USA > Illinois > Stephenson County > The History of Stephenson County, Illinois : containing biographical sketches war record statistics portraits of early settlers history of the Northwest, history of Illinois, &c. > Part 50
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
ive, that the friends who gathered around it then are among its ardent sup- porters of to-day.
On the morning of January 2, 1873, Mr. Giles bade farewell to the patrons and friends of the Bulletin, after an acquaintance of seventeen years. Messrs. Taylor & Aspinwall would in future have charge of the Bulletin, and, as both were well known, their introduction would be superfluous. This announcement, however, proved to be premature. The advertised vendees never gained posses- sion of their purchase, owing to a misunderstanding which occurred subsequent to the sale but prior to the delivery. In the issue of January 9 following, such publication was made, supplemented by a second appearance of Mr. Giles before the curtain in the roll of an editor upon his farewell tour, etc. That day, the paper had been transferred to C. C. Shuler, a well-known citizen of Freeport, and J. W. Potter, equally well known as the editor and proprietor of the Bolivar (Mo.) Herald. These gentlemen assumed the responsible and onerous duties of publishing the paper with the issue of January 16, 1873, and promised to make it all that it had been theretofore. In the future as in the past, the Bulletin would faithfully battle in the cause of Democracy; the foe of rings formed in the interest of the few to the detriment of the welfare of the many ; while being a fearless, outspoken and independent advocate of liberal democratic principles, it would be just and candid to its adversaries and true to its friends. It would be made the true exponent of the city's business inter- ests, and a faithful and reliable friend to every enterprise organized in the interest of the neighborhood.
Mr. Potter was detained in Missouri for a brief period, but soon estab- lished himself in his new residence and took active charge of his purchase, directing the molding and formation of its editorials, and generally assuming care of the internal affairs of the office, with H. Clay Bray assisting as local editor. The columns of the paper under the new management were found to deserve the congratulations extended, presenting a persuasive appearance that was irresistible, and enlarging the circle of its readers beyond what the most sanguine of its friends had anticipated. After five months' experience, the encouragement extended became so substantial and the supplies of news so gen- erous that it was found necessary to enlarge the sheet to dimensions commensurate with the increasing demands for " space." Accordingly, this was done, the Bulle- tin appearing in its new dress on Thursday, June 19, 1873, and presenting & gratifyingly neat and attractive appearance. The paper by this improvement was lengthened two inches; a column was added to the page, making a total of eight columns, which, with the typographical and other new features, strength- ened its claims to consideration, and rendered a liberal patronage the more secure. Under such advantageous auspices, the Bulletin began its tenth year as such, and continued to shed an influence around its extended circle of admirers, as the influence of a spring day is felt when the blue skies shine like blessings, and the sunlight flicker streams through a veil of fleecy clouds in slanting golden lances.
In the issue of October 29, 1874, the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Shuler, after many months of uninterrupted intercourse with his readers, laid down the pen and grasped them by the hand to say " good-bye." Mr. Potter thus succeeded to the entire charge of the paper, and, though disclaiming to be a man of brilliant promises, he should keep the Bulletin up to its standing, making it acceptable to the family circle and commending it to all for its unrivaled excellences. Mr. Shuler removed to Iowa, where he engaged in banking, and still remains.
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
The paper thenceforward and to the present writing has been under the exclusive managerial control of Mr. J. M. Potter, assisted at intervals by com- petent journalists. And, though the experiment of conducting a paper success- fully single-handed has been heretofore considered almost an impossibility, Mr. P. has confirmed an exception to the rule, and promoted the measures of reform in State and county affairs, which have since crystallized and been recognized as indispensable.
Politically, the Bulletin has continued to maintain an attitude consistent with its earlier convictions and proclamations. It has been unfaltering in its support of all measures recognized as constitutional and expedient, and relent- less in its attacks upon rings, corporations and monopolies.
During the campaign of 1876, the paper advocated a reform from the " villainies" which had characterized the Grant administrations, no matter what means it might be found necessary to employ, so the same were in harmony with the law. The nomination of Hayes was necessitated by the position into which Grant had placed his party; the people could only be deceived by throwing the whole crew overboard, and asking "unknown, unhonored and unsung" Republicans to accept the chance of defeat. The nominees of the Republican party were merely figureheads for Morton and Blaine, and the reform promised and proposed was a mockery, a delusion and a snare. In these opinions the Bulletin indexed the conclusions of its subscribers.
During the pendency of a decision, the paper, as may be supposed, earnestly labored for the election of Mr. Tilden, under whom there would be no San Domingo infamy, safe burglary, whisky ring, Babcock, Belknap, Robeson, Delano, Williams, or Black Friday, and the White House would neither become a retreat for thieves, nor a haven for felons, as the Cabinet would not become an asylum for imbeciles.
The result of the election was regarded by the paper as a victory for the Democratic candidates, and it insisted that they should be inaugurated. When the Commission was proposed it denied the constitutionality of the measure, and insisted that it should not be substituted for the law on the subject as it stood ; in short, that to violate the Constitution was the destruction of the Government. When the Commission was agreed upon, the Bulletin accepted its innovation as the will of the majority, and gave the measure its cordial support. When it became apparent what the decision of the Commission would . be by the shadows preceding that event, the paper, in commenting on the "special plead- ing" indulged, stated that by a strictly party vote, the Commission appointed to inquire into the Presidential question, decided not to go behind the returns in the Florida case. They will, however, inquire into the eligibility of electors. By this decision the most gigantic frauds may go unquestioned. The people would now have an opportunity of testing the non-partisan character of the Supreme Court Judges by their decision in the Oregon case, when it will be necessary to go behind the Governor's certificate in order to elect Hayes.
When the question was practically decided in favor of Hayes by the re- fusal of the Commission to go behind the returns, the Bulletin accepted the ultimatum, but, in an editorial dignified and forcible, submitted its apprehensions as to the situation, from which the following is taken :
" As predicted by the Bulletin last week, by the usual strict party vote of eight to seven, the Electoral Commission of last Friday decided : First, that no evidence whatever should be received in the Louisiana case; and secondly, that the vote of the State should be counted for Hayes.
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
" The Democratic counsel offered to prove that the Returning Board of Louisiana was a body not recognized by the State Constitution ; that it was not organized in accordance with the law creating it; that even if it was constitutional and legally organized, it had no jurisdiction over the re- turns for Presidential Electors ; that the method of its procedure violated the law in every particular ; that its findings were the exactly contrary of the truth ; that its decisions were influenced by corrupt motives ; and that two of the Re- publican electoral claimants were ineligible under the Constitution of the United States; in a word, that the so-called Hayes electors were not elected, and the Tilden electors were. Evidence to establish the several points was sep- arately offered, and in each instance ruled out by the eight Republicans of the tribunal:
" The only point the Republican counsel contested was the constitutionality of the Returning Board. They did not deny that Louisiana had elected the Tilden electors by majorities ranging from 6,000 to 10,000. They did not deny that the four unhanged scoundrels of the board disfranchised 13,000 American citizens. They did not deny that these villains had for weeks been attempting to peddle the electoral vote of the State to whoever would buy. They denied nothing. They merely fell back on the partisan majority on the Commission, and reiterated again and again that the American people had no recourse but to submit to the inauguration of a man they had never elected.
" The act creating the Commission provides that it shall have such powers (that is, as respects the certificates submitted to it) as now possessed by the two Houses of Congress acting separately or together, and since Congress, as we have just shown, does possess the power of going behind the returns, and has always exercised that power, it is plain that both the Constitution and the electoral act authorize the commission to take evidence as regards the merits of the case, and the refusal of the majority to do so can be accounted for upon no other hypothesis than that the eight genteel compounders of felony have will- fully, knowingly, coolly, set themselves to the task of counting Hayes in, irre- spective of the frauds, wrongs, violations of law, usurpations, and perjuries with which his path to the White House is strewn."
The inauguration of Hayes was treated in a similar spirit, and the act regarded as the crowning chapter of a history of illegalities and constitutional violations from which the Republic would never recover.
As the years came and went and the wants of the community and the prog- ress of the times demanded something more than a weekly paper, Mr. Potter determined to meet the requirements of the public by issuing a daily. In accordance with this view, the Daily Bulletin was issued on the 18th of Septem- ber, 1877, and in every respect equaled public expectations. No apology was vouchsafed for its appearance, as in all well-regulated families none is expected for recent arrivals. The "bub " was attired in its parent's garments, and, after a brief experiment, was set up in business for itself. When this consummation was reached and the infant had waxed strong, and his business began to increase in a gratifying degree. He then put on a new dress, including a hat, and was known on the street, where he offered money to loan, property for sale, houses to rent, etc. ; solicited correspondence with a view to matrimony, and, as the agent for schemes, news, accidents and incidents, became an invaluable accessory to men, women and children.
The daily is now in the fourth year of its existence, and enjoys a patron- age both widespread and remunerative.
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
Both enterprises are owned and edited by J. W. Potter, assisted by O. Pot- ter and F. C. Donohue, under whose " manipulation" the daily has become an indispensable acquisition to every household.
The combined circulation of the daily and weekly aggregates 5,500 weekly, requiring the services of eight men, in addition to the editorial force, to procure its issue. The investment represents a valuation of $12,000.
The Freeport Journal, a weekly publication, issued by A. V. Richards & Co., is one of the oldest papers in the State, and enjoys a patronage and sup- port commensurate with its undeniable merits.
The first number was put forth on the 22d day of November, 1848, and thirty-two years' experience in the checkered ways of the world has confirmed the predictions ventured by its founders when they launched their journalistic barque on the tide of Time. The merit of the undertaking is due to H. G. Grattan and A. McFaddan. The former gentleman came to Freeport, in 1848, from Janesville, Wis., where he had previously started the Gazette, and, realizing the advantages to be derived from repeating his experiment in the county seat of Stephenson County, decided to court Fortune's smiles through the columns of a weekly publication. The first paper was issued, as stated, on the 22d of November, 1848, and represented the Whig element in politics. It was a folio with six columns to the page, and typographically presented an appearance by no means calculated to excite hypercritical comments. The advertising depart- ment promulgated the existence of Turner & Turner, Purinton & Betts, John A. Clark, T. F. Goodhue and Sweet & Brawley, as attorneys ; Martin & Van Valzah, physicians ; L. W. Guiteau, D. A. Knowlton, O. H. Wright, S. D. Knight & Co. and Jackson & Brothers, grocers ; Emmert & Strohm, drug- gists ; A. W. Rice, cabinet-maker, etc. The first page was devoted to literary selections, the second page to telegraphic and editorial news, the third page to local and poetic fulminations, and the fourth page to brief paragraphs and adver- tising. Taken as a whole, the make-up was attractive, evidencing to the reader a disposition on the part of the management to consult the public appetite and interest public expectation. The terms at which the journal would be furnished were $2 per annum if paid within six months, 50 cents additional if pay- ments was delayed, and $3 if not paid at the expiration of the year. Advertisements not exceeding one square would be inserted three times for $1.50.
Such were the inducements offered the reading and advertising public in exchange for their support. The prospects of success were by no means rose- colored, yet the venturesome editors indulged a confiding hope that their efforts to civilize and enlighten might not be entirely unappreciated. They had assumed the enterprise of publishing a newspaper in Freeport, believing that the capabilities of the county were fully equal to its necessary support. The population of the county was then not far from 10,000; the fertility of the soil, salubrity of the climate, and the agricultural and manufacturing resources, as also the enterprise and general intelligence of the population, unsurpassed. Yet the population was by no means homogeneous ; coherency and unity were wanted, and the agency most effective in promoting this unity was the press. In the light of these conclusions, the Journal was offered with the conscious assurance that its future would equal the present, and, with the efforts that would be made to secure deserved success, excel the former period.
The firm established an office in the upper story of a brick building a few rods northeasterly of the then residence of Judge Ormsbee, and began practical business. The building, after serving the purposes of a printing office, drug
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
store and other depots for the support of life, the pursuit of happiness, etc., was torn down and is now known as the corner of Broadway and Beaver streets, and occupied by a handsome frame residence. The headquarters of the Journal were retained in the "dilapidated brick building " during its infancy, where it grew in strength and excellence for nearly a year. On the 31st of October, 1849, the partnership of Grattan & McFaddan was dissolved. the former gen- tleman purchasing the latter's interest, and thereafter exercising sole control of the sheet. The office was at once removed to the second story of a small wooden building on Galena, between Exchange and Walnut streets, at that time occupied by A. W. Rice as a cabinet-shop. The "old frame " still stands, affording shelter to a paint shop, and promises to survive the wreck of matter for many years to come. The paper missed one issue in consequence of the "bother " incident to removal, but came to the front again on November 14, bristling with news which included the intelligence that, at the election occur- ring in New York the week previous, the empire State had nobly maintained herself against the combined forces of Hunkerism and uncertain Free-Soilers.
The political utterances of the paper indicated irresistibly the tendencies of the people in Stephenson County to be in the direction of principles which subsequently found expression in the platform accepted by Fremont and Day- ton. About that time, the Constitutional Convention held in California pronounced against the introduction of slavery into that State, and the Journal, taking this for its cue, predicted the coming of a day when slavery would become a relic of departing barbarism in the history of the republic. Subsequent events have fully confirmed this proposition.
As a medium for the dissemination of local intelligence, the Journal, while answering that purpose, or, to use an aged but expressive conclusion, " supply- ing a want long felt," was scarcely up to the more modern standard, as illustrated in the more pretentious sheets of to-day. That which now constitutes palatable news, was rarely recorded, because of its absence in part, and also of an indis- position to sensational journalism which so readily obtained in after years. There were no murders to excite the reportorial imagination, and scandals which to-day are displayed in colors, with head-lines of glaring prominence, were items of news, which, in those days, came under the ban.
The selections were culled from the works of standard authors, compre- hending poetry and fiction, and the columns "justified " with scientific or historical excerpts.
That portion of the paper assigned to advertising was visibly enlarged during the paper's first year, though rates were not increased, it requiring a total of thirteen columns to furnish sufficient space for the demands of patrons. Taken as a whole, the Journal competed successfully with its cotemporaries in fulfilling its mission in point of news, appearance and "make-up," becom- ing a source of revenue to the publisher, of information to the readers and pride to the community.
On December 27, 1850, was commenced the third volume of the paper. Promises were not renewed, nor was a new line of policy marked out. It would be continued as a firm, conservative Whig paper, under the influence of no clique, but free to pursue an independent course. It would be the object of the publisher to make it particularly valuable as a newspaper, a medium of intelligence, both of a local and national character. The editor was cheered by the success which had previously met his efforts, and re-assured of the correct- ness of the principles it had been his effort to promulgate. He bade farewell to a past, which, like the aged and forsaken of men, drop into the grave of
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
forgetfulness, and greeted the future like a hopeful boy, who bounds forward with a shout of gladness to run the race set before him.
Early during this year, the office was removed to a small wooden building on the north side of the court house square. The Journal divided the occupa- tion of these premises with others, and remained domesticated therein until 1855. The building itself continued in existence for a number of years, until the weight of age and servitude necessitated its retirement from the active scenes of life. The site thereof is to-day, in part, occupied by the establishment of Bergman & Dorman.
Mr. Grattan remained sole owner of the enterprise until April 25, 1851, when Hiram M. Sheetz became a partner, and the business was conducted under the firm name of Grattan & Sheetz until the following August. On the 15th of that month, Mr. Grattan retired, and A. McFadden, one of the originators of the undertaking, accepted the position vacated by his whilom partner. This was the only change Mr. Grattan's retirement produced. The paper's politics remained unchanged under the new dispensation, the sup- ยท port of the Whig party being adhered to, and the policy of that party discussed calmly, earnestly, but temperately. In measures, legislative and administra- tive, the Whig creed was advocated ; in local politics, it sought to follow, rather than lead public opinion. In all its features, the Journal was so conducted that the cause of morals and religion, these fundamental interests of man and society, were advanced, and its columns were always open to the advocacy of whatever would promote these interests. Its editor also urged the adoption of a system of internal improvements, having for their object the development of the latent resources of the State and county, etc., including the building of railroads, turnpikes and manufacturing establishments, the employment of skilled labor, the formation of corporations whereby the good of the public might be conserved, and other features which have since been practically adopted with profit.
With the issue of September 24, 1852, the Journal was enlarged by the addition of one column to each page, new type was substituted for the " fonts" which had begun to exhibit the ravages of time and constant use, and the job department of the establishment was prepared for printing in colors as varied as those of Joseph's coat. The constantly increasing prospects of the town and the paper, and the manifest demand of the citizens for a superior family paper, induced these improvements and assured a reasonable degree of success for the venture. The enlargement was attended by other calls for additional help and consequent expense, and the efforts employed to fill its columns with information in the shape of general news, in agriculture, manufactures, com- merce, religion, politics, with a " sprinkling of mirth, " were received with encouragement worthy the undertaking. During this year, the paper supported Scott and Graham for the offices of President and Vice President of the Re- public with vigor, and insisted upon the defeat of all candidates who were not in favor of confining the institution of slavery to the limits of the territory wherein it existed. When the great struggle was over and the triumph of the Democracy became a part of history, Mr. Sheetz, who, by the way, directed the editorial department of the paper, admitted defeat, but refrained from speculating upon the causes which operated to produce such results, contenting himself with admonitions designed to prevent a repetition of the calamity in the future.
On the 7th of January, 1853, the fourth volume of the Journal was intro- duced to the public. Five years previous, the first Whig paper in Stephenson
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
County was commenced. At that time, the town was an insignificant village, and such was the sparsity of population in the county that the enterprise was deemed almost a hazardous experiment. During the interval, the paper was established, enlarged and materially improved, and was, at the date mentioned, on the highway to a permanent success.
On the 15th of April, 1853, Mr. McFadden disposed of his interest in the Journal to Mr. Sheetz, who remained sole owner and director for the space of three years, during which period its general character was not materially changed, except so far as experience and circumstances suggested improve- ments that rendered the weekly editions more acceptable to their readers. In politics, it continued to advocate Whig principles, in the belief that they were best adapted to the interests of the country ; as a newswaper, the Journal was not surpassed by any paper with equal facilities for obtaining news. Edi- torially, the endeavor was made to keep a correct record of the growth of the town and county, and to speak boldly and independently on all questions of reform. It selections were made with reference to the tastes and interests of the readers, and every means were employed to render the Journal not only acceptable to all classes, but a welcome visitor to the family circle, the counting room, the work-bench and the farmhouse.
In the summer of 1855, increasing business necessitated the procuration of more extended quarters, and the Journal office was removed to the third story of Martin's Block, on Stephenson, between Van Buren and Chicago streets, where it was "housed " for nine years. The old building still stands and bears the marks of age, while the paper it sheltered for nearly a decade has grown in strength and influence with the progress of time.
Mr. Sheetz maintained editorial control of the paper until April 24, 1856, when he disposed of his interest to C. K. Judson and C. W. McCluer, who acquired title to the property by purchase, and issued the subsequent editions for years under the firm name of Judson & McCluer. From this transfer, the paper's present series takes its date.
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