USA > Iowa > Hardin County > History of Hardin county, Iowa, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 57
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to locate at such a point as will furnish the advantages which are here sadly lacking.
" In taking leave of the locality, we have this to say, in all sincerity: Almost with- out exception we have been kindly treated during our four years' residence in Eldora, and have been well patronized by the citi- zens of the town, for all of which we here make our grateful acknowledgments. Of the citizens here, we remember many among our warmest and most valued friends, and we shall carry the remem- brances of their many kindnesses to the grave. Many of the pleasantest days of life have been spent in Eldora, and as we go, like Lot's wife, we shall cast a wistful look behind, remembering the happy days passed, and the solid friendships formed here. We earnestly hope these friendships may last forever.
"Hearing that efforts are being made by the citizens to start a newspaper here, we can give this testimony to whomsoever shall engage in the enterprise: you will find, for the most part, a kind and genial people, a pleasant town, and, we hope, a warm and substantial support."
In removing the paper to Iowa Falls, its name was changed to
IOWA FALLS SENTINEL.
M. C. Woodruff continued to publish the Sentinel until 1869, when he sold to J. B, Matthews.
Marcus C. Woodruff was born at Aurora, Erie county, New York, on the 21st of March, 1831. He received the rudiments of education at the common school of his native village, and, for a short time, at- tended the Aurora Academy, a respectable institution of its class at that day. At the
age of eighteen he taught school one season in his native town, and then went to Buf- falo and spent three or four years in book- keeping in a wholesale house. He then listened to the advice of an older journalist, Horace Greeley, and came West, halting in Boone county, Illinois, and teaching school three years. Not having a thorough relish for the profession, in 1855 he came further West, to Hardin county, Iowa, locating in Iowa Falls. Here he pursued the business of land agent for several years. In Feb- ruary, 1856, he issued the first call for a Republican convention in Hardin county, and in compliance with the call a meeting was held, and the party formally organized on the 22d of that month. When he dis- posed of the Sentinel, in company with Charles Aldrich, he purchased the Water- loo Courier, of which he was sole editor during the greater part of four years. In February, 1874, he disposed of his property in Waterloo, purchased a one-half interest in the Dubuque Times, and was its chief editor for several years. Though an ardent Republican, in his editorial work he was courteous to his political opponents, and the tone of his leaders was dignified. He is a clear thinker and an able writer. Mr. Woodruff was chief clerk of the Iowa House of Representatives of the Twelfth General Assembly, in 1868, and postmaster at Iowa Falls for several years. On the 7th of April, 1861, he married Eliza E. Wheeler, of Norwich, New York.
In April, 1871, O. W. Garrison took possession of the paper and published it until April, 1874, when, by reason of busi- ness matters demanding his attention out- side, he sold the office to Weaver & Hamp- ton, who continued the publication of the
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paper until July 1, 1875, when Mr. Garri- son re-purchased the office, and has since been sole editor and proprietor.
The Sentinel is regarded as one of the best local papers in this section of the State. It is well edited in both general and local departments. It recently cele- brated its 25th anniversary, and received many handsome notices and congratula- tions from the Press of the State. It has a circulation of 1,200 copies, and goes to nearly every civilized country, and almost every State in the Union. In politics the Sentinel continues to advocate the princi- ples of the National Republican party.
ELDORA LEDGER.
The removal of the Hardin Sentinel to Iowa Falls, left Eldora without a paper. Steps were at once taken to establish an- other paper, that would not "give up the ship"-that would advocate the best inter- ests and take a more hopeful view of Eldora's future than did the Sentinel under Mr. Woodruff's management. Type and presses were purchased, and the question of an editor and publisher was discussed. R. H. McBride, a partner of H: L. Huff in the land and insurance business, a gentle- man who was known to be a ready and prolific writer, was selected for the posi- tion.
The first number of the new paper, which had been christened the Eldora Ledger, was issued Saturday, January 6, 1866. It was a seven column folio, and well filled with interesting local and other matter. The first number that came from the press was sold to Judge Porter for $2.50; H. L. Huff bought the second for $1; W. J. Moir, the third for 75 cents; Mr.
Pool, the fourth for 30 cents; Mr. Ripley, the fifth for 25 cents; Mr. Bucton, the sixth for 15 cents. Under the heading of "Our New Enterprise," the editor said:
"The Sentinel has removed to a new station. Another fills the recently vacated post, and promises to be a good and faith- ful guard over the interests of Hardin county. The Eldora Ledger will eagerly watch over the growing greatness of this locality. Ever anxious for a wise and wide-spread influence, it will never neglect to be a truthful transcript of national, State and local news.
"It affords us much pleasure to place in the hands of our citizens a broader and better sheet than has ever been published in this place. The reading men and wo- men of the county will appreciate our efforts, and understand the magnitude and importance of the new enterprise. Great expense has been incurred, and we appeal to the public for a generous support, lib- eral patronage, extended circulation.
"Time was when one small journal re- ceived but a feeble support from the scat- tered denizens of this section. Growth of years has brought with us an increased population, wealth, power, emulation; and to satisfy an imperative want we have en- gaged in this undertaking. Now, that there is an auspicious union of order and freedom within our lately distracted land, there will spring up a prosperity of which the annals of human progress furnish no precedent. Eldora, the capital of ais county, is prepared in the most impressive manner to keep pace with this impetus of improvement.
"A spirit of honest rivalry is most right- eous. The ambition for excellence is noble
{
Stephen Whiteel
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in its way-taking prizes at our agricultural fairs for elegant implements; from pub- lishers, for literary merit, and the world's industrial institutes, for useful, important inventions. It is the key-stone of our strong, progressive arch; the pigment that colors the finest specimens of art; the oil that lubricates the wheels of trade, making business and commerce brisk and profit- able. Therefore, the older journals must not grow cold towards us, if, in our youth- ful enthusiasm, we seek to go onward too rapidly, that we may gain among the fra- ternity an honest, permanent and respect- able position. Our Bohemian brethren in the East have not, we trust, given us o'er, like the wrongs mentioned by old Mor- tality, 'to God and forgetfulness,' but will give us their best wishes and favorable notice.
"New journalistic friends, in impatient, impartial Iowa, please take us kindly by the hand, now that our salaam has been made, and encourage by your friendship the Eldora Ledger.
"Our disposition is to be truthful, mod- erate, modest. This paper purposes to be independent, and we shall study to make it popular, without a sacrifice of propriety or principle. In our humble way, we pro- pose to support the National Union party, with courage, temperance, caution-doing naught to wantonly wound the feelings or unjustly injure the reputation of any indi- vidual. The reader's curiosity will be satisfied, by all fair means, with honest news. Nothing scurrillous shall appear in this paper, and its columns will not be made the medium for personal disparage- ment, or insidious, invidious criticisms. Indelicate inuendoes will not be tolerated.
Our desire is to make this journal a source of ever varying pleasure to our friends, without unnecessarily inflicting pain or discomfort upon any reader or neighbor. The editorial, literary news, agricultural and other departments, will be attended with as much skill and care as our poor powers will permit. We will seek to ob- tain a good character for clear and correct typography, and a convenient, systematic management of contents.
"Encourage us with approbation, and it will increase our application. Extend our circulation, and it will infuse into our heart, fresh courage. Friends, give us your countenance, grant us your support, add your names to our subscription list. Every farmer, merchant and mechanic, - each family in the county,-should subscribe for a copy of the Eldora Ledger. It will be devoted to your welfare, jealous of your rights, zealous in upholding the numerous advantages of this county to the capitalist, working man and immigrant. Let it be a welcome weekly visitor in every family, and read with interest at every fireside. Send copies of it to your friends north, and south, and east. Show them that Iowa is no longer the West of which they were wont to read with such wonder and awe, but almost the geographical centre of a great Nation, teeming with population, panting with increasing power, busy with completing railroads, developing coal mines, building school houses, dwellings, churches, barns; planting orchards, and vineyards, and nurseries; jostling the older States with her sturdy strides and strong motion, while she steadily strives to assume her station as the fifth State in the Union,
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in point of population and agricultural wealth.
"But words, mere words, are weak By our actions we hope to prove this. The first copy of the Ledger is before you, and hopes to win an approval It is your pa- per, published at the county seat, and should be sustained. An abiding faith in the friendship, taste and good sense of our citizens, encourages us to think of success. Who shall say we are deceived?"
The Ledger was continued under the management of R. H. McBride until the spring of 1882, something over sixteen years. That the gentleman was a sharp writer, and wielded a graceful as well as caustic pen, is admitted by all. The Ledger acquired a State reputation, and even beyond its confines it was not un- known. It was twice enlarged during Mr. McBride's control, and was one of the largest papers in the State.
Robert Hilton McBride was born in Philadelphia, November 17, 1842. He is of Scotch-Irish descent. He resided at home until his fifteenth year, attending the grammar schools and an academy of his native city, until prepared for college. He then left home, traveling over the South- ern States, visiting Richmond, Virginia; New Orleans, St. Louis, St. Paul, Chicago, Cincinnati, and other cities. In 1859 he located at Eldora, and entered the law office of Henry L. Huff, as law student. On the death of his mother, in 1861, he returned to Philadelphia, where he studied in the office of Benjamin Gerhard, a broth- er-in-law of General Meade. Before leav- ing Eldora he was admitted to the bar, but had not entered upon an active practice. Shortly before the battle of Chancellors-
ville, he went to the army as correspondent for the Philadelphia Press. He followed the Army of the Potomac until the sur- render of Lee at Appomattox Court House. He was with every raid that the cavalry made, and his reports were considered very reliable-his articles all bearing his own name, by order of Mr. Forney. In 1863-4 he was also correspondent for the Wash- ington Chronicle and the Associated Press. He was highly complimented by Mr. For- ney, and other newspaper men. During his service he was twice captured; first by a party of our own men who were acting as scouts and dressed in rebel uniforms. Each party took the other for rebels, and the mistake was not discovered until they reached camp. The second capture was by Mosby's men, but after an hour he was re-captured by our cavalry .
In 1865 he occupied a place on the editorial staff of the Washington Chron- icle for a few months, and in October of the same year returned to Eldora, where he formed a partnership with H. L. Huff for the practice of law and real estate bus- iness. Mr. Woodruff having decided to remove the Sentinel, a purse of $1,200 was made up and an office purchased. Mr. Mc- Bride was offered the position of editor; he accepted, and began the publication of the Ledger. In the course of time he pur- chased all the stock in the concern owned by other parties, and became proprietor in deed as well as in name. Soon after com- mencing the publication of the Ledger, he engaged in a severe contest with the paper at Iowa Falls. The fight was long, bitter and personal. The part taken in the con- flict seemed to arouse the people-an effort was made for a railroad, resulting in the
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final construction of the Iowa Central. In 1869 the Hawkeye Company was or- ganized in Eldora, and Mr. McBride was elected president, in which capacity he served three years. By his exertion the line was constructed the whole length of the Iowa Central road. In 1870 Judge Porter prosecuted McBride for libel, claim- ing damages to the amount of $75,0,00. The cause was tried February, 1872, and lasted four weeks. Mr. McBride was de- fended by Gov. Eastman, assisted by H. B. Fouke, of Dubuque. This was the greatest and most severely contested slan- der case ever tried in the State. McBride was acquitted of the charge.
In September, 1872, he married Adelle Arnold, a daughter of A. E. Arnold, ex- Auditor of Hardin county.
R. H. McBride closed his connection with the Ledger May 5, 1882, with the fol- lowing brief announcement:
"After this issue, the Ledger will be published by the firm of McBride & Preston. Mr. Preston is well known as an attorney, real estate dealer and proprie- tor of the abstract books of Hardin county. Mr. John C. McBride is familiar to the Ledger family. The Ledger is now much stronger than ever, and every improvement will be made to supply the newspaper wants of the people and the times."
In the issue of May 12, 1882, the new proprietors, J. C. McBride and W. S. Preston, made the following announce- ment :
"In assuming control of the Ledger, it will be expected that we say something of our inten- tions, and what our policy shall be.
"We do not expect to revolutionize the world, nor to make unto ourselves a grcat name, as
have some who have edited newspapers before us, for we fcel none of the genius of a Greeley, a Bryant, or a Bennett, stirring within us. What we do expect, is to do some hard word for Har- din county, and especially for the town and its immediate vicinity, in which our lot is cast.
"We enter into our work as editors and pub- lishers of the Ledger, with no past to haunt us or be brought up against us. We have only the future to deal with, and we feel no hesitation in stepping boldly into the future, untricd as it is, for we feel assured of the support of the com- munity so long as we earnestly labor for its good. The Ledger will be the 'organ' of no one. It will have no fight with, or spite against any one, but will endeavor to work for the good of all. We may be pardoned for feeling that we can do something to make the world better, perhaps, a kind of father's pride for his first bantling; but then if we had no hopes of doing some good, we should certainly fail, for, 'you cannot well shoot higher than your aim.'
"The Ledger will in politics be a Republican newspaper, because we honestly believe it right so to be. We have another aim, also, and with due modesty we confide our hope to you, kind reader, asking you in the kindness of your heart, to do something to aid us in accomplishing our purpose. It is to make a little money out of our enterprise.
"It is with 'good will to all, and malicc to- ward none,' that we send out this, our first effort upon the 'uncertain sea of fame,' hoping it may reach some peaceful haven, and not through stress of storm, go down, with all our hopes and good purposes on board.
JOHN C. McBRIDE, W. S. PRESTON."
An improvement has been made in the mechanical appearance of the Ledger in the past few months, which is appreciated by its readers. The paper has a good corps of correspondents throughout the country, and its local page is always full to overflowing. It ranks among the best
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
local papers in the State. Every effort to build up Eldora is encouraged by the editors.
John C. McBride, one of the editors and proprietors of the Ledger, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and received his education in the high schools of that city. In 1873 he came to Eldora, where he entered the law office of Iluff & Reed, in which he continued his studies until admitted to the Bar in 1876, since which time he has engaged in the practice of his profession. Mr. McBride is a brother of Robert H. McBride, the founder of the Ledger, and, like him, wields a graceful and ready pen.
W. S. Preston, the partner of Mr. Mc- Bride in the publication of the Ledger, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, November 15, 1845. He is the son of Rev. E. T. and Mary J. (Chambers) Pres- ton, who emigrated to Jasper county, Iowa, in 1855, being among the early settlers of that county . Rev. Mr. Preston was a self-made man, receiving few educational advantages. When twenty-two years of age he began the study of law, and in due course of time was admitted to the Bar; but soon after his admission he united with the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and be- came one of the leading ministers of that denomination. He was always a strong anti-slavery man, and while a resident of Ohio, he was recognized as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, and many a poor slave has he helped on to liberty
W. S. Preston was educated in the com- mon schools of his adopted county, and in Iowa College. He also attended a law course at the Iowa State University, grad- nating in 1874. During this year he was
united in marriage with Mary A., daughter of M. Frisbie, of Eldora. They have one darghter .. Mr. Preston, since 1874, has been engaged in the practice of law, and in the real estate business.
THE ELDORA HERALD.
The Herald was established under the name of Reform Herald, in 1873, as an anti-monopoly paper, by a joint stock com- pany, with William A. Greer as editor. In his salutatory, Mr. Greer said,
"The newly elected President or Gover- nor first presents himself to the public through bis inaugural. The author opens his work with a preface or introduction. Custom has imposed upon the editor the duty of indicating, in the first issue of a new journal, its principles and future policy. In obedience to this well estab- lished usage, we address ourselves, in this article to the people, asking for a patient hearing, a candid consideration, a deliber- ate and impartial judgment.
"The world in all its aspects is con- stantly changing. This is as true in the social and political affairs of men, as in the animal or vegetable kingdoms. There is no such thing as a stand-still. We either progress or retrograde. The people soon tire with the monotony of the old things, and cast about them for something new. Questions, once absorbing in interest and vital importance, being discussed and passed upon by the people, become obsolete and useless. New grievances arise de- manding the attention and action of a vigilant people. Parties, like men who originate and compose them, are mortal. They are 'born in weakness, perhaps, grow into greatness and power, accomplish their
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY. 469
mission, then, having fallen into the hands of demagogues and political prostitutes, become hopelessly corrupt, decay and die. History in this or any other country, is without a recorded instance where a politi- cal party having once become corrupt, has grown better and purer. Every reform which the world has ever witnessed, has been accomplished by a sect or party called into existence for that purpose. So it will be in the present case. All of the abuses, of which the people now so justly and bitterly complain, have been built up, permitted to grow up, by the party now in power. Does any reasonable man believe that it will destroy that which it has created? It is admitted by all, that the Republican party is corrupt. That once noble party, spoken into, being, and led to triumph by its Lincolns, its Sewards, its Greeleys, its Stantons, and its Sumners, is being hurled into the vortex of ruin by its Grants, its Mortons, its Carpenters, and its Butlers. Whatever may have been its
character heretofore; the people are begin- ing to realize the impending ruin, if this party should be perpetuated in power. Credit Mobilier and Fort Snelling swin- dles, salary grabs, railroad and bank mon- opolies, Federal tyranny in the Southern States, civil service abuses, nepotism, offici- ciał defaulting, press subsidizing, defiant and high handed debauching, and immor- tality of high officials, Presidential neglect of duty by endless pleasure touring at the public expense, and the nameless category of crimes and abuses, the offspring of Republican rule, have roused the people to a determined resistance and a promising opposition. The crumbling of the old parties can beseen on every hand, and their
decay is inevitable. Party ties are loosening, and the people everywhere are assuming an independence which is without a pre- cedent in American history. In our own county whatever may be the strength of the Republican party, whether it be in the majority or minority, it cannot be denied that the opposition is a formidable one. This strong element of the people has been heretofore without a journal to advocate its principles. The people have been for a long time without a paper at their county seat, having the least claim to respectability or decency; the agricultural and grange element has been without a press to cham- pion its cause and call for a redress of its grievances. The papers of the county have hooted at every effort which this latter class have made to improve its condition. They have applied to the farmers the most bemeaning epithets of which the language is capable; they have slandered every man of whom they could not make a tool. They have heaped insult upon insult, and injury upon injury upon the best men of our county, without cause and without regard to party. No character, whose pos- sessor would not bow to their will, has been too good for them to attempt to blacken. They have scattered their ob- scenity and vulgarity broadcast throughout the community, insulting the intelligence, outraging the feelings, and corrupting the morals of the people. It is due to this insulted and unrepresented class, that they should have a medium through which they may obtain reliable and useful information, vindicate their rights and inculcate their principles. It is this plain demand which has called the Reform Herald into exist- ence, and to this cause we dedicate it in
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its infancy, pledging that whether its life may be long or short, it will ever be the champion of the people's rights, and the faithful guardian of its most sacred interests. We wage no warfare upon any individuals, any legitimate enterprises or interests. We engage in no controversies with the vulgar, and will ignore their ex- istence, but will meet all legitimate and respectable argument with the same. We shall endeavor to the best of our ability, to make our columns perfectly reliable, so that the people can accept what they see therein, with the fullest confidence; and will keep our columns as free from sensa- tionalism, as a faithful chronicle of events will admit. With these assurances to the people, we present our unassuming journal to the public, asking a liberal share of their patronage."
The first issue of the Reform Herald bore date October 3, 1873. It was a neat eight-column folio, and well filled with the advertisements of business men. Its local columns were also well filled. Mr. Greer continued as editor of the paper until March, 1874, when the stockholders in the concern became dissatisfied, and sold the office to Isaac L. Hart. The gentleman was not unknown to the people of Hardin county, having been editor of the Eldora Tribune for some time. In his salutatory Mr. Hart said :
"It might be reasonably expected of us, perhaps, in again starting in the publica- tion of a paper in Eldora, that we should , say something of our purposes, and what we expect to accomplish. But, by way of premise to this, we should say that, although onr advent was wholly unex- pected, the welcome received has been
cordial and most friendly, for which the people of our town and county have our hearty thanks.
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