USA > Illinois > Shelby County > Combined history of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 22
USA > Illinois > Moultrie County > Combined history of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 22
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These are the great naines in the early history of printing, and each is worthy of special honor. Coster's discovery of wood blocks or plates, on which the pages to be printed, were engraved, was made some time between 1440 and 1450, and Schoeffer's improve- ment, casting the type by means of inatrices, was made about 1456.
For a long time printing was dependent upon most clumsy ap- paratus. The carliest press had a contrivance for running the forms under the point. of pressure by means of a screw. When the pressure was supplied, the screw was loosened, the form withdrawn, and the sheet removed. Improvements were made upon these crude beginnings from time to time, until the hand-presses now in usc are inodels of simplicity, durability and execution. In 1814 steam was first supplied to cylinder presses by Frederick Konig, a Saxon genius, and the subsequent progress of steam-printing has been so remarkable as to almost justify a belief in its absolute perfection. Indeed, to appreciate the improvement in presses alone, one ought to be privileged to stand by while the pressman operated the clumsy machine of Gutenberg, and then he should step into one of the well- appointed modern printing-offices of our larger cities, where he could notice the roll of dampened paper entering the great power- presses, a continuous sheet, and issuing therefrom as newspapers ready for the carrier or express.
It would be interesting to trace more minutely the history of this great art, from its humble origin in Haerlem through all successive stages to the present, and to classify its products. For near a thousand years, previous to its introduction, mankind had been sur-
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HISTORY OF SHELBY AND MOULTRIE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
rounded by the densest ignorance the world has ever known. Teutonic barbarians had swept over fair Italy, had sacked her capital, had despised her civilization as unworthy even the indul- gence of men dependent upon muscle and sword for empire and liberty. Vandalism had been christened, and had mocked tlie wisdom of philosophers while destroying and defacing the master- pieces of Grecian and Roman sculpture and architecture. Attila, the " Scourge of God," at the head of a vast Tartar horde from Asiatic steppes liad traversed the Roman empire, spreading dismay and disaster, till checked at the fierce battle of Chalons. Omar had burned the great Alexandrian library after declaring that if its volumes agreed with the Koran they were needless, if they conflicted they were pernicious. During this period feudalism had kept the noble at war with his sovereign, had unsettled governments, and made men soldiers with scarcely time for necessary practice at arms ; amusements were popular only as they contributed to martial prowess ; and poetry, in the main, was but a minstrel's doggerel concerning the chivalrous deeds of a listening knight, or the won- derful charms of a favorite mistress. From the fall of Rome there had been but little talent or time to cultivate letters. A few eccle- siastics scattered here and there were the custodians of the learning saved from the wrecks of Grecian and Roman knowledge. The masses were ignorant. They believed the hand which commonly held the sword would be disgraced if trained to wield the pen. Books were for the monk's cell or the anchorite's cave, and the ob- jective points of all study were to escape purgatory, to cast a horo- scope, to turn baser' metals into gold. Superstition, priestcraft, and thirst for material renown moulded public acts and private train- ing. Picty was best shown in pilgrimages to the Holy Sepulchre. When the dust-stained devotees became objects of Turkish con- tempt and persecution all Europe rushed to the rescue.
While war destroys and demoralizes, not unfrequently it prepares the way for beneficent reformation. The Crusades broke the power of feudalism, dispelled much geographical ignorance by making neighboring nations better acquainted, gave an impetus to commer- cial enterprise, awakened the sluggish intellect, enlarged the human mind and rendered it more tolerant, introduced the luxuries and refinements of the Grecian empire, and brought about Magna Chartas and Free Cities. With the expanding and increasing com- merce, arts came to the front, trades flourislied, and practice began to test precept. The middle classes, whose condition ever deter- mined the character of an era or nation, obtained concessions and rights to which they had been strangers for centuries. The mental world began to move. Famous journeys and discoveries were made. Roger Bacon and Berthold Schwartz studied the chemistry of the Arabs, and were among the first devotees at the shrine of physical science. Wycliffe translated the Bible into the English vernacular. Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and England sought new outlets for their surplus products of the soil, loom, and fishery. Mental darkness can make no long-continued stand against such enterprise ; and enterprise-another name for progress-will ever find an exponent to herald its doings from nation to nation, and a medium to make its conquest and discoveries the property of suc- ceeding generations. Europe was in a commercial and intellectual ferment when Coster set up his printing-office in Haerlem, and in- augurated an industry until then unknown. To understand the effect of that industry upon humanity, compare the enlightenment, civilization, and progress of the present with the superstition, semi- barharism, and stagnation of the middle ages. Printing is rolling back vice, ignorance, and degradation, is unfolding the mysteries of nature, and is explaining the mandates of Him who made man in His own image and expects the homage of the creature due the Creator.
The Romans, in the time of the emperors, had periodicals, notices of passing events, compiled and distributed. These acta diurna (daily events) were the newspapers of that age. In 1536, the first newspaper of modern times was issued at Venice, but governmental bigotry compelled its circulation in manuscript form. In 1663 the Public Intelligencer was published in London, and is credited with being the first English paper to attempt the dissemination of general information. The first American newspaper was the Boston News Letter, whose first issue was made April 24th, 1704. It was a half- sheet twelve inches by eight, with two columns to the page. John Campbell, the post-master, was the publisher. The Boston Gazette made its first appearance December 21st, 1719, and the American Weekly at Philadelphia December 22, 1719. In 1776 the number of newspapers published in the colonies was thirty-seven; in 1828 the number had increased to eight hundred and fifty-two, and at the present time not less than eight thousand newspapers are sup- ported by our people.
Journalism, by which is meant the compiling of passing public events, for the purpose of making them more generally known and instructive, has become a powerful educator. Experience has been its only school for special training, its only text for study; Its only test for theory. It is scarcely a profession, but is advancing rapidly towards that dignity. A distinct department of literature has been assigned to it. Great editors are writing autobiographies, and formulating their methods and opinions; historians arc rescu- ing from oblivion the cvery-day life of deceased journalists ; re- prints of interviews with famous journalists, touching the different phases of their profession, are deemed worthy of publication in book formn. Leading universities have contemplated the inauguration of courses of study, specially designed to fit men and women for the duties of the newspaper sanctum. These innovations are not un- timely, since no other class of men are so powerful for good or ill as editors. More than any other class they form public opinion while expressing it ; for most men but echo the sentiments of favo- rite journalists. Even statesmen, ministers, and learned professors not unfrequently get their best thoughts and ideas from the papers they read.
For dates and facts relating to the early history of the press of Shelby and Moultrie counties we arc indebted to Hon. Anthony Thornton, Jolin W. Jolinson, W. A. Cochran, W. M. Wright, Charles E. Woodward, J. Il. Waggoner, Dr. B. B. Everett, Judge J. E. Eden, T. M Bushfield, and to the members of the press generally, who have aided and given information which has en- abled us to trace the somewhat indistinct history of the press from its first appearance in Shelby county in 1842 down to the present time.
Previous to the establishing of a newspaper in these counties, the people were dependent upon the St. Louis and Springfield papers for their information from the outside world.
SHELBY COUNTY.
The first journalistic venture within the borders of Shelby county was made by W. W. Bishop. He brought a press to Shelbyville in 1842, and issued
THE OKAW.
It made its first appearance in July, in the year above mentioned. It continued at irregular intervals until 1845, when its publication ceased. Its owner removed to Charleston, Illinois, and upon the breaking out of the Mexican war entered the service. At the close of the war he returned to Coles county, and was elected county judge, and died while in office. During the time that Bishop had
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HISTORY OF SHELBY AND MOULTRIE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
the office in Shelbyville, there was published and issued from the office
THE PRAIRIE FLOWER,
a monthly publication. It was edited by Joseph C. Duncan. It is remembered by the older citizens, as an extremely neat and well edited paper. Mr. Duncan was a man of scholastic attainments, but was not adapted to the rude beginings of pioneer journalism in Illinois. He published a few numbers, and then the Prairie Flower ceased to bloom and spread its fragrance around upon a community who were then more exercised in clearing, and opening up a new country than in reading well-written and scholarly articles npon abstruse subjects. Mr. Duncan removed to Bloomington, Illinois, where he engaged in mercantile business, and failed. In the year 1849 he followed the stream of emigration to California, where in later years he attained some prominence as a banker. When last heard from he was still a resident of the "Golden State."
After Bishop removed to Charleston, James Shoaff, a printer, well known to Illinois journalists, was his successor. The date of Mr. Shoaff's connection with the newspaper business of Shelby county is somewhat indistinct, but was between the years 1846 and 1848. From the latter time until 1852, there was no paper published in the county. In the year last named, D. M. Cantrill and W. A. Cochran purchased the old ILLINOIS GLOBE office, of Jacob I. Brown, of Charleston, Illinois, and brought it to Shelby- ville, and on the 31st of July, 1852, issued the first number of
THE SHELBYVILLE BANNER.
This was the first permanent office established in the county, and has continued from that time to the present, under various names, and managements. The Banner was a six-column folio, neatly printed, and ably cdited. It was democratic in tone, and vigorously advocated the claims of Pierce and King for the presidency, and Joel A. Matteson for governor. The firm of Cantrill & Cochran continued until the seventh number, when Cochran sold out his interest. Cantrill continued the publication until the winter of 1852-3, when William A. Harrison took possession of the office by virtue of a chattel mortgage. The office was closed up, and re- mained closed until 1854, when it was sold to Theophilis Short. He resuscitated the Banner, and continued its issue until Octo- ber, 1855, when P. L. Shutt purchased the office. He continued until September 15th, 1858, when John W. Johnson purchased the press and materials. He changed the name of the paper to
THE OKAW PATRIOT.
The Banner, under Mr. Shutt's administration, was an independ- ent paper. When Mr. Johnson changed the name, he also changed its tone, and during his connection with it, it was an ardent sup- porter of the Douglas wing of the democracy. He also enlarged it to a seven-columu folio. Mr. Johnson continued editor and publisher of the Patriot until February 14th, 1860, when he sold the office to Hon. Anthony Thornton. On the 17th of December, 1859, Mr. Shutt commenced the publication of a small three-column paper, called
THE BANNER.
Its publication was continued for eight numbers, when it was consolidated with the Patriot on the same date that the latter paper was purchased by Thornton. The Patriot was continued, with Shutt as manager and Thornton as editor, until August, 1860, when the latter retired, and Shutt became editor and sole proprie- tor. Mr. Thornton's connection with the press of Shelby county as a writer upon political and other subjects, has extended through a long period of years. He was the warm friend of newspaper enter-
prises, and gave it friendly encouragement and substantial aid. He is a ready writer, and master of a clear and polished diction, and his articles upon political subjects always show a thorough know- ledge of the issues of the day. Mr. Shutt continued the Patriot until the latter part of July, 1863, when the publication ceased. In August of the same year, a number of the prominent and leading democrats of Shelby county formed themselves into a joint stock company, and purchased the office of Shutt, and placed it in charge of H. H. Coolidge as editor, and W. A. Trower as manager, and on the 20th of September, 1863, was issued the first number of
THE SHELBY COUNTY LEADER.
Coolidge retired from the editorial management in the latter part of December of the same year. At the same time Mr. Trower pur- chased the office of the stock company and continued sole editor and proprietor until July, 1865, when he sold a half interest to Rufus Summerlin. On the 15th of August following, Summerlin bought the remaining interest, and soon after sold a half interest to George R Wendling. This firm changed the name from the Leader to
THE CENTRAL ILLINOIS TIMES.
Wendling remained in the Times for nearly one year, when he sold to W. W. Hess and L. B. Stephenson. They disposed of their interest to Dr. E. E. Waggoner in October, 1867. The firm of Summerlin and Waggoner continued until 1868, when Waggoner retired. Mr. Summerlin then changed the name back to
THIE SHELBY COUNTY LEADER,
which name it retains at the present. Mr. Summerlin continued as editor and publisher until March 9th, 1871, when the office was sold to WV. A. Trower. On the 1st of January, 1873, Mr. Trower sold a half interest to W. B. Marshutz, who remaincd one of the propri- etors until April 1st, 1875, when he sold out to Trower. Since the latter date Mr. Trower has been editor and publisher. When he purchased the office in 1871 he changed the form from a nine col- umn folio to a seven column quarto. It was afterwards changed back to its original form. In August, 1878, it was a six column quarto, and on the 1st of February, 1880, changed back to a nine column folio, which form it still retains. The Leader has always been democratic in politics, and the recognized organ of the party in Shelby county. It is edited with more than average ability, and exerts a large influence in forming political sentiment in the Fif- teenth Congressional District. Mr. Trower is a practical printer, although he never served a regular apprenticeship at the trade, but his long connection with the printing business makes him proficient and well posted in the " Art preservative."
THE SHELBY FREEMAN
was first issued in August 1860 by Eli Chittenden, a practical printer, who brought an office from Pana to Shelbyville. The Free- man was designed to represent the republican party in the county. Its publication was coutinued until the spring of 1861, when it eeased. Chittendeu was a reasonably good printer, but was not adapt- ed to editorial work in the stirring times of 1861. The paper under his management lingered along and i ) a feeble way represented the wishes and ideas of the young and aggressive republican party.
THE COMMERCIAL
Was printed in the office of The Shelby County Leader. Vol. 1, No. 1, was issued in the first week of January, 1863. J. William Lloyd and George R. Wendling were the editors and proprietors. It was intended mainly as an advertising medium for their own private busi-
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HISTORY OF SHELBY AND MOULTRIE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
ness, although it faithfully chronicled local and passing events. It was quarto in form. Its publication ceased in the winter of 1868.
After the suspension of the Freeman in 1861, the republican party of Shelby county were without an organ, until 1863, when John W. Johnson purchased the presses and material of the Free- man office and started
THE SHELBY COUNTY UNION.
The first issue was May 9th, 1863. On the 4th of July, 1864, he sold a half interest to John A. Young. The firm continued until February 13th, 1865, when Johnson sold his remaining interest to Young. The latter published the Union for a short time, when Richard Couch became the owner. Couch sold a half interest to P. T. Martin, March 2d, 1867. On the 22d of June, 1867, they changed the form from a seven to an eight column folio. Couch remained in the Union until July 27th, 1867, when he sold out and Mr. Martin became sole editor and publisher, and so remained until March 2d, 1871, when his brother, E. H. Martin, who had been local editor, became part owner. The firm of Martin Bros. contin- ucd until August 1st, 1872, when H. L. Martin, another brother, came into the firm. On the 11th of December, 1873, P. T. Martin sold out to the remaining brothers, who continued the Union until December 24th, 1874, when H. L. Martin became the owner and publisher. He lias continued the publication without interruption to the present time. On the 18th of December, 1873, the words "Shelby county" were dropped out, and the word " Shelbyville " substituted, since which time it has been known as
THE SHELBYVILLE UNION.
The Union, since its first establishment, has been the organ of the republican party in the county, and one of the potential journals in central Illinois. Under the management of its founder, J. W. Johnson, it at once took front rank as one of the fearless, uncom- promising republican journals of this Congressional District. This character it has maintained through all subsequent changes and administrations. It is typographically neat, ably edited, and is a credit to the country journalism of Illinois.
THE WINDSOR HERALD
Was started by R. M. Carr, publisher of the Gazette, Pana, Illinois, in June, 1871. It was continued for one year, when the office was purchased by A. M. Anderson and removed to Moawequa, in Shelby county, and from the office was issued
THE MOAWEQUA REGISTER.
The first number was issued in June, 1872. Mr. Anderson con- tinued the Register until December, 1875, when it was sold to Arnold Hughes, ten of the prominent and responsible men of Moa- wequa becoming sureties for the payment of the purchase money. Hughes published the paper for two years, when it ceased, and the office passed into the hands of its citizen owners. The Register did not make its appearance again until March 7th, 1878, when T. M. Hughes purchased the office and began again its publication, which has continued to the present. The Register was changed from a folio to a five column quarto March 13th, 1879. It started as an independent paper. It is now a democratic journal. The Register office also prints
THE ILLUSTRATED BAPTIST.
A four-column quarto. A publication devoted to the interests of the Baptist church organization. The first issue was July, 1879. It is a neat publication, and shows superior typographical skill.
THE SHELBY COUNTY INDEPENDENT.
The press and material of the above-named paper were purchased of the Cincinnati type foundry. Vol. I., No. 1, mnade its appear- ance August 6th, 1874. Dr. E. E. Waggoner and J. William Lloyde were the editors and proprietors. The political complexion and platform of the paper is best explained in the editor's saluta- tory to the public. We make the following extracts: "In appear- ing before the good people of this county at this time as editors of The Shelby County Independent, custom requires us to say some- thing about the course we expect to pursue in conducting our new paper, and we comply by saying that we expect to make the Inde- pendent, as its name implies, a thoroughly independent local news- paper, free to endorse whatsoever we may think right, or condemn whatsoever we may think wrong, in whomsoever, or whatsoever party found. We expect to stand firmly by the fundamental doc- trines of this republic that 'governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed ;' that the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by It, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people; that 'the enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.' We are in favor of taxing government bonds when in the hands of individuals or cor- porations, just the same as other property is taxed. We are in favor of paying off the national debt in strict accordance with the contract creating the debt ; we are opposed to a protective tariff, to the national banking system, to all monopolies, to all classes of Jegis- lation, bribery and corruption. This paper is owned and controlled by the two individuals whose names appear at the proper place as editors and proprietors, and no other person has one dollar of pecu- niary interest in it."
The partnership of Waggoner & Lloyde continued until July 15, 1875, when Waggoner became sole owner and editor of the paper. On the 13th of October, 1876, the name was changed from the In- dependent to
THE SHELBYVILLE DEMOCRAT.
When the change was effected, editorial mention was made of it as follows : " Believing that at least one of the three or four demo- cratic newspapers published in this county ought to bear the family name, wc this week send this paper out to its many readers and friends as The Shelbyville Democrat, and hope they may be pleased with its new name." When first issued, the paper was a nine- column folio, and continued that form until Oct. 17, 1878, when it was changed to a six column quarto. The Democrat, under Mr. Waggoner's management, has grown into an influential journal, and one of the leading newspapers of central Illinois. As a writer, he is clear, ready and forcible. His articles upon political subjects show a thorough knowledge, and are strong and aggressive.
THE WINDSOR SENTINEL.
The office of the Sentinel was purchased by A. M. Anderson, of Joseph Prior of Clinton, Ills., and removed to Windsor. The first issue was May 25th, 1876. Mr. Anderson continued the publica- tion until the 7th of January, 1877, when the office passed back into the hands of Prior's friends, and was by them removed to Paris in Edgar county, Illinois. In January of the same year Mr. Ander- son purchased an office in Assumption, Ills., belonging to R. M. Carr, and removed it to Windsor, and on the 1st of March follow- ing, resumed the publication of the Sentinel. The name was after- wards changed to
TIIE DOLLAR SENTINEL.
It was continued until August, 1879, when it was sold to the
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HISTORY OF SHELBY AND MOULTRIE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
Herald Printing Company of Shelbyville, and removed to that city. The Sentinel started out as an independent newspaper, but was afterward converted, and espoused the Greenback cause and Fiat theories.
THE WINDSOR GAZETTE.
The Gazette started out a diminutive advertising medium. Its projectors were the Warden Bros. The first issue was May 28tlı, 1878. J. L. Warden assumed entire control soon after its estab- lishment. It grew the first year from a small sheet to a five-col- umn folio, which form it retained until December 25th, 1879, when it was enlarged to a seven-column folio. It is independent in poli- tics, and devoted to home news. Mr. Warden has demonstrated his ability to give the people of Windsor, and vicinity a newspaper of which they may well be proud, and to whose support they can graciously contribute. The office is fitted up with a power press and a full stock of latest varieties of type, and is in every way well equipped to do all manner of printing usually done in country offices.
THE STEWARDSON ENTERPRISE.
The Enterprise office was leased .of C. M. King of Altamont, Effingham county, by M. A. Bates, and brought to Stewardson. Hc issued the first number June 7th, 1878. He continued the paper for one year, when A. M. Anderson and. H. Martin purchased it. Three months later Anderson sold to C. D. Shumard. June 13th, 1879, Shumard retired, and W. B. Townsend took his interest. The firm, under this new arrangement, was known as H. Martin & Co. They continued until Oct. 8th, 1879, when the firm changed to E. L. Vadakin & Co. On the 8th of December, 1879, A. M. Anderson purchased the office, and has remained editor and pro- prietor to the present. The Enterprise is a six-column folio, and has a healthy circulation. Mr. Anderson is a practical printer, and a newspaper writer of more than average ability.
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