USA > Illinois > St Clair County > History of St. Clair County, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 29
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THE STAR OF EGYPT.
It was edited and published by Ex-Gov. John Reynolds and J. W. Hughes. It did good service as a campaign paper; but its existence was as short as its career was brilliant.
THE BELLEVILLE VOLKSBLATT.
After Bartholomew Hauck sold the Zeitung to Mr. Rupp, his son Louis, who was a printer, started the Volksblatt in the summer of 1860. It was both a daily and weekly publication. It was con- tinued until 1865, when it was sold out to Messrs. Fischer and Schmall of Mascoutah, who were then the proprietors of the Stern des Westerns. Schmall removed the consolidated offices of the lat- ter paper and Volksblatt to Belleville, where soon after he sold to Messrs. Semmelroth & Kircher, both practical printers, who took charge May 15, 1866, and continued four weeks. Then Kircher sold his interest to Daniel Hertle, who in turn sold to Semmelroth, who continued the paper until 1872, when it became the property of Fred. E. Scheel.
THE BELLEVILLE DEMOCRAT.
The above named journal was established in 1857 by Messrs. Boyakin and H. L. Fleming as publishers. In 1859, it passed into the hands of Messrs Stuart and Shoupe, who continued the publica- tion until November, 1860, when G A. Harvey became publisher. He conducted the paper with great success until August, 1863, when it was purchased by Messrs. Denlinger and Russell, its present proprietors, who have continued the publi- cation to the present. The paper was originally a seven- column folio. It was changed to a nine-column, same form, in January, 1870. The Democrat was for a long time the official paper of the city of Belleville, and in its columns were published
14
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
the proceedings and edicts of the City Board. The paper, in politics, has always been Democratic in tone, and has done much towards sustaining and making popular the principles of that political organization. It has continued longer under one manage- ment than any other newspaper in St. Clair county. The Democrat belongs to the conservative class of journals, and is entirely reliable and trustworthy in the dissemination of local or political news.
In the summer of 1880, Mr. A. B. Russel, editor of the Democrat, was compelled from continued ill-health, to suspend editorial work upon the paper. William J. Underwood, a newspaper writer of considerable ability, then took charge and has continued as editor up to the present.
In 1857, E. H. Fleming started the
BELLEVILLE WEEKLY SUN.
Thirty-five numbers were printed, when its light was obscured, and it found its way to the Advocate office, with which paper it was consolidated.
THE BELLEVILLE BANNER.
No. 1 of Vol. 1 was flung to the journalistic breeze Sept. 1st, 1859. It was edited and published by H. L. Davidson. In form, it was a six-column folio. In his salutatory, the editor says, "Tlie Banner will be a warm supporter of the Sunday-schools, and labor for the cause of education." In giving the political status of the Banner, Mr. Davidson wished it to be understood that it was decidedly Democratic, and in the following lines lays down the law and duties of Democracy : " Its mission is to restore harmony, con- cession and self-denial in the somewhat distrusted Democratic party-all for the cause, nothing for men. The Banner hails the Dred Scott decision as establishing the great fundamental princi- ples by which the union of the States is to be preserved for all time to come, and any political heresy of squatter sovereignty militating against that decision and the constitution of the United States, will be treated in these columns as a dangerous and ruinous interloper introduced into the ranks of the Democratic party for evil and destructive purposes." The salutatory occupies over a column of the paper, and is a forcible, aggressive and powerful arraignment of the political parties of that day, and a clear and concise state- ment of the duties of the Banner in the premises. The paper continued for a short time, when the office was closed and the publication suspended.
THE VOLKSBLATT.
After the removal of the offices of Volksblatt and Stern Des Westens to Belleville by Schmall, the paper was issued and known as the
STERN DES WESTENS.
It passed from Schmall into the possession of Semmelroth and Kircher, then Kircher sold to Daniel Hertel, who was editor. Subsequently Hertel retired from the paper, and Semmelroth be- came the sole proprietor. Henry Huhn had editorial charge from 1868 to 1872, when the paper was sold to Frederick E. Scheel, who continued both the daily and weekly until Oct. 20th, 1877, at which time it was sold to the Zeitung, and consolidated with that paper. Under Scheel's administration the Stern Des Westens was conducted with vigor and ability. He made it a live newspaper, and the organ of his party in this Congressional district .. Mr. Scheel is a ready writer, and well posted in the political issues of the day.
THE DAILY DESPATCH
Was the name of a daily newspaper, the first copy of which ap- pcared March 7th, 1861. It was edited and printed by Thomas H. Fleming aud G. M. Williams. On the 19th of the same month it
was transferred to G. A. Harvey, publisher of the Democrat. He continued it until Aug. 3d, of the same year, when its publication ceased.
In May, 1868, a German paper named the
FREIE PRESSE,
was organized and issued by a joint stock company, composed of the leading Democrats of Belleville. Mr. Mueller was editor. It was a campaign paper, and was published until the close of the canvass, and soon after the press and material was purchased by Mr. Brickey of Red Bud and moved to that town, where the pub- lication was resumed, with A. C. Helmich as its editor, and Peter Baker publisher. The office was soon after removed to Belleville, and the paper was published for one year, when it sus- pended, and the office was closed.
The first newspaper venture in the town of Mascoutah was the .
NEWS LETTER.
It was published by Angust Hamilton, and edited by Alexander G. Hawes. No. 1, of Vol. 1, was issued Jan. 19th, 1860. It was a seven column folio, independent in politics, with slight tendencies to- ward the Republican party. It was continued until January 25th, 1861, when it was consolidated with the Advocate at Belleville, and its editor, Hawes, became the Associate Editor of the Advocate and News Letter.
THE MASCOUTAH BANNER.
The Banner was issued in May, 1872. It made its appearance monthly. It was a small folio, printed on a job press, in the office of Frederick Dilg. It was edited and set up by W. D. Sheley, J N. Periin, and Philip Leibrock. In May, 1873, Sheley and J. H. G. Brinkerhoff purchased the outfit and good-will of the con- cern, and purchased a press and printing materials of J. D. Moudy of Richview, Illinois, and couverted the Banner into a weekly paper. They enlarged it to a 7-column Quarto. In July of the same year, Mr. Brinkerhoff sold out his interest to Sheley and Leroy W. Tree. They continued the paper until September, 1873, when Tree's interest was purchased by Henry Pabst. The firm of Sheley and Pabst continued until November, 1874, when the office and fixtures were sold to Messrs. Wassein and Binz. Mr. Brinkerhoff took charge as editor. In January, 1875, he pur- chased the paper, and conducted it as editor and proprietor until August of the same year, when the office was closed, and soon after was sold to Frederick Dilg.
During the life of the Bunner it purported to be an Independent paper, but the editors and publishers being Democrats, occasionally articles were written and published which had a slight Democratic tone, that plainly told on which side of the political fence the proprietors might be found. The paper was not a financial success, owing, probably, to the fact, that none of the parties connected with it were practical printers, or in any wise acquainted with the business.
In 1869, Mr. Frederick Dilg, a practical printer, opened a job office in Mascoutah, and did all kinds of job printing in both the English and German languages. By close attention to his business and doing good work, he soon established a reputation as a good. printer. On the 7th of January, 1876, he enlarged his business, and commenced the publication of the
MASCOUTAH ANZEIGER,
A German newspaper devoted to the business interests of the town. It was then a four column folio. Ou the 7th of April, 1876, he enlarged it to a five column, on the 1st of Dec. following to a six
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
column, and on the 27th of November, 1878, to an eight column folio, which form it still retains. The office of the Anzeiger is well supplied with presses and type of the latest desigos and styles. The paper is printed on a Hoe cylinder press. Mr. Dilg has de- monstrated his ability to run a newspaper successfully, and make it a welcome visitor to his patrons.
THE MASCOUTAH UMGEGEND
was the name of a small sheet published during the late war. It had a brief existence.
THE MINER AND WORKMAN'S ADVOCATE.
In the spring of 1863, John Hinchcliffe, lately deceased, com- menced the publication in Belleville, of a journal, bearing the above name. It was specially devoted to the interests of the miners, me- chanics, and producing classes. It rose rapidly into public favor, and soon had a large circulation. During the first year of its ex- istence its circulation had become so large that it was found neces- sary to work off the edition by other than ordinary methods. A steam engine was fitted up in connection with the press room, which by the way, was the first steam power press ever run in Southern Illinois, and upon it the Miner's and Workman's Advocate was printed. The same press was used for a long time to print the issues of the Advocate, Democrat and Zeitung. The publication was continued in Belleville until the latter part of 1866, when the office was removed to St. Louis, and there continued for one year when it was abandoned. Mr. Hinchcliffe was an able writer, and a man of great energy.
The first newspaper established in the City of East St. Louis, then known as " Ilinois Town," was the American Bottom Gazette, spoken of in the beginning of this chapter. There was no paper after its demise uutil 1865. On the 27th of May of that year
THE SUNDAY HERALD
was established by James L. Faucett. It was issued on Saturday, though named a Sunday paper.
, The next venture was in 1866. The paper was named the
EAST ST. LOUIS GAZETTE.
It was founded by Hon. John B. Bowman, one of East St. Louis' most active and enterprising men. It was edited and published by John Macauley and Joseph Crabb. The first issue, dated June 28th, 1866. Mr. Crabb remained in the firm until October of the same year, when Louis Straub purchased.his interest. The firm of Macauley & Straub continued until 1871, when both re- tired, and the ownership of the paper vested in a stock company, the directors of which, selected William O'Neil as editor and pub- lisher. February 1st, 1873, John Macauley resumed the publica- tion of the Gazette, and continued until 1876, when John Haps took charge, and continued manager until August 4th, 1877, when he was succeeded by H. D. O'Brien, the present editor and pub- lisher.
The Gazette started as an eight column folio, which orm it still retains. In 1877 the
DAILY GAZETTE
was issued, but not proving sufficiently remunerative, for the labor performed, it was abandoned. Under the management of Mr. O'Brien the Gazette has become the equal of any other journal published in St. Clair County. While Mr. O'Brien is not a prac- tical printer, yet he knows all the details of a printing office. He is possessed of much industry and indomitable energy, and has achieved success where others would have made a flat failure.
THE PEOPLE'S GAZETTE.
The initial number of the above paper was issued July 18, 1871. It was published under the auspices of the " People's Gazette As- sociation," which was composed of the following named gentlemen, who were the principal stockholders : Vital Jarrott, J. B. Loving- ston, Henry Schall, L. M. St. John, Marcus Finch, John O. Butler, M. Millard, Michael Darmody, Maurice Joyce, Ernest Wider, John Macauley, Patrick H. Stack, and John Eddy. The Board of Directors, were Vital Jarrott, Prest., Maurice Joyce, Vice-Prest., Henry Schall, Treas., and Maurice Finch, Sec. The editorial duties were performed by the different stockholders until 1872, when Mr. Saltiel became editor and publisher. The name was changed to the
EAST ST. LOUIS PRESS,
by W. B. Fairchild, who succeeded Mr. Saltiel. During the winter of 1874-5 Mr. Smith edited the paper. In 1875 H. D. O'Brien purchased the press and type of L. M. St. John, who had become possessed of all the stock, and continued as editor and pub- lisher until Feb. 29th, 1877, when the subscription lists were transferred to the Gazette. The type and presses were boxed up and stored away in a building, where they remained until 1878, when the building, with others was consumed by fire, entailing a loss of nearly four thousand dollars, upon Mr. O'Brien. On the 21st of Sept., 1874, was commenced the issue of the
DAILY PRESS,
which after a few months was abandoned. Mr. O'Brien then pub- lished a tri-weekly paper, but it, too, was soon abandoned -- neither enterprise proving profitable.
The next venture in journalism in East St. Lous was made by Willis E. Finch & Brother. The name of the paper was the
ST. CLAIR TRIBUNE.
The first issue was Feb. 18th, 1875. It was Republican in politics, and had for its motto, "Republican, Protestant and Progressive." The Finch Bros. continued the publication until January, 1878, when they closed the office. A few months later the material was purchased by Messrs. Harney & Tissier, two enterprising young men of East St Louis. They opened the office, and on the 9th of March, 1878, issued the first number of
THE EAST ST. LOUIS HERALD,
a spicy and neatly printed newspaper, which they still continue. When the Herald started, it was an eight column folio, which form it retained until March 6, 1880, when it was changed to a five column quarto. The Herald advocates the principles of the Democratic party. It is at present the official paper of the city of East St. Louis.
THE NATIONAL STOCK YARD REPORTER
was first issued in Nov. 1873, by Messrs. John Haps & Co. Three numbers were printed when it suspended, and recommenced in March, 1874. It rapidly increased in importance, and attained a circulation of over five thousand copies. It was in the height of its prosperity, when an absurd ruling was made by the Post-office Department, demanding an exorbitant rate of postage for trans- mission through the mails, in consequence of which it was com- pelled to suspend. In the fall of 1880 it was revived, but two numbers were printed when it again suspended, owing to the fact that its place had been supplied by a similar publication called
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
THE WESTERN LIVE-STOCK JOURNAL,
the first number of which was issued in July, 1879, by H. D. O'Brien, publisher, and Y. M. Langdon, editor. These gentlemen continued in partnership until July, 1880, when Langdon purchased O'Brien's interest, and was sole proprietor of the Journal until Jan. 1st, 1881, when he sold out to S. J. E. Rawling, the present pro- prietor and manager of the paper. It was a seven-column folio. At present it is a five-column, same form. It has a circulation of over four thousand copies, and has been a paying iuvestment from the start. The paper was printed in the Gazette office; but at pre- sent it is issued from Kellogg's in St. Louis. In 1876, H D. O'Brien commenced the publication of the
ST. LOUIS RAILWAY WORLD,
a journal specially devoted to the interests of railway employees. One year after its first issue he sold out to a similar publication in St. Louis.
THE NATIONAL
was established in East St. Louis Aug. 9, 1878, by Archibald A. Hamilton. Its object in the journalistic world was, as stated by the editor, to improve the social, moral and pecuniary condition of the working class. It was an advocate of financial reform and Fiat theories. Mr. Hamilton was induced to start the paper with promises that a stock company would be formed. The stock was never subscribed, and the paper suspended.
THE FUTURE GREAT
was the name of an amateur paper published by Messrs. Sikking & Jackiven. It had quite a run for a time.
DOT PAPER
was a small sheet that was an attempted imitation of the Carl Pret- zel style of journalism. It had a short existence.
ILLINOIS REPUBLIKANER,
a German newspaper, was organized and established in June of 1872, and the first copy issued July 1st of the same year. It was published by a company composed of Russell Hinckley, Sebastian Fietsam, Charles Stephani, Edward Rutz, Col. Thomas, and other representative and leading Republicans of St. Clair county. Henry Huhn was elected President of the Board of Directors, and also made business manager and editor. The paper was published until May, 1873, when Mr. Fietsam bought up the stock, and soon after purchased the Zeitung, and consolidated the Republikaner with it. In January, 1873, Mr. Huhn, the editor of the last named paper, severed his connection with it, which had much to do with hasten- ing its dissolution.
DER TREUBUND
was a German publication devoted to the interests of the benevolent society whose organ it was. Its first issue was Oct. 19, 1873, hy Messrs. Semmelroth & Co., and was edited by Dr. Newbert. It was a seven-column folio paper.
In 1878 George C. Bunsen of West Belleville purchased a press and printing material from the St. Louis type foundry, and com- menced the publication of a paper called
THE REFORM.
It was devoted to the interests of the laboring classes, and advo- cated the claims of the socialists and communists. It was printed- for four or five months, when the office was closed by the type foundry, and the material taken, and soon after sold to L. W. Habercom, who started
DAS JOURNAL,
a German paper in Belleville .. After twenty issues was made it was sold to the Zeitung.
NEW ATHENS ERA,
was an amateur paper started in New Athens, in the spring of 1875, by George Auerswald. In November of the same year, the office was moved to Mascoutah, and from it was issued the
MASCOUTAH ENTERPRISE,
a seven-column folio. In June, 1876, Mr. Auerswald removed the office to Belleville, and commenced the publication of the
BELEVILLE INDEPENDENT.
On the 1st of January, 1877, he issued the first number of the
DAILY INDEPENDENT.
Both publications were continued for several months later, when they suspended.
DER STERN.
In 1877 some of the influential German Democrats of Belleville, organized a stock company, known as the "Belleville Printing Company," with a capital stock of $6000. The Directors the first year were Hon. Gustavus A. Koerner, President; Franz F. Met- schan, Secretary ; Henry A. Kircher, Treasurer; Alonzo S. Wild- man and Louis Pittham. F. F. Metschan was elected Business Manager, and Frederick E. Scheel, Editor. The officers for the second year were the same except H. G. Weber took the place of Henry A. Kircher. The first issue of the Stern was made October 28th, 1877. On the 11th of January, 1878,
DER DAILY STERN
was first issued. Both of the papers have continued to the present. On the date last named, Mr. Scheel was succeeded by Henry Huhn, the present able editor of the Stern. Mr. Huhn is a native of Bavaria. He came to the United States in consequence of the Republican uprising among the German people in 1849. He has been connected with the German press of New York, Cincinnati, and other places. He served in the Union Army from 1861 to 1863. In the latter year he was local editor of the Westliche Post. In 1864 he re-entered the Union army. He established the Washington Freie Presse, in Washington, Mo., and was a member of the Legislature of that State in 1866. In 1868 he came to Belleville, where he has spent much of his time in newspaper work. Mr. Metschan is also a veteran printer, having been in the business since 1852. He learned his trade in Cincinnati, and came to Belleville in 1860. He was a soldier of the late war, first in the 9th regiment Illinois volunteers, and then in the 12th Missouri regiment, and was in command of Co. "K" as first lieutenant when mustered out of service. He was foreman for a number of years in the office of the Belleville Zeitung.
The Stern, when organized, was fitted up with new type, steam presses, and fully equipped to do all kinds of printing in both the German and English languages. Under the management of these gentlemen, the paper has become the leading German Democratic paper in Southern Illinois. In the campaign of 1880 it rendered conspicuous and valuable service in ably presenting the issues and principles of the political organization of which it is the exponent and defender.
THE BELLEVILLE REPUBLICAN
is the last candidate in Belleville for journalistic favors. It was fouuded Feb. 28, 1879, by Dr. T. W. Eckert, who had for a number of years been connected with the Journal in Lebanon. He cou-
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
tinued the paper as sole editor and proprietor until July 4th of the same year, when he sold a third interest to G F. Kimball, and a third to S. C. Mace. The co-partnership of these gentlemen con- tinued until Nov. 7, 1879, when it was dissolved, Eckert purchasing the interests of the other partners. No change was made in the proprietorship of the Republican until Feb. 14, 1881, when a half interest was sold to H. B. Knight, a veteran typo, and a man of much journalistic experience. When the Republican was first established, it was a seven-column folio, which form it continued until July 4, 1879, when it was changed to a six-column quarto .. It is an advocate of Republican principles, and is recognized as one of the potential organs of the seventeenth congressional district. In the local news department, the Republican is unexcelled by any other journal in St. Clair county.
THE MARISSA MONITOR
was the first paper ever published in the thriving town of Marissa. Its first issue dates January 1st, 1880. It is a five column quarto, Republican in politics, but is not so radical as to be unjust to others. John W. Wells was the projector, and is still the proprietor and editor. The Monitor is the champion of the common schools, and a general diffusion of knowledge among the people. In the words of its editor it was started to make the people happy, and its proprietor rich. As to the first we have no doubt, but that it has succeeded far beyond its most sanguine expectations, but as to the latter we have no means of obtaining definite iuformation.
CONCLUSION.
The history of the press of St. Clair county has been briefly traced. There have been many newspaper enterprises organized within its boundaries, and it would be strange if there had not been some failures. Upon the whole, however, it has witnessed as few failures as any other industry in the county. The influence and character of the press have grown with the material wealth and intelligence of those they have represented. The number of newspaper enterprises organized and supported in the county speaks well for the liberality of its citizens, and it further shows the power and appreciation of printers' ink and editors' pen when used for the intellectual advancement of the people and the material wealth of the county.
CHAPTER XIII. THE COMMON SCHOOLS.
BY JAMES M'QUILKIN, COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT.
HE common schools of this county are at present managed under that beneficent system of free instruction provided for in our State Constitu- tion which says, "The general assembly shall provide a thorough and efficient system of free schools, whereby all the children of this State may receive a good common school educa- tion."
The early history of education in the county is involved in considerable obscurity, the official records in the County Superintendent's office, furnishing but little information
concerning it, and that not earlier than the year 1837. For a few facts concerning the pioneer school work of the county we are indebted to some of the old settlers still living, who gladly recounted the doings of their school boy days. It is known that in early times the Jesuits had schools among the Indians, who lived in this section of the state, and whilst they sought to implant in the Red Man's bosom a faith in a crucified Saviour, they also tried to train his intellect to grasp something of the white man's learning and the ways of civilized life.
More than a hundred years ago, the French settlers at Cahokia had schools, but these were managed in connection with their church affairs. However, about the year 1836, three Sisters be- longing to a Catholic Order arrived there from France, and opened a school, which was sustained by subscription. Afterward private schools were kept for short periods, all sustained by subscription ; and among the teachers of these were Robinson, Dunn and Chap- inan. In later years the schools of Cahokia have been conducted independent of state aid, being liberally provided for from a fund derived from the rents of Cahokia Commons.
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