Madison County, Indiana - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 14 of those read), 1897

No bi-anch of human endeavor, perliaps, lias kept more fully up with the times in Matlison county than " tlie art preservative." The \icissitudes of tlie country press became proverbial long ago and no county in Indiana, with one ])o.ssible exception, can boast of more " dear departed" newspaper enterprises in the past, or enterprising newspapers at the present time than the good county of Madison.

The early history ot the press in this countv is, from causes, shrouded somewhat in uncertainty and doubt, especially that portion of it relating to dates and names. The recollection of the " oldest inhabitant," which is uncertain about a great many things that happened in the county during the pioneer period, appears to be greatly at fault when it comes to remembering anything of particular importance concerning the early newspapers. It is reasonably certain that the first paper published in the county was the Federal I'nioii which made its appearance at Anderson in the year 1884. T. 1. Langdon was the publisher and Charles D. Henderson assisted him in the editorial work. This paper did not sur- \\\-ii the rocks and shoals of journalism but a short time. The next paper was the Western TeU'i^rapJt, Charles D. Henderson, editor, reporter and " general manager." This paper made its appearance soon alter the demise of the Federal i'liioii and was probably the same paper excepting the name. It appears that Mr. Henderson did not have to depend entirely upon his subscribers for succes--, as the commissioners' record for the March term, lS8o, shows that allowances were made by the board to Mr. Henderson for legal notices published in the 7\-lei;rapli. The legal priming at that time was not what is vulgarly termed a snap " by the present race of editors and newspaper proprietors. There was no delinquent tax-list requiring a page or two of a Tcolumn folio paper for several publications annually ; no legal blanks by the thousands or other papers without limit to be printed in those days, and the publisher's " pickings " from this source were consequently meagre. The Telegraph buffetted the " slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" until 18HS or 1839 probably, when, like the Federal I ' iiio)i, it gave up the ghost.

The next paper in the order of succession ^vas the Athe- >/e/tiii, which made its appearance in 1840. The editor and publisher was Dr. Thomas Sims. The paper was highly literary and devoted to the sciences, especially the science of phrenology. The editor and publisher is said to iiave been a gentleman of rare culture and a gifted writer. His paper was not what the general public wanted or could appreciate in that day and it succumbed for lack of patronage after two years of varied fortune.

Shortly after the Atliciiciiiii ceased to be published, Joseph G. Jones established the ^^liig Eagle and made a vigorous fight for the Whig principles and Henry Clay in the campaign of 1844. The paper, however, ceased publication in 1846, and was immediately followed by the Madison Coiiiitv yo/iriial, which also advocated Whig principles. The name of the publisher of this paper was Gardner Goldsmith, but it is thought that the late Judge John Davis was interested in the enterprise, to the extent at least of supplying it with mental pabulum each week. The paper had a brief existence.

In 184S the Howell brothers, John. Q_. and William L., moved their printing otHce to Anderson from Marion, this state, where they had been publishing a paper, and began the publication of a journal called the IViie Democrat , in the interest of the Democratic party, which at that time and for forty-five years afterwards was in the ascendency in the county. The Howells, according to Peter H. Lemon, who was employed to furnish the brains "' for the Democrat , "were practical printers, but could not edit.'" The next year, 1849, Dr. Townsend Ryan and Mr. Lemon purchased the paper and changed the name from the True to the Weekly Democrat. The paper had its ups and downs as all country newspapers had in that early day, and in 1850, in the language of Mr. Lemon, " died of a broken heart."

The Anderson Gazette followed the Democrat. Dr. James W. Mendenhall, a young man of fair literary attainments, was the editor, and conducted the paper from a neutral standpoint so far as politics were concerned. It was sub- seqaeiitlv purchasetl by J. Fenwick Henry, \ylio conyerted it into a partisan Democratic organ. Pie \yas assisted in the editorial work b)' Col. T. N. Stilwell, who was at that time an ardent Democrat, and as such, a few years later, was elected a member of the lower house of the state legislature. The paper was short lived.

It was about this time that W. II. II. Lewis began the publication of a paper called the Madison Coiiulv Rcpiiblim]! . The paper advocated Whisr or Republican principles, and after a brief bat g:dlant struggle went the way of its predecessors. This paper was subsequently known as the Central /iniiai/iaii and was edited by John Patterson.

In 1855 the fh'niocratic Standard made its appearance with Thomas \V. Cook as editor and Ira H. Cook as associate e.litor. Thomas Cook was a man of many peculiarities or what would be termed in this day and age, "cranky ways." ^-Mter conducting the paper through the trials and difficulties of the first year or so of its existence, O. C. ^\^illets came into possession of the plant l)v pin-chase or otherwise and controlled its destiny for awhile. It was afterward edited and published by F. M. Randall for a nuniber of years. ' W. E. Cook, assisted by A. S. McCallister, succeeded him in its management.

During the time these latter gentlemen had control of it, a little paper made its appearance, the mission of which was to "show up " the moral obliquities of a certain class of people -who posed as saints, but who were regarded by the publisiiers as no better than other imrepentant sinners. The pa])er was called the " Firc-Fh\" and whenever it made its appearance, which was always at night, when " good people " are supposed to be in bed, it was riot long before the gossips of the town were enjoying the salacious tid-bits contained in its columns. It was spicy to a degree and its contents were always relished by everybody that did not receive a " skiiining." There was no fixed date upon which it made its appearaiice and after several publications its sensational career ended, to the great relief, no doidit, of certain citizens who \vere given to shady ways and imnioral practices. It was thought by many that \V. E. or "Billy" Cook, whose witty sayings, funny escapades and many genial tjualities are still remembered by the older citizens of Anderson, was responsible for its publication. In fact, he never very seriously denied the charge.

It was in 1868 that the Loval American made its appearance as the organ of the RcpubHcan party. H. J. Brown was the editor and pnbhslier until 1S65, when he was appointed postmaster at Anderson. The paper was published for a while by John C. Hanson, but soon ceased publication after Mr. Brown retired from its mangement. In the meantime the Standard was purchased by Mr. Fleming T. Luse in 1866. Mr. Luse was a Democrat, but too independent to suit the leaders of his party in the county, and some time (1867) after purchasing the paper certain democratic politicians and business men organized a stock company and founded the Anderson Plain Dealer, which soon became recognized as the organ of the Democratic party in the county. The editorial department was in charge of Edwin P. Schlater and Billy "" Cook. In 1S68. the stockholders sold out their interests in the paper to Messrs. Thompson & Myers, who controlled it until the succeeding year, when it passed into the hands of (i. D. Farrar, who managed it for a year and a half, when Hon. William C. Fleming became proprietor. Upon assuming control of the paper Mr. Fleming changed its name to that of the Anderson Democrat . The business of editing and publishing a paper was not congenial to Mr. Fleming's taste, however, and in the course of a few months he disposed of the propertj' to Charles Zahm, who in the following year ( 1873) sold the entire plant to M. V. Todisman. Mr. Todisman had in the meantime purchased the Standard of Mr. Luse, and now united the subscription lists of both papers and continued as sole editor and proprietor of the Democrat until early in 1S77, when he disposed of a onehalf interest in the office to W. M. Croan. This partnership lasted until November of that vear, when Mr. Todisman disposed of his interest to William R. Brownlee. This firm added many modern improvements to the mechanical department of the paper, which together with well-selected news matter contributed from various sources each week soon won for it greater patronage and popularity than it had ever before enjoyed. The Democrat was the first paper in the county printed by steam, that agency being introduced by the proprietors as a motive power in Januur\', 1879. In 1884 H. J. Bronnenberg bought the plant. R. C. and Sumner Glasco became interested in the paper, and it was published by them until the spring of 1886, when W. C. Fleming again took charge of it. A few months after Mr. Fleming took charge of the editorial atul business management, Mr. Bronnenberg, who owned the paper, sold an interest to Captain Ililligoss. The latter gentleman had control of the paper until sometime in 1887, when it was purchased by W. R. Myers. Shortly after taking possession of the Democrat, Mr. Myers sold Dale y. Crittenberger a third interest, and subsequently another third interest was disposed of to James J. Netterville. Messrs. Crittenberger & Netterville afterwards bought out Mr. Myers' interest. Mr. Crittenberger had entire control of the editorial department and business management, and the paper prospered as it ne\er did before in its history. In March, 188?, the Daily Democrat was launched upon the sea of journalism by Messrs. Crittenberger & Netterville, and both papers were published by them regularly every day and week until April, 1898. when they disposed of the plant to a stock company composed of J. P. Campbell, W. C. and H. R. Rone. The latter disposed of his stock to Manson V . Johnson in the spring of 1895, and that gentleman has since been the nominal editoi; of both the Daily and Weekly Democrat. Both editions have a large circulation which will doubtless increase with the growth of population in the county. The plant as a whole, is the most complete in the county, its facilities for doing superior work in its job department being unexcelled, perhaps, in central Indiana.

The Anderson Herald was founded by John O. Hardesty in 1868 and is the oldest Republican paper in the county. During Mr. Hardesty's connection \\ith the paper it was known as the " Red Hot " Herald for the reason that the editor in each issue fired more or less " red hot" shot into the Democratic party and its leaders, that part}' being at that time largely in the majority in the county. Mr. Hardesty was the sole proprietor until November, 1872, when Stephen Metcalf purchased a half interest in the paper. In August, 1878, he purchased the remaining half interest and Mr. Hardesty retired from the paper. The Herald vvas originally an eight-column paper but after Mr. Metcalf became sole proprietor he purchased a new press and enlarged the paper to a nine-column folio. Other valuable improvements were made to the otlice and for a number of years it was considered the most valuable property of its kind in this part of the state. In the spring of of 1876 Mr. Metcalf disposed of a half interest to W. M. Kinnard, and in May, 1878, Caleb H. Kinnard took charge of the paper and published it until 1881, when Mr. Metcalf and

George McKeown took charge of it. In 1885 the proprietors were Mr. Metcalf and Charles H. Ewing, Mr. McKeown ha\ ing retired. In April, 1883, the paper passed into the hands of A. A. Small, and in tiie fall of the same jear he sold out to H. G. Doggett. It was but a short time until the latter sold the office to the Chase brothers, and they in turn sold it to J. H. Lewis, who subsequently disposed of it to J. Q. Donnel. Mr. Donnel was a scholarly writer but was given to criticising his party and its leaders so freely that the prominent Republicans in the county become dissatisfied with his management of the pa])er and in 1^95 he found it to his interest to dispose ot it to \\'. B. Canipliell, who is now sole proprietor. Several attempts were made to start a daily edition of the JlcralJ. but without success until April. 1S87, when the ]iublication ot the present daily was begun. The daily was originally an evening paper, however, but was changed to a morning edition shortly after Mr. nonnel purchased the plant. The paper has a large circulation and for a paity organ is inore indt^pendent than the average of such papers.

In 18Sl) George \\'inter st.'irted a weekly paper known as the Anderson Rcvicv:. Mr. Winter was a ]5raclical jirinter and one of the best in the country, but had no idea of management. The paper struguled along until Ib>!si5, when George Ross and Thomas P. Harris bought a controlling interest and conducted it in the interest of the Democratic party. Shortly after Ross and Harris assumed the management of the paper, Hon. W. S. Diven purchased an inteiest,and had charge of the editorial department until 18s4, when it was consolidated with the Anderson Democrat , the paper being issued for a time under the name of the Revi c\c- Pe nioc rat .

Mr. Winter subsecjuently embarked in a number of newspaper ventures, publishing at one time a daily called the Hvening Star, at another the Daily Rcrie-c, and for several months in 1887 a weekly called the Saturday AVtcW. This paper was also absorbed by the Anderson Democrat , and Winter went to Washington, D. C, where he had received an appointment in the Government printing office. But few men were better acquainted with the art of printing, and if he iiad possessed ability in other respect.s commensurate with his opportunities he would have been eminently successful, no doubt, in the arena of provincial journalism. He died of consumption at Washington in 188'.l.

R. Cravens organized the IJulletin Printing Company, and issued the first number of the Dailv Evening Bulletin on March 28d of that year. The paper started out on an independent basis and has been " hewing to the line "' ever since regardless of the consequences. The Ihillctin was a success from the first issue and for many years occupied the daily field iilone in the county. Special mention of tiiis paper is made elsewhere.

The Pendleton Register was the first paper published at Pendleton. It was established in 1870 by T. B. Deem. Tlie office was purchased b}- C. B. Caddy in 1878 and the name of the paper was changed to the Peiielleton Republican , under which it is now issued by the editor and proprietor, D. W. Barnett. Mr. Caddv having liisposed of iiis interest in tiie property.

In April, KS9(j, Kobert E. Maranxille issued 1 lie first number of the Pendleton Record. The paper is devoted principally to the interests of farmers and stock raisers.

In the early spring of 1877 the first newspaper published in the north part of the county made its appearance at Elwood under the name of the Elwood Reviexv, George Winter, editor And proprietor. The paper had a brief existence, and in 1880 Roy Hannah, Allen Wilson and S. T. Legg formed a stock companv and established the Elwood Free Press. Roy Hannah was installed as editor and manager. The paper was published for several 3'ears and changed ownership a number of times, Jesse Mellett being one of the proprietors. W. E. Plackard and Minor Nuzum also owned and published the paper at one time. In the meantime L. H. Emmons started a paper named the Pevie-c. This paper was purchased by A. W. Ross in 1888 and published until January. 18S9, when A. J. Behymer bought Isoth papers and consolidated them under the name of the Elwood Pree Press. The paper subsequently changed ownership, M. H. Geyer & Son purchasing the property. They also sold to Jesse Mellett, who in 189S began the publication of the Dailv Free Press. The property is now owned and managed by W. F. N'anarsdel. The Free Press is a bright, newsy paper, and enjoys its share of public patronage.

The bright future of Elwood attracted other enterprising newspaper men to the place, and on the 19th of March, 1891, a new dailv, the Elwood Leader, was established by W. J. Spruce. On the IJth of the following November the Elwood

IDailv Call was established bv E. E. Forn--hell. The Leader and Call w&re consolidated Febriiarj- 1, 1894, and has since been published as a Republican paper under the name of the Call- Leader. Messrs. Fornshell and Bruce are practical newspaper men and have succeeded in making their paper one of the best and most influential in the county.

In 1892 the Alexandria Record was established at Alexandria by Moore & Myers for the ostensible purpose of " booming " that thriving little city. They afterward disposed of the property to T. J. Arnold, who in the course of time sold to Tomlinson & Wallingford. In 1898 Harry E. Manor bought the paper and converted it into a Republican journal. ^V'eekly and daily editions are issued, and the paper is in a prosperous condition.

The Alexandria 7'ress. weekl}' and semi-weeklv, was established at Alexandria September 25, 1893, by C. F. and C. H. Meyer. The Rress is Democratic in politics, but enjoys the confidence of its patrons of all parties. It is issued on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each week. It is in a prosperous condition, and is gradually extending its sphere of influence.

On November 22. 1895, George B. Mickler established the Gas Belt Ne-xs at Alexandria. The paper is non-political and devoted solely to promoting the welfare and prosperity of Alexandria and vicinity. This it does ably and faithfullv, and deserves well not only of the citizens of Alexandria but of the north part of the county. The paper makes its appearance each week on Fridaj'.