the great meeting, or love feast, held at the house of Casper Hufford, Raccoon Creek, three nu'les east of Lancaster. The subscrilier, with his wife, attended said meeting. His wife, wishing to remain there till Monday following, turned the mare she had been riding into a large meadow, in which about si.xty other horse creatures were grazing. On the following Monday, the wife, intending to return home, missed the mare, and after a most diligent search, a dark brown mare, without a bridle or halter, was found loose in Mr. HufTord's stable. No person present owning said mare, or knowing the owners thereof, the subscriber took her into his possession. He cannot conceive whether his creature was taken out of mistake for the one left behind in the stable: whether rode ofT or wilfully stolen.

"The subscriber's mare is a bright bay, eight years old. 14 hands high, shod before, strong built, a natural trotter, and has some saddle and harness marks. Should some person have rode her off, or out of mistake taken away said mare, and left his own in place thereof, he is hereby desired, in a friendly manner, to return the same immediately, as such incautious proceedings may bring on disagreeable consequences."

Lancaster Gazette

The "Lancaster Gazette" was first issued April 4, 1826, with George Sanderson and Benjamin Oswald, editors. The above mentioned gentlemen were editors until early in 1830, when Mr. Sanderson became sole proprietor. In 1832 Philadelphia Van Trump, who was publishing the "Enquirer," became a partner and the paper was called the "Gazette and Enquirer." Two years later "Enquirer" was dropped and it became "The Lancaster (iazette." In 1838 Benjamin Moehler became sole proprietor and editor. In 1841 Percival and Van Forsen bought the paper. In 1850 it was sold to George Weaver, editor, and with John Wright, publisher. In 1852 it was sold to Thomas S. Slaughter, who after one year sold it to a company, with George McEIroy, editor and was published by them for one year. Then followed Joshua Clarke, editor and proprietor, with William Kooken as publisher. "The Gazette" was then issued under the firm name of Clarke and Kooken until .April, i860.

chased the "American Democrat and the Gazette" and combined them. Before the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion he sold to Robert M. Clarke, William H. Kooken and John M. Sutphen. In 1863 A. P. Miller bought R. M. Clarke's interest and the firm became Miller, Kooken & Sutphen. In February, 1866, S. A. Griswold became a member of the firm by purchasing Mr. Miller's share. In 1871 the firm became the Gazette Printing Co., by admitting H. W. Griswold, I. E. Griswold and H. C. Drinkle.

The "Gazette" was always a partisan weekly, but supported John Ouincy Adams in 1828 and Andrew Jackson in 1832. It then became the organ of the Whig party in Fairfield county. In 1855, when the American "Know-nothing" party was formed, absorbing not only the Whigs but all small factions and also a part of the Democratic party, the "Gazette" adopted the American ticket. Two years later (1857) upon the adoption of the Philadelphia platform, the "Gazette" became the supporter of the Republican party.

In 1849-50 a small daily sheet was issued, entitled "The Daily Gazette," and was continued about two years. One of the principal papers was published from the "Gazette" office during the fall of 1840, called "Log Cabin." S. A. Griswold retired on February 4, 1896, and S. A. Pursell became his successor. After Mr. Pursell retired as editor, Malcolm Jennings became editor for a stock company. Later Mr. Jennings and Charles N. O'Brien bought and continued to run the paper until it was sold to a stock company in July, 1908, with P. L. Clark as president and editor. Atbou a year or two later (Feb. 26, 1910, Air. Clark resigned and C. J. Beach was elected) it was taken over by the present management, C. J. Beach, manager and editor and H. J. Danker, associate.

Another of Fairfield's gool publications is "The Democrat," published on Wednesday and Saturday at Lancaster by The Democrat Printing Company, of which John F. Konkler is editor and general manager and C. H. Zarbaugh business manager. The office of this paper is in the Smith Block, Nos. 113 and 115 North Columbus Street.

The Messenger

The first newspaper published in Baltimore was called "The Messenger, and its first issue came out on Thursday, November 18, 1886, the work upon this first issue being done by Mr. B. B. Holland. It was first owned by William L. Mains. Mr. Mains sold to P. G. Evans in 1887 ; he kept it only a very short time, selling to George Sull, who in 1888 moved the paper to Rushville, October I, 18S9, D. B. Kumler and William Burton started the "Fairfield County News" and conducted it under that name until June i, 1893, when Mr. E. O. Weist bought the paper and changed the name to the "Twin City News." Mr. Weist is still editor and proprietor and issues the paper weekly at Baltimore. It is a neat newsy sheet, with a wide circulation and a good advertising department.

Fairfield-Pickaway News

The "Fairfield-Pickaway News," of Stoutsville, Ohio, was founded by H. O. Harden, Aug. 25, 1888. It is an eight-page paper. It has never changed hands, and is in a home of its own. The circulation is 600, subscriptions paid in advance. It is nonpolitical, but independent in politics.

The Amanda Herald And Representative Citizens 417

Amanda, Ohio. The "News" has been the dent - except one year - since the death of official organ of the 90th Ohio Vol. Inf, As- Capt. A. R. Keller many years ago. (See sociation, and the editor has been its presi- Pleasant Township.)