USA > Alabama > Memorial record of Alabama. A concise account of the state's political, military, professional and industrial progress, together with the personal memoirs of many of its people. Volume II pt 1 > Part 22
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the result was frequent sparrings with Mr. Pettit. who then edited the Journal, and occasioned street encounters. Childs. after disposing of his interest in the paper, which he did in February. 1836, moved to Texas and died some years afterward in that state. On the first of January, 1836, the experiment of publishing a paper oftener than once a week was tried by the proprietors of the Gazette and Advertiser. For a short while, they tried it twice a week, but the experiment was not satisfactory and it soon ceased. It was at this time, also, that the name Planters Gazette was dropped, the paper being called the Montgomery Adver- tiser. Mr. Belser conducted the paper alone until the summer of 1837, when Mr. Marcellus Farmer, of Syracuse, N. Y., bought a half interest. He was a practical printer and fine business man, and under his careful supervision the paper made some money, something that had not hap- pened up to that time. Mr. Farmer was also a capable writer, and could fill the editorial chair during the absence of Mr. Belser, attending the courts of neighboring counties. Mr. Farmer disposed of his interest on the 1st of January. 1840, and removed to New York, where he was asso ciated with Horace Greeley during the first year of the Tribune's exist- ence. He established the Onondaga Standard at Syracuse, N. Y. It was a stanch democratic paper and decidedly successful as a business ven- ture. In 1849. he went to California and is said to have amassed quite a fortune in the state.
The purchaser of Farmer's interest was Mr. John T. Walshe. an edu- cated, scholarly Irishman, who had taught school some years in Georgia and Alabama. He proved to be quite an able editorial writer and con- tributed largely to the success of Van Buren in Alabama in the mem- orable campaign of 1840. His partnership with Mr. Belser lasted about seven years. the editorial work largely devolving upon him. The great measures of those days were the tariff of 1842 and 1846, the annexation of Texas and the Oregon question, and they were ably discussed in the columns of the two papers. The Advertiser was a strong supporter of "Polk. Dallas and Texas." in the campaign of 1844. and did its full share in securing the electoral vote of the state for the democratic ticket.
Mr. Belser was elected to congress as a democrat, serving from 1841 to 1843. He died January 16, 1859. In 1847. he retired from the field of journalism. Mr. McCormick at that time removed his paper, the Flag of the Union. from Tuscaloosa to Montgomery, purchased Mr. Bel- ser's interest in the Advertiser, and the two papers were united under the name of the Flag and Advertiser, with a firm name of Walshe & Mc- Cormick. The latter was an experienced newspaper man, having some thirteen years before established the Alabama Beacon at Greensboro, then in Greene, but now in Hale county. From that point, he removed to Tuscaloosa, where he conducted the Flag of the Union. Messrs. Walshe and McCormick were able writers and made the paper a far greater force in Alabama than it had ever been before. It was regarded
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as the exponent of democratic sentiment of the state and was the guide post and text-book of all the truly faithful in the democratic household. In 1848, Mr. Walshe retired and the paper was left in the sole control of his able associate. In that canvass, Mr. Yancey refused to support the democratic candidate for president, but, although his influence was great, Mr. McCorinck managed the Advertiser with signal ability and gained still greater laurels. The state cast its vote for Gen. Cass, although Gen. Taylor was elected.
In the latter part of 1848, Mr. P. H. Brittan, who had been publishing a paper at La Fayette, Chambers county, called the Tribune, bought a half interest in the Advertiser. He was a practical man, of good judg- ment and much newspaper experience. Toward the close of 1849, Mr. McCormick, after a remarkably brilliant career in the newspaper field of Alabama, sold his interest in the Advertiser. Mr. Thomas DeWolf of the State Gazette and Mr. Brittan being the purchasers. In the year 1850, and a few months after Mr. McCormick's retirement, he was drowned in the Alabama river at the ferry landing in Montgomery, by the accidental overturning of a batteau. Messrs. Brittan and DeWolf were both prac- tical printers, as well as fair news and editorial writers. They changed the name of the paper from the Advertiser to that of the "Advertiser and State Gazette." In December, 1850. Col. John I. Seibels became edito- rially connected with the paper, which relationship lasted until after the presidential election of 1852; Col. Seibels was one of the electors on the democratic ticket for Pierce and King. In that contest, also, a portion of the democrats supported the Troup and Quitman, a southern rights ticket, Mr. Yancey being among them. The Advertiser, however, made a strong fight for the democratic cause. Col. Seibels. in 1833, was ap- pointed by Mr. Pierce, as the American minister to Belgium. In 1850 and 1851, Mr. G. B. duVal achieved a state reputation by articles contrib- uted to the Advertiser. Mr. DeWolf was the publisher of the Dallas Gazette at Cahaba, and removed from that point to Montgomery in 1847 or 1848, and established the State Gazette, which, when he purchased an interest in the Advertiser, he merged with that paper. On the 1st of May, 1853, Mr. M. P. Blue purchased his interest in the Advertiser and soon afterward he removed to Columbus. Ga., where he established the Daily Sun. The paper was continued under the firm name of Brittan & Blue, until 1856, at which time Dr. N. B. Cloud and Mr. Augustus Under- wood secured two-thirds interest, Mr. Blue retaining the other third, the firm name being Blue, Underwood & Co. During the time that Gov. Winston was in the executive chair, in 1853-4, he acquired the title of the "veto governor," because of the number of bills which he returned to the legislature without his approval. Many of them were what were known as state aid measures to railroads and all of them had strong support, among democrats, in each branch of the legislature. The Advertiser stood almost alone in sustaining the action of the governor. It was
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the first paper which took ground against the know-nothing or native American party. During this period, Mr. duVal was an editorial con- tributor and his articles attracted wide attention for their brilliancy of thought and power of statement. His superior as an editorial writer has never yet made his appearance on any Alabama paper. Mr. Blue was especially noted for short pointed paragraphs and for valuable statis- tical articles. It is proper also at this point to make acknowledgement for much valuable aid from documents left by him, with his family, in preparing the history of the Montgomery newspapers.
In November, 1-53, Messrs Brittan & Blue applied steam to their presses, being the first publishers in the state to do so. The firm of Blue, Underwood & Co. lasted until the latter part of October, 1856, when Mr. Blue retired as partner, leaving Dr. Cloud as the sole propri- etor and Mr. duVal for a few months conducting the editorial depart- ment. Mr. Blue early in '57 was employed to edit the paper. It was a year of an exciting political contest, the main question being state aid to railroads, and in the Montgomery district the re-election of Col. James F. Dowdell to congress, who was opposed by ex-Governor Thomas H. Watts, the candidate of the opposition to the democracy. It was a memorable year in political circles, and the Advertiser under Mr. Blue's management maintained its well earned reputaiton as an unflinching exponent of democratic sentiment. A half interest was sold to George H. Shorter, Esq., in January, 1858, and he and Dr. Cloud conducted it in partnership until September, 1859. Mr. Shorter was a vigorous writer. He entered the army of the Confederacy and rose, to the rank of major. He dispoesd of his interest in the Advertiser in 1864. and when the war closed he returned to Georgia where he died in 1866, still in the bloom of youth. Dr. Cloud retained his interest until September, 1859. when it was purchased by Mr. Samuel G. Reid, the firm then becoming Reid & Shorter. Soon after that. Messrs. Barrett & Wimbish united their job printing interest with the Advertiser. Mr. Reid was not a novice in the newspaper field. having conducted a southern rights paper in Kansas. during the time of the great contest between the slave holders and the free soilers. He had also been connected with a paper at Marion, Ala. In the contest of 1960, the Advertiser earnestly adovcated the Breekin- ridge and Lane democratic ticket. It was an open advocate of secession after the elecion of Mr. Lincoln and was regarded as being very close to Mr. Yancey. It ably sustained the Confederate cause throughout the war, Mr. Reid being the main editorial writer, as Mr. Shorter was in the field. In September. 1861. Mr. A. H. Wimbish disposed of his interest to the other partners and removed to St. Paul, Minn. Mr. Reid was a remarkably clear and incisive writer and many of his articles will rank with the best that have appeared in the Advertiser. In 1864, Messrs. Reid & Barrett purchased Maj. Shorter's interest and continued to publish the paper until the downfall of the Confederacy. Upon the approach
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of the Federal troops under Wilson in April, 1865, the proprietors loaded much of the material of the paper, presses, etc., upon cars and shipped them to Columbus, Ga. They could be carried no further and were totally consumed in the fire which destroyed the railroad buildings in that eity. With such material. however, as remained in the office at Montgomery. they managed to get out a paper until the appearance of Smith's army corps and the military occupation of the city. A military order was promulgated which prohibited its publication. and this order was in force until sometime. in July following-a period of about tliree months. Mr. Reid and Col. J. F. Gaines arranged to resume publication of the Advertiser and the first issue was on the morning of July 20, 1865. During the night. the gallant Col. Gaines breathed his last. Further reference will be made to him in connection with the Montgomery Post, a Bell and Everett which he established and conducted in 1860. .
Mr. Reid was owner until November, 1865. when he sold a half inter- est to W. W. Screws, who had been editorially connected with it from the first issue in the preceding July. In 1867, Capt. B. H. Screws, who had for the two preceding years been the private secretary of Governor Patton, purchased an interest and took charge of the local department. Both Mr. Reid and Capt. B. H. Screws retained their interests until early in 1868, when W. W. Serews became sole owner, while his brother, for the greater portion of the time for several years afterward, remained as city editor.
In November, 1867, Col. Robert Tyler became editorially connected with the Advertiser, which position he retained for several years. con- tributing articles, many of which attracted attention in every section of the union for their ability and comprehensive statesmanship. He died some years ago. and his death was universally lamented. Mr. Reid was for years a sufferer from ill health. and owing to weak lungs was unable to enter the army. After disposing of his interest in the Advertiser. he became interested in farming, the outdoor life being absolutely essential to his health. His constitution, however, was not strong enough to bear up under the strains brought upon it by a pulmonary trouble. and in April, 1881, he died at his home near Montgomery, leaving behind him the reputation of being an honest and fearless man, who, regardful of others' rights. exacted the same for himself. He enjoyed, to the fullest extent, the confidence and esteem of those who knew him best. On the 10th day of May. 1>71, the proprietor of The Montgomery Mail agreed upon terms which resulted in the consolidation of the two papers, and on the next day the first number of the Advertiser and Mail was issued under the firm name of Screws & Williams. In the summer of 1872, Mr. Williams died and Mr. Screws soon afterward purchased from his estate, his interest in the Advertiser, the Mail name having been dropped soon after the consolidation. At the time of the consolidation Mr. M. M. Cooke was the editor of the Mail. He had previously to that been the editor of
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the Marion Commonwealth, a paper to which he had given wide reputa- tion because of its general excellence as a newspaper, and the capable manner which it. was edited. He was engaged on the consolidated paper and remained with the Advertiser until his lamented death in October, 1876. There was no change in proprietorship until the summer of 1835. In the meantime, the paper was under the editorial control of W. W. Screws, and with him were associated, during different portions of that time, Mr. J. Winn Moses, Mr. G. P. Keyes, Mr. R. J. Yarrington and Mr. Chappell Cory. Mr. Moses died in 1876 and Mr. Yarrington in November, 1884. In 1885. Mr. F. P. Glass. who was then the editor and proprietor of the Selma Times, and Mr. Chappell Cory, on the editorial staff of the Montgomery Advertiser, purchased a half interest in the paper. They were both men of decided ability and had made their marks as writers for the press. The firm name was Screws. Cory & Glass. A few years afterward, it was made a stock company, known as the Advertiser com- pany, with W. W. Screws as president. and F. P. Glass as secretary, who still occupy those positions. Mr. Cory disposed of his stock and since January, 1889, has been editorially connected with the Birmingham Age- Herald. The Advertiser has supported the nominees of the democratic party, state and national, in every contest since its establishment in 1830, and is still vigorously advocating the measures of that party in the state and country.
The next publication in Montgomery was a monthly called the "South- ern Universalist." It was started in May, 1834, by Rev. L. F. W. An- drews and advocated the doctrines of the Universalist church. Its period of life was two years, its editor moving to Columbus, Ga., and subse- quently to Macon, Ga., in both of which cities he published news and political papers. In 1840, two campaign papers were published. one emanating from the Advertiser office under the name of the "Loco Foco," an appellation given by the whigs to the democrats, and the other from the office of the Journal called the "Log Cabin," a favorite campaign word with the whigs. The editor of the Loco Foco was Perez Coleman, for many years mayor of the city and afterward a citizen of California.
The Mercury first made its appearance in the fall of 1844. and was conducted by Robert Nelson and E. Sanford Sayre, both of whom had been connected with the Journal. It was the first newspaper in Alabama that advocated the principles of the native American party. The whigs regarded it as an effort to break down their favorite organ, the Journal, and in consequence it had but a brief existence.
James M. Norment, early in 1847, began the publication of a news- paper under the name of the "New Era." He had formerly lived in Tus- caloosa and had been engaged on several papers, among them one at Montevallo called the Herald and one at Troy, the Bulletin. He was very denunciatory of the removal of the capitol from Tuscaloosa to Mont- gomery and he proclaimed that the legislature would never hold a session
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in the city. As a consequence, he met with poor success, and next year he sold out to Henry Livingston, who changed the name to that of "Metropolitan." Its existence was not a very lengthy one. In the win- ter of 1847, Norment commenced the publication of the "Orion." a semi- monthly in the interest of the Sons of Temperance. It passed, in the spring of 1848, into the hands of R. L. James, who associated with him M. P. Blue, and they made a paper quite acceptable to the friends of the temperance cause. It was sold to E. W. Thompson, who moved to Hayneville and published it as the "Son of Temperance," until Novem- ber, 1849. Mr. Thomas De Wolf, whose name has appeared in connection with the Montgomery Advertiser, commenced, in 1848, the publication of the State Gazette. It was at the time believed to be in the interest of William R. King, then an aspirant for re election to the United States sen- ate, and, in 1852, vice-president elect, dying before he could take the oath of office. De Wolf has been connected with the Dallas Gazette. published at Cahaba, in Mr. King's home county. The editorial management of the paper was confided to the competent hands of J. J. Sibels and G. B. du Val, and they soon made it one of the most popular democratic papers in the state. In about a year, however, an arrangement was perfected by which the Gazette was consolidated with the Advertiser, Mr. De Wolf having ar interest, as heretofore stated, in the new arrangement. The southern rights sentiment was rising to a high point at this period and in deference to that feeling, a newspaper called The Atlas was started in December, 1849, by John Cragin. It was re-vigorously edited, but did not succeed, although the opinion was general that Mr. Yancey inspired its sentiments and dictated its editorials. In 1852, its name was changed to the "New South." It advocated the Troup and Quitman presidential ticket of that year, but did not live until the election day.
For opposite reasons to those responsible for the appearance of the "Atlas," the "State Register" appeared on the 22d of November, 1-50. Messrs. J. H. Martin and F. H. Martin were the editors and publishers. Both were practical printers, but the former was an able editorial writer. He supported the celebrated compromise measure of 1850, and combated with great force the views of the ultra southern rights men, as they then called themselves. It was a great power on the side of the union and supported all union candidates for office without regard to former political affiliations. It was discontinued a few months after the presi- dential election of 1852. Mr. Martin was for many years afterward the editor of the Columbus, Ga., Enquirer, and in now living near Atlanta.
Another advocate of the temperance cause appeared in September. 1552. It bore the name of the "Times," and R. C. Holifield. J., was the editor. Not proving a pecuniary success, it passed into the list of democratic papers in 1853. In 1855, it was renamed the "Southern Times," with R. C. Holifield. A. A. Lipscomb and W. P. Hilliard, as editors and pro- piretors. Dr. Lipscomb had a wide reputation as scholar and writer.
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The intention of its projectors was to furnish a first-class literary paper, all the papers of the state up to that date being largely and aggressively political. Their hopes were not well founded, for early in 1856, the paper was discontinued. In 1553, the Southwestern Baptist. then one of the most widely circulated religious papers of the south, was moved from Tuskegee to Montgomery. It did not remain long, however, its managers moving it back to Tuskegee. While it was published in Mont- gomery its editor was Rev. Albert Williams.
The Montgomery Mail was established in 1854, the first number appear- ing about the 13th of April. The original intention was to publish it as a weekly and to make it a spicy sheet. Its publication was delayed because of the seizure of the Black Warrior steamer at Havana, which had on board some of the material of the paper, bought in New York and shipped around by water to Mobile or New Orleans. The announced editors were Joseph A. Holifield and Johnson J. Hooper, both of whom have been mentioned in connection with other publications. They pos- sessed the proper qualifications for furnishing a readable, instructive and entertaining paper. Mr. Hooper was especially well known to the read- ing public not only of the south but of all the states in the union, as a contributor to Porter's Spirit of the Times, the foremost paper of its class in the United States, and as the author of many humorous stories. Some of them have never been equalled. Notable among his productions were the "Taking the Census," "Simon Suggs," a book which still enjoys a wide popularity, "Widow Rugby's Husband," and others in similar vein. They gave him easily the first place in the rank of humorous authors of the day. Like most of the southern writers of that time, he placed no commercial value on his work. and while great fortunes have been recently reaped from humorous productions of far less value than most of his, he did not earn a dollar by his labor. His former newspaper experience in Alabama had been as editor of a paper at Dadeville, called the Banner, one at Wetumpka, called the Times, one at La Fayette, called the Tribune, and as an assistant of Messrs. Bates & Sayre, on the Alabama Journal, in Montgomery. The Mail gave instant signs of success. Mr. Hooper's reputation was such that the Mail was eagerly read and widely circulated. The commencement of the know nothing or native American excitement in Alabama was in the year 1654. and made such rapid headway as to threaten the hitherto indivisible democracy. A number of newspapers, which up to this time had been neutral in politics espoused the cause of the new order. Men of both the old political parties went into it in great numbers, more of the whigs, however. than the democrats. The Journal, under the control of Major Bates, refused to abandon the whig cause and coldly attacked the newcomer. The Mail seized the political field, and before the year 1854 closed it was advocating the know-nothing cause. It became at once a leading organ of the party, and Mr. Hooper fought its battles with ability and zeal. It was a hard fighter in the gubernator-
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ial contest between Shortridge and Winston in 1855, in the presidential contest in 1356, and the memorable Watt and Dowdell campaign of 1-57. In those days excitement ran high, as the white people were divided in their political convictions. Men then conspicuous in Alabama as whigs, have since the year 1865 been equally zealous in the rank of the democrocy.
In January, 1856, Col. Joel Riggs, who had for several years served the state as comptroller of public accounts. a position now known as auditor, became interested in the Mail, and the paper was published by Riggs and Hooper. The connection of Col. Riggs lasted less than a year, but during that time he wrote many able editorial articles. He retired to private life and died in Montgomery on the 16th day of November, 1865. Mr. Henry.F. Coyne was the purchaser of Col. Riggs interest. He was a practical printer and gifted with unusual ability as a writer. In 1858, Capt. John F. Whitfield purchased an interest, and the firm became Hooper, Coyne & Whitfield. Capt. Whitfield served the paper as news and local editor, but left his work as soon as hostilities commenced in 1861, and remained in the Confederate service until the war was closed in 1865. The Mail after the know-nothing or native American party died out be- came an extreme southern rights paper, and in the presidential election of 1860 advocated the election of Breckenridge and Lane presidential ticket, and after Lincoln's election favored secession from the union. When the Confederate congress met in Montgomery. Mr. Hooper was chosen as the clerk of the body, and on the 10th day of May. 1861, announced his withdrawal from the paper and the sale of his interest to Mr. Robert Frazier, of Jackson county. The latter possessed some ability as a writer, but the times had changed and his style was not that then demanded. He did not remain with the paper more than a few months, and returned to his old home. Mr. Coyne was the main spirit in the paper until November 11th, 1863. On that date. the Mail appeared in new dress and form. Mr. A. D. Banks had purchased the paper from Mr. Coyne, but being absent in the army did not give it much personal attention, Col. J. J. Seibels being generally understood and recognized as the editor. In the spring of 1565, the Federal troops were gradually occupying Ala- bama, and the Mail began to contain articles preparing the people for the change. The Advertiser bitterly denounced their course. Soon after the Federal troops occupied the city, Col. William Falconer, a scholarly country gentleman, and quite a fluent and vigorous writer, took editorial charge of the paper and so continued until the 27th of June. He was well known all during the war as a union man. He conducted the Mail while he was in charge upon a conciliatory and conservative basis. In the sum- mer of 1864. Mr. J. Carr Gibson hadpurchased an interest and was the principal owner at the time the war closed. In the fall of 1865, he secured the services of Col. Joseph Hodgson as an editorial writer. It was an admirable selection. Col. Hodgson is a graduate of the university of Virginia and settled in Kansas City, Mo., and was there practicing law
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