Fayette County, Illinois - Chapter 17: The Press of Payette County, 1878

Chapter 17: The Press of Payette County

"p^lHE newspaper U society's great educator. It presents to us at RL regular intervals, a panorama of the passing events of the world. Through its columns expression U given of the beautiful and profound sentiments of the master minds and spirits of the age.

^ Science, Art, and Literature find in the Press a strong-armed champion; morality and religion an earnest advocate; and the Muses find shelter beneath its beneficent wing. It moulds public opinion; it cultivates public sentiment; it condemns tne vile and commends the good; every¬ where and under all circumstances, the true newspaper is to be found fore¬ most in the ranks of the laborers in the cause of humanity, civilization and progress.

Vandalia Intelligencer

Some time during the year 1822, and during the great canvass in the State, on the issue of calling a convention to form a constitution ibr the State the anti-conventionists, led by Governor Coles and Daniel P. Cook, established the " Vandalia Intelligencer ," and placed it under the editorial management of David Blackwell, who was then Secretary of S^ate. The real issue in this memorable canvass was the introduc¬ tion of slavery into the new State. The anti-convention party made a vigorous and bold canvass, and were triumphant by a small majority - thus establishing forever, that the foul stain of human slavery should not blacken the pages of the history of the State of Illinois. The Intelligencer did excellent service during the campaign, to the anti-convention party.

Illinois Intelligencer

This journal succeeded the " Vandalia Intelligencer ," and was in fact, the same paper, with the exception of the change in the name as above noted. The editorial and publishing management passed into the control of Col. Robert Blackwell and William Berry. This journal was recognized as one of the leading Whig papers of the State. Colonel Blackwell was Public Printer for the State at the same time. This journal was a fearless, bold, champion of Whig principles, and in the old files of the same are found some very able ana sound editorials expounding the doctrines of the Whig party.

Illinois Advocate And State Register

This was the title of a Democratic paper established in Vandalia, in the year 1830, and edited by John York Sawyer. It was a very popular journal, a faithful reflector of the current news, and among its editorials are many that exhibit cultivation and sound discretion on the part of the editor, in about two years after the founding of the paper, Mr. Sawyer was made Public Printer for the State, which position he held until his death in 1836. Upon his death, Seth T. Sawyer, then and now a resident of Alton, Illinois, was appointed by Governor Duncan Public Printer for the benefit of the widow of John York Sawyer.

State Register And Vandali A Republican

Established by Wm. Walters in the year 1836, was during its exist¬ ence, the acknowledged organ of the Democratic party in the State. Messrs. Casey and Reynolds were representatives in Congress from this 8tate at that time, ana forming the acquaintance of Mr. Walters, who was at that time a foreman in the office of the National Intelligencer, at Washing ton, they, with Col. John Dement, who was State Treasurer, induced Wal¬ ters to come to Illinois and establish a democratic journal at the Capital. Upon the death of Mr. Sawyer, editor and publisher of the IUinoie Advo¬ cate and State Begister, his paper was bought by Mr. Walters, and both papers were merged into the IUinoie State Begieter and People'$ Advocate. Mr. Walters did the public printing under contract with Seth T. Sawyer for the benefit of the widow of Judge Sawyer, as before alluded to.

If j ;'Register and People'e Advocate 99 was oontinued in Vandalia until the remoral of the seat of government, when Mr. Walters removed the office from Vandalia to Springfield and resumed the publication of the "Begister," there, - the first issue being on August 10th, 1839.

Mr. Walters was a self-educated man; of decided natural talent; great force of character, plucky, and of sound personal integrity. During his editorial career, he exerted a powerful influence in the councils of his party, (Democratic,) which then had almost absolute control of the State and National government.

Mr. Walters died on the 29th day of July, 1846, at St Louis, Mo., while on his way to the Mexican war, as a member of Col. Baker's regiment.

The Vandalia Whig

As its name indicates, was decidedly Whig in its politics. It was estab¬ lished in 1831, by 8 C. Sherman, editor and publisher. This journal was in reality a reproduction of the " Illinois Intelligencer," and was afterwards called the u Vandalia Whig and IUinoie IrtteUigencer" Judging from files now in existence, the Whig was creditably edited.

Wm. Hodge succeeded Mr. Sherman to the editorial management of the " Whig." Under his supervision the paper continued to prosper for a num¬ ber of years.

Mr. Hodge was the opposing candidate to Mr. Walters in the memorable contest for the position of Public Printer in the 1836-7 session of the Legis¬ lature.

Vandalia Free Press

This journal made its appearanoe in the year 1889, with James Kennaday as Editor and Proprietor. Mr. Kennaday, after a short time, relinquished the management of the " Free Frees but in about two years thereafter, re¬ sumed its publication; after which it enjoyed a season of prosperity. This paper, throughout its existence, was an uncompromising advocate of the doctrines of the Whig party. It was an earnest, ardent, and zealous admirer of the "great commoner of Kentucky* 1 - Henry (flay. As an example of the veneration of the Free Frees for him, we make the following extracts from the issue of July 8th, 1848:

" We fly our flag for 4 Harry of the West, 9 and should Mr. Clay be rite Whig nominee, our patrons may consider it * nailed to the mast.' ( Our watchword is, and we hope shall be to the end of the campaign - Harry , the Hope and the Fride of the West /**

The Olive Leaf

This was a weekly religious journal, an advocate of the doctrines of the Baptist Church, and was published during the years 1843-4-5, by Messrs. Kellum A Lathrop. Besides its Church department, it had a secular depart¬ ment, in which the leading topics of the aay were freely and epmdidly dis¬ cussed.

The Western Souvenir

Published for a short time during the years 1839 and 40, by Judge James Hall, was a literary monthly. It consisted of a collection of original tales and poetry, written principally by Mr. Hall. Its editorials ana publica¬ tions were of a character that evinced a very high order of talent, and genuine merit as a scholar on the part of the writer. The people of this, western country at that early day were not prepared to appreciate a journal of this kind. Consequently the enterprise was not successful, and Judge Hall relinquished the publication, and removed to Cincinnati, Ohio.

Illinois Sentinel

In politics the Sentinel was of the strict Democratic school. The journal was creditably edited - but foiling to secure the patronage of the public ne¬ cessary to its support its existence was of short duration, and the publication was discontinued after a period of two or three years.

Fayette Yeoman

It was an advocate of the doctrines promulgated by the Whig party. The fortunes of this party were at that time on the decline; and the future pros¬ pects were not of a character to inspire its organs with longevity, consequently the " Yeoman 99 like many of its contemporaries of that political foith. soon passed away.

The Age Of Steam

It soon passed into the hands of H. P. H. Bromwell, who at onoe, declared, and continued it a neutral paper in politics. Mr. Bromwell finally'styled the paper the " Age of Steam and Fire' 9

The Journal was ably edited: its editorials were extensively copied by the leading journals of the State; and it was everywhere recognised as the true exponent of that spirit of progress that its name indicated.

Fayette Observer

In politics the Observer, under Mr. Greathouse's administration, was Democratic. The paper was conducted by him in a very creditable manner for a number of years. He was a man of marked ability, well informed in literature and politics, and was an eminent jurist The editorials of the " Observer 99 attracted the attention of the leading men of the State. After a lapse of a few years, Mr. Greathouse sold the Observer to a Mr. Davis, who published it for a short time, when Mr. Greathouse again became the publisher, having purchased it back from Mr. Davis.

Mr. Greathouse continued to publish it until 1859, when he conveyed it to Messrs. Sturgers A Hickman. These gentlemen oontinued to publish it as a Democratic sheet until the nomination of Mr. Lincoln, in 1860, when it became a Republican paper.

The publication was continued by these gentlemen until June, 1861, when both or them entered the army of the United States, in the war of the Rebellion.

Fayette Democrat

In the foil of 1859, a fow of the leading Democrats of the County, among whom were B. W. Henry, George H. Dieckman, John Shirley, and Daniel Gregory, founded the " Fayette Democrat 99 It was placed under the man¬ agement of Messrs. Casman A Flynn.

Under Mr. Smith's management the Democrat has been very creditably edited. Mr. 8mith is a practical printer and publisher. Prior to hie connec¬ tion with the " Democrat, 99 he published the 44 Elisabethtown IntelUgenoer 99 in Kentucky; and the " Olasoo Free Frees" also in Kentucky. Thesiseof the Democrat when it came into the hands of Mr. 8mith, was a six column, 24 by 32 iooh sheet. Its present eiie is 26 by 42 folio.

Vandalia Union

Established in 1864, by Mr. H. S. Humphrey, who formerly published the "Kendall County Free Frees" a Republican journal in Kendall County, Illinois.

It was established in the fall of 1875, by Messrs. Johnson & Ranney. It afterwards passed into the hands of Mr. C. T. King, who is the present pub¬ lisher.