USA > Illinois > Macon County > History of Macon County, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 18
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THE DECATUR TRIBUNE COMPANY
formed. The members of the latter were: L. M. Andrews, who had charge of the editorial department, and was also financial manager ; A. H. Corman, book-keeper and local editor ; and Geo. Sylvester, who continued as foreman of the office. Asa Miller re- tired from the firm and from the printing business in Macon county. He removed to Danville and subsequently to Tuscola.
The Dec ttur Tribune Company continued until May 31st, 1875, when A. H. Corman sold out his interest to the remaining partners. The firm of Andrews & Sylvester continued the publication until November 9th, 1875, when J. A. Brown, trustee, took possession of the office, the company having defaulted in payment of interest on a trust mortgage of $2,000. Mr. Brown continued the publication of the paper for a few weeks. During this time S. S. Jack per- formed the editorial work. Soon after the foreclosure of the mort- gage, and before the sale of the office, Mr. Sylvester, who held a second mortgage, paid off the first and released the office, and then closed it up. It remained closed, and was sold to S. S. Jack in the latter part of December, 1875. This closes the life and history of the old Magnet and Tribune. The paper was issued as a daily and weekly. The Daily was a seven-column folio, and the Weekly a mine-column same form. Under the management of the Tribune Company the paper was to a slight extent independent in tone, with strong Democratic tendencies. It advocated measures and promul- gated a platform upon which it hoped to unite all the opposition to the Republican party. It was edited with considerable ability, and during its publication the party it represented had no reason to complain of not having their principles and views fairly and ably advocated in Macon county.
THE DAILY EMPRISE,
No. 1 of Vol. I., appeared September 19th, 1859, Messrs. Buck & Underwood, editors and proprietors. The Emprise was printed in the Chronicle office. It lived but a short time.
THE DECATUR TRIBUNE
was established in the summer of 1864 by Joseph M. Prior. He, with the assistance of J. D. Hill, purchased the office in Du Quoin, Illinois, and removed it to Decatur. He continued the publication until April, 1865, when I. N. Coltrin, a practical printer, now foreman in the Republican office, became an equal partner in the paper. They continued the Tribune until September, 1865, when they sold it to Burlingame Brothers. They ran the office for some time, with Prior as editor, after which they leased it to two printers by the names of Miller and Williams, who operated it for a few months. The office was then closed up, and remained closed until purchased by W. M. Stanley and J. R. Mosser, who added new material and presses, and started
THE DECATUR REPUBLICAN.
The first issue was made on the 1st of August, 1867. The firm of Stanley & Mosser continued until October 3d, 1867, when Mr. Stanley sold his interest to B. K. Hamsher. The firm of Hamsher & Mosser was then formed, and has continued from that time to the present. Mr. Stanley removed to Sullivan, Illinois, and was afterward appointed Indian agent, and was acting in that capacity at Los Parios agency during the late Indian troubles in that locality. At present he is editor and publisher of the Champaign Republican, at Champaign, Ill. When the Republican closed its first volume the forin was changed from an 8-column folio to a 6-column quarto, which it still retains. On the 1st of April, 1872, was commenced the Daily Republican, a 7-column folio, which has continued without interruption or suspension to the present. It bears upon its pages every evidence of a healthy, paying patronage and good management. The circulation of the weekly Republican is 1,600, and the daily 650. The office is well supplied with im- proved presses, driven by steain, and altogether is one of the best equipped for doing all kinds of job work in central Illinois. As newspaper managers, Messrs. Hamsher & Mosser undoubtedly stand at the head of their profession in Macon county, if not in country journalism in the state. Both are thoroughly experienced in the art of printing, and know the wants of the people. Although situated nearly equi distant from Chicago on the north, and St. Louis on the south, and to some extent overshadowed by the metro- politan press, they have, notwithstanding these disadvantages, made the Daily Republican a necessity to the people of Decatur and vicinity. As a writer of political articles Mr. Mosser is terse and logical, and shows an intimate knowledge of the issues of the day. In politics the Republican has been the recognized organ of the Republican party in central Illinois, and wields an influence second to no other country journal in the state.
THE MAROA TIMES.
The above-named paper was the first printed in the village or Maroa. In the winter of 1866-7, T. J. Sharp brought an office to the town, and in the latter part of January, 1867, commenced the publication of the above paper. It was intensely Democratic in tone. Mr. Sharp was a bitter partisan, and somewhat personal and scurrilous in his attacks upon citizens. This course soon brought on between the editor and citizens serious collisions, the last one of which occurred on the 27th of November, 1867, in which Mr. Sharp was knocked down and badly beaten by the enraged people. He was informed that if he had any regard for his personal safety
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
he would at onee remove his office and family out of town. He complied with this pointed and forcible request, and went to Lincoln, Illinois, where he soon after started the Statesman.
After Mr. Sharp's retirement from the newspaper business in Maroa, James De Lay, a printer from Clinton, Illinois, founded
THE TABLET,
The first number of which appeared February 1st, 1868. From somne eause or other the paper did not receive sufficient encourage- ment to warrant Mr. De Lay in continuing the publication, and after a few issues the Tablet was discontinued.
In February, 1869, A. H. Corman, a printer in the Chronicle offiee in Deeatur, went to Maroa, and with the assistance of mer- ehants and enterprising men, established
THE MAROA TRIBUNE,
and continued its publication until in March, 1871, when the office was moved to Decatur, and here, in connection with W. L. Ham- mer, he started the Decatur Tribune, of which mention has been made in another part of this chapter.
The people of Maroa were without a paper until the 12th of April, 1872, when Henry B. Funk, now of the Monticello Bulle- tin, issued the first number of
THE MAROA NEWS.
The News started as a seven column folio, and was subsequently changed to a six colunin quarto. It was neutral in politics. Mr. Funk continued the paper until May 29th, 1875, when he sold it to Messrs. Axton & Jones, two prominent citizens of Maroa. They leased the office to A. H. Corman, the former owner of the Tribune. He continued the publication until August, 1877, when it passed into the hands of Jones & Axton.
Mr. Corman left Maroa in the same month and went to Colorado Springs, Col., where a short time after his arrival, he became the manager of the " Franklin Job Printing House." Not making that a success, he in a few months later became the city editor of the Colorado Springs Gazette (daily and weekly), and was after- wards a compositor on the same paper. He was in some respects a ready and pointed writer.
After Corman's retirement from the Maroa News, Dr. Axton traded Jones' land for his (Jones') interest, and beeame tlie sole owner. He then leased the office to Stratton, Axton, & A. R. Arbuckle. They published the News from August, 1877, to February 1st, 1878. Dr. Axton then sold the office to Mr. Sargeant, who sold it to Thomas Hines. Mr. Hines sold a half interest to Turner O'Banion. The partnership of Hines & O'Banion was formed February 1st, 1878, and continued until October 1st of the same year, when Hines leased his interest to O'Banion. This arrangement continued until October 1st, 1879, when Major C. F. Emery purchased Hines' share in the office, and leased it to O'Banion, who has continued to publish the paper under that arrangement up to the present.
The News is a five column quarto, neatly printed and a spicy paper. In polities it is independent. Circulation about 700. The office is well supplied with neat and new type and an improved power-press, known as the " Prouty Power Press."
In December, 1875, Stratton, Axton & W. Carey originated
THE MAROA BUDGET.
It was printed in the News office. In August, 1876, T. O'Banion purchased Carey's interest, and he and Axton edited it until August, 1877, when Axton retired. O'Banion enlarged it to a five column quarto, and changed the name to
THE MESSENGER.
In January, 1878, O'Banion sold out to Frank Bennett, and one month later the publication ecased.
THE DECATUR DEMOCRAT.
The year 1868 was a prolific year for newspaper enterprises. The Democrat was started as a campaign paper. The first number was issued July 23d, 1868. It was organized as a stoek company, the members of which were prominent Democrats of Macon eounty. J. H. Martin was selected as editor and manager. He conducted the paper through the campaign of 1868, and did good work for his party. In December of the same year the publication was sus- pended. The office was locked up and remained elosed until May, 1869, when W. H. Addis leased it of the stockholders. Under his management the first number was issued May 22d, 1869. James M. Irwin was the editor. Mr. Addis continued the Democrat under the lease until July, 1870, when he purchased the office from the stockholders.
In the summer of 1870 Samuel Pike brought a printing offiee to Danville, Illinois, and from there removed it to Decatur. On the 5th of August of the same year it was consolidated with the Demo- crat. The paper then took the name of
PIKE'S DEMOCRAT.
Pike was editor and Addis manager. The firm of Pike & Addis continued until February 1st, 1871, when Pike retired and returned to Hillsboro, Ohio, where he had formerly resided.
On the 19th of January, two printers, whose names were Merrill and Dashiell, started a daily morning paper, called
THE SUNBEAM.
It continued until May 18th, 1871, when it was consolidated with the Democrat. From the latter date .the Democrat was issued as a daily and weekly paper, and so continued until November 11th, 1871, when the publication ceased for want of patronage. The material and presses remained in the possession of Mr. Addis, who, in the month of the suspension, leased the office to Alfred F. Wuensch, who eommeneed the publieation of the Decatur Review. On the 24th of February, 1872, Mr. Addis traded the office to James Shoaff for the latter's interest in the Magnet. Mr. Shoaff removed the press and material to Paris, Illinois, where it yet re- mains, and from it is issued the Paris Gazette.
THE DECATUR REVIEW
Was founded by Rev. Alfred Wuensch. The first number was issued on the first Thursday in April, 1872. It was an independent paper, but gravitated into the farmer's or Granger's movement. Mr. Wuensch continued the Review until 1874, when he leased the office to John Lindsey and D. J. Block, who published the paper one year, after which Mr. Block retired, and Alfred F. Wuensch, son of the founder of the paper, took his place. Lindsey & Wuensch remained the lessees until June 1st, 1876, when Mr. Wuenseh sold the office to W. H. Bayne. In November, 1876, he eommeneed the issue of the Daily R view, and continued it for two months, when, not proving a financial success, it was abandoned. On October 1st, 1878, the publication of the daily was resumed, and it has continued to the present time. The Weekly Review is a seven column quarto in form ; the Daily is a seven column folio. The Weekly has a circulation of 1,200. The Review is Democratie, and is the leading and representative organ of the party in this con- gressional distriet.
The Review was sold to S. S. Jack, July 23d, 1880. Mr. Jack has made large additions to the office in type and presses, and
70
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
under his management the paper has doubled its circulation and increased its usefulness.
TIIE MACON TRIBUNE
Was published in the town of Macon. The first issue of the Tribune was September 12, 1867. John J. Smith, formerly of the Bement Courier, was the editor and publisher. It suspended January 1st, 1868.
THE NIANTIC HERALD
Was a 5 col. folio, printed at Niautic, R. V. Malloy, editor and proprietor. No. 1, of Vol. 1, appeared Oct. 30th, 1874. It had but a brief existence.
THE DECATUR WEEKLY SUN,
Vol. 1, No. 1, appeared February 2d, 1875, Leonidas H. Tupper, editor. It was a 7 col. folio. It passed into the possession of G. F. Kimball.
THE DECATUR TIMES.
The material of the old Magnet and Tribune offices being in pos- session of "Doc " Sylvester by virtue of his second mortgage, he sold it to S. S. Jack. A few days later Jack sold a third interest to G. F. Kimball. These gentlemen, under the name of the "Decatur Times Company," commenced the publication of the above-named paper. The first issue was January 3d, 1876. It was both daily and weekly. The firm continued four months when Kimball purchased Jack's interest, and continued the publi- cation of the Times at irregular intervals. The daily issue was abandoned entirely. In politics it started as an independent paper, but its sympathies were with the Democratic party, and by the general public it was regarded as a Democratic newspaper. During Mr. Jack's connection with the paper he gave it character and standing. In the latter part of May, 1876, Mr. Kimball started the
WHIP AND SPUR.
It dealt largely in personalitics, aud advocated the Greenback and fiat theories. During the publication of the Whip and Spur the Times was continued aud published semi-weekly. The Whip and Spur continued through the campaign of 1876, and closed in November of the same year. His next journalistic venture was the
TEMPERANCE BUGLE,
The first number of which appeared in the latter part of Septem- ber, 1876. Its name indicated its mission.
THE SUN.
In January, 1877, Alfred F. Wuensch and Howard Montressor established the Daily Sun. They continued the publication until April following, when they sold it to G. F. Kimball. The sale covered the nanie and good-will, which were its entire capital. It was printed in the office of the Review. After the purchase, Mr. Kimball discontinued the Times, and substituted the Sun. Hc continued it as a daily and weekly. It started as a 7 col. folio, afterwards enlarged to an 8 col., and then changed back to a 7 col. The Sun continued to illuminate Macon county journalism until May 21st, 1879, when the office was leased to Joseph Prior and Alfred F. Wuensch. These gentlemen changed its political tone, and made it a Republican paper. Messrs. Prior and Wuensch con- ducted it until about the first of July, of the same year, when the enterprise collapsed, and the office passed into the possession of Kimball, where it remained until the fall of 1879, when he removed it to Belleville, Illinois, and it now forms a part of the office of the Belleville Republican.
THE DEMOCRATIC ERA.
The first number of the Era appeared in July, 1877, G. F. Kim- ball and John Lindsey, editors and publishers. Two months later the publication of the Era ccased.
Mr. Kimball had, during his connection with the journalism of Macon county, other and different partners than those mentioned, but their business arrangements were of such short duration that they are not important in connection with the history of the press of the county. As an organizer and founder of newspapers, Mr. Kim- ball has but one equal in Illinois, and no superior. That all his ventures in journalism were not complete successes is not to be wondered at. His failures are attributable to the fact that he never stopped to count the cost. He acted solely from the im- pulses of the moment. If there was a lack of judgment he hoped to get over the difficulty by the exercise of energy and industry. Of the latter he had an abundance, but no amount of it could bridge over the gaps caused by the lack of common business judgment, and the too frequent indulgence in visionary schemes. As iu business, so he was as a newspaper writer. Sometimes clear, strong, and vigorous, at others erratic, weak and inconsistent. None were more sanguine or honest in their plans nor saw more distinctly their fulfilment in the future, but unfortunately his mind changed so rapidly that the mere failure found him in a new position with a new project; therefore the sluggish mind of the public thought him often inconsistent, while it had not really caught up and learned his latest discovery. As a man and a citizen he was honest and upright, and honorable iu all of his busi- ness transactions.
THE SATURDAY HERALD.
The above-named paper was started by C. N. Walls, formerly of the Tuscola Journal. The first number was issued October 11th, 1879. In form it was a six column quarto. Politically it was Independent. Mr. Walls continued to publish it weekly, until Feb. 1st, 1880, whcu Col H. W. Rowell and W. H. Addis became the lessees. It was then changed to a Republican paper. On the 13th of May of the same ycar, they commenced the publication of the Daily Herald, a six column folio, which still continues. The cir- culation of the weckly Herald is 1100. The office is supplied with a Cattrell and Babcock Cylinder Press, and a .large-sized Gordon Press, aud a good variety of type for all kinds of printing. Mr. Addis is a practical printer, in Decatur. Col. Rowell is also an old newspaper man, and was formerly connected with the Register at Rockford, Illinois. Messrs. Rowell & Addis continued the publica- tion of the Herald, until July 24th, 1880, when C. N. Walls took possession of the office by reason of forfeiture of leasc. He con- tinues the paper as a Republican journal.
THE TOMAHAWK.
The above paper is the latest aspirant for, journalistic honors in Macon county. The first number was issued May 11th, 1880. A. R. Arbuckle, editor and proprietor. The Tomahawk is a five column folio, neatly printed and ably cdited. Iu politics it is Independent. The publisher's object in starting the paper was to have an organ representing the liberal sentiment of this section. It has a weekly circulation of 500 copics.
TIIE YARDSTICK
Is the name of a small paper published at Blue Mound, by Henshic Bros. It is their own advertising medium, and they give local news each week.
There have been several German papers published in the county, but none of them survived any considerable length of time. The
71
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Illinois Volksblat was issued July 3d, 1871. It had but a brief existence. The Zietung, another German paper, was printed in the Gazette and Chronicle office. It survived but a few months.
The history of the Press of Macon county has been briefly traced. There have been some trials and obstacles, and it has witnessed some failures, but it is fairly representative of the busi- ness growth of the county. The influence and character of the press has grown with the increase of the material wealth and intellectual growth of those they have represented. The number of newspaper enterprises organized and supported in the county, shows well for the liberality of its citizens, and it further shows the appreciation of the power of printer's ink and editor's pen when used for the advancement of the intellectual growth of the people and material wealth of the county. The fact is patent that to the press more than to any other means belongs the honor of building up and making known to the outside world the wealth of soil, the advantages of agriculture, and manufacturing interests, the excellent schools, the moral tone of the people of Macon county. In short, whatever position or fame it has throughout the state from any point of observation, is due in a great measure to the press of Macon county.
CHAPTER XII.
COMMON SCHOOLS OF MACON COUNTY.
BY JOHN TRAINER, COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT. OUR STATE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
HE present system of "free schools" may properly be said to have been inaugurated and entercd upon in 1855. It is a truth that every person is a factor in the state or society in which he lives. Our state, early recognizing this fact, sought to provide liberal means and facilities for the proper education of those into whose hands the affairs of state would soon pass. The work of 1855 was not the beginning. The germ of free schools had been planted long ante- rior to this date, and by proper cultivation it had grown up to be a prolific system. Article third of the celebrated ordinance of 1787 declared that "knowledge is necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind," and enjoined that "schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged."
Paper manifestoes are not often dreaded; the edicts of poten- tates seldom survive the age in which they are decreed ; and pro- clamations rarely have existence longer than that of the paper on which they are written. What does it mean? This ordinance seems to have been an exception.
It became the nucleus of the grand system of education, the benign influence of which is felt and recognized in every home and sphere of business in our state ; and in 1887, the inhabitant of Illi- nois who will not be reaping benefits from the influences of its declarations and injunctions will be the exception-will be a blank in society, and but little above the menial serf.
Illinois was organized as a territory in 1809; but in the articles of organization no mention was made of the common school. The convention which framed the constitution under which the state was admitted, accepted in August of that year (1818) a proposition made by Congress, in the "Enabling Act" for this state, April 18th, appropriating section 16 in each township to the state for the use of the inhabitants of said township, for school purposes ; also one-half of five per cent. of the proceeds of public lands within the state sold by Congress after January 1st, 1819, should be appropri-
ated by the legislature for the encouragement of learning. One- sixth of this amount was to be applied to a college or university, and thirty-six sections, or one entire township, with one previously reserved for that purpose, should be allotted for the use of a semi- nary of learning.
These funds may thus be classified : the state school fund from the sales of public lands, less one-sixth, which is the university fund, resulting from the sale of sixteenth section. It will thus be seen that the most valuable donation for school purposes was the sixteenth section of every township. This donation amounts to 998,449 acres ; properly managed, the revenues derived from the sale of these lands would have released forever the people from local taxation for school purposes. These lands were nearly all sold when there was but little demand for them. In 1828 the legislature unanimously authorized the sale of these lands, and bor- rowed money to defray the expenses of the sale. But the returns from these magnificent gifts were too meagre to support the schools, and local taxes had to be levied. In 1824 the swamp and over- flowed lands remaining in possession of the state, after paying for drainage and levees, was granted to counties for educational pur- poses.
In 1835 a county fund was created by an act of the legislature, which provided that the teachers should not receive from the public fund more than half the amount due them, and that the surplus should constitute the principal of the "county fund," which amounted to $348,285.75.
In 1853 all fines and penalties imposed in courts of record, and criminal forfeiture on bails were added to school resources, and school property was exempted from taxation.
THE FIRST FREE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
In 1824-5 Governor Coles, in his message to the legislature, advised that provision be made for the support of common schools. During the same session Senator Joseph Duncan, of Jackson county, introduced a bill to establish a system of schools.
The leading points in this system were :
1. The schools were to be opened to every class of white citizens between the ages of five and twenty-one.
2. Persons over twenty-one years of age might be admitted on consent of the trustees and upon the agreed terms.
3. Districts of not less than five families were to be formed on petition of a majority of the legal voters.
4. Officers were to be elected and sworn in.
5. The legal voters at an annual meeting could levy a tax, in money or merchantable produce at cash value, not exceeding one- half of one per cent , subject to a maximum limitation of ten dollars for one person.
6. The state appropriated annually two per cent. out of all monies received in the treasury. Five sixths of this was added to the interest received from the school fund, and the sum was appor- tioned to the counties according to the number of white persons under twenty-one years of age.
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