Gibson County, Indiana - Chapter 10: The Press, 1884

Chapter 10: The Press

carly part of the fifie:nth century. Coster was born in Harlem, Holland, about the year 1870, Tt was while rambling through the for: Dest contiguous to his native city, that he carved some letters oat of the bark of a birch too, and drowsy from his efforts, and the relaxation of a holiday, he wrapped his handiwork in a handkerchief and lay down YAEL to sleep. While men sleep the world moves. {17° Dampened by the stmospherie moisture, u of Harlem. The printing from wood blocks, on which the pages to be printed were raved, began betwern the years 1120 and 1426. It claimed, however, that this erude method of printing was known in China as far back as the seventh century, but the credit of its invention or discovery ix now quite generally given to Coster, Jobn Gutenberg, born near the close of the fourteenth century, at Metz, Germany, served a faithful and appreciative apprenticeship wi Coster, id is reganled by xomo German wri ing the inventor of printing, but the preponderance of. idence is m favor of the former. Me, however, was tho first to employ movable types in printing, the dato ot which was about the year 1138. After the death of Coster, he absconded, taking with bim a considerable portion of the type and apparat where he won the favor and partnership of Job a wealthy goldsmith, and of sficient mem prise to set np the printing business npon a secure finan. busi, The date of this partnership was 1450, aud it continued for several years, when, owing to à misan: derstanding, it was dissolved. 'nberg then formed a partnership with n younger brother who had estahlished an ofice at Strasburg, but Ind not been success" d becoming involved in law. ty and joined his brother at Metz. These broththe first to nse metal types. Gntenberg'soffice existed in Metz until 1465. He died Feb. 4, 1568. After the dissolution of partnership with Gutenberg, Jobn Faust took into partnership Peter Schoeffer, one of his servants, and an ingenious workman. He prithat vately cut matrices for the whole alphabet, and when ho showed his master the type cast from these, Fanst was so much pleased that he gave his only daughter in marriage. Schoeffer's invention for casting type from matrices was made in 1456,

William Caxton, who introduced the art of printing into Fugland, was the first English printer of whom there is any knowledge. He was born in Kent, in 1422. Tu 1471 he entered the services of Margaret, Duchess of Burgundy, and during his sojourn in Bruges, formed the nequintance of Colard Mansion, a well-known printer of that city. He acquired a knowledge of theart and in 1476 returned to England abd set up his wooden printing-press in Westminster. The *

For many years printing was dependent upon most clumsy apparatus. The earliest press had a contrivance for running the form under the point of pressure by means of a screw, When tho pressure had been sup: lied, the screw was loosened, the form withdrawn and the sheet removed. At length William Jansen Blaine, of Amsterdam, made an improvement on this rule 'which the carriage holding the form was below the point of pressure, which was given by moving a handle attached to a screw in the beam, having a spring that caused the screw to fly back as soon ns the impression was given. The Blaine press was made entirely of wood and was in general use in Europe and America until the present century. The Earl of Stanhope made the next improvement in printing presse by constructing one entirely of iron which printed: the Whole surface of the sheet at one impression the size of the shect being regulated by the size of the press. There were numerous improvements made on the Stanhope press, which culminated in the un American invention, patented in 1816. Other inventions and improvements rapidly followed. The Wash ington hand-press came into more general use in Amerca than any other. "The cylinder presscs aro the great modera inventions in the history of the art. The inventor was Mr. Nicholson, an Englishman, who received his patent as early as 1790. Messrs. Applegath and Cowper greatly improved the cylinder premos in 1818. Steam was first applied to printing in 1814 by Frederick Konig, a Saxon geni subsequent progress made in the art of printing has been remarkable as to almost justify a belief in ita absolute perfection. 'The manufacture, or founding of type, originated in Germany along with printing, and dates as early a 1492. For a long time it was connected with the busi ness of printing, but finally became a separate and distinet manufacture. The process of casting type was 'much the same, very crude, and done by hand, from the sixteenth century until 1848, when Meller & Richard of Edinburg, Scotland, invented and patented a machine forcasting them. In 1860 it was much improved by the pateniees, and is now the most advanced and approved system of type castingin both Europe and Ameri- ca. The earliest typo used were made in the style now known as "Gothic" or black letters.

Tt would be interesting to trace more minutely the history of this great art from ite humble origin in Har- through all successive stages to the present, and to classify ite productions, but space will not permit us 'Therefore, we can only mention here afew of the leading facts pertaining tothe history of journalism. The earliest úaccountof the compilation of passing events, written for the benefit of the public mind occurs among the Romans in the îme of the emperors, when they had periodical noti cesofthisdescription written and posted in public places. These Acta Diurna (daily events) were the newspapers of the day. The first printed news sheet in Europe are traceable to Germany and Venice, and date from soon after the discovery of printing. In 1696 the first newspaper of modern times was issued at Venice, but gorernmental bigotry compelled its circulation in menu script form. 'Small sheets named the "Regulationer" and "Neu Zeytung," appeared in the leadingcommercial cities of Germany in the latter half of the sixteenth century, but they were generally in the form of a letter. The Frankfort Gazette was the first newspaper established in Germany, appearing in 1615. It still survives and is credited with being the oldest newspaper in the civilized world. The earliest and nearest approach to newspapers in the English language were the pamphlets called the "English Mercury," "News of Holland" and others that made their appearance in 1622. They, however, hardly deserve the of newspapers. In 1668, the Public Intelligencer, printed in London, was the first English paper taattempt the dissemination of general news. There were no papers printed oftener than once ek until in the miga of Queen Anne; then trom the interest created by the war in progress, and the brilliant victories achieved by Marlborough, thero was demand for more frequent intelligence. To satisfy this demand the Daily Courant was issued every

The frat prnting-press in America was set up at Cambridge, Conn. in 1689, and Stephen Daye, the pioneer American printer, struck off the "Freeman's Oath," and the next year the "Bay Psalm-Book." The first newspaper issued in America was the Public Occurrence, at Boston, Sept. 25, 1690, by Richard Pierce, and was immediately suppressed by the government. No men had the presumption to undertake a similar enterprise until fourteen years later, when John Campbell, postmaster, established the Boston News Letter. The Grat inoue was April 24, 1704. The Boston Gazette wasis-

] sued Dec 21,1719, and the American Weekly, at Philadel- L phia, one day later, Dec. 22, 1719. In 1721 James Franklin started the Boston Courant, which was edited for six years by his brother Benjamin. From 1704 to 1748 there were but six newspapers published in Amer- ica. From 1748 to 1788 the number increased to forty- | vine. "Tbe oldest living newspaper in the United States | is the New Hampshire Gazette, founded Oct. 7, 1756, And has been published without intermission or radical change of name from that date to the present. The Srst daily paper in the United States was the American Daily Adeertiser, established in Philadelphia in 1764. 'The next year wes issued the New York Daily Advertiser. In 1828 the uumber had increased to 852, and at the present time nearly 9,000 newspapers are supported by the people of the United States. The carly settlements in Indiana were made in the southern and southwestern portions of the state, and the old French post of Vincennes became the seat of territorial government. It was for many years the most important town of the southwest, and the tributing point for emigrants seeking homes in this portion of the country. For some years it was a rival with other places as to which should become the meiroplis of the great West. In its laudable efforts to accomplish this end, the establishment of a newspaper, an important and almost indispensable auxiliary, was at an early date set on foot, and resulted in the iume of the Western Sun and General Adcertier, July 4, 1804. This paper was founded by Elihu Stout, and was the fret newspaper published in Indiana Territory, and the third one establisbed west of the Allegheny Mountains. The material was brought from Kentucky on pack males. 'The paper was started and published as a medium through which the people might leam what acts of Congress affected them and give the laws validity through the medium of publication. The paper has had a continuous existence in some form or another, and is now called the Vincennes Sun. Previous to the establishment of newspapers in Gibson, the people of the county were dependent mostly upon the Waters Sun, of Vincennes, and on those pub- | lished at Evansville and Louisville, for their information from the outside world. The first journalistic venture within the borders of the county was made by John P. Bunton. He brought an old Franklin press | and material to Princeton, in 1845, and issued

made its first appearance in July of the year above mentioned. In form it was a six-colamn foljo, about 20128 inches; in politics, neutral. It made Ha issue quite regular for the first six months, when many of its 'subscribers stopped the paper, saying that they "only subscribed to encourage the en.erprise," after which it soon expired. last efforts were heralded by frequent issues of half sheets and column stripe of old advertisements, and it finally collapsed. The editor moved across the Wabash, taking the press and outfit with him. The Chronicle, although it had been a failure, was the means of proving the worth and advantage of a newspaper in the community, and in the summer of 1846 an arrangement was effected to establish an ofice, and William Kurtz, then county auditor, purchased a Washington press and new material at the Cincinnati Type Foundry, brought it to Princeton and August 18, 1846, the first number of made its appearance. This was the first permanent ofice established in Gibson County, and has continued from that time to the present, under various names and managements. It was first edited and published by William F. Hutchens, who was financially interested in the concern. He was a practical printer and the paper, a file of which is in possession of Captain Kurtz, shows mechanical skill and neatness in execution. The style of the paper was a six-colunn folio. Mr. Hutchens remained in charge of the paper for about three months, at which time William Kurtz became editor and publisher. The tale indicates its political complexion. At this date the columns of the Clarion were much occupied with news from Mexico, then the sest of war. In looking over the advertisements we find the name of parties who are still residents of the county, but the greater portion have passed to that bourne from whence no traveler returns.

Under the thrift and vigorous management of M Kurtz, the Clarion soon nequired a large circulation in Gibson and adjoining counties, and as it prospered it became necessary to enlarge the sheet and improve mechanical appearance. For this purpose its editor purchased a new press and new type fresh from the foundry, and on the 6th of October, 1855, it camo out with an entire "new drevs. The title was changed to and it was enlarged to a double medium six-column folio. Its motto was, "He is a freeman whom the truth makes free," rather favoring the "popular sovereignty" doctrine. In the great political contest of 1860 the Clarion supported the Douglas wing of the Der oeratie party, and as a consequence gradually drifted in full sympathy with the Republican administration. In the eariy years of the war Mr. Kurtz's time was much occupied in organizing and recruiting troops, and Nov. 21, 1869, he suspended the publication of his paper, and later, as captain of Company C, of the One Hundred and Thirty-sixtb Regiment, marched himself to the front. Captain Kurtz is still a resident of Princeton, and is one of the aged and respected citizens. He was born in Lancaster City, Penn., April 8, 1818, came to Indian in 1883 and Yo this county in 1840. In 1844 he was elected auditor of the eounty; re-elected in 1860 and served in that position until 1865. He vever

The Clarion lay idle for several months, when in September, 1864, A. J. Calkins, lato from the war, a practical printer and a gentleman of journalistic experence, purchased the ofice and outfit of Mr. Kurtz and re-established the paper. It then as the Princeton Union Clarion, the word Union being added to its former title, Its first issue under the management of Mr. Calkins occurred October 4, 1864, as Vol. 1, No. 1, but it still retained the "whole number.

May 11, 1865, its form was changed from a six-column to seven-column folio. It continued in this style until Oct. 9, 1878, when the word Union was dropped and the paper resumed its former title, Princeton Clarion, stanch supporter of the Republican party. Ho continued its publication until Augnst 28, 1877, when he sold tho paper and office to Gill R. Stormont, the present editor and proprietor. The paper was again remodeled, this time to an eight-column folio, and December 20,1888, it was mado nine columns, its present size. Mr. Stormont is a native of the county and his parents were among the early settlers. In 1807 and 708 he attended the Indiana State University at Bloomington, and while there was a frequent contributor to the college papers, and it was there that he acquired the Princeton Clarion us local editor. In July, 1878, he purchased the office of tho Ahin Pioneer at Albion, IL, a paper struggling in its last efforts, established the im Journal, and soon pläced it in rank with the leading country newspapers. In 1876 ho sold the | Journal and returned to Princeton, taking the position | of foreman in the Clarion office, and August 23, 1877, | purchased the paper as before stated. | In 1881 Mr. Stormont purchased a Campbell cylinder. press and refitted the office with new and modern styles of type, and in January, 1884, made additional im- | provements by introducing steam as a motive power. This was the first, and ia the only steam-power printing press in Gibson County. It was a model country printing office. Under the management of Mr. Stor- | mont, the Clarion has risen to be one of the potential | Republican organs of the district

We have been disappointed in our efforts to gather many facts concerning the next paper that was published in Princeton, and it seems to have passed frou the recollection of many of the older citizens. It was called and was started some time in 1850, by John Evans and James Patterson. The latter named gentleman was a practical printer, having learned the trade in the Clarion office. In politics the advocated the principles of tho Whig party. It existed about one year, after which | Mr. Evans moved the outfit to Petersburg. | Tt was this year (1850) that the Kansas-Nebraska trouble began, and four oara they wore mado tr. | ritories under the famous " squatter sovereignty " doc- | trine. This act excited the most intenso feeling through- | 'out the country and created many factions that were | extremista in their political views, who were only waiting for some organization to be effected to which they | could ally ther forces and hope for political supremacy. 'The constant aggressions of the slavery party drove | these factions together, and in 1856 the young and 'aggressive Republican party, first time in its history, formed a national organization and presented a | ticket at whose head was John C. Fremont. There | were few members of the new party in Gibson County, but the principles presented in its platform were in 'unison with the half-formed thought of the North. To properly present these principles a newspaper was a necessity. With this purpose in view, John E. Phillips and David F. Linegar, two young wttorneys of Princeton, purchased an old press and outfit at Rockford, Ind., brought it to Princeton, and in the summer of 1856 published the | uxceros These gentlemen continued its publication for nearly | wo years, when it expired. Wo were unable to find a copy of this paper, but are informed it was a neat and ably edited journal. Linegar had learned the printer's Mr. Philips served county auditor from | 1864, 10 1850; volunteered in the; Twenty-fourth Indiana Regiment in 186), and was promoted to the rank of major. He was also acting adjutant general of Gen. | Hovey's brigade. Ho is now a resident of Mississippi. After the Courier had suspended, one James Logan, a printer by trado, took hold of the office, mounted the tripod and, attempted to establish a De journal of the " Bourbon" stripe, but too fre- 'quent indulgence in the latter commodity wrecked the concern after a few issues. In 1868 the office came into the possession of Hester | 4 Patterson, who published a newspaper called the | INDIAN. ! |

'These gentlemen succeeded in running the Indianian about one year and sold it to J. H. Keys and N. B. Risinger, who continued its publication until the spring 'of 1800. It then passed into the hands of N. B. and Charles Risinger, brothers, who, in the latter part of the campaign of 1860 (for a pecuniary consideration), 'carried it for a portion of the time into the Democratic ranks. Early in the summer of 1861, N. B. Risinger enlisted in the war, and in August of that year the Indianian disappeared. This paper was printed on an old Franklin press that had been used by the St. Louis | Republican, which was established in 1608, and Inter by the Vincennes Gazette. From there it was taken to

The @larion at this time having wheeled into the Republican ranks, the Democrats were left without a paper to reflect the sentiments of their party; consequently in the summer of 1861 somo of the loading Democrats of Princeton organized a stock company, purchased a press and material st Bedford, Ind., and William H. Evans aud James M. Keyes were placed in charge of the office. These gentlemen issued the first Dumber of the

Princeton Democrat

August 17, 1861. It was then called the Gitson Union Democrat, At the expiration of three months Keys rotired from the firm and Mr. Evans soon bought up the entire stock and became sole proprietor, and has continued as editor and publisher from that time to the present. On the 10th of June, 1871, the words Gib- 'were erased and that of Princeton inserted in its title. The form, which had been columns, was increased to a seven-column folio, and in 1878 'was again enlarged to eight columns, its present 1884, the oce was enlarged and refitted with a new improved Prouty power press and new type of the latest and most improved design. Mr. Evans is a native of Princeton, born October 1, 1885. Ho learned the trade in the office of the Vincennes Gazette, and has been in a printing office over since ho was thirteon of age. He is one of the veteran printers and journalists of southern Indiana, and the Democrat has for many years been one of the leading Democratic journals of the first congressional district. campaign paper, edited by Capt. William Kurtz, was pobliahed from the Clarion ofice during tho campaign ol 1877. It advocated the principles of the Independent state platform.

woxTooMeny a four-paged, four-column paper, published weekly by Erwin P. Haa, at Owensville, in 1870. The press and material were bought new, and tho sheet was attractive in mechanical design, and well edited, but it did not receive its proper support, and after publishing it for 'about eight/months Mr. took the office to Manchester, Tenn. 'where he established the Manchester Consercatice, He sold the Conservative oce in 1872, and returning to Owensville he started a jol/offce, which be. continued until 1877, when be took into partnership his brother, Stephen Hulfab, and{on tbe 18th day of Janvary of that year they made the first issue of the and the sheet enlarged to six columns, its present size. The Echo was continued by the Hulós Bros. until September, 1881, when Stephen retiréd from the firm and E. D. became the sole owner and proprietor. Mr. Holfsh publishes a good country journal, and well deserves a liberal patronage of the citizens of Gibson County.

started by 8. B. Jerauld and Arthnr Palmer. It was a five-colutan folio, and had a rather short existence. It 'was printed and published at Patoka. After the office had Jain idle for seme time, Mr. Jerauld formed another partnership with N. A. Spillman, and Saturday, May 29, 1876, they jammed the first number of the NEWS. 'It was a sixcolumn, four-paged newspaper, and managed to struggle through one year, when it died a natural dentb, from want of patronage. The ofice was sold to Ryan & Covert, of Evansville, and since then Patoka has been without a newspaper

Oakland Independent

Tt was conducted by J. K. Davisson and David D. Doughty. The first number was issued in October, 1871, and its publication was continued until 1878, when Mr. Doughty removed the ofice and paper to Boonville, Ind. He sold out there in 1874, came to Prindston, and is now practicing law at Oakland.

'was another Oa the spri Directors. They purchased a second-hand outüt at Vincennes. The size was a four paged, eight-column sheet, one-half of which wis devoted to the interests of the Baptist Church, edited, by Rev. Jesse B. Lane, and the remaining half devoted to agriculture, edited by Col. W. M. Cockrum. This was a valuable and inter sting journal, and had a fair circulation for about two years, when it was moved to Boonville.

'was established by Nicholas A. Spillman, and the Erst number made its appearance July 3, 1880. The press 'and material were bought new at the Cincinnati Type Foundry. Ta form the paper is a six-column folio; in polities Independent. Mr. Spillman is a native of Gib son County, and learned the printers imde in the Princeton Clarion office, serving a seven years' apprenlicedhip. Ho possesses a thorough and practical knowl- 'edge of the printing business, and the Enterprise is a ta first number was issued April 9, 1884, by A. J. Calkins and W. D. Robinson, as editors and proprietors. In form it is a neat eight-column folio. 'The material ind presses were purcbased new in Chicago. The office is well fitted with the latest styles in type, and also with a new Prouty power press. In politics itis Republican, Tt is a newsy paper and ably edited.

The senior member, Mr. Calkins, is a gentleman of 'experience in tho newspaper business. He learned the trade of printing at Niles, Mich, In 1800 he purchased the Liberty Herald, at Liberty, Union County, Tnd., and published it until the firing of Fort Sumter, when be marched with the Fifteenth Indiana Regiment defense of his country. After his term of service inthe army he came to Princeton, and bought the Prinerton Clarion, as before mentioned, which he continued to Publish until 1877, From that time until the establishment of the J.cader he filled the position of postmaster of Princeton. His partner, W. D, Robinson, isn young man of ability, and has a natural taste for journalism, They are both gentlemen of industrious habits, and they have succeeded, in a comparatively short period, in placing the Leader among the first of country journal

Thus bave we briefly traced the history of journalism in Gibson County. It bas been fairly representative of the progress aud has kept pace with the business growth of the county. The influence and character of the county papers have grown with the material and intelectual growth of those they have represented. No industry can show a better record or number more patient or en-

| tbusinstic workers. To the press more thin to any nd enterprise. It was established in | other industry belongs the honor and credit of building of 1875 by the General Baptist Board of | up making known to the outside world the wealth of the soil, advantages of agriculture, excellent. school business growth, and moral tone of the people of Gil son County. It is the newspaper that spreads this