USA > Iowa > Warren County > The history of Warren County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics &c > Part 51
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Mr. Murphy continued with the Republican until sometime about the beginning of the year 1856, when it passed into the hands of Henderson, Millard & Co., with Mr. C. E. Millard as editor, and Col. P. P. Henderson as proprietor. Mr. Murphy, it seems, had become rather careless of his work, and it was thought he was hardly giving the county so good a paper as it deserved. As evidence of this, the following, under the title of " ex- cuses," appears in the issue of December 27, 1875: " Our excuse for be- ing several days behind hand with our paper, is unavoidable. One of our hands accidentally got his hand cut, and the other sick, which only left myself and the devil to do the work. This, we hope, will be satisfac- tory to onr many readers. Next week we will not issue any paper. Our hands claim the old 'maxim,'. a week for holidays, which will prevent us from issuing. We will try and be on hands hereafter."
Mr. Millard, it also appears, was rather neglectful of the paper, and he only continued its editor until the 26th of June, 1865, when he was suc- ceeded by Mr. Geo. W. Clark. In the issue when Mr. Millard's name dis- appeares, the following notice, explaining itself, is to be found:
To his Excellency, James W. Grimes, Governor of Iowa:
SIR :- I received on yesterday a proclamation signed by you, convening the General As- sembly on the 2d day of July next. I am sorry to inform you that I will not be able to at- tend till near the close of the session on account of Two Circus Shows, which we expect here in July. Respectfully,
P. GAD BRYAN.
INDIANOLA, June 14, 1856.
Abont this time the columns of the Republican contained several notable political articles by H. W. Maxwell, the clerk of the courts, afterward Judge of the District Court for nine years, now one of the leading attor- neys of the State. They show the same hard work, and conscientious treat- ment of his subject, which has ever characterized his course in these late and more prominent days.
Mr. Geo. W. Clark, who, during the war, became Gen. Geo. W. Clark, and after its close, United States Marshal for Iowa, became editor of the Republican as above mentioned, and the publishing firm became Hender- son, Clark & Barnes. Colonel Henderson still remaining practically the owner of the paper; Mr. Clark, editor, and Mr. Barnes, the printer. We
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have fortunately found Mr. Clark's " Salutatory", and here give it in full. It will be seen that it is fully as stilted as the usual documents of its sort:
"There is an old, and imperious custom, in newspaperdom, that exacts from persons assuming the editorial sanctum, a kind of formal bow, in salutation to the public We shall comply with this custom, only so far as to introduce ourselves, define our position, and set forth our object. When we recognize the dignity and talent of the editorial fraternity of our country, we feel no small degree of diffidence, in presuming to enroll our names among theirs. We should say to our readers that however unexpected our introduction may be to them, we not only hope, but we are determined, if our efforts are sufficient, to make our acquaintance mutually agreeable and advantageous. Whether this proprietory change in the Republican will be for its improvement, or not, we are willing to abide the verdict of its patrons. Nor is it our province to promise with what ability we will conduct it; but it is our province and pleasure to promise that all the ability we can command will be most heartily and sedulously devoted to its columns. Being hitherto recognized as a county paper, we aspire to make it nothing else. To promote the best interests of Warren county will be our first consideration. The growing and prosperous agricultural interests of the county shall have our respectful attention, and the politics of the county shall have our fearless voice.
"In a political crisis like the present, when the industry of partisan feel- ing transcends that of any former period in the history of our country, we deem it as impossible, as it would be despicable, for a journal to shield itself under the cloak of neutrality. An equivocal, vacillating position on the political issues of the day is no position, and a neutral position at pres- ent can only be imputed to imbecility of judgment, or dishonesty of pur- pose. Then you are ready to ask, which side will the Republican take? In answer to that, we would inquire, what is the one and only position for a Northern journal, true to itself, true to its country, and trne to freedom? Answer this, and you define the position of the Republican.
"We are now entering into a political contest of the most thrilling inter- est. The campaign is now fairly open. The standard bearers of the re- spective parties are nearly all in the field. The one great over-shadowing question now to be determined is the extension or non-extension of Ameri- can slavery. Shall the blighting curse of human bondage be restricted to its present boundaries? or shall it pour itself out, without restraint, and find" no limits but the Pacific Ocean? The Republican will take the proud stand that the ‘peculiar institution' of the South should be addressed and met in the peremptory tone of 'thus far and no farther.' Its best efforts will be devoted to the support of Free Kansas and to the election of men to office who will sympathize with her, and exert their energies to deliver her from the incubus imposed on her by Missouri conspiracy and corruption. Kansas is the battle-field between Slavery and Freedom. The result of the controversy on her broad prairies will determine the permanent ascendency of liberty or bondage in our National Councils. The exclusion of slavery from Kansas will put a final quietus on the slavery propaganda. With Kansas free, every State hereafter formed out of territory north and west of her will be forever free. The slave power realizes this extremity. The administration feels the des- peration of the exigency. The propagandists invade Kansas, debauch her
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ballot boxes, nsurp entire control, the minions of the legislature legalize slavery in that free Territory, and impose on her citizens the bloodiest and most tyranical code the world ever knew. The President has the effrontery to uphold this blasphemous code as valid, and proclaims that, all its impu- dent and tyranical mandates shall be obeyed. Where, now, is the grand truth uttered by Algernon Sydney that, 'resistance to tyrants is obedience to God'? What, now, would the modern democracy think of Jefferson, could he stand up before them and repeat that noble sentiment, 'I have sworn npon the altar of my God, eternal hostility to tyranny in every form over the mind and body of man'?
"We are most sensibly impressed with the vastness of the issues, and the responsibility of a journalist in such times; but with truth for our gnide and freedom for our canse, we enter the contest with confiding hopes of success.
"G. W. CLARK."
The Republican lived just ten weeks after this, and Mr. Clark com- plained that when he "had just got himself some carpet slippers, and a comfortable room, and fixed up for business the thing should go and bust." Nevertheless, "bust" it did, at number 49, never to be revived, nor any of the men connected with it to reappear in the work of journalism.
Mr. Murphy, it is said, now lives in Missouri; Mr. Millard remained a citizen of the county for several years, and was elected district attorney and member of the legislature, finally removing to Clarke county, where he re- mained until some four or five years ago, when he removed to Texas, where he died abont 1877. Gen. Clark is engaged in mining in Utah.
On the first of January, 1856, it issned a carrier's address, the first ever published in the county. It was written by Mrs. T. G. Davis, daughter of Mrs. McCreary, who still lives in the county. Mrs. Davis lived only a short time after the appearance of this address, and it was probably the last thing she ever wrote for publication. The address is as follows:
CARRIER'S ADDRESS.
TO THE PATRONS OF THE INDIANOLA REPUBLICAN, JANUARY 1ST, 1856.
All hail! to INDIANOLA that now Wears proudly on her youthful brow The matron's badge, the first and best Of all the cities of the West.
Go where you will you'll hear her name, Each swelling zephyr wafts her fame, Her fields with rich abundance swell, And flowers are strewn o'er lawn and dell.
Her Editors and Printers rare, And Merchants who deal fair, Mechanics skillful, Teachers wise, And Lawyers famed for telling [no] lies.
Her Landlords shrewd, but fair and true, Her Doctors, skilled and skillful to, And like the bees in field and bower, All gather honey from each flower.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
Our lands are rich, our prairies green, Our landscapes bright as e'er were seen; Wild flowers in wide abundance bloom, And yield the zephyr's sweet perfume.
Our forests groan with sturdy oaks, Wild fruits abound in shady nooks, Where merry warblers swell their throats With joyous strains of heaven-born notes.
With joyous notes the gleeful throng Of youthful prattlers join To swell the chorus of the song, A Happy New Year's morn.
From tender youth to sober age, The weak, the wise, the good, The school-boy, and the deep learned sage, All seem in joyous mood.
And I am glad when others are, Nor ask the reason why; But humbly pray that naught shall mar This good year's jollity.
But gently may its seasons fall, And pleasantly its hours, And peace and plenty bring to all, In this good land of ours.
May good old Time his soothing balm Apply to every heart, Each troubled spirit gently calm And heal each bosom's smart.
And when another year shall add Its number to the last, May no regrets or memories sad With sorrow mar the past.
May conscience sweet approval smile, Her influence still impart, To save us from temptation's wiles, That haunt the human heart.
But when of future good we speak, And hope for health and cheer, And blessing we should humbly seek From Him who rules the year.
Up to the great Omnipotent Our fervent thanks should go, For all the gracious gifts He sent To bless the world below.
In this our beauteous Western land, What countless blessings come, From His all powerful, gracious hand To cheer our prairie home.
Abundance crowns the laborer's toil- He need not wish for more, For like the widow's precious oil, His vessels all run o'er.
ImBurlow
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
The gospel church and school-house stand Like sisters, side by side,
The bulwarks strong of this fair land That ever must abide.
We daily welcome to our side Intelligence and worth, The hope, the glory and the pride Of the homes that gave them birth.
With buoyant hopes and prospects bright, We hail the New Year's dawn,
As still we watch with calm delight Our ship of State sail on.
Kind patrons, friends, good health to all, And peace without alloy, And lightly may Time's footprints fall, Is the wish of the CARRIER boy.
The carrier boy on this occasion was Newton Vestal, who had entered the office about the time the Republican was started, and who, being the latest acquisition, was the "devil" in the establishment. He did not remain much longer in the office, but returned to Indiana, where he connected himself with journalism.
Warren county was without a newspaper again until April 2, 1857, when Mr. J. H. Knox, who had bought the material of the Republican office, issued the first number of the Indianola Visitor. Mr. Knox had learned the printer's trade in his boyhood days, and had been associated with E. A. Higgins in the publication of the Western Home Visitor, at Mt. Vernon, Ohio. In 1854 he started west, and came first to Newton, Jasper county, where he remained, however, but a short time, but removed to Oskaloosa about the beginning of the year 1855, and bought a half interest in the Oskaloosa Herald, and remained in that place, as one of its editors and proprietors, until the autumn of 1856. In February, 1857, he came to Indianola, and in April issued the first number of his paper, as already stated. His first office was located on the west side of the square, in the building now occupied by Mrs. Hamilton as a millinery store. He was a good printer, and therefore had a very good job and newspaper outfit, and from the very first did job printing. The following is Mr. Knox's saluta- tory:
" Having purchased the material upon which was formerly printed The Indianola Republican, we, this week, commence the publication of a paper, under the name and title of The Weekly Iowa Visitor. It being a time-honored custom for an editor, just launching out upon the uncertain sea of public life, to give his readers an idea of the course he intends to pursue, we will briefly set forth the principles we intend to advocate, and the ends for which we shall labor:
"First. We shall aim to make our paper a welcome Visitor to the citi- zens of Warren and adjoining counties.
"Second. As we do not wish to sail under false colors we will here state that we are Republican in sentiment, and will advocate the true Democratic doctrine that 'all mankind are born equal.' We shall, therefore, urge the adoption, by our National Government, of such measures as will tend to the settling up of our territories with Free Men and Free Labor: The
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
party with which we act is opposed to the further extension of slavery, and discards the modern doctrine that the Constitution of the United States carries Slavery with it into the Territories. We believe it to be a local institution, belonging to the States in which it now exists, and that Con- gress has no power over it in those States.
"Third. A large portion of our paper will be devoted to literature. Choice selections from the best authors of the day, will be found in our columns. Agriculture, too, shall have a space in our paper, and we ask the farmers of our county to contribute to our agricultural department. A mutual interchange of sentiments and experience will do much for their good, and for the general interest of the county. In a word, we shall exert our best energies to make our paper worthy of your support and influence. We believe the citizens of Warren county are able to support a county paper. Do you want to see your county prosper? if so, support, and that well, too, your paper. There is not any one thing that tends to the build- ing up of your county than a well-conducted press. It tells in after years, and wields a power that to-day, perhaps, is lightly felt; but like the con- stant dropping of water upon the rock, it wears away vice, iniquity and crime of every grade."
In No. 3, of the Visitor, for April 16, 1857, the following apology ap- peared, which is a model of its kind:
' No leader this week. Cause: 1st. We had to labor too hard at the case. 2d. Hadn't anything to say, nohow. 3d. Couldn't get it up to snit us if we had. 4th. 'Stole' all the editorial we wanted from the Iowa City Republican and Keokuk Gate City."
The Visitor for August 6, 1857, has the following agricultural paragraph, which will recall the days of old to many an early settler:
" HUNGARIAN GRASS .- This grass is attracting much attention in Iowa, and is, we believe, destined to supercede all other grasses. Mr. Ingalls, of this place, has a small patch of this grass, and it promise's a large yield. We would advise farmers of this county to procure the seed of this grass and try it. It is said, by those who have tried it, that it is superior to timothy, and will harvest abont four tons to the acre. The hardy nature of this plant, and its immense yield, added to the fact that stock are exces- sively fond of its jnices, give it an important position in agriculture, and render it worthy the attention of our farmers and stock-raisers. We pre- dict for it much celebrity and nsefulness. It is being rapidly introduced in our State."
The circulation of the paper was good even in those days, but Mr. Knox says he was compelled to take his pay in corn, hay, turnips, potatoes, cab- bage, wood, logs, etc., anything to get it, and much of it was neglected and . never paid at all.
Mr. Knox, however, kept the paper through good and ill report, although the hard times following the crash of 1857 was a great blow to the Visitor as it was to most western newspapers and other business men. Mr. Knox went twice to the mountains during the gold excitement, and on one of these occasions Mr. John D. Ingalls was its editor, as he was also in 1862, when Mr. Knox had accepted a commission as Captain in the army. At one time in 1858, during the absence of Mr. Knox, it was conducted by Mr. John C. Brown ås an independent paper, but resumed its position in the Republican ranks when Mr. Knox again took charge of it. In March, 1864, he sold it to M. Henry Money, who changed its name to the Warren
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
County Banner, and who, with the assistance of his wife, conducted it until September, 1866, when Mr. Knox bought it again and re-named it Visitor, always his favorite name. It was under this name that it became known in the State as one of the brightest papers in the State and which laid the foundation for the prosperity of the newspaper which succeeded it.
Mr. Knox retained control of the Visitor this time until April, 1868, when he sold it to George E. Griffith and others, for whom it was well con- ducted for about two months by Mr. Albert W. Swalm. Mr. E. W. Brady, of the Mt. Pleasant Journal, became its editor in June of that year and changed its name again, this time to the Indianola Journal. Mr. Brady was a Methodist clergyman, but he made the Journal very lively, and en- tered into an aggressive fight for one of the factions then dividing the Re- publican party in Warren county.
In 1871 he associated with him Mr. W. H. Schooley, who bought out the entire concern some time in 1872, and this gentleman soon after sold a half interest to Mr. A. J. Graham, of Madison county.
In September, 1873, Mr. Knox again bought a half interest in the paper, and the firm became Graham & Knox. The name, however, was again changed, this time to the Indianola Herald, some time about the beginning of the year 1874, and this name it still retains.
Mr. Brady returned to the ministry, and Mr. Schooley is now engaged in the practice of the law in Indianola.
During Mr. Knox's connection with the Visitor he has turned out many apprentices, and among them we may recount the more deserving, and those who have since made their mark in business or in journalism.
Newton Vestal, who was about the first printer's apprentice to complete his trade, was the youngest boy in the office at a time when Judge John D. Ingalls was the foreman. He was a faithful boy, and became a good printer. It is told of him that at one time, when some wedding cake was brought to the office, he was told that it must not be touched until it was blessed, and that this was the duty of the youngest boy in the office. He hesitated for a time, but being finally convinced that the boys in the office were in earnest, he dropped on his knees and in perfect sincerity and trust asked the blessing. It is said that the boys in the office were astonished at his credulity in believing their representations, and with his earnestness in complying with their demand. He returned to Indiana, his native State, entered the army, and fought his way to an honorable rank in the great civil war. He is now editor of a weekly paper in that State.
His brother, Warner L. Vestal, also entered the Visitor office and learned the trade. He went into the army and came out as Colonel of the 53d Indiana regiment. He is now editor of the Pilot, at Storm Lake, Buena Vista county, and has occupied several positions of trust in the State.
William Young, who became a brother-in-law of W. L. Vestal, and is associated with him in the conduct of the Pilot, is a graduate from the Visitor office.
Woodford B. Evans, who learned his trade in this office, was formerly recorder in Ida county, and editor of the Press in the same county.
J. J. Cozad, who was at one time the champion runner in the United States, was another Visitor office graduate. He is now living in Califor- nia.
Albert W. Swalm, who has already been mentioned, came here from Oskaloosa, having began his trade there, and entered the Visitor office. He
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
was a hard worker, and soon became foreman of the entire office, and did his first writing on the paper, and in the interval of Mr. Brady's appear- ance, edited the Visitor for about ten months. He left the office to take the position of city editor of the State Register; then established the Grand Junction Headlight, which he sold to buy the Jefferson Bee, which he sold in turn to purchase, in company with his wife, Mrs. Paulina Given Swalm, the Fort Dodge Messenger. He occupied several important posi- tions on government commissions in the western Territories. In July, 1877, his health had failed to that extent that he was compelled to dispose of his interest, and spend some time traveling in Europe. He returned in August, 1878, and is now residing on a farm near Des Moines, for the benefit of his health. He will probably resume, at no distant day, that place in Iowa journalism which he is so well qualified to fill.
Edward H. H. Jones, now foreman of the State Register news-room, was also a graduate from under Mr. Knox's eye.
Others are Mr. John H. Clark, now a prominent business man of India- nola, and Mr. John W. Wells, now foreman of the Creston Gazette office.
In June last the Herald made another temporary change. Mr. Knox leasing his interest to Mr. John W. Jones for one year from that time. Mr. Jones has control of the city page.
The Herald is an excellent paper and thoroughly devoted to the inter- ests of the county. It has a fine office, its ontfit composing a Campbell power press, and steam power. It ocenpies an office in one of Mr. Knox's buildings, southeast of the public square, well situated for business. Mr. Graham has general control of the paper, and his editorial articles are thoughtful views of public questions, devoid of those personalities which are often adopted by the press.
The next paper started in the county was the Warren Eagle, on the 3d of May, 1849. Its proprietor and publisher was I. R. Sherwood, of whom we have been able to discover but little. On the 7th of June, following, Mr. J. M. Dixon was associated in its management and continued as its editor during the remainder of its existence, which was short and fitful. The Eagle was independent nominally, i. e., it was sometimes independent, which then meant Democratic one week and Republican the next, although it was consistently Republican in its treatment of national questions, the uncertainty or independence applying only to its position on county or local affairs. Its contest with the Visitor was spirited, from many points of view, but the latter had already established itself and could not be shaken, while there was not room at that time for two county papers. The Eagle, therefore, lived only two weeks after the October election, and the county was left with but one paper. Mr. Dixon afterward became more distinguished as city editor of the Daily Iowa State Register, where he remained until an affection of his eyes produced total blindness, since which time he has been engaged in literary work and lecturing.
The Warren Eagle in its issue of June 20, 1859, contains a greeting to a daily paper announced to be published in Des Moines, which, after the lapse of only twenty years, and considering the position of the daily jour- nals of the capital city at the present time, deserves a place in our record of events. It was as follows:
" Friend Porter, of the Iowa State Journal, is abont to establish-no, start a daily in Des Moines. With all his excellent financial qualities, Mr. Porter, we fear, will not be able to make his daily live beyond a month.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
He advises our Eagle to be moderate in his sky-ward flights; and we ad- vise him to note the time when our prond bird goes up in the same direc- tion which the Daily Iowa State Journal is destined to take. Notwith- standing our apprehensions about the fate of the Journal, we wish Mr. Porter success in his new enterprise; and although he is an incorrigible Locofoco, bonnd fast to the car of Buchanan, pro-slaveryism and political damnation; we speak for an exchange with the Daily. Here's our m for thirty days. At the end of this time we will have, from his own pen, friend Porter's business experience in daily journalism at the Capital."
We have no interest in following the fortunes of the Journal further than the registry of this prophecy, but, then, in the course of a few months, the Eagle did " go up" in the sense predicted by Mr. Porter.
The next newspaper venture was made on the 14th of July, 1870, by G. N. Udell, and was called the Independent. He was, at that time, the champion projector of newspapers in the State of Iowa, having indulged in twenty or thirty efforts of that kind. He as usual, re- mained but a short time, and in the midst of the campaign, on the first of September, he sold out to a company which desired to conduct a Republican newspaper.
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