Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin - Chapter 3, 1880 (part 5 of 15)

" The smash-up took place in the woods, on low, marshy ground, there being a deep ditch on each side filled with water. The engine and cars that left the track were plunged into the water, mud and soft ground, and not less than three cars were utterly demolished - a mass of splinters above the body of the car, and the strong frames driven deep into the earth. There were seven cars filled to a jam that did not get thrown from the track or any person injured on them save those who were standing on the platform. * * * In one minute after the crash, we never saw a cooler set of men, or a band of more heroic women. They leaped to the work of saving others with remarkable effectiveness, and it seemed but a few moments before all were dragged- from the ruins, the dead decently cared for, and the wounded made far more comfortable than one would conceive possible in such a location. The cushioned seats of cars laid upon doors made passable beds, while the ladies' skirts were freely stripped to make bandages for^ the wounded." Johnson's \Greek, about eighty rods south of the culvert where the accident happened, was then called Belleville, hence the casualty is known as the " Belleville Disaster."

Chapter Yi

The Pkess of Fond du Lac County - Some of Fond du Lac County's Illustrious Dead - An "Indian Scare "-First Things - County Statistics - Prosperity of the County- Political Parties - BiPON College.

Fond du Lac County has always been blessed with newspapers of more than ordinary ability, influence and respectability. The general intelligence and prosperity of a community may be fairly measured by the character of the newspapers published therein, and the liberality with which they are supported. An intelligent, thrifty and enterprising community demands newspapers of the same attributes, and sooner or later that demand is always supplied. Fond du Lac has not been in advance of her newspapers, from the days of the first Journal and Whig, down to the present publications, and possibly has not been up to them in liberality and enterprise. The village had very good local newspapers before it contained a church or a Court House, and very soon after the first schoolhouse was erected within the present city limits. They have kept fully up to an excellent standard ever since ; always praising and pointing out to the world, without money or price, the advantages of soil, health, climate, location, growth, society, education, culture and enterprise of the place ; inciting new improvements and enterprises, where they did not already exist, and wielding, in the case of one or two of them at least, a strong influence in shaping political and State, as well as local, affairs. They have, therefore, played a very important part in the development and growth of the locality and the State, and the best history would rightly be considered far from complete if it contained no accounts of the various newspaper publications of Fond du Lac- In the sketches which follow, those are the most liberally treated of whose files were the most perfect and afforded the most material. Many volumes of the different newspapers have been destroyed, lost or borne away by those interested in their publication or th'e history they contain. This necessarily abbreviates the histories of some of them, although the most that is worth recording and preserving in pages like these has been obtained and verified.

The Fond du Lac Journal. - Followed through all its manifold changes of name and proprietors, the Fond du Lac Journal is the oldest paper in Fond du Lac County. On the 1st day of October, 1846, the Journal made its appearance. It was six-column folio, printed on material brought by John 0. Henning, now of Hudson, Wis., and Eli Hooker, now of Waupun, from Ithica, N. Y. As the Territory of Wisconsin was under Democratic adrninistration, the paper was devoted to the advocacy of the principles of that party, although Mr. Hooker was a Whig. The county then contained about 3,500 inhabitants, and the paper was meagerly patronized, though all who were able did what they could to sustain it. Henning & Hooker continued together until March 23, 1847, when Mr. Hooker purchased an interest in the Whig, with J. M. Gillet, and Edward Beeson, a practical printer, took his place and proprietary interest in the Journal.

In July,. 1848, Mr. Beeson purchased his partner's interest in the business and became editor and sole proprietor of the paper. He continued to manage its publication in a moderate and dignified manner, compelled, however, to use the utmost economy in all financial matters, until March 23, 1849, when he sold the whole establishment to John A. Eastman, now of Benton Harbor, Mich., and Alfred A. White. On June 22 of the same year, the Journal was enlarged by Eastman & White to a seven-column folio, and improved by the addition of some new type. The new type evidently was purchased in Milwaukee, for in that issue was printed this : " We have been Jo Milwaukee on the stage-road, and must say that we never saw such horrible roads in all our experience. From one end of the road to the other, it was a succession of stumps, stones, logs, ditches, mud-holes, log-bridges, etc. We broke our wagon twice, tore our horses' shoes off and pounded our bones until we were blue." The editor appears to have been mollified after reaching Milwaukee, for he declared in the same article that the city " is improving very fast - her growth has been unparalleled, * * * The hill is covered with beautiful residences, many of brick, ap.d all show the progressive spirit of the age. Milwaukee is destined to be one of the largest cities in the West. Her location insures this."

The Journal at this time contained over thirteen columns of advertisements. In its issue of June 29, it " tooted its own horn," as the Whig paper remarked, by announcing in big type that the Journal was " the largest paper, and had the largest circulation of any in Northern Wisconsin," and $30 would buy a column advertisement in it for a year. It also contained an article hetcheling Zachary Taylor, the new Whig President, because he had turned out Democratic office-holders and appointed men of his own party in their places. Sam Ryan, of the Republican, now editor of the Appleton Crescent, recent Democratic candidate for Secretary of State, had just been appointed Postmaster of Fond du Lac, and he came in for a good share of the punishment. The same issue was graced by an elegant obituary notice of James K. Polk, who had died a few months after retiring from the Presidency. A few issues later on, evidences of such newspaper fights as occur in modern journalism, appear in the cry of " lie," and "falsifier," against the Republican. At the same time the Journal calmly published the list of unclaimed letters, signed by Sam Ryan, editor of the Republican, as Postmaster.

In August, September, and during the fall, the paper was given up to political news and discussions quite as much as now, and political parties appeared to be as numerous. Calls were issued in the Journal for Democratic, Union Democratic, Whig, Free-Soil and Independent conventions, and the proceedings of each, with, the nominations, were published. In the Journal of September 28, 1849, appeared a letter from Mr. D. Lamb, in the town of Rosendale, describing how a black bear, weighing 400 pounds, was killed by himself and the neighbors in his grove.

The issue of October 12 contained a brief account of the suicide of Ira Church, and the dissolution notice of Eastman & White. The paper was thereafter published by Eastman & Beeson, Edward Beeson having become possessed of the half-interest in the establishment owned by Mr. White. The issue of October 12 also contained over two columns of the county delinquent tax list. On November 9 was published the proceedings had by a large meeting of the citizens to consider the matter of a plank road from Fond du Lac to Milwaukee, and the next issue was liberally devoted to the proceedings of a meeting held at Watertown, by the officers of the Beloit & Taycheedah Railroad, a line of railway which existed only on some maps that were pronounced to be " beautifully drawn," but which was being energetically pushed by the leading citizens of Fond du Lac to something more tangible.

The issue of March 8, 1850, had an amusing account of how the charter election of the village of Fond du Lac, which was to have been held on Monday, the 4th of the month, was entirely forgotten by the busy people, and no election was held.

On the 26th of April, 1850, the JowrwaZ announced in large type that John B. Macy, who was then in New York, had negotiated a loan of $1,000,000 with which to build the Rock River Valley Railroad.

On the 29th of May, 1851, Mr. Beeson again became editor and sole proprietor by purchasing John A. Eastman's interest. He continued alone in the business until June 23, 1853, when M. J. Thomas (son-in-law to John B. Macy, afterward U. S. Marshal, and killed in the Bellville disaster, who was not a practical printer), exchanged a half-interest "in the National Democrat, which establishment he had just purchased, for an equal interest in the Journal. The firm name then became Beeson & Thomas, with M. J. Thomas, editor, and the two papers were merged under the name of the Fond du Lac Union. It was one column wider than the

Journal, having eight columns to the page. The first number appeared June 24, 1853. The reason for the change appeared in the following extract from the editorial announcement in the Initial number :

" It is well known to our readers that for some two or three years a species of family quarrel has existed in the ranks of the Democratic party of this city and county. This quarrel has gradually gained strength until now it threatens to defeat the success of the party. * * The time has arrived when we have either to restore harmony in our ranks, or suffer defeat."

The article goes on to recite how each paper, the National Democrat and the Journal, was tlie organ of a different faction in the party, and expressed the belief that the union of the two papers would unite the two contending factions, saying :

" Believing that such a union and the establishment of such a paper will materially aid in harmonizing and securing the ascendency of our party, we have united the Journal and the Democrat, and substituted therefor the Fond du Lac Union."

The paper was liberally adorned with thrifty looking advertisements and would be a creditable paper for the Fond du Lac of to day. It was published over Baker Brothers & Hoskin's store, on Main street, which was the building then located where Robert A. Baker's bank now stands. ,

When Mr. Beeson entered into partnership with M. J. Thomas, he made it a part of the contract that if the matter was not satisfactory to him at the end of one year, the partnership should be dissolved. Therefore, in the last issue of the first year of the Union, June 15, 1854, a notice of dissolution was published, Mr. Beeson selling out to Mr. Thomas. The change was owing to differences of opinion on certain important topics. This was noticeable to the public through the differing editorials signed respectively "B." or " M. J. T.," as the case might be. Mr. Beeson continued three months in the office to settle up its business, and on July 27, 1854, Andrew J. Reed, of Buffalo, N. Y., purchased an interest in the establishment, and the paper was then published by Thomas & Reed. In the fall of this year, the Union published the tax notice of the county, and was well filled with advertisements. June 21, 1855, a new "head" was purchased for the paper and the make-up was -changed. February 7, 1856, A. J. Reed sold'his interest to M. J. Thomas, but remained a short time as associate editor, as Mr. Thomas was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention which nominated James Buchanan for President.

On Saturday, March 8, 1866, the Daily Union was begun by M. J. Thomas as proprietor, Thomas & Reed, editors. Mr. Reed continued with the paper only one week. The publication was a five-column folio, and contained fourteen columns of advertisements, mostly taken from the Weekly Union, and were a source, therefore, of very little profit. Mr. Thomas announced at the beginning that he expected to do the extra work of the first year for nothing in order to place the daily upon a paying basis. This paying basis could not be reached, although a very good paper was published, and the matter used in the daily was transferred to the weekly, thus lessening the expense of that publication ; and on November 13th of that year - the next week after election - the Daily Union was suspended. February 12, 1857, S. C. Chandler, of the Beaver Dam Republican, purchased an interest in the tfnion, and the firm then became " Thomas & Chandler, editors and proprietors."

July 13 of the same year, W. H. Brooks, who entered the rebellion afterward and became a confederate officer, purchased Mr. Chandler's interest, and became one of the editors and proprietors. In January, 1858, the Union was transferred to Augustus L. Smith, a nephew of ex-Gov. Horatio Seymour, and now a prominent citizen of Appleton. He managed the business until May 22, 1858, when the whole establishment was sold to Samuel M. Smead, who is still a resident of Fond du Lac. The next week. May 29, the Union was merged with the Journal into the Democratic Preis. The old type of both papers was discarded and new material throughout purchased. The firm which published the Democratic Press consisted of S. M. and Van B. Smead and T. F. Strong, Jr.

The Journal here mentioned as heing merged with the Union into the Democratic Press, was started by Van B. Smead and J. Beeson (the latter a brother to Edward Beeson, who is now the editor of the Wisconsin Farmer), February 21; 1857. It was a handsomely prepared and neat appearing sheet, price $1.50 per year in advance. The first number contained the delinquent tax list of Calumet County. To publish this tax list (Calumet County had no paper then), was one of the main reasons why this paper, taking the name of the Journal, was started. It contained, d^iring two and one-half months, a story entitled " Meadowdale," written by Van B. Smead, which attracted considerable local attention, and was considered a very pleasant story. May 16, 1857, Mr. Beeson sold his interest, and, July 25, the names of Van B. Smead, A. J. Eockwell and T. F. Strong, Jr., appeared at the head as editors and proprietors. In October, Mr. Rockwell sold out to his partners, who continued the Journal until May 22, 1858, and the next week afterward it was merged with the Union into the DemocrMio- Press.

The Democratic Press, by S. M. and V. B. Smead and T. F. Strong, Jr., was printed on new type and made a fine appearance. S. M. Smead was editor. As Mr. Strong was Greneral Passenger Agent of what is now the Wisconsin Division of the Chicago & North-Western Railway, on February 23, 1859, he sold his interest to the Smead brothers. The paper secured the official printing of the city and county, and the Government printing for the Wisconsin Land Office.

On the 1st of November, 1859, Van B. Smead was injured at the Belleville disaster, which happened to the first excursion train ever run out of Fond dii Lac, and on December 21, died, in the Planter's Hotel, at Watertown, Wis., of those injuries, aged twenty-three years.

His brother, S. M. Smead, then became editor and proprietor, continuing as such until November 20, 18(51, when he sold the establishment to T. F. Strong, Jr. He continued aseditor of the paper until January 4, 1862, when Mr. Strong issued a sheet with complete new dress and new style of make-up and typographical arrangement. The paper remained the samein size, but had six wide, instead of the seven ordinary columns, not a black or large letter in it, and was set, advertisements and all, after the most stylish manner of the New York Herald. Copies of it have been preserved as specimens of the finest paper in appearance and elegant make-up ever printed in Wisconsin. Under the head and extending nearly across the page, were the words: " Conducted by Tim. FoUette Strong." Mr. Strong had, in addition to himself, a local, political and managing editor, and every article, advertisement and line was prepared with the utmost care and elegance. It was an elephant, financially, and up to May 28, 1862, when Edward Beeson purchased the entire establishment, sunk over f4,000, Mr. Beeson sold a one-half interest immediately after purchasing the Democratic Press from Mr. Strong, to Kingman Flint, now deceased, and son of the late Robert Flint, who sold again in August to S. D. Stanchfield, a lawyer. In September, Mr. Beeson sold his interest to A. P. Swineford, now of the Marquette, (Mich.) Mining Journal, the firm becoming, September 17, Swineford & Stanchfield. In January, 1864, Mr. Swineford discontinued the Oshkosh Review, to which he had been giving some attention for a year, and purchased Mr. Stanchfield's interest in the Democratic- Press, the material in both offices being consolidated at Fond du Lac. This was during the rebellion, and the Press was considered a pretty "hot" paper, strongly Democratic. February 7, 1865, a Daily Press, a four-column folio, was begun, of which Martin H. Crocker, now a lawyer of Ishpeming, Mich., was associate editor. In Jtine, 1865, Thomas J. Goodwin bought a half-interest in the Press, but sold it again to Mr.' Swineford- in November. In 1855, Mr, Swineford went to Canada, where he remained, operating in oil and mining until August, 1866, during which time James H. Lambert and A. C. Palmer were left in charge of the Press. In September, 1866, James Swineford, afterward Chief of Police of Fond du Lac, purchased a half-interest in the paper, and soon after, while A. P. Swineford was in Canada, took complete pdssession of the office on account of a debt, and discontinued the paper. When he purchased the first half-interest a large power press was ordered, which arrived at the depot in Fond du Lac all right, but not being taken out or paid for, was sent back to the manufactory.

The city and county were then without a Democratic paper until Thursday, May 2, 1867, when Edward Beeson started the paper under the old name, that of the Journal. It was begun as a seven-column folio, and enlarged September 30, 1869, to nine columns. December 15,

1870, Michael Bohan came from West Bend, where he had been for twelve years Clerk of the County Board, and purchased a one-half interest in the Journal, taking possession January 5,

1871. In the fall of 1871, Mr. Beeson was elected County Treasurer by the Democrats, and as the duties of the oflSce demanded his attention, he sold his interest in, the newspaper to Mr. Bohan, who, on the 26th of August, 1872, began the publication of the Daily Journal, in support of Horace Greeley for President. S. D. (Pump) Carpenter, now publishing a paper in Missouri, was political editor at a salary of $100 per month, and T. F. Strong, Jr., local editor. Mr. Carpenter remained just one month, being too costly for the enterprise, and the daily was discontinued January 2, 1873. On September 11, 1873, Mr. Bohan sold the Journal to Tim. F. Strong, Jr., and James Russell, the firm becoming " Strong & Russell, editors and proproprietors." They changed the form of the paper May 7, 1874, to a six-column quarto, and published it in an entirely new dress. In its new form it was a handsome paper and its selections were the choicest to be had. The paper was conducted with marked success under this management for a period of fifteen months. The publishers were also interested in the Star Book and Job Printing Office, which was opened by Homer G. Leonard, the firm being Leonard, Russell & Strong. The latter concern became badly involved about this time, and the Journal owners were forced to consolidate the paper with the job office to save their interest therein, under a joint-stock organization, which obtained a charter and assumed charge of both offices, January, 1875, under the name of the Star Printing Company, with a capital stock of $21,000. Mr. Russell was placed in editorial charge of the Journal under this new arrangement, and Mr. Leonard was given the position of manager of the mechanical department. H. H. Dodd undertook the financial management, but shortly became dissatisfied with his duties, resigned, and was succeeded by L. Q. Olcott, Esq. Becoming again involved in consequence of the business stagnation which settled on all business industries shortly afterward, the office was sold in July, 1879, to Mr. L. W. SafFord, who immediately leased the property to Messrs. Russell & Olcott, who continued the publication of the Journal until the succeeding January, having in the mean time established a flourishing daily, the Morning Journal, in connection with their weekly. In January, Mr. Olcott retired from the connection, leaving Mr. Russell sole publisher of the Journal, and proprietor of the job office connected with it, under whose management both are now conducted.

The Fond du Lac Whig. - On Monday, December 14, 1846, the first number of the Fond du Lac Whig made its appearance, James Monroe Gillet, editor and publisher. Its place of publication was in the second story of Lyman Bishop's building, situated on the corner of Main and Third streets. This building now stands near by on the north side of Third street, and is used for a dwelling. Hiram Morley, now of the Oshkosh Standard, was foreman of the office.

The Whig was a five-column folio, 20x27 inches in size, printed in brevier type. The first number contained seventeen and one-half .columns of reading matter and two and one-half columns of advertisements. The reading matter treated of the Mexican war, then in progress ; the Constitutional Convention, then in session at Madison ; contained a pyramid of Whig States, consisting of Ohio, Maine, Florida, Vermont, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, North Carolina and New York; an enunciation of ''true Whig" principles; description of the new and wonderful Morse telegraphic instruments ; the probable complexion of Congress ; news of the horrible sufferings in Ireland from famine; a poem - " The Unknown Way " - by William Cullen Bryant ; an account of a preliminary meeting to consider the Fox River improvement, held at the Court House; original poetry by "W;" a stab at Gov. Dodge for refusing to adjourn the Constitutional Convention over Thanksgiving Day; receipts of the Green Bay Land Office ; a warning against counterfeit bills on Indiana State banks ; a very full account of the exchange of prisoners of war with Mexico, and how the soldiers fared ; some miscellaneous matter and the editorial announcement. From this announcement is taken the following extract :

"In assuming the control of a public journal, even though it be humble as our own, we feel it is not without its responsibility. It is at all times not only proper but necessary that parties should have political papers devoted to their support and advancement ; but no party has a right to claim of any journal a blind support of all men and all measures. Happily, the party to which we belong, and which has our whole energies and most hearty wishes, requires of no man, of no press, an unscrupulous support of any man or any measure. It acknowledges no watchword but the public good ; no law but that of reason. It calls upon all men to read, to think for themselves. It asks no support from men who do not in their hearts believe Whig principles are the sure foundations of our political institutions. It asks all for principle, nothing for men. It has no political opinions for a particular locality, but it aims at the promotion of those well-defined principles equally applicable to the North, the South, the East and the West, and which have been the landmarks pf the party from its organization till now. Devoted' alone to the welfare of the republic, it acknowledges no leaders; yields subjection to no regencies ; is not the victim of clans or designing men, but presses straightforward in the old beaten track, forsaken by the aspiring, ambitious, unscrupulous men who would rule or ruin. Political aspirants and demagogues who would control all, who have personal advancement and the spoils for their motto, find no favor in its ranks, and have learned long since to seek an asylum in other folds.

"Confident that the best interests of the country are involved in the success of Whig principles and the Whig party, we shall lend our feeble aid to their advancement, expecting no reward but the consciousness of having done our duty.

"Our paper will be conducted independently of bias or devotion to men. We shall do what shall seem to us right, and, if we err, let it be remembered that that is but human. We do not expect to be without faults, and only ask the same candor in criticism of our course which we would cheerfully extend to others.

The advertising patronage was meager indeed, the whole number of paid announcements, -cards and advertisements, numbering seventeen, beside Mr. Grillet's card as a lawyer and an appeal for wood.

The general make-up of the publication, the ability of its articles and its typographical appearance would compare favorably with the weeklies of to-day.

The paper was liberally taken by the citizens of the village and vicinity, but the other sources of income, such as job work, legal publishing and advertising, did not reach a prodigious size.

On the 25th of March, 1847, Mr. Eli Hooker left the Journal because that paper was Democratic and he was a Whig, and bought a half-interest of Mr. Gillet in the Whig. The paper was then published by Gillet & Hooker, editors and proprietors. The paper coijtinued under their management, with better satisfaction to its patrons than its proprietors, until October 13, 1847, when the firm of Gillet & Hooker dissolved by consent, the paper appearing October 2\, with Mr. Gillet as editor and proprietor. He announced that it was his intention to enlarge and improve the Whig if those indebted to the concern would square up. At the same time, however, there appeared over Mr. Gillet's signature the announcement that the type and furniture of the Whig would be sold at auction or private sale on the 10th day. of the following

December. The advertising patronage had begun to increase and consisted of eleven and onehalf columns of " live ads " - more than one half of the entire space of the paper. The paper -continued on until Monday, November 22, on which day the last number of the Whig appeared.

The real cause of its suspension was a difference between Mr. Gillet and Mr. Hooker on financial as well as other matters, in the final adjustment of which Mr. Gillet retained the name, franchise, good will and subscription of the office, and Mr. Hooker took the material, which he moved to Waupun, and used in starting a job office. Among the lawyers who advertised themselves in the Whig at the time of its demise, were Timothy 0. Howe, then of Oshkosh, now of Green Bay ; Drury & Eastman (Erastus W. Drury and John A. Eastman), Gillet & Tompkins (J. M. Gillet and C. M. Tompkins), S. S. N. Fuller and A. L. Williams, of Fond du Lac ; C. W. Washburn (Howe & Washburn), and C. E. P. Hobart, Oshkosh ; S. W. Beall, Taycheedah, and J. J. Brown, Waupun.

Benjamin F. Moore, now proprietor of the extensive La Belle Wagon Works, advertised pine lumber; J. C. Lowell, now proprietor of the bus line, was "fashionable tailor;" Dr. Elliot Brown and Isaac Orvis (Oakfield) were distressed over strayed cows ; A. G. Ruggles, now President of the First National Bank, and F. F. Davis had dissolved partnership ; D. R. Curran had pills, patent medicines and plasters, and pure wines and liquors for medicinal purposes ; Peter V. Sang spoke of his land office at Seven Mile Creek ; J. L. Ault could shoe horses, and shoes them still on Third street ; L. J. Farwell & Co. had hardware ; Capt. A. J. Langworthy, now of the Milwaukee State Journal, had a machine-shop at Milwaukee ; Lyman Bishop advertised harnesses, and Gibson & Wright a drug store.

Among the marriage notices were those of John J. Driggs, merchant, to Elvira Olmsted, of Middlebury, Vt., at Fond du Lac, January 1, 1847 ; at the same time and place, Tracy P. Bingham, druggist, to Martha S., eldest daughter of J. J. Driggs; at Waupun, in January, Rev. W. G. Miller, of Fond du Lac, to Mary E. Brown, of Waupun ; at Pond du Lac, January 9, Robert Wilson to Rachael M. Bevier ; March 10, Lyman Bishop, of Fond du Lac, to Maria S. Probart, of Le Roy, Wis.; at De Pere, March 11, Charles D. Robinson, of the Green Bay Advocate, to Sarah A. Wilcox; at Green Bay, June 1, Sam Ryan, Jr., of the Republican, to Laura F. Knappen, of Plattsburg, N. Y.; on September 24, at Sheboygan, William Farnsworth, of Sheboygan, to Mrs. Martha Farnsworth, of Racine ; at Fond du Lac, September 20, James B. Clock to Eliza Simmons; at Ithaca, N. Y., October 5, D. R. Curran, of Fond du Lac, to Eveline Stoddard;, of Ithaca ; at Janesville, July 7, Edward V. Whiton (afterward Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin), to Miss Amorett Dimock ; at Madison, July 5, John Y. Smith, editor of the Wisconsin Argus, to Miss Harriet Wright.

The Whig was James Monroe Gillet's first and only newspaper venture. But, from the ability, dignity and clear-headedness displayed in this volume, it is fair to suppose, had he continued in the editorial business, he would have become as eminent in that profession as he afterward did in the law.

The Fond du Lac Republican. - On the 6th day of January, 1848, Mr. Sam Ryan, now editor of the Appleton Oresent, began the publication, in the village of, Fond du Lac of the Fond du Lac Republican, in the interest of the Whig party. He had been publishing the Green Bay Republican, but at the suspension of the Whig by Gillet & Hooker, was sent for by Moses Gibson, John Bannister, Edgar Conklin, and others, who desired another paper to take its place. Mr. Ryan promptly responded, as Fond du Lac was considered one of the most promising villages in the Territory, moving his whole establishment from Green Bay. The sturdy old W ashington hand press on which the Republican was printed was first used by H. 0. Sholes, now of Lawrpnce,

Kan., ip the publication- of the Green Bay Republican in 1841. - It was destroyed by fire at Oconto, Wis., in the year 1856. The paper was given about the same patronage as had been given the Whig before it, and received more as it grew older. In July, 1850 - two and one-half years after its establishment - the name of the paper was changed from Republican to Fountain City, Fond du Lac then being known as the " Fountain City," although it was but a village with a village charter. Although the paper had every appearance of thi:ift, its publication was not a paying business, and in order to keep it running several of the prominent property holders - three of whom are mentioned above - made up purses for Mr. Ryan at different times. But this was satisfactory to neither Mr. Ryan nor the donors, ahd the Republican, or Fountain City, was discontinued in December, 1850, and Mr. Ryan returned to Green Bay to manage the Spectator. It was not a paying -publication from its first to its last issue, although a creditable paper to the place and ,the profession. Mr. Ryan was a Democratic candidate for Secretary of State at the election held November 4, 1879, but was defeated. He was Postmaster of Fond du Lac from April, 1849 to October, 1850, having been appointed by the Whig President, Zachary Taylor. While he was Postmaster, William McGee was the ostensible editor of the paper.

The Fond du Lao Patriot. - On the 30th of April, 1851, John D. Hyman began the publication, in the village of Fond du Lac, of the Fond du Lac Patriot, a seven-column folio, which advocated the principles of "genuine Democracy." He had moved from Northern Alabama and settled in Oshkosh, starting a Democratic paper in that city, which received little patronage. He therefore brought his establishment to Fond du Lac, but the publication of his paper was not attended with the necessary success. He continued it, however, until January 31, 1852 - nine months - when the whole concern was purchased by Amos Reed (afterward appointed Secretary of Utah Territory). Mr. Reed changed the name of his paper to the National Democrat on the 4th of February, 1853. He continued its publication until June, . 1853, when he sold it to M. J. Thomas. Mr. Thomas bought an undivided half-interest in the Journal of Edward Beeson; Mr. Beeson bought a like interest in the National Democrat of Mr. Thomas, and the two papers were merged immediately into the Union, Beeson & Thomas proprietors.

The Fountain City Herald. - On Tuesday, November 9, 1852, Mr. Royal Buck, now a resident of Nebraska, began the publication of the Fountain City Herald by the use of the well-worn material on which the Wisconsin Palladium had been published at Madison. It was an eight-column folio, 26x38 inches in size. In his editorial bow Mr. Buck announced his intention to do good and praise the Whig party rather than m9,ke money. He said :

"It has been truly said that the p^ess is the power which moves the world. This being true, how necessary that its powers, its energies and its abilities be so concentrated and wisely managed as to render it truly the tyrant's foe, the people's friend. When its energies and its powers are brought to bear against tyranny, against vice, licentiousness, crime and the thousand evils which are everywhere springing up to turn the erring feet of mortal man from the paths of honor,. virtue and religion, then, indeed, it is a harbinger of good, a true friend of the people, however many the curses which may be heaped upon the heads of its conductors by the scapegallows, whose deformities are laid bare by the scalpel of truth. But let a venal, time-serving spirit assume control of the press ; let factitious demagogues subvert its power and turn it into an organ attuned to sing pseans to the moneyed influence of friends or an engine of personal abuse of enemies whose pecuniary interests or ambitious aspirations happen to come in conflict with some idol, and its high, its noble calling is prostrated and its putrid breath is ever on the breeze ready to enter into and poison every vein of the body politic, and with an unsparing hand scatter broadcast the seeds of faction, strife, vice and immorality over the entire land. Here then, on the broad platform of right we propose to take our stand, and, with reason for our pilot and truth for our helmsman, we launch our bark."

The paper started out with seven columns of advertisements, some of them "dead" and put in "to fill up," and twenty-five columns of reading matter. This was a large paper and a liberU amount of reading matter for the times and the number of patrons. The reading matter.

of the first issue was devoted largely to the death of Daniel Webster, which occurred October 24, 1852; the result of the election of the week before for county officers. Senators, Assemblymen and Congressmen; an account of the Franklin expedition and a large amount of mis- -eellaneous ^elections. The advertisements consisted mostly of those for patent medicines, railroads and steamboats, less than a half a dozen being local, A column was devoted to the different hotels, business houses and mills of the city, which were as follows: Hotels - Lewis House, James Ewen ; Exchange, Badger Hotel, City Hotel, by Waldron & Scott; U. S. Cottage, by H. P. Olds; American Hotel, by Sam Hale; Commercial Hotel, by A. S. Tripp; Ohio House, by C. Gromme; Main Street Hotel, by Peter Rupp. -Attorneys - Ed S. Bragg, Robert Flint, John A. Eastman, D. E. Wood, W. H. Ebbetts, E. E. Ferris, I. S. Tallmadge, Jared Chapell, Gillet, Truesdell & Tyler, EldreJge & Waite, Stanchfield & Hodges, R. M. Hanks, Drury & Dodge, C. M. Tompkins, A. B. Davis, A. W. Paine. Physicians and Surgeons - William Wiley, W. T. Galloway, J. Pantillon, R. P. Root, W. H. Walker, A. J. Towey, J. M. Adams, T. S. Wright, L. Kellogg. General Stores - Sewell & Brother, D. Everett Hoskins, John Bonnell, George Keyes. E. R. Ferris, A. P. Lyman, Carswell & Dee, W. A. Dewey, Brownson & Laughlin, A. S. Gregory, T. Drummond, Hoyt & Rider, Case & Lowell, John Marshall, Baker & Brother, James Smith, William Hughes, M. K. Stow, William Chandler, S. Kirk, W. A. Foster, J. W. Carpenter, Henry Blithe and George Crawthe. Clothing Houses - J. B. Wilbor, K. Freeman, Simon Madowachand T. Crowther. Drugs and Medicines - Wright & Hiner, D. R. Curran, J.

Rahte. Boots and Shoes - P. Servatius, J. Higgs, L. D. Tyler, Mann Brothers and A. Lovett. Stoves and Tinware - T. Wallace, E. Perkins, K. Gillet & Co. Hats and Caps - H. & D. Sickles, George Henning. Leather and Harness^A. Batchelder, J. H. Spencer, A. Bishop, G. W. Swift. Warehouses - C. M. Tompkins, J. H. Clum, E. H. Galloway. Hardware - William Farnsworth. Watchmakers and Jewelers - D. Smith, Wright & Hiner. Printing Offices - National Democrats hy Amos Reed & Brother ; Journal, by Edward Reason ; Fountain Oity Herald, by Royal Buck. Lumber- Yards - J. C. Lewis, Gen. John Potter, T. S. Henry & Co., B. Olcott. Saloons - Myron Orvis, Charles Johnson, Conklin & Lowry. Cabinet Shops - J. Barrett, Heil & Nepach, Charles Blankenburg. Livery Stables - Burnham & Demy, Morris & McCarty. Blacksmith-Shops - C. L. & A. Pierce, J. Ault, T. Williamson, J. Leeman. Bakeries - Henry Blithe, Smith and Gibson. Paint-Shops - James Gupp, R. Spink, Gibson & Wilkins. Gun- Shops - J. Fish, S. B. J. Amory. Foundry - H. B. Budlong & Co. Sash and Blind Factory

The second week the Herald did not appear, as a heavy rain storm came on and no paper was to be had in the city. The paper, however, appeared regularly after that, its advertising and other patronage increasing to very respectable proportions until September, 1856, when the franchise, good will and subscription-book were sold to J. A. Smith, the material being jobbed out to various parties, Edward Beeson purchasing about $1,000 worth.

On the 24th day of July, 1854, without much previous advertising, Mr. Buck issued a daily evening edition of the Herald. It was a four-column folio, 19x26 inches in size, the :advertisements it contained being mostly made up from the Weekly Herald. It was continued, with only a short interval once or twice, until September, 1866, when J. A. Smith, now of Sheboygan Falls, bought it together with the balance of the Herald establishment.

The Western Freeman. - The first number of the Western Freeman appeared in Fond du Lac October 5, 1854, J. A. Smith, now of Sheboygan Falls, editor and proprietor. The material on which it was printed formerly constituted the outfit of the Sheboygan Falls Free Press, and was brought by Mr. Smith from that village. It was a six-column folio, of comely appearance and careful make-up, advocating " Republicanism, temperance and the Maine liquor law at $1.50 per annum, invariably in advance." It was clean, respectable and dignified, and soon began to flourish as newspapers then went. Its advertising patronage increased until the of December of the same year, when it was enlarged to a seven-column folio. It then had thirteen columns of "live" advertising matter, and was fighting strongly and holdly againstthe Fugitive Slave Act. In its issue of January 31, 1855, is published an article written by Sherman M. Booth while in prison in Milwaukee for violating the Fugitive Slave Act. On the 25th of April, Mr. Smith put at the head of his columns, " Ofiicial paper of the cjty," and he was the first official printer under the law requiring the City Clerk to let the printing to the lowest bidder, doing all the work - printing blanks as well as publishing legal notices and Council proceedings - for nothing during one year.

On the 11th of July, 1855, the paper published an account of the trial of Sherman M. Booth, at Madison, for the value of the slave Glover, at which he was convicted, the slave being valued at $1,000. This verdict the Freeman denounced with unfeigned indignation, saying: "The result, when we consider the manner in which a jury was impaneled, will not surprise any one. All who had any prejudice for Mr. Booth were not allowed to be jurors, while those who admitted they were prejudiced against him were allowed to sit. Every man, as we understand it, confessed himself under obligation to take the law from Judge Miller. A jury trial under such a course of procedure is nothing but an aggravating and expensive mockery. It is nothing but the dictum of Judge Miller, who is one of the meanest tools of tyranny! A court with such a Judge is a disgrace to Wisconsin, and is fast becoming a dangerous and intolerable nuisance."

On the 10th of January, 1856, the Freeman adopted a new style of make-up and had for its motto, in letters four columns in width, " Freedom for all mankind."

The last number of the Western Freeman was published on Wednesday, September 3, 1856. Mr. Spiith had purchased the Fountain City Herald of Royal Buck, because there was " not business enough " to make two paying Whig papers, and merged the two the next week into the Commonwealth.

The Fond du Lae Commonwealth. - The first number of the Fond du Lac Weekly Commonwealth appeared on Wednesday, October 15, 1856, the publication office being in Darling's Block. It was the result of the union of the Western Freeman, by J. A. Smith, now of Sheboygan Falls, and the Fountain City Herald, by Royal Back, now of Nebraska, and was published by Smith & Orvis. As the Commonwealth of the present time is a continuation of the same paper without break or change of name, it is the oldest paper under an unchanged name in the county, being in its twenty-seventh year from the foundation of the Western Freeman, of which it is a continuation, and twenty-fourth year from the change of name to Commonwealth. The paper was a seven-column folio, and had a large advertising patronage, becoming heir by the consolidation to the patronage of two papers. The Daily Herald, which Mr. Buck had begun before the consolidation, was continued by Mr. Smith until the fore part of 1857, when it was dropped for want of paying patronage. Mr. Smith continued the weekly with a peculiar ability which was satisfactory to its patrons, being his own business manager and editor, until April 6, 1859. At that time. Smith & Orvis sold to Bryant & Lightbody, Mr. Smith being retained by them as editor. This arrangement continued until October 31, 1860, when Mr. Smith bought out Mr. Lightbody, the firm then becoming Smith & Bryant. Mr. Smith was editor as formerly, and Mr. Thomas Bryant, afterward proprietor of the Grlobe office in Fond du Lac, and now business manager of the Omaha (Neb.) Bee newspaper, was its mechanical manager.

In September, 1862, occurred what was popularly called the " Indian scare," and the Commonwealth furnished its trembling readers with a lengthy, entertaining and amusing account of it, which was copied far and wide. It was the work of J. A. Smith, and worthy the ludicrous occasion.

Files of the paper from this date are missing, having been destroyed in the flood of 1869- Mr. Bryant sold his share in the business to J. A. Smith a short time afterward, and, November 14, 1864, Charles H. Benton, now of the heavy firm of hardware dealers, C. H. Benton

Co., purchased an interest in the establishment, and the firm became Smith & Benton, publish ers of the Commonwealth at Fond du Lac and a Commonwealth at Ripon, the latter being considered a "branch" of the former, and under the management of A. T. Glaze. Mr. Benton made an exceeding spirited newspaper man, and svftceeded in provoking a lively fusilade from the opposition papers, which was pronounced at the time highly entertaining by the newspaper readers of the city. January 15, 1865, Mr. Benton severed his connection with the Commonwealth, and J. A. Smith became again editor and sole proprietor.

On the 1st of October, 1866, he engaged Ed. McGlauchlin as " city editor and collector," and the publication of a JDailj/ Commonwealth was began. It was a large paper - patronizing telegraph lines and well fiUeid with good matter. Business was at its best in Fond du Lac and although costly the daily was a paying investment. Mr. McGlauchlin made the local department very attractive.

In March, 1868, Mr. Smith made arrangements with the publishers of the Chicago Daily Post to use one side of their paper ready printed as it was issued in that city, and print the next day's Commonwealth on the other side. The paper was then a nine-column sheet and full of reading matter, one side being the Chicago Post - editorial, news, local and miscellaneous - and the other the Fond du Lac Commonwealth. This plan was dropped in less than a year and with it the Daily Commonwealth. While thus published it was cruelly dubbed the Corn-Post. In August, 1869, J. A. Watrous purchased the Commonwealth with Thomas B- Reid and S. S. Fitield, and on the 22 day of August, 1870, began the publication of the Fond du Lae Daily. This proved to be the first successful daily paper in Fond du Lac, although the city had been blessed with six other very creditable daily publications. This daily took a somewhat different course, devoting column after column for weeks and months to the various manufacturing industries of the city, giving them and the locality more advertising than they had received before during their entire existence. The managers also engaged a corps of entertaining writers, and the paper very soon took an advanced position among the daily publications of the Northwest, publishing regularly the afternoon Associated Press dispatches. In October, 1870, Mr. Reid sold his interest in the establishment, and the paper was then published by " the Commonwealth Company," and soon after by J. A. Watrous & Co. J. A. Watrous was editor, but the paper had such regular contributors as C. K. Pier (a member of the Commonwealth Company), George M. Steele, President of Lawrence University, and Miss AUie Arnold, now deceased.

On the 26th of September, 1871, Howard M. Kutchin, who had been publishing the Fort Atkinson Herald, purchased a one-third interest in the establishment and became one of the editors and publishers. This added largely to the strength of the paper, as Mr. Kutchin was an able writer and experienced printer ; but the plan of maintaining a corps of correspondents was not ^abandoned on that account. It was instead, enlarged upon, and Rev. T. T.> Kutchin and others added to the list. This proved a valuable feature, for, credit being given to these correspondents for their articles, it widened the circle of the paper's friends and patrons, as well as added to its literary merits. Watrous & Kutchin continued editors and proprietors, both the daily and weekly becoming profitable and influential publications, until April, 1876, when J. A. Watrous, having the duties of Grand Templar of the Temple of Honor on his hands, leased his interest to Mr. Kutchin for one year. At the end of that time he sold out entirely to Mr. Kutchin, who published the paper as editor and proprietor until the middle of November, 1879, when Charles G. Elliot, founder of the Schuylkill (Penn.) Republican, purchased an interest in the establishment, becoming business manager.

Since Mr. Watrous severed his connection with the Commonwealth, V. W. Richardson, T. F. Strong, Jr., of Fond du Lac, and L. A. Lange, have been local editors, the latter now holdirg that position.

The Commonwealth has been, during many years, one of the leading Republican papers of the State, always dealing promptly and pointedly, and from a standpoint of its own, with all questions of public policy. It has also devoted an unusual amount of space to the manufacturing and other interests of the city and to the matter of heavy and unnecessary taxation. In this direction,

- it waged a warfare so incisive and unrelenting as to turn public attention to the abuses complained which resulted in the correcting of the most flagrant of them, as well as in making thousands of new friends throughout the county. la the fall of 1878, the Commonwealth began, single-handed, to advocate the election of Matthew H. Carpenter to the United States Senate ; and to the persistency and ability with which the canvass was carried on through its columns, more than to anything and all things else, is attributable Mr. Carpenter's election, which took place in January, 1879.

Since the financial question became a factor in the political campaigns, the paper has given a goodly share of attention to a strong and clear discussion of its various phases, thereby earning the reputation of furnishing the most sound and able financial discussions that appeared in the Northwest.

As a Republican newspaper, it has always taken a i most active part in all campaigns, makits influence felt in the most unmistakable manner. It did not, however, spare the Republican party or the party leaders, when they chanced to be in the wrong, believing it far better to eradicate an evil than to attempt to hide it by silence. This honorable policy sometimes incurred the displeasure of the Republicans who happened to be criticised, but it secured respect from all quarters, showing an honesty of purpose that gave the utmost meed of praise wherever and administering the severest censure with equal freedom and vigor. The Commonwealth is, as it has been for several years, the leading Republican newspaper of Central Wisconsin.

The Fond du Lac Qounty Democrat. - In 1867, a strange genius, named Thompson, without any warning, began the publication of a good-looking Democratic paper, called the Fond du Lao County Democrat. He had no "means and soon left the place, the paper and office material falling into the hands of Borghart & Goodwin (Mortimer Borghart and Thomas J. Goodwin), who continued its publication until the concern was swallowed up by its debts and expenses. Hundreds of people subscribed for the paper, paying in advance, who never received a copy of it.

The Saturday Reporter. - On Saturday, August 25, 1860, John J. Beeson, now publishing the Independent, at Vancouver, Washington Territory, issued the first number of the Saturday Reporter from the second story of the building on the corner of Main and Second streets, now occupied by A. B. Taylor's hardware store. It was a neat, clean and attractive five-column folio, devoted almost wholly ito local news, and was printed from the material on which Smead & Strong printed the Journal up to 1858. Mr. Beeson was a printer, having learned the trade of his father, Edward Beeson. Having always lived in Fond du Lac, he knew everybody, and was therefore well equipped for the editor of a local newspaper. In announcing his new publication, Mr. Beeson said his main object was to " build up a business that would pay." He should not make it an active partisan paper, but would nevertheless be neutral in nothing. The first number contained scarcely three columns of advertising and about seventeen columns of reading matter. The price was $1 per annum, or 10 cents per month in advance. Although modest in size and pretentions, the paper was well received everywhere. It advocated nothing in particular, took little part in politics, temperance or religion, that little being always mild and inofi"ensive ; but was energetic in securing a place for every morsel of local news, and had a brief but pleasant manner of mentioning everything and everybody. This manner of conducting the little paper made no enemies, and secured many new subscribers and friends. Thus it was run during the great rebellion, giving warm encouragement to the Union cause and all connected with it, without change in style, tone or appearance, until April 29, 1865, when it was enlarged to six columns per page. No other change was visible, except an increase in local matter. In February, 1866, Mr. Beeson again enlarged the Reporter, this time to a seven-column folio, and, on the 30th of January, 1869, to a nine-column paper, with a corresponding increase in the space devoted to home afiairs, and continued on in the same pleasing, unsensational, but withal, successful style.

On November 22, 1873, James L. Thwing, a graduate of Lawrence University, left the Milwaukee Sentinel corps and purchased the Saturday Reporter of Mr. Beeson. He was alone as editor and publisher until January 10, 1874, when H. R. Farnum, of the Madison Journal corps, purchased a half-interest in the establishment and added a large job office, something the Reporter had always before been without. Mr. Farnum devoted himself to the business of the concern, and Mr. Thwing exclusively to the preparation of matter for the paper. This arrangement was a hapj)y one, the former adding rapidly to the business and the latter adding several new and pleasant features, as well as polish and completeness, to the paper. Under the energetic management of the new firm, patronage increased so rapidly that, on the 29th of May, 1875, new material throughout was purchased and the paper enlarged to a ten-column folio. The local department was made a promiaent feature of the paper, as before, an assistant editor being employed almost exclusively for that work.

On the 17th of July, 1875, Rev. C. D. Pillsbury, now Pastor of the Methodist Episcopal at Ripon, purchased Mr. Farnum^s interest in the establishment, and the firm then became " Thwing & Pillsbury, editors and proprietors." Mr. Pillsbury never gave his whole attention to the paper, and, October 1, 1878, Mr. Thwing, having leased his partner's interest, became editor and publisher. On the 9th of February, 1878, the form of the paper was changed to a quarto, six columns to the page.

During Mr. Thwing's connection with the Meporter, the paper has always maintained sev- <>ral distinctive newspaper features. These consisted of "Our Saturday Night," "Farm and Home," " Hits by the Paragraphists," " County Correspondence," " Thin Spaces," '' Personals" and " Miscellany," besides "Local" and "Editorial" in liberal allowances.

The Saturday Meporter, which has never changed its name or missed an issue since its foundation, has always been a carefully prepared, clean and moderate toned newspaper. It has never taken any aggressive part in politics, but never failed to give dignified and cordial support to the nominees of the Republican party. It has always aimed to be strictly a family rather than a political newspaper, devoting a liberal amount of space to choice selections and extracts, miscellany, humor and fiction.

During several years previous to 1877, the Journal, the Courier (German) and the Tribun (German), were printed on the Reporter press, and, during the first week after the great fire at Oshkosh, in April, 1876, the Oshkosh Daily Northwestern was not only printed, but the type was set in the Reporter office. During the past year, the Reporter has been the official paper of the city, and is in a flourishing condition. Its weekly circulation being considered th§ largest of any paper published in the city, it has, during several years, published, for the Government, the list of letters remaining uncalled for at the post office.

The Frei Volks Presse. - On the 1st day of October, 1878, Charles Bruderle began the publication, in Fond du Lac, of the Frei Volks Presse, a large German weekly, devoted to Greenbackism and Socialism, with Prof C. F. Kumlau as editor. Prof. Kumlau severed his connection with the paper after a few months, and Mr. Bruderle continued its publication under his own editorial management until the fall of 1879, when it was suspended for want of patronage.

The Fond du Lao Tribun. - The Tribun, a German weekly Republican newspaper, was started in the city of Fond du Lac August 14, 1874. In April of the following year, the establishment was moved to Sheboygan, where the paper has since been published as the Sheboygan Tribun. It is prospering and is regarded as one of the leading German papers of the Lake shore. The founder, Alfred Marschner, Sr., died on the 17th day of September, 1875, since which time the business has been conducted in the name of his widow, Auguste Marschner. The present editor and manager of the paper is Alfred Marschner, Jr.

The Nordwestlicher Courier. - This is a Democratic German weekly newspaper founded by Dr. Carl de Haas, May 4, 1871, and published in the third story of the Post Office Block, Fond du Lac. The first publishers were Carl de Haas & Son. It was begun as a five-column quarto weekly, published on Thursday, at $2 per annum, and a six-column folio, semi-weekly, published Wednesday and Saturday, at $4 per year. The semi-weekly was never a paying enterprise, and was discontinued May 31, 1873. A supplement containing general miscellany was issued with the weekly after the second year, free. In January, 1874, the Courier was enlarged to a sixcolumn quarto, which is its present form and size. In April, 1875, Dr. Carl de Haas died, and the paper was continued by his sons, under the firm name of Fred de Haas & Brothers. They continued its publication until April, 1878, when the whole establishment was sold to W. F. Weber, the present editor and proprietor. November 13, 1879. Mr. Weber enlarged the supplement, thus furnishing a large amount of reading matter. The paying subscribers of the Nordwestlicher Courier number over two thousand, and its publication is a source of profit.

The Appeal. - The first number of the Appeal appeared in Fond du Lac May 10, 1876. It was a six-column folio, published monthly at 50 cents per annum, by J. A. Watrous, Grand Templar of the Temple of Honor in Wisconsin. It is devoted mostly to temperance, but is not the organ of the Temple of Honor or any other society. In May, 1878, the Appeal was enlarged to seven columns to the page, the price remaining as before. During the first three years of its existence, Watrous distributed gratis nearly forty thousand copies of the Appeal, its publication thereby being made a source of loss rather than of profit. It is now on a paying basis, and has a very large circulation, extending into a number of the surrounding States and Territories. It is published from the office of the Daily Commonwealth, in the city of Fond du Lac. Although mainly devoted to temperance matters, the Appeal has always contained a large amount of historical, personal and biographical sketches, rendering it to those not interested in its leading feature, a most interesting and valuable publication. It is proper to record, in connection with' this account of the paper, the manner in which the matter for the Appeal is prepared. Mr. Watrous, who has by far the greater share of his time taken up by his duties as , Grand Templar, has prepared much of the editorial, historical sketches, personals and other matter for his paper, in hotels, while riding on the cars, and at any other time or place where a few moments could be utilized from travel or business. If he got a day at home, double duty was done by going to the " case " and composing articles as he set the type for them, using no copy. This work he called " rest," and for many months was all the rest he had.

The Wisconsin Farmer. - The first number of the Wisconsin Farmer was published from the Globe Steam Printing Office, No. 6 Forest street. Fond du Lac ,by Beeson; Lockin & Wing, on the 25th day of September, 1879. It is a sixteen-page publication, with four wide columns to the page,' printed on fine calendered paper, and devoted exclusively to the interests of the farmer, dairyman and stock raiser. It is the only publication of the kind in Wisconsin, and is rapidly increasing in circulation. Edward Buson is editor, H. D. Wing associate editor^ and John W. Lockin, business manager. The liberal encouragement the paper is receiving indicatesthat it is destined to become a permanent and prosperous publication.

The People's Champion. - On the 31st day of August, 1877, articles of incorporation, under the title of the " People's Printing and Publishing Company," were adopted for the purpose of "printing and publishing the People's Champion newspaper in the city of Fond du Lao,, and doing a general printing and publishing business and to accumulate capital for the stockholders." The capital stock was to be $6,000, in 2,000 shares of $3 each. The incorporators were J. R, Tallmadge, E. A. Toubell, J. L. Colman, L. F. Stowe, J. 0. Barrett, I. R. Sanford, A. Moody, F. B. Hoyt, E. Hoyt and Fred Gesswein. These were all residents of the city of Fond du Lac, except J. 0. Barrett, of Glenbeulah, Wis., who was editor in chief of the paper, and I. B. Sanford, business manager, who came from M. M. Pomeroy's paper at Chicago. The initial number of the Champion appeared September 12, and was printed by the Star Printing Company, the type being owned by the publishers. The paper was a six-column qua,rto with but very little advertising patronage, and was the organ of the Greenback party. Although by vigorous a&avassing a list of more than two thousand subscribers was secured, the paper continuously lost money, and several times made suspensions of a few weeks. At the close of 1878, the incorporators gave the good will and material of the entire establishment to I. R. Sanford - J. 0. Barrett having made satisfactory arrangements to withdraw - who published the paper with a "patent inside" for a time, finally reducing it one-half in size. At the beginning of 1879, B. B.

Bolens (now publishing the Ozaukee Star) entered into partnership with Mr. tSanford, bringing with him a large power press and other material on which the Madison Star had been published. The Champion office was then removed from the Star Printing Company's office to the Patty House Block, and did its own press work. There were two mortgages on the material ; the one held by Dr. C. W. Barnes being foreclosed, the outfit was sold by the Sheriff to John W. Lockin, of the " Globe Printing Office," except that portion of the type that belonged to Mr. Sanford which was moved by him to Appleton in October, where the Qhampion was again published.

The Northern Farmer. - In January, 1863, E. H. Jones & Brother began in Fond du Lac the publication of an agricultural paper called the Northern Farmer, for the purpose of advertising their seed and farming-implement business, which was so well received that only one number was issued gratis. A subscription lisc was opened and arrangements were made with Edward Beeson to print a larger paper once each month. The paper was a complete farmers' publication, treating a large variety of subjects, and at $1 per annum soon had nearly eight hundred subscribers. It was a sixteen-page sheet, with thre'e columns to the page, and had correspondents of reputation in various localities, East and West. Jones Brothers were editors and proprietors during five years. They sold to Fred D. Carson, who took possession in February, 1868. He soon after enlarged the paper to twenty pages, and increased its circulation, but in 1869 removed to Janesville, where he continued to publish the Northern Farmer during several years.

The Rifon Herald. - This paper was commenced in the (then) village of Ripon, December 14, 1853, by Addison P. Mapes and Irving Root, editors and proprietors. It had for its motto "Rip-On!" It was a weekly - published every Wednesday, subscription price, " $1.25 in advance." Root retired from the firm of Mapes & Root the next spring, and the issue of the paper of April 1, 1854, had the name of A. P. Mapes as editor and proprietor, who says :

" The proprietorship of the Herald has changed inasmuch that Mr. Root has withdrawn from the firm, leaving us to ' paddle our own canoe.' We do not make this announcement without reluctance, for we have, in the short space of time with which we have been associated with him, formed such an attachment and appreciating idea of his worth as an individual, and of his skill in his profession, that we are loth to part company with him ; but family ties call him far away, and we have no inclination to gratify our feelings at the expense of the feelings of others. So mote it be !"

The Herald was finally sold to Alvin E. Bovay, the material of which, after serving for a time under a change of name, became a part of the Commonwealth office, where what was left of it now is.

The Ripon Free Press. - Number 1, Volume I, bears date April 7, 1870. It was started by L. B. Everdell, a graduate of Ripon College, of the Class of 1868. The paper passed into the hands of George C. Duffie, a classmate of the above named, who had furnished the capital to begin its publication. He resigned his position in the college, and until April, 1874, gave his attention to the business of making the paper a success. In 1872, George M. West & Co. bought the Free Press, and ran it awhile, but failing to meet their obligations, turned over the property at the end of the year to Mr. Duffie. During a considerable part of the time Prof, (now President) E. H. Merrell of the college, was associated with Mr. Duffie in the paper, under the style of George C. Duffie & Co. On April 1, 1874, Messrs. T. D. Stone and D. E. Cramer purchased the Free Press newspaper and job office of George C. Duffie for $3,300. At this time, the policy of the paper underwent a through change. The paper commenced the advocacy of legal prohibition and the necessity of the organization of a separate political party devoted to that purpose.

We, the undersigned, citizens of Wisconsin, believing that inteoiperance is the great evil, sin and crime of this republic ; believing it to be the right and duty of the people to suppress this great evil, by prohibiting the sale of intoxicating drinks as beverages ; believing that this is the nearest and highest political duty which the American people are now called upon to discharge ; believing that the "liquor question" is the le^timate and only worthy successor of the "slavery question" iil American politics ; believing that the mission of the Republican party ended with the overthrow of slavery, and the reconstruction of the old slave States on a free basis ; and believing that no political party now in existence is either able, competent or willing to deal effectively with this gigantic crime, which mocks at the feeble eiforts and restraint of "license laws," "local option law," and the like, do hereby unite in calling a mass convention of the temperance citizens of the State, to assemble in the city of Ripon on the 13th day of October next, at 10 o'clock, A. M., to form a separate and independent political party, with prohibition as its central idea. If any localities prefer to be represented by chosen and accredited delegates, well and good ; but it is to be distinctly understood that all citizens of the State, coming in good faith, with the purpose above set forth, will be received as members of the convention. And, further, we hereby invite all temperance men who are in favor of prohibition, whether ready for independent political action, or not, to be present, and participate in the proceedings of of the convention.

This document was signed by over one thousand eight hundred voters of Wisconsin, representing people in twenty-seven different counties. In Pond du Lac County alone there were about two hundred and fifty signers to this call.

At the meeting Lester Rounds, of Eureka, was made Chairman, and C. F. Hammond, Secretary. The following resolution, which was passed unanimously, shows the sense of the meeting :

Resolved, That we, citizens of Wisconsin, temperance men and prohibitionists in State convention assembled, do declare it to be our firm, matured and unalterable purpose here and now, to inaugurate within the State of Wisconsin a new political party, separate from and independent of all existing parties, having for its central i'dea the suppression of the dramshops of the land, and the total prohibition of the sale of all intoxicating drinks to be used as a beverage. The party so inaugurated or founded, shall be a branch of and auxiliary to the national party, based on the same fundamental idea in its intents. We propose, before adjournment, to elect a State Committee, and take such other steps as may be necessary to perfect the organization.

At the conclusion of the two-days session, Maj. A. E. Bovay was elected Chairman of the State Central, Committee, and the usual party machinery set in motion. President William E. Merriman, of Ripon College, was the author of the platform of principles, and Prof E. H. Merrell warmly advocated the measure by a public speech.

The Free Press was the only paper friendly to this movement, and through its earnest advocacy of the principle was the new party fanned into existence.

On account of failing health, Mr. Don E. Cramer sold his interest in the Free Press to D. B. Lyon November 1, 1876. Mr. Lyon employed his son, Hiram M. Lyon, to look after his interest, and the firm name of Stone & Lyon appears in the files until August 15, 1878, when J. R. Bloom took the place of Lyon in making the style of the firm. Shortly after this, Mr. T. D. Stone became sole manager, but retained the old firm name until January 1, since which time the business has been in his hands. In February, 1879, the office was moved to its present commodious quarters in Bovay's Block.

The Wisconsin Crood Templar .-^Thia newspaper was first published at Madison, Wis., February 7, 1873, and its first copy shows that it was edited by T. D. Stone and A. F. Booth, with Samuel D. Hastings and T. D. Kanouse associate editors. It was the official organ of the Grand Lodge of Good Templars. It contained eight pages - five columns of reading to the page. In the early part of April, 1873, the proprietors removed the paper to Ripon. The first issue in the last-named place was published April 4, 1873. July 8, 1873, T. D. Stone bought the interest of A. F. Booth, and the editorship of the paper continued under his sole management as long as it was published. The last number was printed in August, 1874. From its first to its last copy, it was an uncompromising and persistent advocate of the legal prohibition of the liquor traffic. Like all temperance periodicals it was a financial failure. It contained the best thoughts of the leading advocates of the cause in the State, and was by all odds the largest and best-conducted sheet that had ever been printed in behalf of the movement in Wisconsin. At One time its circulation reached 900 copies, but a large number of these were three-month's subscribers: Its editor says that more than half of his time was taken in traveling from Lodge to Lodge, begging for subscribers, and that the little amount thus received was often eaten up in hotel bilig and stage fare. When the pa,per suspended publication, the proprietor not only found himself short a year and a half of hard work, but also a considerable sum of money. To his credit be it said that all unexpired subscriptions were filled with either the Free Press or any temperance paper that the party designated.

The Ripon Star. - In December, 1858, H. C. and Addison P. Mapes began the publication of a six-column folio newspaper called the Star, which was devoted to the interests of the Democratic party, so far as parties were concerned. It gave considerable attention to Ripon College and to matters pertaining to Ripon City and vicinity. In 1861, Col. Edward Daniels' cavalry were in camp several weeks on College Hill, within a few rods of where the Star was published. The editors of the Star took occasion to mention soldiers in general, and Col. Daniels' cavalry in particular, in such terms as at once enraged them. The cavalry boys, therefore, after an issue which was particularly distasteful to them, went in a body just at dusk and scattered the type on which the Star had been published, in the street. The paper never made its appearance after that.

Our Paper. - The first periodical of Brockway (Ripon) College was entitled Our Paper, the first number of which was issued in August, 1856. It was edited by a committee. The salutatory ran thus : " Kind readers : In filling the station assigned to us by the partiality of our associates, by whom we were chosen to edit the following humble pagis, we have endeavored to give all our contributors a fair representation, rather than select entirely from our best writers. And we would tender this as an apology to those whose articles we have been obliged unwillingly to reject. To the public we would say, that all we hope is that the few truths presented may be allowed a hearing, and that, balancing the good we wished to accomplish against the many imperfections incident to a first attempt, the latter may be overlooked. Hoping in the future to meet you in a wider field, we remain your obedient servants - The Committee." The paper contained twenty-four pages, but was only an octavo in size ; and was made up (with an occasional reference to the college) of contributions from the students of the institution.

College Days. - In the spying of 1868, the senior class of Ripon College began the publication of a handsome thirty-six page monthly, called College Days. The editors were George C. DuflSe and Miss M. S. Cook, and Horace Tracy was the publisher. It was devoted to the interests of Ripon College, and to chronicling the movements and achievements of its graduates and students. In 1872, the magazine form was changed to the quarto newspaper form. After the first year, committees were chosen annually to edit the College Days until 1876, when, on account of hard times, the publication of a college paper was dropped. It was a newsy, lively and entertaining publication - equal to similar papers issued by much older and richer institutions.

Ripon College News-Letter. - At the beginning of the college year of 1879, George D. Heron began the publication of the Ripon College News-Letter, a quarto of fine appearance at $1 per year, and printed on tinted book paper. It already has a large circulation, and is well patronized by the business men of Ripon. It is considered a fixture . of the college, being backed by parties who are able to support it. The mechanical work of publishing, the News- Letter is done at the office of the Ripon Free Press.

Ripon Weekly Times. - In October, 1857, George W. Parker began the publication at Ripon of a seven- column folio, called the Western Times, at $1.50 per year, in advance. This paper was continued about two years, when it fell into the hands of Chauncey J. Allen, who learned his trade in the Fond du Lac Journal office, with Edward Beeson. He soon had George Burnside fol- a partner and changed the name of the paper to the Ripon Weekly Times. Mr. Allen, the editor, was liberal in his views, and an able, entertaining writer. It was a successful paper during his life, but was discontinued after his death, which occurred during the war of the rebellion.

The Ripon Spur. - During several years previous to the rebellion, E. L. Runals owned, edited and published a paper called the Spur. It was noted for ability and dignity, and while in existence was an influential publication. The first number appeared in June, 1855. In September, 1856, the name was changed to Ripon Home, Runals & Fuller, publishers. In 1857, Mr. Runals sold to Fuller & Fitch, by whom the paper was continued for a time.

The Prairie City Record. - On the 14th of May, 1863, Nelson Bowerman and N. C. Strong, under the firm name of Bowerman & Strong, began the publication of the Prairie City Record. Mr. Strong withdrew from the establishment in the following October, and the paper

The Ripon Oommonwealth. - The first paper issued under this title was on the 22d of January, 1864. J. A. Smith, of Fond du Lac, was the proprietor, and A. T. Glaze local editor and manager of local business. One side of the paper was usually printed at Fond du Lac and sent to Ripon to be completed. The salutatory contained these paragraphs: "The good people of Ripon and vicinity are herewith greeted with a newspaper - the Ripon Commonwealth - successor, so far as most of the printing materials, subscription lists and advertising patronage are concerned, of the late Prairie City Record. * * To stand by the Government and the administration now, saving it from overthrow by the most gigantic rebellion ever confronted by a nation ; to support that adininistration while it is as worthy of it as now, to the utter extinction of every armed rebel, if need be; to the advocacy of keeping all promises made by the President to the slaves now our grateful allies ; and to supporting all the measures necessary to wipe out rebellion and its heaven-defying cause - is just what we intend to do, so long as such effort is needed and we are spared to strike the blows." The paper continued under the same management until December 2, of the same year, when Smith & Benton became the editors and publishers, Glaze continuing as local editor; but on the 16th of June, 1865, J. A. Smith was again the only proprietor. On the 13th of April, 1866, he called in, as an associate in the proprietorship of the paper, Thomas Bryant. The paper was then published under the firm name of Smith & Bryant, but this arrangement continued only to August 3, following, when Mr. Smith again became sole owner. On the 22d of February, 1867, A. T. Glaze, who had since the beginning of the paper been its local editor and manager, purchased of Mr. Smith ' his entire interest in the Commonwealth. Mr. Glaze, in announcing himself as editor and proprietor, said: "I have bought the Ripon Oommonwealth oflSce and book bindery, believing the people will at least give me the support which they have the past year, and leaving it to our generous patrons to say whether we shall sink or swim." Mr. Glaze- continued as proprietor until April 1, 1874, when he sold to W. H. Bailhache and Mason Brayman, who entered upon editorial duties under the firm of W. H. Bailhache & Co., saying: "The general course of the paper will not be materially changed. * * * jj; .^yjH j^g identified with those principles and policies which lie at the foundation of the Republican party." This management continued until May 21, 1875, when Mr. Brayman sold his half-interest to B. L. Scofield. The paper was published under the firm name of Bailhache & Scofield until October 1, 1875, when Mr. Bailhache sold to C. N. Hodges, and under the name of Scofield & Hodges the paper was edited and published until October 1, 1877, at which time E. L. Scofield became sole editor and proprietor. January 1, 1878, a half-interest was leased to B. J. Price for one year. When that lease terminated, Mr. Schofield became sole editor and proprietor, and has since continued as such. The paper has always been Republican in politics and thoroughly devoted to the advancement of the city of Ripon.

The Ripon Representative. - In 1867, George W. Peck began the publication of an independent weekly newspaper in Ripon, under the name and style of the Representative. He devoted the paper to humor more than is usual with country newspapers, and was also one of the pioneers in advertising the beauties of Green Lake. In 1868, during the Presidential campaign, the paper was arrayed on the side of Democracy, where it thereafter continued while Mr. Peck was at the helm. In 1869, Mr. Peck went to New York with M. M. Pomeroy ("Brick"), and leased the Representative to H. B. Baker, who changed its name to the Prairie City Local, and continued the paper through the following winter. He then went to California, and the material was soon afterward used to publish the Free Press.

The Waupun Times. - This is the oldest paper in Waupun. It is now in its twenty-third year, and is an eight-column folio. The first number was issued September 14, 1857, by J. H. Brinkerhoff (the present Postmaster of the city) editor and proprietor. It was a seven-column ' folio, and a neat-looking, spicy sheet. The merchants of the place gave him a liberal advertising patronage, and the Times started with a good list of subscribers, many of whom have stuck by it during the nearly years it has been published. In his first editorial, Mr. BrinkerhoiF says : " We have been induced to commence the publication of the Times, not because we thought it would pay - make us "rich" - but from the conviction that the interests of Waupun demand a paper ; that there is suflBoient enterprise among the inhabitants to sustain one, and that we might be our own master ; only hoping that such encouragement, in the way of patronage, might be extended us as shall enable the Times and us to live. Coming among you as we do - relying solely upon our own efforts, and under obligations to no party or man - we shall follow our own inclination in all matters, claim the right to do pretty much as we please, and that which we consider most beneficial to the community at large, and shall be independent in everything and of everybody.

" We do not claim neutrality in politics or anything else, but we do not intend to enter the political arena further than to acquaint our readers with the prospects and doings of the respective parties. We here assert, however, that, with the exception of an absolute hostility to those principles which would deprive the foreign-born of the right of suff"rage, we are unbiassed in our political views - have a greater regard for principle and right than party. The interests of Waupun and ' circumjacent vicinage ' shall receive our especial attention, and it shall be our endeavor to foster and build up every interest identified with its growth and prosperity. Particular regard will be paid to home matters, and, after we get the ' hang of the barn,' we intend that in local news the Times shall excel."

The promises of its founder the Times has fulfilled and is fulfilling. It is no longer independent in politics. When the flag of our country was threatened by traitors in 1861, the independent flag was pulled down and the star-spangled banner placed in its stead at the top of the columns ; and ever since, the Times has been firm in its allegiance to the principles of the Republican party.

In the first number of the Times appear the business cards of many who are still in Waupun. E. Hooker advertises that he will attend to all kinds of legal business ; D. W. Moore prescribed medicines then as now ; H. L. Butterfield not only administered physic, but sold drugs ; R. W. Wells dealt in drugs, books, paints and oils ; Thomas Stoddart was in the same line of business and was Postmaster as well ; Rank & Manz and John Howard were merchant tailors ; John Taylor and S. Rebbles were among those who kept groceries and dry goods ; B. B. Baldwin had a sash, door, blind and turning establishment ; M. J. Althouse made pumps and drilled wells ; John McFarland shod the horses ; the Exchange was the hotel of the village ; William Morgan did all the barbering ; E. Hillyer was Secretary of the Dodge County Mutual Insurance Company ; L. B. Balcom was in the forwarding and commission business ; T. Carpenter made and sold harnesses ; Phelps Moore kept the Empire Livery Stable ; there were advertised two banks - the Waupun Bank and the Corn Exchange Bank.

Among the contributors to the first number of the Times was George E. Jennings, who still occasionally furnishes articles that are as graceful in thought and diction as then ; W. H. Taylor indulged then as he now sometimes does in a paper on " Waupun ; Its Past, Present and Future." For nearly eight years, Mr. Brinkerhoif furnished mental pabulum for the readers of the Times, when he sold the ofiice and business to Rev. D. A. Wagner. The latter became involved in a church quarrel and made the Times his personal organ. In 1866, a year after he bought the oflice, he sold it again to Messrs. Eli & Jesse Hooker ; in about three months, Eli Hooker bought out his partner, and for a year conducted the Times very successfully ; he made it pay, but having an extensive law business requiring his attention, he sold out in about a year, J. R. Decker, his foreman, being the purchaser. He took possession October 1, 1867, and did not allow the business to sufi"er under his labors.

On October 1, 1868, the present editor and proprietor, Philip M. Pryor, then a young man not out of his teens, took possession, Mr. Decker going to Columbus, Wis. With no capital but energy and a determination to succeed, Mr. Pryor has, for more than eleven years, been continually making improvements in the ofiice, and doing all in his power to increase the influence and standing of his paper. He makes it a rule never, under any circumstances, to allow his paper to become the medium for any one to vent personal wpite, believing it to be unjournalistic ; nor to permit any ungentlemanly language or personal attacks to appear in its columns, or to allow anything of a local interest to pass unnoticed. The present flourishing condition of the Times is the result.

The Prison City Item. - Sometime in 1859, William Euen began the publication of a paper called the Item. His office was in the South Ward or Dodge County side of the village, and the paper, which was a five-column folio, appeared monthly. Mr. Euen was a politician, a manufacturer of Euen's Strengthening Plasters, and a humorous fellow, and his paper was given somewhat to fun. He continued it about one year as a monthly, and then turned it into a weekly, which was continued with varying fortunes until the beginning of 1861, when it was suspended and never revived.

De Ware Burger. - In 1859, Dr. A. C. Van Altena brought De Ware Burger from Sheboygan County to Waupun, where it was published in the Holland language until the latter part of, 1860, by S. H. Salverda, Dr. Van Altena's son-in-law. It was discontinued for want of patronage, there being but few Hollanders in the county to subscribe for it, and only one or two merchants or business men in the vicinity to furnish advertising patronage.

The Little Badger. - During the latter part of 1860, a small newspaper called the Little Badger was started in Waupun by S. H. Salverda, which was printed in both the English and Holland languages. It lived a precarious life of a few months and died for want of patronage, its editor and proprietor afterward moving to Milwaukee.

The Waupun Leader.- - On Tuesday, August 28, 1866, Joseph W. Oliver and Martin C. Short, under the firip name of Oliver & Short, began the publication of the Prison City Leader, an eight-column folio. Republican in politics. The material on which the paper was printed was moved from Dartford, Green Lake County, where the same firm published the Green Lake Spectator. The first few issues of the Leader were with "patent inside," after which the entire paper was printed at home. The first number contained nearly eleven columns of home advertisements and about three columns of " foreign ads." The paper started out with a good list of subscribers, and grew at once into popular fevor on account of its devotion to local matters and decent tone in treating of all things. An old "Washington " hand press and a very limited amount of other material constituted the Leader office at the beginning. In 1868, the paper was changed to a five-column quarto, but the experiment proving unsatisfactory, the folio form was again resumed, and the name changed from the Prison City Leader io th.e Waupun Lea,der, which title it has since borne. On the 6th of October, 1871, Martin C. Short, who is now editor and publisher of the Brandon Times, sold his half-interest to R. H. Oliver, and the paper has since been edited and published by Oliver Brothers. J. W. Oliver learned his trade in the old Markesan Journal office before the rebellion, in which he took an active part as a member of the Thirty-second Wisconsin Volunteers, and R. H. Oliver passed liis apprenticeship in the Leader office with Oliver & Short. The Leader proprietors were the second in bringing steam presses into Fond du Lac County, and they now have one of the neatest and best-equipped country offices to be found anywhere, with 'an extensive amount of material and three large presses. In February, 1879, the paper was changed to a sixcolumn quarto, and is a handsome, thrifty sheet in make-up and general appearance, and of the utmost cleanliness and respectability in matter. It was begun on the Dodge County side of Wa,upun, in Amadon's (now Seely's) Block, being moved to the Fond du Lac County side, into Rank's Block, in 1869, and in August, 1877, to its present quarters in the old female prison building on Prison street near Main. Connected with the office is a lathe for repairing, ironturning and general work ; a stereotyping machine for jobs, advertisements and other work, the first successfully used in Wisconsin, and made entirely by J. W. Oliver ; a force-pump with 100 feet of hose for fire purposes, and a telephone, made by J. W. Oliver, which extends from the office to his house, several blocks away. There is no other printing office in the vicinity, if, indeed, in the State, with all these appliances, and all in such perfect and eiFective working order. It is a model country printing and publishing office.

The first printing material ever brought to Waupun was that on which the Whi^ had been printed in the village of Fond du Lac, and was bought by Eli Hooker in the winter of 1847- 48. Immediately afterward, George Howe came from Angelica, N. Y., with the old Ramage press on which the first edition of Morgan's " Exposition of Masonry " was printed, and Mr. Hooker entered into partnership with him in the job-printing business. This old press, made of wood, and on which two impressions with a screw were required to print one side of a sheet, was soon after sold to a man in Calumet County.

The Brandon Times. - Soon after the close of the rebellion, October 1, 1865, George M. West began the publication, in the village of Brandon, of a Republican newspaper called the Times. It was a four-column folio, Independent in politics. In November, 1871, Martin C. Short became editor and proprietor. He is also Postmaster of Brandon, having been appointed by President Grant, and personally attends to both the post ofiice and the newspaper ofiice in the same building. Although published in a small village, the Times has been supported with more ,than the usual liberality, and would be a creditable paper for a much larger place. The Times is now on its fifteenth volume and prosperous. It is now a seven-column folio, and has been straight and strong Republican ever since owned by Mr. Short.

The New Cassel Clarion. - On the 15th of January, 1876, Dr. L. Eidemiller began the publication, in the village of New Cassel, of a four-column local paper called the Clarion. It was devoted entirely to local news and advertising, and although well p^atronized, the locality considered, was discontinued before the end of the year.

The Waucousta Representative. - In November, 1869, Freeman Sackett and Spencer began the publication of the Waucousta Representative, a four-column folio, devoted to local matters exclusively in the town of Osceola. Mr. Sackett afterward became editor of the Phillips (Wis.) Times, and Mr. Spencer owns a job printing oflBce in the city of Fond du Lac. The paper was filled with original poetry, locals, "jokes," in shape of burlesque.advertisements and caricatures. These caricatures were executed on wood with a pocket knife by Byron Hall and Freeman Sackett, and were richly enjoyed by the country-folk. The enterprise was not a paying one and was comparatively short lived.