Green County, Wisconsin - Chapter 25: The Newspaper Press of Green Coun'j^y, 1884 (part 2 of 2)

*'In making this transfer, we feel entirely confident that we are doing no injustice to our subscribers, fully believing that our successor is competent to greatly improve the Independent, and that it will be his aim to do so. Eight years' experience as president of the State Normal School at Platteville, and the liberal endorseinciitgiven him l)y eminentand worthy men, oc(tii[)ying high positions of trust in our State, afford unquestionable |>roof of his ability and honesty of pur])ose; and coming among us as he does, a comjjarative stranger, free from the piques and prejudices in the personal or neighborhood differenc^es which too frequently exist betweeri older residents, we bespeak for him a hearty welcome, hosts of friends and abundant success. Burr SpRA(iUE " ties, but relying upon the kindness anfl forbearance of our friends and patrons, we hope to become "masters of the situation," and in due time to satisfy all reasonable expectations.

"It will be the aim of the Independent to promote the bestwelfareof the community in which it is published. Whatever we can do through its columns to pi'omote the moral, intellectual and social interests of this village, will be cheerfully and heartily done. We shall advocate those principles and practices that in our judgment tend to improve society and to make human life more happy and more useful.

"Our long experience as a teacher has made us so familiar with public and private education and has given us such an interest in this subject, that we can hardly refrain - if we would, from devoting especial attention to the interests of our common schools and other institutions of learning. The educational affairs of this community, and of this State, shall receive due attention. In this direction we shall advocate thorough preparation and faithful work on the. part of teachers; efficient and liberal management on the part of boards. We believe that teaching should be recognized as a profession, that only competent and skilled teachers should be employed, and that these should be justly paid for their services.

"In politics, we shall not be partisan. While we shall, in general, advocate the principles of the republican party, as party lines are now drawn, we shall give credit for honesty, integrity and patriotism in public service, whenever and wherever found.

"While the Independent vcw\%\,uqq.g^%^x'\\^ give especial attention to local matters and interests, we shall endeavor to present such original and selected articles as will prove acceptable to our more distant readers. In this connection it may not be improper to say that Mrs. Charlton will be a frequent contributor to our columns, and will aid us in our editorial work.

"To the citizens of Brodhead, we beg leave to say that we have come here hoping to stay. We propose to cast in our lot with you, and become idetitified with the interests of your beautiful village, and to do our part, so far as in us lies, to sustain all its beneficent institutions. Our business will be in connection with the Independent^ and we ask your liberal patronage not only in subscriptions but in every department of our work. We shall make such improvements from time to time as your support will waiTant us in doing.

On Sept. 13, 1880, Mr. Charlton took charge of the Brodhead High School and continued through the school year, closing June, 1S81.. During this time he exercised a general oversight over the affairs of the office, but the bulk of the editorial work was done by Mrs. Charlton, while the foreman attended to the business of the office. With this exception he has given his entire time and efforts to the paper, since he became its owner.

On the 21st of June, 1881, Mr. Charlton purchased of W^alker & Co., Madison, a Prouty Power Press, turning over to them, in part payment, the old hand press which had been in service from the outset, and had previously done duty for the States Mights, at Monroe.

In Mr. Charlton's salutatory reference is made to Mrs. Charlton's expected help in editorial work. More recently, her name appears as one of the editors.

In 1879, when Mr. Charlton took charge of the paper, Brodhead was suffering from the general depression of business which j)revailed. The Lidependtitt was naturally at a low ebb. It has to some extent shared in the general revival of business. The edition on May 30, 1879, was 16 quires, 384 copies, it is now, Aug. 1884, 38 quires, 912 copies. There has also been a corresponding increase in advertising. The Independent has always been a republican paper.

I. F. Mack, Jr., (commonly known as 'Foster') is now senior partner of I. F. Mack & Bro., editors and proprietors of the Sandusky (Ohio) Regifiter.

Burr Sprague practices law, as shown in a previous chapter, in Brodhead. E. O. Kimberley has been a publisher and now has a job printing office at Sioux Falls, Dakota.

Edirin A. Oharlton was born at Littleton, N. H., Sept. 29, 1828, and was the eldest child of Walter and Mindwell (Moulton) Charlton. His father was also a native of Littleton, being the son of Robert Charlton, who came from England in the latter part of the last century, and made a home upon thebanl'sof the Connecticut where he lived for many years and died at a good old agt-, honored and respected by all who knew hin). His mother was the daughter of Job and Anna Moulton who were among the first settlers of that part of the adjoining town of Lyman.

which was subsequently named Monroe. 'V\\q family was of English origin and came to Lyman from southeastern New Hampshire. Job Moulton was a ''minute man" in the Revolutionary War. His wife was Anna Way, of whose eccentric father many stories yet linger in local tradition. When the subject of this sketch was about live years of age, his parents removed to Jay, Orleans county, in the extreme northern part of Vermont. '\ his was then a new country, heavily timbered, and but sparsely settled. It was a work of no small magnitude to remove the primeval forest and make a home in the wilderness. But his parents were intelligent people and fond of reading, and as far as their means would allow, supjjlied their home with books and newspapers, which were eagerly read. The district school, too, was there, which, though limited in its scope and imperfect in its management, afforded the rudiments of an education. There were no church edifices, but the Methodist circuit rider preaclied at regular intervals '\\\ the school houses. Other denominations wer<^ occasionally represented - not omitting the Moinions, who from this sparsely settled community induced at least one family to acconv pany them to Nauvoo. Amid such surroundings his early boyhood was passed. In the spring of 1845, his father desiring better opportunities for the education of his children, removed to Hanover, N. H., and some two years later, to Claremont, in the same State, which continued to be the family home for many years. Both parents died at Lowell, Mass., in the month of April, 1875. "Their children rise up and call them blessed." While at Hanover, he attended school a few terms and made partial preparation for college, but tlie lack of pecuniary means interfered with study and a considerable portion of his time was devoted to manual labor. At Claremont he found employn\ent in the factories, and having studied under private tuition at intervals, and having attended school a term or two, he was admitted- to Dartmouth College, Hanover, N. IL, at the opening of the fall terra in 1850. During his college course lie taught school every winter and during two of the fall terms; still lie graduated in due course, in July, 1854, standing among the best scholars, in a class of fifty-seven members. Leaving college, he found employment as principal of the academy at Haverhill, i^. H., where he remained one year. He then became preceptor of (Tilmanton Academy in the same State, and remained there until the close of the fall term, in 1856. He then returned to Claremont and entered upon the study of law, but soon after he accepted an invitation to become principal of the Union School at Lockport, N. Y., and entered upon the duties of this new position in April, 1857. His work in this place was pleasant, and the school prospered under his charge. In the spring of 1861 he resigned his position at Lockport and went to Schenectady, N'. Y., as vice-principal of the Union School and secretary of the board of education. In the following spring, March 20, 1862, he was married to Helen Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Hon. Alfred Holmes, of Lockport. In the fall of the same year, he removed to Gilmanton, N. H., and again became preceptor of the academy, Mrs. Charlton being preceptress. But changes having occurred in the schools at Schenectady, he was invited to return to that place as superintendent; and accordingly, in the fall of 1863, he resumed work in that place. Here for five years he performed his duties to the satisfaction of the board of education and of the entire community. But feeling that a change would in some respects be desii'able, in the fall of 1868 he accepted the position of principal of the high school and secretary of the board of education in Auburn, N. Y. His work in Auburn was pleasant and his social surroundings agreeable, but a constitutional tendency to asthmatic and bronchial trouble became greatly aggravated, and it soon became evident that his only hope of relief was in a change of climate. Through the intervention of his old friend,

Prof. B. M. Reynolds, then of Madison, he was introduced to the board of normal regents of Wisconsin, and was called, in the summer of 1870, to the presidency of the State Normal School at Platteville, and entered on duty at that place at the opening of the fall term in September. For a little more than eight years - or until the close of the fall term in December, 1878 - he performed the duties of his position to the best of his ability. Of his work in this school it is not necessary to speak in detail. That it was successful is attested by the grateful remembrance in which it is held by hundreds of his former pupils who are scattered through Wisconsin and other portions of the great northwest; and the high estimation in which he is held by the citizens of Platteville, attests his worth as a man as well as a teacher. After closing his work in the Normal School at Platteville, while still undecided as to his future course, Mr. Charlton accepted an invitation from T. C. Richmond, then county superintendent of Green county, to assist in institute work at Juda, and went to that place on the lOth of March, 1879, and remained there about five weeks. This was his first introduction to the county which was destined to become his home. While at Juda, he made a brief visit to Brodhead, and was so attracted by the beauty of the place, that he made a subsequent visit with a view to seek a business location. This resulted in his purchase, of Burr Sprague Esq, of the Brodhead Independent, of which he took formal possession, May 26, 1879. Of his five years and more of work in connection with this paper, including one year during which he was principal of the Brodhead high school, it is not necessary to speak in this place, as the facts are sufliciently set forth in the history of the Independent itself. Suftice it to say that under liiH management the circulation of the paper has largely increased, and it maintains a creditable standing among the local newspapers of the State. In his earlier life he was trained in the democratic faith, but before he became a voter, the anti-slavery agitation swept ov(m- the land. Tn that cause he took a warm interest, and counted himself a "free soiler" before the fortnation of the republican party. And when that party came to the front he found in it the embodiment of the principles in which he thoroughly believed,and to which he has steadily adhered. As mentioned elsewhere, he was married March 20, 1862, to Helen Elizabeth Holmes, of Lockport, N. Y., whose father, Hon. Alfred Holmes, is now the senior member of the >.iagara county bar, having been engaged in the practice of law for upwards of fifty years. His wife has proved, in the full sense of the term, a helpmeet. She has given him valuable aid in his school work, and as associate editor of the Independent, has made frequent contributions to its columns, both in prose and in verse. Two children have been born to them - Walter Holmes Charlton, was born at Schenectady, N. Y , Jan. 4. 1866, and died at Lockport, N. Y., Sept. 10, 1875, while on a visit with liis mother at her old home. The second and onl}' surviving child, Winifred Holmes Charlton, was born at Piatteville, Wis., May 13, 1874.

The Brodhead Megister, the latest newspaper venture in Brodhead, was established and its first number issue! Nov. 1, 1883, by Louis A. W. Sprague, doing business as the Peerless Printing Company. The salutatory of the editor, we give entire :

"The Peerless Printing Company commenced business just two years ago, on a small scale, with no special inducements and but little tf> encourage such an undertaking.

"We did not anticipate great results in so short a time, and in this have not been disappointed ; but we have endeavored to turn out a class of work that would fairly merit favorable consideration and a reasonable share of patronage. Our hopes in tJiis respect have been fully realized. The (ield is small, at best, but our busitiess has steadily increased until we have deemed it both safe and expedient to secure pleasant and convenient rooms for a long term of years, and to add largely to our stock and materials, until v» e have every facility requisite to publish a small weekly paper.

"At the earnest solicitation of very many citizens of Brodhead and vicinity, among whom are numbered some of the ablest and best business men, we have consented to commence the weekly publication of the Brodhead Megister, at the beginning of our third year.

"Jn this enterprise we shall make no vain pretensions, but, as in our jobbing department, shall endeavor to give 'value received' to all our patrons, and submit the result to their candid judgment.

"It may be said that there are already newspapers enough in Green county. This may be said of any trade, business or profession ; and yet many more merchants, farmers, mechanics and professional men will doubtless begin business and sficreed in our midst, and we feel assuied that no large-hearted public-spii-ited man or woman will presume to oppose or discourage the establishment of any new firm, business or enterprise that is honorable.

"The writer has resided in this village since lie was five years old, received his schooling here, and learned the art of printing during that time. His home and his interests are in Brodhead. It is and has been impossible for him to pursue the trade of his choice af home, in any other way or manner than the one he has adopted. He believes there is rootn for him to earn an honest living by hard work and close application at home as well as abroad.

"As announced in our New Year's greeting we are 'here to stay,'' and whether our pathway shall be strewn with more of roses or of thorns and thistles, we shall at least put forth a hearty efl'ort to overcome obstacles, and above all else to jilease our customers and give them the worth of their money.

"We prefer to begin in a small way with a hope and pros])ect of steady and certain growth, to shouldering a burden too heavy for our youtliful shoulders ; and in so doing we trust that every change may be for the better.

"We are not united with any sect or political party, and are consequently free to advocate any principles or views that may seem to us just and equitable. It is our purpose to remain unfettered and untramroeled, and to speak fearlessly in the cause of right at all times, treating all as friends who are willing to be such, a)id show themselves worthy.

"Our subscription list is thus far composed of unsolicited subscribers. This issue will be mailed to some who are not subscribers, and we shall be pleased to continue the paper to them all, with the understanding tliat it shall be discontinued at any time when requested.

"Our subscription price is |1 a year, and to those who pay in advance before the 1st of January next we will send the paper until January, 1885 - fourteen months from date."

Louis A. W. Sprague was born June 23, 1862, at Oxford, Rock Co., Wis. He moved to Brodhead with his parents - Burr Sprague and Vina B. Sprague - when six years old, and has resided there ever since. He was educated in Brodhead at the high school. He has worked at the printing business since the fall of 18V8, most of thetimein Brodhead. He opened a jobbing office Nov. 1, 1881, and has since kept the same in operation. He commenced the publication of the Brodhead liegisfer, Nov. 1, 1883. He married Dec. 31, 1883, Mattie E. Barber, of Brodhead.

The first paper was a seven column folio by I. S. Dexter and Y. T. Lacey in 1858 or 1859. In the early part of the year 1860 the paper passed into the hands of Joseph Baker, under the original name of the Albany Ti??ies, who ran it about one year, when it was purchased by Dexter & Klaesy, who continued its publication until August, 1862, when the enlistment of th( junior editor (Gustave Klaesy) in United States service, together with the entire force of tin office, caused its suspension. In the fall of 1865. at tile close of the war, C. W. Osgood and youi humble servant, J. E. Bartlett, revived the patriotic old type, and under the name of tlie Albany Journal, which existed for the short period of six months. In June, 1878, the Journal was again started by Brundage & Bullock. After running about six months it passed into the hands of the present proprietor, J. E. Bartlett. When it was survived this time it was changed to a five column quarto, 26x40 inches. It had been a staunch republican paper. Its entire outfit, presses, type, etc., save the file of copies, was destroyed by fire on the 26th of Novembeu 1883, together with a large part of the business portion of the village, but was immediately reestablished and published, only losing one issue.

John E. Bartlett, editor of the Albany Journal, was born in the town of Corinth, State of New York, Aug. 9, 1847. In 1856 he came with his parents to Wisconsin, and located in Beloit, Rock county. His parents now reside in Brodhead. In 1857 he came to Albany, and in 1858 was apprenticed to Lacy & Dexter, editors and proprietors of the Albany Times, to learn the printer's trade, for which business he seemed to have a natural adaptation. He remained upon the force publishing that paper until 1862. Meanwhile the Times had changed hands twice, being controlled after the first change by Joseph Baker, who was in turn succeeded by Dexter & Klaesy. Upon the 6th day of August, 1862, the subject of this sketch, together with the junior editor (Gustave Klaesy), and C. W. Osgood and Ira A. Foster, associate employes, responded to the call of his country and enlisted in company F, 3l8t regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers. This company was organized by Capt. C. W. Burns. This action of so many of the force of the Times caused the suspension of that paper. After three years of service in the army Mr. Bartlett returned to Albany, broken down in health, consequent upon exposure and hardship incident to the life of a soldier during those dark days of the great American conflict. He was a good soldier, and thus sacrificed u2)on the altar of his country his young strength. Upon his return, in company with C. W. Osgood, a former associate in the printing business, he revived the patriotic old press and type which had so long been silent, and under the name of the Albany Journal, embarked in a newspaper enterprise, which, on account of his failing health, had only a brief six months' duration. In 1878, upon the earnest solicitation of time honored friends, he resumed the publication of the Albany Journal, and has since continued, with varied success. He was not exempt from the disastrous fire which laid waste so great a part of this thriving village, and everything he had went up in smoke; but with characteristic energy the Journal was again put on a footing, and is now among the better class of papers of the county. Mr. Bartlett was married Dec; 25, 1866, to Emma Payne, a native of New York State. They have had two children - Flora Stella, who died in infancy, and Spencer E., who was born Nov. 20, 1869.

The Albany Vindicator

The Vindicator is published every Thursday at Albany and is now in its first volume. It is published by the Vindicator Publishing Company. It is edited largely in the interests of prohibition and is ably conducted.

Random Extracts Concerning Green Counts

Brodhead Reporter. "We have received the first number of the Brodhead Reporter, L. Winthrop Powell, editor and publisher. The paper is republican in politics, devoted to the general interests of the town and county in which it is published; is a seven column sheet, very neatly gotten up; and bears evidence of earnest management. We wish friend Powell a good list of subscribers and a thrifty business." - Monroe Sentinel, May 4, 1859. '

About the first week in May, 1850, Mr. Snow commenced the publication in this village [Monroe,] of a six column paper, neutral in politics, entitled the Green County Union. After continuing its publication one year, he sold the office to our fellow-townsman, J. W. Stewart, who put the paper partly in a new dress and made a regular whig organ. After continuing as editor and publisher for little more than three months, he sold the office to Rev. J. Walworth and 0. D. Moulton, who changed the politics of the paper from whig to democratic, and published it through the volume, when Mr. Walworth beccame sole editor and proprietor. He afterwards enlarged to a seven column size and continued its publication until Sept. 15, 1854. It is proper to remark that, about the time of the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska bill, Mr. Walworth took grounds against the step and took part in the organization of the republican party. On the 15th of September, 1854, N. L. Stout and G. W. Tenney leased the office and fixtures for the term of one year, and came out wholly and unequivocally in favor of the republican party - a position the paper has maintained ever since. On the 16th of May, 1855, Messrs Stout and Tenney purchased the office and continued joint editors and publishers until September 15, of the same year, when N. L. Stout retired and left the present publisher in sole possession. On the commencement of the next succeeding volume, in May, 1856, we put the Sentinel in an entire new dress, and on August 11, following, enlarged it to eight columns to the page.

'Without Word of premoaition, or sigaal of alarm,' sometliing after the manner in which an ideal vision of dimes is ofttimes dissolved by the introduction of a dun. It undertook to carry Lecompton, to which absurd idea it probably is in a measure indebted for its dissolution. We understand the materials have been taken to the village of Albany, in this county, at which place a new and distinct paper will be issued." - Monroe Sentinel, May 12, 1858, lietired. "By the last number of the Albany Times, we learn that I. S. Dexter has surrendered the honors, emoluments and tripod to his associate, Yates T. Lacy. Dexter is one of the tallest kind of editors and looked at matters about him from a high stand-point. May his shadow never be less." - Monroe Sentinel, May 18,

We hear it stated that friend Lacy of the Albany Times has disposed of that paper to Col. Baker, formerly of the Janesville Free Press. Mr Baker drives the pen with vigor and talent and we cordially extend our hand in welcome. Our relations with Mr. Lacy, who, we suppose, retires from the paper, have led us to regard him as a true and honorable gentleman.

It is due the patrons and friends of the Democrat that I should make a statement of facts in regard to its discontin-uance. The office was purchased upon the following terms: Nine democrats of Brodhead and vicinity endorsed a note or bond for me, for $300, payable three months from date, and I gave my own notes for the sum of |4I2; this added to the |300 note, made the amount $712 in all. The $300 note became due on the 16th of April last, but as my endorsers nor myself could not raise the amount, I had it extended thirty days more. It also expired, and we could not pay. The 16th of May one of my own notes, of $140 became due also, and I could not meet it, and thus the office was left in a bad situation. It was understood that donations from prominent democrats in Brodhead and other places, were to be made to pay off the $300 note, but no donations were ever made, nor were any of the gloicing promises, which were made to me fultiilled. I received but live very small sums as donations, three of fifty cents and two of txoo dollars. There was a great hue and. cry made by one very prominent democrat that we were extravagant in our funds and received plenty of money. I had no means of my own, and all I had to depend on to support myself, and pay the expenses of the office, was the subscription money, which was "few and far between." The advertising did not amount to anything; and here let me say that the democratic business men of Brodhead did lend their influence and patronage to the Reporter, a republican sheet, in preference to one of their own party - but four democrats advertised their business, and that txpon a very small scale. Mr. J. Brant, saddler, being the last advertiser I had. Yet in the face of all this, I was accused of extravagance! Kept too much help, etc. Had the democrats canvassed the county, and performed the work they promised to do, our expenses would not have been half of what they were, but the democrats failed to canvass, and it was left for me to do the work in the office as well as to canvass. Any person, of sense, will see that it was utterly impossible for me to do the work and canvass tod. I was compelled to hire an employe, and to keep my matters in running order. I was kept from home the most of my time in collecting money and canvassing, and I could not get far enough ahead without hired help.

1 would not be controlled by them, and do and write as they dictated. It was well understood before I started the Democrat, that I would not be controlled by any one man, clique or sect, but was willing to be ruled and governed by a majority of the democrats in the county. Those democrats who made those glowing promises, had all a remunerative office in view, and as soon as it was discovered that they would not get the "loaves and fishes," their purses as well as their devotion to the principles of democracy collapsed. They are no democrats from principle, but from office. I have always been opposed to such democracy and always will be. I want a man to be one thing or the other, out and out. There are several sound and live democrats in Green county, and the most prominent are S. P. Condee, of Monroe, Samuel North-' croft and Samuel Rowe, of Decatur, and John Taylor, of Brodhead. To John Taylor I am indebted for many favors extended towards me, and he is a true and tried democrat. For the past four weeks I did not receive $2, and we could not buy our, paper on credit and run in debt for board. Last Monday the office was closed by Messrs. Rounds & Langdon. I never toiled and devised ways and means to keep the office running, as I did in Brodhead, but all to no purpose. The office closed and I am $50 in debt, and borrowed $3 with which to leave town. I think it will be a long time before they get a printer in their clutches. I am a democrat and always have been, and always expect to be, but I shall never stoo]:) to low trickery to gain laurels and fame. The above statements I can corroborate, and I do not publish them for the purpose of injuring the party in Little Green, but for the purpose of placing the blame where it belongs. More could be told, but I think this sufficient.

We have received the first number of the Albany Weeldy Journal, published at Albany, in this county, by Osgood & Bartlett. C. W. Osgood is the editor, with Joseph Baker assistant editor. The paper professes to be "free and independent, and will not intermeddle with party quarrels or controversies." What do you mean, Mr. Osgood, by "free and independent?" You say that you will publish other men's opinions ; but have you no political opinions of your own? You say you have served in the army; what did you fight for? Were there no political principles involved in that great struggle with Rebellion? Is there nothing for patriots to do now'i Have you no opinion to express on the great and vital issues which now convulse the Nation? We cannot understand how any man can be neutral, with all these momentous National questions before him.

Gen. James Bintliff, for a long time a prominent citizen of Green county, takes up his pen to edit the Gazette, in Janesville, Wis., to-morrow, Thursday, June 30. By those who know him best, Mr, Bintliff is regarded one of the ablest writers and speakers of this State. He has a rich store of practical knowledge of human nature, and the history of the important events of modern times. He has always taken a front rank in the republican party, since its organization; served his party and the great principles of freedom faithfully, on the stump, in the field of war and in the sanctum. He will take to the Gazette a degree of energy, good will, ability and experience in the things which make men valuable, excelled by none, equaled by few. His going will take from us a valuable citizen, and will add to the editorial fraternity of Wisconsin, one more bright particular star, who will, we predict, rise rapidly to that high position for which he is so fitly qualified. Yet we are satisfied that his zeal and labors for the welfare of Kock county will not prevent his taking some interest in the affairs of his old "stamping ground."