USA > Delaware > History of the state of Delaware, Volume III > Part 26
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"The Morning News" plant is the most complete news- paper outfit in the State. It was the first to include a perfect- ing press, electric motors and typesetting machines. It is now the only morning daily newspaper in the State.
" The Evening Journal," daily, was started in 1886 by
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Charles W. Edwards and Fred. Eden Bach, both of whom had been employed in "The Morning News " office. Later, The Evening Journal Publishing Company was incorporated, Mr. Bach became the editor, and Charles W. Edwards was the publisher. "The Journal" was to be Republican in politics. The managers disagreed, and Mr. Bach retired. Under the Edwards regime the paper became Democratic in politics. Under that control it was also the subject of almost continu- ous litigation. The Edwards interests passing into other hands, a reorganization was effected, which brought "The Journal " under Republican control. George B. Hynson, who had been editor of the " Peninsular News and Advertiser," became edi- tor of the paper. Mr. Hynson retired in 1904. In Novem- ber, 1905, the paper passed again under new control, the new ownership including a controlling interest in "The Daily Re- publican," and the two papers were merged into one publica- tion, Horace G. Knowles becoming the editor. " The Even- ing Journal " office is at Fourth and Shipley streets, in the Gawthorp Building, on the site of the historic Shipley House, erected by William Shipley, a Friend, who located in Wil- mington in 1735.
" The Sun," a morning daily paper, was started in Wil- mington in 1898, by Clement G. Congdon, formerly of the Philadelphia " Record." He bought the plant of a defunct job printing office, and established a publication office at No. 100} East Sixth street. The Congdon management of the "Sun " continued for about one year, when the plant was sold at public sale. The purchaser turned the paper over to George W. Roberts, who, assuming editorial control of it, established a new plant at No. 623 Shipley street. "The Sun " continued as a daily publication until October, 1904, then, for a short time as a semi-weekly, issued on Sunday.
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RELIGIOUS NEWSPAPERS.
Delaware's first and only professedly religious newspaper, "The Peninsula Methodist," formerly the "Conference Worker," dates from 1875. In that year W. S. Armour and Charles H. Sentman started the "Conference Worker" a re- religious paper devoted to the interests of the Wilmington M. E. Conference. Six months later, Mr. Armour retired and F. J. Lindsay and R. F. Cochran became partners with Mr. Sentman. The partnership continued for about one year, when Mr. Sentman became sole owner, and continued the publication for about ten years.
In 1885-6 the paper passed into the control of J. Miller Thomas, who changed the name to " The Peninsula Metho- dist," his father, Rev. T. Snowden Thomas, assuming editorial control. Ten years later Mr. Thomas sold his interest to a number of the members of the Wilmington M. E. Conference, of whom the Rev. Charles A. Grise was the agent to conduct the purchase. Shortly after this change of ownership, the publication office was moved to Harrington, Delaware, and the paper consolidated with another Conference publication. Later, " The Peninsula Methodist" passed to the ownership of the Messrs. Russell, of Chestertown, Maryland, and is now published at that place under the editorship of D. Bates Russell.
SUNDAY NEWSPAPERS.
The only Sunday newspapers appearing in Delaware have been published in Wilmington. The first was called "The Sunday Dispatch." It first appeared in 1878, and continued for about two and one-half years under the direction of Francis Scheu. D. Taylor Bradford started the "Sunday Mirror " in 1880, but it only lasted six months, when it was succeeded by the "Sunday Critic," owned by William Bancroft and con- tinued for two years.
The "Sunday Morning Star " first appeared March 6, 1881, with Jerome B. Bell as editor and proprietor. In 1887 it
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passed under the control of the Star Publishing Company and in 1905 was incorporated as the Star Printing Company. Mr. Bell continuing as editor and also controlling the com- pany. The "Star " is now twenty-five years old, and it has not only occupied a unique position in Delaware journalism, but it has won its way through a pronounced independence in its editorial utterances, and by its vigorous advocacy of every- thing that tended to the betterment of Wilmington. It has steadily grown both in circulation and in public favor, and it is so strongly entrenched that would-be competitors have found it impossible to maintain another Sunday newspaper in Wilmington.
Several attempts have been made, but they were all unsuc- cessful. In 1887 Charles H. Vary started the " Sunday Re- public," but it was published less than a year. The " Jeffer- sonian," another Sunday venture appeared about 1904, but after a year's effort was abandoned and the "Sunday Times" took its place but at the end of six months it too ceased to be. The "Sunday Star" is the only newspaper published on Sun- day in Delaware that has gained a substantial foot-hold. It gives promise of a long life.
DOVER NEWSPAPERS.
Augustus M. Schee was the publisher of the first newspaper issued at Dover. The "Federal Ark," recognized as the organ of the Federalist party, was started there in 1802, continuing for about two years. In 1805 it was succeeded by the " Record " and "Federal Advertiser," published by Joseph Robertson. February 1, 1825, " The Delaware Intelligencer " was started by Samuel F. Shinn, and published in the interest of the presidential candidacy of John Quincy Adams. In February, 1838, William Huffington, a member of the Bar, and a man of considerable literary ability, started at Dover the first monthly magazine that was published in Delaware. It was called " The Delaware Register and Farmers' Magazine " and showed careful editing especially in its historical and bio-
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graphical departments. It deserved to succeed, but the pub- lisher becoming discouraged, its publication was discontinued at the end of a year. Occasional copies of this publication turn up and command a good price. Mr. Huffington resided in Wilmington in his later life and was Mayor of that city from 1848 to 1850.
A political publication in Dover in the campaign of 1828 called " The Political Primer " or " A Home Book for Jack- sonites," had for its motto the word " Retaliation." It strongly advocated the re-election of John Quincy Adams as President. The nominal editor was Joseph Robertson, but contributions to its columns were made by the leading politicians of that time; among whom were Caleb S. Layton and Samuel M. Harrington, and they had no hesitancy in pouring hot shot into the ranks of their political opponents. Some of their utterances would almost put to shame the yellow journalism of the present day, and the warmth and vindictiveness shown in the discussions are convincing that there was even more bitterness between political parties in that day than in these opening days of the twentieth century. The "Primer" was published about six months. A small sheet called "The American Freeman and Legislative Reporter " was issued at Dover during the legislative session of 1830 under the direc- tion of Henry W. Peterson, who kept a book and stationery store in that town. But six numbers were issued.
The first newspaper organ of the Whig party in Kent County was " The Sentinel," published by William Wharton in 1851. The " Delaware State Reporter," a Democratic and strongly anti-Prohibition newspaper, edited by George W. S. Nicholson, was published in Dover from May 7, 1853 to August 8, 1859. On May 7, 1859, the Delawarean Company, James Kirk, editor, issued the first number of " The Delawarean," an ultra-Democratic organ. It became the recognized State organ of the Democratic party, known throughout the Eastern States as an embodiment of high class journalism for that day. Mr. Kirk retained the editorship of the paper until March 4, 1876,
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when the Hon. Eli Saulsbury became proprietor, and Char! . E. Fenn, manager. January, 1884, John F. and John P. Saulsbury became joint owners of the plant, editing and pub,- lishing the paper in that relation until the death of John P. Saulsbury in 1887, when John F. Saulsbury became sol .. owner and editor. On February 17, 1894, William Saulsbury became owner and editor of the " Delawarean " and conducted it until the organization of the Delawarean Company in 1902. of which William Saulsbury became president ; Willard Sauls- bury, vice-president ; Samuel Isenschmidt, secretary ; John S. Collins, treasurer. The paper is still published by the Dela- warean Company.
The "State Sentinel," a Republican newspaper, was started in Dover by Henry W. Cannon in May, 1874. Mr. Cannon edited and published the paper until 1891, when it was pur- chased by Edward W. Louderbough. During the period from 1891 to 1896 the "Sentinel " was edited by John H. Bateman. In the latter year the paper passed into the ownership of the Sentinel Printing Company, George W. Roberts succeeding to the editorship. In 1897 Mr. Bateman resumed his editorial connection with the paper continuing therein until his death in 1900. The "Sentinel " is now published weekly by Edward B. Louderbough, manager for the Sentinel Printing Company.
The "Index " was started by Francis M. Dunn, in 1887. Mr. Dunn died in 1894 and the paper has been published weekly since that date by his son, Thomas F. Dunn. The " Index " is Democratic in politics, and is the recognized organ of the anti-Saulsbury Democracy of Kent County. its editorship has been credited to various leading Democrats of the county, including the late Chancellor Wolcott.
The " Delaware State News" was established in 1901 by Monroe Ashmore. In 1904 Ashmore sold his interest to the State News Publishing Company, of which Arley B. Magee is president, and J. C. Wickes, business manager. Robert II. Wilson is editor of the paper, it is ultra-Democratic in politics and is published weekly. The editorial utterances of Mr.
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Wilson are as a rule unique. He is clear in expression, forci- ble in style and altogether clever, and under his management the paper is gaining an enviable place in Delaware journalism.
MILFORD NEWSPAPERS.
John H. Emerson, one of the pioneer newspaper men of this Peninsula, a former editor of the " Denton (Md.) Union," afterward associated with Henry C. Conrad in the establishment of "The Morning News" at Wilmington, established "The Beacon " at Milford in 1848, the first newspaper published in that town. Three years later, in 1851, Mr. Emerson sold the paper to Colonel J. Hart Conrad, of Philadelphia. A year later, on the death of Colonel Conrad, the plant passed into the control of James B. Mahan, who had been assistant editor with and foreman for Colonel Conrad. George B. Mahan was admitted to a partnership in the business, the firm name be- coming Mahan Brothers. The paper continued under his management until 1859 at Milford, when its publication office was removed to New Castle, and the name of it changed to " The Diamond State," the publication being continued by the same parties.
The "Sussex Gleaner" was the next newspaper to appear at Milford. It was short-lived. It appeared in 1856. In 1857 a Mr. Chambers, of Maryland, revived the " Beacon." The paper was sold to W. W. Austin, but was discontinued in a few months. Two newspaper ventures were launched in Milford in 1857 : "The Peninsular News and Advertiser," and the "Observer," the former by James D. Prettyman and the latter by Truitt and Ennis. The " Beacon " and the " Ob- server" soon discontinued. The "News and Advertiser" having survived, entered upon a stormy existence ; under its first management the paper was a radical advocate of the pro- slavery political regime. In six years it changed ownership five times, being successfully controlled by Prettyman and Hudson, Dr. John S. Prettyman, E. P. Alfred, James B. Mahan and William H. Hutchin.
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Out of this struggle the paper came finally to oppose the slave regime, in national politics, under the direction of Dr. John S. Prettyman. During the period of this evolution several attempts were made to wreck the office and destroy the plant. Happily this was prevented and the "News and Ad- vertiser " survived to become one of the most influential Re- publican newspapers in the State. Between 1863 and 1878 several attempts were made to establish other newspapers in Milford, none of which succeeded. James B. Riggs of Wil- mington started the "Milford Statesman," but only a few numbers were issued. In 1867 James B. Mahan started " The Milford Argus," and in a few months disposed of it to the Revell Brothers, who continued it for about one year and sold it to Justus Lowery & Co. The new owners changed the name of the paper to "Our Mutual Friend." In 1870 it passed into the control of Levi Harris & Co., who continued it for about one year and sold it to Dr. John S. Prettyman.
In 1872 Dr. John S. Prettyman consolidated " Our Mutual Friend " and " The Peninsula News and Advertiser" in one publication, under the latter title, associating with himself Dr. C. W. Davidson as editor, and William P. Corsa as publisher. In January, 1880, Dr. Prettyman sold the paper to his son, Harry H. Prettyman, who admitted Henry Harris, of Wis- consin, as a partner in March of that year. In August, 1880, Henry L. Hynson bought the Prettyman interest, and the paper was published by Harris and Hynson, until November, 1881, when Hynson became sole owner. During the Hynson ownership the control of the paper was transferred to a stock company, Henry L. Hynson continuing in the editorship. Mr. Hynson was succeeded by A. T. Thomas & Son; the latter by Millard F. Hydron, and he, in turn, by George B. Hynson and Robert Mears; George B. Hynson being the editor. Later Robert Mears became editor and manager, and in 1904 sold his interest in the paper to G. Layton Grier and Frank L. Grier, who conducted it for about six months, dis- posing of it to Theodore Townsend, owner and editor of the
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" Milford Chronicle," who merged it in one publication with that paper.
The " Milford Chronicle " was established in October, 1878, by Julius E. Scott and Theodore Townsend, as a politically independent newspaper. In 1880 Mr. Scott was succeeded by William P. Corsa. This partnership continued until 1884, when Mr. Townsend became sole owner. It is now and for several years past has been conducted as a Republican news- paper and since its consolidation with "The News and Adver- tiser," ranks as one of the best and strongest papers on the peninsula.
GEORGETOWN NEWSPAPERS.
As has been already noted in this sketch of the beginnings and development of the press of Delaware, one of the first of these enterprises was started at Georgetown, Sussex County. In 1837-38 Henry H. Cannon started and continued for a year or two a paper called the "Republican." Coincident with the Georgetown enterprise, the anti-Clayton Whigs of New Castle County began the publication of the " Delaware Sentinel," at Wilmington. In less than a year the "Senti- nel " changed ownership, name and politics, and for a few months the publication was continued under the name of the " Delaware Democrat."
In the meantime Mr. Cannon removed to Wilmington, and having purchased the " Delaware Democrat," merged it with the "Sentinel" in one paper under the name of " The Dela- ware Republican," this originating a newspaper title potent in local newspaperdom for more than a century, and still recog- nized as a valuable asset. There seems to have been no other effort to establish a paper at Georgetown until 1864. In that year William T. Crosdale, at the beginning of a notable career as a newspaperman, started a newspaper in that town called "The Union," and continued the publication for about one year. In 1878 Willard S. Pride started, at Georgetown, "The Delaware Inquirer." It was continued until 1881, when it
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was sold to other parties in Georgetown, and the publication continued under the name of " The Delaware Democrat." The paper is now under the editorial control of Edwin R. Paynter.
" The Sussex Journal " was first issued in 1867 by W. Fiske Townsend, who was succeeded by David T. Marvel and Me- Kendree Downham. Later, the firm was Clark and Down- ham. From this firm the ownership passed to Mrs. Mary Clark, and from her to the present owners, Messrs. Jones and Lynch. "The Sussex Republican " was established at Georgetown, by the Rev. A. D. Davis, a member of the Wil- mington M. E. Conference in 1886. From its founder, the ownership of the paper passed to Robert G. Houston, the present editor and owner. " The Union Republican," the organ of the Union Republican party, was established at Georgetown in 1898. It is published by the Union Republi- can Publishing Company.
On February 10, 1906, the " Sussex Journal," the " Dela- ware Democrat," the latter being the successor of the " Dela- ware Inquirer," dating from 1878, and the " Delaware Pilot," the successor of "The Breakwater Light," established at Lewes," 1871, by Dr. I. H. D. Knowles, passed to the control of the Sussex Printing and Publishing Company, with publi- cation office at Georgetown ; the three papers continuing to appear under the same titles.
NEW CASTLE NEWSPAPERS.
" The New Castle News" is the successor of a long line of short-lived predecessors. It is edited and published by Edgar C. Bross, and is Republican in politics-" Independent but not neutral." It is now in its twelfth volume. "The Gazette " was published at New Castle, by Enoch E. Camp in 1836. A few years later George W. Mahan established the " Diamond State and Record." Both enterprises proved abortive, and were abandoned after about a year's trial.
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NEWARK NEWSPAPERS.
Newark, Delaware's college town, was late in joining the State press procession. Charles H. Sentman, for many years a local newspaper worker, is credited with having made the original effort to establish a paper in that town, in 1875. He soon abandoned the project. J. H. Rowlinson, who moved from Centreville, Maryland to Newark, in the latter part of 1875, made the most remarkable newspaper venture recorded in the history of the State Press. It is said of him that he had but thirty-five cents in his pocket when he landed in Newark. Within a few months, on February 11, 1876, he issued the first number of the first paper published in the town. It was called the "Saturday Visitor." Only a few numbers of the " Visitor" were issued when the name was changed to the "Record."
In about a year Rowlinson had become discouraged and sold his interest to J. M. Armstrong, of New York City. A year later Armstrong sold out to Samuel D. McCartney, of Philadelphia, who changed the name to the "Journal." The new owner was quickly convinced of his inability to make the enterprize a success and he sold to L. Theodore Esling, an employee of the office. Mr. Esling changed the name of the paper to the "Newark Ledger," and under that title, by un- tiring industry and close application to business, established a newspaper still recognized as a credit to the town of Newark, and an influential member of the State Press.
At Mr. Esling's death, in January, 1881, the publication of the paper was discontinued for several months. The plant was purchased by Major F. A. G. Handy, of Washington, D. C., a well-known newspaper correspondent. Egbert G. Handy, a brother of the new owner, who had been connected with the "Philadelphia Press," was put in charge of the "Ledger." Less than six months after assuming control of it, the latter purchased the property, and changed the name to the "Delaware Ledger," under which title the publication
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has continued since. For several years it has been owned and published by Bowen & Brother.
MIDDLETOWN NEWSPAPERS.
Middletown's first newspaper venture dates from 1868. In that year Henry Vanderford, formerly of the "Cecil Demo- crat," established the " Middletown Transcript." The founder of the paper was succeeded by his son, Charles H. Vanderford and he by Edward Reynolds, and he in turn by W. Scott Way in 1877. In the interval the paper has changed owners several times. It is now published by T. S. Fouracre. The "New Era " is of younger years. It is owned by Caleb J. Freeman.
SEAFORD NEWSPAPERS.
Seaford joined the State newspaper procession in 1869 with the "Seaford Record," established by Donoho and Stevens. The paper was neutral in politics. Mr. Stevens retired, and was succeeded by his son, who with Mr. Donoho continued ' the publication changing the name to the "Sussex Record." The new firm sold to a Mr. Kavano, of Maryland, in 1872. The latter owner made two changes of name in the paper, first to "The Sussex Democrat," and then to "The Seaford Dem- ocrat." The enterprise was not successful and was soon aban- doned. Some time prior to 1878 Joseph F. Penington started a paper called the " Seaford Enterprise." In the year named it passed into the control of Thomas N. Williams and J. B. Clark, who changed the name to the "Sussex County Index," continuing the publication until 1881. In the summer of that year the Rev. John Teasdale revived the " Seaford Enter- prise " and in September, 1882, disposed of it to Charles D. Judson. The "Seaford News," edited and published at Sea- ford by William H. Stevens, was established in 1891. It is Democratic in politics and is the only paper now published in that town.
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MILTON NEWSPAPERS.
The " Milton Times," published by the Milton Times Pub- lishing Company, at Milton, Sussex County, was established in 1897. It was edited by W. W. Crouch.
SMYRNA NEWSPAPERS.
Smyrna's original newspaper enterprise, the "Delaware Star," dates from 1832. The "Smyrna Telegraph " appeared in 1839. The projector of this enterprise, Samuel L. Jones, is said to have gotten into debt and into jail, neither of which seems at all improbable. The name of the paper indicates great expectations on the part of the publisher; the Telegraph as an adjunct of the press was then unknown. In 1847 the paper fell into the hands of the temperance people who were very active at that time, and they continued the publication as an advocate of prohibition under the editorial control of Abraham Poulson. Succeeding to the ownership of the paper Mr. Poulson changed the name to "Delaware Herald and Peninsula Advocate."
In 1854 Abraham Poulson sold his interest in the property to his son Thomas L. Poulson and Robert D. Hoffecker, the new firm continuing the paper under the old name. A few months later Mr. Hoffecker became sole owner and changed the name to the " Smyrna Times." In 1866 Robert D. Hof- fecker sold the paper to his brother Joseph H. Hoffecker. In 1877 Robert D. Hoffecker again assumed the ownership and editorial control of the "Smyrna Times" continuing that relation until this date, having in 1893, associated with him in the work, his son, Robert D. Hoffecker, Jr., who is the present active editor and publisher.
The "Smyrna Record " was started in 1881 by F. S. Phelps who disposed of it to Gilbert S. Taylor in 1886. In 1889 the plant was sold to William George Hill and John B. Book, who removed it to Clayton and established the " Clayton Call," under the management of W. G. McFarlane. In 1897, the
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plant was bought by the Delawarean Printing Company and was removed to Smyrna, the name of the paper being changed to the "Smyrna Call." In March, 1905, control of the plant passed to Frank Whelen, the present editor and publisher.
CLAYTON NEWSPAPERS.
Mrs. R. H. McConaughy started a paper called the "Clay. ton Herald," at Clayton, in 1867, continuing the publication for about two years ; the plant was then removed to Smyrna and publication resumed under the title of " Herald and In- telligencer." The new venture was short lived. The plant after several passages back and forth between Clayton and Smyrna, located in the latter place, and in the office of the " Smyrna Call."
LEWES NEWSPAPERS.
The "Breakwater Light" was started at Lewes, Sussex County, in August, 1871, by Dr. I. H. D. Knowles, who con- ducted it successfully as a Republican newspaper for about twenty years. The plant finally passed into the control of a Democratic syndicate represented by Ebe W. Tunnell, and the name of the paper was changed to " The Delaware Pilot," under which name it is still published.
ART AND ARTISTS.
GUSTAVUS HESSELIUS.
The earliest portrait painter in America lived for a while in Delaware. His name was Gustavus Hesselius. He was born in Sweden in 1682, and in 1711 came to the Swedish settlement at Christina with his brother, Andreas Hesselius, the latter having been sent as a missionary from Sweden to the Swedish congregation who twelve years before had built their church at Christina. The brothers landed first in Vir- ginia and then came by way of the Chesapeake bay, and through Bohemia Manor, the wide-spreading acres of Augus- tine Herman, to Appoquinimink, and then on to Christina.
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