Rock County, Wisconsin - Chapter 5, 1879 (part 1 of 3)

Chapter 5

Rock County Press - Rock County Bible Society - Wisconsin Institution for the Education OF THE Blind - A gkicultuee of Rock County - Hoeticultuee and the Hoeticul- TUEAL Society- Rock County Pooe Faem - A Memoeable Tragedy - Rock County Statistics - Some of Rock County's Illustrious Dead.

Journalism and journalists are regarded by the superficial masses as necessary incidents, if not evils, to an imperfect type of civilization. Others contemplate the profession and its patrons with an indifference born of ignorance and prejudice ; regarding only the defects in one and frailties of the other, conceding consideration to neither, for services which become more prominent as the success of either becomes more pronounced.

But the newspaper, the editor, the reporter and the compositors are the Archimedean levers which move the world. Their character and doctrines fashion public opinion, and their defects and triumphs become matters of history.

Their jests may become stale and their principles exchanged by the minority for novelties of passing attraction ; their enemies may forgive and friends forget - yet through all these embargoes, through the mass of inconsistencies malevolent human nature cultivates, the universal verdict of mankind renders to their agencies, an infinite good.

Important affairs may be at times mismanaged, but they are never misunderstood, and their accomplishment is never attended by a perverted or dishonest ingenuity. There is certainly no profession or professional representative who is more entitled to the fullest complement of moral respect and admiration than journalism and the journalist. He is the weathercock of public opinion, and must be firm and upright amidst swaying interests and perilous exigencies. His thoughts must not be blinded by personal considerations, but left free to adjudicate questions of grave import to humanity, as safely and clearly and effectually as the purest Judge upon the bench. Such must the editor be - a man true to himself, his race and his God. Of such material must he be composed, if he would dictate a policy and direct an administration which will live in history as the mark and model of its time.

On Thursday, August 14, 1845, The Janesville G-azette was first issued. The pioneer paper of Rock County was at that date a small quarto of twenty-four columns, and, though typographically, and as the circulator of national. State and local news, fully equaled the most extravagant expectations, was an insignificant publication as compared with the G-azette of to-day. Since its first issue, the paper has come to be a power in Wisconsin, and enjoys a circulation (at one time measured) by thousands, among all classes of readers.

In the initial number, Messrs. Alden & Stoddard, the proprietors, introduced their venture to the citizens of Rock and Walworth Counties with the statement that "No apology and but few remarks " were " necessary in laying " their " prospectus before the public. This community," they continued, "by the lively interest it has already taken in the enterprise, has virtually demanded the establishment of a press at this place ; and it is to meet this demand that we have been induced to an undertaking that might otherwise seem extremely hazardous.

" The main features of our paper will be political, though we shall afford liberal departments to agricultural, literary and miscellaneous articles.

"We make no hesitation in declaring our party preferences. We shall fearlessly advocate the principles of the Whis Party as they have been most distinctly defined in the late Presidential contest, and yet we shall be guided by no narrow prescriptive policy in the treatment of our political opponents. We shall resort to no debasing obsequiousness to secure their smiles, but shall treat them candidly and courteously." The address concluded with an announcement that " The Q-azette would be published every Thursd^y morning," and that "The terms would be two dollars per annum in advance. Two dollars and fifty cents if not paid until the expiration of six months."

The introductory editorial overture sets forth more in detail the objects of the enterprise to be : " To relate faithfully the passing events of the day - to give our opinions on the spur of the moment, upon subjects which time has but half developed - to remark, as is frequently necessary upon individual action, perhaps in reproachful terms, and give direction, as the most humble party paper will, to political action, frequently places one in no very enviable position.

" We shall endeavor to pursue a plain, consistent course, confining ourselves to political issues fairly defined, and which were clearly set forth in the memorable struggle of '44 and preceding campaigns, reserving to ourselves the right, of course, of occasionally reviewing what we may not inaptly call the uncertain politics of the day. Should it become necessary, in our editorial intercourse with the public, to resort to personal remark, we shall endeavor to do so candidly, carefully avoiding that low abuse so frequently resorted to by political opponents.

"We oppose the Democratic party, not from any personal considerations whatever, but because we do not like their leading measures. Let them oppose us on the same terms, and we shall not complain.

" The literary selections of this paper shall be choice, and the miscellany varied and interesting enough to suit the wishes of any reasonable person.

" Under the agricultural head we shall make such selections from the standard periodicals as will be of great interest to our readers. We solicit communications from our practical farmers.

The first edition contained two columns of editorial ; one column containing the proceedings of the Territorial Whig Convention held at Madison on the 24th of July ; nine columns of literary miscellany ; considerable local and reprint; Oregon correspondence of the Springfield Journal; English and Southern correspondence of the New York Tribune; & call for the Democratic Convention in Janesville ; half a column of poetry and seven columns of advertise ments. Among the latter were those of Isaac Woodle, E. V. Whiton, Volney Atwood and F. W. Tompkins, attorneys; Lane & Lewis and A. K. Stearns, physicians; Sally & Close, tailors; E. H. Strong, dealer in tin-sheet-iron and copper ware ; M. B. Edson, dealer in drugs and medicines, also books, stationery, etc.; H. F. Pelton & Co., dealers in paints, oils, dye-stuffs, groceries, crockery, hardware, dry goods, etc. ; E. H. Bennett and Jackman & Smith, dealers in dry goods, groceries and all kinds of merchandise ; a court notice ; the Fireside Friend; George Cook, playing, visiting and blank cards, New York ; proprietors of the United States Journal; of the Western Literary Review, published in Cincinnati by E. Z. C. Judson ; of the T7'ue American, to be published in Lexington, Ky., and be devoted to gradual and constitutional emancipation, so at some definite time to place our State upon the firm, safe and just basis of liberty," and the National Pilot, a paper published in Buffalo on a "new and peculiar plan." The paper was very presentable in appearance and make-up and commanded at once a success as deserved as it must have been gratifying to Messrs. Alden & Stoddard. Mr. Alden came West from Claremont, N. H., in the fall of 1844, and, establishing himself at Janesville, began the foundation of the Gaiette, which promises to survive the days of its founder. In the fall of 1845, as has been stated, he issued the first number in conjunction with E. A. Stoddard, who came from Milwaukee and took charge of the printing and publishing. Mr. Alden remained in charge until 1856, when he severed his connection with the Giazette to engage in other pursuits. In 1857, he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, remaining in that oflBce eight years, going thence to Madison, where he accepted a position in the office of the Secretary of State, where he served five years, resigning to take charge of the editorial columns of a Madison newspaper, where he now is associate editor of the Journal.

Histoey Of Rock Coukty

With each succeeding number the list of advertisements was increased by additions, until, in the issue of September 20 following, it required ten columns to promulgate the amount and variety of business transacted weekly in the growing capital of Rock County. October 4, the National Fire Insurance Company of New York announces its readiness " to insure all kinds of property on the most reasonable terms " - the first advertisement of the kind of record in the W. H. II. Bailey acted as agent. One month later appears the advertisement of a " daily line of four-horse post coaches, from Milwaukee to Galena, through in three days." One month later still, the partnership between Alden & Stoddard was dissolved by the withdrawal of the junior partner, and thereafter the G-azette was under the exclusive control of Mr. Alden, "a gentleman well qualified by talent and education to conduct the paper in such a manner as to give satisfaction to its superiors. Mr. Alden is a true, unwavering Whig, not tinctured in the slightest degree with those corrupt and base 'political organizations," continues Mr. Stoddard in his valedictory, " which now distract some portions of our country, under the head of ' Nativism ' and 'Abolitionism.'" The issue of December 6 contains the notice of dissolution, the price current of the markets, published for the first time, and a notice that " the Rev. Mr. Wheelock (Universalist) will preach at the schoolhouse, on the east side of the river, on Saturday, the 6th inst., at early candlelight." In the following issue, December 13, the firm name of "Alden & Tompkins," as publishers, and " Henry G-. Gritton," as printer, appear, and the editor (Levi Alden), in commenting upon the change, declares that the policy of the paper and its editorial utterances shall bo as heretofore, an advocacy of " those great principles on which we set out, choosing to anchor our political faith on a well-known and well-tried conservative policy, rather than launch into the unknown sea of speculation and experiment."

The advertising increased under the new management, and such were the means employed by the dry goods, grocery, and drug programme artificers to attract patronage, that failure to do so must have been an exceptional case. As an instance, the following poetic communication to E. H. Bennett, a prominent dealer, of those days, still a citizen of Janesville, will illustrate the idea more perfectly than the pen of a ready writer :

" But things have altered very much since Bennett came to town, As he brought a splendid stock of goods and put the prices down; He sells his goods at half the price for which they once were sold, And takes all kinds of produce, but he don't refuse the gold.

" When people trade for ready pay they now can look about, And, if they look at Bennett's goods, they trade without a doubt. As he keeps the very best of goods of every style and kind, And they are sure to find the goods nnd prices exactly to their mind.

" One word to you before we part, 'Tis the true conviction of my heart, I do not say it to make you proud - But, in selling cheap, you beat the crowd."

By such esthetic fulminations and poetic phantasy were the farmer and settler persuaded to avail themselves of bargains offered about Christmas times.

On January 10, 1844, the first " list of letters remaining in the Post OfiBce of Janesville, Rock County, W. T.," was published. They numbered 146, and John L. Kimball, .then Postmaster, requests callers to remind the clerks that the letters are advertised.

May 16, 1846, the Gazette announces editorially that hostilities in Mexico have actually commenced, and condemns the paucity of numbers composing the army under Gen. Taylor. Later on, the paper deprecates discussing the causes which led to the war ; all that is left is to do that which sound policy and a love of country dictate in the present crisis. That duty was to avoid a waste of energies in mutual criminations, or in petulant fault-finding with every act of persons charged with the affairs of State. When a foreign enemy is at the gate, insists the Gazette, no sounds should be heard but the whisperings of a calm resolve to stand by the country in its hour of peril and "swear for her to live, with her to die."

On Saturday, August 22, 1846, the second volume of the Gazette was commenced with increased facilities, and an improved appearance, the paper having been enlarged one column to the page, and printed with new type on anew press. The subscription list increased, the advertising patronage appreciated, and the outlook for the paper predicted a future that has been fully realized.

In the issue of September 26, of the same year, the name of " Tompkins " disappears from the firm, that of " Grattan " being substituted, but no editorial explanation is offered. The paper continued prosperous until April 17, when its publication was suspended until May 15, or one month, due entirely to an absence of the supply of paper throughout the Territory, which obliged the publishers "to lie on our oars and wait the movements of wind and tide till paper could be transported from Buffalo." This paper came, but not until three issues had been omitted, which was the only accident, or incident, worthy of comment until the Gazette entered upon its third volume, occurring September 18, 1847, which event was -appropriately observed by the editor.

On the evenings of Wednesday and Thursday, June 7 and 8, 1848, a grand concert by the '- original band of Ethiopian serenaders," was given at the Rock County Hotel. The programme consisted of a " Medley Overture," "What's going on," "Mary Blance," 'Sing, Darkies Sing," etc, the whole concluding with "Lucy Long and a characteristic dance." The price of admission was placed at 25 cents, and purchasers of tickets were admonished that the frontseats were reserved for ladies. This was the first entertainment of the kind ever advertised in Rock County.

In the issue of June 15, the editorial column is headed with the Whig ticket, " Taylor and Fillmore," and the earnest and abiding support of those candidates published in full-face lower caps; adjoining, is the advertisement of "Raymond & Company's mammoth menagerie, and Driesbach, with his collection of lions, etc." It should be observed that in this year (1848), the electric telegraph had come to be utilized as a medium for the conveyance of news, and that the Gazette supplied its readers with many items of special interest fresh from these sources of information.

The fourth volume was begun with the issue of September 14, 1848, under the Mentorship of Levi Alden, who was announced as editor and proprietor, succeeding the firm of Alden & Gratton. The latter gentleman, having dissolved his connection with the Gazette, united his fortunes with those of a Mr. McFadden, also of that paper, and settled in Freeport, Stephenson Co., 111., where the twain began the publication of a sheet, Whig in politics and devoted to the advocacy of " Old Zack " for the Presidency. Mr. Alden continued to go it alone in his dual capacity of editor and proprietor until about December 7, following, when he formed a copartnership with Mr. Charles Holt, with whom he shared the proprietorship of the paper, as also the management of its publishing and editorial departments, through the fifth, sixth, seventh and part of the eighth volumes, participating in the triumphs and mourning the defeats of the Whig party, the principles of which he continuously and ceaselessly advocated. In the issue of December 4, 1852, the dissolution of the partnership theretofore existing between Levi Alden and Charles Holt was published, with the further announcement that the business would be conducted in the future by the last-named gentleman. " The change in the business arrangement of the Gazette would involve no change in its political or general character," he said. It would remain what it always had been, a Whig journal, advocating Whig measures, and sharing the fortunes of the Whig party, while it would aim to be an acceptable visitor to the counting-room, mechanic's shop and family circle. But this game of professional solitary reached its limit during the winter ; when spring came once more, Mr. Alden resumed his connection with the editing and publishing of the G-azette, and under this administration the tenth ' birthday of the hardy, growing and enterprising future pioneer of journalistic ventures in Rock County was celebrated. It was also under this administration that the Janes ville Daily G-azette was brought forth and nurtured into life, strength and popularity. The suckling, so to speak, first saw light on the morning of Tuesday, July 4, 1854, and was ushered into life attended by the festivities incident to the celebration of that anniversary. That the issue was well received by the citizens of Rock County, was evidenced by their personal congratulations to the editors, as also by the rapid disposition of the printed edition promulgated. The daily was continued uninterruptedly until October 7, 1854, when it suspended, owing to a lack of patronage. In the weekly issue of October 14, the reasons for this course are set forth at some length. _ The editors state that in a city of 6,000 inhabitants, and at a time of unparalleled prosperity in every department of business, less than two hundred persons have been found willing to lend their assistance in establishing a daily newspaper. The weekly was continued under the supervision of Messrs. Alden & Holt until March 17, 1855, when Mr. Alden severed his connection therewith, because, as that gentleman advised the public, the support afforded was too limited for a copartnership in the business.

In 1856, the weekly, still piloted by Mr. Holt, entered upon the eleventh volume of its record of current events, and in June of that year, adopting the principles to which the Philadelphia Republican Convention gave birth, extended a most hearty support to Fremont and Dayton, the nominees of that Convention.

In January following, the question of issuing a daily was revived, and canvassers were employed to ascertain if the enterprise would be sustained by the citizens of Janesville and vicinity. The proposition to publish a daily was received with such general favor, and the subscriptions obtained so satisfactorily, that during February it was decided to once more undertake the venture. Wjth this end in view, the printing office and subscription list of the daily and weekly Free Press was purchased by E. C. Sackett, the proprietor, the same merged into The Gazette, and thereupon,. on the 9th day of March, 1857, the Janesville Morning Gazette, quiescent since 1854, was restored to life, with Charles Holt and Hiram Bowen as editors, and an encouraging list of subscribers as sponsors for its future welfare and prosperity'. The weekly was enlarged and thereafter known to readers and cotemporaries as The Weekly Gazette and Free Press, until January 15, 1864, when the old name was restored, the form of the paper changed from folio to quarto, and numerous other improvements perfected under the direction of the then proprietors, A. M. Thomson and W. G. Roberts, who also established the. Semi- Weekly Gazette.

The daily increased in strength and usefulness under the administration of Holt & Bowen, its columns replete with news, selections and remunerative "ads.," and, having gained the highway to success, has pursued its advance in the direction of that unknown quantity to the present day.

After the issue of November 10, 1858, the name of Hiram Bowen as co-editor, disappears and until August 2, 1859, to all intents, Mr. Holt was advertised as the responsible head. On the latter date, a copartnership was formed between Charles Holt, Hiram Bowen and Daniel Wilcox, by the terms of which. Holt and Bowen assumed editorial charge of the daily and weekly, Mr. Wilcox attending to the business management, with the office, composing and press rooms in Lappin's building, corner of Main and Milwaukee streets. Holt, Bowen and Wilcox pointed the destinies of the Gazette until December, 1863, when the two first-named gentlemen disposed of their interest to A.M. Thomson, of Horicon, and W. Q. Roberts, of Milwaukee, who took possession on New Year's Day, 1864, Mr. Thomson as editor-in-chief, and Mr. Roberts as city editor, Mr. Wilcox retaining his position as business manager. In 1868, as also in 1869, Mr. Thomson was elected to represent Rock County in the Legislature, serving as Speaker of the Assembly both sessions, and maintaining his interest in the Gazette until June 30, 1870, when, after nearly 'seven years uninterrupted intercourse with his readers, he laid down the pen and grasped them by the hand to say good-bye.

During the fall of 1869, propositions looking to the formation of a stock company took shape, and, on December 29, of that year, the " Gazette Printing Company," with a capital of $18,000, was incorporated, iind the following officers elected: A. M. Thomson, President; W. G. Roberts, Secretary, with Daniel Wilcox, Treasurer ; and it was by this company that the sale referred to was made.

On the 1st of July, 1870, a sale of the Gazette, including the material, subscriptions and good will, was made to Gen. James Bintliff, R. L. Colvia and A. M. Colvin. Gen. BintlifF was elected President of the "Gazette Printing Company," A. M. Colvin, , Secretary, and R. L. Colvin, Treasurer and business manager. The new Company took possession of their franchise, and issued a salutatory in the edition of Friday. July 1, setting forth the intentions of the publishers to make the paper a faithful record of the growth and prosperity of the people, to uphold the interests of Rock County and the city of Janesville, and to maintain the principles of the Republican party. That all the pledges thus made have been fully discharged, is apparent to the casual observer in the generous patronage which has met their efforts, the respect in which the paper, as the exponent of Republicanism throughout the Northwest, is held, and from the character of the "matter " which contributes to the attractions of its daily, semi-weekly and weekly editions. As the index of local happenings, the conservator of the rights and privileges of the city, county and State, and as the formulator of public opinion, the G-azette is certainly entitled to the consideration it receives.

Gen. Bintliff occupied the editorial chair for eight years. From July, 1870, to March, 1874, he was assisted by W. S. Bowen, now editor of the Yankton Press and Dakotaian. In September, 1874, N. Smith (now editor-in-chief of the Gazette), formerly Washington correspondent of the Milwaukee Sentinel, and later, editor of the Prairie du Chien Union, succeeded Mr. Bowen and continued to occupy the position of city editor until January 1, 1878, when a'new administration succeeded, composed of Isaac Farnsworth, President ; Frank Barnett, Secretary ; E. B. Farnsworth, Treasurer. N. Smitli then became editor-in-chief and Howard W. Tilton city editor. On the 1st of March of the same year, Messrs. Barnett and E. B. Farnsworth were in turn succeeded by A. M. Colvin, Secretary, and R. L. Colvin, Treasurer, and the company, as thus officered, has remained in charge to date, with the editorial force unchanged.

Politically, as already observed, the paper is Republican of the most stalwart school. Indeed, since the exchange of its Whig principles, its advocacy of those of the Republican party has gradually become more pronounced and radical.

Under Mr. Thomson's management, the Gazette was conducted with great care and ability, and, though Republican of the straitest sect, was not blinded by party zeal, but, 'on many of the great questions of the day, was moderate and independent when compared with their treatment by cotemporaries. The same might be said of Gen. Bintliff's administration. The paper was edited ably but cautiously, and, though urging the principles of the party, he was regarded as not only not over-zealous, but disposed to conservatism and moderation. Mr. Smith, the present incumbent of the editorial chair, has made his department the feature of the paper, his editorials being regarded as fearless, outspoken and faithful expositions of the true Republican principles. The company carry on an extensive jobbing department.

In November, 1866, the paper was removed from its contracted quarters in the Lappin Block, to their present offices, Nos. 50 and 52 North Main street, where the business is carried on in all its details, requiring the services of twenty-four -hands, at a weekly cost of $250. In conclusion, it may be said that the Gazette is a worthy monument to the memory of its founders, and a trust faithfully executed by those to whom its discharge has been successively delegated.

The Roeh Oounty Recorder, daily and weekly, is the lineal descendant of a job office which, for several years prior to and during the year 1869, was prominently identified with quarters in the Lappin Block, corner of Main and Milwaukee streets, under the control of Messrs. Veeder

& St. John. While thus engaged in catering to public patronage, it occurred to these gentlemen that the field of journalism was not fully occupied in Rock County - that there was room for a breezy, newsy, crispy paper, that should, in a condensed form, supply the absence of a second record of current events - a sort of a running commentary on the accidents, incidents and measures that were constantly agitating the world and the flesh in the immediate vicinity of Janesville. Acting upon this suggestion, which had for many days besieged the outward defenses of the job office and repeatedly announced its presence to the proprietors, who began to negotiate a surrender, which was, in time, effected - they issued the original number of their journalistic venture on the 1st day of September, 1869. Thereafter, the modest job room became, as it were, an object of minor import in comparison with the business in hand ; its "rules, reglets, quoins" and other resources appertaining thereto, yielding place to the " chases, cases, imposing-stones," etc., to which were added the type and machinery connected therewith. Preparations for the issue were completed some time in August, but it was desired to postpone publication until the day appointed by its founders, September 1st, the interim being devoted to perfecting plans and listening to suggestions from the thousand and one " public spirits," who, upon similar occasions, arrogate to themselves the capacity to manage a metropolitan daily, and unbosom their views without regard to the issue joined. Intermingled with these, also, was the band of self-appointed Cassandras, who predicted the failure of the undertaking at a day measured by weeks, arguing from premises convincing to themselves, the irresistible conclusion that, before the holidays had come, the new weekly would be as a tale that is told. The politics and the name of the paper were also subjects of solicitude and speculation. The former was disposed of by the proprietors, who decided for an independent policy, and the latter by a young lady of the town of Rock, who christened the offspring the JRoch County Recorder " sending it forth "the standard-bearer of truth, justice and humanity." The projectors of the enterprise realized that their success rested with the public. On their part they pledged themselves to spare no effprt to deserve support and patronage. Many had encouraged the undertaking by depicting, in glowing colors, the rapid increase in the population of city and county, and the growth of the business and manufacturing interests, as indicating a time favorable to the issue of a new sheet, that should cover all sources of information and "the people's right maintain, unawed by influence or unbribed by gain." Independence should characterize its utterances, though ail questions would be discussed fairly and without prejudice, and, while plain and outspoken, they should be governed by firmness in the right, as God gave them to see the right.

Squabbles and personalities would be avoided ; literafy pugilism was no more respectable than physical ; a scolding match in the newspapers no more respectable than the billingsgate of a fish market ; not only the opposite of features essential to journalism, bat discreditable to the character of the newspaper press. There were times, however, when it was cowardly to decline a controversy on the ground of a desire for peace. In view of such a contingency, Polonius' advice to Laertes was adopted, and, while cautious of " entrance to a quarrel, but being in," they would bear it, that the opposer would beware of them in the future. With such guarantees and admonitions, the Recorder salaamed to an expectant public, launched its journalistic bark on the tide of time, and began a weekly existence that has gathered strength with each succeeding issue.

The new dispensation from the press to the people was well received by its subscribers, and its brethren of the " pen," with kindly hearts, extended a cordial welcome upon its arrival among them.

The paper indeed deserved the congratulations offered, and its initial numbers were worthy the patronage they received. They were folios 24x36, seven columns to the page, printed in long primer and brevier, and presented an appearance in all the features that go to commend a paper to public regard, that proved all persuasive. The first page was devoted to poetical and literary selections, short stories, brief anecdotes and reprint ; the second page contained the salutatory, editorials and editorial brevities, correspondence, telegraphic and miscellaneous news ; the third page comprehended local notes, advertisements, etc., and the fourth page, advertisements and paragraphs. The news was spicy, and prepared with a cunning hand that vindicated the superiority of the " pen '' as a means of communication ; the selections were well-timed and entertaining ; the headlines " pat" and to the point, and the general makeup so ordered that all who can might read.

At first, Messrs. Veeder & St. John not only published the Recorder, but collected and prepared the locals, beside setting them up ; drafted the editorials, skimmed the exchanges for items of interest, canvassed the political situation, read and revised lucubrations from the many who, by the midnight oil, in a poetic frenzy, so to speak, write themselves down asses of the most pronounced type, and weary the editor in a vain endeavor to tickle his credulity the whisperings of fancy ; these and other indispensable duties Messrs. Veeder & St. John discharged, beside providing the financial oil to lubricate the motive, power. This they did until the obligation became too onerous, when Col. Charles W. McHenry was procured to distribute editorial condiments, and Frank S. Lawrence to dispose of local and rural history.

The arrangement, however, after continuing less than three months, was dissolved by Col. McHenry's withdrawal, when the names of G. Veeder and S. S. St. John once more greeted the inquiring glance of patrons, at the head of the editorial page. The labors were arduous, the demand upon the time and patience of each excessive, yet nothing was wanting to render each department of the Recorder in the last degree complete and attractive. Independence was manifested in every branch save the political. But as an independent political organ, the Recorder maintained its ascendency for a length of time remarkable only for its brevity. Within two months after the issue of the 'first number, the paper was changed from professedly independent to radically Republican, uncompromising and exacting. A new revelation was opened up to the publishers in their brief experience ; close communion had resolved them to the conclusion that the principles of Republicanism were just, and true and right, embodying the education of the people, the encouragement of every charitable sentiment and noble work. The virtue of the principles and their worth to the Republic had been vindicated by the party's control of the National Government for nine years, during which time that party had made a history that would stand in all ages as a beacon light of liberty to the world. In addition to variety in their political columns, the local and general notes were " written up " in a style that has generally obtained with the city press of late years, and met with approval. They were short, pithy, clean cut, and devoid of ambiguity. An occasional letter from Chicago and other prominent points, detailing a quality of news of interest to the, general reader, was published weekly and divided space with the sermon of a leading divine.

The partnership between Veeder & St. John was continued for three years, which were years of profit, the paper fully realizing to its projectors and the public all that had been promised in its prophetic infancy. Early in 1871, Mr. St. John decided to join the innumerable throng of young men en route to the West, and, dissolving his partnership with Mr. Veeder, proceeded thitherward, finally establishing himself at Kearney Junction, Neb., where he has remained ever since, discharging the duties of land agent, insurance solicitor, farmer and editor, as circumstances demanded.

Mr. Veeder carried on the paper after the withdrawal of Mr. St. John, unaided for upward of a year, furnishing a readable, sought-after journal, and deserving a patronage that was not slow to respond.

The fourth volume was commenced under the most favorable auspices, and, during its continuance, the Recorder was enlarged to a folio, 28x42, with nine columns to the page, printed in brevier and nonpareil. The same success which had attended the early beginnings of the paper under partnership influences, continued with and stood by Mr. Veeder when alone. Yet the duties were too exacting, and could be more easily disposed of with assistance, hence the sale of a half-interest in the ofiice, which was effected, to W. H. Leonard, formerly editor of the Charles City (Iowa) Intelligencer, on the 1st of July, 1873, since which date he has remained in possession of what he considers a most valuable property.

On Monday morning, March 11, 1878, the Recorder was intrDcluced to the public as a '' daily." No apology was vouchsafed for the appearance of the infant, as in the households of well regulated families none was expected. The issue was small, of course, and had little to say. But it resembled its parents, and expected to grow with Veeder & Leonard to care for its wants, G. F. Selleck as " nurse, and Matt. Morris as maid of all work," supplemented by public encouragement. At first, its "dress" consisted of the "garments" fashioned for its parent in years past ; but they were soon after substituted by the latest fashion, from the hands of typographical artists, and presented an appearance decidedly attractive.

The field for a morning daily was clear, its necessity apparent and pressing, and the Daily Recorder, equaling in all its features reasonable expectations, sprang at once into universal favor with readers as also with the profession, its sisters and its cousins and its aunts.

The editorial columns were " made up " of brief, pungent paragraphs; those devoted to local affairs were complete and "snappy," the telegrams general and special, and a considerable space appropriated to the occupation of remunerative " ads " - in short, the sixteen columns were filled with refreshing, appetizing " short-stops," calculated to excite the mirthful and intellectual.

Politically, the daily essayed a new departure from the weekly. The support of the paper Was not dependent upon the patronage of Republicans or Democrats exclusively ; that support came from all sides, and the paper had " no bones to pick " with, or severe remarks to apply to any candidate. As a consequence, it decided to pursue a policy of independence, using the elections and the claims of party representatives as items of news.

In a remarkably brief space of time, the child waxed strong - subscriptions were numerous, and the circulation in two months increased from "nominal," to express it commercially, to 700 and upward. In seventy days from its first appearance, the Daily Recorder put away its childish things and " dressed up ; " put on a " new hat, offered houses to rent," and "money to loan," and began to assunje the dignity that comes with age and experience. In other words, the Size of the paper was increased by the addition of four columns, the quality and quantity of its news appreciated, and those who had in its infancy regarded the fortune of the paper as doubtful, welcomed the " lad," and rejoiced that their prophetic utterances had failed of results.

This progress and gratifying success is the reward which should in every instance attend deserving merit, but does not. The case in hand is an exception.

The daily is now as pronounced a feature of every-day life in Janesville as the most ambitious, enterprising and widely read metropolitan journal. Already has it been found that the twenty columns comprising its comprehensive make-up are not sufficient to supply the demand of subscribers, and, on the 8th of September, 1879, the Daily Recorder was, for the second time in its existence of one and a half years, again enlarged by the addition of four columns and the lengthening of the others.

The Janesville Recorder has now been in existence ten years ; from small beginnings it has come to be a power, and exerts an influence as pronounced as it is widespread. The promises made by its projectors have been faithfully observed, and to-day it prospers, while those who, a decade past, predicted its transient existence, have long since fallen by the wayside.

On the 30th of November, 1878, the offices in Lappin's Block were exchanged for cozy quarters at No. 2 West Milwaukee street, where the management, in addition to other improvements, utilize the water power of Rock River to run their machinery, as a safe and economical substitute for steam.

The editorial force consists of the proprietors, with Gr. F. Selleck in charge of the local, requiring the services of eight compositors to get the paper to press and issue the daily edition.

The Janesville Times, daily and weekly, was also brought forth, nursed and established in the Lappin building. It was first issued as a six-column weekly, by A. 0. Wilson, in

August, 1869, as an experiment only, the Janesville Democrat having retired from the field, and chatiged its base of operations to Dodge County, about two months previous. Locally, and as the disseminator of general news, the Times was in no respect inferior to either of its competitors ; politically, it was Democratic of the most pronounced and unmistakable character. The success of what was, in the first instance, issued as a carnpaign paper, must have been conceded, for in September, 1869, or within two months from the date of its first publication, it was found necessary to increase its size and effect other improvements, to compete advantageously with rivals during the exciting campaign of that year, when, as will be remembered, the Times represented the interests and claims of Charles D. Robinson, of Green Bay, the Democr^,tic candidate for Governor, in opposition to Lucius Fairchild, the Republican nominee for re-election.

At the close of the campaign, business had increased, and, as the editor announced, many having paid a year's subscription in advance, it was decided to continue the publication of the paper indefinitely.

The first number of the paper was issued from the office of the Janesville Recorder ; the subsequent numbers from the office of the Northern Farmer, on West Milwaukee street, where their publication was continued until November 16, 1870, when the office of the Farmer was seized, suppressed and sold out by the Sherifi", necessitating the temporary suspension of the Times, or, until office material could be purchased, and the paper again started under auspices that would protect its interests from further embarrassments.

Arrangements were concluded without unnecessary delay, and, on March 30, 1871, this index of Democracy in Rock County, having returned to Lappin's building, was once more launched into existence from its own office, the press-work being done at the Recorder office, at that time adjoining tbe Times, in Lappin's Block.

On May 17, 1877, Wilbur H. Tousley bought a half-interest in the paper, and in June of the same year, it was again enlarged, this time to an eight-column sheet. The paper has since been carried on under the firm name of Wilson & Tousley, who have added a complete job-office outfit, to which the office was a stranger hitherto, and made other improvements and additions of the most valuable character, including the purchase of an improved Campbell power press.

Less than a year ago, the Times put forth the third daily published in Janesville and the only daily, Democratic in politics, which has been published in that immediate vicinity for years. The undertaking, though encountering difficulties in the outset, Eas attained a most popular success, the result alone of intrinsic merit. It is a folio, comprehending but four columns to the page,, yet containing all the news in a concise and readable style ; abounds with witty brevities, caustic paragraphs that take hold and "bite," and editorials sharp and to the point, all teeming with Democratic sentiments sufficiently plain to indicate to readers that their authors are neither journalistic trimmers nor believers in the doctrine that the principles of Repub^ licanism are just and true, and right, nor patrons of the ."Independent", school of journalism, which has given birth to pretentious sheets devoid of claims predicated upon merit.

The office of the Times, unlike its predecessors, notwithstanding success, continues an occupant of its commodious quarters in the Lappin building, a prophet honored in its own land, and esteemed by its cotemporaries, with a life of usefulness and profit before it, of great promise.

The circulation of the weekly is estimated at one thousand copies ; that of the daily (which, by the way, is sold for 1 cent each), about half that number, and, while in a locality so largely Republican, no Democratic paper can hope to monopolize all the business, yet the Times publishers are satisfied with their very liberal share. " Man never is, but always to be blest," hence in the vicissitudes of past years of struggle and political tempest, there lingers still the reflection of a journalistic goal, to which the aims and aspirations of the Times publishers bend as readily as the willow to the storm, only to arise again when calms return.

In addition to the papers above cited, which have survived all reverses, there were a number of beginnings, which succumbed to circumstances or lack of patronage, and are now remembered in connection with their failure. Among them was the Democratic Standard, established by Gen. G. W. Cabb in 1846, and managed by that gentleman until 1848, when it was transferred to Charles S. Jordan, issued two or three numbers prior to its suspension, which occurred in the fall of that year. March 1, 1849, the paper was revived by John A. Brown and A. T. Gray, who published it under the title of Rock Qovnty Badger. October 20, 1860, Mr. Gray retired and was succeeded by Gen. Crabb, when the name oi the sheet was again changed to Badger State, and published by Crabb & Brown, May 17, 1851. In October following, a new paper, called the Democratic Standard, was started by Dr. Mitchell, into which the Badger State was merged. Gen. Crabb acting as editor until April 1, 1852, when he gave way to Dr. Mitchell, who, in turn, yielded precedence to D. C. Brown. and A. T. Gray. Mr. Gray was succeeded by J. C. Bunner, who resigned February 21, 1855, and Mr. Brown continued the paper, aided by James Armstrong until 1856, when the paper was discontinued. The Standard was Democratic.

The Free Press was issued January 6, 1853, by an association of Free Democrats, composed in part of J. M. Burgess, J. Baker, R. B. Treat, 0. Guernsey. E. A. Rowland and others, Mr. Baker acting as editor. On the 10th of October, 1853, W. M. Doty purchased an interest in the Press, which was published under the firm name of Baker & Doty until June 7, 1855, when Mr. Baker became sole owner, and so remained until October following, when G. B. Burnett and Andrew J. Hall bought him out. Subsequently, they sold to E. C. Sackett, w!io sold to the Gazette, into which the Press was finally merged as above stated.

The Battering-Bam, a Free Soil campaign paper, the Wisconsin Farmer, Wisconsin Home, Educational Journal, Family Messenger, Erhigranten (Norwegian), Monitor and Northern Farmer all ran the gauntlet of a varied experience, finally dissolving from view, leaving no trace behind to guide the historian in search of records.

A new England community to which churches and schools were a necessity^ naturally found it impossible to get along without newspapers, and, accordingly, soon after Beloit had arrived at the dignity of an incorporated village, it had its first publication of this kind in the Beloit Messenger, published by Cooley & Civer, issued on the 4th of September, 1846. The paper was neutral in politics, and, for this, or some other potential reason, was only short-lived. Whatever may have been the cause, the interest felt in this paper by the community must have been slight, as the most laborious and patient search was unable to discover a file or to obtain any positive information as to the date of its final suspension.

Nor was this lack of interest or appreciation confined to the Messenger. The fact of the existence of many other papers in later years was clearly established, but only faint traces of their existence is discoverable beyond the knowledge of some of the citizens that such or such a paper had at one time been published in the city. They had budded, blossomed and died, leaving nothing behind to tell the story of the causes or circumstances which led to their decease. Files were undiscoverable, and the only means or proof of their existence were the memories of their old-time patrons.

The next paper was the Beloit Journal, the first number of which was issued by Stokes & Briggs, on the 29th of June, 1848. This paper was a weekly, published in the interest of the Whig party, with J. R. Briggs as editor, and, with Various changes of name and proprietors, has been continuously published down to the present time, and still lives and flourishes vigorously as the Beloit Free Press. In the fall of 1848, it passed under the sole control of J. B. Briggs, Jr., who carried it on alone until September, 1849, when he formed a partnership with C. G. Foster, of Troy, N. Y. In May, 1854, Foster purchased the interest of his partner, Briggs, who had been elected to the Legislature, and continued the publication of a Republican paper until August, 1855, when he sold out to A. Paine, J., J. Bushnell and Lucius G. Fisher, who, under the firm name of A. Paine & Co., published it for a few weeks only, when they sold out to H. L. Devereux. In January, 1856, Devereux formed a partnership with B. E. Hale, who assumed charge of the editorial department. On the 22d of May, 1856, the paper appeared under the name of B. E. Hale alone, but the columns of the paper gave no explanation of the change. February 19, 1857, B. B. Hale & Co. are announced as the publishers and proprietors, but no information is vouchsafed as to the names of the individuals constituting the "Co."

During this year, 1857, DeLorma Brooks started a weekly Democratic paper, called the Herald, and shortly after that N. 0. Perkins published the first number of another Republican paper, the Beloit Times, and the two publishers effected an arrangement whereby the Democratic Herald was printed on one side of the sheet and the Republican Times on the other, the respective editors being entirely independent of each other. It was claimed that this innovation would supply the reader with both sides of the political discussion of the day at the expense of a single paper. Some wit of the day gave this double-barreled publication the name "The Satinet paper." D. P. Hinckling was associated for a short time with Mr. Brooks in the conduct of the Herald. Mr. Perkins ultimately bought out Mr. Brooks, and, becoming the sole proprietor of the Herald, chang-ed the name of the paper to the Beloit Courier about January 1, 1860, associating with himself Barrett H. Smith, the firm being Perkins k Smith, with A. P. Waterman and Wright k Newcomb as silent partners^

1859, when it was transferred to William B. Hale and Horatio Pratt, with H. Pratt as editor. The next change of proprietors occurred in 1860, when Hale retired, and the paper passed under the control of H. Pratt & Co., the firm consisting of Horatio Pratt and James A. White.

The field, however, was hardly large enough for two Republican papers, and, after some little negotiation, an arrangement was reached, under which they were consolidated under the name of the Journal and Qourier, the managers being Perkins & Smith, the firm consisting of N. 0. Perkins and B. H. Smith, the name of N. 0. Perkins appearing as editor. A paragraph at the head of the editorial columns of the first issue of the Journal and Courier, April 5,

1860, announces the consolidation, without explanation or comment. In their issue of October 31, 1861, Messrs. Perkins & Co. inform their readers that, owing to the " falling off in their foreign advertisements," the paper was reduced in size from eight to seven columns. Just one week later, viz., on November 7, 1861, the valedictory of N. 0. Perkins appears, announcing the transfer of the Journal and Courier to Barrett H. and Lathrop B. Smith, and from this time the name of the editor disappears from the head of the editorial columns. On the 22d of January, 1863, Lathrop E. Smith retired, and the paper was carried on by Barrett H. Smith alone. April 21, 1864, a " card to the public " informs the readers of the Journal and Courier that B. H. Smith has terminated his connection with the paper, and designates Mr. A. Paine as his successor. The salutatory of the new management announces that the paper will be tied to no "political party, but patriotically earnest for the suppression of the rebellion and the extermination of that 'sum of all villainies' which has been its cause " The issue of May 5 following contains an editorial exulting in the fact that "the inside and outside" of the paper are both printed in its own office. June 9, the compound name is dropped, and the paper re-appears as the Beloit Journal, an editorial explaining that " the double name was appropriate while the fusion of the two newspaper offices was a recent fact; but so much time has now elapsed since the union that the historical significance of the compound title has ceased to be important."

In February, 1866, Chalmers IngersoU started the Beloit Free Press, which not long after absorbed the Journal by purchase. In the summer of 1869, IngersoU sold out to M. Frank & Co., by whom the old name of the paper, the Journal, was revived. In the succeeding winter, the paper changed proprietors again, the purchasers being T. 0. Thompson and J. B. Dow, and in the fall of 1870, the latter gentleman tranferred his interest to B. D. Coe.

In the spring of 1870, Mr. Ehrman, in conjunction with a young man named Leland as editor, started the publication of the Semi- Weeldy Register, which struggled on for a few months only, and was numbered among the journalistic enterprises that have failed.

September 21, 1870, Chalmers IngersoU and N. 0. Perkins resurrected the Free Press, the firm being IngersoU & Perkins for about three months, when another change occurred.

whereby Chalmers Ingersoll became sole proprietor and N. 0. Perkins and Chalmers Ingersoll editors. During the spring of 1871, the Free Press again absorbed the Journal, Mr. Thompson retiring wholly from the business and Mr. Cos acquiring a half-interest in the Free Press. The new partners, Ingersoll & Coe, published the Free Press until the following fall, when Ingersoll bought out Coe. Perkins continued as editor until the winter of 1872-73, when he accepted a position on the stafif of the Milwaukee Sentinel, leaving Mr. Ingersoll sole editor and proprietor.

In May, 1873, Henry F. Hobart, who had been publishing a quarterly called the Beloit Orescent for a year or two previous, became associate editor of the Free Press. In March of the following year, Mr. Hobart bought a half-interest in, the business, and the paper was conducted by Ingersoll & Hobart, as editors and proprietors, until March, 1877, when Mr. Hobart became sole proprietor by purchase, and the proprietorship has bieen unchanged to the present time.

The Daily Free Press was started by Henry F. Hobart, February 1, 1879, as a fourcolumn folio, with Albert F. Ayer as local reporter, and the publication is still continued without alteration in size or " make-up." This paper was the continuation of the Daily Phonograph, which was first issued from the Free Press office, August 7, 1878, and merged into the Free Press six months later. The Phonograph was edited and published by J. W. Gary, George E. Farrar and W. H. Ingalls, in connection with the proprietor of the Free Press, until the 10th of September, when the latter became its sole proprietor, with Mr. Farrar as editor, which position he retained until the December following.

The Graphic is an eight-page, five-column weekly, the first number of which appeared on the 13th of January, 1877, with F. E. Fillmore and W. D. Mathews as editors and proprietors- The salutatory expresses the customary belief that another local paper is needed, announces that it will be Democratic, politically, but when the party is in the wrong it shall use its best eiForts for its purification and correction, and concludes with the assertion that the grand aim of the paper will be to chronicle all the events of interest and importance which occur in Beloit and the vicinity.

Early in 1878, Mr. Mathews withdrew from the paper and went to Monroe where he took charge of the Reformer. Mr Fillmore continued the paper alone until his death in December, 1878, when the business was purchased by Messrs. 0. H. Brand and C. B. Case, who conducted it as a "straight-out" Democratic paper. August 13, 1879, Mr. Case sold his interest to Mr. Brand.

In November, 1853, when college journalism was in its infancy, was established the Beloit College Monthly, edited by J. A. Brewster, Alexander Kerr and II. L. Marsh, with a publishing committee consisting of Edward F. Hobart, Sterne Rogers, Fayette S. Hatch, George Hicks and J. A. Johnson. The salutatory of the editors was brief and to the point : " Oueselves. - We enter upon our editorial duties and relations panoplied with modesty and self-reliance. We shall endeavor not to allow the one to merge into abject humility, or the other into odious egotism. Having, as we think, a proper appreciation of our position, we shall strive to fulfill its requirements to the best of our ability. Need we say more ? " In the first issue, on a topic, then of allabsorbing interest, appeared the following: "Married, on the 14-th inst., by the G. & C. U. Railroad, Beloit, Wis., and The Rest of the World. It is anticipated that the union will be a happy and advantageous one to both parties." The Monthly v as, published by a Publication Society until the winter of 1872, when that Society was merged in the Archaean Union. The numerous periodicals received by the Monthly in exchange, were put in a reading-room, to the benefits of which all the members of the Society in good standing were entitled. This readingroom has been a flourishing institution for many years, and is now supported from the same sources and in the same manner. It has on its file many valuable and leading newspaper and magazine periodicals of the country, and upward of seventy-five college exchanges. On the 18th of September, 1875, the Monthly appeared, merged with the Round Table, a journal founded by VV. H. Carr, Booth M. Malone and J. A. Truesdell, all members of the Class of 77. The Round Table and College Monthly (as the publication was from that time called, in order to preserve the name and prestige of the older journal) was published semi-monthly, under the new management, and was successful from the start. The next year, the Class of '77 arranged with the Archaean Society to assume the publication of the Round Table, and, the year next following, the management of the paper reverted to the Society, and was edited by a board of editors^ elected by it. The Monthly is one of the oldest college periodicals in the country, haying 1 een continuously published fronv the date of its establishment to the present time, and yielding to the Tale Literary Magazine alone in point of age. The literary position of the Round Table has not beon uncertain in the ranks of college journalism, the leading college papers in the East according to it the distinction of being the model college journal in the West. The Harvard Advocate, in 1876, said of the Round Table that it bore the same relation to the college press of the West that the New York Nation bears to the general press.

The first paper published at this place was the Evansville Citizen, a four-page, seven-column weekly on the " patent inside " plan, issued January 3, 1866, with the name of J. A. Hoxie as editor and proprietor. The salutatory announces the intention of the publisher to be, "to furnish the people of Evansville and vicinity with a home, family newspaper, mainly devoted to local matters and interests," such a paper being demanded by the rapid growth of the village and its environs. "In politics, we are of course Republican, in the true meaning of the word, and believe in the equal rights of mankind. But no man has, or can have in the nature of things, a right to do wrong. * * * hold the broadest freedom consistent with our obligations." The first number contained ab;ut two columns of editorial matter, about the same quantity of local items, six columns of advertisements, and the remainder miscellany. The Citizen was published continuously under the same proprietorship through the first and second volumes. The first number of the third volume (January 15, 1868) gave evidence of increasing prosperity, in fourteen columns of advertisements, and the announcement of immediate removal to a new and more commodious ofiice. The issue of October 7, of the same year, contained the valedictory of J. A. Hoxie, and the salutatory of C. W. Baker, who announced himself "a Radical." With the issue of December 30 following, tlie Citizen ceased to exist, but there is no notice of an intended suspension, or explanation of the causes which rendered it advisable or necessary.

For about fifteen months from the date last mentioned, Evansville appears to have been without a newspaper, but on Tuesday, March 15, 1870, the first number of the Evansville Revieiv appeared with the name of J- A. Hoxie, the founder of the Citizen, at the head of its columns as editor and proprietor, who announced in his salutatory that the paper will be the earnest advocate of the Republican party and of the cause of temperance. The new paper presented a marked change in "make-up," as the printers denominate the arrangement of the matter, as compared with the Citizen. The first page contained nothing but reading matter - three columns original and four selected ; the second and third pages were all selected miscellany, and the fourth page had two columns of local matter, the remaining five being taken up with advertisements. The issue of April 20 contained the charter of the Evansville & State Line Railroad. June 29th, the title of the paper appeared at the head of the editorial columns as the Citizen- Review, and the number of the volume was changed from one to six. April 26, 1871, the editor congratulated himself and his readers upon the fact that the paper was "wholly of home production " - that is, that both sides were "set up" and printed in his own office. This experiment appears to have been unsatisfactory, however, for, ten weeks later, July 5, the "patent inside" plan was returned to, upon economic grounds. On the 13th of September of this year, in announcing the completion of "another half-year volume," the editor regretfully announces that

" circumstances compel a suspension, but for what period, our patrons and business men must be consulted, rather than our own feelings. * * * Wg have sums varying from a few cents to dollars, due us all over the country ; separately they are small, but in the aggregate they control our present condition ;" and closes with the expression of a hope that the citizens may decide favorably to a continuation of the publication. It would appear that this direct appeal to the amour propre of the citizens was measurably successful, as the " suspension " was limited to two weeks, the next issue of the paper being dated October 4.

From this time forward, the course of the Review seems to have been free from many of the embarrassments which had attended its publication, and the close of the thirteenth volume, April 23, 1879, contains the valedictory of J. A. Hoxie, announcing his retirement after thirteen years of almost continuous service. The first number of Volume XIV, dated April 30, 1879, bears the name of J. ±5. Jones as editor and publisher. In his salutatory, the new proprietor states his purpose to be simply to make a good local paper ; it will be Republican in politics, but- temperate and courteous in discussing political questions. His religious views, he maintains, are his own, and, as he shall not interfere with the opinions of others, hopes they will not meddle with his. The paper has continued under the same management to the present time, and may be regarded as one of the permanently established institutions of the county.

- The College Journal, as its name implies, is a record of events specially interesting to a class (college students and graduates), and a medium for the discussion of thoughts and topics directly connected with their lives. It is, in short, designed to be a literary periodical rather than a general newspaper.

The first number appeared March 15, 1878, with the following staff: Editors, Samuel Plautz, W. E. Hemphill, Ira Flagler ; business manager, Charles M. Morse ; published monthly throughout the college year, at $1 per annum, in advance, by the Journal Company. This first issue contains articles on the " Spelling Reform," a boy's account of his " Troubles with a Diary," " The Development of Self-hood," other selected and contributed articles, some brief editorial matter, local and personal paragraphs, and one page of advertisements.

The fifth number shows that Mr. Flagler has retired from the editorial staff", presents the names of C. E. Crandall and Miss M. J. Haven, as new acquisitions, and substitutes the name of W. W. Clarke for Charles M. Morse, as business manager.

The eighth number, dated December 18, 1878, adds a book review department to those previously existing. By the tenth number the editorial was both longer and more diversified, and the publication has been continued upon substantially the same basis, by the same staff", down to the present time.

On the first day of August, 1852, Articles were filed in the oflBce of the Secretary of State, at Madison,'for the incorporation of the " Scandinavian Printing Association," in "Bornitz,"inthe town of Avon, the Association consisting of A. C. Preus, J. F. Dietrichzen, H. A. Preus, J. D. Reymert and Ever Ingebregtson. The object was to aid emigration of their countrymen. To that end they printed some pamphlets and also a small newspaper, called the -Ewz^rawtew, which. was published afterward for a year, at Janesville ; removed to Madison in 1858 ; and is now published in La Crosse.

Clinton Juncton

In years past, many attempts were made by ambitious writers to become the censors of public and private acts, in Clinton, through the medium of a newspaper, but it was not until November 12, 1874, that the attempt was realized. On that date, Messrs. Chet M. Whitman and Curtiss M. Treat brought out the first number of the Clinton Independent, their names appearing at the head of the column as editors and proprietors. No change took place until July, 1875, when Mr. Treat purchased Mr. Whitman's interest at a good figure. He continued to run it alone, its politics being of a " soft-money " tendency, until November 15, 1878, when he sold out to Messrs. P. H. & H. S. Swift, for $1,200. Upon assuming charge, they pulled it out of the slough of Greenback principles into which it had fallen, and enlisted under the banner of Republicanism. At that time, it was a seven-column folio, but, on June 1, 1879, they enlarged it a column, and gave their readers a thoroughly good weekly, a course of procedure which may be likened unto casting bread upon the waters, inasmuch as it has returned after many days in the form of a largely increased circulation.

. The first newspaper published in the village was the Milton Messenger, a journal " run " by Miss Mary Spencer, but it was short-lived, and gave place to the Milton Register, the first number of which appeared on June 6, 1878, the head of the editorial column announcing that Mr. J. S. Badger was responsible, as proprietor, for the ideas and remarks contained therein. When it first appeared it was a four-column quarto, but on March 13, 1879, was increased to five-column quarto - its present size. It is, and always has been, an exponent of Republican ideas, and is under the same proprietorship as when first started.

In connection with it is printed the Temperance Herald, a small monthly, of which B. J. Curtis is editor, which is run in the interests of the Sons of Temperance, and is claimed to be the only paper in the exclusive interest of that body in the Northwest.

On December 4, 1874, Messrs. W. F. & F. E. Towsley commenced the publication of the Wisconsin Tohaoco Reporter, a seven-column paper (24x36) devoted to the interests of Edgerton in general and tobacco in particular. In 1878, Mr. W. F. Towsley purchased his brother's interest, and now controls the whole. It is a weekly, with no politics, and has a circulation of about six hundred copies per week ; together with a complete jobbing outfit, it is valued at $3,000.

This Society was organized on May 16, 1848, at a meeting of citizens held at the Court House. The first officers were : Rev. Hiram Foote, of Janesville, President ; B. Durham, of Beloit, Vice President ; W. Hughes, of Janesville, Secretary ; James Sutherland, of Jahesville, Treasurer and Depositary. Directors - Rev. Wesley Lattin, J. B. Doe and B. Herring. The Society is auxiliary to the American Bible Society of New York. From 12,000 to 15,000 copies of Bibles and Testaments, in the English, French, German, Danish and Welsh languages, have been sold or donated in Rock County since the organization of the Society. A great number of destitute persons are supplied with the Scriptures. Those making annual donations to the Society are members of the same. The present ofiicers are as follows : H. S. Hogoboom, President; Capt. E. Ruger, Vice President; John Rexford, Secretary; James Sutherland, Treas^ urer and Depositary. Directors - H. S. Bliss, J. H. Kinney, A. J. Hendrickson, W. G, Wheelock and H. Mofiit.

No more appropriate monument to the memory of the individuals who founded this institution can ever be erected than the imposing structure as it now stands, overlooking, from a prominent elevation, the thrifty city of Janesville, reflecting its shadow upon the placid waters of Rock River ; no more fitting epitaph written than this : "Founders of the Wisconsin Institution for the Education of the Blind." The benevolent motives of these men are plainly marked in the records of their early struggles to prevent the removal of the institution from .Janesville. Racine, Milwaukee and Madison parties sought it as a speculation while it was in private hands, and did not cease their efforts until it became the property of the 'State and was permanently located in Janesville by an act of the Legislature. The citizens of Janesville have regarded it in the light of an inheritance, and look upon its success with peculiar satisfaction. In the twenty-fifth annual report of the Board of Trustees of the institution is given a historical review of its work. Prior to the 27th of August, 1849, and before the establishment of any benevolent institution in this State, the subject of establishing a school for the education of the blind in the then village of Janesville had received some attention from the residents of the village. On the 27th day of August, a public meeting of the citizens of Janesville was held at the Court House for the purpose of adopting some measures looking to the establishment of such a school. The meeting was presided over by the Hon. A. Hyatt Smith, the Rev. Hiram Foote acting as Secretary. There was present at this meeting, by invitation, Mr. J. T. Axtell, a recent graduate of the Ohio Institution for the Education of th« Blind. Being himself a blind man, he made an impressive appeal in behalf of those who, like himself, were deprived of vision ; explained the methods of instruction, and proposed to remain and assist in establishing a school, provided the citizens would contribute the necessary funds. For the purpose of raising the money required, a subscription list was circulated, of which the following is a copy :

The undersigned agree to pay to the Trustees of the Wisconsin Academy for Instruction of the Blind, the amounts by us respectively subscribed hereto, for the purpose of founding a school in the village of Janesville for the instruction of blind persons resident in Wisconsin, and the purchase of the necessary apparatus for the instruction of six such persons. We also agree to pay the said amounts in installments, as follows : One-fourth on the 1st day of November next ; one-fourth every three months thereafter.

With the funds raised by this subscription, a few pupils were gathered, and a school opened in a house owned by Capt. Ira Miltimore, on the right bank of Rock River, near what is known as the Monterey Bridge. It was the first benevolent institution in the State of Wisconsin. Mr. Axtell took charge of the school, and such was the progress of the blind pupils that in February of the next year, those under whose fostering care the school had been organized and carried forward, consented to take them to Madison and give an exhibition of their progress and methods of instruction before the Legislature then in session. So satisfactory was this exhibition to that body, that on the following morning, for the purpose of aiding in sustaining the school thus founded, it passed, under a suspension of the rules, an act incorporating the school. The first section of the act named A. Hyatt Smith, Hiram Foote, Ira Miltimore, Levi Alden, Jarius C. Fairchild and William A. Barstow as Trustees, and gave them corporate powers. The second and third sections are as follows :

Sec. '2. The object a*nd duty of this corporation shall be to continue and maintain the School for the Education of the Blind established in .Janesville, nnd to qualify, as far as may be, that unfortunate class of persons for the enjoyment of the blessings of a free government, obtaining the means of subsistence, and the discbarge of those duties, social and political, devolving upon American citizens.

Sec. 3. The school shall be continued in or near Janesville, and the corporation shall, as early us practicable, purchase a suitable lot of ground containing not less than ten acres nor moj'e than twenty acres, and proceed to erect thereon suitable buildings, and make such improvements as are necessary for the school.

In 1850, the school was transferred to the residence of Mrs. H. Hunter, on Jackson street, and she became the Matron thereof. It was continued at the residence of Mrs. Hunter until the 1st of June, 18.52, when the new building on the present grounds of the institution was completed, and the school removed to it.

The State was saved the cost of the grounds, Capt. Ira Miltimore very generously donating ten acres of land on the southerly bank of Rock River, about one mile southwest from the then village of Janesville, upon which the buildings of the institution were erected.

The structure erected in 1851-52 soon became insufficient for the needs of the school, and was used as a wing to a main building, which was completed in 1860.

In a few years, the continued growth of the school required another enlargement, and the wing which was the original building, having become unsafe, was torn down and replaced by one larger, and built in a substantial manner. This was done in 1868-69. The building thus enlarged was expected to provide for the wants of the school for at least a score of years, but, on the 13th of April, 1874, this proud monument to pioneer enterprise was laid low in

The 13th of April, 1874, will be remembered in the annals of this institution as the date of the destruction of its chief building by fire. Until evening, the day was marked by nothing except the violence of the wind, the direction being southwesterly. At a little after 7 P. M., while the pupils were assembled for their usual evening reading, tire was discovered in the elevator. This was of wood, and, at the moment of discovery, was thoroughly on fire above the third-story floor. * * * Immediately upon the discovery of the fire, the hose was brought to tjie door of the elevator on the third floor. The door was fo^'ced open with a fire ax, of which two were always kept on each of the third and fourth stories. The fliames burst out with fury, but no water came from the hose. [Mr. Little believed this to have been the result of a twist in the hose.] A Babcock fire-extinguisher was brought into use. This acted promptly, and might hive proved effective against a fire just beginning ; but in this case the fire spread much faster than the extinguisher put it out. Before the charge was fully played out, it was impossible to approach the elevator door, and it was apparent that the fire could not be controlled by any meanq except by regular fire engines. What the condition of things had beeii on the fourth story at the time of the discovery of the fire cannot be t'old, as no one went up there to see ; but the flames burst out at the eaves in so short a time as to indicate that it must have spreid considerably under the roof before it was discovered. Two steam fire eagines arrived before long from town, but they accomplished very little toward checking the fire. They soon exhausted the cisterns, and became useless. * * * Before 1 o'clock, the entire building was a ruin. The greater part of the walls remained standing. Those on the south and west were not much burned on the outside, except where the verandas confined the fire ; but those on the east, and especially those on the north were badly damaged. The shop escaped uninjured by the flames. The same furious wind that hastened the destruction of the house made it impossible for the fire or any great heat to cross the narrow space that separated the two buildings.

One pupil perished in the flames, Henry Nelson, of Beloit. He was a man about 30 years of age, connected with the work department only. As he had ample time and warning, it seems probable that his failure tO' escape was due to an attack of epilepsy, to which he was subject.

The records of the institution and most of its business papers were saved. * * * It is impossible to state the cause of the flre. * * * This statement should not close without reference to the prompt and considerate kindness of the citizens of Janesville in providing at an early stage of the fire ample means for the removal of the pupils I and others) of the institution in covered carriages to town, in throwing open their houses for their reception, and in making donations of clothing. It is fit to record particularly the assistance rendered in the matter of clothing by various organizations of ladies, the tender by the School Board of a schoolhouse and grounds, and the unanimous vole of the City Council permitting a portion of High Street to be closed against carriages, while the institution should occupy the Williams' House and the school building.

Immediately after the destruction of the building, plans and estimates were made for a new one. The old building was constructed of stone, but after its destruction, the Trustees believed a new edifice quite as substantial, could be erected of brick, and at a less cost. The west wing wfis hurried to completion, and, when finished, was used in conjunction with the barn and workshop, for the accommodation of pupils. An appropriation for the building of this wing was made of $56,000. By the most remarkable strokes of an energetic policy, the work was not allowed to cease until the main building was added to the wing. It is a beautiful structure, costing in the neighborhood of 1140,000.

It is surrounded by thirty-seven acres of rolling land, most of it covered by beautiful oaks and hickories. Some portions of the tract are under cultivation. ,

In the early years of the institution, several different Superintendents were in charge, during brief terms of office. From 1866 to 1861, William H. Churchman, as Superintendent, did an excellent work, and the school arose to a higher degree of efficiency than it had previously attained.

Thomas H. Little, the Superintendent of the institution from 1861 to 1875, did more, perhaps, to promote its welfare and bring it to its present highly satisfactory condition, than any one individual ever connected with it. Mr. Little died in 1875, and his widow, Mrs. Sarah F. C. Little, was chosen to succeed him. She has proved herself thoroughly competent in every way, and seems to live only that she may continue the work so nobly carried on by her husband during his connection with the institution. Nothing but words of praise are heard of Mrs. Little's management. Her salary was increased two years ago from $1,000 to $1,200.

The average number of pupils at the institution is about eighty. These are not all totally blind. Many of them are but partially so. Any person between the ages of eight and twenty-one years, who cannot see to attend a common school, is eligible to admission to the institution which is in no sense an asylum. There is no charge for tuition, the institution being supported entirely by State appropriations, which will average from $18,000 to $20,000, per annum.

The operations of the school fall naturally into three departments. In one, instruction is given in the subjects usually taught in the common schools. In another department, musical training, vocal, instrumental and theoretical is imparted to an extent sufiBcient to furnish to most of the pupils an important source of enjoyment, and to some the means of support. These two departrnents were opened at the commencement of the school, and have been ever since maintained. A little later, the third department was opened, in which broom-making and weaving of rag-carpets is taught to the boys ; sewing and knitting, both by hand and machine, and various kinds of fancy work to the girls, and seating cane-bottomed chairs to both boys and girls.

The present management of the institution is as follows : Board of Trustees, E. Bowen, Cyrus Miner, B. R. Hinckley, H. S. Hogoboom, W. T. Vankirk ; officers of the Board, E. Bowen, President, W. T. Vankirk, Treasurer, H. S. Hogoboom, Secretary ; officers of the Institution - Superintendent, Mrs. Sarah F. 0. Little, A. M. ; Teachers, Miss S. A. Watson, Miss A. I. Hobort, Miss Helen F. Blinn ; Teachers of Music, John S. Van Cleve, Miss M. L. Blinn ; Matron, Mrs. Maria H. Whiting ; Foreman of shop, William B. Harvey. Dr. E. E. Loomis is the attending physician.

In surveying the pleasing drapery of surface, and in contemplating the numerous advantages presented in the county of Rock before it was disturbed by human agency, the traveler must have been led to feel that Dame Nature had acted in her blandest and most beneficial mood, while thus lavishing her gifts to promote the welfare of those who might inherit the boon. He will have traveled far, and seen much of the earth, who shall have met with any region of similar extent which more fully combines the elements of wealth, prosperity and comfort.

The surface of the county consists of rolling prairie and oak openings, with scarcely a foot of land that cannot be tilled except the bluffs along the margins of the streams. In the early settlement of the county, the pioneers found several large open prairies happily distributed in its various parts, affording landscapes of rare beauty. Aside from these, the county was originally oak openings, with the usual characteristics of such land. Of the twenty townships contained in the county, about 60 per cent is prairie, 20 per cent hard-wood timber and 20 per cent openings. These openings were quite early tilled, as the trees were so scattered as to offer less obstruction to the plow of the husbandman than an ordinary orchard.

The soil of Rock County is alluvial loam and sand loam. The alluvial is very limited, being only found in dried-up marshes, which are, no doubt, the beds of vanished lakes. The soil of the open prairie is rich loam, with occasional sections of sand loam, especially in the southeast and northwestern portions of the county. The soil is everywhere very deep and productive, yielding abundantly of every farm product intrusted to its keeping.

In the year 1846, it was reported that 700,000 bushels'of wheat were raised - the land yielding, on an average, 30 bushels of wheat, 20 bushels of corn, 50 bushels of oats, or 200 bushels of potatoes per acre. The crops, in the early history of the county, were abundant, but, unfortunately, not remunerative. The years 1855 and 1856, were very gloomy ones in the agricultural history of the county. Most of the farmers came to the West to raise wheat - very little attention being paid to other crops. This was the great staple on which they relied. Debts were contracted for improving their farms, relying upon th'e wheat crops to pay. But there soon came a succession of partial failures of the wheat crop throughout the county that, added to the extreme low prices of produce of all kinds, well-nigh produced the most disastrous consequence.

The wheat crop of 1845 had been profitable and as sure as any other, but that year commenced the blight - the grain rotting while standing in the field. Wheat during some of those years was sold as low as 20 cents in Janesville, or carted to Milwaukee through the mud, and sold for 37 J cents. The price of corn was from 12 to 15 cents; oats, so low as to hardly pay the expense of threshing. J. M. Burgess, in his report as Secretary of the Rock County Agricultural Society for 1851, gave as a reason for the poor success of farmers : " First, they have attempted to cultivate too much land, with very limited means ; second, they have been deluded with the notion that wheat could, be successfully grown for an indefinite period of time, and that manuring, rotating crops and seeding with timothy, clover and other grasses were entirely unnecessary."

This state of things, however, is incident to the, settlement of all new countries. A better system of husbandry succeeded, and with the improvements designed for the benefit of cultivators of the soil, in the way of agricultural implements and the opening of communication to the lakes by railroads, a more remunerative price was obtained. At the present time, no better farms or more intelligent farmers can be found in Wisconsin.

While wheat is the great staple of production, corn, barley, oats and all coarse grains grow in rich abundance, amply rewarding the husbandman for his toil ; and, while the county is better adapted to grain-growing than stock-raising, farmers are giving much attention to the breeding of stock, and the exhibitions of blooded stock at the county fairs compare favorably with those of other sections of the State.

Rock County is one of the principal dairy regions of the State. In the Dairymen's Association meeting, 'in 1877, it ranked fourth in the State in this industry. The dairy statistics of the county for the year ending September 31, 1878, showed the product of the cheese factories to be 694,346 pounds. The making of butter is also carried on largely; a considerable quantity is shipped to Eastern markets.

Another important industry that has grown up within a few years past is the culture of tobacco, which promises to be of profit to those who pursue it. From reports made by the Town Assessors of the products of the county for the year 1879, it appears that 3,476J acres were devoted to tobacco culture, and in the year 1878, from the Assessor's reports, 2, 26'.i, 188 pounds were raised in the county.

The total acreage of the principal crops - wheat, corn, oats, barley, rye and tobacco - since 1876, to include the present year, is as follows :

A law was enacted in 1878, requiring Assessors to carefully collect information regarding the quantity of grain, roots and fruit raised in their respective towns in the year previous to the time of gathering the statistics. Last year the first official gathering under the law of 1878 was made, and the result was satisfactory. We now give comparative figures concerning the crops of 1877 and 1878: l,,, ,,.,

Horticulture And The Horticultural Society

In matters pertaining to horticulture, the inhabitants of Rock County are not behind those of other counties of this State. Considerable progress has been made in the past few years in these pursuits, and an improved taste is being manifested by the people generally in beautifying and adorning their homesteads, by the liberal planting of fruit and ornamental trees, vines and shrubs. Time and experience have demonstrated, that, with care and attention, certain varieties of apples, as well as pears and plums, can be successfully and profitably grown. The time has arrived when many of the " country seats" take pride and pleasure in fine grounds and tasteful gardens; and in the cities, nearly every house has its garden-spot, tastefully arranged with choice flowers, vines and evergreens, and kept in the neatest order. In addition to the flower garden, many have conservatories stocked with choice winter-flowering plants, while others, with less conveniences, keep them in the paf lor, and the effect is a wide diffusion of a taste for flowers, and a corresponding taste and order throughout the whole household, making home more pleasant and attractive.

The Rock County Horticultural Society was organized at a meeting on September 24, 1866, by the following' gentlemen, who were also the first charter members : F. S. Lawrence, J. D. Rexford, S. G. Williams, E. L. Dimock, H. N. Comstock, A. Hoskins, I. C. Sloan, L. F. Patten, J. B. Whiting, A. M. Thompson, Levi Alden, S. A. Hudson, 0. P. Robinson, S. W. Smith, A. D. Wickham, J. M. Burgess, M. B. Johnson, Hiram Bowen, J. J. R. Pease, George J. Kellogg, S. J. M. Putnam, J. W. Allen, H. Richardson, William Payne, D. E. Fifield, G. H. Williston, Anson Rogers and B. Spence. The first oflicers were : President, Hon. I. C. Sloan ; Vice President, S. G. Williams ; Secretary, F. S. Lawrence ; Treasurer, S. AV. Smith. The present oflicers are: President, F. S. Lawrence; Vice President, George J. Kellogg; Secretary, E. B. Hiemsheet; Treasurer, D. E. Fifield. The present membership is forty-two, and the entrance fee is ^Ju, so that they are fairly flourishing.

On the :22d day of March, 1854, the Board of Supervisors of Rock County purchased of Wright Newhall and E. G. Newhall, for the county, the property now known as the Rock County Poor Farm, situated in the town of Johnstown, on Sections No. 22 and 27, and containing at present 199 acres of land, about 124 acres of which are under cultivation, and the balance is in growing timber, chiefly second-growth oak.

_ At the time of the purchase, the county paid the sum of |5,000 for the farm as follows, byissuing five bonds $1,000 each, with interest at 10 per cent per annum, one of the bonds payable annually thereafter until all were. paid.

The buildings on the farm at the time of its purchase by the county consisted of a house and barn built by Luke Belden for the purpose of keeping hotel. The house consisted of a large main building, three stories in front, with an extensive wing, and answered the purpose for which it was bought for several years, with but little expense to the county for repairs. The building being large and built for hotel accommodations, there was ample room for the paupers of the county. The barn also being large answered the purpose of the farm with but little expense for repairs until 1878, when the county built a barn at an expense of about $1,000.

In 1854, at the time of purchase of this farm, the distinction between town and county poor was in force, and the cost of caring for the town poor at the County House was charged to the towns of which the paupers were resident, and the county poor at the expense of the county at large. This system of supporting the poor continued until 1856.

Previous to the purchase of this property in 1854, by the county, the poor were cared for by the towns in which they were residents, and the non-resident poor were also cared for by the towns in which they were, and the cost charged to the county, the claims being audited by the County Board.

But, on the 9th day of January, 1856, the Board of Supervisors, by resolution, abolished the distinction between town and county poor, and, since that time, all paupers and needy poor have been cared for as a county charge.

The Board of Supervisors elect three Superintendents of the Poor who hold their ofiBce three years, subject to the County Board, who have charge of assisting the poor and also of the Poor House and Farm, one of the Superintendents being also Overseer of the Poor Farm and living in the Poor House, having full management thereof, subject to the County Board. There have been but two Overseers of the Poor Farm since its purchase by the county - Allan Holmes and W. A. Pickett.

The Overseer of the Poor Farm was paid for his services as agreed upon by the Superintendents of the Poor, until the Supervisors fixed his salary, on November 21, 1862. The Overseer living in the Poor House is furnished by the county with house and table expenses for himself and family, and his annual salary is fixed by the Board of Supervisors.

W. A. Pickett, the present Overseer, has filled the oflSce of Superintendent and been Overseer of the Poor Farm since 1862. The following- named gentlemen have held the office of Superintendent of the Poor in the order named : George H. Williston, Alfred Hoskins, John Minton, E. A. Rowland, S. S. Blackman, S. G. Colley, Allan Holmes, Charles H. Parker, Volney Atwood. A. W. Root, Charles Peck, F. P. King, H. A. Northrop, W. A. Pickett and' C. F. North. The present Superintendents are Volney Atwood, W. A. Pickett and C. F. North.

The principal cost for repairs at the Poor Farm can best be ascertained by the following : The Board of Supervisors appropriated for repairs in 1860, $600 ; in 1866, $1,500, and, in 1867, $500. In 1875, there was an addition erected to the main building (the wing having been previously removed) at a cost to the county of $3,765, and the building has since been painted at an expense of about $150.

In 1871, the county erected a building known as the County Asylum for the care of the incurable insane, near the Poor House, but being a separate building, at a cost of $1,578.28, the contract price, which is also under the immediate charge of the Overseer at the Poor Farm.

But as the number of the incurable insane were on the increase, the building was insufficient to meet the demands of the county, and, in 1876, an addition was built to the main building at a cost to the county of $1,214. The building is now very convenient and safe, and there were 'thirteen occupants on the 31st day of December, 1878. The general appropriation by the county to the poor fund was, in 1855, $2,000 ; in 1856, $2,500 ; in 1857, $2,500 ; in 1858,

The number of pauperS' supported at the Poor House vary in number from year to year, and at different seasons of the year ; for instance, on the 1st day of March, 1856, there were in the Poor House eighteen, and on November 15, 1859, there were sixty-three; on November 16, 1860, there were twenty-four ; November 13, 1862, twenty-seven ; and again in 1874 (December 31), there were 8ixty-eig;ht ; December 31, 1875, sixty-four; December 31, 1876, seventy ; December 31, 1877, fifty-three. In the cost per week, per capita, for their support there is but little variation. For instance, in 1875, the cost, per capita, was about $1.73 per week ; in 1876, $1.62 ; in 1877, $1.90, and, in 1878, $1.76. The salaries of the Superintendents of the Poor are not included in the above appropriations, nor considered in computing the cost per capita for the support of the paupers.