USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Discovery and conquests of the Northwest, with the history of Chicago, Vol. II > Part 19
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The Times, at the meridian of the life of its founder, the late Wilbur F. Storey, was the greatest of the Chicago dailies. It was established in 1854, and at one time had an international fame. In 1895, after having passed through the hands of many different owners, it was amalgamated by the late James W. Scott with the Chicago Herald, but the consolidation did little more than to preserve the name of the Times, with all its associations and traditions of the earlier journalistic history of Chicago.
The Herald itself was founded in 1881 by Mr. Scott, who was one of the most ingenious and brillant news- paper men in America. The typographical beauty of the new paper became a proverb among the members of the craft, and this singularity of mechanical excel- lence has been fully maintained by the Times-Herald. In its tenth year the Herald was one of the most pros- perous and popular newspapers in the country.
Mr. Scott had not yet succeeded in readjusting the affairs of the new combination when he suddenly died in New York, but a few weeks after the first appear- ance of the Times-Herald. This was the situation when, in April, 1895, Mr. H. H. Kohlsaat, formerly publisher of the Inter Ocean, purchased the entire property, and began to issue the Times-Herald in its present form and with its present policy.
When Mr. Kohlsaat installed himself as editor of his new journal he changed its policy from that of a democratic paper, with indeterminate notions upon the currency, to that of an independent republican paper,
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History of the Chicago Times-Herald.
with unequivocal and positive views concerning the important question of national finance.
He likewise altered the general tone of the publi- cation, infusing into its management his own concep- tions of a high grade newspaper, largely increasing the efficiency of the writing and counting room forces, and in other ways giving testimony in the columns of the Times-Herald to the new spirit animating the publication.
Mr. Kohlsaat secured the Times-Herald in good time to launch it into the forum of politics one year before the historic campaign of 1896, when the news- paper policies of the country were turned inside out, and the dividing lines between the parties were oblit- erated by the issue of free coinage of silver. From the first the attitude of the Times-Herald could be seen dis- tinct, clear and unwavering through the dissolving views that were cast on the screen of public opinion through the stereopticon of the press. The Times- Herald was facile princeps of sound money newspapers. Incidentally it stood for all the high principles of good government as they were conceived by its owner.
Among the other features developed in particular strength by this newspaper are its financial and com- mercial departments. Contrasted with this is the close attention it pays to those topics which interest the intelligent reader at large, such as science, religion and literature, thus combining qualities which distinguish it as a newspaper for the business man and the home. Its activity and enterprise in getting the news and its perfect freedom from cheap sensationalism are largely a reflection of the character of its editor and publisher.
The Times-Herald is as mechanically perfect as the limitations of practical journalism allow. The Times- Herald building, at 154 Washington street, is the most completely appointed newspaper building in the world. Its doors are open at all times to visitors, who will find an inspection of the premises and an examination into the processes by which a great daily is produced every
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History of the Chicago Evening Post.
twenty-four hours a most gratifying object lesson in this most interesting and vital industry.
HISTORY OF THE CHICAGO EVENING POST.
The first issue of the Chicago Evening Post appeared April 29, 1890. It was founded by the late James W. Scott, who believed there was room in Chicago for a high class evening newspaper-one that should be con- servative as well as enterprising, and, above all things, clean-and his wisdom has since been demonstrated. The literary excellence and superb news service of the Evening Post gave the paper a hold upon its readers that enabled it to sell for two cents when every other Eng- lish daily in Chicago-both morning and evening- dropped to a penny. The people who were in the habit of reading it wanted it, whether the cost was one or two cents, and this has given it a spirit of independ- ence greater than that seen in any other Chicago newspaper. Unaffected by the changing methods of its contemporaries, it maintains the even tenor of its way, for it has a patronage that cannot easily be taken from it.
Changes in the business and editorial policy of the Evening Post have been few and well considered. It has issued several special editions, when circumstances have seemed to warrant it, and they have invariably been successful. The memorial edition at the close of the Spanish-American war-in effect a tribute to the Illinois soldiers-was a good illustration of this, but perhaps the most noteworthy special issues have been the annual book numbers. The paper always has given particular attention to book reviews, and of recent years has issued special book numbers pre- vious to the opening of the holiday trade. These were an extraordinary success from the beginning. They are highly prized both by readers and publishers. The former were enabled to quickly learn the merits of the recently published books, and the latter could
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History of the Chicago Evening Post.
ask no better opportunity to present their claims to patronage to the book buying public, for it is among discriminating readers that the paper has its circulation.
Since its first issue the Evening Post has had three homes. Its start in life was made at 128 Fifth avenue. Mr. Scott had been successful with the Herald, and he deemed the time ripe for the establishment of an even- ing paper that should especially appeal to the intelli- gent people. Most of the evening papers of that time were little more than bulletins of the day's doings, filled up with miscellany, and he desired to publish a news paper, one that would compare favorably in every respect with the morning papers. He chose for his managing editor Cornelius McAuliff, who had been his night editor on the Herald, and consequently had had an extended and valuable newspaper experience. Mr. McAuliff conducted the paper through the early trials that all journalistic ventures encounter (although they were fewer than usual in this case) and remained with it until Herman H. Kohlsaat bought both publications in 1895. Meanwhile a change had been made from 128 Fifth avenue to 164 Washington street. An old build- ing standing there had been purchased and remodeled, and it continued to be the home of the Evening Post until sold to the Chronicle when the latter paper was established.
Mr. Kohlsaat came into possession of the two papers that had belonged to Mr. Scott in April, 1895, and about May 1, of that year, he invited Mr. McAuliff to the managing editorship of the Times-Herald and in- stalled Samuel T. Clover, who had been business man- ager of the Evening Post, as managing editor of his evening paper. A little later the paper was transferred to the Times-Herald building, from which it has been published ever since. Under the general management of Mr. Kohlsaat, the editor-in-chief, and the direct super- vision of Mr. Clover, the features that have so greatly added to the popularity of the Evening Post were estab-
247
History of Die Freie Presse of Chicago.
lished and developed. It neglects no legitimate depart- ment, but it gives special attention to those that appeal most strongly to the intellectual, financial and solid business interests. It has proved itself the home paper, presenting all the news, and yet devoid of sensational- ism, enterprising, attractive typographically, of liter- ary excellence and conservative in the sense that its aim is above all things to be reliable and to eliminate those features that make a man hesitate to take a paper home with him. The book numbers, to which reference has been made, were first published and have since grown in importance under the present management, and in addition particular attention has been given to educational matters. The paper also has a large staff of special writers, which materially adds to its interest and attractiveness.
DIE FREIE PRESSE OF CHICAGO. BY MAX EBERHARDT.
The first number of the Freie Presse was issued in Chicago July 2, 1871. It was then published as a weekly, and was in sympathy with the liberal wing of the republican party, and subsequently proved a very keen and able advocate of the movement which, as we all know, resulted in the nomination of Horace Greeley for the presidency. The great fire, which occurred not many months after the paper had been started, interfered with the issue of but one number. The paper was pub- lished as a weekly until February 5, 1872, when it began to be issued as a daily and weekly, besides hav- ing a separate issue on Sunday. Though started with- out the aid of much capital, its rapid growth and success as a ready spokesman, and an unflinching advo- cate of a broad, liberal policy within the republican party, are but evidence of the energy and perseverance which Mr. Michaelis has devoted to the business and editorial management of the paper. It is now being published by the German American Publishing Co., and employs 108 persons in its various departments.
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History of the Chicago Journal.
It still maintains its position as an independent repub- lican newspaper, and provides a larger number of Ger- mans with reading matter than any German newspaper concern in the country. The Freie Presse is entirely free from debt, and its business is managed on a sound financial basis, and with a view to a ready and strict discharge of all its obligations. It is one of the many enterprises in the city of Chicago which testify to the rapid growth, not only of the western metropolis, but of the entire northwest.
During recent years the paper, in point of politics, has followed a more independent course. It had be- come dissatisfied with the policy and management of the republican party. More recently the Freie Presse supported the democratic party in local and national elections.
HISTORY OF THE CHICAGO JOURNAL.
It was away back in the days when Chicago had a village government and about 4,000 people that the spirit of the early settlers demanded a daily paper, and the Chicago Journal was born. This publication was built upon the failure of others. With its very first period of success and permanency, it was identified with that plucky and gifted family of Wilsons, in which name and ownership it has carried good tidings and bad to the ever increasing population of Chicago and the middle west, lo! these nearly sixty years.
The whig spirit of primitive Chicago first found expression through the Chicago American, in 1839. This gave way to the Express, in 1842. On April 20, 1844, that paper was sold to the coterie of pioneers who began the publication of the Chicago Journal April 22, 1844.
The Henry Clay campaign was on at the time, and Polk, the rival candidate, was supported by the Morn- ing Democrat, the organ of John Wentworth. Here began the great political career of the Chicago Journal.
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History of the Chicago Journal.
It has hammered democracy ever since, and put a cap sheaf on its political services by its brilliant support of the republican ticket and leaders in the campaign of 1900, just closed.
But that period of the Chicago Journal's existence around which centers the greatest fascination for the student of history covers the years from its founding up to 1850. Those were the days of the pioneers. Those were the days of plank roads over the sloughs in Chicago. During that period the Illinois and Michi- gan canal was constructed. It was in that period that the first locomotive was brought to Chicago by a lake schooner. Then it was that the first tele- graph line connected Chicago with Detroit and New York. In this period the Chicago Board of Trade was organized. Then it was that Chicago first attempted
to build water works. In those years the ferries be. gan to give way to bridges over the Chicago river. Then it was that the foundations of the Chicago public school system were laid. In that period Chicago passed through its first terrible scourge of cholera. With all of these questions the Chicago Journal had a part. It was the champion of every improvement of the Chicago of the 40's, and no man can tell how much of the best in all that makes the greater Chicago of 1900 may be traced to the clear headed policy of the Chicago Journal during that formative period.
During the decade from 1850 to 1860 the Chicago Journal widened its influence, while it met with the loss of one of the guiding minds of its earlier career. The Journal advocated the annexation of Hawaii early in the 50's. In 1853 it branded the act of the legislature in prohibiting immigration of free negroes to the state as the "grossest law that defiles our statute books." It was late in the 50's that the Journal became the early and vigorous champion of the republican party, then struggling for existence. Then and there its fearless editors and publishers proclaimed for protection and
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History of the Chicago Journal.
for civil liberty, and for nearly forty years its pages have been constant in their support of men and meas- ures represented by republican platforms. It was Charles L. Wilson, editor of the Journal, who intro -. duced in the Illinois convention this resolution: "Re- solved that Abraham Lincoln is the first, last and only choice for United States senator in place of Stephen A. Douglas." It was on Mr. Wilson's suggestion that the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates were arranged. It was through the Journal editor's personal influence that William H. Seward was induced to come west and aid in the election of Abraham Lincoln. It was through the columns of the Chicago Journal that Chi- cago and the west got first intimations of the ap- proaching civil war.
The war period of the 60's formed another distinct epoch in the Chicago Journal's history. President Lin- coln recognizing the Journal influence, appointed its brilliant editor, Secretary of Legation to the Court of St. James, London. The inimitable Benjamin F. Taylor became chief war correspondent at the front. His writings in the Journal columns gave him world wide fame, and no publication west of the Ohio river was so close to the homes and hearts of the western people.
The Journal, like all other Chicago papers, lowered its price from five cents to two cents back in the 80's. Later, with nearly all others, it became a one-cent paper. But its character was not changed except to modernize and popularize the paper, which continued to hold the choicest patronage of Chicago merchants, and to be constantly read by thousands who had been friends and patrons before the fire, before the war, even before many of the present generation were born. To-day the Chicago Journal is bright, clean and forcible, and is found on the right side of every public question. Like wine, it appears to improve with age.
When the Chicago Journal was established in 1844 the staff consisted of the following: The editorial com-
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History of the Chicago Journal.
mittee-J. Lisle Smith, William H. Brown, George W. Meeker, J. Y. Scammon and Grant Goodrich, assisted by J. W. Norris and Richard L. Wilson as office editors and business managers. After the election, which resulted in the defeat of Mr. Clay, Richard L. Wilson purchased the controlling interest in the Journal, and was its editor-in-chief until 1849, when he was ap- pointed postmaster of Chicago by President Taylor. But he again resumed his editorial duties after his removal by President Filmore, the firm name being Richard L. and Charles L. Wilson. Richard L. Wilson died in December, 1856, and his brother, Charles L., became sole proprietor. The staff was then made up as follows : Andrew Shuman, associate editor ; George P. Upton, city and commercial reporter, and Benjamin F. Taylor, literary editor.
In 1861 President Lincoln appointed Mr. Wilson secretary to the American legation at the court of St. James, London, and between this date and 1864 the paper was managed by John L. Wilson, an older brother. From 1864 until 1869 the two brothers conducted the Journal jointly, when John L. retired in favor of Col. Henry W. Farrar, his son-in-law, who was on General Sheridan's staff, while the latter had his headquarters in Chicago.
When the great fire of 1871 proved so disastrous to Chicago the Journal building, with most of its contents, was burned. But with true western enterprise its pub- lishers rented a small job office on the west side of the river, and that evening, October 9, Chicagoans read their paper at the usual hour, the Journal being the only paper to come out. Another fire destroyed the Journal on December 1, 1883; and again the Journal was pub- lished at the regular time without any assistance from the outside, though much was offered.
The Journal was among the first to materially assist in rebuilding the heart of the business district following the great fire. By April, 1872. it had its six-story mar-
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History of the Chicago Journal.
ble front building at 159 and 161 Dearborn street, ready for occupancy. This was its home for nearly a quarter of a century. In 1895 the Journal occupied quarters at 120 Fifth avenue while a new and larger home was erected. In 1896 the paper was moved into the new Journal building at 160 and 162 Washington street, its present home. This twelve-story marble and stone structure, side by side with the elegant Times-Herald building, is one of the finest newspaper sites in the west.
Charles L. Wilson died in March, 1878, in San An- tonio, Tex., and the controlling interest of the Journal passed into the hands of his widow and daughter. A reorganization of the firm then took place, with An- drew Shuman, who was lieutenant-governor of Illinois from 1876 to 1880, as president and editor-in-chief, and Henry W. Farrar, business manager.
On March 1, J. R. Wilson, a nephew of Charles L., leased the property. Later he became principal owner and publisher, having associated with him Mr. Shuman as editor-in-chief and W. K. Sullivan as managing editor. In 1888 Mr. Shuman retired. Shortly after- ward Mr. Sullivan gave up editorial management, to accept the consulship to the Bermuda islands, by ap- pointment of President Harrison. He was succeeded by George Martin. Later Slason Thompson succeeded Mr. Martin, and he continued until 1896.
In. 1895 the Journal was purchased by the Evening Press Co., composed of George G. Booth and James E. Scripps, of Detroit, and Ralph H. Booth, of Chicago. George G. Booth became president and treasurer, and Ralph H. Booth, secretary and manager. In 1897 W. H. Turner was placed in charge of the property, re- maining as general manager until 1900. In September of that year James E. Scripps was elected president, and Ralph H. Booth, secretary and treasurer of the company. Mr. Booth took active charge of the paper as publisher.
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History of the Illinois Staats Zeitung.
THE ILLINOIS STAATS ZEITUNG.
BY PHIL H. DILG.
The rapid growth of Chicago is not exemplified in a better way than by the increase in wealth, in influence and in political power of the press of Chicago. Where but less than a generation ago the press, if it be even worthy of that name, was of doubtful existence and of no importance whatever, the press of to-day compares most favorably in stability and in standing with that of any city in the world.
This is not only the case with the English press, but it is also the case with the German press, of which the Illinois Staats Zeitung, the exponent of the princi- ples of the German-Americans of the northwest, is the representative.
The Illinois Staats Zeitung was founded in the spring of 1848, by Robert Hoeffgen, the entire capital invested amounting to $200.
Mr. Hoeffgen was assisted by an apprentice, who received seventy-five cents per week. In those days it was incumbent upon the proprietor of the newspaper, not only to direct the general management, but to do nearly, if not all, the work.
At first the Illinois Staats Zeitung appeared as a weekly, thus enabling one man to do all the work. Mr. Hoeffgen collected the advertisements and solicited subscriptions, set his own type, ran his own press, and, having completed his paper indoors, started out upon the street with his entire edition under his arm, to dis- tribute the same to his subscribers. It might be cited as an example worthy of emulation at the present time, when the price of paper is agitating the minds of pub- lishers, that subscribers were requested to send in rags to pay for their subscriptions, these in turn being traded to the dealer in print paper. In this way the rags were saved, and the publisher always received more for his paper in rags than he would have got in cash.
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History of the Illinois Staats Zeitung.
In the fall of 1848, Dr. Hellmuth then being the editor, the Illinois Staats Zeitung was the only German newspaper in the United States to discover in the Buffalo platform the principles upon which afterwards was founded the Republican party. The county of Cook gave Van Buren a majority of 1,200, no little credit of which is due to the Illinois Staats Zeitung for its stanch and unswerving advocacy of the principles laid down in that campaign. After the presidential election, Arno Voss was the editor, who was succeeded in 1849 by Herman Kriege, and in 1850 Dr. Hellmuth again assumed the editorial management. Under his charge the paper appeared twice a week until August 25, 1851, when Geo. Schneider became connected with the paper, who changed it into a daily, with but seventy subscrib- ers, its weekly list being only a little over 200.
In 1853 the circulation of the Illinois Staats Zeitung had increased to 300, which necessitated the employ- ment of the three carriers, one of whom is still to- day in the employ of the company. Within the same territory where formerly there were but 100 subscrib- ers, now there are 3,400. In 1854 the number of sub- scribers had increased to 800.
Geo. Hillgaertner was at this time associated with Geo. Schneider .. As the Illinois Staats Zeitung was the first German paper to discover the cardinal principles of the republican party in the Buffalo platform, so it was the first to oppose the Nebraska bill, and to begin the determined opposition to Douglas. It was mainly in- strumental in leading the Germans into the republican party, and, in 1856, was using its utmost endeavors in behalf of Fremont. In that ever memorable campaign between Lincoln and Douglas, in 1858, no paper did more for the success of Mr. Lincoln than the Illinois Staats Zeitung, because the Germans held the balance of power.
From this time on began to develop the influence of the Illinois Staats Zeitung. It has been often felt in
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History of the Illinois Staats Zeitung.
the common council, the legislature, but especially in political movements in Cook county, for more than once has it been opposed by the entire Anglo-American press, and yet has carried the day.
In 1861 Mr. Wm. Rapp became editor of the Illinois Staats Zeitung. In the same year Mr. Lorenz Brentano bought out Mr. Hoeffgen's interest and assumed the editorial management. In the following year Mr. George Schneider sold his interest to Mr. A. C. Hesing. Messrs. Brentano and Hesing were associated together until 1867, when Mr. A. C. Hesing purchased Mr. Brentano's interest. In this year Mr. Herman Raster was engaged as chief editor, which position he filled until his death, on July 25, 1891, when Mr. William Rapp became his successor.
The great fire in 1871 claimed the Illinois Staats Zeitung as one of the victims. Its loss was total, yet it was among the first of the Chicago dailies to appear, and that, too, within forty-eight hours after the fire had ceased. Preparations were soon made for perma- nent quarters. On March 10, 1873, the present impos- ing structure, on the northeast corner of Washington street and Fifth avenue, was completed and occupied. The cost of the same, with machinery, presses, etc., amounted to nearly $300,000.
ยท After having moved into its new commodious quar- ters, the Illinois Staats Zeitung developed itself more and more into an organ of great political influence, which was particularly demonstrated during the mem- orable municipal campaign of 1873, when, in opposition to Mayor Medill and to his strong enforcement of Sun- day laws, especially obnoxious to the German-Ameri- cans, Mr. A. C. Hesing organized the so called people's party and gained a glorious victory by electing Mayor Colvin with an overwhelming majority.
In national politics the Illinois Staats Zeitung, almost without exception, was on the winning side in support-
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