USA > Iowa > Washington County > The history of Washington County, Iowa, its cities, towns, and c., a biographical directory of its citizens > Part 51
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Mr. Grimes and Coalition. "Will the Whigs of the old guard, who have fought through long years for the success of their cherished and time-honored principles, and who love their principles better than they love a temporary trinmph, or an inglorious victory, vote for Mr. Grimes? Will they give countenance and enconragement to an abandonment of their ancient platform, and an apostasy from that ancient faith which has been their bond of union in many a hard fought field, by supporting a man for the highest office known to our Constitution, who for the sake of success has united himself and his party, so far as he has the power, with the aboli- tion faction of the State?
"Every act of their party management that has ever come before the public shows clearly, plainly and unequivocally that Mr. Grimes and a few other designing politicians, have been and are still, using every means to effect a coalition between the Whig and abolition parties. But notwith- standing their constant and vigorons efforts, they will in our opinion fail to add strength to their cause or attain the end in view; for should a ma- jority of the Whig party and the whole of the abolition party favor the
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coalition, we are confident that there will be Whigs of the old guard out- numbering the abolitionists, who, disgusted with the coalition will not support Mr. Grimes. In this event, the united forces will not be as strong as the Whig party would be nubroken by coalition. So this political wire- working will weaken the vote by which the Whig candidate must be elect- ed, if elected at all.
"The so-called True Democrat, the abolition paper of Mt. Pleasant, con- tains some very strong evidence of the mntnal good will and amicable re- lations that exist between the Whig candidate for governor and the abolition fraternity. In the issne of that paper of the 31st ult., is an editorial article reviewing Mr. Grimes' speech recently delivered at Mt. Pleasant. It says that Mr. Grimnes' speech was all that the abolitionists could wish, and that the speaker held the question of slavery to be ' head and shoulders' above every other question before the American people.
"If Mr. Grimes is all that the abolitionists ean wish, must lie not be an abolitionist? When they have heretofore nominated their candidates, they selected ' whole hog' abolitionists, and every person who is at all familiar with the antecedents of this faction in Iowa must know that they never nominate or indorse, by word or deed, any man or number of men as stand- ard bearers whose orthodoxy admits of a single doubt, or whose zeal is not always at the boiling point. Henee, this would-be governor is either an abolitionist, ora deceiver of that party: if the former, no good Whig or Dem- ocrat should support him, and if the latter no man of any party should support him.
" We are confident that Mr. Grimes will not, as he travels over the State, at all his plaees of speaking, make just such a speech as the abolitionists want. That speech at Mt. Pleasant was doubtless adapted to the time and place, and will not answer for any other latitude in which he may travel.
" The above named Review, says that Mr. Grimes was in favor of a pro- hibitory liqnor law for Iowa, and that he referred to his antecedents in the legislature for liis views on temperance.
" Now, we happened to be with him in the last legislature and heard probably every word which he said on the business of legislation, but can- not call to mind one word said or one act done by him favorable to temper- ance in any form. We remember well when the Maine law was discussed in committee of the whole in the house of representatives; the discussion was continued for several days, but Mr. Grimes, if onr memory serves, said not a word for or against its adoption. Indeed, we do not remember that he ever honored the committee with his presence. This does not look like favoring a Prohibitory Law."
The same number of the " Argus" contains a call for a county conven- tion. It is as follows:
"County Convention .- The Whigs of Washington County, Iowa, are requested to meet at the places of voting in their respective townships, on the 24th day of June, 1854 at 3 o'clock P. M. and select delegates to attend a Whig County Convention at Washington on the first day of July follow- ing at one o'clock P. M. to nominate county candidates for next Angust eleetion; also delegates to attend a joint convention of the counties of Louisa and Washington.
" One delegate for every fifty polls and a fractional over twenty-five in the township. By order of the Central Committee
N. EVERSON, Chairman."
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
The following named gentlemen wereauthorized to act as agents for the " Argus ":
Dr. Hull, Crawfordsville; F. Schawche, Crawfordsville; Dr. Moore, Richmond; J. M. Wilson, Richmond; H. H. Wilson, Wassonville; W. B. Bolding, Wassonville; J. R. Shields, Brighton; Abel Todd, Indian Creek; S. P. Young, Cedar township; Win. P. Organ, Washington; A. B. Rose, Yatton; N. P. Cooper, Yatton; Joseph Middleton, Valley P. O .; J. S. Reeves, Marcellus.
Out of the list of advertisements we copy the following:
" The Washington Academy .- This institution consists of a male and female department and is founded on the model of the best institutions of the kind in our country. A primary department is also connected with the academy under the care of Miss Emneline King.
" The summer session will open on Tuesday of May next and will con- tinne for five months. The price of tuition is from $5.00 to $8.00 per ses- sion. Good boarding and lodging can be had, in private families at $1.50 per week. For further particulars inquire of the undersigned by letter or per- sonally at his residence in Washington, Iowa.
"THOMAS H. DINSMORE."
Among the business cards are those of Norman Everson, A. H. Patter- son and J. B. McNay, attorneys at law; Dr. E. R. Young, physician and surgeon; Dr. H. B. Sisson, dental surgeon; John H. Gear & Co., whole- sale grocers and forwarding commission merchants, Burlington, Iowa; Iowa House, Norman Chipman, proprietor; Marsh & Holden, dry goods, and groceries; Danglierty & Pollock, dry goods, groceries and cutlery; Shaw & Corbin, stoves.
The paper was short lived and by many forgotten, but it is hoped that in so far as it has been resurrected by the foregoing account it will have the effect to arouse none but grateful recollections of the past.
THE WASHINGTON PRESS,
The Washington " Press " was established by A. R. Wickersham, in 1856, the first number being issued April 9th. In his salutatory the editor says that he has some knowledge of the cares and toils of editorial life and has been connected with the press for a number of years. In an editorial article headed " Our Position " he says:
" We propose to publish an independent political paper, and not devoted exclusively to the interests of any one party, but left free to advocate the truth and combat error which we may find in any and all parties."
He then pledges himself to oppose the extension of slavery over the ter- ritories and the entire divorce of the general government from all connec- tion with or support of the institution of slavery; enters the lists against the liquor traffic and promises to publish emphatically a Washington county paper.
Fifteen hundred copies of this number were printed for gratuitous dis- tribution. Among the advertisements we noticed the following: Notice ot the annal meeting of the Kansas League of Iowa, signed by Charles Foster, chairman of the executive committee; summer term of the Wash- ington College; a long list of letters, Mrs. Mary Parker, P. M .; Dr. M. C. Parker, Homeopathic and Hydropathic Physician; the cards of G. W. Thompson & Son, Corbin, Furguson & Co., N. Chipman, Marsh & Holden,
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A. W. Chilcote, W. H. Jenkins, and others. Of the twenty-eight columns of the paper but two were occupied by advertisements. The second num- ber was not issued until the 23d of April, in which the editor says:
" As we are occuping the court-room for a printing office at present we shall have to suspend operation till after the adjournment of court."
The same number contained a brief history of the county, which was utilized in the preparation of this work. In the next number appears a list of the lands for sale for taxes, occupying abont three columns, and at the head of the editorial column was the following:
" Circular to the citizens of Washington county. Our county paper. We the undersigned have no hesitation in saying to the people of Washington County, that our county paper, the Washington ' Press, ' is established on a firm foundation, and that no fears need be entertained by persons desir- ons of taking it that it will be discontinned. The proprietor intends to make it a good paper and in order to do this must be liberally patronized." Signed by A. H. Patterson, Albert Allen, J. R. Lewis, J. F. Malin, H. Wallingford, Wm. H. Jenkins, W. E. Woodstock, John T. Burris, James Dawson, A. J. Disney, S. C. Corbin, Jas. M. Furguson, William P. Organ.
On the 11th day of November, 1857, A. S. Bailey became a partner in the ownership of the "Press, " and assistant editor, the partnership lasting till June 2d, 1858. when Wickersham retired and was succeeded by Thom- as H. Stanton, and the firm was known by the name of Bailey & Stanton. Jan. 19, 1859, the ownership again changed, Mr. Wickersham becoming sole proprietor, and the editorial control being with Wickersham and Stanton. Matters remained in this shape till Mr. Stanton went into the army, when he dissolved his editorial connection, and was again succeded by A. S. Bailey as assistant editor, who, during the winter of 1864, again retired and Mr. Wickersham continned to be editor and proprietor of the paper till May, 9tlı, 1866, when he sold the paper to H. A. Burrell. Since that time neither the ownership nor the editorial control of the paper has changed. Under vigilant supervision, and by virtue of the energy, enter- prise and industry of Mr. Burrell the " Press " lias become one of the most popular weekly papers in the State. It has also proved to be a good financial investment, and after remaining awhile in the old dingy quarters where it was sheltered in 1866, Mr. Burrell has at last found it an elegant and commodions home in the two-story brick building which he built and fitted np especially for that purpose.
Upon taking charge of the "Press" Mr. Burrell published the following salutatory :
"In the last number of the Press "our inntnal friend," Mr. Wicker- sham, kindly introduced me as his successor to the numerous readers and pa- trons of the Press, and to the editorial fraternity of the State. In thns being put in the way of forming an acquaintance with this large public and on assuming control of the paper, it may be well to say a few words as to the proposed conduct of the paper, its character and aims.
"We intend to make the Press essentially a county paper, a journal which shall at once be a mirror reflecting its interests and a weekly history of its affairs. The provincial press canot vie with that of commercial cen- ters in point of fullness of general news, or in the discussion of main topics going, but must appeal to a home public for that appreciation and support which it is sure to get if rightly conducted. For people love home better than strange places if not so elegant, and relish the news of the neighbor-
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hood, though not very brave or startling. And so it falls out that the county paper, not less than the wide flying daily, is a public necessity.
"To the end of making the Press a home paper we shall be glad to give place to pithy communications of reliable local news which our friends throughout the county may choose to send us. We solicit such. At the same time our columns will contain interesting, valuable selections together with such summaries and winnowings of general news that the reader may get from them an intelligent idea of what the world is at.
"A prudent man seeing the lame issue of the fair promises of Andy John- son (whose lead and rule have been the last dispensation of Mosaic stamp vouchsafed to man), and considering that eminent example is contagious, might be chary of making pledges as to the political character of his paper. Nevertheless the 'Press' will ever be frank in the avowal of generous sen- timents and the advocacy of just measures; insisting that in the present crisis the duty of the government is nothing less than the practical enter tainment of equal rights to all as ends, and impartial suffrage as means.
"As for the rest we prefer that the paper should speak for itself. We hope and aim to make it worthy a place in every intelligent family in Washington connty."
Those who have been constant readers of the "Press" during the past four- teen years know how well the editor has kept his promise to make the paper "a mirror reflecting the interests of the county." It is but proper to say that during that time no enterprise calculated to advance the material inter- ests of the county has come up but what has found in the "Press" a prompt and able champion. They will doubtless also have noticed quite a change in the style of the writer during that time, as from year to year it has be- come more concise, pointed and sprightly. To show how the writer's pres- ent style compares with it when he wrote the salutatory, the following edito- rial is reproduced. It should be remembered that a large number of leading Republicans took serions exception to Hayes' administration, and an effort had been made to introduce a plank in the State platform condemning it. Clarkson, of the "State Register," and Hatton, of the "Hawkeye," were the leaders in this movement, and in reply to some of their stalwart leaders the following editorial was written:
"Martyrs, to the front !- We do not want this to be taken as ironical or satirical. It is not so meant.
"The Press does not doubt the reports of terrorism by rifle clubs and bull- dozing in general, in South Carolina, Alabama, Mississppi, Louisiana and other States. Gov. Wade Hampton pretends he cannot control his chival- rons galoots who go, horsed and armed, to Republican meetings, and by martial demonstrations scare and break them up. The Republicans there, thongh in the majority, are over-awed. They have a hard time of it. They need the invigorating presence of a few northern Cromwells. Shall they have this moral support?
"Here is a chance for heroisin and to do missionary work as well. Sena- tor Conkling has been flaming in Philadelphia. His oratorical shirt-tail is out as a pennon, and he wants a Republican Executive with more backbone than an angle-worm claims. Granted that we haven't such a President as he desires. What is the manifest duty of this New York Richard of the Lion Heart? Why, this, to go at once to stump those dangerous sonthern States. Let him take with him a few kindred souls, their hearts and lips all aflame. Impress into his service also a few journalists to write up the campaign so
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that it shall fire the northern heart, in case insult and mal-treatment are of- fered. Let Ret Clarkson and Frank Hatton volunteer as scribes to follow the fortunes of those Dantons and Mirabeaus. Shall Conkling neglect the New York and Pennsylvania campaign? Every stroke of work he should do in the south would fill those northern States with echoes more stalwart than the trump of Final Judgment. The south needs hint, and his like. One day's work in the Carolinas would be multiplied by ten in its effects on the northern canvass.
"We say, by all means send Conkling, Blaine, Bob Ingersoll, Garfield, and our J. F. Wilson into the Republican southern States. We should hope that not a hair of their heads would be touched; but if they were outraged, every lisp of scorn, every rifle-crack would prove as efficacious as the blood of the martyrs that is the seed of the church. Let them run a course of mobs, if it must come to that: it would fuse the north beyond all recorded experience since 1861. Besides, it would carry northern ideas of pluck, chivalry, fair play, free speech, etc., into those Bengal tiger-infested districts in the South. It is the finest opening for a heroic campaign offered in this century.
"It was reported that some of these men were to speak in Hampton's State. Why don't they go. and give the world proof of the charge that those devils, whose hands automatically feel for the revolver-butt in the hip pocket, will not tolerate free speech? Do they really believe this? If so, are they afraid? It was a wise old woman's advice to boys, 'Always do what you're afraid to do.' We believe these are brave men, and we know that they could do an immense service by taking their lives in their hands and confronting the enemies of all true American ideas in the cities and woods of the South. Let them go, and may the Lord have mercy on their sonls!"
A short time since the "Press" put on a new dress and upon doing so took a new departure. Since then more than ever before the "Press" las distinguishing characteristics which make it contrast favorably rather than compare with other papers in the country. The reason for the departure is given in the following editorial:
The Editorial We .- The most senseless survival ot custom in con- nection with the press, is the use of the editorial we.' It will do in the case of journals like the London 'Times,' New York 'Tribune,' 'Nation,' etc., where the editor is either not generally known, or the editorial work is divided, among many members of the staff, or where specialists and publicists not professionally connected with the paper contribute to the leader coluinns and wish to mask their personality to the public. But tor weekly papers, or for dailies of the rank published in this State, whose editors are well-known to their readers, to use the incognito we, is an unconscious apeing of the assumed necessary habit of the big bugs. If an editor were making a speech composed of a series of his editorial articles, he would drop 'we' and say 'I.' Nor would that substitution of the singular pronoun tax him with egotisin. Also, if he were sending home editorial correspondence, he would write 'I.' The 'we' is often awkward, and always out of taste. It is not good forin. Clergymen, too, often say 'we' in preaching, perhaps in imitation of the Creator's 'let us make man in our image.' The 'editorial we' is first used in Genesis, 1, v. 26. But the plural pronoun does not carry more authority than the singular, but less, rather. For it is more diffuse, less
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direct, less positive, as if the writer sought to shirk responsibility. Surely, it is as proper for an editor to say 'I' as for the authors of books. To see the effect of the change, 'we' mean to write a few numbers of the 'Press' in the style suggested, beginning with this No. 48, vol. 23, May 28, A. D. 1879. Who knows but that the .Press' may reform Iowa journalism in this regard, and indnce editors to discontinue a stupid practice and doff a silly, make-believe incog .? "
THE WASHINGTON "DEMOCRAT."
This paper was established by E. B. Bolens in 1860, the first number bearing date of November 22. In his salutatory Mr. Bolens says:
"We present to the people of Washington county the first number of a paper to be issued regularly each week, bearing the name of the Washing- ton "Democrat." As its name indicates the political character of the paper will be democratic. In the decision of political questions we shall endeavor to be candid, not only in promulgating the principles of National democ- racy, but also in all onr allusions to our political opponents. We shall at all times speak plainly, perhaps too harshly sometimes, yet we shall endeavor to keep within the bounds of propriety. We shall devote all our energy to make the 'Democrat' a county paper."
After having been compelled to make several temporary snspensions the paper was finally discontined.
August 14, 1878, the Washington "Democrat" was revived by Joseph Biles, who bought an office of Charles Crisman, who was publishing a paper called the "Times,".at Riverside. This paper, the "Times," had been estab- lished by George Trumbo. Upon purchasing the "Times" of Mr. Cris- man, Mr. Biles removed the office to Washington, changed the name to "The Washington Democrat," and shortly took in as a partner J. J. Kel- ogg. In May, 1879, the paper was sold to Kell & MeCracken, who in the following September sold it to Waters & Hood, the present proprietors.
These gentlemen npon assuming proprietorship and control of the "Demo- crat" published the following salutatory:
"As announced in the valedictory of Messrs. Kell & McCraeken, we have purchased the 'Democrat,' having taken possession immediately after last week's issne. This is the second change of ownership since the paper was started, and we think we are safe in saving that it will be the last for many years to come. We have lived in Washington county for a long time; most of our readers are acquainted with us; this is our home; we intend to stay. We will make no high-sounding promises, as we don't want you to expect more than yon will get. We have no idea that the 'Democrat' will be made equal to the New York 'Tribnne' during the next six months, but we will give yon the best we have in the shop, and when that is gone we'll get some more of the same kind. We will let the paper speak for itself, and if you like it, patronize it; and if you don't, why-well, stick to ns a little longer; we may improve. The paper will be democratic for the reason that its editors are Democrats and always have been. Even when in infancy they were rocked in the cradle of democracy and rocked hard. This is the length of our bow; we will now be seated. "WATERS & HOOD."
Soon after purchasing the "Democrat" the new proprietors removed the office to the new and elegant rooms which they now occupy in the Bryson
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House Block. The paper under their liberal management is meeting with quite a degree of public favor, and is now considered one of the permanent institutions of the county.
THE "GAZETTE."
This paper was started near the close of President Johnson's administra- tion, the first number having been issued December 24. 1868. The paper was published by John Wiseman who was an ardent admirer of Andrew Johnson and it was in the interest of that gentleman's policy that the paper is supposed to have been started. Although at the head of the editorial columns of the first number stands the firm name of Wiseman & Bleak- more, Wiseman seemed to have owned the paper and his name alone is signed to the salutatory, which run as follows:
"In taking up the quill we do it with many misgivings as to our ability and the result that may attend our feeble efforts, in thus boldly assuming the great responsibilities incident to that position. The most harassing thought is, that we may disappoint the expectations of our friends. If, how- ever, energy and perseverance will in any measure supply the defects of education and the errors in reasoning, then we promise you that not a stone shall be left unturned, not a thoughit or an idea shall escape onr willing pen, that would in any manner enhance your interests, cultivate your minds, or add to your store of knowledge.
"If possible the 'Gazette' shall correspond in every respect with the statements made in our prospectus, especially it shall be a 'good family pa- per.' It will not only contain items of general and local news, of litera- ture, the arts and sciences, agriculture and horticulture, but an occasional article on moral and religeous subjects. It is to be hoped however that the 'Gazette' will be of a high moral tone, and that the ideas upon reli- gious subjects will not be sectarian.
"In politics we shall advocate onr opinions and principles with firmness and zeal yet with due respect to the opinions of others, always according to others what we claim for ourselves, honesty of purpose and the right to think and act as conscience dictates. We ask the indulgence of our readers. From our experience as well as that of others, we know that it is impossi- ble to please every one. We will aim first to satisfy ourselves, believing that success can only attend such a course.
"Having now done what we believe to be one of the most difficult feats of journalism, viz: introduced ourselves to our patrons, we now respectfully turn to the gentlemen of the editorial corps of Iowa, and politely lift our hat. For you we entertain the highest sentiments of respect and in thus forcing our way among yon, we feel like a rustic youth on his first entry in college in the act of doffing his hat to his professors. Be charitable in yonr criticisms. JOHN WISEMAN."
Mr. Wiseman continued to publish the "Gazette" until 1877, when he sold to the Gazette Printing Company. At the time the "Gazette" left the hands of Mr. Wiseman it was independent in politics with a decided tend- ency to help the opposition in what ever form it assumed. It was in a prosperous condition and on being sold commanded a good price. After the change the editorial management passed into the hands of Alex. Story, who in the first number issued by the Gazette Printing Company publisli- ed the following salutatory:
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