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 59

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 59

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Primarily, the By-Stander will be a newspaper, giving all the local news of

the day, at such a price as to place it within the reach of every citizen of Mc- Donough county,-and in this respect, we hope to supply a demand for a sort of journalism, which has long been needed in this part of the country. While we know that Macomb already has two very good local newspapers, we also know that the price at which they can be afforded is beyond the reach of many, who ought to have a home paper in their families. The By-Stander, at half the price of the other papers, giv- ing all the news of a local character which they do, will no doubt meet with a hearty welcome from all those who feel that they can not afford to pay two dol- lars for the Eagle or Journal. Then, again, every man in McDonough, in order to have a proper understanding of what is going on in the county, should have a paper published at the county seat; but there being papers published in the other towns, every one feels that he must first support his own town paper, and all do not feel they are able to pay for two county papers at two dol- lars per year; hence, there are thousands who do not take a Macomb paper, who will do so now that they can get one for half the old price.

"This undertaking to establish a cheap county newspaper, is no new thought of ours. On the contrary, we have been seriously thinking of the matter for more than a year past, and the more we have considered it, the stronger have been our convictions that in Macomb and McDon- ough county, there existed an open field for such an enterprise. Time, alone, can tell whether our convictions in this regard are well founded, and whether

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our undertaking shall prove a success or a failure. In talking with various per- sons on this matter, we have found a diversity of opinions, but for the most part it seems to be agreed that there exists a demand for a cheap home paper. Some of our good republican friends have insisted that the better plan would be to make it an out and out republican journal, and have told us that a non- partisan newspaper would not be sus- tained in Macomb. To this, we answer that the field of political newspaperdom is already in this city and county fully occupied. The Journal and the Eagle, in Macomb; the Record, at Bushnell; the Democrat, at Blandinsville, and the Independent, at Colchester, are fully as many papers as are needed for mere partisan political purposes. For this reason, as well as from a desire, which we have long had, to have a newspaper which should be entirely independent of all parties, we have chosen to make this paper "independent in all things, and neutral in nothing."

"We have not embarked in this busi- ness without first having counted the · cost, nor yet without a large experience in the newspaper business, and flatter ourselves that we know something in re- gard to the wants of the people in this line; whether we shall be able to supply those wants, will be better known a year hence than it now is. If we succeed in making the By-Stander what we intend it to be, we have no fears about its suc- cess, because we know that the people of McDonough county are an appreciative people, and will give a generous support to any and all enterprises which have a tendency to promote the public good.

"To the newspaper brotherhood all over the state, and more especially to those of our own city and county, we say we have come back into your ranks "with malice toward none, and good will toward all," ever ready to take an hum- ble part with you in what we hold to be one among the highest callings of the age. There is room and work enough for all of us in this great, big world, in which we are permitted to live. So let us work together, to the end that we may accomplish the most possible good.

"To the public, we say in conclusion, we have now launched our little bark upon the great ocean of newspaper life, and we only ask the people to give us that support which they feel that the little By-Stander, which has just made its appearance in their midst, deserves."

The terms of subscription is $1 per year. With No. 8, of volume III., the paper appeared in an enlarged form, be- ing a seven column folio, which size it still retains. In commenting upon the enlargement Mr. Hampton said:

"With this number the By Stander will go before the people with a larger paper than we contemplated when first starting out in its publication. Our ob- ject was to give the people a cheap me- dium of home news, which answers all the purposes of a home newspaper, at a price as low as to place it within reach of all who did not feel that they could afford to pay $2 a year for a local paper. While we feel we have succeeded meas- urably well in doing what we started out to do, we have found that a six column paper is too small to answer fully the purposes for which the By Stander was brought before the public. So long as

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

we were short of advertising we found room enough, but when these came we found it difficult to find room for the local news, and such comments as we felt disposed to make on questions of a local character, and on the passing events of the day. For these reasons we have concluded to make the enlarge- ment, with the hope that it will prove beneficial to our readers and to ourselves.

This change will necessarily add a considerable sum to our weekly expenses, but we hope that an increased subscrip- tion list will more than pay us for the additional outlay. . We know that we run some risk in making. this enlarge- ment, but, "nothing venture, nothing have" is as applicable to the newspaper business as to any other. With many thanks to the people for past favors and asking a continuence of the same, we strike out on this improvement of the paper, hopeful of success.

The By-Stander is circulated largely throughout the county and has met with good success, such as a thoroughly independent and good, spicy local county paper would warrant.

Hon. B. R. Hampton, the son of Van C. and Elizabeth Hampton, was born in Warren county, Ohio, April 12, 1821. At about three years of age he was taken by his parents to Miami county, Ohio, which was at that time a wilderness, and there his early days were spent working in a woolen factory. In 1840, he emigrated to Illinois, arriving in the embryoic city of Macomb in November of that year. The following year he entered the law office of Cyrus Walker as a student, and was duly admitted to the bar in 1843. In 1859, Mr. Hampton was elected a

member of the board of supervisors of this county, which place he filled well and satisfactorily for 11 years, although not consecutively, the last being in the year 1882. In 1870, he was elected to the position of state senator, and was re- elected in 1872 to the same. In the 27th general assembly he was appointed chairman of the committee on printing, and that of domestic relations, the last of which prepared the "Dram Shop Act," now on the statute book of the state. He was, also, a member of the following committees: Corporations, appointment, and counties and townships organization. In the 28th assembly he was chairman of the committees on general expenses of the assembly and of miscellaneous busi- ness, and a member of the committees, on the revision of the state laws, appro- priations, corporations, reformatory in- stitutions, judicial department, fees and salaries, and on printing. Mr. Hamp- ton has the honor of being the author of the bill authorizing the revised statute of 1874, to be published by the state, and sold to the people at the price of two dollars per copy, a praiseworthy and ex- cellent measure. This bill was intro- duced March 7, and notwithstanding the strong opposition of certain interested parties, was passed by the senate on the 24th of the same month. Mr. Hampton was united in marriage with Angeline E., a daughter of D. Hail, of Franklin, Ken- tucky, April 2, 1845, and they are the parents of six children, three of whom are living-David H., William R., and Durham V. In politics he is a republi- can, but is not ultra radical on that sub- ject. In the year 1855, Mr. Hampton became the editor and publisher of the

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

Macomb Enterprise, since which time, with the exception of five years, from 1860 to 1865, he has been engaged in the newspaper business, and is at this time, in company with his eldest son D. H., publishing the Illinois By-Stander, one of the best and cheapest papers in this part of the state.

THE ILLINOIS GRANGER.

This paper was started by H. H. Stevens, at present the editor of the Col- chester News, and E. A. Hail, under the firm name of Stevens & Hail, the for- mer gentleman acting as editor. The initial number appeared September 2, 1873, as a seven-column folio, in which appeared the following salutatory :

"It was the intention in the start to make this paper a semi-monthly and to get it published by Messrs. Hampton & Hainline. We knew it was not the thing we wanted, and only entered into this arrangement with, the hope of being able soon to make it a weekly.

"Mr. Eugene A. Hail, a practical printer, has recently associated himself with me in this enterprise, we have pur- chased a press, and I am happy to state to my many friends and patrons that the Illinois Granger will be published weekly from this, its birthday.

"Mr. Hail will have charge of the office, and the exclusive control of the mechan- ical part of the paper, and with his ex- perience and skill, no fears need be en- tertained as to its execution. I assume its editorial management and responsi- bilities with no such assurance, but will promise to do the best I canwith the phys- ical strength and brains with which I am endowed. I want the farmers generally,

and the Patrons of Husbandry particu- larly, to realize that this is peculiarly their paper, and furnish us with local news, items, results of experiments on the farm, and such other items as will be of interest to their neighbors.

"It is not our nature to be neutral and the Granger will therefore be inde- pendent in all things and neutral in nothing.

"While on the subject of independence, I cannot refrain from mentioning the fact that there exists but little of that article in the papers of this day, they are nearly all controlled by political party that supports them, and when they know of misdemeanors, malfeas- ance, and even crime committed by an office holder, if he be one of their party, instead of giving the public a true statement of the facts, they endeavor to cover up, keep it mum, and if possible deceive the public into the belief that he is an honest man; while if he should be of the opposite party, all the facts in the case are so exaggerated that it would appear that the gallows were too good for him, and his most intimate friends would not recognize him. Unfortunately for our boasted freedom, this does not end with the press; but, on the con- trary, is widely and too generally prac- ticed in the churches, societies, and even among neighbors. We believe this whole system to be wrong; honesty is the basis of good government, good society, and is the only true scale by which individual worth can be esti- mated.

"The course of the Granger will, there- fore, be to uphold what we conceive to be right and to expose and condemn

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that which we believe to be wrong, ir- respective and independent of political party, church, society, friends or kin- dred.

"Hard fisted farmers, sun-burnt clod- hoppers, dirty blacksmiths, smutty-faced coal haulers, country jakes, and labor- ing men generally, understand that this is your paper, come and see us; come with some local news. come with $2; if you can't come, send."

The paper was devoted to the interests of the laboring classes, and took strong ground against monopolies of all kinds, and advocated the organization of a new political party. It supported the anti- monopoly party, and contributed largely to the election of the candidates on that ticket in McDonough county that fall. The influence brought to bear against it was almost impossible to withstand, and men of less nerve and devotion to the cause would have given up the enter- prise as utterly hopeless. Not knowing which of the two old parties were being injured most by the new organization, it was bitterly opposed by the party organs of both.

The secret order of the Patrons of Hus- bandry,or the Grange, was then attracting a great deal of attention in the county,and owing to a lack of knowledge on the part of the uninitiated as to the real object of the order, wrong impressions took deep root in the minds of the public, and more especially was this so with the various merchants, who had an idea that this order was hostile to their interests. The Granger defended this organization, and hence a prejudice among the merchants sprang up against it. The Granger, as before stated, took an active part in pol-

itics, and for this reason the belief that the order of Patrons of Husbandry was a political party becoming quite preva- lent, a fact which was neither beneficial to the order, to the new party, or to the paper. The mistake in the selection of a name for the paper was discovered 'be- fore it had completed its first volume, but it continued under that name until March, 1876, when it was discarded and that of

MACOMB INDEPENDENT

Was assumed, under which it continued permanently. There were many trying times in its history, but the darkest days of its existence were during the unset- tled political condition of the country which followed the presidential election of 1876. On the 13th of December of this year, during the darkest hours of its darkness, Mr. Stevens bought Mr. Hail's interest in the paper, books and accounts -the presses, type and material of the. office being equitably divided. Imme- diately after this a healthful change set in. The inactivity which pervaded the ranks of the independent greenback party during the month and a half im- mediately following the election was suc- ceeded by activity, renewed life and vigor. "Organize for 1880" were the words of the national executive commit- tee of the independent party,, and it seemed to meet with a hearty response from the people. More money was paid on subscription to the Independent dur- ing the two first weeks in January, 1877, than had been received from the day of election up to the first of the month. New hopes and new energies were be- gotten, new names were enrolled, new

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY. .

advertisements came in, and the success of the paper was assured.

There being no newspaper published at Colchester, Mr. Stevens concluded to move his paper to that enterprising town in August, 1880. The first issue of the

COLCHESTER INDEPENDENT

appeared September 7th, of that year. He continued its publication until Aug- ust 22, 1883, when it was leased by him him to V. L. Hampton, for a period of one year. A week before the expiration of the lease the paper was sold by Mr. Stevens to Lucien S. Reid, who, a few days later, sold it to Mr. Hampton, who continued its publication. Being a strong republican in politics, Mr. Hampton did not deal in politics during his lease, but upon becoming owner he brought the paper out August 27, 1884, as an advo- cate of the principles of the republican party, and during the exciting campaign of 1884 the paper was not slow in advo- cating these principles. Beginning with Mr. Hampton's connection with the paper came a new era of prosperity for the Independent. The local news of Colchester and vicinity and the general news of the country were made the lead- ing features of the paper, and at the end of the first year the subscription list showed a net gain of 212. Upon the paper endorsing the republican faith, a large number of democratic subscrib- ers withdrew their support, but their places were taken with new names and the paper held its own until after the election in November, when it again began to gain. The Independent is the official paper of the city of Colchester. It receives a liberal support in advertis-

ing from the Colchester business men. It is a strong advocate of all enterprises, both public and private, which are a benefit to the town. As an illustration of what young men can do for them- selves by their own individual exertions, we will call attention to the following sketch of Van L. Hampton, editor and proprietor of the Colchester Independ- ent.

Van L. Hampton is a son of John and Leademia K. (Bowen) Hampton, both natives of Ohio, and was born in Ma- comb, December 29, 1861. His early life was spent in Macomb, where his his father owned and operated a woolen factory. When our subject was 8 years old his father purchased and moved upon land adjoining Macomb, and en- gaged in farming. Here Van lived until 19 years old, attending the Macomb public schools, and working on the farm during vacations and on Saturdays, ex- cepting two years of the time, when he worked steadily on the farm. From early boyhood he had possessed a strong desire to become a printer, and accord- ingly left home in 1880 and entered the Colchester Independent office, then owned by H. H. Stevens, for the pur- pose of learning the trade. He remained with the Independent almost two years, becoming in that time so adept at the craft that he was tendered and accepted the position of foreman on the Blandins- ville Democrat. Here he remained until June, 1882, when he returned to his home, determined to remain there and assume the heavy farm work which was fast becoming too much for the advanc- ing age and poor health of his father. For the next 13 months he remained on

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· HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

the farm. In. August, 1883, he leased the Colchester Independent for one year, and at the end of the lease he continued his connection with it by becoming owner. Although young and inexperi- enced in the editorial management of a newspaper, Mr. Hampton's labors have proven successful. The Independent under his management has enjoyed a prosperity never before attained. In the first 18 months its subscription list increased over one-third, and other busi- ness in proportion. Being a practical printer he works 10 hours each day in the composing room, and attends to his edi- torial and business duties after regular hours. As a local writer he ranks with the best in the county. Politically he is an ardent republican, and is not slow in advocating his political beliefs. He is unmarried, and belongs to no church or secret organization, except the Knights of Labor. As a citizen he is public spirited and advocates publicly and privately everything having a tendency to advance the interests of the commu- nity.

Mr. H. H. Stevens, one of the found- ers of the Colchester Independent, in 1873, established a new journal at Col- chester in 1885, which he christened

THE NEWS.

In the first issue of the News appears the following salutatory:

" A custom dating back to the publica- tion of the first newspaper in the United States, in 1704, seems to make it incum- bent upon any one just beginning the publication of a newspaper, to briefly indicate in the first number and under the above heading what the new candi-

date for public patronage is going to be. I cheerfully conform to this time-hon- ored custom. I shall endeavor to make this a valuable and desirable family newspaper; keeping its readers thor- oughly well posted upon the' current news of the day, and giving them a large amount of first-class reading mat- ter, both original and selected.

"It will be independent in all things and neutral in nothing. . It shall, at all times, advocate such principles, meas- ures and policies as I believe best calcu- lated to promote the good of the people and country generally, and the city and county in which it is printed, especially.

" Whatever it advocates, it will advo- cate with all its might, and whatever it opposes, it will oppose with the same energy and in the same unmistakable manner.

"I grew to manhood within a few miles of this city. Here I am known. Here, if anywhere, our abilities (if any we have) are known and appreciated. Here our faults and vices (if we have any) are known and charitably .over- looked. Here, then, if anywhere in the world, we ought to succeed.

" Experience is a dear school, and it is said fools learn in no other. However, this maybe, is true that the most valu- able lessons of our life were learned by experience. I think I know better how to conduct a newspaper now than I did when I gave up the Independent, which was founded by Mr. Hail and myself in 1873, and conducted by the writer for ten years. If this is really true, then The News will be a better paper than the In- dependent ever was under our manage- ment. 1

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"To sum it up in a few words, this paper shall be as good and worthy a journal as it is possible for the writer hereof to make it. Hoping to have all our old time friends and patrons and the readers of newspapers, generally, throughout the city and county, to call in and see us and become regular sub- scribers and readers of The News.

"I am with respect, your obedient ser- vant."

The initial numbers of the News ap- peared January 23, 1885. It. is a five column, eight page paper, independent in politics, and on the first page of which appears the following character- istic motto: "Hew to the line; let the chips fall whither they may." The pa- per is well filled with advertisements, is edited in a crisp and able manner, and betokens a successful career, such as Mr. Stevens will undoubtedly attain from a long and varied experience in the journalistic field.

H. H. Stevens, the founder and editor of the News, is by birth a native of Indiana, having been born in Harrison county, that state, on the 1st day of April, 1836, but is almost a native of this county, his parents bringing him here in the fall of the same year in which he first saw the light. They settled on a farm on the banks of the Troublesome creek, about two miles south of Colches- ter. Here the young Stevens grew to manhood, receiving such instruction as the early schools afforded. In 1856, when but 20 years of age, he, in com- pany with T. B. McCormick and J. H. Adkinson, engaged in the mercantile business in Colchester. Owing to the financial crisis that then shook the whole

country, in the winter of 1857, the firm failed and closed up. In the spring fol- lowing, Mr. Stevens went overland, via Salt Lake, to California, and was there engaged in gold mining in Plumas county, until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, in 1861, when he en- listed in company F, 5th California vol- unteer infantry. This company was commanded by Captain J. H. Whitlock. Mr. Stevens was made first or orderly sergeant, and in a few months was com- missioned 2d lieutenant, and shortly afterwards promoted to the rank of 1st lieutenant. He was breveted captain for distinguished gallantry in a battle with a band of Apache Indians, at Stein's Peak, in New Mexico, in which he was the only commissioned officer en- gaged. At the expiration of the three years service, he was transferred to a veteran corps and retained in the service over two years longer, making his time of service in the army about five years and three months. In August, 1873, in company with E. H. Hail, he commenced the publication of the Illinois Granger, in the city of Macomb, but after a career of two years, Mr. Hail retired from the paper, and its name was changed to that of Macomb Independent, a history of which is given elsewhere. In 1880, Mr. Stevens removed the paper to Colches- ter and changed its name to suit the new locality, still keeping the name of Inde- pendent. In August, 1883, he leased this office to V. L. Hampton, for a year, and at the expiration of that time, sold it to L. G. Reid, who, in a few days thereafter, re-sold to Mr. Hampton. In January, 1885, he went to Chicago, and purchased an entire new outfit for an

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office, and on the 23d of the same month, issued the first number of the News.

MC DONOUGH DEMOCRAT.

This paper was established at Bush- nell in the summer of 1884, by Charles C. Chain and W. L. Kay, the former gentleman acting as editor. In the first issue, which appeared July 3, is found the following pointed remarks by way of a salutatory:

"We make our bow and introduce our- selves as the McDonough Democrat.

"No apology is deemed necessary for our appearance. The field of journal- ism is well occupied, but we imagine there is a vacant spot that the Democrat can occupy without trespassing upon the claims of others. While the paper will strive to represent the whole field of journalism, its especial object is to sup- ply the much needed addition to demo- cratic literature in McDonough county. As its name implies, it is democratic in politics in the strictest sense. How- ever, it disclaims the rabid and offensive style of presenting political issues so un- fortunately prevalent in political jour- nalism.

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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 59

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