History of McDonough County, Illinois, together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of the representative citizens, Part 57

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1150

USA > Illinois > McDonough County > History of McDonough County, Illinois, together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of the representative citizens > Part 57

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Underneath the notice appears the following comment by the editor: "The above was accompanied by a bountiful supply of cake, for which the fair bride has our sincere thanks, with the hope that the happiness known only to loving hearts and true, may always attend the happy couple through life." Other notices were as follows:

On Sunday, the 31st day of August, 1851, by J. S. Matthews, Esq., Isaac Massingill, to Sarah Groves, all of this county.

On Thursday, the 4th inst., by J. O. C. Wilson, David H. Lockett, of Mc- Donough county, to Priscilla Sherman, of Hancock county.

On the 7th inst., by C. R. Hume, Esq., Alexander Dorothy, to Sarah Hurn, all of this county.

DIED-In this place, on Sunday even- ing, at her residence, Mrs. Jane S. Langwell, wife of Peter Langwell, aged about 60 years.

The paper was conducted under this management but a few months, and in the issue of February 13, 1852, appears the following valedictory of the junior member of the firm, Theodore Terry:

"To all my friends a sigh, To all my foes a tear."

"Having disposed of my interest in the office of the McDonough Independ- ent, the sad task devolves upon me of saying to its readers, one and all, the

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

word, farewell. My labors amongst you have been rendered most agreeable by the evidences of friendship exhibited on every side, and much of the prosperity of the paper can alone be attributed to the disinterested kindness of those who have so generously lent their aid in building up the enterprise, and to such friends, and to all friends, I return my thanks, and my enemies, if any, will accept my forgiveness in the spirit that it is offered, that of kindness.

The paper will hereafter be conducted by our former partner, G. W. Smith, Esq., whose experience, taste and talent will enable him to render the Independ- ent a most welcome sheet, and that suc- cess and prosperity may attend him and for all time, is the earnest wish of the writer.

"And now once more farewell; 'A word that has been and must be'-Farewell."

At the close of the first year in the paper's career an announcement was made that with the new volume the paper would appear in an enlarged form. In or- der to accomplish this the issue was sus- pended one week, and on September 24, 1852, the Independent appeared as a seven column folio, neatly printed and well gotten up. Mr. Smith was a sharp and pointed writer, and his paper wielded considerable influence in this part of the state, and was particularly received with favor in McDonough county at that time. It afterward appeared for a while as the McDonough Independent and Demo- cratic Review, and in the issue of Sep- tember 14, 1855, the name was changed to McDonough Democrat, at which time Mr. Smith associated with him R. M. Royalty, as partner. The paper in the

past leaned toward the democratic ranks, and after this change was made it was intensely democratic. It continued un- der this management until about the first of September, 1856, when Mr. Royalty retired. Mr. Smith continued the pub- lication for some time, after which he removed to Blandinsville and started the Argus.

THE MACOMB ENTERPRISE. -

The Enterprise was the second paper established in Macomb, the first issue appearing June 19, 1855. In conse- quence of the expression of political views by the McDonough Independent many persons were desirous of establish- ing another paper for the propagation of their principles, and accordingly two young men, T. S. Clarke and D. G. Swan, were influenced to embark in the enter- prise, engaging L. H. Waters as editor. The paper was a seven column folio in size, with a subscription price of $1.50 per annum. The following salutatory appears in the initial number of the Enterprise:

"It is generally believed that the inter- ests of the press, that is properly con- ducted, are intimately connected with the interests that tend to benefit the mass and ennoble the mind; and whilst a prop- erly conducted press is thus beneficial in its tendencies, it cannot be doubted for a moment that a low, ribald sheet is to the public what a tattler is in a commu- nity-a pest always.

" In the publication of the Enterprise we will but promise that we will advocate with what ability we possess, the men and measures of the Whig party.

" The measures for which a Clay, Web-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

ster, and a host of other great men have labored a lifetime, and whose results are in the unexampled prosperity of a com- mon country, are surely worth the keep- ing in constant remembrance for the good they have done, and the still greater good they may yet do. In advocating those measures, and in holding up the hands of those who maintain them, we intend that our zeal shall not get the better of our judgment, and lead us into a guerrilla warfare with our political opponents, that may result in a great deal of noise and the no great amusement of those whose feelings it is our duty to respect.

" We shall endeavor to make our paper reliably temperance,advocating the cause of temperance as it is when bereft of old fogyism. Chiefly through the efforts of political demagogues, the great mass of the people have been deceived upon the aims of the friends of prohibition, and we must now commence again in the cause where we were years ago, and carry temperance, as they once did "whisky," into politics. And whilst we would not have it known even in "Gath" that we have been defeated, we must "pick our flints," and with a fair understanding of the intentions of the prohibitionists, and with the sympathy that every true man feels for his fellow, we must again trust our life boat to the waves.

"In the literary department we hope to make such selections only as shall in- form the mind and elevate the taste, dis- carding at all times any article, the moral tendency of which is in doubt.

"By the completion of our railroad we will be enabled to present our readers with at least readable news.

"Such are a few of our hopes and some of our promises. All those who are will- ing to lend us a hand and aid us by a liberal support, we will welcome their names to our books. It is correctly re- ported and generally believed that print- ers do eat. And whilst we battle with our feeble abilities for the right, we ask at least the rations of a private. Let those to whom we write come, and let "those who hear, say come," and ex- change a generous patronage for our promises, and trust to the future for the difference."

Mr. Clarke retired from the firm a couple of months after the paper's first appearance, the journal being contin- ued by Mr. Swan as proprietor, and un- der the editorial management of L. H. Waters. As the patronage of the pa- was not sufficient to sustain its publica- tion, in the issue of November 22, 1855, the following explanatory article ap- peared in the columns of the Enter- prise, headed

" Going! Going !! Gone !!! "

" We are compelled this week to is- sue a half sheet; next week we promise -nothing! Circumstances over which we have no control, compel us to say this. When we commenced the publi- cation of the Enterprise, we did so with the assurance that we would be sup- ported by the whigs of McDonough county. So far as patronizing our pa- per has been concerned, they have done well; but as to paying, that is quite another thing. We have now on our books accounts against men who have been good enough to patronize us, suf- ficient to relieve all our indebtedness and send us on our way rejoicing. We

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

have tried to collect this money by dun- ning through the paper, and also by for- warding bills to our model patrons, but all will not do. We will have to strike out and confront them, and the conse- quence is, we can't print. We have done what we could since we have come into the proprietorship of the paper, to make it pay, but we are tired of trying now-when those who pretend to be our friends pay no attention to our wants, and leave us to the mercy of our credi- tors. Let every one who owes us for advertising or subscription, pay up to this time, and we will be enabled to go on; if not, we must stop!"

The paper was discontinued for a few weeks, when B. R. Hampton came to its relief, purchasing an interest and assum- ing editorial control, Mr. Waters, the former editor, retiring. In the first is- sue of the new series, December 26, 1855, the following salutatory appears, from the pen of Mr. Hampton:

"In taking charge of the editorial department of the Enterprise,it becomes necessary for us to make the public ac- quainted with the course we expect to pursue as a public journalist.

"It is hardly necessary for us to say to the people of McDonough county that in politics we are a whig. Fifteen years residence here preclude any such necessity. But in these times of politi- cal distraction, it may be well enough for us to say to you that we still have strong attachments for those principles which were imbibed by us in our child- hood and schoolboy days. Principles which we learned from the mouths of such men as J. Q. Adams, Clay and Webster, are neither forgotten nor for-

saken by us. Believing as we do that the measures advocated by the whig party tend more to the welfare of the American people, than the measures of any other party that has been organized in our government, we therefore cling to those measures or principles as em- phatically the principles of this govern- ment; and say, that notwithstanding we have many times been defeated by the endearing name and cry of democracy, yet amid all our defeats, we have seen that those principles have been steadily gaining ground in the minds of the peo- ple, and that some of them have been adopted by even the democratic party in the state of Illinois as their own. We believe the time is coming, and not very far distant, when the policy of the whig party will be the policy of this govern- ment. But it has been said by some politicians that the whig party is among the parties that have passed away. This we do not believe; but even should this be the case, that as a party it is dis- solved, its principles will last as long as the government exists in its present form.

"There is at the present time an issue before the American people which seems as though it would swallow up all others, and so it probably will, for the present. We allude to the Kansas question, which has been thrown into the arena by the passage of the Kansas and Nebraska bill, and palmed off on the country by Douglas, Atchison and company. If this is to be made the only issue, and old parties and principles are to be laid aside until the question is settled, we shall be found to the utmost of our ability doing battle against this notori-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

ous swindle; ever contending for free- dom in free territory. Believing as we do that the institution of slavery is a dark spot upon the free face of our country, we shall contend that it shall be confined to the present limits, and not be permitted to spread itself over the whole face of our country. We say, confine it where it is until the sovereign people of the states where it now exists, shall be able to see the spot and apply the remedy for its removal. So long as the lovers of this peculiar institution did not choose to force the extension of its baleful influence, we did not feel dis- posed to meddle with it, but they have · sought to plant its dark visage upon the the fair face of freedom. We cannot, therefore,fail to raise our voice against it.

"But whilst to some extent ours will be a political paper,we shall not lose sight of other things necessary to make it instructive and interesting to our read- ers. Agriculture, commerce and the markets will not be neglected. Temper- ance and morality will receive a due share of attention. We shall also en- deavor to keep our readers posted up in regard to transpiring events; flattering ourselves that we have such arrange- ments that we can give the latest news upon all the important matters of the day.

"In short, we expect to do our very best to make the Enterprise what a paper should be, intended for circula- tion in McDonough county. These are some of our promises, but in order that we may be enabled to fulfill them to the letter, it is absolutely necessary that we should receive a fair share of public patronage. If we get this, we have no

fears of the result of our Enterprise; if we do not, we cannot, of course, pub- lish a paper and live."

The Enterprise was started as a whig paper, by the original owners, and would have been continued as such had it not been for the Kansas-Nebraska legisla- tion and the repeal of the Missouri com- promise. Mr. Hampton, the new editor, was a great admirer of Fillmore and was strongly attached to the whig party, but was also, as will be seen by his salu- tatory, utterly opposed to slavery. In the issue of the paper of June 26, 1856, the names of Fremont and Dayton were placed at the head of the column and their election, as president and vice-pres- ident, advocated. To this many of the patrons and friends of the paper, who were favorable to the election of Fill- more, strongly objected. In answer to these objections there appeared in the issue of the paper of July 17th, a lengthy editorial, reviewing the platform upon which that gentleman stood, and also his speech of acceptance, delivered at Al- bany after his nomination. After review- ing the iniquity and fallacy of the posi- tion taken, the article concluded as fol- lows: "This is their course of reason- ing, and was it not for this we could have supported Fillmore with all our heart; but as it is we cannot now do so. Some of our friends may condemn our course, and we understand some are already doing so. To such we say, as Brutus once said to Rome: If there be any of our readers, any dear friend of Fillmore, we say to him that our love for Fillmore was no less than his. If, then, that friend demands why we rise against Fillmore, our answer is: Not that we

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

love Fillmore less, but that we love our country more."

Under the management of Messrs. Hampton and Swan the paper prospered , and it soon became evident that the Enterprise was a fixed factor in journal- ism of Macomb and McDonough county. January 28, 1857, Mr. Swan retired from the firm, after which Mr. Hampton took into partnership F. C. Fowler, continu- ing the publication under this manage- ment until about March, 1859, when Mr. Fowler disposed of his interest to J. W. Nichols. In 1860, Mr. Nichols purchas- ed the interest of B. R. Hampton, assum- ing control of the entire' office and changing the name of the paper to

MILITARY TRACT JOURNAL.

The paper was continued in this man- ner until the spring of 1861, when James K. Magie purchased a half interest when the name of the paper was changed to

MACOMB JOURNAL,

a title it has sustained ever since. Mr. Magie assumed editorial management, remaining in that capacity until the sum- mer of 1862, when he enlisted as a pri- vate in the 78th regiment. After Mr. Magie went to the front, Mr. Nichols became editor and continued in the man- agement of the paper until January, 1864, when he disposed of,his interest to Mr. Magie, and T. S. Clarke leased the office, and became editor. In August of that year, Mr. Clarke associated with him, C. L. Sanders in editing the Journal, these gentlemen continuing the publica- tion of the same until Mr. Magie return- ed from the army, in June, 1865, when that gentleman assumed full editorial

charge in the publication of his paper. In November of that year, B. R. Hamp- ton again purchased the office, continu- ing in control of the same until June 17, 1870, when W. H. Hainline purchased a half interest. In the issue of the Journal of the above date the following announcement appeared:

"With this week's paper we commence its publication under a new arrange- ment, W. H. Hainline coming into the office as a partner. The growing busi- ness of the office has, for a long time, been admonishing me that it was neces- sary to increase the facilities for doing the work, and also of the necessity of having some one to assist in the editorial duties and business management of the establishment. In the person of Mr. Hainline, who is not only a straight for- ' ward man of business, but also a ready writer, the Journal patrons will find the right man in the right place. I take this occasion to thank the many friends of the paper for what they have done in the past, and ask that they continue their favors toward it under the new management."

Following the above paragraph ap- pears a few explanatory lines from the pen of Mr. Hainline:

"The above article of Mr. Hampton's, with due allowance for the flattering re- marks, tells the whole story. As Mr. Hampton still remains at the head of the firm, I deem it unnecessary, at present, to burden the paper with a profusion of promises or apologies, trusting to time, which tries all, and a public who will decide rightly, whether I succeed or fail. With them I leave the verdict."

The Journal always appeared in folio

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

form until February 8, 1880, when it was changed to a six column quarto, a style which it still sustains. Hampton & Hainline continued as publishers of the Journal until January 3, 1881, when Mr. Hampton disposed of his interest to the junior member of the firm. In as- suming sole control and management, the following salutatory from the pen of Mr. Hainline appears in the paper of the above date:

"Mr. Hampton, who retires, has been the senior of the firm; he has been the known element of whatever course the paper took, or whatever force it exerted on the questions that came up. If the public approved, he generously divided the award; if the contrary, he was wil- ling to take on his broad shoulders the lion's share of the blame.

"More than this: he has been my friend. One that has stood by me through evil as well as good report, and did I feel other than sadness at our separation, I should be ungrateful in- deed. As stated by him, our business relations have been pleasant. Never to my knowledge has a harsh or unfriendly word characterized a single business ar- rangement of the firm, during the 11 years (almost) that I have been con- nected with the paper, and consequently with him in business.

"In his retirement that not alone am I the loser so far as the Journal is con- cerned. The reader will note his ab- sence from the-paper, and with all the efforts I may make, I fear I shall not (for sometime at least) supply the place made vacant when he resigned this edi- torial chair.

"And so it is that the partnership of the Journal firm dissolves. We sepa- rate with kindly feelings, and Mr. Hamp- ton has my earnest wishes for prosperity in all his undertakings; and I sincerely believe he wishes me as well. We are no longer associated in business, but we still remain friends.

"In closing, I will say a brief word in reference to the course of the Journal in the future. As when I started into the business 11 years ago, I made no promises, only that I would do my best and allow the public to judge; so do I now renew the statement. In discussing questions, I shall aim to do by others as I would have them do by me. In poli- tics, the Journal will continue to advo- cate the glorious principles of republi- canism, the corner stone of which is 'equal and exact privileges of all before the law;' or in plainer, though homelier language, concede to every man in poli- tics the same rights it claims for itself, and ask no duties or burdens placed upon another that it is not willing to also take upon itself.

"And now to the thousands of patrons of the Journal, I respectfully request a a continuance of your former generous patronage; and to those who are not subscribers, would say there is room for all in 'The Journal family.' And to one and all, judge short-comings leni- ently."

In the issue of January 3, 1884, the following announcement appears, in re- gard to the organization of the present management of the Journal:

"This week and after, the Journal is issued by a joint stock company, organ- ized under the laws of the state of Illi-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

nois. The stockholders are W. H. Hain- line, Mrs. W. H. Hainline, Walter L. Piper and A. J. Hainline. The editorial management will be under the control of the first named, as heretofore, and the mechanical department under the super- vision of Walter L. Piper. The owner- ship of the office is the same as for the past year, but owing to unequal partner- ship it was deemed best to incorporate. The name of the incorporation is "The Macomb Journal Printing Company." Under this company name the paper will hereafter be published, and the business of the office conducted."

The Journal is the recognized lead- ing republican organ of McDonough county, and in circulation ranks fore- most. The paper is six columns, eight pages in size, neatly printed, and mani- festing in its make-up the oversight of a practical printer of first-class ability; ably edited, and with a large amount of spicy locals and pungent editorial com- ment.

.William H. Hainline was born in Emmet township, McDonough county, July 29, 1841, and has been a continu- ous resident of the county from that date, and therefore may be classed as an old settler. His parents were John D. and Margaret A. Hainline, who immigrated from the state of Kentucky at an early day, the father yet residing upon the old homestead in Emmet township. The subject of this sketch spent his child- hood and youth upon the farm, his life being varied by work in the summer and attendance upon the district school in the winter. With the exception of three months his entire schooling was received in one district. Until 18 years of age he

continued to work for his father. At that time the country was excited by the dis- covery of gold in Pike's Peak, when he persuaded his father to let him seek his fortune in that new Eldorado. Going to the Peak he labored about three weeks in the mines, when not being satisfied with the prospects, he returned home, thor- oughly cured of the "gold fever," and willing enough to take his place behind the plow, and turn gold out of the black soil of Illinois. In farm work he con- tinued until the boom of the cannon was heard reverberating from Fort Sumpter, when, hastening to Macomb, on the 19th day of April, 1861, he enlisted in Cap- tain Ralston's company, under the first call of the president for 75,000 men, but on account of the lack of transportation, the company could not leave Macomb in time, and therefore failed to be num- bered with the first quota. A call of the state had in the meantime been made for ten regiments, and this company was sworn in for 30 days, and afterward, on the 24th of May, 1861, mustered into the United States service for three years, or during the war, becoming company H, 16th Illinois infantry. During the war was taken literally by Mr. Hainline, and five months before the expiration of his three years' service, he re-enlisted as a veteran, and continued with his regi- ment until the proclamation of peace was issued, and the regiment mustered out on the 8th of July, 1865. In every cam- paign in which the regiment participated he bore his part, and in the battle of Peach Tree creek, in front of Atlanta, on the 20th of July, 1864, he was taken prisoner, and five days thereafter was placed in the prison pen of Anderson-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

ville. For, two months he was confined at that place, where the prisoners were dying at the rate of 100 each day, of starvation and exposure, the rebels re- fusing to take any measures to better their condition. On returning home, Mr. Hainline, the following fall, received from his party the nomination for the office of county treasurer, and, notwith- standing the objection raised against him on account of his youth, and that he ran against the most popular man in the ranks of the opposition, he was triumph- antly elected. The amount of his bond was $650,000, owing to the heavy bounty tax, but had it been $2,000,000 it would have been given. In the discharge of his duties he gave perfect satisfaction to men of all parties, and in the two years of his service he handled more money than any treasurer in the county has ever done in the same length of time. Shortly after the expiration of his term of office he purchased an interest in the drug store of P. H. Delaney, continuing in that business until the fall of 1869. On the 12th day of June, 1866, he was united in marriage with Victoria Shleich, of Fulton county. Three children were the result of this union, one of whom died in infancy; the other two are Maud S., born September 29, 1869: and Millie D., born June 1, 1872. Mrs. Hainline, who was a most excellent woman, de- parted this life February 24, 1874. In June, Mr. Hainline purchased a half in- terest in the Macomb Journal, the lead: ing paper of the city, and became asso- ciate editor. As a local writer he ranks among the best in the state, and in the advocacy of his political views he never fails to make himself understood, and

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History of McDonough County, Illinois, together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of the representative citizens, Part 57

Author: Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1150

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1150