Fayette County, Indiana - The Press, 1885

The Press

FIRST EFFORT - THE FAYETTE OBSERVOR - ABRAHAM VAN VLEET - THE POLITICAL CLARION, AND ITS SUCCESSOR, THE INDIANA SENTINEL - THE WATCHMAN - THE INDIANA TELEGRAPH - DANIEL RENCH - WILLIAM STEWART THK CHRISTIAN CASKET - THE LADIES' TEMPERANCE WREATH - THE CONNERSVILLE TIMES - THE CONNERSVILLE EXAMINER - THE CONNERSVILLE NEWS.

THE first equipment for printing purposes was brought to the county in 1823, from the village of Lebanon, Ohio, by Abraham Van Vleet. Mr. Van Vleet was a native of New Jersey, born in 1783. About the year 1S12 he immigrated to Ohio, locating in Lebanon, where about the year 1816 he became connected with the publication of the Western Star, a paper that was established in that village in 1806, by John McLean, afterward Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Mr. Van Vleet from Lebanon removed to Connersville, but at this time the country was too new to maintain a printing establishment. [In the Commissioners' proceedings of 1824, reference is made to the Indiana Statesman in connection with the name of A. Van Vleet, and the inference is that the paper was started by Mr. Van Vleet, at Connersville, but was short-lived.]

The Faykttb Observer

In 1826 the Fayette Observer was established at Connersville by A. Van Vleet and Daniel Bench. Vol. I, No. 4, of that paper bears date of July 8, 1826; it is a four-column folio, and was printed and published by A. Van Vleet for Daniel Rench. At some time between this date and 1829, Mr. Van Vleet severed his connection with the Observer. In 1829 the paper was issued under the names of David Rench and John Sample, Jr., which gentlemen published their valedictory under date of May 8, ,1830, in which it was stated that they had disposed of the establishment to Samuel W. Parker, and that the "present number of the Fayette Observer will forever remain the last."

Samuel W. Parker, who had located at Connersville as a school teacher in 1828, began writing editorially for the Observer early in 1829: "the proprietor of which and senior editor," says Mr. Parker, ' ' was Daniel Rench. " Mr. Parker soon became editor

Abraham Van Vleet

Before proceeding further we remark that in 1831 Abraham Van Vleet went to New York City, where his death occurred in the summer of 1832. From his obituary notice is extracted the following: " Having been doomed in early life to struggle with the relentless hand of poverty, he had no means of cultivating bis mind or acquiring knowledge, except by his own exertions, at such times as he was able to remit his labor for a subsistence. To obtain this laudable object, he was unremitting in his endeavors, and at the midnight hour, instead of resting in the arms of sleep, after the labors of the flay, he kept his constant vigil at the shrine of knowledge by the pale light of the lamp. Over it he hovered, until he procured a respectable education, one which rendered him useful to mankind, his country, and his God. He edited a public journal in Lebanon, Ohio, a number of years, during which time he was called upon by the people to render them civil service. He was the author of several books, some of which have conferred a lasting benefit upon his country." Of these we mention that " The Ohio, or Western Spelling Book " is believed to have been printed by Mr. Van Vleet. in Lebanon, about 1814. In 1821 he compiled a work entitled "The Justice and Township Officer's Assistant," comprising a great variety of judicial forms and other necessary precedents for the use of Justices of the Peace, Constables and township officers in their official duties, etc.

Sentinel

On assuming control of the office of the Observer, Mr. Parker purchased new material, etc., and sent forth to the country the first issue of a new paper, titled the Political Clarion, May 22, 1839. The Clarion was printed on a super-royal sheet, and flew a lengthy motto from Alexander Hamilton, and was, in the full sense of the word, a political paper, and gave a hearty and unwavering support to Henry Clay for the Presidency. The editor was a scholarly young man of unusual brilliancy, and the Clarion was edited with the ability that characterized his subsequent life. May 26, 1832, appeared the last number of the Clarion, which was succeeded by the Indiana Sentinel, the first number of which appeared June 2, 1832, edited and published by C. B. Smith and M. R. Hull. Both were men of ability and the result was a spirited paper. It supported Henry Clay for President. Mr. Smith withdrew from the Sentinel May 25, 1833, and the paper was published for several years by Mr. Hull. These were all men of marked ability, and further reference is made to their lives and to these papers elsewhere in this work.

No. 1, Vol. I, of a paper entitled the Watchman made its appearance in Connersville under date of May 31, 1834, published by Van Vleet & Stewart, and edited by S. W. Parker and Van Vleet. [In manuscript left by Mr. Parker, it is stated that he established the Watchman.^ In the spring of 1836 Mr. Stewart withdrew from the paper, and was succeeded by John Sample, Jr., Mr. Parker withdrawing the following fall. It is said that the Watchman continued an existence until about 1841, and was published in main by William Stewart.

The Indiana Telegraph

From the termination of the Watchman until the establishment of the Whitewater Valley Times and of the Examiner the history of the press seems somewhat mixed and obscure. A paper titled the Indiana Telegraph was started by Louis C. Fouts in a building on Monroe Street opposite the court house, at about the period the Watchman is said to have ceased its existence. Its political complexion is seen in the following extract from the prospectus: " We intend uncompromisingly to advocate those grand cardinal principles which constitute the political creed of the Democratic Whig party - the establishment of a United States Bank - an increase of the tariff." In December, 1841, F. B. Thomas and W. A. Hotchkiss became the proprietors of this paper, and several years later we find the name of R. T. Brown as its publisher. Between the years 1843 and 1845 the Telegraph passed into the hands of William Stewart, and was conducted by him for several years. Through how many hands the paper subsequently passed we know not; however, it is said that for a period Mr. S.

W. Swiggett conducted it and sold to a company who published it as a Democratic paper. Subsequently the paper was issued by T. J. White, and in 1859 was published by Messrs. Higgs & Smith, the former being the present publisher of the Examiner. Mr. Smith soon withdrew and the paper was issued by Mr. Higgs until in 1861, when he sold to Frank Brown. This gentleman for a period conducted the paper under the name of the Fayette County Union (or established the Union at the time) when the office was removed from the town.

Daniel Rench

Daniel Rench, who for quite a period of years was connected with the publishing interests of the county, was a native of Maryland, and about the year 1812 settled in Jackson Township; was chosen the first Auditor of the county in 1841, filling the position some ten years, and subsequently from 1865 to 1872 served as the Recorder of the county. His death occurred February 10, 1872, in the seventy-third year of his age. He had been a Mason for fifty-three years.

William Stewart

William Stewart was born in Pennsylvania in 1815 and with his parents located in Connersville in 1821. Says his biographer: " He was one of the oldest printers of the State." He served an apprenticeship in the office of the Observer. He was engaged in the publication of papers in all some thirteen years. In 1847-48 he served from this county as a Representative in the State Legislature. His death occurred in February, 1865.

The Christian Casket

In the spring of 1832 was established in Connersville a religious paper under the title of the Christian Casket, a monthly paper of sixteen pages, by Elder John O'Kane, who had with him as associate editor. Dr. R. T. Brown. The Casket was discontinued at the close of the first volume.

Along in 1854 there was established in Connersville a paper under the title of the Ladies' Temperance Wreath. It was edited by Mrs. Lavinia Brown - lee and Miss M. Louise Chitwood. The Wreath was a semi-monthly devoted to temperance, particularly as it related to women, their duties and responsibilities with reference to the great reform in the varjoua relations of life. Nothing further of this paper is known to us.

We have been unable to get anything definite as to the origin of the Times, having been able to find no tiles of the paper back of 1854, and to obtain nothing satisfactory from the memories of old citizens consulted on the subject. No. 1, Vol. V, of the Connersville Times bears date of September 21, 1854, published by J. E. Randall and W. H. Green. Prior to the month of September, 1854, the paper was published by Randall & Maker; that month the latter' s interest was purchased by Mr. Green, and the name changed from the Whitewater Valley Times to the name it has since borne. With the issue of the paper of November 16, 1854, Mr. Randall was succeeded by J. H. McClung, and from that time until May 15, 1856, the Times was published under the name of Green & McClung, the latter retiring with that issue. From that time until in December, 1867, the Times was published and edited by Mr. Green alone, making his connection with the paper cover a period of over thirteen years; so long a time, and covering an eventful period in our country's history, that it may not be out of place to refer briefly to his life. He was born in Clark County, this State, in 1814; was apprenticed to the printer's trade in the oflSce of the New Albany Gazette at the age of sixteen years; in 1838 he became a partner in the publication of that paper, with which he remained connected until 1845 (the first daily paper in the State). In 1847 he established the Crawford County Whig at Leavenworth, Ind. ; in 1 849 he was connected with the New Albany Bulletin. From 1867 to 1875 he served as Auditor of Fayette County. He is now publishing the Brookville American.

In December, 1867, the paper and office of the Connersville Times was purchased by A. M. Sinks. That same winter G. M. Sinks, a brother, became a partner, and the Times was published until in 1870 by A. M. & G. M. Sinks. In 1870 another brother, M. R. Sinks, became a third owner of the paper. May 1, 1871, A. M. Sinks sold his interest in the office to G. M. & M. R. Sinks, who published the Times until in 1873, when M. R. sold to G. M. July 1, 1875, the paper passed from G. M. Sinks into the hands of John A. James and W. F. Downs. These gentlemen were the proprietors of the paper until in August, 1877, when Mr. Downs sold his interest to Charles N. Sinks. One year later Mr. James sold his interest to Mr. Sinks, who became the sole proprietor, and published the paper until in September, 1880, when the office was purchased by John C. Ochiltree and W. F. Downs. In March, 1881, these gentlemen consolidated the Times with the News, then published by McClung & Bacon, and the paper was issued under the title of the Connersville Times and News. In August, 1881, Mr. Ochiltree disposed of his interest in the office to McClung, Bacon & Downs, and on the 9th of November following the entire business was purchased by A. M. Sinks and J. C.

Ochiltree. The Neivs portion of the title was dropped in October, 1881. From November, 1881, until July 1, 1884, the Times and business of the office was carried on by these gentlemen, under whose management the Times has been judiciously con ducted and wisely edited, ever advocating such measures as are ennobling to man, and to the best interests of the public generally, which are in the line of progress and advancement. Both men of strong political convictions, the Times has not been silent on the political questions of the day, but is ever on the alert in the furtherance of the principles of the Republican party. With the issue of the paper of July 2, 1884, Mr. Ochiltree, the junior editor, retired, leaving Mr. Sinks the sole proprietor and editor. Mr. Sinks is well fitted for the editorial chair, being a scholarly gentleman and a man of legal attainments, and of long years' experience in that profession. Biographies of these gentlemen appear elsewhere in this work. It is claimed for the Times that it is the lineal successor of the old Fayette Observer, whose history is given previously. The office of the Times is well equipped with modern facilities for the execution of tirst-class job printing. The paper is a neat six-column quarto, 30x44 inches, issued on Wednesday of each week, and is the Republican organ of the county.

The Connersville Examinee

The Connersville Examiner was established at Connersville in the year 1867, the first issue appearing on Tuesday, December 24th, of that year. It was a neat six-column folio published by J. M. Higgs and F. M. Pickett. In a lengthy and well written salutatory was fully set forth the mission of the journal. The men at the helm believed that the safety of the Government depended upon the successful carrying out of old fashioned Democratic principles, which they meant to advocate to the best of their ability. The paper was to be directed in opposition to the then system of taxation; it was opposed to the national bank system and believed that the national debt should be paid in the same currency in which it was contracted - greenbacks. Commenting on the paper, said the Brookville Democrat, "We are in receipt of the first number of a, new Democratic paper titled the Connersville Examiner, published at our neighboring town of Connersville by Messrs. J. M. Higgs and F. M. Pickett. The Examiner is very neat in its 'make up' and its general appearance indicates good workmanship. Its editorials are spicy and pointed, and are evidently written by one who is no stranger to editorial life. * ^ * Mr. Pickett was formerly one of the local editors of the Indianapolis Herald and is an able writer."

The Examiner was enlarged to a seven-column paper with the issue of June 23, 1868, and continued to be published under the firm name given above until March 17, 1869, when Mr. Pickett withdrew, leaving Mr. Higgs the sole proprietor and editor. From time to time since the paper was launched upon its voyage, it has steadily grown until to-day it is a nine-column folio ranking with the largest county papers in the State. On New Year's Day, 1882, it appeared in a new dress and on May 17 following, assumed its present proportions. In the beginning the materials of the office were limited and of primitive design, since which time these have been replaced by the most modern type and machinery until now the office is well equipped for the execution of first class job printing. Mr. Siggs, the proprietor and editor in chief is a practical printer, having served an apprenticeship in the village of Brookville, Ind., and is well qualified for journalism, which for upward of eighteen years he has pursued among the same people, and it is to his credit to say that during that long period his labors through the columns of the Examiner in the advocacy of such measures as have tended to build up the city have not been without results; and that the interests of his party have not suffered at his hands. His biography will be found elsewhere in this work. The Examiner has kept pace with the progress of the age and advocated what was believed to be for the best interests of the people of the county. In an editorial on the beginning of its seventeenth year was stated that "the Examiner in future will continue to be Democratic to the core, but will only bind itself to support men of honesty, sobriety and superior qualifications." * * * *

The Connebsville News

In 1877 a paper bearing the above name was established at Connersville, by E. J. Smith, who was its proprietor and editor in chief. The first number of the News was issued June 7. It was a six-column folio and flew the motto "A truly Independent Journal - Fearless in its Advocacy." The News printed a German column, the first ever published in the county. Under date of August 7, 1 878, the News appeared a seven-column folio, Republican in politics, having dropped the motto, and was under the proprietorship of T. A. Taylor and E. B. Rawles. With the issue of February 26, 1879, Mr. Taylor appeared as the sole publisher of the paper, and under date of November 12, 1879, the proprietors were W. H. Green and G. C. Bacon. Subsequently the News passed into the hands of McClung & Bacon, who in March, 1881, with John C. Ochiltree and W. F. Downs, then proprietors of the Times, consolidated the two papers.