De Witt County, Illinois - The Reess, 1882

The Reess

De" Witt CorKiER, De Witt County Democrat, The Vixdicatoe. Central Teansceipt. Weekly Central Tkansceipt, Clinton Public, De Witt County Poblic and Central Transoeipt, The Clinton Union, The Clinton Times, The De Witt Register, The Clinton Register, The Farmer City Republican, The Orthoes- FOR. The Farmer City Journal, The Farmer City Herald, The Farmer City Reporter, The Public Reaper, The Real Estate Index, The Te.mperanoe Vidette, the De Witt County Gazette. De Witt County Messenger, The Kenney Register, The Kenney Record, The Kenney Gazette.

ItlE inventor of printing, Laurentius Coster, was born in Haerlem, Holland, about the year 1370. It was while rambling through the forest, contiguous to his native tawn, that he cut some letters on the bark of a birch tree. Drowsy from the effort, and relaxation of a holiday, he wrapped his handiwork in his handkerchief and lay down to sleep. While men sleep the world moves. Damped by the atmospheric moisture, the paper wrapped about his carvings had taken an impression from them, and Coster awoke to discover an inverted image of what he had carved upon the bark. The phenomenon was suggestive because it led to experiments that resulted in establishing a printing office, the first of its kind, in the old, Dutch town of Haerlem. The date of the discovery was between the years 1420 and 1426. In this office John Gutenberg served a faithful and appreciative apprenticeship. Gutenberg was born near the close of the 14th century at Mentz, Germany. He is regarded by some German writers, as being the inventor of printing, but the preponderance of evidence is in favor of Coster. He, however, was the first to employ moveable types in printing, the date of which was about the year 1438. After the death of Coster, he absconded, taking with him a considerable portion of the tyjie and apparatus. He settled in Mentz where he won the friendship and partnership of John Faust, a wealthy goldsmith and of sufficient means and enterprise to set up the printing business upon a secure financial basis. The date of the copartnership was in the year 1450. It was dissolved several years later owing to a misunderstanding. Gutenberg tiien formed a partnership witli a younger brother who had set up an office in Strasburg, but had not been successful, and becoming involved in j John Faust, after the dissolution of partnership with Gutenberg, took into partnership Peter Schoett'er, one of his servants, and an ingenious workman. He privately cut matrices for the

I whole alphabet, and when he showed his master the type cut from these matrices Faust was so much pleased that he gave Schoefifer his only daughter in marriage. Scboeffer's improvement in casting type from matrices was made in 1456. Gutenberg's printing office existed in JMentz until 1465. He died February 14th, 1468.

These are the great names i-ti the early history of printing and each is worthy of special honor. In this connection it is fitting that mention should be made of William Caxton, who introduced printing into England, and was the first English printer of whom there is any knowledge. He was born in Kent iu 1422. In 1471 he entered the service of Margaret, Duchess of Burgundy. During his sojourn in Bruges be formed the acquaintance of Colard Mansion, a well known printer of that city. He acquired the art, and in 1476 returned to England, and set up his wooden printing press in Westminster. The " Game and Play of the Chesse," was one of his earliest publications He died about the year 1491.

For a long time printing was dependent upon most clum.sy apparatus. The earliest press had a contrivance for running the form under the point of pressure by means of a screw. When the pressure had been applied, the screw was loosened, the form withdrawn and the sheet removed. The defects of this very rude mechanism were at length partially remedied and improved by William Jansen Blain of Amsterdam. He contrived a press in which the carriage holding the form was wound below the point of pressure, which was given by moving a handle attached to a screw hanging in a beam, having a spring, that caused the screw to fly back as soon as the impression was given. The Blain press was made entirely of wood, and was in general use in Europe and America, until the present century. The next improvement in printing presses was made by the Earl of Stanhope, who constructed one entirely of iron, which printed tbe whole surface of the sheet at one impression - tbe size of the sheet being regulated by the size of the press. Numerous improvements were made upon the Stanhope press, which culminated in the Columbian, an American invention patented in 1816, which in time gained a large share of approbation. Other inventions followed rapidly, and all were more or less improvements upon others. The Eamage hand press came into more general use in America than any other. Cylinder presses are the great modern invention in the history of the art. The first was invented by Mr. Nicholson, an Englishman, and was patented as early as 1790. His patents covered and embodied almost every principle so successfully applied to printing since that day. Cylinder presses were much improved by Messrs. Applegath and Cowper in 1818. In 1814 steam was first applied to cylinder presses by Frederick Kouig, a Saxon genius, and the subsequent progress of steam printing has been so remarkable as to almost justify a belief in its absolute perfection. Indeed to appreciate the improvements which have been made in presses only, one ought to be privileged to stand by while the pressman operated one of the clumsy machines of Gutenberg, and then step into one of the wellappointed printing ofiices of our larger cities, where he cuuld see the roll of dampened paper entering the great mammoth press, a continuous sheet, and issuing from it as newspapers, printed, cut, folded, and ready for the carrier or express.

Type founding, or the manufacture of type, originated in Germany along with printing, and dates as early as 1492. It was then connected with the business of printing, but in time it became a separate and distinct manufacture. The process of casting type was much the same, and done by hand from the 16th century until 1848, when Meller and Richard of Edinburgh, Scotland, invented and patented a machine for casting types. In 1860 it was much improved by the patentees, and is now the most advanced and approved system of type casting in both Europe and America. The earliest type used were in the style now known as " Gothic," or Black-letter.

It would be interesting to trace more minutely the history of this great art from its humble origin in Hierlem, through all successive stages, to the present, and to classify its products. For nearly a thousand years previous to its introduction, mankind had been surrounded by the densest ignorance the world has ever known. Teutonic barbarians had swept over fair Italy, had sacked her capital, had despised her civilization as unworthy even the indulgence of men dependent upon muscle and sword for empire and liberty. Vandalism had been christened, and had mocked the wisdom of philosophers while destroying and defacing the master-pieces of Grecian and Roman architecture and sculpture. Attila the " Scourge of God," at the head of vast Tartar hordes from Asiatic steppes, had traversed the Roman empire, spreading dismay and disaster, until checked at the fierce battle of Chalons. Omar had burned the great Alexandrian library, after declaring that if its volumes agreed with the Koran, they were needless; if they conflicted, they were pernicious. During this period, feuilalism had kept the noble at war with his sovereign, had unsettled governments, and made men soldiers with scarcely time for necessary -practice in arms ; amusements were popular, only they contributed to martial prowess, and poetry in the main was but a minstrel's doggerel concerning the chivalrous deeds of a listening knight or the wonderful charms of a favorite mistress. From the fall of Rome, there had been but little talent and time to cultivate letters. A few ecclesiastics here and there were the custodians of the learning saved from the wrecks of Grecian literature and Roman knowledge. The masses were ignorant. They believed that the hand which commonly held the sword would be disgraced if trained to wield the pen. Books were for the monk's cell or the anchorite's cave, and the objective points of all study were to escape purgatory, to cast a horoscope, to turn the baser metals into gold. Superstition,

The Crusades broke the power of feudalism, dispelled much geographical ignorance by making neighboring nations better acquainted, gave an impetus to commercial enterprises, awakened the sluggish intellect, enlarged the human mind and rendered it more tolerant, introduced the luxuries and refinements of the Greek empire, and brought about Magna Charta and Free Cities. With the expanding and increasing commerce, arts came to the front, trades flourished and practice began to test precept. The middle classes, whose condition ever determines the character of an era or nation, obtained concessions and rights to which they had been strangers for centuries. The mental world began to move. Famous journeys and discoveries were made. Roger Bacon and Berthold Schwartz studied the chemistry of the Arabs, and were among the first devotees at the shrine of physical science. Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and England sought new outlets for their suplus products of soil, loom and fisheries. Mental darkness can make no long-continued stand against such enterprise, and enterprise will ever find an exponent to herald its doings from nation to nation, and a medium to make its conquests the property of succeeding generations. Europe was in a commercial and intellectual ferment when Coster set up his printing oflice in Hi'erlem, and inaugurated an industry until then unknown. To understand the efi'ect of that industry upon humanity, compare the enlightenment, civilization and progress of the present with the serai-barbarism and stagnation of the middle ages. Printing is rolling back ignorance, vice and degradation ; is unfolding the mysteries of nature, and is explaining the mandates of Him who made man in His own image, and expects the homage of the creature due the Creator.

The Romans in the time of the Emperors had periodical notices of passing events, compiled and publicly posted. These ^lc((( Diurna (daily events) were the newspapers of the day. Before they were posted in the public places, where all who desired could see them, they pasjed under the inspection of the Emperor, and later, of Censors, Quietors or JIagistrates, whose duty it was to carefully scrutinize and erase such information as they, or, the Emperor desired withheld from the people The first newsjiapers in Europe are traceable to Germany and Venice and date back to soon after the discovery of printing. In 1536 the first newspaper of modern times was issued at Venice, but governmental bigotry compelled its circulation in manuscript form. In the latter half of the 1.5th century small news sheets named the " Regulationer " and " New Zeytuug" appeared in difterent cities composing the commercial centers of Germany, but they were generally in the form of a letter. The first newspaper established in Germany was the Frankfort Gazette, which still survives, and is credited with being the oldest newspaper in the civilized world. It was established in 161.3. The first and nearest approach to newspapers in the English language were the pamphlets called the "English Mercury," "News out of Holland," and others, that made their appearance in 1622. They, however, hardly deserve the name of newspapers. In 1663 the Public IntelUriencer, printed in Loudon, made its appearance. It was the first English paper to attempt the dissemination of news. I( continued until the appearance of the London Gazette, which was first issued Nov. 7th, 166.5, at Oxford. There were no papers printed oftener than once a week, until the reign of Queen Anne, that from the interest created by the war in progress, and tlie brilliant victories achieved by Marlborough, there was a demand for more fre- quent intelligence. To satisfy the demand of the Daily Courant was issued every day of the week, Sundays excepted. The Courant was the first daily paper issued.

The first newspaper issued in America was the Public Occurrences at Boston, Sept. 2.5th, 1690, by Richard Pearce, and was immediately suppressed by the government. Xo man, or, set of men had the presumption to undertake a similar enterprise until fourteen years afterwards, when John Campbell, postmaster, established the Boston. News Letter. The first issue was April '24th, 1704. It was a half sheet, twelve inches by eight, with two columns to the page. The Boston Gazette was issued Dec. 21st, 1719, and the American Weekly, at Philadelphia, one day later - Dec. 22d, 1719. In 1721 James Franklin started the Boston Courant, which was edited for six years by his brother Benjamin. Prom 1704 to 1748 there were but six newspapers published in America. From 1748 to 1783 the number increased to forty-nine. The oldest living newspaper in the United States is the New Hampshire Gazette. It was founded Oct. 7tb, 17.56, and has been published without intermission or radical change of name from that date to the present. The first daily newspaper in the United States was the American Daily Advertiser, established in Philadelphia in 1784, now called the North American. The next year the New York Daily Advertiser was issued.

There are published in the United States and Territories nearly 9000 newspapers and magazines, of which 800 are issued -daily; 60 tri-weekly ; 120 semi-weekly ; nearly 7000 weekly ; 40 semi-monthly; 90 semi-annually ; 17 once in two months, and between 50 and 60 quarterly. The Census of 1880 will show nearly one newspaper to every five hundred inhabitants. At the beginning of 1880 there were of journalistic publications in the United States, besides English, 220 German, 35 French, 25 Spanish, 25 Norwegian, Danish and Swedish, 10 Bohemian, 10 Hollandish, 5 Welsh, 2 Portugese, 2 Polish, 1 Hebrew, 1 Cherokee, 1 Choctaw and one Chinese.

Keal journalism, by which is meant the compiling of passing events for the purpose of making them more generally known and instructive, did not commence until about 1820. Prior to that date the ambition of journalists was to direct and crystallize public opinion. The columns of the journals were much occupied with discussions and dissertations upon every conceivable subject in which the masses had no direct interest or sympathy, and news was almost entirely ignored.

Now, the real object of a newspaper is to get the latest, freshest news, and lay it before their readers in the shortest possible time. The innovation upon old forms and introduction of new methods whereby the publishing of news was made the first object of the paper, originated with the publishers of the N'etii York Sun. It was the first real newspaper in the world. It was Bpecially devoted to news both local and general, and soon attained a circulation unprecedented in the history of journalism. Other newspapers were not slow to observe the signals of success, and followed in the wake of the Sun, and soon old fogy methods were lost in the hazy past. News is the dominant idea of the successful newspaper of the day.

Journalism has become a powerful educator. Experience has been its only school for special training, its only text for study, its only test for theory. It is scarcely a profession, but is advancing rapidly towards that dignity. A distinct department of literature has been assigned to it. Leading universities have contemplated the inauguration of courses of study, specially designed to fit men and women for the duties of the newspaper sanctum. These innovations are not untimely, since no other class of men are so powerful for good or ill as editors. More than any otiier class they form public opinion while expressing it, for most men but echo the sentiments of favorite journalists. Even statesmen, ministers and learned professors not unfrequently get their best thoughts and ideas from the papers they read.

For dates and facts relating to the early history of the press of Dj Witt county, we are indebted to Hon. C. H. Moore of Clinton, who kindly placed at our dispo.sal, files of nearly all the newspapers published in the county. From them we have gleaned much of the information comprising this chapter. We also desire to extend our thanks to Col. Thomas Snell, M. MDe Levis - the latter one of our county's veteran printers, and to present members of the press for favors shown and information given which has in a great measure enabled us to trace the history of newspapers in De Witt county from thdr first establishment in 1854, down to the present time, and present it in such a shape as we hope will be acceptable to our patrons and readers.

Prior to the publishing of a newspaper in the county the people of this section received their news from the outside world through the medium of the Louisville Journal, edited by the gifted George D. Prentice. It had a large circulation in De Witt county, and remained the principal medium for news until driven

I out by the hepublican and Democrat of St. Louis. After the completion of the Illinois Central railroad, Chicago journalistic enterprise drove all foreign competitors from the field, and from that time to the present has supplied the people with the metropolitan journals. The Springfield, Decatur and Bloomington papers were the medium for legal and official publications until snch times as they could be published in the county. The S'lnyamon Journul published at Springfield, was the best known and most widely circulated newspaper in this section, of any of the country papers of the State. It proposed and did to a certain extent publish much of the local pews and gossip of the town of Clinton and vicinity through the aid of local correspondents.

The We'kli/ New York Tribune also supplied much of the political and foreign news. It was a power in the land thirty years ago. Many of the cit'zens yet living in this section formed their political opinions from reading the editorials of its great editor, who was then the foremost leader of the advanced thought of America. Few papers were ever published that were more potent in forming and crystalizing public opinion than Horace

Illinois during that time settled up slowly. It must be remembered that what is now the most populous and productive agricultural part of the State, was looked upon with disfavor by those seeking western homes. Emigrants disliked the open extensive prairies and criticised its sloughs and pools of stagnant waters ; hence those sections of Illinois that were composed mostly of prairie land were slowly settled, although now so popuhir and the most populous portions of the State.

De Witt County never received a greater boon than the location within its borders of the Illinois Central Railroad. The completion of that great thoroughfare through the center of the county from north to south, at once brought its lands into market by assuring facilities for the transportation of grain and surplus products. Emigration immediately set in, land rose rapidly in

, value, swamps were drained and the land re-claimed, and the broad prairie was soon dotted over with farm houses, the happy homes of thriving husbandry. A new order of business was established, enterprise waved its magic wand and residents caught its infection and became imbued with a desire to excel. With enterprise came the desire for a newspaper, which was indeed to speak for the county, for its advantages as an agricultural producing region, for its flattering promises of future greatness, and for its rights and privileges as an organized member of a great State. In addition to all this, was its increasing prolific importance. There was a healthy growing sentiment in favor of free soil, and the exclusion of slavery from the territories, and kindred other subjects of vital importance to all the people, that induced discussion and their proper presentation to the people. Then as DOW the people were not all of one mind, some were disposed to regard slavery as a divine institution, (in those days slavery appeared in some shape or another in all questions of a political character), while others were gradually preparing the way and means to strike the shackles from the limbs of four million of slaves. The people were ready for a newspaper.

In the summer of 1854 S. H. McElheuey and R. A. Mills, two enterprising gentlemen canvassed the town of Clinton and vicinity for subscriptions and aid for a newspaper that was to be established in their midst. The people met the proposition with favor, and subscribed liberally towards its support. Accordingly the type and presses wore purchased, and on the 13th of October, 1854, the first number of the first paper ever published in DeWitt County, made its appearance. It was called the

De Witt Coukier

Its appearance was greeted with fervor and enthusia?m. It was the first actual step beyond frontier life. Soon the newspaper and railroad within her borders would give the county name and fame among its contemporaries. A new era was to be inaugurated in the history of the county.

In form the Courier was a seven column folio, neatly printed and well edited. We were unable to find a copy of the first issue, but we have no doubt that the editors in their salutatory to the public, made many promises for the future which were only partially fulfilled. It started with ten columns of local and foreign advertisements, and gave evidence of thrift and prospective wealth. Its motto was, " The People's paper, independent on all subjects and neutral in nothing." Among the first things apparently necessary in those days to insure a journal a respectable standing, was to appoint agents in St. Louis and Chicago, to solicit subscriptions and advertisements. For this purpose W. AV. Swyner was appointed agent at St. Louis, and Charles Woollett at Chicago. Agents were also appointed in the surrounding towns of Bloomington, Decatur, Urbana, Shelbyville and Taylorville, to secure subscriptions to the Courier. Among the resident advertisers in those days, and the first to support the paper, are names of several professional gentlemen who are still residents of Clinton. Some of the advertisements were unique in their way, and called the attention of the public to their wares in a manner that now-a-days would be quite odd. Among the professional cards is that of a physician and surgeon, who tells the public in poetical rhyme what he is willing to do in order to cure them of the "ills that flesh is heir to." If his nostrums and physic were as harmless as his poetic verse, then his patients had, at least, a fair chance of recovery. Various were the means resorted to for the purpose of increasing the circulation of the paper. Among other inducements oflTered by the editors and proprietors to increase the list was : " To persons ftirnishing the largest number of subscribers by the 14th of February, 1855. we will furnish a daguerreotype of themselves as a gift, half size, worth 88 ; second largest list, the same, worth 85 ; and third largest list, picture worth 83. This we think a fair and generous proposition." This magnificent offer, from some cause, failed to attract a large number of cash paying subscribers, as we find in a few numbers later, the editors calling upon their subscribers to pay up so that they might be enabled to continue the publication of the paper. They also take their correspondents to task for sending them letters on their own private business without paying the postage. They are reminded that postage costs money and " potatoes are one dollar and fifty cents per bushel." That has the ring of practical sense about it. Times were hard and money scarce, and editors at best had a sorry time in collecting sufficient money to pay current expenses and provide a living fiir themselves

The firm of McElheney & Mills conducted the Covrier until February 9th, ls55, when McElheney's interest was purchased by A. J. Back, a practical printer. The firm of Mills & Back continued until August 31st, 1855, when the office passed into the hands of Burrell T. Jones. Up to this time the Courier had been neutral in politics. Mr. Jones converted it into the organ of the Democratic party. On the 16th of November following, Paul Watkins secured a half interest in the oflSce, and became the publisher of the paper, Mr. Jones' name appeared as editor. Together these gentlemen continued the paper in support of James Buchanan for the presidency. The firm of Jones & Watkins was dissolved July 4th, 1856, Jones retiring on account of long continued bad health. Watkins conducted the Courier through the political campaign of 1856, and until the winter of 18.56-57, when the office caught fire and the type and presses were destroyed.

The Democratic party were now without a paper to represent them. No cff'ort was made to secure an organ until the Spring of 1858. Very early in that year was heard the mutterings of the political storm. Parties were much divided. Stephen A. Douglas and his squatter sovereignty doctrines was met with fierce opposition by a faction in his own party. The fight was between him and the administration party represented by James Buchanan, and backed by the federal patronage of the nation in addition to the young Republican party. Douglas was a candidate for the United States Senate, and oppo.sed to him was Abraham Lincoln, and together these rival candidates stumped the State. The campaign was the most memorable that, perhaps, ever occurred in the nation. The issues presented, the result, efl^ect and causes which grew out of it are well known to all students of American history. The leading representatives, democrats of De Witt County, who espoused the cause of Douglas, cast about to provide ways and means to start a newspaper in the interests of their candidate. They found two men, E. F. Campbell and E. Douglass King, who had some means, and who were desirous of journalistic fame They furnished the presses and material necessary, and a number of the leading democrats, conspicuous among whom was Will Fuller, who is still a citizen of Clinton, became sureties for the payment of the materials, stipulating that for so doing they were to control the politics of the paper. An agreement setting forth that fact was drawn up and signed by the parties. The office was opened, and on the 14th of March, 1S58 the first number of the paper was issued. It was called the

The Editors entered heartily into the contest in the support of Douglas, and their eff'orts continued unabated until near the close of the campaign, when influences were brought to bear on King th.1t made him lukewarm in the support of the " Little Giant." He was ousted from the office, and Campbell took con- I trol, but he proved more recreant even than King. He was ap- proached by members of the different parties and importuned to give this or that candidate the preference and benefit of his columns. His weak spirit yielded to all the factions. In order, as we suppose, to satisfy all parti&s he got out his last issue with one side of the paper advocating the claims of Douglas, the other side the claims of Lincoln, and the third advocatiug the claims of the administration party as represented by James Buchanan. The leaders of the Douglas wing of the party discovered the treachery before the papers were circulated. They seized the entire issue and suppressed it. They then sent William Fuller to Bloomington where he secured the servicts of a printer by the name of EJson. He was placed in charge of the paper, and conducted it through the campaign and until the Spring of 1859, when the office caught fire, and the press and type shared the same fate as its predecessor of three years before.

During the campaign of 1858, spoken of above, political excitement ran high. The administration party in the county determined also to have an organ. Members of the party secured a press and material, and the services of Joseph M. Prior to conduct it. It was called

The Vindicator

It made an open and aggressive fight upon Douglas, and intensified the already bitter feeling between the difierent wings of the Democratic party. It was backed, financially, by some of the most influential men in the county, and edited with considerable ability. After the campaign closed it suspended publication.

The attempt of members of the Democratic party in the county to establish an organ representing their views, had twice met with disaster. Both offices had been destroyed by fire, consequently they were loth to put their money in an enterprise that promised nothing but total and actual loss. No attempt was made to start a Democratic paper until 1868, when the Register was started. Of this paper we shall speak hereafter.

During the year 1856 the young and aggressive Republican party effected a national organization. John 0. Fremont was chosen as their leader, and his name presented as their candidate for the presidency of the United States. The party in De Witt County were without an organ to represent them in the campaign. To supply this want, a Mr. Blackford and Isaac N. Coltrin, the latter a practical printer, (at present foreman of the Republican Office, in Decatur, Illinois, which position he has held for many years), established a paper bearing the name of the whicli has, from that time to the present, been the authorized exponent of the principles of the Republican party. The first number of the Transcript was issued in September, 1 856. It openly declared in favor of Fremont for President, Wm. H. Bissell for Governor, Owen Lovejoy for Congress, and Ward H. Damon for Prosecuting Attorney 'for the 8th Judicial District. With the thirteenth number, B T. Jones became associated with the paper as editor. The firm of Coltrin & Blackford conducted the publication until February 20th, 1857. On the 2?th of May of the same year John R. Blackford purchased the office and fixtures,and remained in possession until November 13th following, when I. N. Coltrin and B. T. Jones came into possession of the office by purchase. The firm of Coltrin & Jones continued one year. The interest of Jones in the office was then sold to James W. De Lay. The date of sale was November 12th, 1858. The firm of Coltrin & De Lay changed the name of the paper to the

Weekly Central Transcript

On the 22d of July, 1859, Coltrin published his valedictory, stating his reasons for his withdrawal from the 'I'ranscript, and severance from the printing business in De Witt County, but from some canse he failed to go out, and still continued the management of that journal. In August of the same year Joe M. Prior, since one of the veteran editors and publishers of Illinois, was made local editor. Soon after a partnership was formed between Coltrin and Prior, which continued until July 1861, at which time A. J. Blackford became Prior's successor. The firm of Coltrin & Blackford was dissolved November 5th of the same year. Blackford's interest was purchased by James M. DeLay. On the 30th of May 1862 the Transcript was sold to M. M. De Levis and O. F. Morrison. These gentlemen were at that time editors and proprietors of the Pana Public, a newspaper published in Pana, Christian County, Illinois. That office was moved to Clinton, on the 1st of June, 1862, and consolidated with the Transcript OSice, and the paper issued under the name of

Clinton Plblic

At the time Me.=srs. De Levis & Morrison purchased the Transcript office, it was understood and agreed with Mr. Coltrin that he would retire permanently from the newspaper business in De Witt County, but soon after the sale was completed, Coltrin gave evidence of his desire and longings after the journalistic flesh pots, and made up his mind to again enter the De Witt County field of journalism. The new proprietors, believing he would adopt the old name of Central Transcript, changed the name of their paper to the which name it bore for a number of years. On the 2nd of July, 1863, Mr. De Levis purchased Blr. Morrison's interest, and continued sole editor and proprietor of the paper until April 29th, 1869, when he sold a half interest to J. Van Slyke. The latter was a practical printer, and took charge of the mechanical department. He, however, failed to comply with the conditions of the sale, and defaulted in the payments, and soon after, his interest reverted back to De Levis, who remained in possession until March 31st, 1870, when he sold out the office, fixtures and goodwill, to George B. Richardson. Under Mr. De Levis' management the Public for the first time was brought up to a paying basis and made self-supporting. He was a good new.-paper man, and a writer of more than average ability. He was the first to introduce method and system into the business, in the count}'. He learned the trade in the course of his experience in the printing business, and did much of the composition, besides attending to the editorial duties. Since his retirement from the printing office, he has been engaged in the drug business, in Clinton. Mr. Richardson continued editor and publisher of the Public until March 1st, 1872, when he sold out to Richard Butler, the present editor and publisher.

Mr. Butler learned the printer's trade in Canada, his native country. He had considerable experience in journalism before coming to Clinton. The first paper he published was the " Oxford Citizen," in the town of Oxford, Ohio. Rev. David Swing assisted in the editorial duties until Mr. Butler had acquired sufficient confidence and experience to mount the editorial tripod. Even then his editorials passed under the inspection of Mr. Swing, who kindly criticized, corrected and improved them, and in various ways aided young Butler in acquiring a knowled<»e and skill in writing. Mr. Butler was afterwards editor and pub- lisher of the " Oberlin Kews." From Oberlin he went to Burlington, Iowa, where he accepted a situation on the " Hawkeye," as city editor, a potition he filled with credit to himself and the complete satisfaction of the proprietors of that journal. He resigned, and his place was filled by " Bob " Burdette, who has since acquired a national reputation for his witticisms and humorous writings.

Mr. Butler has remained sole editor and proprietor of the Public since March 1st, 1872. The paper has been since its first establishment, a faithful exponent of Republican principles. "Under its present management it has done valuable and ettective work in the political campaigns in the past, and has been, and is yet, one of the potential organs in the 13th Congressional District. Mr. Butler is a terse logical writer, and possesses good business qualifications. The office of the Public is well supplied with the modern style of type and power presses.

The Clinton Union

was established by Joseph M. Prior. The material was purchased new and brought to Clinton, and the first number made its appearance August 20th, 1863. It was a six column folio, and typographically, a neat paper. It was neutral in politics, and was continued for several mouth, when its editor was convinced that there was no room iu Clinton for his paper, and its publication was abandoned. The material was finally traded oft' for patent washing machines, and removed out of the county.

The Clinton Times

The first number of the Times was issued May 11th, 1866, by A. J. Bell and Thomas J. Sharp. In form it was a five column folio, and intensely Democratic in its tone. On the 17th of August, 1866, Mr. Bell retired from the concern, and Mr. Sharp continued the publication until the spring of 1867, when he removed the press and material to ^laroa in Macon County, and there issued the '" Maroa Times."

The De Witt Hegister

was established May 29th, 1868, by Jason Blackford, who was a native of Ohio, and by trade, a printer. He came west to Illinois, and settled in Clinton, where he commenced the practice of law. At that time the Democratic party in De Witt County were without an organ. Through the solicitation and promises of aid from the leading representative men of the party, Mr. Blackford was induced to start a paper. He purchased the type and presses of S. P. Bounds, of Chicago, established the office and issued the first copy on the date above named. He remained in charge of the office until Kovember 27th, 1868, then sold out to AVilliam L. Glessner and C. C. Stone. They remained in charge without change until September 1.5th, 1873, when F. M. Van Lue purchased Stone's interest- The firm of Glessner & Van Lue continued the publication of the Register until August 7th, 1874, when Mr. Van Lue retired, and Mr. Glessner became sole owner of the office. He had been the editor of the paper from his first connection with it. With the commencement of Volume Third, the word " De Witt " was dropped out and " Clinton " substituted, since which time it has borne the name of the

Clinton Register

At the same time the change was made it was issued as a semiweekly, and so continued until January, 1873, when its form was changed to a sis column quarto, and issued weekly. Mr. Glessner is one of the best country newspaper managers in Illinois, and is one of the few men who have been able by good management, tact and industry to make the business profitable. He is a practical printer, and was trained to the business from his youth up, which in a measure accounts for his success. As a writer of political articles Mr. Glessner wields a graceful pen, and is forcible and vigorous. He may be regarded as the first, editor and publisher who has successfully established a Democratic newspaper in De Witt County.

Without disparaging the efforts of other editors and publishers, who have conducted journals in this county, we think that Mr. Glessner has been by far the best editor on the Democratic side, ai Mr. Butler has been on the Republican. Both are excellent newspaper men of much tact and ability. Mr. Glessner continued the Register until October 1st, 1881, when on account of long continued ill health, he was compelled to seek some warmer climate. He sold the office and fixtures to J. H. Waggoner & Son, residents and former editors, of Sullivan, Moultrie County, Illinois. Mr. Waggoner has had considerable experience in the newspaper business, and we doubt not that he will keep the Register up to the high standard that it has always maintained, among the country journals of the State.

is credited with being the first newspaper printed in the thriving town of Farmer City. John S. Harper, so w 11 known to fame as the great newspaper founder of the west, was the proprietor and editor. The material and presses were the same from which the Homei- Journal in Champaign County was issued. The first number appeared July 28th, 1870. It was a seven column folio, neat in its make-up, and full of local news. It started off with a fair amount of local patronage, and had its editor possessed as mich tact, energy and industry in conducting a newspaper as he exhibited in starting, then he would without doubt ere this have risen in point of financial wealth to the dignity of a millionaire. In his salutatory to the public he announces that he " has come to stay one year, and that upon the political complexion of the Republican there will be no manner of doubt." Those two important points settled, the editor was ready for .business. Mr. Harper continued the paper until the time stated, and then it was sold to Me^srs. Cummings & Wilkins. They changed the name to the

It was then a thirty-two column sheet, and was run in the interest of the temperance movement. Prof. Wilkens was the editor. ' Soon after the purchase of the paper by the above named parties J. W. Richardson became local editor and manager. The paper survived its name about six months and then passed into Mr. Richardson's hands, and was by him removed out of the county. Soon after the suspension or sale of the Republican Mr. Harper went to Le R y, and started the " Sucker State, " subsequently removed to Saybrook, in McLean county, and in the fall of 1872, returned to Farmer City. On the 14th of November, 1872, he issued the first number of the and continued the publication for nearly two years, then sold the property to O. J. Smith and J. R. Robinson. These gentlemen were farmers by occupation, and unacquainted with the details of running a newspaper. They conducted the Journal into the Greenback fold, and made it the organ of the Granger element, which had then some political prominence. Harper had prepared the way for the paper to advocate Granger measures before he sold out.

Before Messrs. Smith and Robinsou purchased the Journal, W L. Glessner of Clinton, had made arrangements with one of them to go into partnership in the purchase, and for that purpose had solicited and obtained quite a large list of sub-icribers. To the surprise of Glessner the purchase was made and he was left out. He immediately made arrangements to purchase a c miplete outfit in Chicago and start an opposition paper, but before doing so the parties cam 3 together, and Smith & Eobinson sold the paper to Glessaer. They did not get out a single issue of the paper. Mr. Glessner associated with him his brother, L C. Glessner, and the latter purchased a half interest and took charge of the paper. The iirst number under their management was issued October 15th, 1874. Under Harper's management it had been an eight page, seven column paper, three-fourths of it printed in Chicago. The Glessner Bros, cut it in two, and printed it all at home as a seven column folio. In June, 1877, L. C Gessner bought his brothers interest, and conducted the paper with commendable success and much ability until February 7th, 1879, when the office was removed to Carlinville, Macoupin county, Ills , from whenceit was issued as the fieruM. The Journal when conducted by Mr. Glessner was independent in politics and had the reputation among its exchanges of never being asleep. In truth it was a wide-awake Journal brimful of local news. Before removing the office from Farmer City, Mr. Glessner made arrangements with W. C Devore to continue the Journal, and in consideration for so doing, gave him the subscription lists- The paper has been continued by Mr. Devore to the present. It still retains the same form. It is now the recognized organ of the Republican party in the northern part of the county. It started as a neutral paper, but Mr. Glessner gave to his editorials a Democratic coloring although it was not a partisan paper. Mr. Devore is a practical printer, and has demonstrated his ability to give the people of Farmer City and vicinity a good paper, of which they may well be proud, and to whose support they can graciously contribute. In 1873,Mr. Devore, who was then a resident of Iowa, brought a printing office to Farmer City, and on the 23d of September of the same year he issued the first number of the

Farmer City Herald

It was in form a five column quarto, and Republican in politics. He edited and published the Herald for two years, then sold it to the Whetzell Brothers. They continued its publication in Farmer City for six weeks, then moved the office and fixtures to Lovington, Moultrie County, Illinois, and there issued a paper, " Lovington Index. " They continued the publication for six months, then they defaulted in the payments, and the office passed back into the hands of Devore. He continued the paper under the name of the " Lovington Free Press " until the spring of 1879, when he removed the material back to Farmer City, and commenced the publication of the Journal at the date and under the circumstances as above stated.

The Farmer City Reporter

was the name of a five-columu quarto, the first issue of which was in the fall of lt>7S. Albion Smith was the editor and proprietor. It continued until August, 1870, when the office was destroyed by fire, and all the material consumed.

The Public Reaper

is the last candidate in Farmer City for journalistic favors. The type and material of the office originally composed the old " Gibson City Herald." It was brought to Farmer City in the fall of 1878, and the first number issued Kovember 1st of the same year. Wesley Clearwaters was the publisher, and R. 51. Ewing, eilitor. On the 1st of January, 1S81, they retired and M. L. Griffith became the publisher, and Reuben Clearwaters the editor, in which capacity they still remain. The Reaper was originally a six-column folio. In ISSO it was enlarged to a sixcolumn quarto, then reduced back to a six-column folio, which form it still retains. It was started as an Independent paper. In the campaign of 1880 it supported Hancock for the presidency, but lately it has paid little attention to politics, but is especially devoted to the interests of Farmer City and vicinity.

The P.Eal Estate Index

was the name of a small advertising sheet published in Farmer City by W. H. Anderson. The first issue was in 1871. It had a brief existence.

The Temperance Vidette

ISTo. 1, of -Vol. 1, was issued March 2Sth, 1875. Its founder was the erratic, though versatile Joe M. Prior, who, as stated before, was among the pioneer newspaper publishers of De Witt County. He had, prior to this time, much experience in founding and editing newspapers, but from some cause or other, when he assayed the role of publisher his ventures turned out badly. He was a fine paragraphist and a good general newspaper writer, but managing a newspaper, to use his own words, " was not his best holt." One year previous to his coming to Clinton, he was local editor of the " Campaign Gazette." From there he went to Indiana, then came to Clinton and set up a printing office which was furnished throughout with a large lot of type of the latest styles and patterns, power presses, steam fixtures, and was in its appointments, the most complete office ever brought to the city of Clinton. But like all previous ventures, six months had scarcely elapsed when the office was closed up. It was re-opened for a short time, then the type and fixtures were sold at auction. The greater portion, if not all, was purchased by Mr. Anderson, who, with the material started the which had a brief existence. The office was then closed up, and the material was removed by Andei-son to Windsor, Shelby Co., Illinois, and therefrom was issued May 25th, 1876, the first number of the " Windsor Sentinel." The material afterwards passed back into the hands of Prior s friends, and by them it was removed to Paris, Illinois.

The Gazette was a six-column folio, and was Republican in politics. It was ably edited and a live, wide-awake, spicy journal, and deserved a better fate.

The young and growing town of Kenney is situated on the line of the Oilman, Clinton and Springfield Railroad, on section 16, in the township of Tunbridge. The first paper established in tlie village was named the

Kenney Register

W. L. Glessner, the publisher of the ('Union Register, was the editor and proprietor. It was printed in the office of the Clinton Register, and sent out and distributed. The fir^t number was issued July 16, 1S75, and was continued fur a short time, over one year. It was the same size and form as the Clinton Register- In IS'i'i,. J W Wolfe commenced the publication of the

Eistor Y Of Be Witt Co Unty, Illinois

It was a four column quarto - patent insides. It was continued for one year, then the publication was abandoned as unprofitable, and the oiBee removed to Mt- Pulaski, Logan County, Illinois.

Kenney Gazette

a neat, seven-column folio, printed in Atlanta, Logan County, Illinois, and sent out to Kenney and distributed. It still continues, and in time, we have no doubt, the town of Kenney will see the importance of having a newspaper office in their midst, and give it such support as will insure its usefulness and permanency, and make it one of the institutions of that enterprising town.

Thus, in brief, the history of the press in De Witt County has been traced. It has witnessed as few failures as any other industry and has been fairly representative, and kept pace with the growth and prosperity of the county. No industry can show more patient, industrious and energetic workers, nor number among its ranks, men who strive harder to build up and increase the material interests and prosperity of the section of country in which they live. The state of Illinois owes much of its unexampled prosperity to the introduction of railroads and a live, energetic press. The latter has, at all times and under all circumstances, proclaimed to the world, the wonderful fertility of our soil, its great advantages as an agricultural region, its fine prairie lands, interspersed with beautiful groves, its streams, mineral deposits and its hospitable and enterprising citizens. Through this medium the world has learned of its greatness. To the press, more than any other agent, belongs the honor of building up the great West, and aiding in its prosperity. To this end, the press of Dj Witt C >unty has contributed, and it shares the honor with its contemporaries.