Knox County, Illinois - Chapter 23: The Press, 1878

Chapter 23: The Press

The printing-press is unquestionably one of the most potent agencies in molding the destinies of any community, and perhaps among those least appreciated by the people called upon to sustain them. The advance guards of civilization who first setttled this county had no daily papers ; and even weeklies were like " angels' visits, few and far between," for mails were irregular and unfrequent, being carried on horse-back, and sometimes not carried at all. Although the first settler came in 1828, there was no attempt to establish a local paper in the county, until 1849, - nearly 20 years after the county was organized. Until that time there were no papers taken by the people, save perhaps a few copies of some religious papers and an occasional copy of some Eastern journal. Mr. William Sanburn, brother of John Gr. Sanburn, who for long years was postmaster at Knoxville, then the principal point in the county, tells us he has opened the mail bag many a time when five or six letters and a paper were the full amount of mail it contained; this, too, when almost the entire county received their mail at that office, and which only came once a week, and often at longer intervals. At present there are fourteen regular publications in the county. During the years from the time the first paper was struck off, until 1878, the newspaper enterprises are numbered by the score. At regular periods newspaper publications have been introduced to the public in various parts of the county, and almost as regularly have their demise been announced by some of the fraternity. Among the many editors who drove the quill for these publications, were some talented, graphic and cultured writers, some of whom wielded a salutary influence in the community, while others won reputations not enviable. Perhaps no time in the history of the press of the county did the editorial staff of the various papers represent men so young in years as now. Among these editors, some of whom have not even attained that age which gives them the right of suffrage at the polls, are some shrewd business managers, pleasing writers and high moral characters. May the present press receive the support, moral and financial, to which it is justly entitled. "While our hearts are enveloped with " best wishes " for the Knox county press, yet we shrink from a wish as boundless as the sanguine expectation expressed in the introductory of one of the earlier papers. The editor says, and apparently with unshaken confidence in the verity of his prophetic statement, Our circle at present is small, like that of a pebble dropped in the ocean ; but it will gradually and silently expand in every direction, until it reaches the far-off boundaries of civilization."

Newspapers Of Galesburg

For sketches of the early papers we quote from Sellon's history of Galesburg, pablished in 1857. The first newspaper published in Galesburg or in Knox county was called the " Knox Intelligencer" and was edited and printed by Rev. C. R. Fisk. It was first issued on or about the first of January, 1849. The Intelligencer was neutral in politics, and lived about two years. The office was first located over L. Sanderson's store, but was subsequently removed to a building erected by Mr. Fisk, on the southwest corner of the Public Square.

Near the latter part of the same year, 1849, if "we recollect rightly, the " North- Western Gazetteer'''' was started, under the editorial and typographical management of Southwick Davis. For a considerable time after its establishment the Gazetter and the Knox Intelligencer were eagerly sought after by the citizens of Galesburg and vicinity, on account of the College controvers}' carried on through their columns. The Gazetteer was also neutral in politics, but in religious matters it favored Congregationalism, while the Intelligencer favored Presbyterianism. The Gazetteer was published about two years, we believe, thougli it may have existed for a longer period.

Some time in 1850, if we are correctly informed, the News-letter made its appearance, under the editorial management of W. S. Gale, Dr. James Bunce and G. C. Lanphere. This paper took the place of the Knox Intelligencer. The News-letter was an able advocate of local measures in which the people of Galesburg and vicinity were then deeply interested. It had a wide circulation among the friends of the Central Military Tract railroad then projected. Some of the best written articles upon the subject of railroads which were published in the West during that period,ifirst appeared in the editorial columns of the News-letter. The office was over the furniture rooms of W. J. Woods, on the west side of the Square.

At a subsequent period, in 1852 we think, the Nevjs-Ietter passed into the hands of S. G. Cowan, who issued it under the title of the Nevjs-Ietter and Henry County News. This title was given it to please its Henry county patrons, who were quite numerous. This

In the fall of 1853 the News-Letter office passed into the hands of J. W. Lane, and the first political paper ever published in the town made its appearance under the title of the Western Freeman. It was an anti-slavery paper. This paper lived only two months. The office of the Western Freeman passed into the hands of Southwick Davis and William H. Holcomb, and on the 5th day of January, 1854, the Galesburg Free Democrat made its first appearance. This paper then was, and has ever since continued, an anti-slavery journal. On the 30th of November, 1854, the establishment passed into the hands of William J. Woods, and B. F. Haskins became the editor. On the 8th of March, 1865, Mr. Haskins retired from the paper and C. J. Sellon became editor. On the 26th of July, 1855, the office passed into the hands of S. W. Brown, R. PI. Whiting and D. H. Frisbie. Mr. Sellon still continued to act as editor. . On the 1st of November, 1855, the management of the office passed into the hands of S. D. McDonald. December 11, 1855, the office again passed into the hands of W. J. Woods, and shortly afterwards Mr. Sellon resumed his post of editor. On the 18th of August, 1856, Mr. Woods made a sale of the office to J. H. Sherman, who owned and edited the paper until about the close of the war, when Messrs. Bailey & McClelland became proprietors, and the name was changed to Free Press. November 20, 1872, Gen. M. S. Barnes bought the institution, and continues to run it. With the exception of a few weeks he has issued two editions, - a daily and a weekly. His son W. Bennett has the business charge of the daily. It is now Democratic in politics. Gen. Barnes has had forty years' experience in the newspaper business, - twelve years of which was in connection with a large daily in Chicago, and five years he edited the Dubuque Times, when it was the most influential Republican paper in the State of Iowa. He also started the first daily in the Northwest outside of Chicago, the Milwaukee Sentinel in 1S43. He raised a regiment of soldiers, while at Rock Island during the war, served three years in the army and was brevetted Brigadier General.

The Liberal. - This paper was edited by Steve R. Smith, and was started in 1S67 at Galesburg as a weekly. It went bodly into the fight for the removal of the county seat from Knoxville to Galesburff. About the year 1870 he discontinued the paper and sold the material of the office to Prior & Emerick.

The Register. - In 1866 this paper made its appearance. It was started by Steve R. Smith, Vra. J. Mourer and H. D. Babcock. After several changes it was bought by E. F. Phelps in 1872, and shortly afterwards was merged into the Republican Register.

The Republican.. - This paper was started by C. E. Carr and J. M. Prior in 1872, and was sold to S. W. G-rubb in 1872, when it consolidated with the Register and formed the Republican- Register .

SidewcdMngs was a publication in a magazine form, and appeared occasionally, as its editor, Stephen R. Smith, thought its influence was demanded. The first number appeared December 13, 1873. It soon became popular as a sensational publication, and even possessed some literary ability, but evidently was not just the thing, and it soon disappeared to be resurrected no more.

The Galesburg Republic was commenced Jan. 1, 1873, by Judson Graves, of Kirkwood. It ran as a semi-weekly for three months, and at the end of two years its name was changed to The Plaindealer. It is a weekly; is independent Republican in politics, and has two pages of excellent miscellaneous reading in each number. Mr. Graves is now passing the meridian of life, and has been in the printing and newspaper business ever since he was fourteen years of age.

Galesbura Review. - In the fall of 1877 the Colville Brothers commenced the issue of the Galesburg Review, a weekly, Republican in politics and of high literary taste in its miscellany. In the spring of 1878 it was changed to a monthly, and is now purely a literary periodical.

Knoxiana. - The students of Knox College have published small literary periodicals. The Knoxiana was commenced in 1850, and for five years was published by the " Knoxiana Publication Company," and after that by the Adelphi society. The Oak Leaf was commenced in 1856, by the Gnothautii association. Both these publications were discontinued.

The Hemlandet, a Swedish Lutheran paper, first appeared in February, 1855, edited by Rev. T. JST. Hasselquist. At that time it was the only Swedish newspaper in the United States. After a time it was removed to Chicago, where now, at 85 Jackson street, it is published by Enander & Bohman.

The Republican-Register. - This, the recognized leading journal of the county, is a six-column quarto sheet, published both daily and weekly. The Republican- Register is the result of the consolidation of the Register and the Republican, both Galesburg papers. The former was established in 1866, the latter in 1870. The union was consummated in December of 1872. A company had been formed styled the Galesburg Printing Company, for the especial purpose of becoming the owner of the above named papers. Geo. V. Dieterick is president and S. W. Grubb secretary and treasurer of this company. The editorial management of the paper is under the control of Z. Beatty, and its business interests managed by S. W. Grubb, both of whom are practical printers of many years experience. The paper is uncompromisingly Republican in politics. In its management is displayed considerable enterprise, tact, energy and superior business ability. The local columns of the paper are generally full, well arranged and embrace all the happenings of the city and indeed of the entire county. Its list of regular correspondents in various parts of the county contribute well prepared articles of the news of their districts each week. It has the largest circulation of any publication in the county.

Knoxville Papers

The Knoxville Journal - The first number of this excellent paper appeared October 5, 1849. It was a six column folio, and was edited and published by John S. Winter, the present efficient County Clerk, and David Collins, under the firm name of "Winter & Collins. The first page was devoted [to poetry and stories; the second page to editorials, sandwiched with local and foreign news; the third page to advertisements; and the fourth to miscellany. There were no columns especially devoted to "Locals." Indeed, the local news recorded, occupied but a small portion of the paper. One feature worthy of mention was its telegraphic dispatches, which appeared each week. Mr. Winter had telegrams sent to Peoria and brought from there by mail, which gave his readers news of a later date than they could get from the Chicago papers. He published these telegrams when no paper in Peoria had any telegraphic news. At that time, magazines, periodicals and general literary publications were not so numerous as at present, nor were there many that found their way into the homes of the citizens of Knox county. This paper, therefore, supplied this want, and did it well ; for we find the stories and general literary articles of a superior class. They would add merit and give increased interest to any of the publications now issued. The journal was neutral on both politics and religion. In referring to this, in their introductory, they say: "We do not wish it to be understood that we are without either political or religious sentiments. Far from it. One of us professes the Democratic creed, and the other, with equal ardor, embraces Whig doctrines and Whig principles. A house divided against itself, must stand on neutral grounds." From the first, the paper flourished. It had on its list, as original subscribers, 210 names. So prosperous was it, that in nine months their list increased to 1,200. The advertising patronage had also kept pace with their growing subscription list, thus necessitating an enlargement, which was made July 9th, 1850. It then appeared as a seven column paper. Prosperity still attended it, and again, May 6, 1851, another column was added to each page. Collins retired from the firm, January 13, 1852, leaving Winter sole editor and proprietor. The Journal was a financial success. It has no parallel in the rapidity of its growth, in this county, save in that of the Knox Republican. It ran up its subscription list to 1,800, at one time, and hundreds of dollars of advertisements were turned away. The foreign advertising patronage was large, mostly of patent medicines. Contrary to the present custom, Mr. Winter received double price for such notices. There are many quaint advertisements in this pioneer sheet. The following poetical notice from a postmaster, of an absconding subscriber, was received by the editor in November, 1853:

There was a feature of the Journal that especially deserves commendation. This is the earnestness and ability with which it advocated the building of a Railroad. Commencing with the first number, it ceased only when the Peoria and Oquawka Railroad was completed and trains regularly running. We have seen but few journals which advocated any measure with the force, persistency and ability that the Journal did the building of a railroad.

Owing to ill health, Mr. Winter sold the Journal to John Regan, the present publisher of the Maquon Times and the JElmwood Messenger. This sale was made March 2, 1855. The paper remained neutral but a short time after the transfer, when it espoused the Democratic cause, and after a short and less prosperous career, its publication was discontinued.

The Knox Republican. - The Knox Republican is another enterprise inaugurated and conducted by John S. Winter; and in his introductory, he gives the following reasons for starting the paper. We quote:

" Seven years ago, we commenced the publication of the Knoxville Journal, then until very recently, a neutral paper. Our object then was to present to the citizens of Knox county a medium for obtaining the latest news, a medium of home communication, a paper peculiarly devoted to the dissemination of home intelligence, and one upon which men of all parties could rely for facts, as uninfluenced by party motives or party power. How far we succeeded, we leave to the judgment of the public, feeling satisfied with the success of our enterprise, as it was conceded that we had a larger subscription list than any paper in the State, outside of Chicago and Alton. On account of ill health, we disposed of the Journal, and hoped that our connection with the press had ceased forever. But a change has come over the spirit of our dreams. The outrages committed in Kansas, and the long train of evils which have arisen from the passage of the Kansas- Nebraska Act, and the repeal of the Missouri Compromise - that ruthless act of a sacrilegious Senator, the prominent feature of the present corrupt Administration, - have rendered the publication of a Republican paper in our town a matter of importance, and the change recently made in the character of the Knoxville Journal, from neutrality to open hostility to all that we hold dear in political principles, its open advocacy of the policy of the* present Administration, even to the sanction of the policy pursued in Kansas, excusing the acts of the Border Ruffians, called for the immediate establishment of an opposition paper; and having been chosen to conduct it until a suitable person could be obtained to take charge of it, we take pleasure in presenting the first number of the Knox Republican to the public."

The first number appeared on Wednesday, October 8, 1856. It was a seven-column folio, neatly printed and ably conducted. Mr. Winter wielded an able pen, and soon made his paper one of great influence in this section of the State. The paper having been started as a campaign sheet, two weeks prior to the Presidential election of 1856, but having been successful, two weeks after the election it was found to have 1,200 paying subscribers, it passed into the hands of John S. Winter, John Winter and R. M. Winans. The enterprise ever displayed in the management of this paper is illustrated in the following circumstance connected with its history. During its first year, and before everything had got to running smoothly, it was found on one occasion, they had not sufficient paper on which to print their large edition. Mr. Winter hitched up a horse, after breakfast, drove to Peoria, procured the paper and drove back to Knoxville, in time for supper that evening.

ment of the Republican, and Beatty & Robinson became the editors and publishers. It is claimed that this paper was the first to bring out the name of Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency in 1860. It was ably conducted and exerted a powerful influence in electing the Republican ticket that year. Mr. Beatty retired from the firm, leaving W. T. Robinson publisher and sole proprietor, who, after a time sold out to F. A. Lanstrum in 1875. (Shortly afterwards it fell into the hands of its present editor and publisher, O. L. Campbell. At that time it was an eight-column folio, but it has since been enlarged and donned in a new dress and now appears as a six-column quarto and one of the neatest sheets issued in this part of the State. It is favored with the largest advertising patronage of any paper in the county, or perhaps with one exception. Mr. Campbell was raised in the Republican office and although young has had long experience in journalism, and extended dealings with the reading public of Knoxville and vicinity and apparently knows the kind of a paper they demand.

The Diocese. - This is a religious monthly, published in the. interest of the Episcopal church. It is the diocesan journal of the Diocese of Illinois, and is edited by Charles W. Leffingwell, A. M., B. D., D. D., Rector of St. Mary's School, Knoxville, and is printed by the Galesburg Printing Company. Typographically this is one of the neatest and most tasty publications issued from any establishment in this part of the State. Indeed, it compares favorably with any journal, religious or secular, produced by the press of this country. Its editorials are carefully and ably prepared, and its columns are scholarly and dogmatical, numbering among its contributors many of the most noted Episcopal writers of the State.

Ziorfs Banner is a Swedish Lutheran journal, published semimonthly at Knoxville, 111., and is, as its name indicates, a denominational paper. Its size is twenty-two by thirty-one inches, six columns, folio form. It was first published in Galesburg, July 12, 1871. It now has a circulation of 1,340 copies, and is edited by Rev. C. Anderson.

Abingdon Papers

Abingdon Messenger. - This paper was published by Chambers & White and edited by O. White. It was established about 1856 and run about two years. This was the first paper published in Abingdon.

The Educational Magazine. - This was a monthly of 32 pages, published in pamphlet form during the year 1864-5. It was published at Abingdon in the interest of Abingdon College, by J~. W. Butler.

The Knox County Democrat. - This paper had a longer run than any other publication issued at Abingdon. W. H. Heaton started it in 1869 or 1870 and run it for six years, when it was sold and merged into The Knoxonian.

Abingdon Leader. - This was an ably conducted paper. It was originally established in Monmouth by T. S. Clarke, as The Monmouth Leader. After his death it was conducted by S. J. Clarke, and in 1874 moved by him to Abingdon where he, with J. S. Badger, established the Abingdon Leader. It lived but about a year.

The Knoxonian. - This was the out-growth of the Knox County Democrat. It was conducted by Henry C. Allen till the summer of the present year, when he moved the office to Augusta, 111., where he conducts The Augusta Herald.

The Abingdon Express. - Abingdon has had many newspapers during the last two decades. An initiatory sheet would make its appearance with almost startling announcements of what its future course should be, but alas! ere time had unfolded itself into any considerable period, the pretentious paper had neither present nor future. With the Abingdon Express a different course was pursued, and naturally a diverse result has followed. Its first number was published some time during the year 1875, and was small in size; but by beinoably and judiciously managed it has grown to the creditable jn'oportions of 24 by 36 inches. It is Democratic in politics, and some able political articles appear in its columns. It is all printed in the office at Abingdon, and its typography is neat and clear. The office is well supplied with new presses, good material and competent workmen. The Express is edited by Frank L. Ritchey, and published weekly.

Abingdon Register. - This journal is the out-growth of the smallest paper ever published in the United States, and it has probablv experienced a greater degree of development in size than any other paper issued from the press of this country. In 1874, Charles K. Bassett, then a lad only sixteen years of age, started an amateur paper of a very diminutive size. We give a reprint of this paper that our readers may judge of its size and contents. The following is a perfect copy of the News and contains every word it did in its first number. It was printed only on one side.

January, 12, 1874

This, the first number of our Amateur News, we hope you will appreciate and that you will look at it as an Amateur paper. This paper is edited and printed by a couple of enterprising boys. Our terms are easy, for it is a small paper and we sell it for the small sum of 1 cent. We will try and publish it every fortnight. We do not take subscriptions, but you will find it for sale in several stores.

Warning To Gentlemen

On last Sunday night while a young couple were return ing home from church the young gentleman was stun_ ned by having another gen. tleman, (who we will call W. H.) come up behind the couple and give the girl a kiss. As soon as W. H. kissed the girl he being near home, like a dog crept in. "And it came to pass that " gents must take warning.

Verily, this was a tiny bit of paper to be called a newspaper. But Charlie was ambitious to become an editor; and there laid down a cardinal business principle in the very foundation of his life work, namely, that of not undertaking to do more than he could do well. His miniature journal lived a year and grew in size so that at the expiration of one year, when he ceased its publication, it had attained the dimensions of seven by ten inches, In March, 1877, Mr. Bassett published the first number of the Register. Adhering to his former motto, he sent out the first number as a four column folio. It has been enlarged from time to time until it is now a large eight-column sheet, 26 by 40 inches in size. It is well printed, and has a good circulation. It is a political paper, adhering to and advocating the principles of the National Greenback party, and is the only Greenback journal published in this county. Its local columns are especially noticeable for their variety, spice and freshness, many of the local squibs rivaling the sharp sayings of the Burlington Hawkeye. The paper seems to be upon a paying basis, and if encouraged as it deserves, will prove a paying enterprise to the publisher and a credit to the county. Its -editor is still in his 'teens, and is the youngest member of the Illinois Press Association. He possesses much native talent both as an editor and publisher and bids fair to shine as a star ot no little magnitude in the journalistic firmament.

Oneida Papers

The Oneida News is published at Oneida, every Friday. It was first started in November, 1876, by the present proprietor, as an amateur sheet, he being only eighteen years of age, and entirely inexperienced both in the printing business and editorial profession. It was first issued as a four-column quarto, but was enlarged and changed in form to a seven-column folio, its present style, in October, 1877. The News is a very creditable local journal, and is receiving a liberal support, and has already become a permanent and prominent literary fixture of Knox county. The rare ability that Mr. H. W. Ladd, its founder and present editor and proprietor, has displayed in the management of the News strongly evidences that he is a born journalist. He was born in Ontario township, Knox county, in 1858; and should the citizens of the northern part of the county lend him that moral support and financial aid he deserves and they themselves are capable of doing, Mr. Ladd will give them a journal which they can point to with pride and read with interest.

Maquon Papers

Maquon Times. - This is a neatly and well printed sheet of good size, and is well conducted. It is edited and published by John Regan? proprietor of the Elmwood Messenger, Elmwood, Peoria county, at which office the Times is printed.