Fulton County, Illinois - Yiii, 1879

The Press

The printing press, the most potent agent in molding the destinies of a community or a nation, and the one perhaps the least appreciated for the good it does, has ever exerted a healthful influence in forming the sentiments of the people of Fulton county. Prior to the date of the first issue of the pioneer paper of the county hut few papers ever found their way into the homes of the early settlers. They received mail at the scattering settlements only once a week, and occasionally some religious pnper or Eastern journal would be sent by friends in the more fortunate and larger towns in the South and East.

The pioneers were ambitious and enterprising and ere many years had rolled around started a paper of their own. The first newspaper enterprise inaugurated in Fulton county so far as we are able learn was the Canton Herald. This was the pioneer sheet of the Military Tract. It was started by Rev. Gideon B. Perrv, D. D., L. L. D., and Ptolemy Stone in 1837. Rev. Perry came to Canton shortly prior to this and became one of its leading citizens. He practiced medicine and surgery and also preached. During his residence in that city he built a church, several dwellings and engaged in the drug business. He died at Hopkinsville, Ky., Sept. 30, 1879, at the time Rector of Grace Episcopal Church.

The Herald evidently had but a short existence, as we find in 1840 The Western Telegraph was published at Canton. The editors of this paper, which was a six-column folio, were Stone & Christ. This was the Mr. Stone who aided Mr. Perrv in founding the first paper. It appears that he was the great pioneer newspaper man of Fulton county, for ere long we find him the principal actor in another paper.

March 26, 1841, the first number of the Fulton Telegraph appeared. This paper was undoubtedly a continuation of The Western Telegraph. It too was. a six-column folio and nicely printed. It was published by Ptolemy Stone, and edited by Davidson & Stone.

The Fulton Banner was the next publication to appear from the press of this county. This was a five-column folio and published at Lewistown, by whom we are unable to learn. Then came the Illinois Public Ledger, which first appeared in 1850; of this the Ful- ton Ledger is the outgrowth. About that time and since, neM'spapcr enterprises have sprung up in ditforent parts of the county, many of which however to have but a siiort existence.

This is one of leading Democratic journals of Central Illinois, and one of the oldest. For a period of thirty years it has greeted its readers, and for twenty-three years it has been under the supervision of its present editor and publisher, Mr. S. Y. Thornton, who is the oldest editor in Fulton county, and who ranks high in the journalistic profession.

In October, 1850, the Illinois Public Ledger firfit appeared. This was a seven-column folio sheet published at Lewistown, and of which the Fidfon County Ledger \i> the outgrowth.

The Public Ledger was a weekly published by Joseph Dyckes and S.S.Brooks. The former was proprietor and the latter editor. It was conducted for some time at Lewistown, the office standing across the street west of INIr. Nathan Beadles' residence. Soon Charles E. Griffith became editor and manager. He was an apprentice with Mr. Thornton in the same office in Pennsylvania and came and stopped at Lewistown and took Mr. Brooks' place on the Ledger, and in 1854 located at Canton with the paper. In order to induce the Ledger to be brought to Canton, Henry Walker bought a onethird interest in it, when the ownership of the paper was equally divided between Messrs. Dyckes, (jiriffith and 'Walker. In the fall of 1854 Mr. Dyckes was bought out by John Bideman, when the firm was known as Griffin & Bideman. Mr. Dyckes did not sever his connection with the entcrjjrise, hoMever, until he had sunk several thousand dollars in it, he tells us. But few papers have been established without a loss, and the Ledger is not an exception.

In the fall of 1856 Mr. Thornton bought Mr. Griffith's interest, and the firm was then Thornton & Bideman. It remained thus only a short time, for in the spring of 1857 Mr. Thornton bought out Bideman and became the sole proprietor and editor. That was the last change ever made in its management. Mr. Thornton has remained steadily and faithfully at the helm ever since. He assumed control of it at the beginning of its sixth volume. Number one of that volume apj^eared Nov. 18, 1856.

The early papers of the county had no local columns or even local items. Indeed, we find copies of old publications without a single " local," or the mention of an event transpiring in this county. Now we pick up any of the papers of to-day and we may find hundreds of local notes. We can become acquainted with the news of the entire county from almost any paper published at present. The Ledger has the honor of being the pioneer in, this novel line of journalism, for it was the first paper in the countv to introduce locals into its columns, which was done l)y its present editor. During the early history of the bounty but few ibreign papers found their way into its borders. The people had no opportunity of getting the city dailies twice each day as they have now, but had to dej)end upon their own local j)apers for the general news of the country. Accordingly, the early ])aj)ers were filled with clij)pings from the few foreign papers the editor was fortunate enough to get, and with choice literary selections. And we miy-ht here remark that one can find in the columns of the old files of the Lechjer as choice a variety of literature, as entertaining and interesting as are to be found in any of the periodicals of this boasted day of learning.

The Jdinois Public Ledger was changed to The Fulton Ledger, and after Mr. Thornton assumed control of it he changed it to the Fulton County Ledger, and brought it out in a new dress. It was started as a seven-column folio, and shortly afterwards enlarged, and thus run till 1862, when it was reduced to its original size. Again, Nov. 24, 1871, at the beginning of volume 22, it was enlarged to its present size, - eight-column folio.

The Ledger enjoys a liberal advertising patronage and a large circulation. Its locals are abundant, fresh and crisp. Its foreign and general news is such as the public desire to become acquainted with. Its editorial columns are ably managed. The political measures and movements of the day are discussed feal'lesslv, vet impassionately. The principles of the Democratic party are advocated, and other measures that its editor believes to be for the welfare of the general public. Indeed, the I^edger is a first-class journal in every department. Of its editor, Mr. Thornton, we will now sjieak.

Stephen Yerkes Thornton, editor and proprietor of the Fulton County Ledger since the fiiU of 1856, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 13, 1831 ; was educated at the common schools of his native city and the Coffeyville Boarding School; at the age of 17 he commenced to learn the printer's trade in the office of the Doyelstown i>emocm^, Bucks county. Pa. ; Morked several months in 1864 in the office of the Washington Globe, and June 2 of that year he came to Canton, 111., and worked in the Ledger of^ce as a journeyman printer until the fall of 18o6, when he bought Mr. Griffith's interest in that paper, and the next spring he bought out the other partner, Mr. Bideman ; in 1859 he was elected County Commissioner of Schools and re-elected in '61 ; was Alderman of the 4th ward of Canton two terms, 1865-7, and one term in the 3d ward, 1870-71 ; member of the Board of Education 1869 to 1876, being President the last two years ; in 1872 he was elected a member of the State Legislature on the Democratic ticket, and in 1874 was re-elected; and in 1876 was a candidate on the same ticket for Secretary of State.

His parents were Theodore and Mary (nee Yerkes) Thornton, the former a native of Pennsylvania near Philadelphia, and of English descent, and the latter of Montgomery county, Pa., of German an- cestiy. Her fiithcr was Wm. Ycrkcs and her mother was Lotitia, neehong; her grandfather was Harman Yerkcs,and her grandmother was Mary, nee Stout; her great grandfather emigrated from Germany and loeated in Montgomery county, Pa. Mr. T.'s father's father was John Thornton ; liis father's mother was Mary, nee Moon ; this family came from Engh»nd and settled in Bucks county, Pa.

Mr. Thornton married Ann Adelaide Baudouine, daugiiter of Abraham and Cornelia {nee Stout) Bau(h)uine, in the Baptist church at Canton, Feb. 14, 1858 ; of their 5 children 3 are living, - Theodore R. (dec. at 3 years of age, in the spring of 186*2), Mary L. (died within 10 days of last, both of scarlet fever), Ella Irene, Wm. E. and Carrie.

The Lewistown Democrat

There is no paper published in interior Illinois that is more widely known than the one of which we now write. For a quarter of a century it has regularly made its weekly visits to the homes of the citizens of Lewistown, and, indeed, of all parts of the county. During these manv years no other paper in the county has wielded a greater influence for the public weal, and for its party j)rinciples, than it. The thirteen hundred different numbers of it that have been issued have done more toward molding the political sentiment of Fulton county, and furnished a greater variety of news and choice literary reading than any other journal published within its borders.

But few papers have been founded and experienced so few changes in its editorial management during an existence of twentyfive years as the Donocrdl has. No other name than that of Davidson has ever appeared at its head. Only one change has ever been made, and for over twenty years the present editor and publisher has stood at the helm.

In the way of a preface to the historical sketch of the Democrat we wish to speak of two or three other papers that flourished at Lewistown just })revious to the founding of it.

The Fulton Republican was started in 1844 by Hugh Lamaster as a Whig organ and an im])etuous advocate of Henry Clay ft)r President. It suspended in 1854 immediately upon the removal of the Illinois Public Lcd(/er to Canton, and Lewistown was for a time without a paper. The Republican was plucky, and although for some time previous to its. suspension it did not pay as an enterprise, yet so long as its rival, the L<(h/er, rcinained at Lewistown it would hold out even at a loss. .1. .M. Rankin, a school-teacher, bought most of the material of the Republican office and started a very neat

Just here we wish to remark that the reason for not giving the name of Mr. Rankin's j)ul)li('ation is not because we failed to make diligent inquiries to obtain it. Many persons who we were informed would remember its name were queried in regard to it, but not one could call tlic name to mind. Even Mr. Frank P. Paull, a man of excellent memory and who was employed upon it as a compositor, fails to remember it. He called upon as many as twenty persons whom he knew were once familiar with the short-lived sheet, but not one of them could tell its name. Thus, perhaps, the title of this pioneer paper will never be resurrected from the oblivion that has already enshrouded it.

The' first number of The Fulton Democrat, the original name of the Lewistown Democrat, appeared June 14, 1855. It was published bv James M. Davidson, brother of the present editor. The printing' office at that time was in a little one-story brick building that was located just north of the court-house. Its salutatory was three and one-half columns in length. It was an able review of the political history and situation of the United States, and the editor even crossed the ocean to Europe and spoke in a familiar manner of the political situations of the powers of that continent. The paper was a six-coluuin folio, neatly printed, and reflected credit upon its publisher.

Mr. J. M. Davidson conducted the Democrat as editor and proprietor until July, 1.S58, when Wm. T. Davidson became associated with him as co-i)artner, and the firm was known as Davidson Bros. It remained thus but a short time, however, for we find that on Nov. 12, 1858, the firm was dissolved by James M. Davidson withdrawing, leaving Wm. T. Davidson sole editor and proprietor, which he has remained to this day, James M., during the past eigliteen years, has been editing the Carthage (111.) Republican.

During the summer and autumn of 1879, Mr. Davidson erected a large brick building especially arranged for a printing office. This building, which "doubtless will be known as the ''Democrat Building," is located upon the west side of the Public Square, and is one of the finest business blocks in Fulton county. The entire upper floor of the structure is occupied by the office of the Democrat. All of the more modern conveniences and improvements have been introduced in it, and to-day it is not only the largest and best fitted printing establishment in the county, but will compare favorably with any offices in any of the smaller cities of the State. Among the uselui improvements introduced in the new office is a steam engine, which furnishes ample ])ower to run his presses.

Politically, as the name iuiplies, this is a Democratic pajier. The editor, however, is independent and fearless in his editorials. He advocates or approves men and measures with all the force and abilitv of a natur.dly gifted pen and an exccdingly j)ositive outspoken nature. He has a mind (»f his own and never fears to express it. His articles have a characteristic terseness and force which is well known all through Central Illinois. His opinion on public matters, on political issues, and of public men, is sought and relied upou with no little degree of confidence.

He has labored liard for many years upon this paper, with an ambition to make of it, not a political organ, but a good I'amily newspaper; and that his labors have been appreciated is evinced by the liberal patronage his paper has received.

The Lewistown Democrat is a large, nine-column folio and contains a greater amount of reading matter than any other journal published in the county. Its local columns are well filled with the happenings of the entire county which are of general or local interest. During the early days of the existence of this paper it contained a very limited number of locals, for, said the editor, "Nothing occurred to make a local of."

William Taylor Davidson, editor and proprietor of the Democrat, was born in Petersburg, Menard Co., 111., Feb. 8, 1837, and brought to this countv the foilowin<2: vear, where he was reared and has since lived. Isliain G. Davidson, his f ither, was brought from South Carolina to Illinois in 1807, even prior to the organization of the Territory of Illinois, and 11 years before its organization as a State. He was born in 1802, and'died in Feb., 1878. Up to the time of his death there were few men living in the great Prairie State who came into it while it was yet a county of the Territory of Indiana. Mr. Davidson's mother, Sarah A. (Springer) Davidson, was born June 2, 1810. She was brought (in 1811), to the State before its organization as such and lived in log forts in Coles county during the war of 1812 to '15. She saw many of her neighbors killed by the Indians. His parents were united in marriage in 1826. This couple were truly pioneers. Wni. T. began his career as printer upon the Republican in 1853 with Hugh Lamaster, and has made it his lite work. He was elected Commissioner of Schools for Fulton county in 18()3, and did much to rectify the prevailing abuses of school privileges. He was united in marriage with Lueinda Ann Miner in 1800. They have had a family of 7 children born to them, 5 of whom are living. Harry is their eldest sou.

Canton Register

This large and excellent newpapor is one of the leading journals of Central Illinois, indeed, it takes rank with the larger and more prosperous pipers of the Northwest. Unusual ability, tact and business enterprise are displayed in its management. Its editorials are ably propired, its local columns are generally full, well arranged and emliraoe all t\\i'. h ipponings of the city, indeed, of the entire county. It his a list of regular correspondents in various parts of the county, who contribute well-prepared articles of the news of their district each week.

The typographical appearance of the Rejider, which is the largest paper publislied in Fulton county, is neat and tasty. It is an honor to any office to send out such excellent quality of work. The Regider office is furnished all through with the best material and presses, and for mechanical execution the job work done at this offi32 will compare favorably with that turned out from the larger establishments of the State. Its present editor is one of the thorou,ij;hly enterprising newspaper mjn of the county, and that the progress lie has made is appreciated by tlie general public is evinced by the unusual success attending his enterprises.

The first issue of the Canton Register appeared in January, 1849, Charles J. SjIIou* being publisher. It was then a six-column folio. In April following, Mr. Sellon sold the office to Messrs. Slaughter & Sharkey. In July following Mr. Slaughter died of cholera, and, Mr. Sharkey, having no practical knowledge of the newspaper business, the services of John S. Winter, Esq., were secured as editor. Mr. Winter soon after resigned his position and commenced the publication of the Knoxville Journal. He is the present County Clerk of Knox county. In November, 1849, Mr. Sharkey procured the services of Mr. John P. Brooks (who was afterwards elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction) as editor, and the Rec/isfer was issued as a Democratic paper. Up to this time it had been neutral in politics. In this character the /u-r/AsM' lived but a short time, and in February, 1850, ceased to exist, and the office fell into the hands of T. Maple, who in August of that year sold it to Thos. J. Walker, of Belleville, 111. He purchased a larger press, and in September recommenced the publication of the Register as a neutral paper, and enlarged it to seven columns. For a few weeks he employed Mr. Wm. H. Haskell as editor, but soon thereafter took Dr. Asa Lee Davison as partner in the office and editor of the paper. In 1852 Mr. Walker disposed of his interest in the office to Mr. Henry L. Nicolet. On the 2d day of March, 1853, Dr. Davison died, and Mr. Alpheus Davison bought his interest in the office, the firm then being Davison & Nicolet. The new firm soon changed the character of the paper from neutral to indejxnident, and boldly discussed the political issues of the times without regard to party, one of the proprietors being a Democrat and the other a AVhig. The Register o[)posQd the Kansas-Nebraska bill, which subsequently caused the destruction of old party lines and the organization of the Republican party. In 1856 the Register became an outspoken Republican paper, and by the assistance of friends a power press was purchased and the paper enlarged to eight colums. In 1861 the proprietors threw aside party lines and declared only in favor of the maintenance of the Government and the Union without regard to party. During the years 18(51-2 the paper had a hard struggle for its existence, it being suspended for two months during 1862, while both its proprietors were in the army.

*Mr. ScIIon was siiVisoqnently conncctorl with sevor.il different pipers, nnd on the lt^e;ikiii<; out of tiie w.ir Itecaiiu' M ijor of :ui Illinois regiment, where he remained till his health and hearing were so niucli iinpaire<i liiat it lecanie necessirv for him to resiirn. After retMrnin<r home lie was for a short time conneeted with the Springfield Journal, an 1 still later with the Peoria Transcript, but his heahh continued to fail, and he died in 18(32.

In October, 1866, !Mr. Alphciis Davison sold his interest in the paper to James K. Magie, who became its editor. The firm name was Nicolet & Magie, and the Register was again a pronounced Republican paper. Some time between 1868 and 1^72 Mr. Nicolet disposed of his interest to W. P. Tanquarv, and the firm name was changed to Magie & Tanquarv. In 187o Mr. Tanquarv sold out to Mr. Magie, who became sole proprietor. In 1877 Mr. Jesse N. Berry and E. R. Magie leased the office (Mr. Jas. K. Magie having been appointed State Printer Ex])ert, could not attend to the publication of the paper) for one year. At the expiration of their lease ^Ir. Berry retired, and James K. Magie & Son became editors and publishers. During the spring of 1878 the Messrs. Magie pronounced in favor of the National or Greenback party, and the Register rapidly ran down until it no longer paid ex]>enses.

In June, 1878, Mr. C. E. Snively, the present editor and proprietor, purcliased the office and good will of Mr. J. K. Magie, and at once made the Register an advocate of Republican principles. By dint of hard labor the Register again assumed its place as tlie leading paper of the county, and to-day enjoys a circulation of almost '2,000 copies per week. It is also the largest paper i)rinted in Fulton county.

Clarence E. Snively, editor and proprietor of the Register, is a native of Ellisville, Fulton county, where he was born July 4, 18o4. He received his education j)rin('ipally at the public sclioolsat Avon. His father, Naaman Snively, carried on the harness business at Avon for several years. AVhen the subject of this sketch was 10 years of age this parent died, at which time Clarence entered the office of E. A. Snively, editor and publisher of the Rushville Times. He rem lined in that office lor 2 years, when he entered the office of the Pekin Register (now the Times) to finish his apprenticeship. After he had accomplished this his ability was appreciated to such an extent that he was made foreman of the office. In 1875 he bought a hilf interest in tiie Carlinville Democrat, in company with H. M. Kimball ; af"ter one year sold out his interest in this ])aper to A. W. Edward. He received an offer from W. T. Dowdall, editor of the National Democrat, Peoria, to take the fbremanship of that office, which he accepted, and in that capacity acted until Sept. 17, 1877, when he took the fbremanship of the Canton Register office, then edited by Berry & Magie.

In June, 1878, Mr. Snively bought the entire interest of this paptT, since which time he has conducted it alone. The circulation has increased under his management from 500 to almost 2,000, and from a six-column folio to a six-column quarto, and it is one of the largest and best managed provincial papers in the State.

As early as 1843 Lewistown had a nowspap'^r. At that early date the Fulton Banner was published here, by whom we do not know. It was a five-column folio, and lor a pioneer paper the meclifinical work reflects credit to the skill of its publishers. During this period of thirty-seven years many papers have been publisiied in the county, but not so many in Lewistown as in other places. Newspaper enterprises have proven more successful, consequently more permanent in this city than in most other places.

The Lewistown Union, a Republican organ publi.>«hed here, was started by De Witt Bryant about 1864 or '65, and was run till about 1871. This paper passed into several liands during its existence of a half dozen years. Phelps & Bryant became its publishers for a time, when Mr. Bryant sold to G. A. Hyde, and Hyde & Phelps conducted it. Mr. Phelps soon retired, selling out his interest to his partner's father. The Union was run by lather and son for a time, when the son became sole proprietor. During the year 1871 he moved the material to Ipava and began the publication of the Fulton Press.

No time in the history of the city have the principles and measures of the Rjpublican party had such a strong and able organ in Lewistown as at present, which it has in The Neics- Chronicle. Its editors, Messrs. Yarnell & Ketcham, fully realize the arduous duties and responsibilities resting upon them as conductors of one of the leading political papers of the county. Not only is The Neirs- Chronicle admired for the fair and able manner in which it discusses the political issues of the day, but as a news and literary journal it ranks high. It is an eight-column folio, neatly printed, and besides its foreign, national and local news, its literary clippings and productions, its p.'rsonals, poetry, editorials, market reports and miscellany, it contains a goodlv number of advertisements, thus showing that it is ai)preciated by the best judges of the value of a newspaper, advertisers.

In 1875, Nov. 13, George Yarnell founded the Lewistown Neics, a five-column folio. He purchased new presses and office material and started a job office, and issued the paper to advertise his new enterprise. This little sheet was so well received that Mr. Yarnell was encouraged to enlarge it and send it forth as a regular publication. This he did March 30, 1876, when it was increased to the present size of llie Scics-Chroniclc.

Mr. Yarnell continued to publish the iVc jr."?, meeting with success, until November 13, 1879, when he was joined by ^^'. L. Ketcham, and The Xcn-s- Chronicle issued. Mr. Ketcham was formerly editor of the Vermont Chronicle, and the News and Chronicle were combined, and botii gentlemen unite their forces in the publication of The News- Chronicle.

The paper is established upon a paying basis, and its future seems bright. The influence it will wield in the interest of the Republican party in this part of the county will be l'elt,and we feel assured that it will be appreciated by the members of that great organization. Its subscription price is only §1.50 per year.

this coinection. While its readers enjoy the benefits of the " p.t nL outside," yet the great mass of foreign advertisements that usually disfigure "patent sides" are dispensed with. Messrs. Yarnell & Ketcham have speeial arrangements with the publishers of these whereby tliey get only choice literary selections and general news, which are selected and compiled by experts.

Geo. Yarnell, senior editor of Tke News- Chronicle, publsshed at Lcwistown, is a n;itive of Fayette county, Pa., where he was born Djc. 27, I80O. His father, Ellis Yarnell, was born in Pennsylvania, and was a farmer through life; he married Miss Hannah C. Taylor, of Pennsylvania; of their 8 children George was the eldest but one ; he was but 2 years of age when his parents settled in Licking Co., O. ; at 17 he went to Putnam, O., where in the office of the Western Recorder he learned the printer's trade. At the end of 2 years, on account of ill-health, he went to Missouri, where he rapidly recovered, and entered the office of the I/iberty Tribune, published at Liberty, Mo., and there gained a large practical experience; afterward he became employed at Ijcxington and St. Louis; returning to Ohio he remained until 1854, when the California mining excitement was at its height. He crossed the plains with Russell, Waddell & Co., and after a w'earisome trip of 4 months he landed at Mirysville. Near Diamond Spring he began life as a miner; remained in California 9 years; was also editor of the Placerville Daily Neujs. He then returned to this county, where, near Lewistown, he bought farm property and followed agricultural life until 18G9, when he again went to Calitbrnia, stopping at Los Angeles, where in connection with a younger brother he established the L')s Angeles Daily Erpress, which hid a very good circulation. In 1871 Mr. Yarnell permanently settled in Fulton county and followed farming until 1875, when he began the issue of the Weekly Neivs.

Mr. Yarnell is a man of a family. In 18G4 he was united in marriage with Miss llosa Ann Felkel, a daughter of John Felkel, of Lewistown township. They have 4 children, - John E., Mary M., Sarah A. and Jennie.

ir. L. Ketchfim, the literary man of the Xeios-Chronicle, is a young gentleman of business ability and a writer of no mean reputation. During the early part of the present year (1879) he moved from Havana, Mason county, his former residence, and where he had conducted a piper, to Vermont, and assumed the management of the Vermont Chronicle, formerly and at present owned by George L. Duroll. He conducted this paper tor a few months, when he formed a co-pirtnership with Mr. Yarnell, combining the Chronicle with the Lcwistown A'jws. Mr. Ketcham is an ingenious, practical printer, thoroughly understands the art and executes some very fine job work.

Vermont Chronicle

The advanoc guard of civilizitioii who first settled in this county had no daily papers, and even weeklies were like "angel's visits, few and far between," for mails were irregular and infrequent, beino" carried on horseback, and sometimes not carried at all. The early pilgrims who located at Vermont had their mails carried to them from Bernadotte, one of tlie principal points of the county at that time. Some of the men, who are now white-headed veterans, were young men full of life and vigor then, and thought nothing of making long journeys alone through an unsettled country. It was by the bravery and toil of these men that Vermont received a few copies of some religious journal or Eastern paper. For a decade, however, her people have been supplied witii their own local paper from their own presses. After the completion of the C, B. & Q. Railroad a season of great business prosperity was enjoyed by Vermont. Mercantile business was never so great; building of both store-houses and dwellings went rapidly on, and all kinds of mechanical labor were employed in the growing town. Besides these aids a new road was being constructed, the R., R-I. & St. L. R. R. At this properous j)eriod in Vermont's history, George L. and Edward P. Durell, two enterprising sons of one of the early and prominent settlers, Wm. Durell, started a paper. It was christened the Vermont Chronicle, and the first number appeared Nov. 27, 1870.

These gentlemen engaged F. P. Hallowell to conduct the editorial department of the new paper. Mr. Hallowell was a bright and talented man and made a good editor, but at the expiration of lour or five months severed his connection with it. At that time George ,L. Durell, the present editor and proprietor, purchased the interest , of his brother. Col. E. P. Durell, long the p<»i)ular local agent of the C, B. & Q. R. R. Co., is a writer of considerable talent and did much with his pen and energy to establish the Chronicle. He recently resigned his position on the railroad, which is now ably filled bv Edward R. Thomas.

'George L. Durell, upon the withdrawal of his brother, assumed editorial and business management of the paper, and gave the people of West Fulton and Southeastern McDonough an excellent locil journal. It won warm esteem in the hearts of the people, and ajirominent place in their homes. Its pathway was not always strewn with the sweet perfumed rose, nor always lighted by the cheering noon-d ly sun, but its editor struggled on, with an abiding faith in the ultimate success of his pet enterprise.

Until the earlv sumaio-r of the present year (1879) he continued faithfully at the helm. He then sold o'ut to W. L. Ketcham, a young m \n from H ivana. 111. The enterprise did not prosper under his b1-ief mmagemant as he would have it, and he therefore withdrew. A'-iin Mr. Darell cam3 forward, rcsumjd his former post

Pulitically the Chronicle is a jn-onounccd Republican paper, and has wielded a healtliful influence for tiie principles of its jiarty. The editorials which aj>pear in its columns from week to week ujwn the great and im])()rtant political questions of the day are admired for their clearness, force and logic. It is what is termed in this day, when ]):irty lines are somewhat loosely drawn, a "stalwart" })aper, being uncompromisingly Rej)ublican. It is regarded as one of the most reliable ])aj)ers in the county in this respect.

In the local columns of the Chronicle appear all the events of the town and vicinity, as well as of the county which are of any public interest.

George L. Darell, the editor and proprietor of the Chronicle, assumed the management of the paper before he was of age, and is one of the few newspaper men who took the editor's chair and business control of a pa])er without any ])rnctical knowledge of the art. Notwithstanding these disadvantages he made his enterj)rise pay from the first. Mr. Durell is a son of William Durell, one of the early pioneers of Vermont. No man weilded a greater influence in building up Vermont in its infancy then Mr. William Durell. George L. was reared in Vermont, and there married Miss Lutie Stnplelbrd, a daughter of Edward yta])lelbrd, who was largely indentified with the interests of Vermont before his death. He erected the large brick hotel structure on north Main street, and the brick dwelling just across the street, which at the time was the finest one in the town. He was also a merchant of Vermont.

The Farmington News

Newspaper business in Farmington has been on a par with the same business in other places. As far back as 1856 an attempt was made to establish a newsj)aper in that town. In that year the Farminr/fon Journal made its ajipcarance. It was a seven-column paper, ably edited and neatly ])rinted. It lived but one year. In 1805 'The F(irtni)i(/fon Times was established, but lived only a few months. It was printed at Lewistown by E. EI. Phelps, who was at that time publishing the Ecwistown Union. From that time until May, 1874, Farmington was without a newspaper. At that time J. D. Hurd, a Peoria ^irinter, established The Farmington News, which, at this writing (Nov., 1879), is still in existence, being five and one-half vears old.

Besides these papers, a monthly magazine, called the Poultry Record, was published at Farmington for three years, 1872-74, by C. W. Heaton, but it was afterwards sold and merged into the American Poultri/ Joinnal at Chicago.

/. D. Hurd, editor of The Farmington News, was born in Wyandotte Co., Ohio, MiU'ch 19, 1847. He learned the trade of a printer in the Gazette office at Lima, Ohio, before he was 17 years of age.

Between 17 and 18 years of age he emigrated to this State, locating at Urhana, 111., where for two years before arriving at maturity he ])ublished The Champuic/n Count y JourmiJ, a Democratic newspaper. In 1 808 he was married to Miss Hcrmien S. Fluke, daughter of F. Fluke, of Lima, Ohio. During the years he was j)ublishing the Journal at Urbana, 111., he was prosecuting the study of law, and was admitted to practice in September, 1808. Circumstances prevented his beginning the practice at that time, and he continued in the printing business, moving from Urbana to Peoria in 1871, where he was connected with the Daily Transcript 'untW his removal to Farmington in May, 1874, when he commenced the publication of The Farmington News. In January, 1877, while still at the head of the News office, he opened a law office, and has since combined the newspaper and law business. Mr. Hurd fills the editor's chair with no small degree of ability. He has made of the Neics a firstclass local paper, and it takes rank among the profession as such. His practical knowledge of the " preservative art," and talent as a writer enable him to publish a journal of a high standard quite easily.

The Weekly Times

This paper first greeted its readers June 1, 1877, under the name of '*The Canton Advertiser." That journal was founded by Horace J. Leigh and Gilbert L. Miller. Its first issue was a five-column folio, with a circulation of 1,000 copies, which was practically a free circulation, the nominal sum of 25 cents per year being charged for subscription. After running for five weeks its columns were found to be too limited to satisfy the demands of irs patrons, and it was consequently enlarged to a seven-column folio. At that time its subscription price was raised to one dollar per year. It continued this size for twenty-seven weeks when, owing to its increase of business, it was again enlarged to its present size, a five-column quarto.

The Advertiser was started lyid conducted as an indepedent journal so far as it concerned politics or religion for quite awhile, when its editors were led to believe that if thev would brintj it out as a Republican sheet its prosperity would be assured. At that time it had a paying list of 1,600 subscribers, having become thus popular within the short period of one year, ^vhich is unprecedented as far as journalism in this county is concerned. Its editors and publishers, Leigh & Miller, were induced to step from a non-partisan to the Republican platform. This step ])roved a disastrous one, and in place of an increased circulation and greater advertising patronage, the result was the opposite. For seven weeks they saw its snbt scription list diminish and with no hopes of a reaction. People had taken it because it was not hampered or circumscribed by partisan princi|)les. It was free to ap[)huid or condemn, to advocate or oppose, to build up or tear down any measure they believed beni- ficial and just, or injurious or wrong. It remained an advocate of party principles and measures for only seven weeks, when it again hung out its old motto of" independence.

Sept. 0, 1871), Chas. W. Kent purchased Mr. Miller's interests in the Adoerfi-<cr and became a partner of Mr. Leigh. They immediately changed the name of the paper to The Wccklt/ Times, and brought it out in a new dress. It' is now equal in appearance to any journal published in Central Illinois. As to its editorial management, the large circulation it enjoys and its popularity fully attest. The Times is independent, and intends to remain so. Its editors believe it can exert a greater influence for the public weal uiuler that banner than it can under any other. They will not be influenced by party or sect. They advocate such measures, national, municipal, religious and social, as will best subserve the interest of the mass of the community regardless of any party, clique or individual. As such a journal it deserves, as it has, the patronage of all classes.

Horace G. Leigh, of the firm of Leigh & Kent, editors and proprietors of The Weeklif Times, was born in Hunterdon Co., N. J., in 1852, and brought to this county in 1854 by his parents, Ichabod and Caroline (Bryant) Leigh, who followed farming. Mr. Ichabod Leigh enlisted in the 8()th 111. Vol. Inf. in 18G4, and was killed at the battle of Franklin, Tenn,, leaving a widow and 6 children, of whom Horace G. was the eldest. Although the family was greatly dei)endent on him, he obtained a good education, attending rhe Canton high school nearly two years. At the age of 18 he entered the Canton Ledger office, learned the printing business, and in four years was made foreman, which position he held i'or three years. He then resigned that position to establish, in partnership with Mr. Miller, the Advertiser. In Dec, 1878, Leigh & Miller purchased the i)rinting office of the Ij)ava Phoenix, changed its name to the Ipava Independent, and trebled its circulation in a few weeks. Then they sold it to A. H. McKeighan, the present proprietor. Mr. Leigh married Miss Catherine E. Brant, at Canton, Feb. 23, 1875, daughter of Rev. Geo. C. Brant, and they have two children, - Edith Louise and Charles Toland.

Chds. W. Kent, of the firm of Leigh & Kent, publishers and editors of The Weekly Times, was born in Richland Co., 111., May 1, 1848. He is the son of John G. and Margaret H. (Gardiner) Kent. His father was a native of the Buckeye State and died at Cuba in 18G2. His mother is living in Canton. They came to Fulton county in 1855, and settled at Cuba, where John G. Kent kept a hotel until his demise. Chas. W. received a good education and early in life began battling for himself. At the death of his ftither his mother gave him his liberty to go and do as he pleased, and only asked of him one thing: that was "to make what he did make, honestly." He engaged to work on a farm for a time, and in 1863 entered the Fulton County Ledger office as an apprentice, and worked there until the folUjwino: year, when he enlisted in Co. D, 137th 111. Inf., and went to the front. He was taken .sick at Memphis in July, and lay in the hosi)ital the rest of his term, often at the point of death. He r^'turned home and when the 151st regt. was mide up he again enlisted, this time in Co. B. of that regt. !Mr. Kent was united in marriage Aug. 2G, 1869, to Mrs. Marv L. (Eastwood) Rriekle. They hvLW 3 children : Leon U. E., Henry Elmer and Lillie May.

Mr. K. conducted the Family Favorite in Columbia, Tenn., for a time, and has been actively engaged more or less in the printing business for many years.

The Stream Of Light

The Stream of Light, one of the latest additions to the newspapers of the 0(Hinty, has rapidly gained a foothold and takes rank with the older and more widelv known journals of the county. It is a seven-column folio and filled with local and general news, discussions upon the political, financial and social issues of the country thnt agitate the public mind, and a general misceUany of excellent and instructive reading matter.

This paper, or rather the material of the office, was moved from Lewistown, where it had been used in the -office of the Lewistown Union. G. A. Hyde moved the office to Ipava in 1.S74, and started the Fulton Press. This paper soon fell into the hands of a Mr. Flake, since deceased, who changed its name to the Fulton Phoenix and conducted it for a time in that village, when he moved it to the enterprising and growing town of Astoria. Owing to Mr. Flake's failing health the enterprise proved unsuccessful under his management, and in 1877 it was ])urchased by Leigh & iNIiller, who subsequently started the Canton Advertiser, the former of whom is senior editor of The Weekly Times. ISIr. Flake was an excellent writer. His editorials were able, and his locals characterized by a rich vein of humor which ])ervadcd almost all of them.

Messrs. Leigh &: Miller returned the office to Ipava, and changed the name from the Fulton Phoenix to Ipava Independent. These gentlemen conducted the paper for a period of two months, when they sold the entire establishment to Mr. A. H. McKeighan. This gentleman inimediately changed its name to The Sfreain of Light, and has continuetl as both editor and proj)rictor since.

Mr. McKeighan has been one of the leading advocates for the measures and principles of the Greenback party, and no man throughout Central Illinois has been more zealous in support of his party principles, and exerted a more ])otent influence than Mr. ^IcKeighan. Since he assummed editorial management of this journal he has made of it an organ of the Greenback party. The editorials which weekly appear in the columns of the Light are able and prove him to be fully posted upon the great and important financial questions of the day.

The Stream of Light is evidenty appreciated as a local newspaper, judging from the fair patronage it h|s received both from advertisers and subscribers. It has a good circulation for a country paper and it is constantly increasing.

^1. H. McK(i(j/ian, editor and proprietor of The Stream of Light, was born in New Jersey, August 13, 1835. He was reared upon a farm and passed his life in agricultural pursuits and teaching school until he assumed the duties of the editor's chair, Feb, 21, 1879. He has taught school for about twenty, winters, always meeting with marked success. He came to the State in 1849 with his father, who settled in this county ; was married Dec. 30, 1858, to Sarah Berry, a native of Indiana, and was born in 1846. Thev have had a flimily of 9 children born to them, only 3 of whom are living. Mr. McK. possesses considerable ability both as an editor and a public speaker ; is a man of great influence where he is known, and is endowed with remarkable energy and perseverance.

Avon, Sentinel

The first number of this spicy little sheet was issued March 6, 1879. It is well edited, and Mr. H. J. Herbertz, its editor, is confident of success in his worthy undertaking. He has asked no favors in the way of donations to establish his little paper, and consecpiently the jjcople aj)preciate his services more. No doubt a happy future awaits this plucky and enterprising gentleman, and if he only sticks to the Sentinel for a few years, it will become firmly established as a home journal.

Herman J. llcrheiiz, editor of the Avon Sentinel, was born in Keithsburg, Mercer Co., 111., June 10, 1857, and is the son of Wm. and Margaret Herbertz. The former served in the Mexican war. In 1858, when but an infant, the parents of Herman removed with him to Ocpiawka, 111., where, in the union schools, he received his education. In 1873 he removed with his parents to Monmouth, 111.; thence back to 0(piawka in 1870; and early in the year 1879 he came to this county, and on March 6, issued the first number of the Avon Sentinel, which is a spicy and well edited sheet, and bids fair for future success. Mr. H. is under obligations to no one for the estal>lishment of his paptT, as he asked no one for assistance, but started it with his own means. The pcoj)le appreciate his enterprise by amply supporting the paper. In })olitics the Sentinel is neutral.