USA > Illinois > Christian County > History of Christian County, Illinois > Part 19
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John G. Drennan is a native of Kentucky, and came to Chris- tian county in 1856. Studied law in the office of John B. Jones, and was admitted to the bar in December, 1878. He was examined before the appellate court, and received the highest grade in a class of seventeen applicants. Formed a law partnership with his preceptor June 1, 1879, which still continues. He was appointed Master in Chancery in 1879. As a lawyer he is yet young in the practice, but he already gives ample evidence of his aggressiveness and industry in his chosen profession.
E. A. Humphreys was admitted to the bar in 1872. He is located in Pana, and is said to be a very good lawyer.
J. C. Essick, a resident lawyer of Pana, is a native of Pennsyl- vania. He became a member of the bar in 1870, and has the reputation of being a sound lawyer and a good advocate.
S. R. Tippie is also a resident of Pana, and was admitted to the practice in 1877. Is a native of Ohio, and a good lawyer.
William Killegor was admitted to practice in the courts of Christian county in 1878. At present he holds the office of city attorney of Pana.
W. T. Houston is a lawyer and resident of Edinburg, and is a native of Illinois. Read law in the office of J. B. Jones, of Taylorville, and was admitted to the bar in 1879.
E Copperthwaite is a native of Pennsylvania. He entered the Quaker City Business College of Philadelphia, where he com- pleted a two years' course in all the mercantile branches, theo- retical and practical, including the study of mercantile law and political economy. After graduating, he came to this county and settled in Assumption, where he read law with J. M. Brice. He was admitted to the bar in 1879. Mr. C. is a bright, talented man, and will make a good advocate, with proper industry.
Benj. F. Burnett, a native of Ontario county, N. Y., educated at Canandaigua in the same state, began the study of law when quite young ; admitted to the bar in 1836, at Jackson, in Jackson county, Michigan, where he practiced about twenty-three years. In 1859 he moved to Mercer county, Ill., and in 1863 moved to Litchfield, Ill. In the early part of the year 1880 settled in Taylorville. Mr. B., is a clever gentleman and sound lawyer. He has two sons, George B. and F. W. Burnett, who are among the prominent prac- titioners of the Madison county bar of this state.
It has been our aim to do justice to all. How well we have succeeded we leave others to judge.
CHAPTER XI. THIE PRESS.
BY D. MACKENZIE.
THIE PANA WEEKLY DEMOCRATIC HERALD, THE INDEPENDENT PRESS, TAYLORVILLE FLAG, ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN, SATURDAY REPUBLICAN, PANA GAZETTE, CENTRAL ORIENT, CHRISTIAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT, TAYLORVILLE DEMOCRAT, PANA PALLADIUM, ASSUMPTION INDEPEND- ENT, ASSUMPTION RECORD, MORRISONVILLE TIMES, FARMERS' JOURNAL, PANA WEEKLY ARGUS, REGISTER CENTRAL HOMESTEAD, PANA PLAIN- DEALER, TAYLORVILLE JOURNAL, THE CENTRAL ILLINOIS DEMOCRAT.
AURENTIUS COSTER, to fill an idle hour, while ramb- ling through the forest contiguous to his native city, Hærlem, Holland, carved some letters on the bark of a birch tree. Drowsy from the relaxation of a holiday, he wrapped his handiwork in a piece of paper, and lay down to rest. While men sleep, the world moves; and Coster awoke to discover a phenomenon to him simple, strange and suggestive. Damped by the atmospheric moisture, the paper wrapped about his carvings had taken an impression from them, and the surprised burgher saw on the paper an inverted image of what he had en- graved on the bark. The phenomenon was suggestive, because it led to experiments that resulted in establishing a printing-office- the first of its kind-in the old Dutch town. In this office, Jolin Gutenberg served a faithful and appreciative apprenticeship, and from it, at the death of his master, absconded during a Christmas festival, taking with him a considerable portion of type and appa- ratus. Gutenberg settled in Mentz, where he won the friendship and partnership of John Faust, a man of sufficient means to place the new enterprise upon a secure financial basis. Several years later, the partnership was dissolved, because of a misunderstanding. Gutenberg then formed a partnership with a younger brother, who had set up an office at Strasburg, but had not been successful, and becoming involved in law-suits had fled from that city, and joined his brother at Mentz. These brothers were the first to use metal types. Fanst, after his dissolution with Gutenberg, took into part- nership Peter Schoffer, one of his servants, and an ingenious printer. Scheffer privately cut matrices for the whole alphabet; and when he showed his master the type cut from these matrices, Faust was so much pleased that he gave Scheffer his only daughter in marriage.
These are the great names in the carly history of printing, and cach is worthy of special honor. Coster's discovery of the use of wood-blocks or plates on which the pages to be printed were en- graved, was made some time between 1440 and 1450, and Schoffer's improvement, casting the types by means of matrices, was made about 1456. William Caxton, an Englishman and pupil of Colard Mansion, printer of Bruges, set up a printing office in Westminster between 1471 and 1477.
71
HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
For a long time printing was dependent upon most clumsy appa- ratus. The earliest press had a contrivance for running the forms under the point of pressure by means of a serew. When the pres- sure had been supplied, the screw was loosened, the form withdrawn, and the sheet removed. Improvements upon these crude beginnings have been made from time to time, until the hand-presses now in use are models of simplicity, durability and execution. In 1814 steam was first applied to cylinder-presses by Frederick Konig, a Saxon genius, and the subsequent progress of steam-printing lias been so remarkable as to almost justify a belief in its absolute per- fection. Indeed, to appreciate the improvements which have been made in presses only, one ought to be privileged to stand by while tlie pressman operated one of the clumsy machines of Gutenberg, and then he should step into one of the well-appointed printing offices of our larger cities, where he could notice the roll of damp- ened paper entering the great power-presses a continuous sheet, and issuing from it 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 Hærlem, through all successive stages, to the present, and to classify its products. For nearly a thousand years previous to its introduction, mankind had been sur- rounded by the densest ignorance the world has ever known. Teutonic barbarians had swept over fair Italy, had sacked hier 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 the wisdom of philosophers while destroying and defacing the master- pieces of Grecian and Roman architecture and sculpture. Attila, tlie "Scourge of God," at the head of vast Tartar lordes from Asiatic steppes, liad traversed the Roman empire, spreading dismay and disaster, until 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 govern- ments, and made men soldiers with scarcely time for necessary practice at arms ; amusements were popular, only as they contri- buted to martial prowess, and poetry in the main was but a min- strel's doggerel concerning the chivalrous deeds of a listening knight or the wonderful charms of a favorite mistress. Pepin had humbled the Long Beards, and had laid the keys of their cities at the feet of the Holy Father. From the fall of Rome, there liad been but little talent and time to cultivate letters. A few ecclesi- astics here and there were the custodians of the learning saved from the wrecks of Grecian literature and Roman knowledge. The masses were ignorant. They believed that 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 objective points of all study were to escape purgatory, to cast a horoscope, to turn the baser metals into gold. Superstition, priestcraft and thirst for material renown moulded public acts and private training. Piety was best shown in pilgrimages to the Holy Sepulchre. When the dust-stained devotees became objects of Turkish contempt and persecution, all Europe rushed to the rescue.
While war destroys and demoralizes, not unfrequently it prepares the way for beneficent reformations. The Crusaders broke the power of feudalism, dispelled much geographical ignorance by making neighboring nations better acquainted, gave an impetus to commercial enterprises, awakened the sluggish intellect, enlarged the human mind and rendered it more tolerant, introduced the luxuries and refinements of the Greek empire, and brought about Magna Charta and Free Cities. With the expanding and increas-
ing commerce, arts came to the front, trades flourished and practice began to test precept. The middle classes, whose condition ever determines 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. Wyeliffe translated the Bible into the English vernacular. Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and England sought new outlets for their surplus products of soil, loom and fish- eries. Mental darkness can make no long-continued stand against such enterprise, and enterprise will ever find an exponent to herald its doings from nation to nation, and a medium to make its conquests the property of succeeding generations. Europe was in a commer- eial and intellectual foment when Coster set up his printing office in Hærlem, and inaugurated 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 seini-barbarism and stagnation of the middle ages. Many a toiling caseman repeats the words of the wise man, " Of making books there is no end," and many a weary author eclioes, " And muchi study is a weariness to the flesh." Printing is rolling back ignorance, vice and degradation, is unfolding the mysteries of nature, and is ex- plaining the mandates of Him who made man in His own image, and expects tlie homage of the creature due the Creator.
The Romans in the time of the emperors had periodical 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 Publie Intelligencer was published at 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 postmaster, was the publisher. The Boston Gazette made its first appearance December 21st, 1719, and the American Weekly, at Philadelphia, December 22d, 1719. In 1776, the number of newspapers published in the colonies was thirty-seven ; in 1828, this number had increased to eight hundred and fifty-two, and at the present time not less than ten thousand newspapers are supported 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 for- mulating their methods and opinions ; historians are rescuing from oblivion the every-day life of deceased journalists ; reprints of bril- liant productions, such as the letters of Junius, are furnishing models; interviews with famous journalists touching the different phases of their profession, are deemed worthy of publication in book form. 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 untimely, 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 favorite journalists. Even statesmen, ministers and learned professors not unfrequently get their best thoughts and ideas from the papers they read.
72
HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
For dates and facts relating to the early history of the press of the county we are indebted to the newspaper fraternity, who have kindly aided us with information necessary for this chapter.
Previous to the establishing of newspapers in Christian county the people were dependent upon the St. Louis and Springfield papers for their information from the outside world. It is to be remembered what is now one of the most productive agricultural sections in the State, was looked upon with disfavor by those seek- ing homes in the western states. Emigrants disliked prairie lands, and criticized its sloughs, hence, therefore, the county was slowly settled.
Christian county had not, like more favored localities, (except a small portion of it) the advantages of railroads at an early day, hence, enterprise that follows in the wake of those great thorough- fares, did not wave its magic wand over this county until long after its organization. But nevertheless the residents became imbued with a desire to excel. An organ was needed to speak for the county, for its agricultural resources, for its flattering promises for the future, for its rights and privileges as an organized member of a great State. Politically, the people differed then as they do now. Questions of great political and national importance were being discussed, and were settled a few years later amidst the roar of cannon, the din of musketry, and the shedding of the blood of thousands of noble and patriotic men of our common country.
Milan S. Beckwith, an enterprising and public spirited citizen of Pana, inaugurated measures for establishing a newspaper at the above named place. He purchased the material and necessary presses of Dr. Cheniworth, of Decatur, Illinois, and on the 23d day of December, 1857, issued the first number of the first paper ever printed in Christian county. It bore the name of
THE PANA WEEKLY DEMOCRATIC HIERALD.
We have no doubt that the first appearance of the Herald was greeted with enthusiasm ; henceforth the county was to have name and fame among its contemporaries. The paper was strongly Democratic in its politics, and left no doubt of the views of its edi- tor upon current topics. The object of its editor, as stated by him, was to give his party an organ, and also inform the outside world of the wealth of soil and the advantages that Pana and surround- ing country presented, and thereby induce emigration to come within her borders. Be it understood that Mr. Beckwith at that time was largely interested in real estate. The Herald had a fair subscription list from the outset, and the business men advertised liberally. It was independent iu politics when first issued, but in the political excitement of 1858, in entering on its second volume, it changed over to the democracy and became a warm supporter of Senator Douglas for the presidency. It was a twenty-eight column paper, and neat in its typographical execution. It was a warm advocate of the cause of education and common schools. It did much for the carly advancement of Pana. The office was sold, and the Herald discontinued, with the forty-first number of volume ten. Mr. Beckwith is at present a resident of Pierce city, Lawrence county, Missouri.
PANA PLAINDEALER
Was the successor of the Herald, and issued its first number Oeto- ber 7th, 1859. It was edited by Eli F. Chittenden. He continued its publication until the 1st of November, 1860, when it was dis- continued, and the office removed to Shelbyville, Illinois.
There were several efforts made by the citizens of Taylorville to start a newspaper, but without success, until Benjamin Winters, a practical printer, came to the city. He, through the liberality and aid pledged by the prominent men of Taylorville, purchased
material and presses, and on the 19th of January, 1858, issued the first number of the second paper printed in Christian county. It bore the name of
THE INDEPENDENT PRESS.
It continued until November 28th, 1868. At first it professed neutrality, but soon espoused the democratic cause. Mr. Winters was an ardent Democrat of the old school of politics. In the Douglas-Buchanan issue he took sides with the administration, and the Press had a decided partisan tone. Mr. Winters was a peculiar and somewhat eccentric character. He was a bold thinker, a vigorous writer, and master of satire. The indiscriminate use of the latter subjected him to censure and the gradual loss of friends. He was as liable to lampoon a friend as an enemy. His bitter in- vective and offensive articles lost him the confidence and support of the Democratic party, who withdrew their patronage, and the paper was discontinued at the time above mentioned, for the want of material aid. When the publication ceased, the type were worn out. For some years before the process of " underlaying " had to be resorted to in order to get an impression from them. The press on which the paper was printed had done duty in the office of the Missouri Republican as early as 1808. The first number of that paper had been printed on it. In 1831, it was used in establishing the Sangamon Journal, in Springfield, Illinois. It was brought from there to Taylorville, when it was finally broken up. Mr. Winters died in Taylorville, and lies buried in Oak Hill Cemetery.
THE TAYLORVILLE JOURNAL,
Was the title of another weekly paper published at the county seat. Its advent was unheralded and unsung. It professed to be Democratic, but there being a paper already published in the interest of that party, the enterprise had but a feeble support from that quarter, and as might have been expected, it soon died for the want of patronage. The first number was issued January 27th, 1859. The publishers were Messrs. Corr, Van Kirk and Co. After printing nine numbers, the Journal was discontinued. Financially, it was a flat failure. The office was in the old court-house, east side of the square. The office was sold under mortgage and taken to Pana, from which issued the Central Illinois Democrat.
THE CENTRAL ILLINOIS DEMOCRAT.
The printing-office used in the publication of the Democrat was the same from which issued the Taylorville Journal. It was pur- chased at low figures by E. P. Sanders, and moved to Pana. This enterprise was undertaken to furnish an organ for the party in place of the Herald, recently discontinued. The first number was issued January 7th, 1860, by E. P. Sanders, as proprietor and publisher, and J. B. Butler, editor. On the 23d of February, 1860, W. P. Phelon was added to the editorial staff, and continued until June 1st, 1860, when he retired. Ou the 9th of November, 1860, the office changed hands. G. W. Harper and F. J. Beck appeared as editors and publishers. They changed the name to the
PANA WEEKLY ENTERPRISE,
But it had a short existence, being strangled in its birth after the first issue. On the 24th of the same month O. F. Morrison and M. M. De Levis purchased the office and changed the name to the
PANA PUBLIC.
Mr. De Levis was editor. It was independent in politics, and for a time was the only paper in Pana. The general mechanical arrangement of the paper was in good taste; its typographical execu- tion neat ; and its original and selected matter seemed to have been gotten up with care and discrimination. The publication was con-
73
HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
tinued by them until June 1st, 1862, when the office and paper were moved to Clinton, Illinois. This change left Pana without a paper for about three years, or until the advent of the Gazette.
The democratic party had for years been the dominant party in Christian county. The old line whigs had no paper to represent them, nor had the republican party until 1864. During that year the Union League, a republican political organization, felt the neeessity of having an organ that would fairly represent their principles. They accordingly subscribed stock and raised funds to purchase a printing office. The material and presses were bought, and on the 26th of July, 1864,
THIE TAYLORVILLE FLAG
was flung to the journalistic breeze. J. D. Mondy, a practical printer, was placed in charge as a manager and editor. His eon- nection with the office was of short duration. Three weeks after assuming the management he gave unmistakable evidence of not being in hearty sympathy with the principles of the organization whose servant he was. He resigned, and Paul Conner, also a prac- tical printer, was placed in charge. Soon after assuming control, Mr. Conner purchased the office, and became sole editor and proprietor, in which capacity he continued until April 12th, 1866, when he sold a half interest to John J. Squier. The co-partnership of Conner & Squier continued until November 15th, 1866, when Mr. Squier purchased Mr. Conner's interest, and became editor and publisher. He changed the form of the paper, December 30th, 1869, from a folio to a quarto. On the 24th of March, 1870, he also changed the name from The Taylorville Flag to
THIE ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN,
which name it still retains. On the 18th of November, 1870, Mr. Squier sold a half interest in the Republican to W. B. Squier, his brother. The firm of Squier Bros. continued until March 19th, 1874, when the partnership was dissolved, John J. Squier remain- ing editor and publisher up to the present time. On the 19th of August, 1876, he commenced the publication of
TIIE SATURDAY REPUBLICAN,
in addition to the Illinois Republican, which he has also continued to the present. The Republican is a six column Quarto, and under its present vigorous management is excelled by few country journals in Central Illinois. Mr Squier is not a practical printer, but he possesses fine business qualifications, energy and tact. In ability he is above the average editors of country newspapers. As a financial venture the Republican has been a success,
The next venture for journalistic honors was
THIE PANA GAZETTE.
The first number was issued July 27th, 1865. Richard Couch and R. M. Carr were the editors and proprietors. Mr. Couch had removed a Smith press and material that formed a part of the old State Register office, from Shelbyville to Pana in 1865, and was operating a Job office.
Mr. Carr purchased some new type and added to the office, and out of this material was issued the Gazette. The firin of Couch & Carr continued until April 7th, 1866, when Mr. Carr purchased the entire interest in the office, and remained editor and publisher until December 11th, 1868, when he sold a half interest to R. W. Coon. The partnership of Carr & Coon continued until February 10th, 1871, when it was dissolved, Mr. Coon retiring from the busi- ness. Since the latter date Mr. Carr has been editor and sole proprietor. The Gazette is an eight column folio, and is Republican in politics. It is recognized as one of the leading and influential
Republican organs in this Congressional District. Mr. Carr has demonstrated his ability to run a newspaper successfully.
In 1868 the leading Democrats of the county became dissatisfied with the course of the Independent Press, and determined to have a paper that would to a larger extent represent, and be an expo- nent of their principles. They therefore made liberal subscriptions, and pledged eertain amounts for advertising. With this encour- agement and promised aid, John J. Smith purchased type and presses, and on the 13th of August, 1868, issued the first number of
THE CHRISTIAN COUNTY DEMOCRAT.
Mr. Smith had no experience as a newspaper man, and was not a printer, consequently his management was not as successful as it would otherwise have been. He remained editor and publisher until November 20th, in the same year, when he sold out to James Suttle The latter-named gentleman conducted the paper with fair ability until September 17th, 1869, when he disposed of the office to S. P. Davis, of Belleville, and F. L Powers, from Decatur, Illinois. The firm of Davis & Powers published and edited the Democrat until February 11th, 1871, when W. S. Martin became the purchaser. Mr. Davis was a lawyer by profession, and a man of considerable ability as a newspaper writer, but his continued bad health unfitted him for an active editorial and journalistic life.
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