Elkhart County, Indiana - Chapter 16: The Elkhart County Press, 1905

Chapter 16: The Elkhart County Press

Trade hardly deems the busy day begun. Till his keen eye along the sheet has run; The blooming daughter throws her needle by And reads her schoolmate's marriage with a sigh ; While the grave mother puts her glasses on And gives a tear to some old crony gone. The preacher, too, his Sunday theme lays down, To know what last new folly fills the town; Lively or sad, life's meanest, mightiest things, The fate of fighting cocks, or fighting kings.

Always co-operating with and almost coincident in progress with modern civiHzation is the press. \\"e can see a band of hardy pioneers hewing their way into the primeval forests, erecting their rude cabins, clearing off the timber and beginning the cultivation of the soil, becoming grouped into some sort of community living, with a store or trading post in the midst; the building of a church for the spiritual reviving, a school for their children ; and not much later, the introduction of the printing press and the distribution of a primitive journal of local and foreign affairs. And with the first copy of the newspajjer the public finds a voice through wliich the general opinion may be heard, the community is bound together by another tie of ecjual strength with the church and the school, and thereliy man becomes more responsible to man and social progress is assured. It may he apropos of our subject to remark that, whereas the church and the school have as a rule, and by their ver}- nature, had their origin and support in the community at large, the press, which we cannot set down as a factor of civilization of less importance than the church or the school, has been founded and conducted through private enterprise and private capital. And those journals which haxe been most successful, Iwth from a financial point of view and as factors in promoting the general welfare, have been those which mo.st closely identified them.selves with the community as a whole, which have been most perfect weather-vanes of public sentiment, and which have made the public interest their interest.

most true, and worth recalling- often lest the truth he forgotten. To measure accurate!)- the influence which the press of Elkhart county has exerted uiKm her history is. of course, in-ipossihle, but the countless uses to which the political, social, business and industrial forces of the county ha\-e put the newspapers indicate to even a casual observer the importance of the press as an institution of modern society. This county as well as the entire nortliern section of the state has felt the intellectual stimulus of a newspaper for nearly three-quarters of a century, and from the one sheet published in all this section of country during the early thirties, and then, a few years later, to the one or two thinly nourished irregular hebdomedals issued in Elkhart county, at present twelve or fifteen are pointed to with pride by the citizens of the county as furnishing a record of general activity and progress - the best indexes of the character and resources of the pe(.)ple and the county.

The first northern Indiana pajjer to circulate in this county was the Northzixstcrn Review and Si. Joseph Infelligeneer. puljlished at South Bend for the first time in November, 1831. This journal is of particular interest since it was the result of the literary and mechanical enterprise of two men, J. D. and J. H. Defrees, who, the latter in particular, were closely identified with the early history of Elkhart county. Says Mr. J. H. Defrees, in regard to this paper: " In the fall of 183 1 J. D. Defrees and your humble speaker established a printing press in the village of South Bend, a town that had been laid off but a few months previous by Messrs. Hahn and Taylor and A. Coquillard, in St. Joseph county. Erom this press we issued a sheet called the North- Pioneer, a name indicative of the fact that it was the first and only paper issued northwest of Piqua, Ohio, north of Indianapolis or west of Detroit. At this day an enterprise of this character would seem foolish ; for the red men of the woods outnun-ibered the pale faces almost two to one. But being full of ardor, and having selected St. Joseph county for our future home, we labored assiduously to bring it into notoriety, and you must pardon n-ie for saying that I believe this one circumstance did more to cause immigration to flow in u])on us than anvthing else save the beauty of the country."

The claim of priority made by Mr. Defrees must be qualified since we have also the statement that the Pottaivottomic and Miami Times of Logansport, established in .\ugust, 1829, was the first paper north of the Wabash. But certainly the paper of the Defrees brothers was among the first, and furnished the medium through svhich the legal and other notices were published for all the counties around, as far west as LaPorte.

Mr. Defrees, in continuing his remarks alxjut his pioneer newspaper enterprise, relates an anecdote which shows, among other things, tile lofty character in which the press of early days was estimated, and which is worth repetition : "A short time after we got the press in operation, about midwinter, a young man, apparently about the age of nineteen or twenty years, came into the office and remarked tliat after awhile he wanted to get a piece in the news, and would pa}- fur it in maple sugar. Inc^uiry was made of him abcjut the character of the article which he wished pulilished. .After considerable hesitanc}- and confusion he said tliat he intended soon to get married, and wanted, when it took place, to have it printed in the paper. Quizzing the young man awhile, and finding out that he and his intended blue-eyed companion lived on Elkhart prairie, we told him we made no charge for publishing news of that character, and in due time the notice was sent to us. That young man, notwithstanding that he seemed to lie a little verdant in reference to rules of printers, made one of the best citizens that lived on that beautiful prairie."

On May 2;^. 1832, the Defrees brothers mo\ed the office of the Pioneer to the second story of a Ikjusc in South Bend, once the tavern of Mr. Lilly, and from that new location sent forth their paper under the new title of St. Joseph Beacon, ajid thereafter its columns had more St. Joseph county local color and less of the surrounding counties. The Beacon continued on its career at South Bend until 1834, when it was moved to White Pigeon, and already in the meantime Mr. J. H. Defrees had come to Goshen.

But the first paper to be actually published in Elkhart countv was the Goshen Express. This came into being, it seems, as a result of the political stress of the times, and propagandism of various sorts has been the birth-cause of hundreds of journals both liefore and since. The Express was edited by C. L. IMurra}- and .\.nth(iny Defrees, and a few months later the local men of influence and the supporters of the Jackson brand of politics bought a press and instituted an opposition pajier, tmder the editorship of Thomas H. Bassett, which was called the Goshen Democrat. Tlie first number of the Express was issued on January 28. 1837. and the Democrat first appeared to public eye in the following September. Neither paper was self-supporting at the time, and lived only as a political organ and by contributions from its friends. The financial panic of that period also smote heavily the journalistic aspirants. The Express survived with difficulty for several years. Mr. C. L. Murra}' and A. Defrees dissolved partnership on the Express in May, 1837, and thereafter Mr. Murray was sole proprietor and editor, and then the paper was under a company ownership; finally the ])lant was moved to Elkhart, thence, in 1845, to Kosciusko county, where i( sojourned thereafter.

The Goshen Democrat not only justly claims sect)nd place in order of establishment among the newspapers of this county, but also is far and away the oldest journal from the point of continuous publication in the county and one of the oldest in the state. Its existence is practically unbroken since 1837. Ebenezer Brown and Thomas H. Bassett were the men who founded and gave vitality and vigor to the enterprise. The Democrat is almost coexistant with Goshen as a town, since the first issue appeared only a few days after the incoi"poration of Goshen was effected. Mr. Bassett continued as editor for about two years, when he was succeeded by Dr. E. W. H. Ellis, who published it for about years. M. B. Hascall being his associate part of the time.

At the " Golden Anniversary " of the Goshen Democrat, in the issue of May iS, 1887. a commemorative editorial narrates the consecutive history of the paper up to that time and therewith a number of facts of general interest.

" To-day," saj's the article in question, " the (ioshen Democrat enters upon its fiftieth year. A little history of its existence written from memory may be interesting to many of its readers and patrons. In the early part of 1837 the late Ebenezer Brown Ixjught out an old office in Penn ^'an, New York, and shipped it to Niles, Michigan, by water and from there bmught it to Goshen by wagons. Thomas H. Bassett, a brilliant but somewhat eccentric young man, was also brought here by ]\Ir. Brown to take charge of the editorial department of the ])aper. It took eighteen months to complete the first \x)lume, on account of the many difficulties it had to encounter for want of sufficient support. It ran along until about 1840, when the immortal Dr. E. W. H. Ellis, one of the brightest intellects of the day, came here from South Bend and was placed at its head. He remained with it until 1850, when he was appointed state auditor and removed to Indianapolis. About 1846 Colonel M. B. Hascall was a partner with Dr. Ellis for a year or two. About 1849 W. R. Ellis (also a partner) left here and went to

Sontli Bend, where lie published an abohtion paper for awhile. In 1850 the office passed into the hands of Enierick & Bouton for a time, and from them to Hon. Robert Lowry, who controlled it up to 1858, when he sold it to Earle & Heath and finally to J. T. Bennet. From 1850 to 1873 it passed through the hands of several parties, the first being the present proprietor, and then to Beane & Osborne, \^^ A. Beane & Company, then back to Judge Lowry, and then again to the present proprietor. La Porte Heffner, Colonel AI. B. Hascall, Murray & Beane, and lastly to W. A. Beane, who has been sole proprietor since 1878. and who has been intimately connected with it more years than any man living or dead. We commenced with it in 1844. and with the exception of a few rears have lieen with it ever since, a fraction over forty-three years.

" Fifty years agu to-day we were living in Benton and was eight years old and going to school to ' Old Dantrow," as everylx)dy called the schoolmaster.' The name teacher was not yet heard, in that neck of the woods at least. Several years later we commenced our career in tiie office. The older men around Benton at that time have all passed away, and the btiys of that day are now men far ad\-anced in life and are such men as John W. Irwin, R. D. and E. D. Irwin. David Darr, Ira and A. C. Jackson, the Weddells, the Longacres, the Butlers, the Kiblingers. Here in Goshen were W. A. Thomas, A. L. Hubbell, Milton Mercer, Joseph D. Kno.x, John L. Crar}-. H. ^^^ Bissell, Smith Chamberlain, John L. and Abher Blue, all of whom were in the very flush of young manhood.

" We would delight to see the long ixil! of employes, compositors, devils and other ' operatives " that have been connected in one way or .another since 1844. From memory we recall a few of them, as follows : Charlie Dunbar, J. S. Castle. Albert West. Alfred Wheeler, N. C. Devine. .Scott, Washington Lightfoot, Henry K. Tliomas, John Cook, William Stanclifif, C. \\'. Stevens, Horace Harper, Wesley Crary, Thomas and Gardner Bouton, General Reuben \\'illiams. Grove Bennett, \y. C. and J. .\. Blaine. \\"illiam Coffin. H. W. Smith, Everett .\1ibott. Henry Furness, William McCoy, D. G. Lowry, Theodore Moore, Ben. Hattle, Napoleon Heefner, Guy Malcom, H. S. Fassett, E. M. Herr, James H. Banning, Am. Shilling, Joe Mikesell, Frank and Harris Alurray, \\'illiam Jernegan, R. D. Jillson, Milo D. Chamberlain, Eugene Martin, W. H. Norton, Luther W'aterson, Frank Rudy, W. W. Scherling, D. H. Wood, C. E. Beane, W. A. Shamory, Vallandingham, Ran-

A\'ith the death of the venerahle editor and publisher, W. A. Beane, in 1893, the Democrat passed under the control of his son, Joseph A. Beane, who had been connected with the practical work and management of the paper since 1880, and who has since maintained the Democrat at the high standard set by his father. At the time of his assuming control the Democrat was a weekly, as it had been during all its previous history. From 1893 to 1897 Mr. Beane served his fellow citizens as postmaster, at the same time directing his journal, and in December, 1897. he established the Daily Democrat, at that time the third daily in the city. A few years later the Daily Times was purchased by the A'raw. and alwut coincident with that consolidation tl'ie Democrat came nut as a semi-weekly, and has so continued.

The mechanical equipment nf the Democrat is high class and modern in t'\erv particular. .'V linotype machine, procured at an expense of sc\eral thousand dollars, with one operator, performs the work winch formerly busied a half dozen compositors. Power presses, a complete job dejjartment and all things needed for expeditious work maintain the Democrat in its leading position among the newspapers of the count}' and state. The editorial force of tlie Democrat consists of the following: J. A. Beane, editor ;ind publisher; \A'. V. Fink, city editor ; Will S. Davis and C. E. Kettring, reporters. Charles E. Smith is foreman of the press rooms and D. .\fton Letherman is linotype operator.

The Goshen Xeies-Times, under this title, has existed only since the consolidation in 1902 of the Goshen Times and the Goshen Nciw. The A^cu's-Tiiiies is owned by a st(ick company. O. W. Kinnison is ]iresident of the company, O. ^L Kinnison. x-ice-jiresident and circulation manager, and Martin Starr is manager and editor. The city editor is P.. G. Whitehead, assisted by Frederick W. Morrice and Claude Cornell as reporters. Fred Menhert is foreman of the bindery, the foreman of the ]jress room is Chester Leas, foreman of the job department is Harry Lyons, and newspaper foreman Mose Cotherman. The entire force necessarv to collect news, to edit the different departments, to manage the ixisiness, to circulate the issues, and to perform the mechancal work, contains the names of thirty persons. The Nezm-Timcs is not only one of the foremost papers of northern Indiana from the point of view of subscription list and general equipment, but exerts a potent influence in public and business affairs. Its editor. Martin V. Starr, is one of the clean-cut, enterprising business men of Goshen, and it is due to his executive and organizing ability that this journal has experienced such rapid and substantial progress in all its departments.

The mechanical equipment of the Nczt's-Timcs has kept pace with the best improvements in the modern art of newspaper printing. That wonderful invention, the linotype, is a feature of this establishment antl puts in type all the ordinary news matter. Then there are full sets of all kinds of movable types. Seven presses, three job presses, one pony press, and three large cylinder presses, are almost constantly rumbling in the effort to turn out the large bulk of printed matter used in the daily and semi-weekly editions of the ]iaper and for business purposes. The bindery department, the only one in Goshen, is one of the best in this section of the state. Gas and steam power are employed for power.

An important institution in connection with the Nr-a's-l^iiiics is the bookstore, which takes up im'st of the ground floor of the Ncws-Tiiiics building. Everything in the book line can be found on its shelves and an extensive line of stationery and stationer's supplies are carried in stock. The picture department is an attractive feature and a choice display of art novelties are carried. The wall paper and picture framing departments are in the hands of capable men and careful attention is given to orders. All of the periodicals can be found here and it is, in truth, a Twentieth Century liookstore.

From a struggling- weekly in 1882, the News Printing Company has grown to its present splendid proportions. The compan\- now publishes a daily, mid-weekly and weekly, besides conducting a large job printing establishment, book bindery and bookstore. Modern machinery is in use in all of the departments and from a force of two in 1882, an increase has been made to twenty employes at the present time.

February 9, 1882, the first number of The Goshen IVcckly Ncii's was issued, the name having been changed from Tltc Independent. In size it was a six column quarto, being the largest paper in the county at that time. The plant which forms the nucleus of the present large establishment had had quite a history prior to the time when TIic Nczw was first issued from the press. J. P. I'rickett started the first paper with the original outfit in January, -[875, at Syracuse and it was known as the Syracuse En.tcrprisc, an eight column folio. Thos. A. Starr, the founder of Tlic News, was employed in tlie mechanical department of the paper. Within a few months the plant was moved to Milford, by Iv J. Mc Alpine, who had secured the ownership. The name of the paper was changed to The Independent. In 187(1, *J^''- T. Ager and (). .V. Rhine, both of Goslien. purchased the plant and mo\-ed the office to this city, where it was continuetl as the Goshen Independent. After four }"ears s]3ent in Ohio m the newspaper business, Mr. Starr returned to Goshen in 1882 and purchased the plant on which he had worked in previous years and this formed the nucleus of the present large plant. The same old hand press, the same old type and furniture, that had done duty down at Syracuse, printed the first copy of The Xe-ies. A steam power press, new type and furniture were at once added to the plant and within six months the circulation had sho\\n a remarkable increase. Prior to the time of starting the /^(7;7_v Ne-ies, the circulation of the weekly had reached nearly 2,500.

Coming from Hicksville, Ohio, in 188,^. where he had disposed of his interest in a thriving weekly, Mr. M. \'. Starr, the present editor and manager of the News Printing Company, purchased an interest in the business with his brother and on December lo. 1883, ^^^^ Goshen Daily Nezvs made its initial Ijow to the public and for eighteen years has been working for the advancement of the city. In 1884, the building which The A'ezcs now occupies was erected and with the business office a small stock of goods and stationery was installed. \\'ithin a short time the job printing establishment of Starr Bros, was purchased :ui(l embodied in the newspaper plant. In 1886. an addition to the building was erected and a book bindery was installed. Two years later a further addition to the building was made, to the alley in the rear, and the building is now 166 feet in depth. .As the business increased more machinery was added from year to year. In December, 1894, a Thorne type-setting machine was installed and at present the plant is modern in every respect. The Mid-]]'eekly was launched this same year. 1894. The mechanical part includes three cylinder presses, jobbers, folding machines, and a full complement of type and furniture necessary in the conduct of the large business which The NeiM enjo)s. The building is heated by steam and lighted by electricit}-. The editorial rooms are arranged with the idea of timesaving and are ven,- convenient. The l>indery is located on the second lloor and modern machinery is in use in that department.

The Goshen Times was founded in 1855. E. W. Metcalf, the first proprietor, sold his interest to Dr. E. W. H. Ellis and C. W. Stevens. Copeland and Cole secured the plant in June, 1862, and in November, 1863, Cole was succeeded by H. W. Smith. William Al. Starr purchased the paper in 1867. .\ half interest was purchased by Dr. Henry J. Beyerle in 1877, and Mr. Starr retired in 1880, Dr. Beyerle becoming sole owner. Associated with him in later years were his two sons, A. R. and L. H., and finally the paper was transferred to Lincoln H. Beyerle. The Times issued a daily in 1882, but suspended in a few weeks, and was revived August 17, 1886. In September, 1899. \V. H. Ragan and ^^^ S. Gard purchased the Times plant, Mr. Card retiring in November. 1900.

Truth was founded October 15, 1889, by Hon. C. G. Conn, the noted band instrument manufacturer of Elkhart. A large job printing establishment was installed at the same time in connection with the newspaper plant. It was issued as a morning paper for several months until the Sentinel was absorbed, when it was changed to an afternoon paper, remaining as such ever since. The principles of Truth were announced in the first issue ; Democratic in politics, devoted to the interests of workingmen, freedom of speech, and freedom at the polls, and it has always strictly adhered to these principles, advocating and lieing successful in bringing about many local reforms.

On the day of its first issue, October 15, 1889, Truth appeared in size as a six column folio, with an eight jaage edition upon Saturdays. Owing to an increase in advertising patronage, within a month of its first issue, the size was increased upon November 19, 1889, to a seven column folio. A full telegraphic service was being used, and again, upon December 10, 1889. the paper was enlarged to an eight column folio.

tion is largely throughout Elkhart county. On December lo of the same year the headlines read, " Elkhart and Goshen," and both cities were covered by carrier boys.

Wednesday, February 12, i8qo, the Daily Sentinel was absorbed and Truth commenced to be issued as an afternoon paper, with a Sunday edition issued at midnight Saturday. Since that date the paper has been published in the afternoons, but the Sunday edition was soon abandoned. Upon April i, T899, the size of Truth was increased to a six column folio and is now published in that form.

The paper was issued the first two> years from an of^ce in the Blackburn block. December 15, 1891, the plant was moved into the commodious quarters now occupied by the paper at No. 308 South Main street, which was built especially for newspaper and publishing purposes.

An attractive front discloses the home of Truth. The business and editorial offices are commodious. The first floor, rear, contains the composing rooms and bindery. In the basement three modern cylinder presses, besides several jobbers, are iii constant use. The stock room occupies the front of the basement.

The Bristol Banner, one of the dominant Republican organs of the county and with the exception of one and perhaps more unimportant and ephemeral sheets the only paper Bristol has ever had, was founded in 1877, as a local newspaper and neutral in politics, by Cyrus F. Mosier, father of the present editor, and Frank G. Shutts. Later, when the entire control of the paper came, by purchase, into the hands of Mr. Mosier, the Banner was at once placed in the ranks of Republicanism and since 188 1 has been a vigilant and stanch supporter of the Grand Old Party and the principles it represents.

Bristol as a prosperous town owes much to this enterprising journal, which has been conducted with an e}-e single to the permanent growth and welfare of the beautiful little commercial center on the St. J()sci)h. The history of the Banner is that of one of the few successful newspapers. It has twenty-five hundred weekly readers, its collunns are considered an excellent advertising medium Inr liusiness concerns in all parts of the state, and for a town of six hundred people the Banner's long and successful career has not often lieen excelled. The present editor, in view of the present success nf his ])aper, takes a pardonable pride in what has Ijeen accomplished an<l at the same time does not hesitate to acknowledge that his enterprise, like all similar newspaper ventures, has had its ups and downs and varied fortunes. One of die verv creditable parts of the Bar.iwr's record is the fact of its continuous ownership in one famil} , and also that the plant to-day occupies the same room in which the paper was founded twenty-eight years ago. The Mosier family still own the business, and the Banner is edited and published by Hon. H. H. ]\Iosier, son of the founder. The Banner has played an impt)rtarit part in the politics of this section of the state, and both C. F. Mosier and his son, H. H-. ha\'e been honored by their party by being sent to the Indiana general assembly, H. H. ]Mosier Ijeing the present representative of Elkhart county. The personal histories of the father and son will be found elsewhere in this volume.

The new spaper history cif j\iillersbui-g begins with the Press, wdiich was founded about 1872 and published by W. S. Unger, now deceased. Tliis public print did not long survive.

On August 24, 1876, was founded the Millersburg Enterprise, by Joel P. Heatwole, now an ex-congressman of Minnesota. When Mr. Heatwole moved from Millersburg in 1878 the Enterprise dropped into the newspaper limbo and was never brought to light again.

The ]\Iillersburg Grit, the present journalistic sheet which represents Millersburg with so much public .spirit and effective leadership, was established in 1892. by W. S. Taylor, who in the following year was succeeded by W. B. Barnard. Mr. Barnard, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this volume and who is one of the enterprising business men of his town, has continued the Grit u]) to the present time and has succeeded in infusing more than ordinary interest and journalistic spice into its editorial make-up. Tiie Grit is a weekly, and stands for the best interests of the town and county.

In Middlebury Joel P. Heatwole, after leaving the journalistic field of Millersburg, founded in 1878 the Middlebury Record. Newspaper history is seldom continuous, and about 1883 we find that ^liddlebury IS represented by the Independent, which about 1886 came under the ownership of H. W. Hi.xon. J. W. Blakemole edited the sheet two years for Mr. Hixon and then bouglit the entire concern. Soon afterward J. R. Rheubottom bought the Independent and maintained its hebdomeflal functions until 1893. when he went to ^\'akarusa, however.

The newspaper history of New Paris ended in a tragedy. On March 25, 1899, '^'^'^^ issued the first number of the New Paris Record. Its editor and publisher was E. L. (iraham, who was evidently quite a capable young man, and the Rccurd was a clean and creditably edited paper. He performed practically ah the duties of the publication alone, and one day, about a year after he began, the paper, some of the citizens found him dead in his press room. Pie had been almost instantly killed by the lever of his hand press flying" back and striking him in the head. Since that sad event no newspaper has been started in the town.

Wakarusa has a more extensive list of newspaper enterprises than the other smaller centers of the county. In May, 1874, the Wakarusa Sun shed its first rays on the people of that community. Dr. Owen St. who died in 1877, was its proprietor, and it was published on Thursday, a five-column folio. On his death the concern went to a Mr. Brubaker and then to John Firestone, who conducted it about a year, after which it seems to have gone intO' total and permanent eclipse.

Then there was the Wakarusa Clipper. Not often do the archives of journalism present such a queer piece of editorial enterprise as this. Several copies are still extant. Volume I, No. 4, being dated January, 1875. It was issued monthly, subscription price twenty-five cents distinctly stated as " in advance," and the editor and publisher, whose -name appears on the title page is J. H. \Vonderlin. The Clipper coniained four pages, each five by six inches, and in make-up and reading matter it deserves a tmique place in Elkhart C(iunty journalism. Squire Harrington sometimes lent his assistance in setting type, and he relates that when the supply of '" lower case " ran out the letters needed were placed in caps; as a result we find something like this - " ciTizeNs."

In 1893 was founded the ^Vakarusa Tribune, by Mr. J. R. Rheubottom, already mentioned as ha\'ing" been pre\-iously connected with the Middlebury Independent. His son, IX ,\. Rheuliottom. shortly afterward joined him, and now is the active head of the enterprise. The Tribune is a seven-column quarto, showing excellent mechanical makeup, and ably edited, making good its claim to jirint all the news. Its circulation is about twelve hundred copies each v>cek, a \z\'\ large circu-

The Wakarusa Citi::.cn was estabhslied Ijy C. T. and C. A. Smith, the first issue being dated January 3, 1902. It continued under Smith Brothers until the following November, when Mr. Rufus Ehret became its financial manager. After continuing this arrangement until April, 1903, Mr. Ehret took full control of the enterprise and has since filled the editorial chair with the exception of three months. The Citizen is a weekly news-sheet, independent in politics. Mr. Ehret is ably assisted by Miss Eatbie Kline, who has a thorough understanding of the multitude of duties connected with the publication of a country newspaper.

Founded only a few jears after the town, and keeping pace with its wonderful material development and growth, the Nappanee Nczcs is one of the most progressive and high-class newspapers in northern Indiana. The original germ of this enterprise may be traced to the old Wakarusa Suit, already described. The Sun plant was mo\'ed from Wakarusa to Nappanee by Anson B. Smith, who, on March i, 1878, issued the first number nf the Nappanee Weekly Nczcs. Mr. Smith retired after a year, and he is now a publisher in an Ohio town and also an ex-mayor of the place. The onus of the editorial position then devolved upon Mr. Whitman and E. D. Stoner, the former of whom is now station agent for the B. and O. road at this point. When Whitman retired William H. Holdeman became Stoner's partner, and on July 29, 1880, Holdeman appears as sole editor and publisher. The paper was then issued as a five-column quarto.

In January, 1888, Mr. Holdeman's proprietary interest was purchased by G. N. Murray, the son of the famous Elkhart county editor. C. L. Murray. Mr. Murray had just come from the business management of the Goshen Nezus, and the first issue of the Napannee paper under his name was that of February 2d. Tlie jVrTcVs- in the meantime had been made a large folio sheet, and Mr. Murray changed it to a six-column quarto. Mr. Murray, whose interesting biography with that of his father appears elsewhere in this volume, has continued in successful control of the News to the present writing. He has a twostory building devoted almost entirely to his newspaper interests, having a first-class Ixjokstore in connection. The official force of the Nezt's is as follows : G. N. Murray, editor and publisher ; J. R. Murrav, assis- lanl editiir; :\liss Meta Frazier, 1)uokkeeper ; Miss Mary T. iMurray, cuiniinsitor: and Gale Best and Clara Swihart, apprentices. One of the must credital:le special issues ever gotten (Uit l)y Elkhart county journals is that of the Xappanee Xc-ics entitled " Industrial Nappanee," which speaks more highly than words can of the finished workmanship and the editorial skill of the proprietor of the Nc^i's and his able assistants.

Xap]xuiec supports another newspaper under the title of the Nap- ]janee .-Itk-aiicc. This was established in 1892 l)y \\\ H. Holdeman, who soon sold it to a Mr. Stevens, from whom, in turn, its control ])assed to D. O. Batchelor, who has been editor and publisher for the past seven years. -

We liave already noticed several newspaper enterprises which came to an untimel}-, or timely, end, although they have either served as liroken links in the chain of journalistic enterprise, or, phoenix-like, some other paper has arisen from their ashes. An excursion into the newspaper graveyard of Elkhart county cnaliles us to decipher the o1>ituanes of several defunct press organs, altliough several, ha\'ing existed for a more rir less eplicmeral jjurpose, are no longer remembered by name even bv those vitally interested. It has been said that it is the easiest thing in the world to start a newspaper. That there is a sad sec|uel to that pert aphorism is evident from the fact that, taken bv and large,, the continuous]}- and really successful papers are always much in the minority as compared with all in existence. It is to fulfill the purpose of this history that we here make a few notes concerning several of these journals.

Tlie exact status of the XortliL-ni Ind'umiaii in the early newspaper In'storv of the county cannot be definitely ascertained. There are a few bound copies in the possession of Editor Beane of the Democrat, and it is from these that this partial history is compiled. No. 23 of Volume T is dated June 25, 1840, and is published by L. P. Johnson. C. L. Murray assumed control with the issue of November 28, 1840, and he turned over the editorial duties to another representative of the owners in August, 1841, on his appointment to the ofiice of postmaster. The following issues had the name of C. W. McKenzie as editor. But in the following November, on his removal from the postmastership, Mr. Murray resumed the editorial management. Then early in 1842 Thomas G. Harris became editor. In June, 1842, it began to be issued twice a week. The last luiniljer nf the Iiuiianian (at least of those preserved by :Mr. Beane ) is dated April 4, 1844. It seems that during at least a part of the period of existence of the Iiuiianian the Goshen Democrat had suspended publication; for, in the issue of April 15, 1841, the editor of the Indianiaii mentions the reappearance of the (loshen Democrat under the charge of Dr. lillis, and reminds the latter, with well sustained dignity, that Goshen and vicinity could not support, by actual pa'tronage and w ithout jirivate contriinitions, more than one hebdiiniedai.

The Goshen U'cdcly Adi'crtiscr issued its first number November 21. 1844, Brunson and W'augh being publishers, Init the further career of this enterprise is not known.

To oppose the rising tide of Whiggism in this cnunty Dr. E. W. H. Ellis published, during the campaign of 1S40. the Kimlcrliool; Dutclintan. which was purely political in character.

The Democratic Vuion was established in 1867 by D. W. Sweet, and continued for some years as one of the organs of the Democracy at lilkhart.

The business of the Mennonite Pufjlishing Companv was established in the city of Gbicago in Januar)'. 1864, by Jiihn ]'". b'unk in an indix'idual capacity, the periodical issues being the Herald of Tnttli and Der Hcroid dcr IValirlieit. In the sjjring of 1867 the originator of the business moved to Elkhart, with a complete newspaper outfit, and set up and operated the first cylinder press ever brought to Elkhart. In the fall of the same year he associated with himself his brother, A. K. Funk, and the Ixisiness was run under the firm name of John F. Funk and Brother. In 1875 incori)oration was effected under the name of the Mennonite Publishing Company. At the beginning the work of the establishment was performed by three or four persons, while at the present time the company does about ninety thousand dollars' worth of business annually. The present officers are John F. Funk, president ; A. B. Kolb, vice-president; A. K. Funk, secretary and treasurer, and James A. Bell, general manager. The pulilications are all of a religious character. The first 1x)ok was " The Martyrs Mirror." a history of the religious persecutions of several centuries ago, published in both English and German. The complete works of Menno Simon, on the Mennonite faith and jiractice, were also published here. Church hymnals and other religious books form the Inilk of tlieir output, besides the various periodical publications, such as the Herald of Truth, weekly, the Mcnnonitischc Rimdschau. Aveekh-, the Ynung People's Paper, monthly, the Words of Cheer, weekly, and the Sicnday-School Lesson Helps and Gcnnaii Quarterly. The combined circulation of the papers amounts to fifteen thousand weekly, and 38,000 lesson helps are published each quarter.

Before concluding this chapter some mention is due the hian who may fitly be termed the poet laureate of Elkhart county, whose verses, with their lilting meter, their intimate and appealing human nature, and true Indiana flavor, ha\e been published in the metropolitan press and have obtained a wide acquaintance all over the country. Harry S. Chester was born in 1862, in VVestfield, Massachusetts, came to Elkhart in 1 88 1, served as city clerk of Elkhart four years, was coimty clerk four years, as one of the active Democrats of the county was sent a delegate to the National convention in 1892, and is now engaged in the monument business at Elkhart as a member of the firm of Cook and Chester. This tells the superficial aspects of his career, but his memory will rather be bound up with his poetr}% and the expression of his own amliition is doubtless best told in this simple dedication :

From ]\Ir. Chester's little volume published a few years ago, entitled " When the Light Goes Out, and Other Poems," we select two poems whose local associations make them especially appropriate in the history' of Elkhart county.

Out At Dunlap'S Station

"They're to blame for bein' there?" - Mebbe not. my friend - Troubles sometime chase a man way up to the end. Fortune ain't distributed in an equal way - Some are sick an' poor in youth an' poorer when they're gray ; Others allers have their health an' never strike a bog. An' fortune comes to them as slick as fallin' off a log, Who's to blame for all the woes its pretty hard to say, Out at Dunlap's Station where the paupers stay.

No man knows jest allers how misfortunes come about - Lots of men have lost their grip in helpin' others out. Some'll pray for God's own poor all penitent an' meek An' squeeze a piece of money till you hear the eagle shriek. 'Taint no wonder they get rich an' keep away from debt, Grabbin' everything in sight an' keepin' all they get - Rather than be built like that I'd jest start out today An' go to Dunlap's Station, where the paupers stay.

The world is tightin' shy of 'em an' leavin' 'em alone - Ther's no one takes much notice of a pauper's sob and moan; They've lost their independence an' they have no guidin' star An' the world ain't goin to study what a pauper's feelin's are. But there's a recompense for them that's equal to the best - The world can't put a price upon a sweet eternal rest. An' sleep'll come to them some time an' clear the clouds away - Out at Dunlap's Station, where the paupers stay.

The Old St. Joe

Oh, the old St. Joe - Oh, the dancing, glancing waters - how they ripple as they flow. Softly singing liquid symphonies far sweeter to my ear Than the melody of Mozart or the songs of Meyerbeer. How the summer sunlight shimmers on its bright reflecting breast, As it rolls along forever in a spirit of unrest.

Oh, the old St. Joe - Oh, the wealth of blooming bushes and of willows bending low. And the pretty, perfect paradise, the island set in green. With its verdant shadows waving in the water's silver sheen ; And the graceful swallows twittering and sailing light and free, Dipping down to kiss the wavelets as they dance away in glee.

Oh, the old St. Joe- Ob, the shady swimming ba\'OU where the boys were wont to go - - Oh, the happiness of childhood, oh, the joys we held so dear. The pleasure of disporting in the w-alers bright and clear - Forgetfulness maj' claim all else, but time can never dim The memory of a boy's delight - a good, old-fashioned swim.

Oh, the old St. Joe- When Luna's beaming beauty sheds a soft refulgent glow ; Oh, the music of the waters as they improvise a trill In the running obli.gato to the plaintive whip-poor-will: And the gentle zephyrs humming through the waving willow trees - How they fill the soul with echoes of a hundi"ed harmonies.

Oh. the old St. Joe- Like the future generations that arc yet to come and go. Forever and forever shall its waters flow away In a never failing current as they flow along to-<Iay. .A.nd lovers of old nature's brightest work will learn to know The many matchless beauties of the old St. Joe.