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 58

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 58

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always takes advance ground upon all questions of the day. 'In February, 1881, he purchased the interest of his partner, since which time he has re- mained sole editor. On January 24, 1879, he was married to Catherine L. Voorhees. By this union there has been one child, Jean L., born June 30, 1883. In addition to the office of county treas- urer, Mr. Hainline has held the office of alderman of the First ward, Macomb, for two years, and represented the city as a member of the board of supervisors for three years. In the discharge of all his official duties he labors faithfully to advance the best interests of his con- stituents, being alive to all questions of public good.

THE MACOMB EAGLE.

The journal with the above name, the leading representative of the democratic press of McDonough county of the pres- ent day, was established in October, 1856, by R. M. Royalty and W. E. Avise, the former gentleman acting as editor. The first paper bears the date of Octo- ber 18, and was a neat, sprightly, seven column folio, of new material and ex- cellent dress. On presenting the paper to their patrons and friends, Mr. Roy- alty made the following remarks, by way of a salutatory:

"Our barque is on the tide! In launching out upon the troubled sea of public opinion, it may not be amiss to state briefly, what course we design pur- suing, and what preparations we have made for the voyage.

"Impressed with the importance of establishing a permanent and reliable democratic newspaper at Macomb, for

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the dissemination of political and general intelligence, and yielding to the solicita- tions of a large number of our most re- spectable and influential fellow citizens, in different sections of the county, we were induced to embark in the present undertaking, believing that the publica- tion of a well-conducted county paper, would ultimately prove mutually benefi- cial to our patrons and ourselves. To this end, we have procured entirely new presses, types and fixture-sparing no pains or expense to render the establish- ment complete in all its departments. Relying solely upon our own exertions, and the intelligence and public spirit of the people of McDonongh county, for remuneration, and urging no claim upon them for patronage, other than their own sense of the propriety of sustaining such an enterprise, as the readiest means of promoting public and private inter- ests, we, this morning, lay the first number of the Macomb Eagle before them, for their approval or rejection- willing that this and succeeding num- bers, however imperfect, shall speak for themselves.

"To those familiar with our political opinions and course heretofore, little need be said as to what policy we shall pursue in the publication of the Eagle. It is scarcely necessary to add that it will be unequivocally democratic in its proclivities, and will battle earnestly for that glorious political faith, handed down to us by Jefferson, Madison and Jackson, under the honest conviction that upon the success of democratic measures, depends the perpetuity of our civil and religious institutions. Re- garding the democratic party as the

only strictly national and conservative organization in the pale of the American union, and the democratic creed as the only one consistent with the letter and spirit of the federal constitution and laws, we shall scrupuously adhere to the cardinal principles of that party, and, to the extent of our humble abilities, use our best endeavors to insure its success. In doing this, however, we shall en- deavor, on all occasions, to maintain a dignified tone, and treat our opponents with a deference and respect due to those who may honestly differ with us upon the great political and moral questions of the day, conceding to them an equal right to the undisturbed enjoy- ment of their opinions; and, under no circumstances, will we insult our read- ers, or compromise our claims to self- respect, by descending to the use of slang and low invective. While we respect an honorable, candid, and manly competitor, we cannot, and will not, stoop to the level of those rabid partisans, who are ever wallowing in the filthy and noisome cesspools of billingsgate and personal detraction.

"Upon the vexed and much abused slavery question-as upon all other im- portant issues before the people-it is needless to say that we stand firm and immutable upon the national democratic platform of 1856. Looking upon negro slavery, as it exists in the United States, as a domestic institution, exclusively lo- cal or sectional in its character, and de- precating every attempt to make it na- tional, we are willing to leave it where the constitution places it, in the hands of the people themselves, to receive or reject as they may deem proper. This

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we regard as one of the especial prerog- atives of the individual states, without which they cannot be free and indepen- dent sovereignties-congress, in our humble opinion, having no right to in- terfere with the domestic affairs of the states.

"Politics, however, will not receive ex- clusive attention. Literature, education, agriculture, improvements, the market, domestic and foreign news, etc., will be duly honored, our facilities being such that we expect to be able to furnish our readers with the latest and most reliable intelligence from all quarters; and no pains will be spared to render the Eagle acceptable to the reading public.

"Having thus hastily sketched the out- lines, in part, of the course we intend to pursue, we send forth the Eagle upon its mission, trusting it may find a welcome reception at the hands of every good cit- izen.

"To the fraternity at large, we make our most profound salaam, and proffer our right ) in token of that amity and good feeling, which we earnestly hope may ever characterize our inter- course with the craft."

But the well laid plans so often made are apt to be broken by circumstances over which we have no control, for, three weeks later the paper was obliged to sus- pend publication for lack of funds. Jan- uary 3, 1857, however, the paper was re- vived, G. T. Mitchell entering into part- nership with Mr. Avise in its publica- tion, since which time the Eagle has ap- peared continuously. In the issue of March 7, 1857, Nelson Abbott appears as one of the editors and proprietors, Mr. Avise retiring, although no mention was

made of the change. January 9, 1858, Mr. Mitchell retired and the paper was continued by Mr. Abbott until February 11, 1865, when he disposed of the office to J. H. Hungate, who secured the ser- vices of J. B. Naylor, as editor. In se- vering his connection with the paper, Mr. Abbott penned the following fare- well, which appeared in the issue of the above date:

"With the issue of the present num- ber, my connection with the Eagle es- tablishment ceases. I have sold the con- cern to Mr. J. H. Hungate, of this city.

"It has been known to many of my friends for over a year past" I have de- sired to be released from the business. Failing health and the advice of physi- cians to seek another occupation, are the chief reasons that have caused this step.

"Eight years ago this month I took charge of this paper. It was then just straggling into existence, and from that hour to this it has been conducted under my sole supervision. What it has ac- complished in this time needs no re- counting now. That has become part of the history of this county.

"I may have committed errors. Few men do not. But I do not call to mind any instance in which, with present light, I should have acted differently. I may have given offense to corrupt, fan- atical, or hypocritical men. If so, the only apology I have to offer is, the hope that they may live the life of better men in the future.

"To the many friends who have stood by me 'through evil as well as good re- port,' I can only return my warmest ac- knowledgements and pray for blessings on their heads. I shall ever cherish with

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a fond recollection the many acts of kind- ness and friendship which have been ex- tended to me by the democrats of Mc- Donough county. If they have not re- ceived that recompense which should have been rendered, I feel assured they will not charge the failure to lack of will or earnest effort.

"It is no small consolation, in retiring, to know that I leave the Eagle in faith- ful and able hands. Mr. Hungate will be found altogether worthy of the confi- dence of the democrats of this county. The high standard of the paper for dem- ocratic integrity will not be lowered, while in editorial ability it will be strengthened.

"With my best wishes for its prosper- ity, and warmest regards to its patrons, I bid one and all good-bye!"

Mr. Hungate continued the publica- tion of the Eagle with J. B. Naylor, ed- itor, only about six months, when he sold the office to the present proprietor, Charles H. Whitaker. In the first issue under the new management, September 30, 1865, appeared the following vale- dictory of Mr. Naylor, and also the salu- tatory of the new editor and proprietor:

" With the last week's issue, my con- nection with the Eagle ceased. This fact would have been announced last week, had the purchaser, Mr. C. H. Whit- aker arrived in time to have made it known. It has been but a little over six months since we took charge of the Eagle, during which time, the circula- tion of the paper has largely increased and we can safely say that no country paper in the state, has a better advertis- ing and job patronage. We thank the good people of Macomb and McDon-

ough county, who, without regard to party, have given us many encouraging words, and for their many generous acts of kindness and liberality. We shall ever cherish their names fondly in mem- ory. We leave the office, we believe, with the good will of all; and on our part, certainly with no malice or ill-will toward any. We now transfer the Eagle to Mr. C. H. Whitaker, late of Missouri, who has had a number of years experience in the publishing busi- ness, and is a thorough printer and an able writer. In his hands, we have no doubt the Eagle will soon rank second to no paper in the state. In politics, the Eagle will still,continue to be an advo- cate of democratic principles, Mr. Whit- aker believing that upon them rests the stability and future happiness of the grand old republic.

" We bespeak for him the same hearty and cordial support, on the part of the democracy, which they have ever shown toward us. Mr. Whitaker has been, during the war, in Missouri, between two fires-that of the rebels on one hand, and the radicals on the other; hav- ing had an office destroyed in Septem- ber, 1861, by the rebels, and another by the radicals, in September, 1863.

"To our neighbor of the Journal we bid adieu, and return our thanks for the many courtesies and favors shown us, and wish him abundant success in bas- ket and store.

" And now to our friends, one and all, we say farewell."

" The above card of Mr. Naylor, ex- plains the change which this week takes place in the management of the Eagle. To those who have known us, it is hardly

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

necessary to say that we have been con- nected with the press in Missouri for the past ten years, during which time the trying ordeals of war have not only devastated that state, but the military power have exercised a despotic and ·ty- rannical surveillance over the liberty of speech, and the sacred and estimable blessings of a free press. We have al- ways and on all occasions, maintained the right to support that which is just and have always denounced that which we conceived to be unjust. For de- nouncing the unjust restrictions of sou- thern rebels, and bitterly opposing the blue laws and orders of military tyrants and abolition subalterns, it has been our fortune to conduct our paper under the most perplexing and trying difficulties. Such has been the bad state of affairs where extremists and fanatics hold sway, that the press dare not criticise the actions of local military, without subjecting its editors to arrest and im- prisonment, and when released upon bond, they are denied either a civil or military trial, showing clearly that where the military are unable to have the press conducted to suit their own individual sense of propriety, they assume the au- thority, because they have the power to put a surveillance over the press, and knowing that no disloyal act has been committed, or disloyal language pub- lished, they refuse even a trial, thus evading and skulking about like bush-, whackers, because they know themselves to be the violators of military, as well as constitutional law.

"To the patrons of the Eagle we de- sire to say that we shall advocate the principles of the democratic party, be-

lieving those principles are better calcu- lated to secure and maintain the liberty and freedom of the white man; while the principles of the republican party are only for the securing of liberty and freedom for the negro race, and bring- ing white down to the level of the black. We shall spare no pains or expense to give our patrons a live hcme paper, and one which will prove a welcome visitor to every fireside. The moral and liter- ary tone of the Eagle will receive our careful attention, while the local and miscellaneous departments will contain the latest and choicest gleanings.

"Hoping to be able to make the Eagle every way worthy and deserving of the support and patronage of the good peo- ple of Macomb and McDonough county, and hoping that in future our acquain- tance with our patrons and friends may be mutually pleasant and instructive, we shall buckle on our armor editorial and enter upon the discharge of the du- ties of the tripod."

At that time the Eagle was published as a seven column folio, and made a very poor appearance, mechanically. But by the purchase of new type, enlargement, etc., under its present management, this jour- nal occupies the foremost rank in typo- graphical neatness. The Eagle has al- ways rested solely upon its merits, and has always stood for its intrinsic worth. Charles H. Whitaker, the editor, is well fitted for the responsibility of the posi- tion, bringing to it a'mind above the av- erage, a keen, trenchant pen, and a jour- nalistic courtesy rarely found in the craft. The paper has ever supported the principles of the democratic party, and has wielded considerable influence in

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

moulding the course of local politics in this district.

Hon. Charles H. Whitaker was born in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, September 13, 1836. His parents, Irwin H. and Ann E. Whitaker, were both natives of Danville, Montour county, Pennsylvania. In 1838 his parents came,west, locating in Canton, Illinois. Here the mother died, October 11, 1841, aged 27 years. In 1849 the cholera scourge swept across the country, and the father was its second victim in Canton, dying on July 17, at the age of 38 years. -

By his father's death young Whitaker was left alone in the world at the age of 17 years. He began at the bottom round of the ladder, entering the office of tlie Canton Register as errand boy and car- rier, and one year afterward commenced his regular apprenticeship at the print- er's trade. Two years afterward he went to Savannah, Mo., to live with his mater- nal grand-parents, and here he soon after- wards engaged in clerking for his uncle, H. T. Walker, the largest mercantile dealer in the place.

In 1854, at the age of 18 years, he first engaged in editorial work. Hon. Chas. F. Holly, proprietor of the Savannah Sentinel, the leading Benton democratic organ of Northwest Missouri, being de- tained in Nebraska City, Nebraska, much of the time by legal business, employed young Whitaker to take charge of his paper and edit it.

In the fall of 1855, during the border ruffian excitement of Kansas, Mr. Whit- aker was employed to conduct the Weston (Mo.) Reporter by the editor, Hon. Sam- uel J. Finch who was occupied by legis- lative duties in Jefferson City. Weston

at that time was one of the most flourish- ing towns on the Missouri river, and as Hon. David R. Atchison, the anti-Ben- ton leader, resided but a few miles from town, it was an important political point. Weston was also the home of General Ben. F. Stringfellow, the reputed orga- nizer and leader of the first raid on Law- rence, Kansas, and the Reporter, under Mr. Whitaker, denounced him and his border ruffian outlaws in scathing and . unmeasured terms. For several months the Reporter conducted a single-handed fight against the Weston Argus, the Atchison Squatter Sovereign, and the Leavenworth Herald, all anti-Benton organs endorsing the border outrages- the latter paper being edited by H. Rives Pollard, since a noted editor at Rich- mond, Virginia. The Reporter, as an uncompromising Benton organ, and the unsparing foe of the border outlaws, quickly sprang into wide prominence over the whole state.

In March, 1856, he went to St. Louis and engaged as river and local reporter on Kennedy's Commercial List, but in December of that year he returned to Savannah and assumed editorial charge of the North- West Democrat, then owned by L. D. Carter & Co., and in the fall of 1859 he commenced the publication of the Missouri Plaindealer, a democratic paper, at Savannah.

On the 14tlı of March, 1861, he was married to Miss M. E. Selecman, and on February 22, 1862, their only son, Charles H. Whitaker, Jr., was born to them.

The Plaindealer vigorously espoused . the cause of the Union. Because of ob- jectionable and seditious articles, the office of the rival democratic paper, the

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

North-West Democrat, was visited by Col. Peabody's force of the regular army, and the presses, type, etc., carried to their camp at St. Joseph. Col. Peabody being ordered to Lexington with his reg- iment to reinforce Mulligan, several weeks later, the rebels from Camp High- ly, ten miles distant, undertook retalia- tory measures, and by order of Col. San- ders, Mr. Whitaker was arrested, while . the Plaindealer material, etc., was also loaded up and hauled away to the rebel camp. The rebels attempted to set the press up again in their camp, but sev- eral needful pieces were mysteriously missing, and the task was given over. Several days after Mr. Whitaker dodged through the rebel picket lines and es- caped into Iowa, where he remained'un- til the Federal troops under Cols. Kim- ball and Cranor moved down and occu- pied Camp Highly-the rebels having left a few days before.' Mr. Whitaker regained a part of his printing material, the Confederates having moulded much of his type into bullets, and carried away the more valuable portions of his press. A few weeks later he purchased a new press and again commenced the publica- tion of the Plaindealer. The Plain- dealer fearlessly denounced the excesses committed by Federal soldiers, and the Savannah postmaster-who had sudden- ly turned loyal-refused to distribute the paper through the post office boxes. Mr. Whitaker wrote, stating the facts of the case to his friend, Gen. Frank P. Blair, then in front of Vicksburg. The latter referred the matter to his brother, Montgomery Blair, then postmaster-gen- eral under President Lincoln, who issued to Mr. Whitaker a commission as post-

master at Savannah. The obnoxious postmaster refusing to surrender the of- fice, after being requested several times to do so, he was forcibly dispossessed by a company of Federal soldiers, and Mr. Whitaker entered upon the duties of the office.

In December, 1862, Mr. Whitaker was elected sergeant-at-arms of the Missouri legislature, holding this position for a term of two years. On the last day of the session Speaker Marvin paid a glow- ing tribute to the efficiency of the ser- geant, and commendatory resolutions were unanimously passed by the house.

In the fall of 1863 Mr. Whitaker re- cruited company M, of the 9th Missouri cavalry (known as Gen. Odon Guitar's old regiment ), John F. Williams, colonel. Soon afterwards he was appointed adju- tant of Col. H. B. Branch's regiment, which was enlisted under the special au- thority of Gov. Gamble, and though the regiment was assigned to local duty in Northwest Missouri, the United States government clothed and armed it for service. This regiment acted as a check upon the lawlessness and depredations which had heretofore been committed by the extremists of both Northern and Southern factions.

In September, 1865, Mr. Whitaker came to Macomb with his family, having purchased the Macomb Eagle, then the only democratic paper in McDonough county, of which paper he assumed edito- rial control the 25th of September. Under his management the Eagle has always been a fearless and ardent advo- cate of democratic principles. As such it has become widely known as an influ- ential and ably conducted newspaper,

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and has prospered financially. During the years 1868 and 1869 Mr. Whitaker also owned and dictated the editorial policy of the Virginia, Cass county, (Ill. ) Democrat.

In politics Mr. Whitaker has always been an uncompromising advocate of democratic principles, and has attained considerable prominence in state demo- cratic councils. In 1872 he was selected to represent his congressional district on the state democratic central committee, a position which he has held continu- ously ever since. In 1876 he was a dele- gate to the national democratic conven- tion at St. Louis, voting first for Thomas A. Hendricks for president, but after- wards for Samuel J. Tilden. In Novem- ber of the same year he was elected to represent the 27th senatorial district in the lower house of the 30th general as- sembly, by the democracy of Warren and McDonough counties.

MACOMB LEDGER.

The venture in the journalistic field of the above name, made its first appear- ance September 19, 1866. It was a seven column folio, independent in politics, and edited and published by T. S. Clarke. It lived only about four weeks. It was a sprightly local sheet and had it been continued, it might have proven suc- cessful. B. R. Hampton purchased the material of the defunct paper, and ship- ped it to Havana, Mason county, where a brother established a newspaper. It was afterward disposed of to Havana parties.

THE WESTERN LIGHT.

This paper was established by S. J. Clarke and Charles P. Whitten, in Janu-

ary, 1868. It was a large five column quarto, well printed from new type, and was devoted to literature, art, science, temperance and local news. Many warm words of commendation were passed upon it; but words are cheap and will not support any periodical. It lived just one year. Mr. Whitten was con- nected with the paper but about four months, when Mr. Clarke became sole proprietor. The office was disposed of to Reynolds and Garrison, in December, 1868, and was used in printing the Gospel Echo for about one year, when B. R. Hampton became proprietor. The material since has had a very migratory existence, and has been used in publish- ing several different papers in Missouri and in this state, and was afterward used in the publication of the Macomb Inde- pendent.

THE ILLINOIS BY STANDER.

The paper bearing the above name, was established by that pioneer journal- ist of McDonough county, B. R. Hamp- ton. The first issue of this journal bears the date of April 13, 1881, and was a six column folio, all printed at home. In politics the paper was independent, which position it still sustains, having for a motto: "Independent in all things; neutral in nothing." In the first issue of the By-Stander, appears the follow- ing salutatory by its editor, Mr. Hampton: "It has been the fashion, "so long that the memory of man runneth not to the contrary," when a newspaper undertakes to make a start in the world, and asks for public patronage, for the publisher to say something in relation to the ob- jects and aims of the publication. In

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sending out among the people of Mc- Donough county, this little paper, we do not feel at liberty to disregard this time- honored custom. When, in the course of human events, one enters upon a new enterprise, the success of which depends upon the support and encouragement, which will be given it by the people, it is but fair, right and proper, that these same people should understand what they are called upon to support and assist in maintaining, and to this end we make the following statements in relation to the By-Stander.

"It is to be an independent newspaper, not a neutral one-because the latter it could not be while we have control of its columns. Some people have the faculty of occupying neutral ground on ques- tions, which are being discussed by the public, but we are not of that number. So, when we say that the By-Stander will be "independent in all things and neutral in nothing," we do not want any one to suppose that it will take no part in the discussion of all the questions of the day, whether they shall be of a polit- ical, moral, or religious nature, because it means to express its views on all these as it shall deem best from time to time. We do not mean that the By-Stander shall be the organ of, or amenable to, any organization, political or otherwise. It will be its aim to discuss all such questions as may come before the peo- ple, fairly and candidly, expressing always the views of its editor upon all matters of public interest, ever keeping its columns open to those who may differ from it.

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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 58

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