Posey County, Indiana - Chapter 15: Newspapers, 1913

Mt. Vernon

The Mt. Vernon "Courier," established by Thomas F. Prosser in the spring of 1838, was the first paper published in Mt. Vernon. Mr. Prosser continued its publication until 1841, when it was discontinued on account of his election to the office of county auditor. During the years from 1841 to 1848 this town was without a newspaper, but in the latter year Mr. Prosser established the "South Western Advocate," which he continued until 1862, when it ceased to exist. The firstnamed paper was Republican and the latter independent in politics.

In the latter part of 1862 Charles L. Prosser, a son of Thomas F. Prosser, founded the "Union," a folio of four pages and Republican in politics. This paper was published until the spring of 1869, when it was discontinued on account of the proprietor having been appointed United States gauger, which position he held until 1872, when he again entered the journalistic field, accepting a position on the "Republican." Mr. Prosser was one of the ablest editorial writers in the State but never made a financial success in the newspaper business.

The "Umpire," a Republican paper, was established by Rev. Thomas Abbott, a Universalist minister, in January, i860. It was published here but a few months when the plant was sold and moved to Rockport, Ind. In July, 1871, Mr. Abbott again entered the field by establishing the "New Republic," also Republican, and in December following sold the paper to S. T. Palmer, who changed its name to the "Republican." This paper remained under his management until July, 1872, when Charles L. Prosser became its proprietor. A year later this print-shop was leased to John Mason and Virgil Veatch, and in the summer following Mr. Prosser again took control, continuing its publication until 1877, when it ceased to exist and Mr. Prosser retired permanently from the newspaper field to accept the office of city clerk, to which he was elected, and which position he held almost up to the time of his death.

In August, 1871, Rev. Thomas Abbott, the Universalist minister, again embarked in the newspaper business by establishing "The Harbinger," which advocated the doctrine of Universalism. This paper was published here but a few months, when it was moved to St. Louis and ceased to exist two years later.

"The Democrat" was founded by James Huckeby in 1861 and soon passed successively into the hands of William Loudon, Van B. Jolly and Charles Legge, the latter publishing it until 1864, when it ceased publication.

In July, 1867, Thomas Collins established the present Mt. Vernon "Democrat," the publication of which was under his control until April, 1879, when he sold the plant to Albert A. Sparks, who continued its publication until January, 1885, when he sold out to his stepsons, Peter W. and John Roche, to accept the appointment of postmaster in Mt. Vernon. In 1912 John Roche sold his interest in the paper to his brother, Peter \N^ Roche, who is its present proprietor. The Democrat is, as its name implies. Democratic in politics, and in 1891 it was changed from a weekly to a daily paper.

The "Wochenblatt," the first and only German paper published in Posey county, was established by John C. Leffel October 23, 1875, under whose proprietorship it continued until October, 1881, when it was suspended, not for lack of patronage, but on account of the scarcity of German printers, there being but few in this section, and they were all employed.

In February, 1877, John C. Leffel also established "The Western Star," Democratic in politics, under whose proprietorship it is still published. The "Star" was the first paper in the county to install power presses, running its edition off by steam, and the first and only paper in the county to install a Mergenthaler Linotype machine - setting all its type by machine instead of bj' hand.

The "Sun" was established by James M. Barter in 1878. This sheet was inclined to be in the "blackmailing" order and after an existence of about two years was discontinued.

The Posey County "Republican," an advocate of Republican principles, was established by C. F. Wertz in June. 1879. In 1889 he sold the plant to A. J. Calkins, who changed the name of the paper to the Mt. Vernon "Sun," and who continued its publication up to the time of his death, in 1892, when the paper passed into the hands of his son, Clinton G. Calkins. In 1909 Mr. Calkins sold the paper to Captain Winston Menzies, the present proprietor, who in 1912 changed its politics, taking sides with the Progressives or "Bull Moose" party. In 1907 the paper also began the publication of a daily, which is still in existence.

The Posey "Banner," supposed to be Democratic, was established in January, 1881, by Thomas Collins and six months later was moved to Rockport, Ind., where it was issued in the interest of the Republican party. It lived less than one year, when Mr. Collins sold out and moved to Louisville, Ky., where he died a few years later.

In 1897 A. A. Sparks again entered the newspaper field by establishing the Mt. Vernon "News," Republican in politics. This paper was not a financial success and lived less than one year.

In 1905 B. O. Hanby established "The Unafraid," a weekly six-column folio. This paper was published in the interest of Socialism, but a few weeks prior to the November, 1913, election it joined the ranks of the liberal Republicans and is now being published in the interest of that party.

New Harmony

The first paper in New Harmony and in Posey county was the New Harmony "Gazette." It was begun October i, 1825, and continued till October 28, 1828. It was the organ of Mr. Owen and was widely circulated, there being agents for it in every prominent city in the United States. It had able contributors. In October, 1828, it was consolidated with the Nashoba "Gazette," Frances Wright's paper. It was then called the "Free Enquirer" and continued at New Harmony till December 31, 1828, when it was moved to New York. Its range of matter was very wide. The "Disseminator" was founded by William Maclure January 28. 1828. It was published by the School of Industry. It was an ably edited paper and was devoted mainly to science and literature. It was continued till May 7, 1840. The Indiana "Statesman" was begun at Evansville by Alexander Burns May 13, 1842, but was moved to New Harmony October 22, 1842, and was continued till 1845. Burns said: "Be just, and fear not." The paper was spicy, Democratic in politics and made war on Whiggery and warned the people against "rag" money and "coons." In 1846 James Bennett started the "Western Star," but it was discontinued the following year. In 1848 the same individual began the publication of the "Gleaner," but ceased its publication the following year. The first number of the New Harmony "Register" appeared Saturday, July 12, 1858. The paper was published by its present proprietor as an independent paper, with Democratic proclivities. The paper maintained a very consistent course and Wednesday following the fall of Fort Sumter the American flag was hoisted over the office of the "Register." Owing to the "assistant" going to the army the paper was suspended August 18, 1861. It was again revived by C. W. Slater and J. P. Bennett February 3, 1867. It was again run as an independent paper for about one year, since which time it has advocated the doctrines of the Democratic party.

The New Harmony "Times" was established August 20, 1892, by Clarence P. Wolfe, who is still its editor and publisher. The "Times" is a weekly paper and has a distinct individuality and a wholesome influence. Its files are replete with much valuable historic matter and early reminiscences of this section of the State. The political policy of the "Times" is Democratic.

The Poseyville "News" was preceded by the Poseyvillc "Times," which was started October 20, 1881, by James B. Berkshire as a sixcolumn folio. Its journalistic career ended in failure after about one year's existence. Whereupon the Poseyville "News" was established December 10, 1882, as a seven-column folio by Joseph A. Leonard and George J. Waters. The paper was independent in politics and acquired a liberal patronage and support and a fair measure of success. In 1884 James I. Brydon became the sole owner and proprietor and the paper became Democratic in politics and has remained Democratic down to the present time. Mr. Brydon continued as editor and proprietor until 1886, when John S. Williams became his business partner and associate editor. The paper continued under the firm of Brydon & Williams until 1888, when Mr. W'illiams sold his interest in the paper to Joseph R. Haines. In 1890 Mr. Haines bought out his partner and converted the paper into a six-column quarto publication and made extensive improvements in new equipment in the way of presses, power, job presses, type, etc. The paper enjoys the distinction of being housed in its own building. It is a weekly paper and through the untiring zeal and energy of Mr. Haines it has become one of the county's most reliable, newsy and up-to-date newspaper publications.