Madison County, Illinois - Chapter 11: Tee Press, 1882 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 11: Tee Press

Edward-iv'Ue Spectator, The Star of (he Wed, Illuwis liepublican, Illinois Corrector, The Crinis, Illinois Advocate, Western I'lovghhoy, Alton Spectator, Alton Telegraph, Tn- Weekly Telegraph, Daily Telegraph, Alton Telegraph and Democratic Review, Alton Telegraph and Madison County liecord, Alton American , Alton Observer, The Illinois Temperance Herald, Alton Commercial Gazette, The Altonian, Western Pioneer and Baptist Standard Bearer, Voice oj Illinois, The Sucker, The Western Weekly Mirror, Sovereign People, The Star of Bethlehem and Candid Examiner, The Proti'stant Monitor, Alton Mirror, The Presbytery Reporter, The Madison Record, The Alton Courier, The Alton National Democrat, Madison County Enquirer, The Weekly Madison Press, Mwlison County Advertiser, Madison, County Ontrier, The Sucker Life Boat, The Vowarls, Illinois Beobachter, Freie Presse, Missouri Cumberland Preebylerian, Ladies' Pearl, The Good Templar, The Alton Banner, Western Cumberland Presbyterian, Cumberland Presbyterian, Our Faith, Erzaehler, Highland Bote, Madison County Bote, The Intelligencer The Uninn, Highland Union, Edwardsville Rfpubliean, The Coliinsidlle Argus, Liberal Democrat, Our Times Edwardsville Times, The Temperance Banner, Alton Democrat, Daily Democrat, The Troy Weekly BulUtin, The Morning NeW't, The Christian NeWi, Qui Vive, College Review, ColUnsville Weekly Herald, Madison County Sentinel, The Little Eyicopalian, Banner of the Cross, Madison County Anzeiger, Edwardsville Democrat, The Highland Herald, The Collinsville Star.

,AN finds his greatest good and highest happiness in associations with his fellowmen. His constitution demands companionship, and history teaches that in fi^0'^:-rp"^j^^\A all ages and in all parts of the earth, ^ >; '" ;, > f men have grouped themselves into fami- ^ ' . i lies, clans and nations. Protection has not been the sole object of these compacts and has not often been their chief incentive, for society is not man's creation but his divinely instituted state. The reasons for its existence antedate Adam's birth, and are manifested in those primitive instincts which guard and potentially guide in the formation of human character.

The power to think is the grandest of God's creations, and the ability to communicate thought is scarcely less noble. These capabilities are distinctively human attributes, and in exercising them the race has attained its present degree of civilization. Society presupposes two parties, one to influence and one to be influenced. The thinking portion of a community is its motive power, and when thoughtful leaders can readily impart a proper understanding of their deductions they secure unanimity of purpose and harmony of action from their followers. Indeed, he only is worthy of leadership who can communicate to others the good that is in himself and who is constantly accumulating a supply of that which is good to communicate.

There must be a medium between him who directs and those who are guided ; a communicator, or, transmitter. Language is the transmitter of thought. Early in his existence man learned to associate sounds and ideas, to group sounds expressive of ideas, to make the former symbols of the latter. Another progressive step was taken when aibitrary sounds became conventionally the exponents of ideas, and words became their signs. These are the footprints of the child'smastery of speech, and vestiges of the method by which humanity came into possession of a vocal language.

Primeval man could not send the products of his reflective faculties beyond the limit of his voice, which was his chief instrument of language. "Necessity is the mother of invention," and the demand for a medium which would carry thought farther than mere vocal utterance and retain it longer, led to the use of visible representation of ideas. Undoubtedly these at first were ideographic, that is pictorial and .symbolic. Gradually the pictures and symbols were abridged both in delineation and numbers, as a matter of convenience, and these abbreviated forms became conventional signs of spoken language. Thus originated phonetic writing, that in which the elementary sounds of language are represented by distinct and distinguishable characters called letters These letters arranged in their customary order constituted the alphabet.

The Egyptians ascribe the introduction of writing toThoth, their god of intelligence ; the Greeks assigned the honor to Cadmus, the mythical founder of Boostian Thebes, and the Scandinavians claim the discovery as belonging to their god, Odin. While its authorship is thus traditional and fabulous, no one doubts that the art was carried from Egypt to Phoenicia and thence to Greece and other states. The Egyptians could never entirely disassociate the idea and its symbol, but the Phoenicians, rejecting the ideograms, retained the symbols and modified them so as to represent elementary sounds, and devised the first alphabet, which was centuries in advance of hieroglyphics, and when fairly comprehended furnished a facile instrument of communication.

Men naturally desire the preservation of their best thoughts, and instinctively seek those instruments which are available and in themselves pleasing. Thus only can the rise of sculpture, painting and literature be accounted for, and a nation which does not possess these arts is essentially barren of culture. The innovation of letters facilitated authorship by removing much of the toilsome and time-consuming labor of literary composition. The introduction of the alphabet, called for a reading public, and the combination rendered erudition popular and potential. From this point literary progress was comparatively rapid ; books multiplied somewhat speedily, and the knowledge of the few leavened the intelligence of the ma.sses. There were book stores in Athens, at least, as early as the Peloponnesian w.ir, J31-464 B. c; and ruling prices were reasonable since bookmaking was largely the product of slave labor. There were famous libraries in ancient as in modern times Pisistratus, the Athenian tyrant, 560 B. c, is credited with having collected a vast library which he generously opened to the public, and the famous Alexandrian library, instituted by Ptolemy Soter, is a matter of hitory. Towards the end of the Roman republic, books cost little if any more than at present, and libraries of from 30,000 to 60,000 volumes were not uncommon. Civilization kept pace with literature. The Greeks learned never to do anything too much, and in language, art and eloquence, they have never been excelled. A Roman citizen was better than a barbarian king, because such citizenship was a pledge of the resources of the empire in defense of Rjman liberty, a pointed illustration of the highest function of any governmental policy.

The onward march of human progress was rudely checked when hordes of northern and Asiatic barbarians invaded Rome's dominions, sacked her capitals, destroyed her collections of literary and artistic culture, despised her refinement in manners and living as types of effeminacy, and ruthlessly demolished the landmarks of the race's growth. Europe but slowly recovered from these devastations. For cenluries she loitered on the borders of barbarism, and so debased was her condition that men speak of the Dark Ages as the saddest in history. It was during this period that Roger Bacon wrote " Slowly has any portion of the philoso. phy of Aristotle come into use among the Latins. His natural philosophy and his metaphj'sics were translated in my time and interdicted at Paris up to the year 1237, because of their assertion of the eternity of the world and of time. Without mathematical instruments no science can be ma.stered, and these instruments are not to be found among the Latins, and could not be made for two or three hundred pounds. Thescientifio works of AristotleofAvicenna of Seneca, Cicero and other ancients cannot be had without great cost ; their principal works have not been translated into Latin, and copies of others cannot be found in ordinary libraries or elsewhere. I could never find the works of Seneca, though I made diligent search for them twenty years and more."

This was the seed time of modern civilization. A pious zeal for rescuing the Holy Sepulchre from the infidel Turks led to the Crusades, which although they failed to effect that for which they were planned, planted, the humanizing germs of commercial intercourse, constitutional liberty, and spiritual growth. The development and expansion of these germs helped to clear the murky intellectual atmosphere of its almost universal cloud of ignorance, and men began to step into the light of reason, justice and charity. Then were seen the streakiugs of the morning light of modern history, and the dawn followed when the skilled copyist of abbey and niona-tery gave way to the printer and his art. The invention of printing is encircled with uncertainty. A pretty Dutch tradition tells us that Laureutius Coster, a worthy Hollander of Haarlem, in idle amusement carved some letters on a piece of bark or wood, and admiring his handiwork wrapped it in a piece of paper and laid it aside while he slept. On awakening he found that rain had moistened the paper and that the letters he had cut on the wood had been impressed upon the paper. This happy accident suggested a principle and its practical application, and ere long Coster invented a process for taking impressions from blocks, upon each of which the contents of a page were engraved. The story asserts that at Coster's death his apprentice, Johann Gutenberg, stole a part of the office, transported it to Mentz, and there commenced business after securing the friendship and partnership of Johann Faust, a wealthy goldsmith. German authorities deny the truth of this tradition, and claim that Gutenberg was the real inventor. They assert that he had an ofBce in Strausburg as early as 1436, and movable types n it later than 1438.

The introduction of a beneficieut reform is slow and discouraging; it has to overcome lack of facilities, bigotry and prejudice. Printing, or to be more exact, typography, demanded another art, that of paper making. It is true that paper was known and manufactured in Europe two hundred years or rao-e before typography was invented, but the quantity was insufficient for the printer's demands, and the quality was ill adapted to his art. Parchment and vellum were commonly used by copyists, but have never been popular with printers, since they wear types rapidly, and stubbornly resist ink. In addition to these drawbacks it is to be remembered that these materials were very expensive and their sources limited. We are told that the first printed Bible required the skins of more that three hundred sheep The church was the patron of literature, and was most powerful in moulding public opinion. A no inconsiderable source of revenue was book-making, the work of training copyists and illuminators who, in the main, were monks. These monks did not of course surrender their pleasant and lucrative employment unwillingly, and uncomplainingly, and did not hesitate to prejudice the masses agains the innovation of printing. But the most serious impediment was the lack of an intelligent and reading public. Many kings even could not read, and not a few bishops and archbishops could not sign their own promulgations. Indeed, the scrivener's art was in such ill repute that the crusaders exposed to public ridicule the peas and ink-itands they found in Constantinople, when that city fell into their hands, as the ignoble arras of contemptible students.

Slowly the new art male its way ; educators enlisted its cooperation ; authors sought its aid in the presentation and disseminationof their best thoughts; gradually men appreciated its merits and usefulness. Through these instrumentalities intelligence spread ; the man of book learning, from being an object of contempt became an object of emulation; men became readers as well as doers ; theacquisisition of knowledge was considered fashionable, and grew into a necessity. Thus did the press act upon the people, but the reaction was a? great ; the thirst for knowledge was only intensified by acquaintance with the products of the world's master minds, and as men saw that the lessons of the past might be used in the management of the present, they rightly concluded that the knowledge of the living would be as beneficial as the formal and abstruse theories of the departed. Thus current literature followed classical, and whetted the mental appetite for knowing events as soou as possible after their occurrence. To meet this demand is the special province of journalism, whii-h differs essentiall)' from that of literature ; it is less exacting as to dignity of statement and polish of expres.-ion ; is freer in the selection of topics, and more colloquial in their treatment ; aims to be a reflex of man's daily life, as literature seeks to present him at his best. The press was abreast of these social changes. From beinga mere manufiietory of books, the printing office became a receptacle of fresh information, a resort for the witty and the learned, a medium between the wise and ignorant. Its influence grew as its circle widened, and when the people were ready for weekly and daily publications, they were forthcoming in ' obedience to the law of supply and demand.

The newspaper is the organ of journalism ; its authentic history dates from the days of Republican Rome. The first of which we have an account was the Acta Diurna, a manuscript record of the proceedings in the Roman senate. It is frequently mentioned by contemporary authors, and seems to have had subscribers in distant cities. Cicero speaks of it as furnishing city news and gossip. Alexander Andrews, in his "History of British Journalism," thus tersely describes the origin and growth of newspapers in England : " First we have the written news letter, furnished to the wealthy aristocracy ; then, as the craving for information spread, the ballad of news, sung or recited ; then the news pamphlet, more prosaically arranged ; then the periodical sheet of news, and la,stly the newspaper."

The first well authenticated and regularly issued English newspaper was entitled. The Wceldij Ktws, from Italy, Germany, etc., 1622, and Nathaniel Butler is regarded as the father of newspaper enterprises. Parliamentary reports were first published in 1641, and the first advertisement was inserted in a newspaper about 1648. For a long time the government exercised a strict and persecuting censorship, over the press, which was not remitted till the accession of William and Mary. France had newspapers as early as 1605, and Italy as early as 1570. There is in the British Museum a copy of a printed Italian newspaper bearing the above date. Germany had irregular news publications in 1594, and a regular weekly newspaper was established in 1615. Peter the Great helped to establish the first Russian journal in 1703, and for centuries China has had a court newspaper called by Europeans the Ptkin Gazette.

In our country the first newspaper was issued at Boston September 25th, 1690. Only one copy is known to exist, as the paper was immediately suppressed. That copy bears the title, "Public occurrences both Foreign and Domestic," gives the names of Richard Pierce as printer and Benjamin Harris as publisher, and is now preserved in the State paper office in London. The Boston News Letter, published by John Campbell, appeared fourteen 3'ears later, April 24th, 1704, and was regularly issued till 1776. It is commonly but erroneously considered the first American newspaper, and ' was at first a half sheet, eight by twelve inches, with two columns to the page. The News Letter was followed by the Boston Gazette, December 21st, 1719. In 1721 James j Franklin issued the first number of the New England Cou- !

rant, which soon engaged in a heated controversy with Rev. Increase Mather and others on the subject of inoculation. So hearty was its criticism of public men and measures that the following year the Massachusetts legislature forbade James Franklin any longer to issue the C'ourant or to publish any pamphlet or paper of like nature without its being first supervised by the secretary of the province. The name of James Franklin was taken from the paper and that of Benjamin Franklin, his brother and apprentice, then sixteen years of age, put in its place. The oldest living newspaper in the United States is said to be the New Hampahlre Gazette, first published in 1756, and since issued without intermission or any radical change of name. The Pennsylvania Packet or the General Advertiser (Philadelphia), now North Americin, 1784, was the first daily paper, and the next year was followed by the New York Daily Advertiser. In 1776 thirty-seven papers were iniblishedin the colonies; in 1810 the number had increased to 359, of which twenty-seven were dailies; in 1840, the number was 1631 ; 1850,2526; 1861', 4501 ; 1870, 5871 ; and from the most recent reliable authorities the number at present is 6232.

The newspaper history of Illinois is as interesting and checkered as that of the race or nation. The first paper issued in the State was the Illinois Herald, established by ]\Iathew Duncan, at Kaskaskia, the then, territorial capital, at or about, according to Reynolds' History, 1809. In this Reynolds is mistaken. The Herald was the first paper established in Illinois. Mathew Duncan was the editor and publisher. The first issue was made September 7th, 1814. Inform it was a three column folio, wide columns. It retained that form until in the latter part of 1816, it was enlarged to a four column paper. Messrs. Robert Blackwell and Daniel P. Cook purchased the paper and office in the latter part of 1816. Two years later Mr. Elijah C. Berry bought an interest and the name was changed to Illinois Intellir/encer. The office was moved to Vandalia in 1820 in consequence of that place becoming the State capital.

The second paper in the State was The Enxigrant, which was published at Shawueetown by Henry Eddy and Singleton H. Kininiel, who issued its first number in the fall of 1818. Mr. KimmeFs successor was Judge James Hall, who was a Philadelphian by birth, had served in the war of 1812, and had recently settled at Shawueetown. He was a lawyer by profession, but spent much time in literary work, and ultimately obtained more than local fame as an author. Among his writings are Legends of the West, Border Tales, Life of General William Henry Harrison, History of the Indian Tribes, (in the preparation of this work he was associated with Thomas L. McKenny. This history was republished in London), The Wilderness and The War Path, etc. Judge Hall was a contributor to the North American lieview, The Philadelphia Port Folio, The Knickerbocker, was the founder and editor of the Illinois Magazine, which was published ut Vandalia for some years and afterwards moved to Cincinnati, where its name was change, to TheWe4ern Monthly Magazine. When we add to this long list of labors, the editorial duties connected with several newspapers - The Illinois Gazette, The Illinois Intelligencer, etc., it will be readily admitted that few men have done so much for Western civilization" and the intellectual improvement of the country' at large. - Allihone.

Judge Hall held the office of prosecuting attorney, circuit judge and State treasurer. He died at Cincinnati, 1868, having removed thither in 1833. In the memorable convention of 1824 the Emigrant was a powerful opponent to the introduction of slavery ; and its editors, particularly Mr. Eddy, struck not a few herculean blows against the pro slavery champions and sentiments of that campaign.

For facts and dates relating to it and the early press we desii-e especially to acknowledge our indebtedness to Hon. Joseph Gillespie, of Edwardsville, Illinois. He has furnished us much information drawn from his inexhaustible storehouse of knowledge of the early history of the state- He was for many years a prominent actor and central figure in the political history of the state. A lawyer by profession with a large and extensive practice, a judge upon the bench and a prominent member of the Legislative bodies of the state, together with domestic cares and provisions for a competency in the future has made his life an unusually busy one but withal, he has found time to store his mind with much valuable information embracing a wide range of subjects and including a knowledge of art, science and literature. Although ripe in years his vigorous memory retains all the freshness and retentiveness of youth, and with a singular fidelity to fiicts it leaps back and spans the half century gone by, and calls up incidents the narration of which in muiute detail and embellishment seems to bear the impress of but yesterday. He has indeed come down to us from a former generation bringing with him the history and incidents of the past.

We also desire to extend our thanks to the members of the press of Madison county for favors shown, and information given, and esj)ecially to Mr. W. T. Norton of Alton, publisher and editor of the Telegraph, who kindly placed files of that paper at our disposal from which we gleaned much valuable information concerning the press of forty years ago. We also desire to return thanks to Rev. Washington Leveritt, Librarian of Shurtlcff College, Upper Alton, and totheofficers of the Illinois State Historical Society for files of old papers published in Edwardsville sixty years ago, by the aid of which we were enabled to obtain correct dates. We have also taken the liberty of quoting from Hon. E. B. Washburne's " Sketch of Edward Coles," " Tanner's Life of Lovejoy," and using information (where absolutely correct) obtained from Madison County Gazetteer, published some fiftten years ago. From these and other sources we have been enabled to trace the history of the press from its first establishment in Madison county in 1819, to the present time ; and present it in a manner which we hope, will be acceptable to our readers. Prior to the establishing of a newspaper in the county, the people of this section of the country were dependent upon the Missouri Gazette, published in St. Louis, for the news from the outside world. Occasionally a stray copj' of Illinois Emigrant, pnhViahei.] at Shawneetown, or the Illinois Herald, Mathew Duncan's paper, printed at Kaskaskia, found their way here. The third newspaper published in the state was founded by Hooper Warren at Edwardsville. It was the first paper printed in the county. It was called the

Edwardsville Spectator

The first issue was made May 23d, 1819, less than one year after the State was admitted to the Union. In form it was a five column folio neatly printed and ably edited. Few, if any newspapers were ever established in the west, that at once took a more prominent position, or, in so short a time, commanded and wielded a greater influence t^ian the Spectator. It was in its day, the most potential newspaper west of the Allegheny mountains.

In looking through volumes one, two, three and four, we judge that the paper was a success, financially, provided it3 patrons paid up promptly. About one-half of the paper was taken up with home and foreign advertisements. Some of the local "Ads." are unique, and at the present day would appear quite odd. For example : A druggist in Edwardsville advertises a large stock of " Elegant Medicines," and calls particular attention to his " Castor Oil which is a real pleasure to take."

The Spectator made its appearance before the days of railroads and telegraph, consequently news from Washington or even from the seat of the State government was from ten days to three or four weeks in reaching Edwardsville, but it was news nevertheless. In the meantime the columns of the paper were much occupied by essays on every conceivable subject in which, generally, no one had any interest except the writer. This was especially the case in '- off" years when there was no political excitement or elections. In times of great political excitement, or in presidential campaigns, the editorials were exceedingly lengthy and of a ponderous character, though usually possessing literary merit. As news became the dominant idea of the newspapers the heavy leaders were dropped, and paragraphing became popular. Mr. Warren, Editor and founder of the Spectator, was a practical printer. He worked at the "case" in the office of the Missouri Gazette, and while there set up and published, under an assumed name, a series of articles upon public and political questiocs aftecting the weal of the State which attracted the notice of the leading statesmen of Missouri, and called forth replies from Thomas H. Benton and others of equal reputation and ability. All with singular unanimity agreed in attributing the authorship to men iu high position in the State. The articles in question were evidences of the writer's profound knowledge of the. subjects discussed and were written in that bold vigorous style that carried weight and conviction to the reader.

When Mr. Warren established his printing office in Edwardsville he was fortunate in securing the services of George Churchill, who was a practical printer and a writer of well-known ability, and who subsequently became one of the prominent men of the State. These gentlemen edited and " set-up " the pa^jcr the first year. The Missouri Com- promise was then the great absorbing and leading political question, and in its discussion they dealt heavy blows against the institution of slavery and its acquisition of new territory. After the first year, and when the Sjiedator was firmly established, Mr. Warren conducted the paper alone or at least assumed its entire management and cditoria' control.

As before stated, he was a bold, able and aggres-ive writer. His editorials were never written upon paper, but standing at the ''case "he would compose and at the same time put them in type. In the Convention times of l'<24 he took a bold and nianlj' stand and did much to defeat the schemes of the slavery party who sought to make Illinois a Slave State. In 182o he sold the Spectator to Thomas Lippincott and Jeremiah Abbott, the former editor and the latter printer. Before dismissing the Spedifor under Mr. Warreu's management, it is proper to speak of the many able contributors to its columns. In order to better understand the position of the paper at that time it is necessary to state that the leading question which then agitated the public mind of the State was whether a convention should be called the object of which was to change the constitution so as to admit and legalize slavery. Upon this question the people were divided. The leaders of the dominant party in the State few exceptions, were in favor of the Convention, and many able and plausible reasons were put forth by them in justification of their position and in proof of its great advantage and benefit to the commonwealth. " A great cause beget-! great leaders." Opposed to the Convention were those who said, God helping them, the State of Illinois should never be ptdhited and cursed by that monster .«in and crowning evil of the century, slavery. Of these was Edward Coles, then Governor of the State and the recognized leader of the Auti Convention party, whose facile and powerful pen wrote column after column, denouncing the schemes of the leaders of the pro-slavery party, and urging the voters of the State to stand firm against the encroachments of the slave power. He contributed many articles io\.\\Q Spectator, and had much to do in sustaining the high character of that journal. He was the heart and brains of the Anti-Convention party, and entered into the contest with a determination to succeed. He organized the forces of freedom throughout the State, traveling from one distant point to another, making speeches, writing for the newspapers and urging the friends of the cause to come out and by their ballot forever settle the question of the admission of slavery into the free State of Illinois. He was a thorough and intense hater of the system of slavery. He lived long enough to see it go down amidst the thunders of war, though drenched and baptized in the blood of pure patriotism. He was by nature a chivalric, high-toned gentleman, and a pute practical philanthropist who desired and labored for the amelioration of his species. He is dead. To day among the present inhabitants of Illlinois, little is known of him ; but for h's great service to the State he deserves to live in the grateful memories of her people, an^ his noble acts and deeds should be written with a pen of steel upon columns of brass that they might be as enduring as truth and justice, the grand

JMorris Birkbi-ck wai another contributor to the Spectator during the "Convention times." "He was an Englishman by birth, and received a thorough cla.«sical education, after which he devoted himself to the study of agriculture, and soon enjoyed a wide c^-lebrity as being one of the best practical as well as theoretical farmers in England. He came to America in 1817 and S' ttled in Illinois. He was an intense hater of the system of slavery as it existed in the United States, and when the election was called to decide the question of calling a convention to change the constitution he continued busily cniplr)ycd writing p:imphlets, communications, letters, etc., in opposition to it. He contributed a series of letters to the Spectator over the nom, de plume of " Jonathan Freeman." which were widely copied and extensively read. They were written in a plain and pleasing style, full of facts and embellished by homely but apt illustrations. It is conceded that jMr. Birkbeik contributed more and did more valuable .service through the ai<l of his pen to defeat the Convcniion party than any other man in Illinois. His services were such as to entitle him to the lasting gratitude of the people of Illinois."

Among other able contributors to the Spectator were George Churchill, Judge Samuel D. Lockwood, Daniel Blackwell, Jonathan H. Pugh, Daniel P. Cook, Thomas Lippincott, Henry Eddy, Thomas Mather, George Forquer and others. Quite an array of able men, and all were writers of acknowledged ability. It must be reniembere<l that the struggle continued through a period of eighteen months, from the pass-age of the Bdl and the election, which was set for August 5th, 1824. In'o the canvass was injected a bitterness and malignity which the a-ita ion of the slavery question only could produce. It must not be forgotten that on the side of the convention, these writers met no mere pigmies, but men wi rthy of their intellectual steel. There were indeed giants in those days. The pajjcrs in Illinois advocating the side of the convention were the JiepiibUcan Advocate at Kaska-skia, edited and managed by Elias Kent Kane, afterward United States Senator, and the Illinois Republican (of which we shall speak hereafter) at Edwardsville. The real editors and managers and contributors to these pap rs were the leading and prominent men of the state, among whom were ex-Gov. Bond, and six gentlemen who afterward became United States Senators, viz , Je.sse B. Thomas, John McLean, Elias Kent Kane, John 31 Robinson, Samuel McRoberts and Richard M. Young. The other principal writers and contributors were Chief Justice Phillips of the Supreme Court, William Kinney and Zadoc Casey subsequently Lieut. Governors of the state. Gen. Hargrave, Emanuel J West, John Reynolds, afterwr.rd known as the "Ranger Governor" of Illinois, and Alexander P. Field.

These gentlemen endeavored to make their side of the question presentable to the people, an<l perhaps no other men in the nation could have argued a bad cause more cogently or eloquently than they, but despite their labors and vast amount of ability brought to their aid, the earnestness, superior tactics and above all the justness of their cause, enabled the Anti-Convention parly to win. The newspapers of that day were in a great measure mediums througli, and by which the people were reached, and had probably more influence in shaping and crystaliziug popular opinion than ever before or since. When the contest was over and the result determined, then indeed, was seen the power of the press. We very much doubt if any newsjiaper published since in' the west had such an array of talent and able contributors to its columns as the Spectator of sixty years ago.

The history of the Spectator would be incomplete without a short sketch of Messrs. Warren and Churchill, its editors, and the pioneer printers of the west. Hooper Warren was a native of New Hampshire, born in 1790, and while yet in his infancy the farailj- removed to Vermont. AVhile still a youth he was apprenticed to the printing trade in the office of the Rutland Herald, Vermont. In 1814 he removed to Delaware, and three years later to Kentucky, where he worked in a printing ofBce with Amos Kendall who, subsequently, became Postmaster-General. In 1818 he came to St. Louis and worked at the case. In March, 1819, he came to Edwardsville, Madison county. 111., and in May following founded the Edtvardsville Spectator, and coniinued its editor and publisher forsi-^c years. In his salutatory to the public he avowed his anti-slavery principles, and ever after remained true to them, and advocated them with all the zeal and energy of which he was capable ; and that, too, through one of the most exciting and fiercest palitical contests ever known in the state or country. His bold and able championing of the cause of the anti-convention party a'.id his strictures upon the acts of the leaders of the opposition called down upon him the wrath of the opposition, and particularly that of Senator Theophilus W. Smith, who undertook to publicly cowhide him. Failing in his purpose he drew a dirk, but Mr. Warren drew his pistol, which proved a most excellent and effective peace restorer. After he sold his paper Mr. Warren went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and there edited the Xattohal Crisis. One year later he returned to Edwardsville when from some cause unknown to the writer the oflBce of the Spectator fell back into his possession. He removed the type and material to Springfield, Illinois, and there published for two years the Somgamo Spectator. In 1829 he removed to Galena, when in company with two other gentlemen he established the Galena Advertiser and JJltper Mississippi Herald. In 1S31 he removed to Hennepin, where for five years he filled the offices of clerk of the circuit court and county commissioners' court and justice of the peace. In 1836 he went to Chicago and published the Commercial Advertiser. In 1850 he published the Bureau Advocate sXVnnccioQ. One year later he returned to Chicago, and in connection with Z. Eastman, for three years, published the Free West and Western Citizen, after which he retired to his farm in Henry county. He died August 22d, 1834. Such is a brief sketch of one of the pioneer publishers of Illinois. He was eminently a man of work as well as thought. He rarely took time to write, but standing at the case he composed and set up the thoughts as they came crowding from the brain. He was the most taciturn of men, and in that particular was truly remarkable - rarely speaking - and then in monosyllables and never using a superfluous word. He was a quiet, calm, good listener to any proposition or question propounded or addressed to him, and gave his assent or dissent in the fewest words possible. In politics he was libf ral, yet, when after mature deliberation he formed his opinions, he was inflexible and immovable. He was the advocate, and in warm sympathy with the rights of the mass, and a staunch friend of the natural and God-given rights of all men, and all races, and hence was the bitter and unrelenting foe of human slavery.

George Churchill, the co-worker and partner of Hooper Warren in the publication of the Spectator, when first established, was born at Hubbardtown, Rutland county, Vermont, October 11th, 1789. He received a good education in his youth. As he grew to manhood he imbibed a taste for literary work, which induced him to learn the-printer's trade. In February, 1806, he entered the office of the Albany Sentinel as an apprentice, served his time, after which he worked as a "jour" printer until he had accumulated sufficient funds to purchase a half interest in a small printing office. Business being dull, he sold at a loss, went to New York, and worked at the case for five months, then came west. On his way he spent some time in Philadelphia, Pittsburg and Louisville. In the latter city, he worked in the Courier office, then owned by Nicholas Clarke. He afterwards worked in the office of the Correspondent, owned by Col. Elijah C. Berry, subsequently a well-known citizen of Illinois, and auditor of public accounts of the state. In June, 1817, he came to St. Louis, and while there made frequent trips across the river to Illinois. Seeing the rich and fertile soil of the state, he determined to abandon the printer's trade and engage in agricultural pursuits; and, with this idea in view, he selected the northwest quarter of section eight, in township three, range west, and entered it, and there made himself a home and resided until his death, which latter event took place in the summer of 1872. In order to fence and improve his farm, he found it necessary to work at his trade, in order to earn the money to make the necessary improvements. In the spring of 1819 he worked in the office of the Missouri Gazette in St. Louis, then conducted by Joseph Charless. At that time arose the famous " Missouri Question" in Congress. The citizens of the territory petitioned Congress for an " Enabling Act," by which the people could elect delegates to meet in convention and form a constitution f)r a state government, with a view of admission into the Union. The act passed the House of Kepreseutatives, with the proviso, that the " Introduction of slavery, or involuntary slavery, be prohibited," etc. When it reached the Senate, that body struck out the proviso, and the House refused to concur ; therefore, the bill failed to pass that session. The action of the anti-slavery men in Congress created the most intense excitement in the territory, and more particularly in St. Louis. Every man who could wield a pen rushed into print. The columns of the papers, especially the Gazette, were crowded with denunciations of the proposed curtailment of wlmt was deemed tlieir vested rights, - aud Iciigtliy and ponderous arguments were made, designed to prove the uncjnstitutionality of the proposed restriction. Believing that something could be said in favor of the bill as amended by the House, Mr. Churchill wrote an article, the authorship of which was kept secret, and it was published. Its appearance had much the same effect upon the excited multitude as a red flag would have upon an enraged bull. The mob howled, and denunciations were poured thick and fast upon the head of the 'Farmer of St Charles County," the nonidc jjlione under which Churchill wrote. The authorship of the inflammable articles was demanded, and their publication ordered to cease. But Jlr. Cbarless was a lover of fair pla}' and free discussion, and he would neither divulge the authorship nor stop their publication.

After Mr. Warren started the Spectator in Edwardsville, Mr. Churchill acceded to the former's request, and came here and assisted him in getting a start. He was convinced that Mr. Warren was unalterably opposed to slavery, and therefore they could work iu liarmony. He remained him one year, then returned to his farm. In 1822 Mr. Churchill was elected to represent Madison county iu the General As.sembly. In the succeeding session of that body it was sought, as stated before, to call a convention to amend the constitution so as to admit slavery. It was in that struggle that the great abilities of Mr. Churchill shone out. His pen, during the entire controver.<y, was busily employed in writing caustic articles that burned through the cuticle of ignorance and sophistry, and left in their stead the healthy cicatrice of reason and common-sense. In 1824 he was reelected as an anti-convention caLdidate, and continued to be elected for several succeeding terms. In 1838 he was elected a member of the State Senate from Madison county, and iu 1844 again elected to the legislature.

He was, to quote from one who knew him well, "a thoroughpaced abolitionist all his life, firm and unyielding in his convictions of what he knew to be right. In the matter of political knowledge he was a walking encyclopfdia of information, aud it was as dangerous to attack him on any question of political knowledge as it was John (^uincy Adams. He was always ready, and could at a moment's notice draw upon his vast storehouse of information, and woe be to the man who presumed upon his ignorance of any fact or point in the political history of this or any other country. His thorough knowledge of the point in question, or its history, would confound his antagonist, while his dry logic and plain mattcrof-tact statements would leave him without any foundation to stand upon. He was accounted the best working man in the legislative body. He toiled like a dray-horse, but never made a speech exceeding five minutes in length ; but in that time, however, he said all that ought to be said upon the question."

Thomas Lippincott, the purchaser of the Spectator, continued the publication of the j)aper until 1827, when he entered the Presbyterian ministry, and became a shining light in that Christian denomination. He was a native of Salem, Xew Jersey, aud was born February G, 1791. His parents were Quakeis; while he was quite young, the family became very much scattered. In 1S02 he went to Philadel|)hia aud resided with his maternal uncle, and soon after became a merchant's clerk. In 1813 he volunteered fir the defence of the city, when threatened by the Briti h forces. He married Patty Swift, in 1816, and in 1817 came west. In 18-0 he became a resident of Edwardsville, and here made his home until 1832. Iu 1822 he was elected secretary of the state senate. On the 8th of October, 1828, he was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Missouri, and spent the remainder of his life in that sacred calling. He is better known in the pioneer Ecclesiastical History of the county than in its journalism. But yet in the Convention times he did good aud noble work for the cause of freedom, through the medium of his fertile pen. j\lr. Lippincott was a man of pleading deportment, friendly, intelligent but of a serious, meditative mien. He was a good author, an honest public officer, an upright citizen and a devout aud pious minister. The whole aim of his life was to aid aud make permanent that which was good aud true.

Was the second candidate for journalistic favors in Madison county, and the fourth paper published in the state. In August, 1822, Mr. Miller and son natives of Pennsylvania, came west, seeking a location to establish a printing office. They brought a press and type with them. They stopped in Edwardsville, and here were induced by promises of support aud patronage, to remain and commence the publication of a newspaper. Their arrival was opportune, as an organ of the Convention party was wanted and needed to counteract the force of the Spectator. Arrangements were made with some of the leading citizens to furnish the necessary capital with which to purchase paper, ink and other incidental expenses contingent upon the starting of a newspaper. Among those whs sup])lied the necessary cash were Hon. Theophilus W. Smith, Emanuel J. West and others. The interest of the contributors was represented by Mr. Stine. The firm was Miller & Stine, and under their management the first issue was made, the date of which was September 14, 1822. They conducted the paper for six months, when it passed into the possession of Thomas J. McGuire & Co. They changed the name to the

Illinois Republican

The first issue of which was made April 12, 1823. The mission of the liepublican was to advocate the cause of the convention party, and it was their recognized organ. The company was correctly supposed to be composed of the following named gentleman, ami leaders of the pro slavery party : Hon. Theophil us W. Smith, the senator from Madison county ; Emanuel J. V>^est, member from Madison in the Legislature, and William Kinney, senator from St. Clair. Senator Smith was the reputed editor and furnished the leading editorials. He had prior to his coming west considerable journalistic experience in New York, and from that fact it was suppposed possessed the necessary qualifications to cope with his formidable rival and opponent, Hooper Warreu, and his corps of able contributors to the Spectator. But the sequel proved, however luueh ability he possessed, bis cause was not just, and I'reeddni, right and justice prevailed. Mr. Smith was a smooth, jjlausibie writer. His articles read well, but there was a vein of sophistry running through them that was apparent to the honest seeker after the truth. It can be said of him that they possessed literary merit. Had he chosen to take the other side of the question, and his action been dictated by honesty, he would have been a foimidable opponent to meet in a pen controversy. He afterwards, as is well known to all students of Illinois history, occupied positions of high trust, representing the county in the State Senate, and was also one of the justices of the s-uprtme court of the state.

The publicatiou of the RepaUkan was continued until July 28, 1824. a few days before the election which by a large majority decided that freedom was the normal condition of the state of Illinois, and must forever remain free and uncontaminated by the influence of slavery within her borders. The mission of the paper was ended and its suspension was sudden, and it was never afterwards revived.

In 1823, Mr. Robert K. Fleming, one of the vetn-an printers of Illinois and among the first newspaper publishers in the state, established the R^'pubUean Advocate at Kaskaskia. It was the mouth piece and exponent of the principles "f the convention party in that section of the state, and during the contest was edited by Elias Kent Kane. After the election and defeat of the party it ceased publication. The press and type were removed to Vandalia, and there the publication was revived. In the summer of 1827, Mr. Fleming removed the press and fi-vtures to Edwardsville and on the 14th of October, 1827, issued the first number of the

Illinois Corrector

It was in form a four C'>lumn quarto, Democratic in politics, and warmly supported General Jack.son for the presidency. It was published every Monday morning. Price per annum S2.50. It was an exceedingly neat publication, and its form was entirely new. All other papers published in the west at that time were folios. The Corrector was not a success financially, but it lingered along until November 20ih, 1828, when it suspended. Mr. Fleming moved the material back to Kaskaskia, and there published the Recorder, until the spring of 18o3, then removed to Belleville, in St. Clair county, where he continued iu the printing business until his death.

The Crisis

Was the fourth paper established in Madison county. Its founder was Samuel S. Brooks. The date of the first number was April 14, 1830. It was a four column paper, published every Saturday, in Edwardsville. Thirty-four numbers were published, when its named was changed to ihe

Illinois Advocate

Eighteen numbers of the paper were published, by Mr. Brooks, when the office passed into the hands of Judge John York Sawyer. The latter gentleman had established the in Edwardsville, November 1, 1830, and continued the publication one year, when he came into possession of the Advocate, and the two papers were consolidated under the name of the Illinois Advocate.

Soon after the consolidation, Mr. J Angevine secured a half interest in the paper. Four months later he sold out to William Peach, but he, too, soon retired, and Judge Sawyer was left iu undisputed possession of the journal. la 1832 Mr. Sawyer was elected state printer, and he removed all of the material to Vandalia, then the seat of the state government. The Advocate was not a success ; its columns were little sought after by advertisers, consequently it had more space for essays and miscellaneous matter, and per consequence enjoyed some reputation on account of its good selections and literary merit.

In 1832, Alton began to loom up as a city of considerable commercial importance, and some few of her sanguine citizens had great hopes of her out-rivaling her sister city - St. Louis. Alton was then the chief commercial and mercantile emporium of Illinois. Her citizens became imbued with a desire to excel. Enterprise waved her magic wand over the city, and at once she spread out and extended her lines of commerce, and placed ne* territory under her commercial dominion. A newspaper was needed to speak for her flattering promises of future greatness. To supply this want, O. M. Adams and Edward Breath, two enterjjrising young men of Alton, started a newspaper at Upper Alton, called the

Alton Spectator

The first number made its appearance January 21st, 1832. The firm of Adams & Breath was dissolved April 20th, of the same year. On the 20th of October, 1832, the office of the Spectator was removed from Upper Alton to Alton City. ISIr. Breath continued the publication until September 20th, 1834, when he sold the prtss and material to J. T. Hudson, who conliiiued Editor and publisher until June 24th, 1836, when W. A. Beatty became Editor and publish^-, and held control until November 25th of the same year, after which D. Ward published eight numbers. On the Iflth of February, 18'17, the office passed into the hands of William Hessin, who on the 17ih of October of the same year sold a half interest to Seth T. Sawyer. The latter continued with the paper but a short time. Mr. Hessin remained sole proprietor until December, 1838, when he sold the Spectator office to J. Clark Virgin, and soon after its publication was suspended.

Mr. Brraih, the pioneer printer and publisher of Alton, soon after his retir. ment from the Spectator, went to Oroomiah, Persia, where a mission had been established by Dr. Grant, and there printed a paper, and engaged in missionary work, and remained there until his death iu 1864.

The Spectator was originally a five column folio; subsequently was enlarged to a seven column, same form. From an old copy we gather much of its history and that of Alton. Its columns were well tilled with home advertisements, from which we judge that in its first years it was a paying invest- meiit. Its edilorial culuiuus were taken up with diseu.-;- sious of the banking system of the eouutry, which tlieu seemed to be the leading question. In politics it advocated the principles of the Whig party. At its mast-head it floated the names of James W. Stephenson lor Governor, John S. Hacker for Lieut. Governor, John M. Krum for Seuator for Madiiou county, and Robert Smith for the Legislature. Before the suspension of tiie Spcciuior a rival had sprung uj), which provtd to be the tifst permanent newspaper esiablifhcd in Alton, and which is still iu existence. We relcr to the

It was for a time the contemporary of the Spectator, and then its successor. It was fouiidid by Kichard M. Treadway and Lawsou A. Parks. The first issue was made Jan. loth, 1836. From the start, it gave a warm and cordial support to the whig party. A few months after the paper was established Samuel G. Bailey, E,-q., was admitted to the firm, which was then known as Trcadway, Parks & Bailey. In the winter of 1836, the great question arose in Congress as to the " Right of Petition," which had fur its able champion John Quincy Adams, who, singlehauded, defended the right of freemen to petition the executive or legislative bodies iu behalf of any measure or in redress of their grievances.

The Telegraph was the only western journal that,'stood by Mr. Adams and supported him in that measure. The cir culation of the paper increased rapidly, and its subscription listi embraced residents as far south as Cairo, and as far north iis the village of Chicago. On the 8th of January, 1837, Mr. Tread way died. The paper was continued by the remaining partners for a short time; then Mr Parks purchased Mr. Bailey's interest. In May, 1837, he sold a half interest to John Bailhache. The latter took charge of the editorial department, and soon after became .sole owner of the Telegraph. He remained editor until April 3d, 1841, when from reasons of ill health, he resigned, and his place was taken by George T. M. Davies, a writer of unusual brilliancy. He had charge of the editorial columns for several years and was a contributor for many years afterward. His letters from ''the seat of war' in Mexico, in lS47-'8, publijhtd in the Telegraph, were widely copied. In May, 1838, he sold a half interest to S. R. Dolbie, who was a practical printer. On the 4th of April, 1840, William A. Btatty purchased an interest in the Telegraph. He took charge of the mechanical department. He died October 8th, 1840. The firm of Bailhache & Dolbee continued without change until January Isf, 1850, a period of twelve years ; then Dolbee was succeeded by William H. Bailhache, a son of the editor. The firm name then became John Bailhache and Sou. In 1852, Mr. E. L Baker became associated with the pape r, and soon after purchased an interest in it The firm name was then changed to John Bailhache and Co. Prior to that time, however, the

On the 10th of July, 1854, Mr. Parks, one of the original pr.'prietors of the Telegraph, purchased Mr. Bailhache"s interest, and from that date until May loth, 18.15, the business was conducted under the firm name of E. L. Baker and Co.

In 1854, the agitation produced by the passage of tb© Kansas-Nebraska bill and the repeal of the Missouri Compromise had a startling efiect upon the people and political parties of the country. The agitation continued until it overthrew and broke up the Whig organization, and that party, with its splendid records of the past, was entirely dismembered, and sank to rise no more. The Telegraph then, as from the date of its first issue, was a strong advocate of the emancipation theories of the time, as advocated by Henry Clay, who was its beau ideal of practical and lofty statesmanship. It took firm ground against the repeal of the Missouri Compromise and the opening up of new territory for the acquisition of the slave jjower. Upon that subject it was the most outspoken, bold and aggressive journal in the west. The Courier, of which we shall speak hereafter, the democratic j)aper, took the same position as the Telegraph, and o|)po3ed the introduction of slavery into the territories, as did many other able newspapers of that party in the north. The discussion upon the Kansas Nebraska bill took a wide range and was productive of much bitterness, and became so absorbing as to totally destroy one party and rend the other in twain. The final result was the reorganization of parties into two great bodies - the one in favor and the other opposed to the further introduction and spread of slavery.

The two papers. Telegraph and Courier, that started and advocated widely different political principles were thus by the whirligig of politics brought to occupy the same political bed, and in the fight for free soil stood shoulder to shoulder. There was not room for two newspapers on the same side. Under the circumstances overtures were made with a view of consolidating them, and after some negotiation the proprietors of the Telegraph sold their subscription lists to the publishers of the Courier. Mr. Bailhache and Mr. Parks continued to carry on the job printing business until the death of the former, which took place in the fall of 1857. As Mr. Bailhache was one of the pioneer printers of Madison county, and was also an able journalist, and the first to establish the press permanently iu Alton, we append a brief biography of him.

John Bailhache was born in St. Ouen in the Isle of Jersey iu the British Channel, May 8, 1787. He was the son of John and Mary ( De La Perrille) Bailhache. In his youth he possessed remarkable aptitude for learning. Being delicate in health his friends piedicted for him a premature death. The French was hi? mother tongue. He studied English and made proficiency in Latin and Greek. He served an apprenticeship of five years at the printing business. At the r< quest of Rev. Peter Sarchet, who had chiL dren in this country, he accompanied him to the United States in 1810, and settled in Cambridge, Ohio. He became a half owner of the Fredoiiian, a paper published at Chilli, cothe, Ohio, and a few months later became sole proprietor.

Ill August 1815 lie purchased the Sciota Gazette and united it with the Fredonian, wiiich then bore the name of the Sciota Gazette &yi<\. Fredonian Ckroniele. A few years later he sold the jiapers, and was elected State Printer. He moved to Columbus, and soon after became the proprietor of the State Journal. He continued his connection with the journalism of Ohio for twenty years, and in that time tooii an active part in the politics of the state. In 1836 at the solicitation of friends he came to St. Louis. Failing to secure an interest in the Missouri Republican, he came to Alton and purchased a half interest in the Telegraph, and took charge of its management May 1st, 1837, and continued with the paper under the various changes stated above. Hi^ editorial life reached over a period of forty-two years. The great a-ini of his journalistic life was to contribute to the elevation of the tone and character of the Western press, by advocating and upholding whatever was innocent and pure, and discountenancing all vice and immorality in whatever guise it might appear. The peculiar views of all were treated with fairness and courtesy. As a writsr of poliiical editorials he was far above the average journalist of his day. He was well educated, a ripe scholar of fine literary attainments, and a student all his life. His mind was well stored with useful information mainly obtained from books ; therefore in the actual and business afiliirs of life he was not as practical as others, nor did he succeed as well as some who had less literary and intellectual capital. He was a man who had many warm personal friends who were attached to him as by " hooks of steel. " He held various offices of honor and trust, in both this state and Ohio. In 1841 he represented Madison county in the State legislature. His death, which was the result of an accident, occurred September 2d, 1857. He was a devout believer in the principles of Christianity, and was reared in the faith of the Protestant Episcopal church, in which belief he lived and died.

After the death of Mr. Bailhache, Mr. Richard Ennis formed a partnership with Mr. L. A. Parks in the jobprinting business. Mr. Ennis soon retirel, and his place was taken by J. T. Beem. The firm of Parks & Beem continued until the spring of 1861, when the Courier ceased publication. Then L. A. Parks, J. T. Beem and Samuel V. C'rossman associated themselves together, and revived the publication of the Telegraph. The firm continued until Mr. Beem volunteered and entered the service. Parks & Grossman continued to publish the Telegraph until 186-1, when Grossman retired^ and Thomas S. Pinckard became his successor. The latter withdrew from the firm, February 1st, 1866. Mr. Parks remained editor and sole proprietor until August 10th of the same year, when Charles Holden purchased an interest in the paper, and the firm of L. A. Parks & Co. was formed, and continued unchanged until August, 1867, at which time W. T. Norton secured a third interest, the firm name remaining and continuing the same until the death of Mr. Parks, which event occurred April 1st, 1875. Then Messrs Holden and Norton purchased Parks' interest, and continued the publication of the paper until May 1st, 1880, when Holden retired, and Mr. Norton became sole owner, and has continued to the present time. The paper was started under the name of the Telegraph. On the 17th of April, 1841, its" name was changed to the Alton Telegraph and Democratic Review. In the year 1853 the words "Democratic Review" were dropped, and " Madison County Review" substituted. It was then published as the Alton Telegraph and Madison County Record, which name it retained until its suspension, or until the time when the subscription lists were sold to George T. Brown of the Courier.

Mr. Lawson A. Parks, one-of the original founders of the Telegraph, was born and raised in Mecklenburg county. North Carolina, April 15th, 1813; in 1833 he came to St. Louis, and worked in the offi33 of the Missouri Republican- On the 8th of January, 1836, he came to Alton, and there in connection with R'chard M. Treadway, founded the Telegraph. He was a practical printer, and at the time of his death was perhaps the oldest printer and publisher in Illinois. In his youth he had but little opportunities for receiving an education, but by long continuance at the case, and in the newspaper business, he gained a thorough knowledge of the practical questions of the day. He was a strong, bold, rather than an ornate writer. His editorials read well, and never left the reader in doubt as to his position upon any question. He was eminently a self-made man, possessed of a strong, vigorous mind. He formed his own opinions, uninfluenced by others. Although reared in a slave state, and under slavery influence, he early imbibed a hatred against the system, and as soon as practicable came north to the free state of Illinois, where he could speak and write unmolested and unrestrained, of that foul blot and enormous sin of the nineteenth century.

Mr. Norton, the present editor and proprietor of the Telegraph, is a native of Alton, and a son of Rev. A. T. Norton, a Presbyterian minister, and for many years the editor of the Fresbijlerian Reporter. He graduated from Shuitleft' College in 1866, and soon after obtained an interest in the Telegraph, and adopted journalism as a profession. The Telegraph, under Mr. Norton's administration, sustains the high character given by his predecessors. He is a smooth, fluent and pleasant writer, and a gentleman whose acquaintance it is a real pleasure to make.

The office is fitted up in a superior manner. The presses are run by a Bachus water motor of three horse power. The motor is simple in construction. It contains within the iron case a wheel provided with buckets It is connected with the sheet mains by a supply pipe ; the diameter of the nozzle entering the motor is not larger than a lead pencil, but the expansion of the water is so great tliat after it enters the motor, a four inch waste pipe is required. The stream from a supply pipe striking the buckets, causes the wheel to revolve rapidly, furnishing the necessary power to run all the presses. It has great advantages over steam power in cheapness, durability and cleanliness.

Tue Altox American

of some merit- It was devoted to the agricultural, mechanical ami mercantile interests of L^jwer Alton and Ticiuity. It had a brief existence. The paper was a monthly publication printed at Alton by Jlessrs. Braley & Parks, and edited by Kev. T. Lippincott. It was a religious but not denominational newspaper.

The Alton Observer

Ha3 a tragic history, which can best be told in a sketch of Elijah Parrish Lovejoy, its editor and proprietor. For the facts herein contained we are indebted, and quote largely from "Tanner's Life of Lovejoy." Wr. Tanner was an old resident of Alton, and was one of the fciV so-called abolitionists of the time who stood manfully by Mr. Lovejoy in his efforts to establish a free press and free speech on the free soil of Illinois.

Mr. E. P. Loveji\y was born in Albion, Maine, Xovember 8, 1802, and was thirty-five years old lacking a day wheo he was foully murdered. He was the son of Rev. Daniel C. Lovejoy, a Congregational minister. Soon after his graduation from Watertown College, he drifted to St- Louis, where he first became a schoi 1 teacher, and subsequently editor of the Si. Loitii Times, a Whig paper. lu 1832, the whole current of his life was changed by a sudden conversion to the Christian faith. His fervency and zeal in the cause of liis Redeemer demanded that he should put aside other duties and prepare himself to preach the gospel. With that idea strongly dominating all others he entered Princeton Theological Seminary, pursued his studies diligently and unceasingly, and was licensed to preach in 1833. It was known that he was a ready and apt writer, and he was put iu editorial charge of the St. Louk Obxerv er, which was then the organ of the Presbyterians iu Missouri and Illinois. He had no sooner taken control than he made the paper the vehicle for the conveyance of his opinions regarding the institution of slavery, which then existed in all the Southern states. He was from the start its bitter and unrelenting foe, and dealt it powerful blows. The right to discuss this question in all its bearings was dcniel him. So bitter and extreme had his invectives become, that the original proprietors of the Observer thought it best to muzzle him, so to speak; but their counsels were divided, and they gave him a half-hearted consent to continue. With the issue of June 21st, 1836, was announced the intention of Mr. Lovejoy to remove the press and material of the office to Alton, Illinois. A few days afterwards it was boxed, but befuie it could leave much of it was destroyed and thrown into the river. What was left of the press was shipped to Alton, and unfortunately unloaded on the wharf before daylight on Sunday morning, where it lay all day for the inspection of the crowd of idlers and evil disposed persons, and before the next morning it was destroyed and cast into the river. Nothing daunted Lovejoy procured a new press which arris'cd September 8, 1836, and a few days later the first number of the Alton Observer was issued. Its publication cintinued regularly until Augu.st 17th, 1837, when it again became the subject of mob violence. During the summer of the latter year the country was excited to fcvtr luat by the discussions upon slavery. The Observer, owing to its decided stand upon that subject had risen in power, and had more than doubled its circulation. He published June 29th, 1837, the "call" for signatures to petitions for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia. It provoked great opposition, which was measurab'y increased the following week, when he pulv lished his reasons for forming without delay an " Illinois State Anti-Slavery S)ciety. " The editorial was evidently written on the 4th of July, the natal day of our independence. We quote from the article, " This day (the 4th), reproaches our sloth and inactivity. It is the day of our iu lependenee. Even as we write crowds are hurrying past our window in eager anticipation, to the appointed bower, to listen to the declaration that ' all men are born free and equal ; ' to hear the orators denounce in manly iudignati )n the attempt of England to lay the yoke up >n the shoulders of our fathers whteh neither they nor their children ciuld bear. Alas, what bitter mockery is this? We a.ssemble to thank God for our own freedom, and to eat and drink with joy and gladness of heart while our feet are up )n the necks of nearly three million of our fellow-men. Not all our shouts of self-congratulation can drown their groars - even that very flag of freedom that waves over our heads is formed from materials cultivated bv slaves on a soil moistened with their blood, drawn from them by the whip of a republican taskmaster."

Two days after the appearance of the paper containing the above editorial anonymous handbills were posted about the cit)' calling upon those who disapproved the course of the Observer ''to meet at the Public market July 11, 1837." At the meeting resolutions were drawn up and passed denouncing the paper. A committee was appointed, whose duty it was to get into shape the " sense of the meeting," and convey it in some tangible shape to Mr. Lovejoy. It was done, and it called forth from the editor his celebrated editorial entitled " What are the doctrines of the Anti- Slavery Men ?" The action of the market-house meeting led naturally to a mob, which first attempted to a.ssault Lovejoy, then on the same night, August 21st, 1837, broke into the office of the Observer and destroyed the press and type. The friends of Lovejoy and free speech at once held a meeting and decided that the paper should be re-establifhed. Money was obtained with which to purchase another press. The order was made and filled, and the new press and material arrived at Alton, September 21st, 1837. It was the third press for the Observer office. Mr. Lovejoy was absent upon its arrival. His friends placed it for safe keeping in a warehouse, and a constable was posted at the door to guard it until a certain hour iu the night, after which it was supposed it would not be molested. After the official retired twelve men broke down the door, entered the building, rolled the press out to the river bank, broke it up and cast it into the river. A new press was immediately ordered, and a public meeting of the citizens of Alton called, at which the right of a free press and free speech were insisted upon. Resolutions were offered, demanding that protection be afforded Mr. Lovejoy and his property, " on the ground of principle golely and altogether disconnected from appro- bation of his sentiments." The adoption of tliese resolutions were opposed by the pro-shivery men in the meeting- A committee was appointed to draft resolutions embodying the sense of the meeting. They asked until the next day to make their report. W- S. Oilman, a friend of Lovejoy, offered certain resolutions declaring in substance " the right of every citizen to speak, write, or print his opinions on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of that right to the law administered through and by its regular tribunals." 1 It was lost. The next day the committee reported the following set of resolutions." (1.) That it was expedient to i abstain from a discussion of principles in themselves deemed right and of the highest importance. (2) That the establishment of a properly conducted religious paper would be desirable and approved by the people of Alton. (3.) That without desiring to restrain the liberty of the press in general, it was indispensable that Mr. Lovejoy should not be ! allowed to conduct a paper, and that he ought to retire from the charge of the Alton Observer." Mr. Oilman, one of the committee, protested against the passage of the infamous resolutions as reported, but he was alone. We cannot forbear to give a few extracts from the speech of Lovejoy who was present at the meeting. He replied : " Mr. Chairman, I have not desired any compromise. I have asked for nothing but to be protected in my rights as a citizen, rights which Ood has given me, and which are guaranteed to me by the constitution. Havel, sir, been guilty of any infraction of the laws? Whose good name have I injured? When and where have I published anything injurious to the reputation of Alton ? What, sir, has been my offense? Put your finger upon it, define it, and I stand ready to answer it. If I have committed any crime you can easily punish me for it. You have public sentiment in your favor * * * * I plant myself down on my unquestionable rights, and the question to be decided is, whether I shall be protected in the exercise and enjoyment of those rights. That is ihe question, sir. Whether ray property shall be protected, whether I shall be suffered to go home to my family at night without being assailed and threatened with tar and feathers and assassination ; whether my afflicted wife, whose life has been in jeopardy from constant alarm and excitement, shall, night after night, be driven from a sick bed to the garret to save her life from the brickbats and violence of the mobs. That, sir, is the question." Here he was overcome by the memory of his beloved wife's afflictions, and he broke down and sobbed. In conclusion he siid, "I cannot leave here and go elsewhere. I have no more claim upon the protection of any other community than I have upon this, and I have concluded, after consultation with my friends and earnestly seeking counsel of Ood, to remain at Alton and here to insist on protection in the exercite of my rights. If the civil authorities refuse to protect me I must look to Ood, and if I die I have determined to make my grave in Alton." While speaking, an eye-witness says, " his manner was calm and serious, though firm and decidtd"

November, 1837, by the friends of Mr. Lovejoy. It was stored away in the warehouse of one of the largest and most respectable firms in Alton. Some sixty well-armed mm were prepared to receive and guard it. The night passed, and the next day, and there was no appearance of a mob. As the night of the 7th approached, the friends and defenders of the press gathered in the warehouse, but about nine o'clock, there being no appearance or evidence of a mob, members of the company began to disperse to their homes, some fe* of the number, at the suggestion of Mr. Oilman, remaining with him through the night. One hour later, some signs of disturbance were noticed, and it was evident that the mob was gathering by preconcerted signal. The leaders of the mob approached the building and informed the guard that, unless the press was g ven up, the building would be burnt over their heads. The request was refused. The mob then attempted to force an entrance to the building, when the besieged were ordered to fire, which they did, and killed one of the attacking party. Attempts were ihen made to fire the building, and in order to prevent this a sortie was made by three of the inside guard, at whose head was E. P. Lovejoy ; as they emerged from the building into the bright moonlight they were fired upon by a portion of the mob, stationed near the building, and hid from sight by a pile of boards. Five balls entered the body of Lovejoy, and the other two men were seriously wounded. Lovejoy ran back up the stairs and into the counting room, where he fell into the arms of friends; he was laid upon the floor, and a few moments afterwards expired. Thus ftll the first martyr in the defense of the cause of the freedom of a race, free speech, and a free press, foully murdered by a mob, whose hate and malignity was aroused and put in motion by the leaders and men of the pro-slavery party. " His virtues will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued against the deep damnation of his taking off, and pity, like a new-born babe striding the blast, or heaven's cherubims, horsed upon the sightless couriers of the air, shall blow the horrid deed in every eye, that tears shall drown the wind."

The press was surrounded, taken, and broken up, and it, too, cast into the Mi'ssi.-sippi river. Mr. Lovejoy possessed dauntless courage and heroic will, and no amount of abuse or threats could drive him from what he conceived to be plain duty. " With him principle was everything, life nothing when thrown into the scale with duty." He wielded a powerful pen, and there was an earnestness about his writing that carried conviction with it. He was not only at times forcible, elegant, smooth and cogent, but also a fine descriptive writer, as the following extract from a letter dated Alton, February 9th, 1S37, and published in the Christian Mirror, will show : " If the wisdom of the schools can not teach you the true character of slavery, come with me and let us interrogate yonder illiterate, untaught slave ; he is just returning, faint and weary, from the toils of the day ; he is an aged man, and has had fur many years a practical acquaintance with slavery ; let us hear his reply to the ques. tion. What is slavery ? It is to have my back subjected to the cowhide or the cartwhip at the will or caprice of my master or any of his family. Every child has a right to kick, or curse or cuff the old man. It is to toil all day beneath an almost vertical sun, with the bitter certainty always before me, that not one cent of what I earn is, or can be my own. ' It is to depart from my hut in the morning with the sickening fear that before my return at night it be visited by the slave-dris-ing fiend. It is to return at night and find my worst fears realized, my first-born son> denied even the poor privilege of bidding his father farewell, is on his way, a chained, manacled victim, to a distant market, there to be disposed of in shambles, where human flesh is bought and sold. It is to enter into my cabin and see my wife or daughter struggling in the lustful embraces of my master or some of his white friends, without daring to attempt their rescue, for should I open my lips to remonstrate, a hundred lashes would be the consequence ; and should I raise my hand to smite the brutal wretch, nothing but death could atone for the sacrilege. But above all to be a slave, is to be denied the privilege of reading the gospel, to have no control over my own children and consequently to be deprived of the power and means of educating them in the principles of morality and religion. In one word, to be degraded from man to a brute, to become, instead of a free moral agent, a thing, a piece of property and to be used as such, to be deprived of all personal and all civil rights, to be shut out from all enjoyment in this world and all hope in the next.' "

The Observer was afterward printed in Cincinnati, by Elisha W. Chester and sent to Alton for distribution. Rev- T. B. Hurlburt acted as agent, and attended to furnishing some local news. That arrangement was continued for a few years and then abandoned.

The Illikois Tlmteeakce Deeald

Was a monthly publication, the first number of which was issued June 1st, 1836, at Alton. A. \V. Corey was the editor, assisted by Timothy Turner, a noted temperance worker and orator. It was a four column folio, published under the auspices of the Executive Committee of the Illinois Temperance Society. It reached a circulation of from six to eight thousand copies. It was discontinued in the latter part of 1842.

The Alton Commercial Gazette

Founded by Samuel S. Brooks and John H. Pettit, March 12tii, 1830. It was an ably conducted journal, Democratic in politics. It suspended publication in March 1840, but was revived in May of the same year, and did good service in the presidential campaign, at the close of which it again suspended.

The Altoniax

No. 1, of Vol. 1, made its appearance April 6, 1838. L. A. Parks and Edmund Breath were the editors and publishers. It was a four (wide) column folio. Whig in politics, and supported Henry Clay for the presidency. In the third number the editors say, " We feel highly flattered at the reception our paper meets with, but the mere approval of those who agree with us in sentiment will not support us. We desire more substantial proofs of their good will for we cannot, like the chameleon ' feed on air. ' Our paper at present contains more reading matter than any other paper in I the state, and the cost of publication is consequently consid- ) erable. As yet we have not received a sufficient number of subscribers to cover expenses, and have determined to suspend operations until we secure six hundred. We shall issue an extra whenever we have matter sufficiently important to communicate." The above tells but the story of its rise and fall.

Western Pioneer And Baptist Standard Bearer

The Pioneer was established at Rock Spring, St. Clair county, Illinois, in January 1829. It was the organ, and was published under the auspices of the Rock Spring seminary, a Baptist school founded by John M. Peck. In 1836 the press was removed to Alton, and the first number of the Western Pioneer and Baptist Standard Bearer issued Sept. 14, 1536. It was edited by Rev. John M. Peck, E. Rogers and Rev. Washington Leverett. With the commencement of the 2d volume the words " Baptist Standard Bearer" were dropped, and it was then known as the Western Pioneer. It was the organ of the Baptist church throughout the west, and was the pioneer religious paper west of Ohio. That it was ably conducted, it is sufficient to know that John M. Peck was its controlling genius and supporter. He was a strong, vigorous writer, and eminently qualified to establish the first religious journal in Illinois.

Voice Op Illinois

Was a campaign paper, published by the Whig Executive Committee for Jladison county. It was a four column folio. The first number was issued jNIay 19th, 1838. It supported Cyrus Edwards for Governor, AVilliam H. Davidson for Lieut. Governor, and George Churchill for senator. It suspended at the close of the campaign.

The Sucker

was established in Alton, January 5, 1840. It was published by Messrs. Parks & Beatty and edited by "Ourselves," who were understood to be William S. and John Lincoln, sons of Levi Lincoln, Governor of JMassachusetts and Junius Hall. On the 2 1st JIarch of the same year it was merged with the Telegraph. It was a Whig paper, and supported Harrison for the presidency. The following is the valedictory of the editors.

"The Sucker, from a temporary wandering in this mundane sphere is about to become immortal. The nature of our engagements is such that we cannot without serious loss to ourselves and a neglect for higher duties, superintend the publication of a weekly paper. There are a thousand little troublesome details connected with the issue of a newspaper of which the world has no knowledge, and of vvhich naturally enough in the commencement of our enterprise, we made no account. Wisdom however is better than riches, and we cannot say, therefore, but that we have received a consideration for our money. We have several items of ex- was established at Edwardsville by James Ruggles iu May, 1838. He was editor and proprietor. The Mirror was devoted to the introduction and propagation of a universal language by which the whole human family could hold converse with one another and be understood. It was a -worthy mission, but the feeble effort of its progenitor fell stillborn. It continued until the spring of 1840, when its name was changed to the

Sovereign People

A semi-religious paper printed at Alton and edited by A. Doubleday. In the prospectus the editor says : " Its mission was to reveal to the world much light and hold in one hand the key to unlock the mazy labyrinth of iniquity and pour celestial oil and light on the eye-ball of reason, that it may dispel the gloomy mist of superstition by holding out the ' Olive Branch ' of amity, and saying, " Let us reason together while now and then we will throw a smooth stone at the forehead of error so as to enlighten mankind."

The contract undertaken by the editor was entirely too large for him. He had but one opportunity of " pouring oil and light on the eye-ball of reason," and the "smooth stones " gave out after the issue of the first number.

The Protestant Monitor

was established in Alton in March 1848. Mr. John M. McPike was one of the publishers. It was devoted to Christianity, free discussion, literature, agriculture, general intelligence, the glory of God and the rights of man. On the 23d of June, 18 48 the name was changed to the with its religious mantle exchanged for that of Democracy, and the names of Lewis Cass and William O. Butler nailed to the mast-head as its candidates for the Presidency and Vice Presidency. Mr. McPike withdrew from the paper. It was continued as a campaign paper a few weeks later, however. The names Cass and Butler were taken down and Martin Van Buren's substituted. It was then under the editorial control of John W. Buffum. It suspended at the close of the campaign.

The Presbytery Reporter

was a religious magazine the first number of which appeared May 1st, 1845. The first year only two numbers were issued. From May 1847 to May 1850 it was published quarterly, sixteen pages. From May 1850 to May 1854 it was published bi-monthly. The subscription list was then transferred to the Evangelist, printed at Chicago. In May 1855 the publication of the Reporter was resumed at Alton, and continued monthly, as the organ of the Presbyteries of the Illinois and Peoria synods. Rev A. S. Norton is the editor.

The Madison Record

The first issue of the above named paper was made at Edwardsville, February 14th, 1850. Messrs. Dallam & Ruggles were the editors and publishers. In November of the same year, Dallam retired, and his place was taken by Lemuel E. Smith. Ou the 19th of December the firm underwent another change. Ruggles retired and David Gillespie, Esq. became a partner with Smith, and editor of the paper.

Mr. Robert H. Ruggles, one of the founders of the paper, afterward went to Henry, in Marshall county, Illinois, and there founded the Courier. The Record, under the management of Messrs. White & Gillespie, continued until the spring of 1851, when the latter withdrew, and soon after the paper suspended.

The Alton Courier

In its day, was the most influential newspaper in Southern Illinois. It was established in Alton, and made its first issue June 4th, 1852. It was founded by Geo. T. Brown, a prominent member of the Madison county bar and an enterprising and wealthy citizen of Alton. Associated with him were John Fitch, who, prior to his removal to Alton, had been editor of the CarroUton Banner, and James Gamble. The Courier was issued as a daily, tri-weekly and weekly paper- It was an eight column folio. Politically it was Democratic^ and was designed and regarded as the exponent of the principles of that political organization. It was founded upon a very liberal scale, and from its very first issue, assumed a commanding position among the newspapers of the State. At the close of the first volume, Mr. Gamble retired. Mr. Fitch continued with the paper until 1854, when he dissolved his connection with the Courier and soon after became editor of the Nationrd Democrat. At the time the Courier was established, the Telegraph was the only paper published in Alton. It was then the organ of the Whig party in Southern Illinois, as it had been previously the leading paper in the state. The leaders of the Democratic party had long felt the need of an organ, and to meet that want, the Courier was established. It continued to do valiant service for the party until 1854, when the agitation of the Kansas-Nebraska troubles commenced. The Courier took a decided stand in favor of Free-soil, which then meant no farther extension of slavery. The re%rajo A -advocated the same measures, and thus, though starting widely different, they, by the operation of politics, were advocating and aiming at the same object. In the campaign of 1856, the Courier advocated the claims of John C. Fremont for the presidency.

As before stated, both the Courier and {telegraph were Free-soil papers, and under the circumstances, it was deemed advisable to have but one. In short, there was not room in Alton for two papers occupying the same ground and advocating the same measures. After some preliminary sparring.

negotiations were opened between the two papers which resulted in Mr. Brown purchasing the subscription lists of the Telegraph and transferring them to the Courier. The former paper then ceased publication, but the material in the office remained intact. It was then used as a job office until 18G1, when the Telegraph was revived. Mr. Brown continued editor and sole proprietor of the Courier until January 1st, 1860, when he transferred it to B. J. F. Hanna and S. V. Grossman.

Of Jlr. Brown it may be said that he was the ablest newspaper man in the history of the journalism of Madison county. He was not only a talented writer but was a superior manager, and had he chosen to give all his time and attention to the business, would have achieved fame and reputation as a journalist. Contemporaries and present journalists of the county, accord to him the first place among the newspaper managers, editorial and political writers of the county. He was a warm-hearted, generous gentleman, and had a host of admirers and friends. He was subsequently appointed sergeant at arms of the United States senate, a position he held for a number of years, and died in Washing, ton in 186-. The following we quote from the Gazetteer of Madison county: "From its ver}^ beginning, the Courier occupied a prominent position in the front rank of journalism, and soon came to be regarded as the leading paper in Southern Illinois. Politically, it was alwa)^s a success. Financially, it was ultimately a failure, though for some years it was a prosperous and money-making enterprise. The causes which involved and finally led to its suspension, are well known to those conversant with the history of Alton from the years I806 to 1866. The Courier always professed to be Democratic in princi|)le and spirit, even after it had ceased to be the organ of the Democratic party. In 1854 it supported the Anti-Nebraska ticket; in 1856 it advocated the election of Gen. Fremont to the presidency, and ever afterward was a firm, consistent and uncompromising Republican journal.

A history of the Courier would be incomplete without some mention of the building from which it was issued 'during the latter years of its existence. In 1856 Mr. Brown, finding the premises then occupied by him much too small for his growing business, erected at a very large expense, a magnificent four story building, with a basement, for his use. This he fitted up in the most perfect and thorough manner, making it in all respects a 77io(/£'/ printing establishment, - the finest in the state, and almost without a rival in the West. The Republican office, in St. Louis, was the only one that could compare with it, and even that was inferior in many particulars. This building was subsequently occupied by the Alton Telegraph, which was revived upon the suspension of the Courier, a.\\i\ still stands, an ornament to the citj'j and a monument to the enterprise aud public spirit of its builder, George T. Brown. The firm of Hanna & Crossman continued the publication of the Courier until May, 1860, when they a.ssociated with them Btnijamin Teasdale and B. F. Webster. The firm name was then changed to Hanna, Grossman & Co. They conducted the paper through the campaign of 1860. In December of the same year Mr.

Webster severed his connection with the Courier, and it was continued by the remaining members of the firm until January 20, 1861, when its publication was suspended, and it sank to rise no more.

The Alton National Democrat

was established in 1854. The causes that led to its establishment were briefly the agitation of the " Nebraska Bill," which was made the test of party fealty, and the desire of the friends of the bill to have an organ that would quote them correctly and defend the measures of the dominant wing of the Democratic party. The Courier had failed to stand the test, and gave unmistakable evidences of going over to the enemy. The Democrat was started by George JI. Thomson, Esq., as publisher and proprietor, and John Fitch, lately of the Courier, as editor. At first it was a five-column folio, but its support was hearty and generous, and it soon grew to a double medium, and commenced a daily edition Mr. Thompson, after a few months, retired from the proprietorship, aud the paper fell into the hands of its editor, Mr. Fitch. Under his management new presses and steampower were purchased, and the Democrat soon became one of the notable institutions of the city.

John Fitch associated with him T. S. Fitch, his brother, and together they edited and managed the paper until March, 1859, when the latter withdrew from the firm, and the publication was continued by John Fitch. He erected a new building to accommodate the growing business, and into it removed the presses, type and material, and precisely one week from that time, June 6, 1860, the building, ])resses, type, steam-fixtures and all, were totally demolished and swept away by a tornado. That catastrophe so disheartened Mr. Fitch that he announced his intention to abandon the printing business. There was a lapse in the publication of seven weeks, then Robert P. Tansey purchased a new outfit of presses and types, and resumed the publication. A few mouths later the concern pa.«s?d into the hands of William T. Brock, and from him to W. T. Dowdall (at present editor and proprietor of the National Democrat, Peoria, Illinois). During the latter's administration Thomas Dimmock, now on the editorial staff' of the M'uasouri Rcpuhlican, was the editor. Mr. Dowdall sold out the Democrat to John C. Dobelbower of Jerseyville, Illinois. The latter took possession December 1, 1864. Mr. Dimmock coiuinued editor of the paper after the change of proprietors. On the 8th and 9tli of February, 1866, the presses, type and fixtures of the office were destroyed by fire. With commendable energy and enterprise the publication of the Democrat was resumed by its owner on the 17th of March following. It was enlarged, and many improvements were made. Its publication continued until 186ct, when it was removed to Lafayette, Indiana.

The date of the first issue was at Edwardsville, March 26, 1853. Theodore Terry was the editor. He was not a very able writer ; his habits were none of the best, aud he lost