White County, Illinois - Chapter 11: The Press, 1883

Chapter 11: The Press

Although this is not a very large chapter in this volume, it is one of the most important. Probably more than any other class of public men, do editors influence, lead, train and educate the popular mind. Their station covers a wider jurisdiction than does that of the minister, their power is greater, and their responsibilities, are commensurate. It is therefore necessary that their scholar¬ ship and integrity be very high. But we dare not, in this connec¬ tion, undertake to publish any class of facts tending to build up one newspaper at the expense of another, or even to flatter the press of White County. We will therefore not refer to quality, but to career only.

This was one of the pioneer papers in Southern Illinois, being started before the days of railroads or telegraphs, and when news necessarily traveled slowly, being brought by steamer or by irreg¬ ular post. The Advocate was started at Grayville, in this county, Sept. 24, 1858, by Henry Charles, of Grayville or vicinity. The materid of the office came originally from Scotland, and was for a time used at New Harmony, Posey Co., Ind. Much of the type used in printing the Advooate, and some of the old typestands, came from Scotland.

The Adwooate was printed on very good paper, 22 x 32 inches in size, and was of course all printed at home, this being long before the days of " patent " outsides and insides.

The paper was not a financial success under Mr. Charles's man¬ agement, though his literary ability was unquestioned. He re¬ tained control but a short time, when he sold at a sacrifice to Mr. R. F. Stewart, now of Oarmi. Mr. Stewart in turn sold out to Mr. John Craig, a man well known in those times. Still the paper was not a paying investment, and in the fall of 1859 the office and business was purchased by Mr. George A. Malone, it having pre¬ viously been removed to Carmi. This gentleman was a Tennes¬ sean by birth, and learned the printer's trade in 1844. He came to White County in 1850, and for a while worked on his uncle's farm, eight miles from Carmi. After purchasing the paper, Mr. Malone went energetically to work with a determination to make it pay. By his own efforts the purchase price, $700, was entirely raised and paid in two years and a half. For many years the work was almost entirely done by Mr. Malone. He lias in one week, unassisted, set up the type for the whole issue, printed the whole circulation of 500 copies, delivered the same to the sub¬ scribers in Carmi, and mailed the rest of the edition. He had the reputation of being one of the best editors in Southern Illinois. The Advocate became self-sustaining, and was liberally supported in the matter of advertisements by the merchants of Carmi.

Mr. Malone conducted the paper until August, 1869, when he sold to Charles Beck, of Olney, Richland Co., Ill. Mr. Beck continued the publication of the paper until March 20, 1873, when he sold to W. F. Palmer. Mr. Beck was naturally. an able man, and the paper was moderately successful under him, but he was afflicted with that terrible enemy, consumption, and was obliged to give up business. The name of the paper was changed bv Mr. Beck to the and it was started as a newspaper, numbered volume I, number 1. On Mr. Beck's retiring from the paper, the following announce¬ ment appeared in the Courier :

"Our connection with the Courier ceases with this number, hav¬ ing sold the office to Mr. W. F. Palmer, who will fill out our con¬ tracts for advertising and subscription the same as we were to have done. Our declining health made it necessary that we change our business, or otherwise we fear some friend would have been called upon to write our obituary. Our business relations with the peo¬ ple of White County have been very pleasant and satisfactory throughout, and we bespeak for our successor the same liberal pat¬ ronage bestowed on us. Of the political course to be pursued by the Courier in future, we feel warranted in saying that it will not be changed, except, perhaps, that it will be more intensely Demo¬ cratic. C. W. Beck. ' to launch forth in an elaborate article of considerable length, set¬ ting forth the views and intentions of the editor. Notwithstand¬ ing all this, and in view of the fact that promises are seldom lived up to, we have decided to make but few, and only such as will be fulfilled.

"Politically, the Courier will be in the future, as in the past, purely Democratic , and will labor incessantly for the prosperity of the Democracy and the right, advocating only that which it deems essential to the welfare of the people, and will expose fraud and corruption wherever found.

"As a local journal the Courier will contain each week all items of interest that may transpire in this vicinity, together with a care¬ ful selection of literature and general news. In short, it will be our aim to make the Courier a complete record of passing events, and a welcome visitor to every household.

Mr. Palmer's energy has increased the subscription list of the Courier from 300 to 1,100. The paper has always been strictly Democratic in politics, and independent on other questions. The name of the paper was changed in February, 1881, to the Dollar Courier. The following is a brief biographical sketch of Mr. Palmer:

William Francis Palmer , the proprietor of the Dollar Courier , was born June 8, 1850, near Carlinville, Macoupin Co., Ill. His parents were Louis F. and Mary E. (Dalryrnple) Palmer, the for¬ mer from Kentucky, and the latter from Massachusetts. Louis F. Palmer was a merchant by profession, and died in 1861. Mrs. Palmer is still living at Carlinville. The subject of this sketch at¬ tended school till he was sixteen years of age, most of the time at Litchfield. June 17, 1866, he entered the office of the Carlinville Democrat, where he was employed until Sept. 1, 1869. He then attended Blackburn University, a Presbyterian institution at Carlin¬ ville, for one year. From this place he went, in 1870, to St. Louis, where he was employed on the Missouri Republican , and in other offices for a few months. He then went to Dwight, and was in partnership with his brother, Charles L. Palmer, in the management of the Dwight Star a year or so. Returning to Carlinville, he re¬ mained there some months, and then visited a number of places, until March, 1873, on the 17th of which month he became proprie¬ tor of the Courier at Carmi. Mr. Palmer was married Sept 2, n

1874, to Miss Florence Stewart, of Troy, Madison Co., Ill., a daugh¬ ter of Stephen D. Stewart, a dentist by profession. By this unio there are two daughters - Zoe M. and Ida E. Mr. Palmer is a member of Carrai Lodge, No. 121, A. O. U. W.

V. L . Hayes , editor of the Dollar Courier , is a native of Bel¬ mont County, O., and was born Aug. 24, 1835. When he was two years of age his father removed with the family to Coshocton County; and in his eighteenth year the subject of this sketch went to Fremont, Ohio, where he learned the printer's trade, in the Fre¬ mont Journal office. In 1856-'7 he spent a year at Anamosa, la.; then went to Delhi, Delaware County, that State, and published his first paper, the Delhi Democrat ; returning to Anamosa, he pub¬ lished the Anamosa Gazette a year; went to Delhi again and pub¬ lished tho Iowa News eighteen months. At this place, May 5, 1860, he married Miss E. D. Noble, daughter of Hon. J. M. Noble, who was once a member of the Iowa State Legislature. She was a native of Pittsfield, Mass., and a relative of the renowned Alice and Phoebe Cary. In September, 1862, Mr. Hayes enlisted in the Thirtyfirst Iowa Infantry; was Lieutenant of his company, and engaged with his regiment skirmishing around in Missouri for about six months, when, on account of ill health, he resigned, and soon after¬ ward settled in Dubuque. In the fall of 1865 he came to Mount Vernon, Ill., and established the Mount Vernon free Press , which he conducted seven years; he then sold this paper and started an extensive book store in that place; sold his interest in this busi¬ ness; started a weekly paper, the Sucker* State , which he published for nine months; then, in the spring of 1874, he purchased the Mount Vernon News , and conducted that periodical two years; in 1879 he obtained control of the Free Press and edited it for a time; in the spring of 1880 he started the Saline County Democrat , at Harrisburg, that county, and published it for eighteen months; in October, 1881, he sold it, and since Jan. 15, 1882, he has occupied his present position, of editor of the principal paper in White County. He is a member of Harrisburg Lodge, No. 87, A. O. U. W. Mrs. Hayes died Sept. 6, 1877, leaving the following children: Charley N., a machinist, in various localities; Mary (Mamie) L., residing at Mount Vernon; Robert Russell, with his father in Carmi; and Bessie D., now at Manchester, la.

G . A . Maloney formerly publisher of the White County Advocate , was born in Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 6, 1829, He was a son of George H, Malone, a native of Milledgeville, Ga. His mother,

Huldah (Brown) Malone, was a native of Huntsville, Ala. When Mr. Malone was about twelve years of age he commenced the printing business in Jackson, Tenn., with Thomas Acton, where he remained about two years.

From here he went to Memphis, Tenn. , his old home, and en¬ gaged with Henry Yan Pelt, the originator of the Memphis Ap¬ peal. With him he remained five years. The paper during this time grew from a weekly to a semi-weekly, then to a tri-weekly, and finally to a daily. After he finished his apprenticeship he left Memphis and came to Carmi, Ill. This was in 1850.

The first two years in this county he farmed, but in 1852 re¬ turned to Memphis and engaged in the printing business. Here he remained about two years. From there he went to Jackson Port, Ark., and engaged on the Jackson Port Union. Here he spent about one year, when he returned to Memphis, where he remained two or three years. In 1859 he returned to Carmi, at which time he bought out the White County Advocate . In 1869 he sold this paper and was disengaged about two years. In 1872 he bought a small stock of books and stationery, the rem¬ nants of what was known as the St. Louis Book Store. Since that time he has been in the book and stationery business, and keeps a regular news depot, the latest magazines and periodicals. The interesting story paper, as well as the daily news, finds a place upon his shelves. He keeps, in addition, a stock of musical in¬ struments. He has the confidence of the people, and his wide ex¬ perience in the world enables him to know and supply the wants of the people.

Mr. Malone was married in 1861 to Miss Libra E. Ross, a native of this county. They have two children living - Eva Lee, now eighteen years of age; George, thirteen years of age. Mr. Malone is a member of the Order of Odd-Fellows, and was one of the first members of the Typographical Union of Tennessee. His travels have extended over some eighteen different States, and he has been engaged in various avocations.

Oarmi Weekly Times

This is the only Republican paper ever established in Carmi. In the early part of July, 1872, Thomas and Andrew Joy, of Bridge¬ port, Ill., visited Carmi with the view of starting a newspaper, and after looking over the ground carefully, decided to locate here.

The Times has an unusually uniform history, having been always of the same size and of the same political character, and having had no change of ownership since its beginning. It is a four-page weekly, 24 x 17 inches in 6ize, and all the matter is printed at home.

It was started under the firm name of E. Joy & Sons, though E. Joy's connection with the paper was only editorial, and as he did not reside at Carmi, his communications were sent by mail. All the mechanical, and most of the editorial, work, was done from the start by Joy Brothers.

The first number of the Times was issued in the early part of a Presidential campaign, and bore at the head of the second page the Republican ticket for 1872 - U. S. Grant for President, Heniy Wilson for Vice-President, and Richard Oglesby for Governor. The locals were numerous and the editorials able, while there was also evidence of liberal support by the business men of Carmi, in the advertising columns. The following is the salutatory:

''Aiming to make a good family newspaper, we shall use all dili¬ gence to get the news and furnish the same as early as possible to our readers.

"The paper will be Republican in politics, believing, as we do, that the principles of that party are just and right. And we would not if we could forget that these principles have been baptized with the best blood of the nation, shed in defense of the nation's unity and life. Guided by these principles, and by ardent love of coun¬ try and devotion to the rights of all, the purest, most patriotic, and wisest statesmen of the age have, with the blessing of God, con¬ ducted us thus far in our history as a nation. And walking by the same rules and minding the same things, we expect to settle the question of the nation's forward movement on the high road of honor, peace and progress.

"As a matter of course, we shall advocate the election of the nominees of the Republican party, State and National. And we render a cheerful support to the honest, persistent, brave and pru¬ dent General Grant, and the brave and energetic Oglesby. They were both among the first in war, the first to rush to the defense of an imperiled country and an insulted flag; and after more than meeting the expectations of the people in war, they were placed in high positions, trusted, tried and found faithful; and now we pro¬ pose to try them again.

"We hope through the columns of the Times to communicate with the friends of the past, and to form new acquaintances and friendships. We have always had faith in the right; and expect with pen, as with voice, to defend what we believe to be true and just.

" We glory in the crowning principle of the Republican faith - that all men are equal before the law; and that men should stand or fall on their merits ; and as a legitimate sequence, even-handed justice should be dealt out to all. Any other course would be per¬ ilous to a nation, detrimental to the common good, and should be disastrous to any party.

"With this issue the undersigned withdraws his name from the Times , and turns over the paper and office, business and editorial management, to Thomas L. Joy and Andrew F. Joy. Hereafter the paper will be issued in the name of Joy Brothers.

" This office was purchased and the Times started to set up our sons, both printers, in business. Our name was associated with them to give the patrons of the enterprise security. The brothers have had almost entire control of the columns of the paper, and have managed the business. We deem our further identification with it unnecessary, and feel confident that with the new manage¬ ment the patrons of the paper may, and we trust will, have entire confidence. We ask for the brothers the hearty support of the public. Ephraim J oy. "

"Having been concerned in the management of the paper in the past, we do not deem it necessary to make a lengthy state¬ ment as to its future course. The conduct of the Times in the past is our guarantee for the future.

By energy and perseverance, the Times has beeu made one of the brightest and most newsy papers in Southern Illinois. The proprietors have always worked to make it a niuwpaper - one which would be welcomed by every family circle in the county. It is now in its eleventh year, and, with a subscription list of a thousand, lias a bright future before it. It aims to be non-com¬ mittal on all mooted questions, except political issues, when it is uniformly Republican.

Ephraim Joy , the father of the present proprietors of the Times , was born Sept. 6, 1819, in Wabash County, Ill., whither his parents had come several years before from Indiana. Before living in Indiana, the family lived in Ohio, and originally they came from New England. Ephraim's father was a farmer by oc¬ cupation, and died in 1825. Ephraim remained on his father's farm until he was eight years of age, when he removed to Mt. Carmel, where he lived with his mother. He had previously at¬ tended school two winters, in the country. He says he failed to learn his alphabet during his first quarter of school, but finished it up in one Sunday afterward! He attended school at Mt. Car¬ mel at different times during his minority. In his seventeenth year he began to work at the tailoring trade, which he followed but a short time. In 1842 he commenced traveling as a member of the Illinois Conference, having joined the Methodist itinerancy. He was admitted in full connection in 1844. In 1852, Illinois was divided into four conferences, and Mr. Joy became a member of the Southern Illinois Conference. With this he has ever since been connected, though he has not preached since the fall of 1880. He preached from 1857 to 1859 at Grayville, and from 1875 to 1877 he was also stationed at Grayville.

Mr. Joy was married April 1, 1846, to Ellen Margaret, daughter of Hugh and Jane Seed, natives of Ireland, at that time residing near Lawrenceville, Ill. By this union there were four children - Sarah Jane and Melville Hugh, both of whom died in infancy, and Thomas Levi and Andrew Fisk. Mr. and Mrs, Joy are now living at Carmi, where they have resided two years.

Thomas Levi Joy , the senior of Joy Brothers, was born Sept. 15, 1850, in Equality, Gallatin County. He entered the office of the Carbondale New Era, published by J. S. Vincent. He re¬ mained in this office six months, when the family removed to Al- ton, our subject's father being stationed as minister at Alton. Here he went to school eight months, and then worked four months in the office of the Daily Telegraph .

In the fall of 1866 the family removed to Shiloh, St. Clair County, and Thomas here attended school six months - his last schooling. In the spring of 1867, he and his brother, Andrew Fisk, entered the office of the Belleville Advocate, published by J. F. Kimball. The contract was that the boys should remain in this office for one year, and, if they were then satisfied, to serve their foil term. They worked the one year, and then went to St. Louis, in the job office of Woodward & Tierman. The younger of the brothers remained here but one year, but the older, Thomas, served three years. After a brief visit home, Mr. Joy took charge of the Lebanon Journal, at Lebanon, St. Clair County, where he re¬ mained three months. In the early part of July, 1871, he joined the staff of the Bridgeport (Lawrence County) Courier , remain¬ ing at Bridgeport one year. In July, 1872, he came to Oarmi, to start the Carmi Weekly Times in connection with his brother.

Mr. Joy was married Sept. 14, 1873, to Lizzie B. Lockwood, of Mt. Erie, Wayne County, the oldest daughter of Willard and Elizabeth Lockwood, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Wabash County, Ill. Their marriage has been blessed by one child - Bern E., born Dec. 12, 1876.

Aug. 1, 1880, he moved to Cairo, Ill., to take charge of the Cairo Daily and Weekly Sun, which had been purchased by Joy Brothers. About one year was passed at Cairo, and the Sun being then dis¬ continued Mr. Joy returned to Carmi.

Andrew Fish Joy was born Nov. 24, 1852, at Marion, William¬ son Co., Ill. He lived with his parents in the various places to which his father was assigned as minister, until his fifteenth year, when he went to Belleville with his brother, remaining one year in the office of the Belleville Advocate . In company with his brother he then went to St. Louis, into the job printing office of Wood¬ ward & Tierman, where he worked, with other places in St. Louis, about two years. He then went to McKendrick College, Lebanon, Ill., where he remained two years, completing the Freshman year of the classical course. After a brief visit home, he came to Carmi with his brother, to start the Times, with which he has been con¬ nected ever since, though in 1874-'75 he spentjanother year at Mc¬ Kendrick College.

This paper w established at Gray ville in the fall of 1880, un¬ der the name of the Gray ville Democrat . It was at first supported by a stock company, and Mr. Delos H. Bacon, of Pliillipstown, was engaged to take charge of the enterprise, with the privilege of buy¬ ing up the shares, which he did, and the paper passed under Mr. Bacon's sole control in the fall of 1881. Mr. Bacon's principles and aims were given in the first issue of the Democrat , Sept. 22, 1880, in the following salutatory : u With this number the Gray ville Democrat is ushered into exis¬ tence, and in taking charge of its columns as editor and publisher, we have no excuse to offer for its appearance. It was not claimed that its forthcoming was a necessity or a ' ' long felt want," for our county is already supplied with newspapers that rank above the average. Its existence was not begun in the spirit of rivalry, wit low and selfish motives; but it was started; first, because Gray ville is destined before long to become the most thriving town on the Wabash, and can well support another newspaper; second, be¬ cause White County has over 23,000 inhabitants, and gives a ma¬ jority of about 1,000 for the Democratic ticket, and lienee is well able to support another Democratic paper.

u We shall endeavor to furnish the readers of the Democrat a newspaper, in all that the word conveys. It will contain the gen¬ eral, State and political news of the day, and the news of White and adjoining counties in particular. The basis of our principles is broad and uncontracted, and we shall at all times advocate the cause of right and morality.

u Our political faith is deep-seated, and Democratic to the core; but while we shall advocate Democracy and labor in its behalf, we shall be bound to no ring or clique, and our course shall not be dic¬ tated by anyone but ourself, and we shall be free to express our nbiased opinion at all times. We shall earnestly strive to avoid all personalities, and nothing low or frivolous shall be found in our columns.

uOur corps of correspondents is select, and embraces some of the best of talent. This shall be one of the Democrat's special feat¬ ures, and much attention will be given to it. Events that trans¬ pire in the different localities will be speedily reported to us, so that each issue will be a map of the doings in the county.

"In conclusion we will say, that we have no personal spites to work out or petty jealousies to revenge; we come with no intentions of trying to "run out" or oppress anyone, but with the motto, " Live and let live," always before us, and with "God, Our Coun¬ try and Truth " as our watchword, we shall strive to do our whole duty, independently and conscientiously toward all alike.

The first issue of the Democrat was dated Sept. 22, 1880. It was then the same size as now, four pages, of eight columns each, the p being 26 x 20 inches in size. It is strictly a local newspaper, embracing the views of no sect or party except on political ques¬ tions, when it is of course Democratic. It was published regularly at Grayville until Feb. 1, 1882, when the office was removed to Carmi, and the name changed to the White County Democrat . At the same time Messrs. Adolph R. Bacon and James S. Boyd were admitted as partners, and the paper has since been published under the firm name of Bacon Bros. & Boyd. The following announce¬ ment appeared in the Democrat of Feb. 1, 1882:

" With this issue we present to the public the first number of the White County Democrat , and hope it contains all that is es¬ sential to make a first-class county paper.

" The White County Democrat is the successor of the Grayville Democrat , which paper was first issued by Delos H. Bacon, Sept. 22, 1880, and by whom its publication was continued until last Wednesday, the 25 th ult., when the office was removed to this city.

" It shall be our endeavor to publish the local news of the county in full, and for this purpose we shall have correspondents in every town in it. We will give particular attention to the general news of the State, and especially to that of the Southern part. The poli¬ tics of the paper will remain as heretofore - Democratic in every sense of the word. We shall labor hard for our party and our principles, but under no consideration shall our course be dictated by the 'lash.' We shall express our unbiased opinion at all times and under all circumstances. We shall uphold right, and battle for morality.

Delos Hobart Bacon, senior member of the firm of Bacon Bros. & Boyd, editors of the White County Democrat, was born in the village of Phillipstown, White Co., Ill., July 8, 1855. He received his education chiefly at the public schools of his native village. At the age of eighteen he commenced his career as a school-teacher, and after six years spent in this profession, he finished his school labors as Principal of the Phillipstown school in ISTS-'SO. During a portion of his career as teacher, young Bacon read law during the summer and taught during the winter. He spent two years at Fairfield, Ill., in the law office of Bobinson, Boggs & Johns, and was admitted to the bar in 1879, but practiced but a short time before he entered upon the career of journalist. In the latter capacity he founded the Grayville Democrat in the fall of 1880, which office was removed to Carmi in January, 1881, and the name of the paper changed to the White County Democrat. Mr. Bacon is temperate in every respect - uses tobacco in no form. Is not a member of any secret organization. Politically he is a strong Democrat. While not a member of any church, he is a firm be¬ liever in Christianity. Is unmarried.

Adolph H Bacon was born at Phillipstown, Ill., April 3, 1858, and attended the public schools at that place until he was of age. He is the fourth son of Dr. M. H. Bacon. His father was a native of the State of New York, and a physician and lawyer by profes¬ sion. His grandfather, Captain Ebenezer. Bacon, was a " Cannuck " by birth and a soldier in the Be volutionary war, and was with General Washington during that memorable winter at Yalley Forge. Adolph was a clerk in his father's drugstore from 1868 to 1875. Studied law with Hanna & Adams, at Fairfield, from October, 1875, to Sep¬ tember, 1876, and helped abstract the lands of Wayne County. His services being required at home, he returned to Phillipstown, and during the fall and winter of 1879-'80, he was employed in the county clerk's office, at Carmi, under Wm. H. Pearce, County Clerk. He has taught two or three terms in the country schools of the county and at one time was Principal of the Crossville schools. He is of a social disposition, unmarried, sober and industrious - uses neither whisky nor tobacco, and does not swear. In Septem¬ ber, 1880, he accepted a situation as local editor and compositor on the Grayville Democrat - which was just being started at Gray¬ ville. The paper was afterward removed to Carmi and the name changed to White County Democrat, with Bacon Bros. & Boyd as editors - Adolph H. Bacon being the junior partner.

Hi8Toby Of White County

James S. Boyd was born in Carmi, July 26, 1857. His father, Benjamin Boyd, was a native of Virginia and came to this county at an early day; in 1856 lie was married to Lucinda R. Vories, and followed the dry-goods business; he died in 1859, leaving an only child, the subject of this sketch. His mother was married in 1863 to Thomas K. Wilson, and died in 1865. James was educated by his step-father, and then accepted a position in the Carmi Courier office, where he remained several years. In 1881 he married Ella G. Helm, of Gray villo, Ill., and soon after purchased an interest in the Grayville Democrat , which was moved to Carmi and is now called the White County Democrat .

The Gbayville Weekly News

was commenced late in the autumn of 1853, by J. James Prather, " independent in all things and neutral in nothing." Six twentyinch columns and four pages. James Stelle edited the humorous portion. It was afterward changed to the Herald , and the latter into the Independent .

Gbayville Weekly Journal

William Charles started this Journal in 1856, as a neutral paper, issuing the first number June 11, 1856, in his father's (Daniel Charles) building, now belonging to B. W. Kenner and used as a dry-goods store. It was an eight-column folio, twenty-two inches to the column. Motto: " Pledged but to truth, to liberty and law, No favor sways us and no fear shall awe." But Mr. Charles put more money into the paper than the community were ready to sup¬ port, and i .vab moved to Carmi and its name changed to the White County Advocate April 9, 1858. The first number ap¬ peared as " published by John B. Craig," etc., but Craig was never taken fully into partnership. At Carmi Mr. Charles sold the paper to John B. Craig and Robert F. Stewart, who converted it into a zealous Democratic organ. See account of the Dollar Cou¬ rier.

The Gbayville Weekly Democrat

The first number of this paper appeared in September, 1865. When the outside of this paper was printed the name of C. S. Legge appeared as publisher, but when the other two pages went to press M. B. Wood was the publisher. The paper was owned by a stock company, but in ten weeks it " gave up the ghost." In the valedictory Mr, Wood said: " Readers, we have expended more time and money upon the Democrat than we have received for it. If we ask a subscriber for his subscription money he refuses to pay it; but by reference to Mr. O'Bannon they will find that we have discovered a new mode of collecting from such patrons. We wouldn't give a drunk man's d - n for the patronage of such men."

A second Grayville Democrat was started in 1880 by DeLos H. Bacon, and in February, 1881, it was removed to Carmi. See " White County Democrat " was started May 30, 1872, by 0. I. Williams, Republican in poli¬ tics. In six months Jonathan Stuart purchased the paper and published it a year and then sold to Black & Holmes. It was sus¬ pended in November, 1874, and the material of the office moved to Missouri.

Grayville Independent

In 1854 J. J. Prather started the Herald as a Whig paper, which in a short time he sold to F. C. Manley. On the organization of the Republican party it became Republican. Its size at first was a six-column folio. Manley's printing office was in an old frame building on Main street, which has since been burned. Mr. Prather is now publishing the Jackson County (Ill.) Democrat .

In April, 1859, J. Ed Clarke, who had been associate editor of the Grayville Herald for two or three years, leased the office of Frank C. Manley and issued the first number of the Grayville In¬ dependent, a sheet 22 x 32, neutral in politics. When the Indepen¬ dent was established there were no papers at Albion, the county seat of Edwards County, norat Fairfield, the county seat of Wayne County, and much of the time the papers at Carmi and Mt. Car¬ mel were, from a lack of support, not issued. The publisher of the Independent , in consequence, had a wide field to work in, and much of that time the paper received all the official and a liberal local patronage from four counties. So prosperous was the venture that before the end of the year Mr. Clarke purchased the establish¬ ment, put in new presses and new type, etc., enlarged the paper to 24 x 36 and made it a Republican paper. He continued its publi¬ cation as a Republican paper until his death in 1877, having made it one of the leading and most successful papers in Southern Illi- nois. So great was its success that numerous attempts were made to buy it, and although no less than four papers were started in Grayville with the avowed intention of "running the Independent out," it lived, and its publisher made money. When Mr. Clarke died in 1877, his two sons, Yic. J. B. Clarke, who had mechanical charge of the paper from the initial number, and J. E. Oscar Clarke, who began work in the office as soon as he became old enough, but who had been connected with the Evansville (Ind.) Journal office for seven years previous to his father's death, took charge of the paper, under the firm name of Clarke Brothers, and have published it ever since. They added new presses to the office, and in Febru¬ ary, 1882, issued the paper in an entirely new dress of body and advertising type. They made extensive purchases also of job type, etc., and now have one of the largest and most complete job printing establishments in Southern Illinois, having four presses and all modern styles of type, etc. About the middle of Novem¬ ber the paper was enlarged to a six-column eight-page paper - an evidence of enterprise and prosperity. Thursday is the publica¬ tion day.

J \ E. Oscar Clarke , editor of the Grayville Independent , was born in Posey County, Ind., Dec. 17, 1848, aud is a son of J. Ed. and Angelina H. (Tillett) Clarke, father a native of Alpine, and mother of Kentucky. In 1858^116 family removed to Grayville, where Mr. J. E. Clarke followed mercantile business and the daguerrean art. Here the subject of this paragraph grew to man¬ hood, and has spent most of his life. For seven years he was con¬ nected with the Evansville Journal , and one year he had charge of the Fairfield (III.) Democrat . Feb. 18, 1875, he married Mary S., daughter of Martin M. and Fannie Price, and a native of East¬ ern Kentucky. They have three children. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., of which society lie is at present Recording Secre¬ tary and representative to the Grand Lodge. Mr. Clarke is a gen¬ tleman whose influence is sought in favor of every movement set on foot in his community, and who seems to understand the art of conducting'a newspaper most perfectly.

Vic. J. B . Clarke , associate editor of the Grayville Independent, is a native of this county. He was born Jan. 23, 1S39 ; when about a year old his parents moved to Indiana, and when he was fifteen years of age they returned to Grayville. Dec. 15, 1855, he entered the printing office, where he has ever since earned his livelihood. His connection with the Independent is given on the preceding page. He is one of the leading members o the Cum¬ berland Presbyterian church of Gray ville, was a ruling Elder six years, and last May was a delegate to the General Assembly of that denomination. He has belonged to the I. O. O. F. twenty years, and is a member of the Encampment. Was elected First Lieutenant of Company E, Thirteenth Battalion, in September, 1879, and attended the encampment of the State militia in 1880, at Belleville, 111. Mr. Clarke is a gentleman of high standing wherever he is known.

Enfield Republican

This is a spicy little sheet, edited and published by C. F. Wertz, formerly of the Posey County Republican, It was established in August, 1882, and is devoted to local and political news. Mr. Wertz is a native of Franklin County, Pa., and came with his par¬ ents to Ogle County, Ill., in 1840, where he lived until grown. He engaged in the printing business in the spring of 1878. He first edited the Brownsville Standard in Warwick County, Ind.

The Open Door

This was formerly called The Oolden Rule , and is a religious paper, published by Elder John E. Cox, at Enfield, in the inter¬ est of the General Baptist church. It was established in May, 1879. It is a semi-monthly sheet and, as its name implies, is a strong advocate of open communion. It is devoted to temperance, morality and general religious information.

Our Church Worker

A religious paper published in the interest of the Cumberland Presbyterian church of Enfield and vicinity, and is edited by Rev. E. T. Bowers. It is devoted to morality, temperance and relig ious news.