St. Joseph County, Indiana - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 13 of those read), 1880

As lias already been stated, St. Joseph county was organized in August, 1830. One year after, John D. DetVees made his appearance at South Bend, a village of some tliirty houses, and proposed to its citizens the establishment here of a newspaper. At this time there was no pa]3er north of the "Wabash in this State, or in Southern Michigan. Chicago, also, was witliout representation. In November, 1831, the first number of the Northwestern Pioneer was issued, by John D. and Joseph H. Defrees. Politically, the paper was Whig. After the first six months the name of the paper was changed to the St. Joseph Beacon, and continued as such eighteen months longer when it was suspended, the country not being sufficiently populated to support a newspaper.

The South Bend Free Press was the next venture in the newspaper line, and was established in 18.36 at South Bend, by William Millikan. It was continued nine years, the office then being sold to Albert W. West and Schuyler Colfax, in September, 1845. The Free Press was discontinued, but on its ruins was established the St. Joseph Valley Register.

St. Joseph Valley Register. - Volume 1, No. 1, was issued Sept. 12, 1845, at South Bend, with the names of Albert W. West and Schuyler Colfax as publishers - Schuyler Colfax, editor. In size it was 22x32, a six-column folio. In its salutatory, the editor says: "In politics we shall be inflexibly Whig, believing those principles the best and safest and wisest for tlie administration of our Government. With an abiding confidence that sooner or later tlujse principles will gloriously and permanently triumph, we shal. labor for them as zealously and faithfully when the prospect is dimmed by defeat or reverses, as when it is lit up by the sunsliine of victory. Although we shall defend those principles sternly and earnestly, our arguments and language will be such as to ofl'end no reasonable opponent. And if it should be our ill-fortune to be visited with personal scurrility and abuse by any antagonist, we shall leave that part of the contest exclusively to him. We were not bred in that school; we know nothing abont its arguments."

On the subject of slavery, the editor says: "We shall take the middle ground lying between tlie two dangerous extremes, which patriots should always aim to find. We shall be opposed both to Calhounism and Birneyism, viewing them both as ultraisras, and yet, like opposites, often meeting unconsciously. To the first we shall be hostile because it holds that outrageous doctrine that slavery is a national blessing and the corner stone of the republic; because it strives to enlarge the borders of that 'peculiar institution;^ because it would, if it dared, rack the glorious fabric of our union till it tottered and fell. To the other we shall be opposed because its course, we think, tends to rivet the chains of the slave more firmly to prevent a calm and argumentative discussion of the whole question through the South, and because its political organization has only tended thus far, to assist the fanatics of the South in perpetrating slavery and enlarging the slave territory and slave power of the union. Without regard, therefore, to these two extremes, we shall be fixedly opposed to enlarging the borders of slavery even one inch, either so far as sailor power and weight in the national councils are concerned, and shall hail with happiness the day when the Southern States, after calm examination, shall in a constitutional and legal manner adopt a feasible plan of emancipation, either gradual or immediate."

Agriculture, education and news were to find a prominent place in the paper. The first number contained the advertisements of John Brownfield & Co., George S. Harris and John Gilman, Jr., dry-goods and groceries; A. Delano & Co., hardware; R. Burroughs, copper, tin and sheet-iron manufactory; James Snodgrass, E. F. Dibble and R. L. Farnsworth, attorneys; South Bend Academy', C. M.Wright, Principal; L.Humphreys and John Tatman, physicians; Henry Johnson, wool-carding; several book advertisements, legal advertisements and tracts of land.

Volume 3, No. 1, commenced with an enlargement to a sevencolumn folio. This change the editor says caused a considerable outlay and added heavily to his weekly expenses for type-setting and paper. On the completion of the telegi-aph line, it began to receive telegraphic dispatches. On the 29th day of December, 1849, the Register boasted of a telegraphic feat. Dispatches were sent from New York at 4 o'clock p. m., and received at South Bend at 3:35 p. M. - apparently 25 minutes before being sent, the difiPerence in longitiide occasioning this strange fact. The editor said : " If Morse ever gets a line across the ocean, by way of Iceland, we shall expect him to furnish European news up to Thursday night every week for our Thursday morning's paper." The editor did not dream a line would ever be stretched across the ocean, and that not by way of Iceland. In the same issue, in fartlier speaking oftelefraphic work, the editor says: "Last Saturday, the atmosphere eing dry, cool and pure, and everything else propitious, tlie proper communications were made, and the operator at Buffalo wrote tlirough beautifully to Milwaukee, 800 miles, without re-writing at Detroit. We received our report of that afternoon direct from Buffalo. This is the first time that this has been done, and we believe 800 miles is as far as writing has ever been sent by any of the operators on any of the lines in the world." But he has lived to see this eclipsed.

In the spring of 1851, Mr. Colfax was nominated for Congress and retired temporarily from the editorial management of tlie paper, James Davis assuming editorial control. Unfortunately he was not elected, so at the close of the campaign he again took the editorial chair.

As an evidence of prosperity, the Register in July, 1853, placed in its office a Northrup power press, by which it was enabled to work the paper at a rate of 800 to 1,000 per hour. Few power jiresses were then in the country, and this was a great novelty.

In 1854r Mr. Colfax was again honored with a nomination for Congress, and while canvassing his district, Alfred Wheeler was placed in charge of the editorial department of the paper. Mr. Wheeler discharged his duties in a satisfactory manner, and did much to assist in the election of Mr. Colfax.

Just before the completion of the eighth volume the Register was enlarged to an eight-column folio, 26x40. In speaking of this enlargement the editor says: Eight years ago this month we issued the first number of the St. Joseph Yalley Register. The years since then have sped rapidly by, and to-day we issue the largest pa]jer published in the State of Indiana; each page is twice the size of those to be found in the first and second volumes of the Register. This forward step has been an expensive one. No country paper in Indiana has ever risked as large an amount as we do now in the present enlargement. But we have coolly calculated the cost, and resolved upon the hazard; and the first fruits of the determination is now before our readers. The first year that we published the Register., we will not conceal the fact, it did not pay expenses. The second year it materially improved and left us a surplus. We resolved then, after considerable rtflection, to enlarge its size, and in September, 1847, it first appeared as a seven-column paper, being the only one of that size in this section of the State, north of the Wabash counties. Many of our friends, and one or two of our cotemporaries, doubted whether a paper of the size of the Indiana xS'to^e t/oMr/iaZ would pay in this less populous and less profitable locality. The first year of that experience was as gloomy as the unprofitable volume of two years before; but the tide of patronage gradually swelled; the next year was better, and at last the margin was on the right side. To-day we invest the earnings of all our eight years of labor in the enlarged Register, and we shall labor during the coming year to make its receipts, if possible, equal to its largely increased expenditures. That much achieved, we shall hopefully rely upon the past being a sure augury of our prospects in the future."

In April, 1857, Alfred "Wheeler was admitted as a partner in the publication of the paper, the lirra name being Colfax & Wheeler, both gentlemen occupying the position of editor as well as publisher. In April, 1859, a further enlargement was made from an eightcolumn folio to a nine-column folio. A new power press had been added a short time previous, which, together with much other material, made the office the most coinptete in Northern Indiana. Subsequently Mr. Wheeler became sole owner, afterward taking as a partner Mr. Hall. In November, 1865, Archibald Beal became the owner of the office, associating with him in the publication of the paper C. E. Fuller. This partnership continued for two years, when Mr. Fuller retired and A. B. Miller and E. Crockett became associated with Mr. Beal, under the firm name of Beal, Miller & Co. In January, 1872, Miller and Crockett disposed of their interest to Mr. Beal, who remained as sole editor and proprietor for another year, when Daniel S. Marsh was installed as associate editor. In February, 1874, D. J. Beuner purchased one-half interest in the office, and became associated in the editorial labors, Mr. Marsh remaining but one month longer in an editorial capacity. In August, 1875, a joint-stock company was organized for the publication of the paper as well as general job printing, composed of Archibald Beal, President; E. W. Henricks, Secretary; N. F. Van Winkle Treasurer; O. II. Palmer, George H. Alward and A. N. Thomas. The name adopted by the company was the Register Company. On the 13th of October, 1878, the Eegister Printing Company was organized, composed of the following named stockholders: Daniel S. Marsh, President; Charles JST. Fassett, Secretary; Herbert S. Fassett, Treasurer; E. M. Kerr and F. A. Marsh - the entire stock of the Register Company passing into their hands. Subsequently the stock of D. S. and F. A. Marsh was purchased by the company which is at present composed of Herbert S. Fassett, President; Charles N. Fassett, Secretary; E. M. Kerr, Treasurer. Charles N. Fassett is the editor of the paper, and Willis E. Beal, reporter.

In the various changes that have been made in the publication of the paper, no backward step has been taken, it keeping in the front rank in its general and political and in its local departments.

On Saturday, Sept. 18, 1875, the publication of the Daily Seg- *s^(S/' was commenced. It is a seven-column folio, well edited in its various departments, and a credit to the place.

The Mishawaka Tocsin was established in 1841, by Wilbur F. Storey, the present editor of the Chicago Times. Subsequently George Merrifield became the publisher. In 1845 Thomas Jernegan became the owner and the office was removed from Mishawaka to South Bend, and the name of the paper changed to the I?idia7ia Tocsin. The support in South Bend was not sufficient to warrant

The Free Democrat was started in 1S4S by E. W. H. Ellis, to sup]iort the Free-Soil niuvement and in support of the candidacy of Martin Van Buren, who was the nuniinee of that party for President. It survived but a few months.

In 1S53 A. E. Drapier & Son commenced the publication of the 8t. Joseph County Forum. Tlie Forum was Democratic in politics and edited with more than ordinary ability. The senior proprietor was a man of great force of character, a close observer, and deep thinker, while the junior was a " chip oif the old block." For several years Charles E. Drapier was the responsible editor, especially during the sessions of the Legislature, each of the proprietors being engaged as short-hand reporters in the legislative bodies. The experiment of a semi- weekly was tried in 1858, but abandoned after a few months' trial as being unprofitable. In 1863 the Forum was suspended by order of Brigadier-General Ilascall, for what was regarded as disloyal utterances. After a suspension of a short time its publication was resumed. The proprietors subsequently sold the estab.ishraent to Edward Malloy, who changed the name to the National Union and again to the South Bend WeeMy Union. In December, 187-1, it passed into the hands of C. L. Murray, who placed his son, C. T. Murray in charge. About this time the latter formed a joint stock company known as the " Herald Printing and Publishing Company." The company started a morning daily which was continued one year. The Herald has at other times issued a daily, but only for political campaign purposes. On the 22d of May, 1876, the stock of the company was transferred to C. L. Murray, who came to South Bend and assumed control and management of the paper. It is now recognized as one of the leading Democratic papers of the State, anil is edited with zeal and ability by Mr. Murray.

The next venture was that of the Free Press, the publication of which was begun in 1853, by D. C. li'eland, and continued by him for two years, when he sold to L. A. Elliott who changed its name to Mishawaka Enterprise, and subsequently sold it fo Archibald Beal. In 1865 the Enterprise passed into the hands of N. V. Brower, and in 1872 it was purchased by E. A. Jernegan, who enlargeii and otherwise improved it, until it now is one of the largest paj ers in the county and fully up to the times in GYery particular. The office was destroyed by tire in 1872, but by increased patronage and faithful work it soon recovered from the calamity, and the Enterprise was made a complete success.

The Investigator was the name of a religious paper published by P. T. Russell for a short time. It advocated the doctrines of the Christian Church.

The South Bend WeeUy Tribune was established in 1872, the first number bearino; date March 9, of that year. Tlie Tribune was published by the Tribune Printinof Company, composed of Alfred B. Miller, Elmer Crockett, E. W. Hoover and J. H. Banning. Alfred B. Miller was placed in editorial cliarge and has remained in that connection to the present time. The paper has always fearlessly and consistently advocated the principles of the Republican party. In his salutatory the editor said: " As to the policy of the Tribune we have only a word to say. Our aim will be to make it the best family journal possible; a wide-awake and reliable newspaper; earnestly devoted to the great principles upon which the Republican party was founded, but independent in utterance and impartial in criticism. As an exponent of public opinion, it will aim at candid, impartial and enlightened discussion of every question of public interest. It will be in sympathy with every liberal tendency, progressive movement and live theught, which shall give promise of securing the prosperity and elevation of the people. Its best energies, however, will be employed to advance the interests of our city and county, and no effort will be spared to make it worthy of the generous patronage and hearty support we respectfully solicit." That the paper has been wiiat is set forth in the foregoing statements an examination of its files will attest. When the paper was established, a book bindery was started in connection, and one year after a stock of books and stationery was added. The present officers of the company are Alfred B. Miller, President; Elmer Crockett, Vice President; John M. Diftenbaugh, Secretary; Alfred "Wheeler, Treasurer.

In 1873, the company started the Daily Tribune, whicli at once met with public favor, and in a very short time was placed upon a paying basis.

Industrial Era, a seven-column folio sheet, established late in the fall of 1879, by Ralph E. Hoyt. The Era was an advocate of the principles of tlie National Greenback party. It only survived about three months.

South Bend Era. - The first number of the-K'« appeared March 27, 1880, witii B. F. Shively, editor and proprietor. Like the Industrial Era it is a strong advocate of the National Greenback part}', and strikes telling blows in advocacy of the right as understood by that party, and against what it conceives to be wrong. It is a seven-column folio, and is meeting with lair success.

St. Joseph County Republican. - The Jlepublican was ushered into existence in the summer of 1879, at Walkerton, and is edited by James F. & W. A. Endley, father and son. As its name indicates, it is a consistent advocate of Republican principles, and labors faithfully and intelligently in behalf of the doctrines of that party. It is a six-column folio, printed all at home, and is meeting with encouraging success.

Walkerton Visitor. - This paper is published weekly at Walkerton, Indiana, and is a seven-column folio. It is edited and published by H. S. Mintle, and is now in its sixth volume. The

Visitor is a staunch advocate of Greenback principles, and being publislied in a region where it can draw on two or more comities for support, it has a large and increasing circulation.

South Bend Courier. - This paper was established in 1873 under the name of the Indiaiui Courier, In- the publisher of the Herald. It was shortly afterward purchased by G. Fickentscher, who has since been both editor and publisher. AVhen started it was folio in form, 28x40 in size. When the name was changed to the South Bend Courier its form was also changed to a six-column fulio. The paper has a large circulation in St. Joseph and neighboring counties. In politics, the Courier has always been a strong advocate of the principles of the Democratic party.

Turner^s South Bend Annual. - The Annual was started January, 1869. by T. G. Turner, and has since annualh' appeared about the first of January. It gives a complete and reliable review of the business of the city during the preceding year, and is a very valuable publication.

The New Carlisle Oazette was founded Feb. 6, 1880, by George H. Alward, of South Bend, and G. M. Fountain, of Mishawaka, under the firm nameof Alward & Fountain. Under tlie management of the>ie parties the pajjcr was continued six months independent in politics; but finding it unprofitable to publish snccessfnlly a paper without pronounced political views, G. M. Fountain purchased the interest of his partner and brought out the paper as an advocate of the Republican party. The paper was first published as a six-column folio; in three months it was enlarged to a sevencolnmn folio, and when purchased by the present proprietor it was made an eight-column paper, making it the largest paper in tlie State for $1 per year.

Notre Dame Scholastic. - In the good old days of Notre Dame, the students of the college had a semi-monthly magazine called the Progress, which rarely passed beyond tlie manuscript edition. Its origin was due to John Collins, J. II. Fleming, B. B. Barron, and F. C. Bigelow. The first paper was called the Notre Dame Literary Gazette, and was passed around among the students. The very first number was destroyed in a summary manner, and this destruction inspired John Collins to start the Progress, and liavc it read publicly for all the students. Mr. Collins edited the first number, in the year 1858. Other numbers were edited by T. E. Howard, General Robert Ilealy, James B. Runnion. A. J. Stace, Philip Carroll, D. M. M. Collins, M. O'Reilly, J. M. Howard, L. G.Tongand others. All articles were copied for the paper by a committee of publishers, the most famous of whom were Chamberlain, Fleming, and Horatio Calvin. As these young men wrote similar hands, the " get up " of the Progress was very tasty, while the form of publication gave great satisfaction to all. The reading of the Progress was looked forward to as a sort of celebration, and everybody flocked to the large study hall to hear it read. Although the editors of the Progress were students, the paper was to a great extent

Tinder the direction of the late Rev. N. H. Gillespie, and many of the editors of '61 and '(32 remember with pleasure the kind assistance ii;iven them by him. Editors and contributors of those years still recall the social times they enjoyed over oysters and the like about once a month. When Father Gillespie went to France in 1863, the paper was suspended, after having lasted some four or five years, and the college literar}' talent found no other vent than in such sun-eptitious publications as the Weekly Bee, and others of like chai'ncter. On Father Gillespie's return from France he found a printing office established at Notre Dame for the publication of the well known Catliolic periodical, the Ave Maria. Ever zealous for the literary welfare of the students, he easily found means of procui'itig the issue of another paper from the same office, devoted to their interests, and to which tiie title of Scholastic Tear was, after mature deliberation, given. It was founded in 1867, under Father Gillespie's direction, and was issued semi-monthly. During the 3-eiir, an editorial corps, composed of students, was formed, under whose charge the pa]ier was conducted until the end of the second term. Experience, however, showed that the editors of one week could not be made responsible for the editors of the previous one - that the Scholastic Year, to preserve its unity and identity must be under one responsible editor, and the director of studies (an otlice then filled by Rev. Augustus Lemounier), the following year asfcumed the editorship ex officio, assisted by a numerous corps ol contributors. It was found, however, that the director of studies was tno much occupied with the duties of his office to attend to the duties of editor, and in 1869 Rev. N. K. Gillespie again took chaigeot the paper, and the name was ciianged to the Notre Dame Scholastic. In 1871 it was issued weekly, instead of s'emi-monthly, and as such has been continued. In 1872 Rev. M. B. Brown, then director of studies, assumed charge of the paper, changing the name to the Scholastic. Before the end of the year, however. Father 15i-own found that his time was taken up by the duties of his office, and ll:e paper was again ])]aced in the hands of Rev. N. H. Gillespie, the editor of the Ave Maria. Father Gillespie remained in charge of the Scholastic until his death, which took place in 1874. In 187.5 the old name oi Notre Dame Scholastic was restored.

Ave Maria. - This is the name of a Catholic journal devoted to the honor of the Blessed Virgin, published every Saturday at Notre Dame. It contains essays on subjects referring to the Blessed Yirsriii, articles on the different festivals, edifying tales, historical and liiographical sketches, choice poetry, items of Catholic news, a weekly letter from Rome, etc.; also a regular bulletin of the Association of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, with a record of some of t' 0 most remarkable cures effected by the miraculous waters ot Lou ides. There is also a children's department, which is made as entertaining as possible fur younger readers.

and was^succeeded in 1867 by Rev. N. H. Gillespie, who remained editor until his death, in 1874. On the death of Father Gillespie a committee of four was appointed to conduct the paper. The ma/^azine has a general circulation of about tifteen thousand copies, and some of the best Catholic writers at home and abroad contribute to its pages.