Franklin County, Indiana - Chapter 19: Newspapers of Fraxklix County, 1915

Chapter 19: Newspapers of Fraxklix County

It is impossible to write the history of a newspaper without having its complete files, and the fact that complete files of the Franklin county newspapers have not been preserved renders it impossible to write a complete history of the county papers. Fortunately, there are bound volumes of the Democrat and American for many years, as well as one interesting volume containing incomplete files of the Inquirer, Franklin Repository and first issues of the Indiana American. The following files of Franklin county papers are found in the recorder's office in the court house :

There is one bound volume of newspapers which contains fugitive issues of the Brookville Inquirer, the Franklin Repository and the Indiana American. There is one issue of the Brookville Inquirer, Saturday, October 23, 1S24 (No. 20, Vol. VI, Whole Xo. 332). The editors were D. W. and C. W. Hutchen. The next paper in this old volume is the Franklin Repository of October 31, 1826 (Vol. i, No. 53). There are a few issues of this in 1826, a few in 1827, and several in 182S. the last one being dated November 19, 1828. This is followed by Vol. l. No. i, of the Brookville Inquirer of January 4, .1833, which is continued by its editor, C. W. Hutchen, until June 21, 1S33; the issue is complete between those dates (Januaiy 4 - June 21, 1833). C. F. Clarkson's Indiana American, Vol. i, No. 29, is the next paper in this bound volume and the remainder of the volume contains a complete file of the American for the rest of 1833.

The files of the Democrat are complete from 1868 down to the present time. There are two other bound volumes of the Democrat : the complete year of 1853 and one volume, ^lay 31, 1861 - August 7, 1863.

There are many years missing from the files of the American. The first issue of the American, as well as the remaining for that year (1833), are in the miscellaneous volume above mentioned. Seven bound volumes contain practically all of the issues from May 3. 1834, to the close of 1853. There are no more issues of the American (or its Civil- War namesake, the

This chapter has been compiled with reference to the copies of papers which have been examined, and if there is any doubt concerning the names of editors, dates of papers or changes of ownership, it is so indicated in the text.

The First Papers

The first chapter in the newspaper history of Franklin county covers the period from 18 15 to 1830. From all indications there seems to be no question but that the various papers of this period were printed on the same press. It is not known when the first paper in Brookville was issued. But a notice in the commissioners' record of February 2, 18 15, would seem to indicate that a paper was in existence here at that time. On that date the commissioners ordered the payment of one dollar and twenty-five cents to "the printer for the insertion of the advertisement for the sale of the court house." Unfortunately, the record does not state to whom this was paid or tell whether the paper was published in Brookville or some neighboring town. The inference is, however, that it was paid to a local printer, and it seems that this printer was a man by the name of Ogle.

The best information concerning this pioneer newspaper man of Franklin county is found in a letter of C. F. Clarkson to L. L. Burke, dated June 4, 1888. Apropos of this first paper, Clarkson has the following to say: "The first paper started in Brookville was commenced sometime in the year 1815 by a man by the name of Ogle. I have never seen a copy of his paper after a thorough search and inquiry for it during the twenty-one years which .1 published a paper in Brookville. Nor was I able to learn anything of the history of the publisher. The paper, as well as the publisher, was ephemeral, as eighteen years afterwards no citizen of Brookville could tell how long it was published or what became of the publisher. It was called the Plain Dealer." Clarkson is also authority for the statement that a paper by the same name was established in October, 181 6. by Bethuel F. Morris and John Scott. The exact date of the first issue by the new proprietors is unknown, although the twenty-first number was dated March 25, 1817". Morris & Scott continued to publish this paper at more or less regular interv'als until 1820, although sometime before February 12, 1820, they changed its name to the Brookville Enquirer and I ndiaiia Telegraph, and later in the same 3'ear they disposed of it to D. W. and C. W. Hutchcn. This date is more or less problematical and is given on the authority of Clarkson. The historian has seen one copy of the paper published by the Hutchen brothers, the same being known as the Brookville Inquirer and dated Saturday, October 23, 1824 (Vol. VI, No. 20, Whole No. 332). However, their paper seems to have been called the Franklin Rep-uhlican at one time. Just when the Hutchen brothers obtained the paper or at what time they began calling' it the Inquirer is not known. In this issue of Octoljcr 23, 1824, the editors of the Inquirer say, editorially, that "Great exertions are being made to establish another printing office in this place and no doubt it has been suggested to the people as absolutely necessary. A word is sufficient - we can do all the business for this place and as much more." It has not been ascertained who the courageous printer was, but from the fact that Augustus Jocelyn established the Franklin Repository in October, 1825, there might be reason to suspect that he was the printer in question.

In the Inquirer of October 23, 1824, there is an announcement, dated October 7, 1824. which shows that on the latter date the partnership between Robert John and I. N. Hanna, known by the firm name of Robert John & Company, was dissolved. John & Company had cliarge of the Inquirer, it is thought, but whether they sold it to J. W. Scott or the Hutchen brothers, is not known. It is more than likely that Scott purchased a paper from them. but, according to the best information, Scott stole the money witli which to make the purchase and shortly afterwards disappeared from Brookville. It is probable that Rev. Augustus Jocelyn, the ^Methodist minister, was the next man to take charge of the paper.

The first issue of Jocelyn's paper which has been seen is dated October 31, 1826 (Vol. I, No. 53). This would put the first issue in October, 1825. The last issue of the Repository on file in the recorder's office is dated November 19, 1828, although it is certain that it was published a year or so after that time. On September 11, 1827, Jocelyn started an advertisement in his paper in which he ofifered his newspaper for sale, saying that ill health was the reason for his desire to retire from the business.

Sometime in 1828 or 1829, Reverend Jocelyn gave his paper the agricultural title. The Brookinlle Western Agriculturist, and. no doubt, felt that the new name would bring it more support. But he reckoned in vain. Fifteen years had now elapsed since Ogle had started the first paper in Brookville, and the presumption is that the seven different owners had published their respective papers under various nanies on the same press.

tured by an entire absence of any paper whatever. The failure of the Methodist preacher to make a success of a paper must have seemed conclusive proof to any prospective newspaper men that it was impossible to make a success of a paper in Franklin county. In January, 1820, Jocelyn sold the press and type of his defunct paper to Milton Gregg', who promptly hauled them out of town, not caring- to rush in where a preached had failed. The press, which had been doing duty in Brookville for fifteen years, was taken to Lawrenceburg and in that flourishing town Gregg started the Western Statesman. It may be noted in passing that this press was what was known as a Ramage pattern, and was probably brought direct from Philadelphia to Brookville in 181 5.

From 1830 to 1833 there was no paper published in Franklin county, although, in November, 1832, C. F. Clarkson issued a prospectus in which he stated that he intended to start a paper at Brookville to be known as the Indiana American. However, C. W. Hutchen issued his prospectus for the Brookville Enquirer at about the same time and Clarkson, after investigating the field, decided that the county could not support tv/o papers, since it was apparent that Flutchen was determined to establish the paper. Consequently the next paper in the county was established by the same Hutchen who had been connected with the Plain Dealer in 1820.

The first issue of the Brookville Enquirer was on January 4, 1833. By the following July, Hutchen, who was not managing the paper to the satisfaction of the owners, William Seal & Company, evidently so incurred the displeasure of his employers that they were willing to sell out to Clarkson. Clarkson had been publishing the JVestern Statesman at Lawrenceburg, and had disposed of his paper to D. Symnes, Major, with the intention of either buying out Hutchen at Brookville or starting another paper in the town. In July, 1833, Clarkson finally succeeded in securing possession of the Brookville Enquirer, and No. 29, Vol. i, dated July 19, 1833, contains Clarkson's "Salutatory."

Upon securing possession of the Enquirer from Hutchen, in 1833, Clarkson immediately changed its name to the Indiana American and continued it under this title until 1853, at which time he disposed of it to Rev. Thomas A. Goodwin.

Editor Goodwin was not a newspaper man, although a very forceful writer. While the paper had previously been Whig in politics, Goodwin made an effort to put out an independent, non-political sheet. Goodwin had a sarcastic way of saying things and his paper stirred up no little amount of discussion. In addition to publishing the American, Goodwin issued a temperance sheet for a short time with the striking heading, The Temperance Spontoon. After the presidential election of 1856, Goodwin moved his newspaper plant to Indianapolis, the transfer taking place April 2, 1857. The Franklin Democrat, April 3, 1857, says "The Indiana American has moved to Indianapolis; the press left yesterday." There seems to have been a paper established in Brookville to take the place of the American, but its name, as well as its editor, has been swallowed up in oblivion.

The Brookville American was revived in 1B58 by Foster & Hunter, but the firm was dissolved within a few weeks, Hunter disposing of his interest in the paper to his partner. Foster seemed to have difficulty in keeping the paper going and, after a fevered and fitful existence, it suspended publication in February, 1861. Foster met with many discouragements during his brief career with the paper and several issues of hia paper were issued in the Democrat office because of his illness and inability to take charge of his press.

The Democrat was the only paper in the county until August, i86i, when Charles A. Bingham and U. V. Kyger purcha.sed the plant of the American from Foster and established Tlie National Defender. This paper, as the name indicates, was a stanch supporter of the administration of President Lincoln and bitterly assailed the opposition to the progress of the Civil War as voiced in the columns of the Democrat. Kyger disposed of his interest in the paper, in 1S64, to Richard Swift, of Blooming Grove, and at the same time the name of the paper was changed to the Brookville American. Within a year Bingham became the sole owner of the paper and continued as such until he issued the last number of the Indiana American, November 3, 1871. From that time until January 4, 1872, the press of the paper stood idle. On the latter date, Milton L. Wilson, who had purchased the plant of Bigham, issued the first number of the Brookville American, and called it Vol. [, No. I. Wilson had been formerly connected with a paper at Newark, Ohio, and came to Brookville with a reputation as a practical newspaper man. However, for reasons which have not been discovered, he did not succeed. and on October 11, 1872, he issued his last number of the paper. In this number he announced that he had sold it to Capt. William A. Bcasley and the new owner took immediate possession, his name appearing as owner and editor in the issue of October 18, 1872. It is to be noted that he made a slight change in the name of the paper, and during his connection with it he called it the Brookville Weekly American. In the issue of November 15, 1872, the owners appear as W. A. Beasley & Company, and they continued as managers and editor? until the last issue, February 21, 1873.

his bow on February 28, 1873. On October 30, 1873, Price returned to the old name of The BruokviUc American. Price was not a printer, and admitted this fact in his first issue, su it is not to be wondered that he retained the paper only a short time. His career ended with the issue of November 27, 1873, at which time he announced that C. W. Stivers, a practical newspaperman of Liberty, Indiana, had taken over the management of the paper. Stivers brought with him from Liberty A. M. Dawson, an experienced printer as well as a local writer. Dawson was entrusted with the mechanical execution and business management of the paper, and also served as local editor. The second issue of the paper under the new management (December-11, 1873) states that Stivers is editor and proprietor, while Dawson is local editor and publisher. Just how the two men divided the mechanical and editorial management of the paper, the historian leaves an experienced newspaper man to figure out.

Stivers issued his last number June 24, 1874, and in the issue of that date. said: "I have sold the American newspaper and job printing office to A. M. Dawson, to whom belonged the credit for making the paper what it has been for .the past six months. Our successor, Mr. Dawson, we recommend as a gentleman in every way worthy of confidence and respect. He is a practical printer, a pointed and peerless writer, and will make the American all that the Republicans of Franklin county could desire." Dawson continued in charge of the paper a few montlis. when he disposed of it to J. Stivers and brother. These gentlemen terminated their connection with the American with the issue of September 6, 1877.

William H. Green followed the Stivers Brothers as owner and editor of the American, and issued his first paper September 13, 1877. Green appears to have been a successful new'spaper man and for eleven years safely piloted the paper in a strongly Democratic county. With his last issue, of April 5. 1888, Green announced that, on account of his ill health, he had sold his paper.

The new owner, Louis L. Burke, was a practical printer from Washington, D. C., and introduced himself to the reading public of Franklin county with his issue of April 12. 1888. Burke changed the size of his paper on August 17, 1893, to a six-column quarto, and this size has been maintained ever since. Burke was connected with the paper as editor and owner until December 29, 1904, when he disposed of it to E. C. Hancock. Burke later located in Worthington and lived there until his death. Hancock issued his first number on January 5, 1905, and his last number on April 15, 1909. He was compelled to retire from the paper on account of failing eyesight. He rested for about two years and was then connected for about a year and a half with a paper at Ashtabula, Ohio. His eyes aj^ain soon compelled him to give up his work. Later he was business manager of the Muncie Chronicle. Since the first of 1915 he has been editor and business manager of the Ashtabula (Ohio) Beacon.

I. M. Bridgeman, the present owner and editor, who bought the paper from Hancock, issued his first number April 22, 1909. Before assuming the management of the paper, ]Mr. Bridgman had been engaged in banking and educational work. Fifteen years of his life had been spent as a teacher in the public schools of Indiana and Illinois.

The People's Friend was a Democratic paper started by Hutchen & Berry in 1836, and was very probably established for the purpose of advocating the election of Van Buren. The history of this paper is difficult to trace, since there are no definite records concerning its existence. It is known from a fugitive copy, dated January 6, 1837, that William West and James Wright were the publishers and William D. Pattee, the printer. In accordance with the custom of that day, it carried a striking motto at its head and the optimistic words, "Era of Good Feeling - Dawn of a Better Day," were intended to cheer its readers. In the issue mentioned, it is stated that '"this is the last number which will be printed of this size." In further explanation of the proposed enlargement of the paper, the editors say, "We had stopped for that purpose before, but bad roads prevented our getting the necessarvmaterial. We cannot say when the next paper will be issued, but it will be as soon as possible, and. after that, regularly."

According- to the best information obtainable, it appears that when The People's Friend appeared after its proposed increase in size, it was called the Franklin Democrat.

The Franklin Democrat was established December 7, 1838, by James Seal, Jr., and Charles T. Cake. This partnership continued imtil sometime in May, 1839, when Seal bought out the interest of his partner in the paper and became the sole proprietor. Seal continued to publish the paper until December 11, 1840, when he sold it to Charles Riley and John S. Glisson. The new firm continued its publication until June, 1842, at which time Glisson disposed of his interest in the paper to John S. Williams. On November 3, 1843, Henry Berry, Jr., and Benjamin H. West purchased the paper of Rilev & Williams, the new owners continung ts publication until May 26, 1848.

At this date Nelson Abbott purchased West's interest, and in March, 1849, Abbott secured the interest of Berry. The latter continued as sole owner and editor of the paper until February 2:2, 1852, at which time the newspaper plant was almost totally destroyed by fire, entailing a lo?s of three hundred and fifty dollars. It was on this same day that the court house, as well as many buildings on the west side of Main street, was burned. In the Brookville American of P"ebruary 2^, 1852, is noted the following interesting letter:

"Editor of Brookville American." At the time of the fire, Abbott was in Indianapolis and Henry Berry had charge of the Deniocrat during his absence. The kind invitation of the editor of the American was replied to in the following manner:

"Your kind note of this instant is received in which you profTer the free use of your ofifice, materials, press and such other aid as may be needed in publishing the Franklin Democrat, until Mr. Abbott shall be able to procure other materials for its publication. The offer is worthy of a generous heart and may, for ought I know, be accepted on the return of ]^.Ir. Abbott. It is impossible to publish a paper this week, the work done being all knocked into pi, and the outside of the Democrat printed and lost in the fire.

In this same issue of the American, Clarkson makes an appeal to the subscribers of the Democrat to pay their arrears at once in order that the editor may be able to re-establish his paper at the earliest possible moment. "We are not prepared to ask anything in the shape of c! arity. Such acts towards him might cramp his iiulei;ciulcncc a.-> an editor : but \vc ask that ample justice be done him in the payment of the last farthing. Three or four hundred dollars will be needed by him to purchase a new press and other materials to issue his paper." On July 2, 185-', the Dnnccrat issued its first number following the fire, with Cyrus B. i'-cntley as editor. It wi'.s continued under the same management without internn'ssion until August, 1S63. when Bentley sold it to Nathan T. Carr. Bentley sold the paper on account of being elected county auditor, an office which he held from 1863 to 1871. Carr retained the management of the paper until the winter of 1866, \vhen Bentley agan Ijecamc the owner. On February 5, 1S60, Bentley sold the paper to \Villiam Roiic^on and William B. IMaddock, the new owners conducting it until Ai'.srust 9, 1872. At this date John Brady became its os^ner and editor, and he contirued to issue it regularly until October 30, 1873. ^-^" ^h'* <^^^^ he says: "With the present number of the Democrat my connection wiLh it ceases. I have sold the office to Cyrus B. Bentley, who will hereaft-r control it. If during my connection hwit the Democrat I have said or done anything for which I am borry, I am indeed very glad of it, and, in conclusion, please allow me to subscribe myself, most affectionately, yours, like thunder."

Bentley continued to publish the paper until his death. Jure 6, 1882. In the issue of June 29, 1882. it was aimounced that it had been sold to George Downey, a son of Judge Downey, of Rising Sun, and Edgar R. Quick, a son of Dr. John H. Quick, of Erookville. The new owners issued their first number July 6, 18S2, and stated iii their opening issue that, "as in the past, the Democrat will in the future be Democratic in all things, devoted to the cause and ever watchful of the best interests of town and countv. generailv." On December 20, 1883, Downey announced his retirement frcm the proper and added in his valedictory that he intended to return to the practice of law. Quick issued his first number on December 27, 1883. and conckided his connection with the paper with the issue of June 20, 1889. Ir. this issue he announces that he has sold the paper to A. X. Crecraft and that the latter intends to instal William K. Bracken as editor and manager of the paper. The new owner had been connected with the schools of Franklin countv for many years and during part of this time was county superintendent. \\'ith his second issue, June 27. 1889, he increased the size of tlie paper to a si.xcolumn quarto.

Octoher 31, 1891. it again changed ownership, the consideration being six thousand dollars, since which time ]M. H. Irvvin. who was born and reared at Fairfield, has been its editor and publisher, having published it for a longer number of years than any of his predecessors. The name was changed from