Montgomery County, Ohio - Chapter 9: The Dayton Press, 1882

Chapter 9: The Dayton Press

Pioneer Newspapers - The Dayton Journal - The Dayton Republics The Dayton Democrat - The Dayton Whig and Miami Democil The Dayton Transcript - The Daily Daytonian - The Dayton Weekly Bulletin - The Dayton Gazette - The Dayton Daily Weekly Volkszeitung - 1 The Saturday People - The Daily and Wei Herald - The Miami Valley Courier - The Vindicator - Christ Chi Record - The Reformed Publishing House - The Religious Telesi - The United Brethren Publishing House - -Christian Publisi House - Conclusion.

tN July, 1806, Noah Crane, from Lebanon, Ohio, began publishing a m paper in Dayton, but after issuing a few numbers, he was attacked i chills and fever and abandoned the enterprise, returning with his press K type to his former home at Lebanon.

As far back as 1850, there were no tiles of the paper in town, and its l could not be ascertained. Some time previous to September, 1808, Archil McLean and William McClure entered into an arrangement to publish awe paper in Dayton, but it was never carried into effect.

September 18, 1808, the first number of the Dayton Repertory was is* from their office, on Main street, by William McClure and George Smith; a e four page paper, eight by twelve inches in size, two columns to the page, w ly at $2 a year in advance. With the fifth number, issued October 21, paper was suspended till February 1, 1809, at which time it was enlarged to x20 sheet, and issued with Henry Disbrow, and William McClure, as ed and proprietors. News items from foreign countries were four, and months old ; two of the enterprising merchants of the town advertised a i of goods received from Pittsburgh and Philadelphia in the fall before ; were also a number of notices of estray horses "taken up."

The paper was discontinued about the first of January, 1810; which the community without a paper, until the 3d of May, when the first numb the Ohio Centinel was issued by Isaac G. Burnet, " on a sheet of royal £ 11x19 inches; a four page paper ; four columns to the page ; and wit rules : $2 dollars a year in advance, produce taken in pay at market prices. t motto was " With slight shades of difference, we have the same religion, ners, habits and political principles" Washington.

Official announcements and legal notices for all the territory to the as far as Detroit, and on out to Chicago, were necessarily published in this paper that circulated through all that sparsely settled region.

In politics, the paper was devoted to " Republican principles," wha that may have meant ; sprightly in its editorials, giving a variety of infc tion from points that would interest its readers. During the war of 181 its patrons were kept thoroughly posted as to the events occurring at the h until May 19, 1813, the men of the community being nearly all in the arm n ome way connected with it, and the women, generally working hard in i ng the soil and caring for the families and farms, had no money to pay o!a paper, so the Centinel went down.

Isaac Gr. Burnet and James Lodge were editors and proprietors of the Ob Republican, a continuation of the Centinel, similar in style and using the a e type and press.

The first number was issued October 3, 1814, flying this motto as indicatinjthe policy of the paper - Willing to praise, but not afraid to blame."

A month later, Mr. Burnet having been elected to the Legislature, sold ;i: interest in the paper to his partner, Mr. Lodge, who conducted the paper 1 1 October 9, 1816, when he was obliged to discontinue its publication, beaie his subscribers would not pay up - two-thirds of the list never paid a cel

Flying the motto, " Truth, Equality and Literary knowledge, are the three rid pillars of Republican Liberty ," the first number of the Ohio Watchman _c issued November 27, 1816, by Robert J. Skinner, who had bought press, y: and the "good will " of the wrecked Republican. On the 5th of June, l8:i, the motto was changed to " A Free Press is the Palladium of Liberty ," n April 9, 1818, the paper was enlarged to a sheet 12x20 inches in size, five <f mns to a page ruled. Its political principles were " Genuine Republicanisr ' a very vague political expression.

Christmas Day, 1820, the name of the paper was changed to that of the -K don Watchman and Farmers' and Mechanics' Journal; printed and pub- - d by George S. Houston and R. J. Skinner.

In August, 1822, Mr. Skinner retired from the firm, and in the following i er A. T. Hays became one of the proprietors. Mr. Houston retired from the ajr, upon his appointment as Postmaster, in 1821 ; but he controlled the di/rial department until the paper was discontinued, November 21, 1826. A 1 on of this time the Watchman was published by A. T. Hays and E. Lind- From August 6, 1822, up to December 24 of the same year, the paper was a ished under the name of George S. Houston & Co. At the latter date the ecpd volume commenced, and was published by G. S. Houston and A. T.

In xApril, 1823, the style of the title was changed from the old English l'ipt, and that in September, 1823, was displaced for gothic. " Democracy , ipature, Agriculture, Manufactories and Internal Improvements the Pillars ur Independence," was added as its motto, on the 16th of March. 1824. -- paper was 12x20 inches in size, five columns ruled, price, $2 per year, and fin, beef, pork, whisky, wood, wheat, rye, corn, oats, sugar, tallow, beeswax, ny, butter, chickens, eggs, wool, flax, feathers, country linen, and clean 'Ji and cotton rags received in payment."

George B. Holt, as editor and publisher, issued the first number of the Gi Republican and Dayton Advertiser, September 2, 1823 ; a weekly Dem- Gc paper, 11x21 inches in size, that was continued until September 7, Ij t

The Dayton Jouknal

Tfiis paper is the lineal successor of the one started by William Camp- -on the 30th of April, 1826. Mr. Campbell came to Dayton from Westland County, Penn., and on the 10th of April. 1826, purchased tins Miami " blican and the Dayton Watchman, which he consolidated under the title e Ohio National Journal and' Montgomery and Dayton Advertiser, and the ^number issued as a weekly paper, at the usual price - $2 a year. It was Get 13x20 inches in size, five columns to the page, ruled, and its motto, hnciples and not men, inhere principles demand the sacrifice." Inpolittfch e Journal was Whig. After issuing two numbers, Mr. Campbell sold the paper to Jeptha Regans, and December 4, 1827, Mr. Regans sold a one-h interest to Peter P. Lowe, and it was thus continued until January 15, IS when Mr. Lowe retired. On the 1st of January, 1828, the title was modes reduced to the Dayton Journal and Advertiser. December 2, 1828, John Van Cleve bought a one-half interest in the Journal , and from that date m June 15, 1830, when Mr. Regans died, the style of the firm was Regans Van Cleve. For a short time the paper was published by Mr. Van Cleve, in October, 1830, Richard N. Comly bought the interest of Mr. Regans' est in the establishment, and the firm was Yan Cleve & Comly till the 15th of Ji 1834, when Mr. John Cleve sold his interest to William F. Comly, and Journal was increased in size so that it was the largest paper then publisj in Ohio.

The firm of R. N. & W. F. Comly did more toward building up and veloping the newspaper interests of Dayton than any other publishers of tl day. For years, they struggled on, trying to give Montgomery Count newspaper worthy of the name, and when, at last, success had crowned ti efforts, the accumulations of many years of hard labor were lost in the desti tion of the Journal , building by the mob of May 5, 1863.

No. 1, Vol. I, of the Daily Jounal , was issued by R. N. & W. F. Con December 16, 1840, as an experiment; it was changed back to a tri -weekly, months afterward, and so continued until, on Thursday morning, May 6, 18 No. 1, Vol. I. of the Dayton Daily Journal was issued, which has contiu up to the present, in connection with the Weekly. In 1857, R. N. Co: withdrew from the paper and John P. Comly became a member of the li i and so continued until April, 1862, when, on account of the appointnu n ; W. F. Comly to the Postmastership of Dayton the previous year, they sold i to Lewis Marot and William H. Rouzer, taking their notes in payment f or i same. |

Thus it stood on the night of May 5, 1863, when the office was sacked burned by a mob, which was openly organized during the day for that purp Strange to say, the city authorities could not, or did not, prevent this war outrage, and as there was no identification of responsible rioters, there ! no recovery for damages; the laws of Ohio failing to accord a public rein for property destroyed by a mob. By this outrage, Messrs. Comly lost al $10,000, including 1,500 copies of the "Life and Speeches of Thomas < win;" a complete set of Niles, Register , which had been published in Bi more, Md., and a very rare and valuable library.

Promptly upon the destruction of the office, citizens of Dayton subset ,j a fund of $6,000, to re-establish the Journal , and Maj. William D. Bickl then war correspondent of the Cincinnati Commercial , and volunteer Aid? Camp on the staff of Maj . Gen. Rosecrans, commanding the Departmer the Cumberland, was invited to accept the fund as a gift, and publish paper. He declined the gift, but accepted the fund as a loan, payabi| three years, and proceeded to fhe business in hand, locating himself m 1, ton, May 11, 1863. The debt was paid before the expiration of the tii years.

In consequence of inability to procure eligible rooms for an office, it necessary for several months to accommodate the Journal to a single ap ment in a third story. The paper, however, was issued in diminutive h letter-sheet size , until suitable quarters on Main street, next north of the ci house, were obtained, when the Daily Journal was enlarged to a seven col paper, and a Weekly Journal wTas issued. A well-assorted book and job I1 was added to the office. Maj. Bickham's experience in various departmen; the printing and newspaper business, proved greatly advantageous to the

City Of Dayton

Arprise. The cash system was adopted as far as practicable, and up to date this publication, he has never given a note or solicited time in a business nsaction, always paying cash on delivery or demand. From the beginning kvas general business manager, editor, reporter, cily editor, solicitor of adt isements, etc., until prosperity relieved him of details, and he educated eng men for the several business departments of the establishment.

For some years after Maj. Bickham took charge of the Journal, political tdons in this vicinity ran incessantly at a high pitch, and the conduct of ir paper was bitter, exciting and hazardous. The editor, however, sustained self vigorously and resolutely, and the Journal prospered and acquired a Fie and valuable reputation, which is yet firmly maintained. It may be fairaid, that it enjoys a reputation for vigor, ability and devotion to the priniies of the Republican party, second to no paper in the nation outside of the :r -class cities. Maj. Bickham continues to be the editor of the paper in all teartments, retains his oversight of the several branches of the business, nev- i jes into debt for material, and takes active part in the affairs of the party u district, State, and National conventions.

During the more than nineteen years of his residence in Dayton, he has e; a delegate in all Ohio State Conventions, save two, nearly all Congressional ryentions, and a delegate to the Presidential Nominating Conventions of Si, 1876 and 1880. He is entirely disinclined to other political honors, prefeiing his professional to all other distinctions.

In the summer of 1881, Maj. Bickham erected a two-storied brick office on l:u street, opposite the Market House, into which he moved November 1, of ; year. He had owned the property for several years, and the original build- -ii; were remodeled, and are now used for business office and editorial rooms, l e the new building is occupied by the other departments of the paper, i offices are large and roomy. A new Cottrell & Babcock fast press has e t added to the establishment, and the whole is operated by steam power.

The Dayton Republican

The Dayton Republican, a weekly Democratic paper, published by E. jilsey, made its appearance January 5, 1830, edited by William L. Helfen- «i and others. In 1834, it was discontinued, and in that year Mr. Lindsey 3t dished the Democratic Herald, and that in turn was succeeded in January, by the Western Empire. About 1844, it was made a daily paper under 1 itle of Evening Empire, 6 cents a week. Since that date it has changed als many times, but has ever remained true to Democratic doctrine. In '. the paper was styled the Daily Empire; afterward the Daily Ledger, to the Herald and Empire , and subsequently to the Democrat, a history of hh will be found under that head.

The Dayton Democrat

This is a daily and weekly, the recognized organ of the Democratic party in i! county, and the lineal successor of the first Democratic paper started in -Miami Valley north of Cincinnati, and has always exercised a potent infiun'i hi the counsels of its party throughout this portion of the State. At differ - n )eriods in its history, it has been edited and controlled by men who aftera achieved national reputations. Among these were John Bigler, who was n,')f the early Governors of California, and Delazon Smith, one of the first ai tors from the State of Oregon. At two different times, Hon. C. L. Valmgham also owned an interest in it, and presided over its columns.

prepared at the request of the Ohio Editorial Association, and published the Dayton Bulletin of March 8 and 18; April 3d, 5, 12 and 17 of the v 1850, shows that previous to 1826, no newspaper had ever succeeded establishing itself permanently in Dayton. Of the first attempt in 1806. specimen copy and no certain recollection of even the name is preserved, is only known that in July and August of that year, a few numbers c paper were published by Noah Crane, of Lebanon, Ohio.

Mr. John G. Doren says he was informed by E. Lindsey, one of the | neer printers and publishers of Dayton, that the first paper was called the Iiei or Democratic Herald , and it was in reverent recollection of this pioneer pa of 1806, that Mr. Lindsey afterward adopted that name for a Dernocr paper started by himself some time in 1834.

Up to 1826, all the newspapers ever published or started in Dayton ] fessed "Democratic '' or " Republican " principles, whatever these may li meaut in those days, but the difference between the " Democratic or "Rep lican " ideas on one side, and the " Federalist " or "Conservative" ideas the other, was to be more sharply defined thereafter. Various attempts w made at different times to establish a more thoroughly Democratic (or Jacl nian) paper, than had up to that date been published in Dayton, which fin culminated in the establishment by E. Lindsey, January 5, 1830, of the I ton Republican. He thus adopted a part of the title used by one of the pap before the consolidation of the Watchman and Republican, in an attempl preserve the lineal succession to the good will and patronage of the first ne: paper.

From this time on, the paper passed through many changes of name , ownership, until it came back to Lindsey again, who then restored the nli which he regarded as that of the pioneer and father of all the Dayton ne papers, viz., the Democratic Herald. In January, 1842, the name was chair to the Western Empire.

The paper was edited and published successively by Smith & Munn, ] landigham & Munn, Fitch & Ramsey, Fitch & Clawson, David Clark anj R. Kelley & Co., composed of F. J. Bollmeyer, W. T. Logan and others, t the killing of Bollmeyer in 1862, W. T. Logan took charge, and conducted paper until the arrest of C. L. Vallandigham in 1863, when on account o article counseling resistance to such measures, he also was arrested by mili authority, and the paper suppressed. A stock company then took charge the office, and was succeeded by William and Thomas Hubbard, they by Hi H. Robinson, and he by J. McLain Smith. The paper then fell into the session of C. L. Vallandigham, Dennis Dwyer and James Kelly, from w the present editor and proprietor purchased it.

In 1870, the establishment was purchased by John G. Doren. who j lished the paper until 1876, under the name of the Herald and Empire. j[ then consolidated it with a paper which had been started in 1874, by Ge Neder and J. McLain Smith, under the name of the Dayton Daily Dernoi It has been published under this name -and under Mr. Doren' s managei ever since, and has steadily increased all the time in influence, business financial prosperity. Under his management the Democrat has acquired now possesses the exclusive control of the dispatches of the National As ated Press in Dayton, and the paper receives as close and careful editorial business attention as is bestowed on metropolitan newspapers.

Mr. Doren, although not yet fifty years of age, lias been about thirty y in the printing and publishing business. He began his first editorial 1 u er Samuel Medary, on the old Ohio Statesman , as a Legislative reporter, Tin yet not more than eighteen years of age, and subsequently worked with \J Medary in every other department of that paper, typographical, business u! editorial. Being a protege and pupil of so vigorous and celebrated an old Daocratic editor, Mr. Doren prides himself on the orthodoxy of the political i'afh imbibed from such a preceptor, and holds that one of the special obliga- ,:i|a which such a faith imposes on the citizen, and upon the editor especially,

, sb distinguish between a blind devotion to partisan leaders, and an intellig:t conception of and adherence to, the fundamental principles of morals and xirnment. The effect of this has been to make Mr. Doren on the whole, ater independent for a partisan editor, although always an unswerving Deme,t. Ofttimes during his career as editor, he has felt it his duty to be the alre critic, rather than the servile mouthpiece of his party, but always as he 1 ned in defense of the unadulterated faith professed in the party platforms, x to protect the organization against the misuse or perversion of its name x machinery, for the private purposes or personal ambitions of self-seeking k ticians.

Such a course has at times since Mr. Doren took the management of the iMocrat, bred temporary differences between some of the Democratic party x ers and the paper, but the result of these misunderstandings has usually >eji to strengthen the Democrat , both in the public and party estimation, as a elless advocate of what it believes to be right, and as willing to sacrifice - 1 ething to secure it.

In addition to his service on the Ohio Statesman , Mr. Doren has had a great x of experience besides as an editor and publisher. After leaving the Ohio Desman office, he was from 1854 to 1858, the editor of the Hillsboro t ette, then official reporter of the Ohio House of Representatives, which >ction he resigned to take an appointment in the Treasury Department at i hington. While at the latter place he was for a time one of the writers r he Washington Union, then the National organ of the Democratic party. J-i;)r, he was editor and publisher of the Southern Ohio Argus at Georgetown, xvn County, and from 1864 to 1868 was managing editor of the Cincinnati uirer. Here his health broke down, and he was compelled to retire enoy from editorial duties until 1870, when he came to Dayton at the earnest optation of Hon. C. L. Yallandigham, and purchased the Empire (now Umrat) establishment. His career since, notwithstanding extremely preapus health, has been a very successful one, no man before having brought h Democratic paper here to so high a pitch of public and partisan influence financial prosperity.

The office is on the corner of Fifth street and Canal; the circulation of Daily is about 2,000, and of the Weekly, 3,500, the latter being called the - nre and Democrat.

The Dayton Whig And Miami Democrat

B. Dutton issued the first number of the Dayton Whig and Miami Demoin 1833. The firm was afterward, Dutton & Maloy, but a year sufficed °jm it out, as the county could not support two Wing newspapers.

The Dayton Transcript

This paper was established in January, 1841, by George C. McCuen and ,Cl Wilson, both practical printers. It was a sheet of 11x17 inches, pub- -LkI semi-weekly, at 25 cents. After sinking money for about eighteen Ul ths, the paper was suspended for want of funds. In October, 1842, the T' of McCuen & Wilson was dissolved, the interest of the former having been bought by J. Milton Sanders, who continued to edit the Transcript \ October 4, 1843, when he left it. The paper was then enlarged to V, inches in size, and for six weeks was published by John Wilson and E. M under the style of E. Marot & Co. Subsequently, Mr. Marot left and 'Wi was sole proprietor until July, 1845.

In the political campaign of 1844, the Transcript threw aside its foi neutral character, and, May 15, of that year, came out under the title of Dayton Transcript and Ashland Whig , thus identifying itself with the party.

It was edited by A. M. Scott until December 9, 1844. Previous to 8c editorial service, John Macracon had edited the paper, and, upon Scott r ing, he resumed that post again On the 28th of July, 1845, Macracon came one of the proprietors, and the paper was then enlarged. It w valuable investment, and in 1847 Ralph S. Hart and H. D. Stout purek an interest in it, Wilson having previously retired. The firm was H. D. £ & Co., Mr. Hart writing the leaders and Mr. Macracon attending to the c parts of the paper. Mr. Hart remained as editor for eighteen months. M Cur wen was a frequent contributor, and at times had control of its edit columns. Mr. Macracon left the paper in February, 1849, and was succei by A. M. Scott. The paper was finally disposed of to William C. Howel Co., in May, 1849, who subsequently published daily, weekly and tri-we editions. It was moderately Whig under this management, but was disco) ued in the year 1850.

The Daily Daytonian The Dayton Tri-Weekly Bulletin

Neutral in politics and devoted to general news and literature. The Bui was first published in Dayton, September 1848, by John Wilson and Jaco Decker, both practical printers. Its size was 15x21 inches; time of pub tion, Mouday, Wednesday and Friday evenings; terms, $3 per year. Mi Curwen was the editor of the Bulletin from the commencement, and he full control of its columns nearly the whole time. It issued its last mn April 17, 1850, and throughout its career was ably conducted, as Mr. Cm] was a man of fine education, a thorough legal scholar, and an author o mean ability.

Das Deutsche Journal The Dayton Gazette

A daily, established in 1850; it was a first-class paper in every way. was first edited by D. W. Iddings, and in polit cs, was Whig. The p was owned and conducted by different parties until it was purchased by ' iam H. P. Denny, who conducted it until the beginning of i860, whe stopped publication. It was then a weekly paper.

The Dayton Daily And Weekly Volkszeitung

This paper was established April 25, 1866, by George Neder, and first lished as a weekly only. In June of the same year, in addition to the week semi-weekly was issued, and the following October, the semi-weekly becaij tri-weekly; these papers in size were 22x32 inches, four pages with sixcolui In 1867 and 1871, the paper was enlarged to seven and eight columns res

X The first copy of the daily was presented to the public August 15, 1876. ;j Neder has been from the first the proprietor and editor of the paper. It was it issued from the publishing house of the United Brethren, where continu- ; y published until 1874, when it was removed to the office of the Democrat. .Politics, the Volkszeitung was strictly an independent paper until 1874, since dch date it has leaned toward the Democracy. On the 17th of April, 1882, b'two German papers of the city, namely, Volkszeitung and Anzeiger , were osolidated, the proprietors of the latter removing their paper to the office of ii Volkszeitung. The paper continues to be issued under the name of the j iton Volkszeitung, and since April 17, under the proprietorship of George Per and the Moosbrugger Brothers, Otto and Kuno, and edited by Mi'. Neder a the former-named Moosbrugger. The Anzeiger was a daily and weekly sir, Democratic in politics. It was established in 1876; the first copy was 'lited September 1. The proprietors were Otto Moosbrugger and Charles einck, the latter, however, soon sold his interest to Kuno Moosbrugger, and hfwo brothers carried on the paper until the consolidation.

The Saturday People

0 h Main street, and was quite a small sheet. It was taken by the People 'dishing Company, January 16, 1877, composed of J. St. J. Clarkson, H. L. 7 her and Charles Kramer, and made the workingmen's organ. It was eniaied to a seven column paper, and in 1877 was taken by Mr. Clarkson alone.

When the National Greenback Labor party was organized, the People was ne the organ of that party, which position it has held ever since. In June, 8_, it was enlarged to an eight column paper, and has now a circulation of 6 copies. It is issued every Saturday morning, and J. St. J. Clarkson is the dir and proprietor; office in the same building as the Dayton Herald , of

The Daily And Weekly Herald

This paper was first issued February 7, 1881, under the management of ... Wendell, and editorship of J. St. J. Clarkson; some time prior to this Saturday Evening Record , a weekly, was published by William T. Kimsey, l:h merged into the Herald at the date above given. The daily in size is '-39 inches, has four pages with eight columns to the page, and the weekly i eight-page six column paper 30x42 inches. The office of this paper is xied on the north side of Fourth near Main street. It is an independent pae The management claim a circulation of 2,500 copies of the daily, and 1, - ! copies of the weekly.

The Miami Valley Courier

In December, 1880, John R. Tomlinson established a monthly sheet called 'I'Miami Valley Courier, which is yet published by him at 27 South Main rt. It is devoted to historical and biographical sketches and advertising.

The Vindicator

This is a religious monthly, published in the interest of the German Baps Jhurch, and edited by Samuel Kinsey, and is numbered among the papers 1 ie city. It is published at the Christian Printing Establishment, and has de circulation.

Christ Church Register

This is a religious monthly, printed at the same establishment; was first " 'd in January, 1882. It is edited by the rector of the church, Rev. J. T.

The Reformed Publishing House

In March, 1882. the new publishing firm of the Christian Wort weekly church and family paper of the Reformed denomination, bee the property of Rev. Edward Herbruck, Michael Loucks and Mr J Bloom, who purchased the paper with the main object of establish a printing house in the interest of the Reformed Church. These tlemen have located the office of the Christian World , on North Jeffei street, between Second and Third, and carry on the printing departmen another building near by, on the same street. In addition to the publica of the following periodicals, they do general job printing: The Chris World; the Instructor, quarterly, fifty- two pages, for Sunday school toad; Instructor Scholars' Quarterly, twenty pages, with helps for Sunday scl scholars; Lesson Papers , issued monthly; Leaves of Light , a Sunday school young people's paper, issued semi-monthly.

The World

This paper was first published in Columbus, Ohio, the first copy appeal October 6, 1848, under the name of the Western Missionary. It was editei Rev. J. H. Good, D. D., and the editors have since been as follows: G. YVilliard. D. D. ; T. P. Bucher, D. D. ; Samuel Mease, D. D. ; I. H. Reiter D. , and Rev. E. Herbruck, under whose editorship it is at present. The per was first published in Dayton, November 1, 1855. It was subsequently moved, and for a number of years published elsewhere. September 5. T it again made its appearance in this city, where it has since remained.

"While Bishop Newcomer, associate of Otterbein, was yet alive, there i minds which saw the importance of the religious press as a co- laborer with Christian ministry, in saving the world. Two or three years before the Gen Conference took any steps toward projecting an enterprise of this kiud, 1829, Aaron Farmer made an effort to establish a paper under the patronag the Miami Conference. At the session of that body, held at the house of Je Garst, in Montgomery County, Ohio, in May, 1829, the last presided ovei Bishop Newcomer, a series of resolutions approving the publication of a p: called Zion's Advocate were adopted. The paper was issued from Salem, Ii soon.-after, but for want of patronage was soon discontinued.

The General Conference which met May 14, 1833, in Pickaway Cou Ohio, ordered the purchase of an office in Circleville, Ohio, and appoiutei trustees John RusbgI, John Dresbach and George Dresbach. These bretl! soon began the solicitation of subscriptions and funds, and on the 12th da; April, 1834, they purchased at public sale in Circleville, Ohio, a printing pi type and fixtures, for which they paid $450. A month later they bought a and two houses, for which they paid $550. Early the same year, Rev. \\ ill Rhinehart, of the Virginia Conference, by the approval of that- conference, gan the publication of a paper called the Messenger, at Hagerstown, These trustees, anxious to gather into one body all the power the Church ( tained, bought the Messenger, type and all, for $325, and employed its for: owner to edit the paper ordered by the General Conference.

The first number of the Religious Telescope bears date December 1834. It was issued from Circleville, Ohio, as a semi-monthly, and was at $1.50 in advance and $2 at the close of the year. Thus with a debt of < $1,600, and a subscription list of a little above one thousand, but littl

-rich was paid for, the Religious Telescope, to use a nautical phrase, set sail on h boisterous seas, over which it has made its way for nearly a half-century, continued as a semi-monthly until its issue of July 30, 1845, when it became Sekly paper, as it has ever since continued. The paper from the first was electable in size and character. It at once became a favorite with the Church, i a medium of free interchange of thought in the denomination, as well as Sarer of Christian and general intelligence. It was bold and mighty, if

The issue dated May 15, 1839, appeared under the editorial control of U, William Hanby, who was elected to the vacancy occasioned by Mr. Rhineia':'s resignation, by Scioto Conference. To this position he was re-elected by iijGeneral Conference of 1841. The next quadrennial session, held May 12, Sj), at Circleville, Ohio, elected Rev. D. Edwards editor of this growing pe- - ical. At the next General Conference, held in Cincinnati, May 14, 1849, etas re-elected, but at once tendered his resignation to the conference, by 4;h it was accepted.

General Conference then elected Rev. William Hanby as the future editor, line issue of July 18, 1849, it again appeared under his control. Early in Ay ear 1850, the trustees elected Rev. John Lawrence as an assistant editor, b relation continued until the early part of the year 1852, when the trustees mipted the resignation of Mr. Hanby, and elected Mr. Lawrence to the ediml control of the paper.

General Conference, which met at Miltonville, Ohio, May 9, 1853, reused Mi'. Lawrence, as did also the next quadrennial session in 1857, held at idnnati, and that of 1861, held at Westerville, Ohio.

On the 29th of April, 1864, Rev. D. Berger assumed the editorial control ? he Religious Telescope, being elected to the work by the trustees, in place ? Ir. Lawrence, who had resigned his connection with the paper. Mr. BereWas re-elected the following year by General Conference, which met in item Iowa, May 11, 1865.

The fifteenth General Conference, which met at Lebanon, Penn., h 20, 1869, elected Rev. Milton Wright editor, and the paper dated July 7, appeared under his control. At the succeeding General Conference, con- 'd in Dayton, Ohio, May 15, 1873, two editors were ordered, Revs, M. %ht and W. 0. Tobey was elected. They assumed the mutual control of the -r July 2, 1873.

The subsequent quadrennial session at Westfield, 111., May 10, 1S77, deed to elect an editor-in-chief and an assistant editor. J. W. Hott and W.

'obey were elected to those offices respectively, and assumed these relations i duties with the issue of June 13, 1877, which continued until the General

The United Beetheen Publishing House

1 and for the church, contemplated primarily and solely the life and pros- J y of the Religious Telescope; hence, with that paper, we connected its !1 history.

The church had only begun work in real earnestness at Circleville when it J( ne apparent that a more favorable and central location must sooner or later e Aight and secured.

Soon after the close of the General Conference the site since oceupie [ the establishment was purchased by the Trustees. It was then occupied two-story brick building, used as a hotel. For this they paid 811,000.

For a time the old house was occupied, but in the spring and summi i 1854, the main building, as it now stands, was erected at a cost of $15, 1 The rear three-story building was added in 1869, at a cost of $5,659.05.

The location occupies a central and prominent place in the business tion of this beautiful city. The front building is 40x90 feet in width : length, and four stories in height. The rear building is 34x58 feet, and 1 1 stories high. The entire building on Main street is forty feet, and on Fo t street, 124 feet. It is entered from the front, and on the side near the rear i of the large building. The front part of the lower story is occupied bjl book-room. The lower story in the rear building is the press-room, where p Telescope and other periodicals are printed, and where the Telescope is fo = and put into the mails. The second story is occupied by different off i The third story is largely occupied by the Religious Telescope, and the fo f by the bindery. The building, with the lot on which it stands, is invoice : $40,500.

The finances of the publishing interests were for a time conducted by 1 editor of the Religious Telescope , in connection with the Trustees. Then were conducted by Rev. William Hanby. The General Conference, May! 1845, elected Rev. -I. Markwood, who resigned, and his place was suppliei : Rev. Nehemiah Altman, who was re-elected May 14, 1849. In 1852, 1 William Hanby was appointed publisher, to supersede the former ocenpi He was succeeded May 9, 1853, by Rev. Solomon Yonnieda.

In March, 1854, Rev. Henry Kumler was associated with Rev. S. h neida, which association continued until December, 1854. In 1854, Mr ! N. Sowers was employed as assistant agent.

In June, 1864, Rev. W. J. Shuey was, by the Trustees, associated Mr. Sowers in the place of the former occupant. At the General Confere i held May 11, 1865, at Western, Iowa, Rev. W. J. Shuey and T. N. Sou were elected agents. Mr. Sowers having resigned, Rev. William McKee s chosen by the Trustees to fill the vacancy, which he did for one year, when resigned and was succeeded by Rev. W. J. Shuey, the present incumbent.

In 1840, John Russell began the publication of a German monthly p; in Baltimore, Md. , called the Busy Martha. The first number was ise ) March 7, 1840. In 1841, steps were taken by the General Conference tow; the establishment of a printing office in that city. One-third of the subsc; tion list of the Religious Telescope was ordered turned over to this paper. ? Russell's paper was merged into the enterprise, and the first paper, under; care of Rev. J. Erb, was issued July 1, 1841. The patronage being insr cient, it was discontinued June 22, 1842.

In October, 1846, there first appeared a paper called the German f 'elesiio edited and published by Rev. N. Altman. It was issued from the office Circleville, Ohio. In 1847, the Trustees of the printing establishment ele > Rev. D. S trickier, as its editor, and June 1, 1847, it appeared under his edi, ship. The paner was an eight-page.

; e, under the control of Rev. H. Staub until August 17, 1855, when he reced, and Julius Degmeyer was chosen to till the editorial chair. In De- *)er, 1858, Mr. Degmeyer resigned his connection with the paper, and with ji beginning of the year 1859, it was reduced from a weekly to a semi- Jfchly, on account of its loss of money to the office. Rev. Solomon Voni(a was appointed its editor. This position he occupied up to August 28, Si. The paper had been again made a weekly on January 1, 1866. It was j< removed to Lebanon, Penn. , and published by the brethren there, being eiidby Rev. E. Light. General Conference of 1869 ordered the paper . k to Dayton, Ohio, and elected Rev. William Mittendorf its editor. To ii position he has since been re-elected at the General Conferences of 1873 ; 1877. He continues to edit the German literature with much ability, vit January 1, 1870, the publication of the Jugend Pilger began. It ap- ; sd as a monthly paper for German Sabbath schools. In January, 1874, came a semi monthly. It has been edited from the first by Rev. William i mdorf.

The Unity Magazine

In November, 1853, a monthly magazine was issued from the printing esdiment, edited by Rev. D. Edwards, called The Unity With God, and Maga- )/ Sacred Literature. It was devoted specially to the promotion of Chris- 1 Holiness. In 1854, the name of Unity Magazine was chosen for it. It was tpquently call® id Unity Magazine and Ladies' Companion , and edited by Rev. wen. Under his administration the name was changed to the Christian jJ sitory. It was ably edited, and shared the contributions of many of the -lit pens in the church. Yet, from several causes its patronage was at no inadequate to its financial support, and with the January number of its sixth ' ne it ended its career.

The first number of the Children's Friend bears date May 6, 1854. It betas it has always continued, a semi-monthly, illustrated; Rev. D. Edwards isjts editor. With the number dated July 15, 1857, his control of the paper ;t!d. Rev. Alexander Owen having been elected its editor by the General tarence. The paper dated August 1, 1857, appeared under the editorship r. Owen. This relation continued up to January, 1859, when it was sev- 1 by the resignation of Mr. Owen. The March numbers of 1859 began the li rial control of "Uncle Solomon" - Rev. S. Yonnieda. For over ten years Children's Friend continued under his care. In May, 1869, Rev. D. Berras chosen his successor by the Board of Trustees, since which time he has x twice re-elected, in 1873 and in 1877. Diming these years the paper passed nr continuous improvements until the present. It now has semi-monthly elation of nearly 36,000 copies.

Missionary Telescope

The first number of the Missionary Telescope was issued January, 1858, monthly periodical. Though published by the office, its financial mainnice was by the missionary society. It was soon ascertained that much as a msionary organ was needed, it was impracticable to secure its publication itmt financial loss upon the plan under which it was conducted. In No- 'er, 1861, its publication was discontinued.

Missionary Visitor

The first number of the Missionary Visitor bears date July 8, 1865. It as a semi-monthly, and has continued as such ever since. From the rs if was handsomely illustrated, and has been the means of much good in our Zion. It was subsequently enlarged, and the character of its illustrat much unproved. Very many original cuts, of special interest to the Chu have been prepared for its pages. It has continued under the editorial cat Rev. D. K. Fickinger, corresponding secretary of the missionary society, the first, except during his absence on missionary tours, when it has been pared by the treasurer of the missionary society. Its circulation for the ending April 1, 1882, was 28,042.

Bible Teacher

A monthly magazine, of twenty-four pages, called Our Bible Teacher Sunday schools and families, containing ample comments on the Internati Sunday School Lesson, was issued in April, 1873. Such was its growing fulness that in 1878, it was increased in size to thirty-two pages. It was j the first edited by Rev. D. Berger, D. D., who was continued its editor by succeeding General Conferences. This magazine had a circulation of 4 copies during the year ending April 1, 1882.

Sunday School Bible Lessons

This weekly-issued leaf, containing the Scripture lesson of the Lite tional Series, with daily Bible reading and short notes and comments on text, began with the beginning of the use of the International Series, s years ago. The first number was issued on the first of January, 1873. April, 1879, the Bible Lesson Quarterly was first issued. This contains same matter given in the Bible Lessons , with some additions, being m bound and issued every three months. The two have a combined are yearly circulation of about 60,000 copies. They are edited by Dr. Berger

For The Little Ones

The first number of a small but beautiful weekly paper, called Foi Little Ones, appeared April 2, 1876. It is edited by Rev. Dr. Berger, at tastily and suggestively illustrated with original cuts from drawings prep specially for it by one of the best American artists. It is designed to fui illustration and instruction upon the Sunday school lessons as well as in eral literature for smallest readers. Its circulation for the past year was 167.

A monthly magazine devoted to the interests of missionary and Cirri* work, published by the Woman's Missionary Association of the church, edited by Mrs. L. R. Keister, was first issued in January, 1882.

In addition to the numerous papers and periodicals of the church lished at this establishment, an extensive book and stationery business is ried on, together with a great deal of job work for outside parties.

Christian Publishing House

From this establishment is issued the Herald of Gospel Liberty - a r ious weekly paper of the Christian Church. The paper was established bi Rev. Elias Smith, at the city of Portsmouth, N H., in the year 1808, the issue bearing date of September 1, of that year. It is by eight years oldest religious periodical published in the world. In size, the first copy; 10x12 inches, having four pages with three columns to the page. It was, sequently published in the cities of Philadelphia, Boston and Newberry Mass., under the editorship of Revs. Frederick Plummer. P. R. Russell, jah Shaw, J. B. Weston and D. P. Pike. In 1868, the paper was rem to Dayton, and consolidated with the Gospel Herald , which journal, as a t thiv in pamphlet form, was published at New Carlisle. Ohio, in October, M, under the direction of the Ohio Christian Book Association, edited by he N. Walter, and printed by a man named Edwards. In the summer of si) R R. Pope purchased this press and removed it to Springfield, where h publication of this paper was continued. In the spring of 1847, Elders aes Williamson and James W. Marvin became editors of the Gospel Herald. '1 press and materials having been sold to John M. West, an arrangement v made this year for printing the paper in the Republic office. A year from n last date it was changed from a pamphlet form to a folio. In the year Si. the Ohio Christian Book Association bought material, and fitted up a lilting office in Rhinehart's building on Main street, where the Herald was .ward printed. In 1856. the paper was removed to Columbus, and the year owing to Dayton, where it was issued for the Western Christian Publishing .3 ciation, under the publishing agent and editor, Rev. John Ellis, who rested in charge of the paper from 1857 to 1862. The association simply vd the type, the printing having been done by a Mr. Stout.

From 1862, until the close of the late war, the Gospel Herald was pub- =i d at Eaton, under the management and editorship of Rev. E. W. Humays. In 1865, Dayton again became the home of this religious journal, hh, though changed in name, is still numbered among its best periodicals, i Humphrey, as editor, was succeeded by Rev. H. T. Rush early in 1865. uRev. W. T. Hawthorne became the publisher.

An association was organized the same year, and the paper printed at the nid Brethren Publishing house, where rooms were occupied by its manai The paper continued under the editorial direction of Mr. Rush until , and during those years was issued under the following publishing agents: Roberts from January, 1867, to January, 1869, J. J. Suinmerbell until July tat year, L. Coffeen the remaining sis months in the year, and by the ers. Frank Browning, W. A. Gross and William Worley. In 1870, the ! .ving Trustees were appointed by the publishing association, and the id upon which the present commodious printing establishment stands nased: William Worley, Peter McCullough. J. G. Reeder, A. W. Coan tc iV. A. Gross. The present building, about 40x100 feet, three stories high, u ructed of brick with stone trimmings, and located on the southeast corner ain and Sixth streets, was at once erected and furnished, and the publishgnterests of the association there centered, lev. N. Summerbell in 1877, became the publisher of the Herald of Gospel r'ty, and also its editor, in which capacity he served until July, 1878, and succeeded by Rev. T M. McWhinney, who was likewise both the publisher 1 ditor.

iince July, 1881, the editorial chair has been ably filled by the Rev. A. oan, and the business of the Publishing House, judiciously managed by '> 0. W. Garoutte. The lower floor of the printing establishment is occupied ! 3 book press, job and mailing departments; and the second story by the Rising and editorial departments; the third story containing the bindery n d on by H. R. Groneweg. Under the present management, the job and Mpsition rooms have been fitted up and improved. A new engine and boiler dpinder job press are now being set in the building, which will greatly 'Mate the execution of the rapidly increasing business. Besides the puba'inof their own religious periodicals, this house has for a number of years : 'd the Daily and Weekly Anzeiger, and are now printing a number of both 1 u;r and religious papers. There is also here executed much book, pamphlet : dbeneral job printing. The business of the house averages $25,000 a

Sunday School Herald

This is a gem for the little folks, illustrated, and made its appearanr 1868, as a semi-monthly, under the editorship of the editor of the Herat Gospel of Liberty. In January, 1882, it was changed to a weekly. It is ducted by Rev. A. W. Coan and has a circulation of 1 0,000 copies.

The publication of the Little Teacher, a small two-page 6x8 paper, desk for infant scholars, and Our Teacher's Guide and Scholar's Help, a quai lv magazine, containing comments on the International Sunday Lesson, b< January 1, 1882. The former is a weekly paper. Both are edited by Coan.

Conclusion

In the past twenty-five or thirty years, many different papers have published in a variety of interests, which have existed for greater or less riods, and then failed, or been absorbed by other journals. Among those be mentioned a number of German papers as follows : Stimme Des Volk tablished by a Mr. Stierlin, was published about two years ; Dayton I) krai, established in 1856 by Haisch & Engler, lasted not quite a v Dayton Wochenblatt, founded in 1859 by Herman Rauh, was published a five years ; Daily Evening Abendblatt, established by Deitz & Egry, in 1 was the lirst German daily printed in Dayton, it only lasted a few weeks ; ton Pionier, established in 1860, by Richard Baur, which ran about two v The first of those German papers mentioned succeeded the Das Deutsche Jou which has already been spoken of, as well as the successor of the Pionier.

Of the English papers that have been published for a time, there i beside those already mentioned, the Dayton City Item, established in uS.'i F. W. Anderton & Co., an afternoon paper, independent in politics, whicli up to a circulation of 1,700, and lasted about three years. Fred Emricli! its first editor, and Joseph Z. Reeder its second, the latter of whom had cl f of its columns about a year. Other papers of a later date were the Dp Daily Sun, Dayton Commercial, Dayton Advertiser, all of which were eve issues, price one penny. The Standard and Dayton Leader were alsopnbl here for a short time; and in 1866, L. D. Reynolds established the D; Chronicle , which existed less than a year. In 1868, he began to publis Dayton Weekly Index, which ran a year.

The following houses do a general line of commercial printing and jol business: Henry D. Stout, 27 South Main street ; Reynolds & Reynolds,!) east corner of Second and Jefferson streets ; Odell & Mayer, 133 East 7 street ; Holden Manufacturing Company, 38 North Main street ; Wail Walker, 131 East Third street ; Moosbrugger Bros., corner Sixth and streets ; C. P. Sweetman, 24 East Fourth street ; Amos S. Jones, 241 f Commercial street : G. C. Wise, 36 East Fifth street ; John Ralston, on street, in the old Journal building.