Macon County, Illinois - Chapter 11: Tiie Press, 1880

Chapter 11: Tiie Press

THE WEEKLY GAZETTE, CHRONICLE, DEMOCRAT, HERALD, MAGNET TRIBUNE, MAGNET AND TRIBUNE, DECATUR TRIBUNE COMPANY, DAILY EMPRISE, DECATUR TRIBUNE, REPUBLICAN, MAROA TIMES, THE TABLET, MAROA TRIBUNE, MAROA NEWS, MAROA BUDGET, THE MESSENGER, DECATUR DEMOCRAT, PIKES' DEMOCRAT, SUNBEAM, DECATUR REVIEW, MACON TRIBUNE, NIANTIC HERALD, WEEKLY SUN, TIMES, WHIP AND SPUR, TEMPERANCE BUGLE, SUN, DEMOCRATIC ERA, SATURDAY HERALD, TOMAHAWK, YARDSTICK, ZIETUNG, ILLINOIS VOLKSBLAT.

HE history of printing dates back to the fifteenth century. Its discovery was like that of all great industries, the result of an accident. No long research or great study upon any one subject, evolved one great industry, or one grand original idea. It was while searching through the caverns of science and groping in its dark chambers that men have stumbled upon new discoveries, that when brought out and held up to the intellectual light of the age, and practical thought, had had time to surround it with patient investigation ; then the discovery took shape, utility, and became an industry. The discovery of printing was made by Laurentius Coster while rambling through the forests contiguous to his native city of Haerlern. To fill an idle hour he cut some letters on the bark of a birch tree. Lying down to sleep he wrapped his handiwork in a piece of paper. Dampened by the atmospheric moisture, the paper wrapped about the bark had taken an impression of the characters, and Coster saw on the paper inverted images of what he had cut on the bark. The phenomenon was suggestive, because it led to experiments that resulted in the establishment of a printing office, the first of its kind in that old Dutch town. In this office John Gutenburg served a faithful and appreciative apprenticeship, and from it at the death of his master absconded during a Christmas festival, taking with him a considerable portion of type and apparatus. Gutenburg settled in Mentz, where he won the friendship and partnership of John Faust, a man of sufficient means to place the enterprise on a secure financial basis. Several years later the partnership was dissolved because of a misunderstanding. Gutenburg then formed a partnership with a younger brother, who had set up an office at Strasburg, but had not been successful, and becoming involved in lawsuits, had fled from that city to join his brother at Mentz. These brothers were the first to use metal types Faust, after his dissolution with Gutenburg took into partnership Peter Schceffer, one of his servants, and an ingenious printer. Schceffer privily cut matrices for the whole alphabet, and when he showed his master the type cast from these matrices, Faust was so much pleased that he gave Schceffer his only daughter in marriage.

These are the great names in the early history of printing, and each is worthy of special honor. Coster's discovery of wood blocks or plates, on which the pages to be printed were engraved, w is made some time between 1440 and 1450, and Schoeffer's improvements, casting the type by means of matrices, were made about 1456.

For a long time printing was dependent upon the most clumsy apparatus. The earliest press had a contrivance for running the forms under the point of pressure by means of a screw. When the pressure had been supplied, the screw was loosened, the form withdrawn, and the sheet removed. Improvements upon these crude beginnings have been made from time to time, until the handpresses now in use are models of simplicity, durability and execution. In 1814 steam was first applied to cylinder presses by Frederick Koniger. Saxon genius and the subsequent progress of steam printing have been so remarkable as almost to justify a feeling in the final perfection of this wonderful art. Indeed, to appreciate the improvements which have been made in presses only, one should have stood by while the pressman operated the clumsy machine of Gutenburg, and then, if possible, have stepped into one of the well-appointed printing offices of our larger cities, where he could notice the roll of dampened paper entering the jaws of the great power presses, a continuous sheet, and issuing from it as printed newspapers, cut, pasted and folded ready for the carrier, mail or express.

It would be interesting to trace more minutely the history of this great art from its humble origin in Haerlern through all successive stages to the present, and to classify its products whereby "tongues are known, knowledge groweth, judgment increaseth, books are dispersed, the Scriptures read, stories be opened, times be compared, and all through the benefit of printing." For near a thousand years prior to its introduction, mankind had been sur- rounded with the densest ignorance the world has ever known. Teutonic barbarians had swept over fair Italy, sacked her capital, and 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 sculpture and architecture. 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 feudalism had kept the noble at war with his sovereign, had unsettled governments, and made men soldiers with scarcely time for necessary practice at arms; amusements were popular only, as 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. Pepin had humbled the Long Beards, and had laid the keys of their cities at the feet of the Holy Father. From the fall of Rome there had been but little talent and time to cultivate letters. A few ecclesiastics scattered here and there were the custodians of the learning saved from the wrecks of Grecian and Roman knowledge. The masses were ignorant. They believed the hand which commonly held the sword would be disgraced if trained to wield the pen. Books were for the monks' cell or anchorite's cave, and the objective jioints of all study were to escape purgatory, to cast a horoscope to turn the baser metals into gold. Superstition, priestcraft and thirst for material renown moulded public acts and private training. Piety was best shown in pilgrimages to the Holy Sepulchre. When the dust-stained devotees became objects of Turkish contempt and persecution, all Europe rushed to the rescue.

'While war destroys and demoralizes, not infrequently it prepares the way for beneficent reformations. The Crusades broke the power of feudalism, dispelled mucb geographical ignorance by making neighboring nations acquainted, gave an impetus to commercial enterprise, 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 chartas 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. Bacon and Schwartz studied the chemistry of the Arabs, and were among the first devotees at the shrine of physical science. Wycliffe translated the Bible iuto the English vernacular. Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and England, sought new outlets for their surplus products of the soil, loom and fisheries. Mental darkness can make no continued stand against such enterprise as 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 press in Haerlern, and inaugurated an art until then unknown. The world was ready for the newspaper. To understand the effect of this invention upon humanity, compare the enlightenment, civilization and progress of the present with the superstition, semi-barbarism, and mental stagnation of the middle ages. Printing is rolling back ignorance, vice and degradation, unfolding the mysteries of nature, and explaining

The Romans in the time of the emperors had periodical notices of passing events, compiled and distributed. These Acta diurna or daily events Mere the newspaper of that age. In 1536 the first newspaper of modern times M'as issued at Venice, but governmental bigotry compelled its circulation in manuscript form. In 1663 the Public Intelligencer was published at London, and is credited with being the first English paper to attempt the dissemination of general information. The first American neM'spaper, was the Boston News Letter, whose first issue was made April 24th, 1704. It wras a half sheet, twelve inches by eight, with turn columns to the page. John Campbell, the postmaster, Mas the publisher. The Boston Gazette made its first appearance December 21st, 1719, and the American Weekly, at Philadelphia, December 22d, 1719. In 1776 the number of neM'spapers published in the colonies M'as thirtyseven. In 1828 this number had increased to eight hundred and fifty-two, and at the present time not less than ten thousand newspapers are supported by our people.

Journalism, by which is meant the compiling of passing public events, for the purpose of making them more generally known and instructive 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 toM'ards that dignity. A distinct department of literature has been assigned to it. Great editors are writing into biographies, and formulating their methods and opinions : historians are rescuing from oblivion the every-day life of deceased journalists. Reprints of brilliant productions, such as the letters of Junius, are furnishing models. Interviews with famous journalists, touching the different phases of their profession, are deemed worthy of publication in book form. Leading universities have contemplated the inauguration of courses of study, specially designed to fit men and women for the duties of the neM'spaper sanctum. These innovations are not untimely, since no other class of men is so powerful for good or evil as editors. More than any other class they mould public opinion while expressing it; for, most men but echo the sentiments of favorite journalists. Even statesmen, ministers and learned professors not infrequently get their best thoughts from the papers they read.

For dates and facts relating to the early history of the press of Macon county, we are indebted to Messrs. Hamsher and Mosser and W. J. Usrey, who have kindly placed at our disposal careful and correct records and files which have supplied us with a great amount of information necessary to this article. We also desire to extend our thanks to L. M. AndreM's, Hon. S. S. Jack, J. A. BroM'n, H. B. Funk, of Monticello, Shoaff Bros, of Paris, 111., A. R. Arbuckle, W. II. Addis, Dr. Chenowith, T. O'Banion, John J. H. Young and others, for kindness shown and information given, which has enabled us to trace the history of the press of Macon county, from the first appearance of the Gazette, in June, 1851, down to the present time, and present it in such a form as we hope will be acceptable to our readers.

Previous to the establishing of a newspaper in Macon county, the people were dependent upon the St. Louis Republican and Springfield papers for information from the outside world.

In the spring of 1851 James Shoaff, a resident of Pekin, Illinois, came on a visit to Decatur. He returned home, packed up his printing office, placed it in a wagon and brought it here, set up the press, and arranged the material, and on the 26th day of June, 1851, the first issue of the first paper published within the borders of Macon county made its appearance. It was called

It is somewhat difficult at this distant day to imagine the enthusiasm with which the Gazette's first appearance Mas greeted. The necessity for an organ Mas seen at once. It was needed to speak for the county, for its agricultural resources, for its flattering promises of future greatness, for its rights and privileges as an organized member of a great state. The country was then sparsely settled, and journalism Mas in its infancy. That the surrounding counties might reap the benefits of the paper located here, agents were appointed to receive subscriptions for it in Bloomington, Pekin, Leroy, Sullivan, Clinton, Shelbyville, Urbana, Springfield, Jacksonville, Monticello, Mt. Pulaski, Charleston and Taylorville, In a short time a good list of subscribers was obtained. For a while the Decatur Gazette furnished the above places with foreign and home ngu'S. James Shoaff was editor and proprietor. The paper was printed in the west room of the " Son's Hall." It wras an eight column folio, neutral in politics. The subscription price was $1.50 if paid within the year, and $2.00 if paid at the end of the year. Terms of advertising were : half column $18.00 per year ; M'hole column $28.00. It was neatly printed and well patronized. Mr. Shoaff continued the publication of the Gazette until November 1st, 1856, when he sold the office to A. J. Davis and Isaac N. Underwood. The latter gentleman soon retired from the paper and M'as succeeded by James P. Boyd. After Davis and Underwood purchased the paper they converted it into the Democratic organ of the county. The politics of the paper remained the same until the breaking out of the late war, when it espoused the cause of the Republican party, or at least supported all measures for the vigorous prosecution of the war, and suppression of the rebellion. The office remained in the possession of Davis until 1864, when he sold it to Lewis Cass, who took in as a partner J. J. Strong, a practical printer. It remained in the hands of Cass and Strong until July 11th, 1865, when the good-will and subscription lists M'ere sold to W. J. Usrey, of the Chronicle, and from that date it was known as the Gazette and Chronicle. The material was sold and shipped to parties in Rockford, Illinois.

In order to trace the further history of the paper it is necessary to go back to 1855. The second journalistic venture in Macon county M'as made by Charles H. Wingate and William J. Usrey. The latter had determined as early as 1851 to start a paper in Decatur, but before he had time to mature his plans, James Shoaff founded the Gazette. At that time there was not room nor support for tMTo newspapers ; therefore, Mr. Usrey, for the time being, abandoned the enterprise. Mr. Wingate had formerly owned a printing office in New Hampshire, which he had sold to parties on deferred payments. They failing to meet their payments the office reverted to Wingate, who brought some of the type to Decatur, and together M'itli Mr. Usrey added other material, purchased a press, and started the

Illinois State Chronicle

The first issue was made on February third, 1855. It M'as a seven column folio. The partnership of Wingate and Usrey continued until June ninth, 1855, when Wingate retired and Usrey became editor and proprietor. The Chronicle politically reflected the sentiments of the anti-Nebraska party. The Republican party had not yet come into existence. The political mission of the paper was to unite the remnants of the Old Line Whig and Know Nothing parties and all other opposition to the Democratic party on one common platform. For this work Mr. Usrey was eminently qualified. The Chronicle continued under his management until August twenty-two, 1861, M'hen he enlisted in the thirty-fifth regiment, Illinois volunteers, and was appointed adjutant. The office was leased to Messrs. Hamsher and Mosser, who continued the publication until August seventh, 18G2, after which the office remained closed until October twelfth, 1863, at which time a partnership in the job printing business was formed between Usrey and J. N. Underwood, Avho .resumed the publication of the Chronicle April twenty-sixth, 1864. Underwood retired from the firm July twelfth of the same year. On the eleventh of July, 1865, the consolidation of the took place. Mr. Usrey continued the publication until August tenth, 1871, when the office was closed out, W. L. Hammer becoming the purchaser. The material afterward became part of the Tribune office.

In the campaign of 1856 the Chronicle had been printed daily, five huudred copies of which had been circulated gratuitously. In 1868 the Daily Chronicle was again commenced. The Gazette commenced a daily issue in 1856, but could not compete with the gratuitous circulation of the Daily Chronicle, and in a short time abandoned the enterprise.

Mr. Usrey, who was an experienced printer, was born in Natchez, and learned the printer's trade in Vidalia, Louisiana. He came to Illinois in 1843, and may be placed among the pioneer newspaper men of this State. He is a man of good native ability, and possesses much political information, which renders him well qualified for newspaper work. The Chronicle took a conspicuous part in the organization and formation of the Republican party. It took an advanced position in the great cause of freedom and human rights, and maintained it until the curse of slavery was overthrown and driven out of the land. As a writer of polished articles he was clear, concise and vigorous.

The Decatur Democrat

In 1856 the leading Democrats of Macon county concluded to have a newspaper that would reflect their sentiments upon the political questions of the day, and that would more nearly represent their views in the coming campaign than the Gazette, which, to a certain extent, had adhered to its original neutral position in politics. The latter occasionally left its neutral ground, and then it was Democratic. A strong, bold, uncompromising organ was wanted. With this idea in view they purchased type and a press, and on the fourth of April, 1856, the Democrat made its first appearance. Eli Hosea was the editor. He continued the publication until December sixteenth, 1856, when the office was sold out. Elam Rust, by N. W. Tupper, proxy, became the purchaser. He associated with him his son, George W. Rust, and the name was changed to the first number of which was issued January second, 1857. The elder Rust died in the early part of that year, and his son continued the paper until the latter part of the following May. When the office was sold in 1857 Mr. Rust purchased it for ninetyeight dollars, the amount of a claim against it. Mr. Prather and Dr. Baldwin, two gentlemen who contributed means towards its original purchase, still had claims upon the office that remained unpaid. This incumbrance was purchased by Dr. W. J. Chenoweth, who became a part owner of the paper. The firm of Chenoweth and Rust continued for a short time, when Rust withdrew and James Brent, a practical printer, was given a half interest, or effected an arrangement with Chenoweth, by which he became an equal partner in the profits of the office. In the winter of 1857-58 a difference of opinion arose between the partners as to which wing of the Democracy the Herald should support - Chenoweth being a Douglas Democrat and Brent in opposition. The differences being irreconcilable, Chenoweth sold the office to Milan S. Beckwith, who removed it to Pana, Illinois, and there, with the presses and material of the old Democrat, commenced the publication of the first paper printed in Christian county. The Herald was in forma six column folio ; Brent enlarged it to a seven column, same form.

was founded in 1858. The press and material were purchased of the Cincinnati Type Foundry. P. B. Shepherd and Robert Irwin were the projectors. Irwin remained in the firm but a short time. The twenty-fifth of January, 1859, was the date of the first issue of the Daily Magnet, P. R. Shepherd, publisher; P. B. Shepherd and John Ryan editors, with James Shoaff as local editor. It was a four column folio. When Shepherd and Irwin purchased the office of the Cincinnati Type Foundry, they paid part cash and gave their notes for the balance. When Irwin retired Shepherd assumed all liabilities. The note given for the payment of the office remained unpaid, and in December, 1859, the type foundry closed up the office, and it was sold to Henry C. Bradsby. He assumed the publication of the Magnet, with James Shoaff as editor and manager. In 1861 the office was leased to E. N. Buck and Isaac N. Underwood. In the latter part of 1862 James Shoaff purchased the office and continued the publication of the paper until March twenty-third, 1868, when he formed a partnership with Major Asa Miller, which continued until February twenty-first, 1871. (Mr. Shoaff issued the daily Magnet, commencing September thirtieth, 1867.) At the latter date he traded his interest in the Magnet for the material and presses of the Democrat office, which he removed to Paris, Illinois, and there commenced the publication of the Gazette. He remained there until his death, which occurred April twelfth, 1874. The Magnet was Democratic in politics from 1862 and during Mr. Shoaff's connection with it.

It is fitting, in the chapter on the Press of Macon county, that some extended mention should be made of the pioneer publisher of the county. Mr. Shoaff was a native of Williamsport, Maryland, and came west at an early age and settled in Paris, Illinois, where he learned the printer's trade in the office of the Illinois Statesman, and published his first paper, the Owl, in Charleston, in 1843. The year following he went to St. Louis and worked at the case in the Republican office. Thence he went to Greenville, Illinois, and published a paper. In 1848 he commenced the publication of the Reveille in Bloomington, and from there removed to Pekin, where he published a paper, and removed the office to Decatur, where he commenced, in 1851, the publication of the Gazette. He embarked in the dry goods business, aud failed in 1858, when he went back to journalism. In 1861 he removed to Bement, Piatt county, and commenced the publication of a small paper called the Bement Union, and continued the same for three months, when he raised a company of soldiers for the war, which was afterwards known as company "A" of the 35th regiment, Illinois volunteers, and was elected second Lieutenant. July third, 1861, he enlisted, and resigned February third, 1862, and returned to Decatur and reengaged in the printing business, in which he continued until his death. We quote from the Republican of April sixteenth, 1874, which says of him: "He was a remarkable man, and possessed of indomitable energy, and could accomplish as much work in a given time as any man whom we know. Perseverance and industry were his chief traits, and he would tolerate no idlers about him. He had an unbounded faith in himself, and this peculiarity enabled him to accomplish what others, with more skill and knowledge, would have deemed impossible. He was not what might be called a good writer, and yet he had the faculty of "getting off" short squibs and locals which though positively not witty or brilliant, seemed to make him famous by reason of their unique character. He was, perhaps, the best known country editor in Illinois. Personally, he was a most genial companion, and had thousands of friends.

The Magnet, under the management of Miller & Addis, was continued until its consolidation with the Tribane, which took place June 20th, 1874. In order to trace the history of the Magnet it is necessary to go back to 1872. In March of that year, Mr. A. H. Gorman moved his printing office from Maroa to Decatur, and consolidated it with the material of the old Gazette and Chronicle office, then in the possession of W. L Hammer. John A. Brown represented Mr. Hammer's interest, and was local editor of the paper. Mr. Gorman was editor and manager. The first issue of was made March 26th, 1872. The paper continued under the same management until June 20th, 1874, when it was consolidated with the Magnet, and was then known as

The Magnet And Tribune

The Magnet and Tribune Company was conqiosed of Asa Miller, the former editor of the Magnet, A. H. Gorman, George Sylvester, and IV. L. Hammer, who became a member of the company by virtue of his interest in the Tribune office. Of the new enterprise Asa Miller was chosen editor-in-chief. W. L Hammer retired from the company soon after the consolidation. The Magnet and Tribune was continued as the organ of the Democratic party. The company continued the publication without any further change until March 26th, 1875, when the co-partnership was dissolved, and formed. The members of the latter were : L. M. Andrews, who hail charge of the editorial department, and was also financial manager; A. II. Corraan, book-keeper and local editor; and Geo. Sylvester, who continued as foreman of the office. Asa Miller retired from the firm anil from the printing business in Macon county. He removed to Danville and subsequently to Tuscola.

The Decatur Tribune Company continued until May 31st, 1875, when A. H. Gorman sold out his interest to the remaining partners. The firm of Andrews & Sylvester continued the publication until November 9th, 1875, when J. A. Brown, trustee, took possession of the office, the company having defaulted in payment of interest on a trust mortgage of $2,000. Mr. Brown continued the publication of the paper for a few weeks. During this time S. S. Jack performed the editorial work. Soon after the foreclosure of the mortgage, and before the sale of the office, Mr. Sylvester, who held a second mortgage, paid off the first and released the office, and then closed it up. It remained closed, and was sold to S. S. Jack in the latter part of December, 1875. This closes the life and history of the old Magnet and Tribune. The paper was issued as a daily and weekly. The Daily was a seven-column folio, and the Weekly a nine-column same form. Under the management of the Tribune Company the paper was to a slight extent independent in tone, with strong Democratic tendencies. It advocated measures and promulgated a platform upon which it hoped to unite all the opposition to the Republican party. It was edited with considerable ability, and during its publication the party it represented had no reason to complain of not having their principles and views fairly and ably advocated in Macon county.

The Daily Emprise

No. 1 of Yol. I., appeared September 19th, 1859, Messrs. Buck & Underwood, editors and proprietors. The Emprise was printed in the Chronicle office. It lived but a short time.

The Decatur Tribune

was established in the summer of 1864 by Joseph M. Prior. He, with the assistance of J. D. Hill, purchased the office in Du Quoin, Illinois, and removed it to Decatur. He continued the publication until April, 1865, when I. N. Coltrin, a practical printer, now foreman in the Republican office, became an equal partner in the paper. They continued the Tribune until September, 1865, when they sold it to Burlingame Brothers. They ran the office for some time, with Prior as editor, after which they leased it to two printers by the names of Miller and Williams, who operated it for a few months. The office was then closed up, and remained closed until purchased by W. M. Stanley and J. R. Mosser, who added new material and presses, and started

The Decatur Republican

The first issue was made on the 1st of August, 1867. The firm of Stanley & Mosser continued until October 3d, 1867, when Mr. Stanley sold his interest to B. K. Hamsher. The firm of Hamsher & Mosser was then formed, and has continued from that time to the present. Mr. Stanley removed to Sullivan, Illinois, and was afterward appointed Indian agent, and was acting in that capacity at Los Parios agency during the late Indian troubles in that locality. At present he is editor and publisher of the Champaign Republican, at Champaign, 111. When the Republican closed its first volume the form was changed from an 8-column folio to a 6-column quarto, which it still retains. On the 1st of April, 1872, was commenced the Daily Republican, a 7 -column folio, which has continued without interruption or suspension to the present. It bears upon its pages every evidence of a healthy, paying patronage and good management. The circulation of the weekly Republican is 1,600, and the daily 650. The office is well supplied with improved presses, driven by steam, and altogether is one of the best equipped for doing all kinds of job work in central Illinois. As newspaper managers, Messrs. Hamsher A Mosser undoubtedly stand at the head of their profession in Macon county, if not in country journalism in the state. Both are thoroughly experienced in the art of printing, and know the wants of the people. Although situated nearly equi distant from Chicago on the north, and St. Louis on the south, and to some extent overshadowed by the metropolitan press, they have, notwithstanding these disadvantages, made the Daily Republican a necessity to the people of Decatur and vicinity. As a writer of political articles Mr. Mosser is terse and logical, and shows an intimate knowledge of the issues of the day. In politics the Republican has been the recognized organ of the Republican party in central Illinois, and wields an influence second to no other country journal in the state.

The Maroa Times

The above-named paper was the first printed in the village oi Maroa. In the winter of 1866-7, T. J. Sharp brought an office to the town, and in the latter part of January, 1867, commenced the publication of the above paper. It was intensely Democratic in tone. Mr. Sharp was a bitter partisan, and somewhat personal and scurrilous in his attacks upon citizens. This course soon brought on between the editor and citizens serious collisions, the last one of which occurred on the 27th of November, 1867, in which Mr. Sharp was knocked down and badly beaten by the enraged people. He was informed that if he had any regard for his personal safety he would at once remove his office and family out of town. He complied with this pointed and forcible request, and went to Lincoln, Illinois, where he soon after started the Statesman.

The Tablet

The first number of which appeared February 1st, 1868. From some cause or other the paper did not receive sufficient encouragement to warrant Mr. I)e Lay in continuing the publication, and after a few issues the Tablet was discontinued.

In February, 1869, A. H. Corman, a printer in the Chronicle office in Decatur, went to Maroa, and with the assistance of merchants and enterprising men, established and continued its publication until in March, 1871, when the office was moved to Decatur, and here, in connection with W. L. Hammer, he started the Decatur Tribune, of which mention has been made in another part of this chapter.

The people of Maroa were without a paper until the 12th of April, 1872, when Henry B. Funk, now of the Monticello Bulletin, issued the first number of

The News started as a seven column folio, and was subsequently changed to a six column quarto. It was neutral in politics. Mr. Funk continued the paper until May 29th, 1875, when he sold it to Messrs. Axton & Jones, two prominent citizens of Maroa. They leased the office to A. H. Corman, the former owner of the Tribune. He continued the publication until August, 1877, when it passed into the hands of Jones & Axton.

Mr. Corman left Maroa in the same month and went to Colorado Sjmngs, Col., where a short time after his arrival, he became the manager of the "Franklin Job Printing House." Not making that a success, he in a few months later became the city editor of the Colorado Springs Gazette (daily and weekly), and was afterwards a compositor on the same paper. He was in some respects a ready and pointed writer.

After Corman's retirement from the Maroa News, Dr. Axton traded Jones' land for his (Jones') interest, and became the sole owner. He then leased the office to Stratton, Axton, & A. R. Arbuckle. They published the News from August, 1877, to February 1st, 1878. Dr. Axton then sold the office to Mr. Sargeant, who sold it to Thomas Hines. Mr. Hines sold a half interest to Turner O'Banion. The partnership of Hines & O'Banion was formed February 1st, 1878, and continued until October 1st of the same year, when Hines leased his interest to O'Banion. This arrangement continued until October 1st, 1879, when Major C. F. Emery purchased Hines' share in the office, and leased it to O'Banion, who has continued to publish the paper under that arrangement up to the present.

The News is a five column quarto, neatly printed and a spicy paper. In politics it is independent. Circulation about 700. The office is well supplied with neat and new type and an improved power-press, known as the " Prouty Power Press."

The Maroa Budget

It was printed in the News office. In August, 1876, T. O'Banion purchased Carey's interest, and he and Axton edited it until August, 1877, when Axton retired. O'Banion enlarged it to a five column quarto, and changed the name to

The Messenger

The year 1868 was a prolific year for newspaper enterprises. The Democrat was started as a campaign paper. The first number was issued July 23d, 1868. It was organized as a stock company, the members of which were prominent Democrats of Macon county. J. H. Martin was selected as editor and manager. He conducted the paper through the campaign of 1868, and did good work for his party. In December of the same year the publication was suspended. The office was locked up and remained closed until May, 1869, when W. H. Addis leased it of the stockholders. Under his management the first number was issued May 22d, 1869. James M. Irwin was the editor. Mr. Addis continued the Democrat under the lease until July, 1870, when he purchased the office from the stockholders.

In the summer of 1870 Samuel Pike brought a printing office to Danville, Illinois, and from there removed it to Decatur. On the 5th of August of the same year it was consolidated with the Democrat. The paper then took the name of

Pike was editor and Addis manager. The firm of Pike & Addis continued until February 1st. 1871, when Pike retired and returned to Hillsboro, Ohio, where he had formerly resided.

It continued until May 18th, 1871, when it was consolidated with the Democrat. From the latter date .the Democrat was issued as a daily and weekly paper, and so continued until November 11th, 1871, when the publication ceased for want of patronage. The material and presses remained in the possession of Mr. Addis, who, in the month of the suspension, leased the office to Alfred F. Wuensch, who commenced the publication of the Decatur Review. On the 24th of February, 1872, Mr. Addis traded the office to James Shoaff for the latter's interest in the Magnet. Mr. Shoaff removed the press and material to Paris, Illinois, where it yet remains, and from it is issued the Paris Gazette.

The Decatur Review

Was founded by Rev. Alfred Wuensch. The first number was issued on the first Thursday in April, 1872. It was an independent paper, but gravitated into the farmer's or Granger's movement. Mr. Wuensch continued the Review until 1874, when he leased the office to John Lindsey and D. J. Block, who published the paper one year, after which Mr. Block retired, and Alfred F. Wuensch, son of the founder of the paper, took his place. Lindsey & Wuensch remained the lessees until June 1st, 1876, when Mr. Wuensch sold the office to W. H. Bayne. In November, 1876, he commenced the issue of the Daily R. view, and continued it for two months, when, not proving a financial success, it was abandoned. On October 1st, 1878, the publication of the daily was resumed, and it has continued to the present time. The Weekly Review is a seven column quarto in form ; the Daily is a seven column folio. The Weekly has a circulation of 1,200. The Review is Democratic, and is the leading and representative organ of the party in this congressional district.

The Macon Tribune

Was published in the town of Macon. The first issue of the Tribune was September 12, 1867. John J. Smith, formerly of the Bement Courier, was the editor and publisher. It suspended January 1st, 1868.

The Niantic Herald

Was a 5 col. folio, printed at Niantic, R. V. Malloy, editor and proprietor. No. 1, of Vol. 1, appeared Oct. 30th, 1874. It had but a brief existence.

The Decatur Weekly Sun

Vol. 1, No. 1, appeared February 2d, 1875, Leonidas II. Tupper, editor. It was a 7 col. folio. It passed into the possession of G. F. Kimball.

The Decatur Times

The material of the old Magnet and Tribune offices being in possession of " Doc " Sylvester by virtue of his second mortgage, he sold it to S. S. Jack. A few days later Jack sold a third interest to G. F. Kimball. These gentlemen, under the name of the "Decatur Times Company," commenced the publication of the above-named paper. The first issue was January 3d, 1876 It was both daily and weekly. The firm continued four months when Kimball purchased Jack's interest, and continued the publication of the Times at irregular intervals. The daily issue was abandoned entirely. In politics it started as an independent paper, but its sympathies were with the Democratic party, and by the general public it was regarded as a Democratic newspaper. During Mr. Jack's connection with the paper he gave it character and standing. In the latter part of May, 1876, Mr. Kimball started the

Whip And Spur

It dealt largely in personalities, and advocated the Greenback and fiat theories. During the publication of the Whip and Spur the Times was continued and published semi-weekly. The Whip and Spur continued through the campaign of 1876, and closed in November of the same year. His next journalistic venture was the

Temperance Bugle The Sun

In January, 1877, Alfred F. Wuensch and Howard Montressor established the Daily Sun. They continued the publication until April following, when they sold it to G. F. Kimball. The sale covered the name and good-will, which were its entire capital. It was printed in the office of the Review. After the purchase, Mr. Kimball discontinued the Times, and substituted the Sun. He continued it as a daily and weekly. It started as a 7 col. folio, afterwards enlarged to an 8 col., and then changed back to a 7 col. The Sun continued to illuminate Macon county journalism until May 21st, 1879, when the office was leased to Joseph Prior and Alfred F. Wuensch. These gentlemen changed its political tone, and made it a Republican paper. Messrs. Prior and Wuensch conducted it until about the first of July, of the same year, when the enterprise collapsed, and the office passed into the possession of Kimball, where it remained until the fall of 1879, when he removed it to Belleville, Illinois, and it now forms a part of the office of the Belleville Republican.

The Democratic Era

The first number of the Era appeared in July, 1877, G. F. Kimball and John Lindsey, editors and publishers. Two months later the publication of the Era ceased.

Mr. Kimball had, during his connection with the journalism of Macon county, other and different partners than those mentioned, but their business arrangements were of such short duration that they are not important in connection with the history of the press of the county. As an organizer and founder of newspapers, Mr. Kimball has but one equal in Illinois, and no superior. That all his ventures in journalism were not complete successes is not to be wondered at. His failures are attributable to the fact that he never stopped to count the cost. He acted solely from the impulses of the moment. If there was a lack of judgment he hoped to get over the- difficulty by the exercise of energy and industry. Of the latter he had an abundance, but no amount of it could bridge over the gaps caused by the lack of common business judgment, and the too frequent indulgence in visionary schemes. As in business, so he was as a newspaper writer. Sometimes clear, strong, and vigorous, at others erratic, weak and inconsistent. None were more sanguine or honest in their plans nor saw more distinctly their fulfilment in the future, but unfortunately his mind changed so rapidly that the mere failure found him in a new position with a new project; therefore the sluggish mind of the public thought him often inconsistent, while it had not really caught up and learned his latest discovery. As a man and a citizen he was honest and upright, and honorable in all of his business transactions.

The Saturday Herald

The above-named paper was started by C. N. Walls, formerly of the Tuscola Journal. The first number was issued October 11th, 1879. In form it was a six column quarto. Politically it was Independent. Mr. Walls continued to publish it weekly, until Feb. 1st, 1880, when Col H. W. Rowell and W. H. Addis became the lessees. It was then changed to a Republican paper. On the 13th of May of the same year, they commenced the publication of the Daily Hera/d, a six column folio, which still continues. The circulation of the weekly Herald is 1100. The office is supplied with a Cattrell and Babcock Cylinder Press, and a .large-sized Gordon Press, and a good variety of type for all kinds of printing. Mr. Addis is a practical printer, in Decatur. Col. Rowell is also an old newspaper man, and was formerly connected with the Register at Rockford, Illinois. Messrs. Rowell & Addis continued the publication of the Herald, until July 24th, 1880, when C. N. Walls took possession of the office by reason of forfeiture of lease. He continues the paper as a Republican journal.

The Tomahawk

The above paper is the latest aspirant for. journalistic honors in Macon county. The first number was issued May 11th, 1880. A. R. Arbuckle, editor and proprietor. The Tomahaivk is a five column folio, neatly printed and ably edited. In politics it is Independent. The publisher's object in starting the paper was to have an organ representing the liberal sentiment of this section. It has a weekly circulation of 500 copies.

The Yardstick

Is the name of a small paper published at Blue Mound, by Henshie Bros. It is their own advertising medium, and they give local news each week.

Illinois Vollcsbfat was issued July 3d, 1871. It had but a brief existence. The Zietung , another German paper, was printed in the Gazette and Chronicle office. It survived but a few months.

The history of the Press of Macon county has been briefly traced. There have been some trials and obstacles, and it has witnessed some failures, but it is fairly representative of the business growth of the county. The influence and character of the press has grown with the increase of the material wealth and intellectual growth of those they have represented. The number of newspaper enterprises organized and supported in the county, shows well for the liberality of its citizens, and it further shows the appreciation of the power of printer's ink and editor's pen when used for the advancement of the intellectual growth of the people and material wealth of the county. The fact is patent that to the press more than to any other means belongs the honor of building up and making known to the outside world the wealth of soil, the advantages of agriculture, and manufacturing interests, the excellent schools, the moral tone of the people of Macon county. In short, whatever position or fame it has throughout the state from any point of observation, is due in a great measure to the press of Macon county.