USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 1 > Part 26
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Moved that the committee be relieved of the duty of nominating a board of censors. Carried.
Moved that the constitution and by-laws as suggested by the State Medical Society be adopted.
After discussing it by sections it was adopted as changed by the society.
The committee on nominations made the following report: For Presi- dent. Dr. J. G. Wolf ; for Vice President, Dr. T. S. Jones: for Secretary, Dr. T. C. Kennedy : for Treasurer. Dr. I. W. Inlow. Report adopted.
Moved that the society go into an election of a board of censors. Carried. Doctors Connelly. McFadden and Comstock were elected by acclamation.
Moved and seconded that the society elect two delegates to the American Medical Association. Carried. Doctors Trees and Kennedy were elected.
Moved and seconded that the society elect an executive committee of. three. Carried. Doctors Wells. Snider and Whetzel were elected.
Moved that it be the duty of the executive committee. to prepare a pro- gramme for the next meeting and notify the society of papers to be read or subjects to be discussed. Carried.
Moved and seconded that the secretary be empowered to purchase all the necessary books and papers for the use of his office. Carried.
Moved and seconded that the society elect four delegates to represent this society at the Indiana State Medical Society. Carried. Doctors Jenkins, Jones, Comstock and Leech were elected as such delegates.
Moved and seconded that a vote of thanks be tendered to Surveyor Finley and Superintendent Clark for the use of their office for this meeting. Carried.
Moved that a vote of thanks be tendered to Dr. E. S. Elder for his assistance in the organization of the society. Carried.
Society adjourned for one month.
T. C. KENNEDY, Secretary.
J. G. WOLF, President.
This society has met monthly with more or less regularity since its organ- ization, and now has a membership of about twenty-five physicians of Shelby county.
On February 8. 1909, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year : President, Dr. Morris Drake : Vice President, Dr. M. M. Wells; Secre- tary and Treasurer, Dr. W. H. Kennedy ; Censors, Dr. I. W. Inlow, Dr. J. Willard Parrish and Dr. H. E. Phares : committee on entertainment, Dr. T. C. Kennedy, Dr. Walter McFadden and Dr. Frank E. Ray. Delegate to State Association, Dr. B. G. Keeney.
CHAPTER AV.
SHELBY COUNTY NEWSPAPERS.
There is no instrumentality, not even excepting the pulpit and the bar, which exerts such an influence upon the society as the press of this country. It is the great lever that moves the world. The talented minister of the Gos- pel on the Sabbath day preaches to a few hundred people: on the following morning his thoughts are reproduced in the minds and thoughts of a thousand persons, perhaps read and discussed throughout the entire country. The at- torney at the bar may make an eloquent appeal to a Judge and jury and a few bystanders, but through the medium of the press his words are sent flashing over the wires far and near. The wiley politician takes the platform and will ably discuss politics an hour before a few score of men. but the newspaper coming forth dampened from the press at daylight is read by thousands of persons whose vote may have been changed by this politician's appeal-the press must have the credit. however. It is said upon good authority that a single paragraph in the daily press defeated Hon. James G. Blaine for the Presidency.
The power for good or evil of the press today is almost unlimited ; the shortcomings of politicians are made known through its columns: the dark deeds of the wicked are quickly exposed, and each fear its power alike. In- deed, the controlling influence of a nation, state or county is its newspapers. and the character of them determines the destinies and general character of the people who read them. This is especially forceful and true in a land where free speech of people and press obtains.
The local press is justly considered among the most important institu- tions of every city, town and village. The people of every community regard their particular newspaper as of special value, and this not merely on account of its being their "home paper," but because these journals are the repositories wherein are stored facts and events, the deeds and sayings, the undertakings and achievements, that go to make up final history. One by one these are gathered up and placed side by side in cold type : one by one these papers are issued: one by one these papers are gathered and bound, and another volume of local, general and individual history is laid away imperishable. The vol- umes thus collected are sifted by the experienced historian into books for li- brary use, to perpetually be carving a part in the literary and historic world.
The local press of a country or city reflects the temper and make-up of its patrons largely. Judging from the files of the newspapers now preserved,
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as above indicated. in Shelby county, one must needs be impressed with the spirit and true enterprise, patriotism and excellence of her populace. Remark- able as the fact that the city of Shelbyville now supports four daily news- papers, with a population of about twelve thousand people, it must not be for- gotten that the weekly papers published under many discouraging difficulties, for many decades, have paved the way for their success. The good old- fashioned weekly newspaper, printed on the old-style hand-press on pure rag paper, was indeed the forerunner of the daily of the twentieth century in Shelby county.
THE FIRST NEWSPAPERS.
More than three-quarters of a century ago the first attempt at establish- ing a newspaper in Shelby county was made by W. H. Heslip. a Pennsyl- vanian by birth, he being a practical printer and thoroughgoing journalist, as was counted at that day of journalism. The date of his coming to Shelby county was in 1832. He brought his entire office fixtures with him from the East, the type and presses having been purchased in Philadelphia. Under the title of the "Shelbyville Argus," his first issue of a weekly paper made its ap- pearance in mid-summer of that year-seventy-seven years ago. Two years of constant struggle for existence finally drove the first newspaper man from this field and he returned to a more thickly settled portion of the home of his childhood-wiser, but it should not be supposed richer.
That Shelby county was destined as the home of newspapers was felt as- sured when in 1838 a five-column folio, called the "Recorder," was established by Kendall & Churchman, two active young men, but who possessed little newspaper experience, and who. after a few months allowed the paper to go into the hands of Coleman & Maymen, who published it until 1842, taking an active part in the famous historic campaign of 1840. In 1842 the office was purchased by John P. Wood, and he changed the name of the paper to that of the "Indiana Sun." This name not causing it to materially brighten its prospects, the old name of "Recorder" was again adopted.
In 1844 the "Recorder" was bought by Judge David Thatcher, a man of learning and great popularity among the people of this section of Indiana. He was a vigorous writer and elevated the paper to a high standing at once. After two years the name was changed to the "National Volunteer." it then being a newsy, good mechanically wrought paper, of the seven column folio style, vigorous in its editorial style, and an outspoken. fearless Democratic organ. This paper served its party well for nearly forty years. Judge Thatcher continued to edit it until 1857, when declining health caused him to surrender the pen and retire. He sold to William Norris and John White, who in a short time sold it to Smith & Randall, who in the winter of 1858-59 transferred it to the Democratic party, which organization in Shelby county.
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voluntarily contributed enough to put it on its feet again, when it was placed under the editorial management of Thomas .1. McFarland.
In September. 1859. the office was purchased by an experienced printer and able writer. named Reuben Spicer, who greatly improved the paper. In May, 1871, John Hoop bought a half interest and in August that year pur- chased the remaining half. Mr. Hoop continued to conduct it until ISSo, when the office material was sold to Ray & McCorkle.
One account of the various papers of about that time is given as follows. by a local writer :
"The success of the papers in opposition to Democracy in this county has been varied. Many of them were ephemeral and hardly deserve notice in this connection. It is probable that the first of these was the Lancet.' a campaign sheet, published in 1848. with Hon. Martin M. Ray as its editor. During the Pierce-Scott campaign W. H. Colescott and J. W. Elliott established a Whig paper, called the 'Grape-Shot.' After the campaign had ended. Mr. Colescott withdrew, leaving the paper in the hands of Mr. Elliott, and a joint stock com- pany was formed and the name was changed to the 'Hawk Eye,' and thus it continued until its sudden death. It is probable that Mr. Ray, one of the most prominent Whigs of Central Indiana, an able lawyer and forcible writer. did much to help its editorial columns."
In 1850 what was styled the "Independent." was published by a Mr. Vaughn. The "Scissors and Quill" was published a little later by Edward Painter. In 1853 was commenced the publicaton of the "Banner." by Bain- bridge & Weakley, continued a year and when Weakley sold his interest to his partner, who conducted it a short time, a stock company was formed and Colonel Colescott was placed in editorial charge. In 1855 the "Banner" was bought by Solomon Alier: in 1858 or 1859 he sold a half interest to W. B. Gordon. This plan continued a short time, when Gordon sold to Alter, who continued to publish the paper until 1861. when he received an appointment in one of the departments at Washington, D. C., and the paper was suspended. In 1862-63 a Mr. Hall, of Rushville, commenced the publication of a paper. again taking the name of the "Banner," which was editorially conducted by D. M. Cantril. After a short career Hall disposed of the property to James Thompson, who in a few months sold to George W. Stubbs. After the po- litical campaign of 1864 the paper was suspended. In 1866 J. M. Cumback, of Germantown, Ohio, established and began publishing the "Shelby Union." a seven column paper. The name was soon changed, however, to the "Shelby Republican Union." and the size enlarged to that of an eight column paper. The word "Union" was soon dropped and was known thereafter as the "Re- publican." For eight years and nine months Mr. Cumback continued to con- duct this newspaper, and in December. 1874. sold to Simeon J. Thompson, now of Shelbyville.
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THE FIRST DAILY PAPER.
Shelbyville's first daily paper was the "Daily Republican," founded by the weekly paper just referred to above, the property of Mr. Thompson, who started the daily some time in January, 1879. Its editor was Simeon J. Thomp- son and J. J. Wingate was its business manager, as well as its reporter. In June, 1884. the office was sold to a joint stock company, organized under the name of the Shelby Printing Company. Its officers were: Charles X. Mat- hews, president : James Caughey, secretary and treasurer; J. J. Wingate. business manager. The weekly was a six-column quarto, while the daily was
a six column folio sheet. Mr. Mathews became editor of the paper. He was a Virginian, and a man of exceptional ability as a writer of much experience and force at word-handling. At one time or another he has been connected with all the papers in Shelby county, almost. He was at one time "Indianap- olis correspondent" for the Cincinnati "Enquirer" --- a natural born newspaper man, and at one date a strong journalist. He now resides at Indianapolis. where he does special literary work.
The "Republican" changed proprietors in 1905, when Mr. Wingate retired. It is now owned and published by the Shelby Printing Company, and published and edited by Frederick S. Bugie. Both a daily and semi-weekly edition are issued by this paper, each week day being the daily issue. There are no Sun- day journals within Shelbyville, but the matter of excellent dailies-four in ¿ number-for a place of the size is an uncommon occurrence.
In 1872 the "Shelbyville Independent" ( no connection of the one by this name founded in 1850) was established by Reuben Spicer. It only existed until 1875.
In 1872 a paper known as the "Shelby Democrat." was issued as a cam- paign paper. by Robertson & Wolf, and edited by H. C. Conner.
The "Shelby Democrat," as known today, is not the successor of any other Shelby county newspaper venture, but was established June 13. 1878. Its founders were Bellamy S. Sutton and W. Scott Ray. In November of that year Mr. Sutton sold his interest to Albert McCorkle, then Sheriff, and it was published under the name of Ray & McCorkle, until the death of the latter gentleman, which occurred October 10, 1880.
THE DAILY DEMOCRAT.
This paper was established May 4. 18So, as a five column folio journal, but later changed to that of a seven column folio. As a political factor W. Scott Ray was a bold, independent writer of editorial matter. His assaults upon President Cleveland's civil service law enforcements were widely
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quoted in the national and state press, thus gaining for himself much news- paper celebrity. At his death Mr. Ray willed his paper to his relatives, and George M. Ray took the management of the business. He was followed by a Mr. Fuller, from Michigan, who conducted the paper until he, with F. E. Hendricks, purchased a controlling interest in the business of the same. This partnership existed about two years, at the end of which time the "Shelby Democrat Publishing Company" was organized, the date being June 1. 1904. This is a stock company. the shareholders being residents of this county, and all affiliated with the Democratic party, while John D. Deprez has a controlling interest in such shares and is the secretary and treasurer. The president of the corporation is and has been since organization, Dr. W. M. Ford, and P. G. Kemp. vice-president, while Mr. Deprez is the editor. and through his energy. good management and party popularity, as well as being the warm friend of all outside his own political party, has built up a business that had been badly run down, to a first class journal, which is recognized by party leaders both in Shelby county and the Sixth congressional district of Indiana. After the new company had been formed, about seven thousand dollars were added to the equipment of the plant, which is now second to none in Shelby county. A daily and weekly edition is run and the circulation in this section of the state is large. The job department is well equipped with all modern printing ap- pliances.
In 1880 George S. Jones removed the material of the "Fairland Bulletin," a paper of Fairland, this county, to Shelbyville, and in the spring of that year- commenced the publication of the paper styled the "Volunteer." which, within a few months was sold to Frank Drake and Willard Barnes, and they made Charles X. Mathews ( before mentioned ) its editor. He. in an editorial way. only possible by one of his genius as writer, opened up a warfare against Dem- ocratic office holders and party leaders, charging them with extravagance in the matter of handling public funds. That campaign was one of the bitterest local fights ever had in Shelby county, and resulted in the defeat of all but one or two of the Democratic candidates. The following year Drake purchased Barnes' interest, and he in turn soon sold to Hoop & Treadway, who sold to the "Democrat Publishing Company." the date of this transfer being 1885. The name was then changed to the "Shelby Times." and May 1. 1886. the initial number of the "Daily Morning Times" was issued. In July, the same year. the office was sold to James Magill, and later he took for a partner his brother, Joseph Magill, who at once assumed the editorship. In real news- paper work Mr. Magill has probably had more and varied experience than anyone connected with Shelby county newspapers, from first to last, with pos- sibly one or two exceptions. He began at the case and learned the "art pre- servative" step by step. For years he was associated with the Evansville news- papers, also connected in various capacities with papers at Cleveland. Chicago.
.
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etc. Mr. Magill finally let his paper suspend and sought other fields, and at last accounts was employed in Milwaukee on a leading journal of that city. Some of the material of his old paper here went into the office of the Democrat.
A Democratic organ, known as the "Jeffersonian." was established Au- gust 10, 1899, by .A. C. Bradrick, who sold September 1, 1001, to Louis Holt- man, who conducted it until February 1, 1906, when he sold a half interest to J. J. Wingate, a veteran newspaper man of Shelbyville, before mentioned in connection with the publication of the "Republican." At this time the name of the paper was changed to that of the "Morning News," and its politics to that of an independent paper. The "Jeffersonian" had established a daily paper here September 5. 1899. The present morning paper of Shelbyville is the "News." a very creditable daily, devoted to the interests of Shelby county and the city of Shelbyville. Its editor, Mr. Wingate, is a careful, correct man. whose long experience as a journalist has peculiarly fitted him for the position he now occupies. The "Morning News" is the last newspaper started in Shelby county.
Among the last newspapers established in the city of Shelbyville is the "Liberal." founded July 15. 1903. by George M. Ray, who formed a stock company, he having a controlling interest at this time. He is the editor of the paper, which is issued in daily form every afternoon. A job department is connected with this office, as is the case with all printing offices of the city. The size of the "Liberal" is a four page, seven-column publication. It is a newsful journal, gathering news from all possible quarters.
The "Morristown Sun." published at Morristown. in the northeastern part of Shelby county, was established in 18So, by Luther Hackleman, later owned by Frank Johnson, H. B. Patten. Joseph A. Zike, George .1. Moorman. Walter Kaler, W. D. Harlow, and the present owner, Ora McDaniel, who purchased the office November 16. 1908. It is a six column, four pages local news and four pages patent. It is independent in politics.
CITRONOLOGICAL LIST OF NEWSPAPERS.
The chronological list of Shelby county newspapers is as follows :
1832
The Argus
The Recorder ( Volunteer) 1838
The Indiana Sun 1842
The Lancet 1848
The Independent ( 1) 1850
The Grape Shot ( Whig)
1852
The Scissors and Quill
1852
The Banner
1853
The Republican Union (Rep.)
1866
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The Shelby Independent (2) 1872
The Shelby Democrat ( Dem.) 1878
The Volunteer (2) 1880
Shelby Times 1885
Morristown Sun
1880
Jeffersonian
1889
Liberal (Ind. Dem.) 1903
Morning News (Ind.)
1906
CHAPTER XVI.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
Without question, the most important calling found ameng men has ever been, is now and will ever be, the tilling of the soil and the production of such things as the race must of necessity subsist on-food and clothing. In almost any section of the country, the farm has been originally, at least, the base of all other industries. This has been true from the "rock-bound coast of New England." on over the later settled states and territories, even to the Golden Gate, kissed by the breezes and bathed in the far away Pacific ocean. Seven-twelfths of all our American population are directly or indirectly con- nected with the independent life of a farmer. The trend of the earliest in- dustries of a country, is, however, the result of the circumstances under which those industries are developed. The attention of the pioneer settler is confined almost solely to the supplying of the immediate wants of food and shelter and clothing. For this reason the first settlers of any given country become farm- ers, trappers and hunters, according to the easiest means by which their families can be supplied with the nessities of life.
For many decades, in this, as well as older countries on the globe, it has been conceded that intelligence is as necessary to succeed in bringing forth from the soil the best yields and greater profits for the labor expended. as is the case in any other branch of the world's various and multiplied industries. "Scientific farming" not many years ago, however, by a thoughtless class was scorned, but today but few are counted worthy the name farmer who do not believe that as much skill and training should be given the youth who seeks to make his way through life as an agriculturist as though he was to be fitted for someone of the other useful and honorable callings. The man who best studies the condition of the soil and watches the plant life with the return of each season, is he who is crowned with abundant success, while the haphaz- zard farmer, who perchance "plants his crops in the moon" is usually heavily in debt and is a discontented farmer-hence a menace to his calling.
During the past century the agricultural societies of the United States have been doing a wonderful work in the interchange of ideas and bringing about the most superior methods relative to farm life.
The agricultural societies did not flourish in early days in Indiana as they have in the last half of century, from the fact that the aid, in a financial sense, was not granted by the state until the act of February 14. 1851. was passed which made a provision for the organization and support of such
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county societies. A State Board of Agriculture was created. with Governor Joseph A. Wright as its president, and through the influence of such organi- zation, many county and district societies were formed.
It was at the court-honse in the summer of 1848. in Shelbyville, when action was taken in the matter of forming a society for the furtherance of agri- culture. At that time forty acres of land southeast of the old distillery was purchased by the association there formed. The first fair was held either the following (certainly not later then the second) autumn from then -- 1848. After the state enactment had become a law the Shelby county association was reorganized to conform to the provisions of that law. From a historical paper on the society, written by secretary. L. J. Hackney, in 1854. it is learned that the first presiding officer of the Shelby County Agricultural Association was Rev. David Whitcomb, and the secretary chosen was David Thatcher, then editor of the Volunteer. The date of the real organization was November I. 1851, when the venerable Judge J. M. Sleeth reported a constitution, and Thomas A. Hendricks-later vice-president of the United States -- Martin M. Ray, and James Elliott reported by-laws. The special feature was the ap- pointment of a librarian, whose duty it was to subscribe for all such books and periodicals as might be needed by the members of the society. Such publications were to be read by members and returned for others to read-a correct account being kept of who took this, that or the other paper or book ont to read and when the same was returned. A committee was required to furnish two columns of agricultural matter for the use of the local paper-the Volunteer, and the librarian ordered to subscribe for numerous farm journals. including the Cultivator. Horticulturist, the Plow, Prairie Farmer. Plow, Loom and Anvil, Western Horticultural Review, Ohio Agriculturist. Pennsyl- vania Farm Journal. American Farmer, Indiana Farmer, Ohio Cultivator and other publications bearing on agricultural subjects.
An address was made before the society in February, 1852, by Governor Wright and W. F. Dennis.
From an old crumpled record book, eight by ten inches in size, it is learned that the first annual fair of the Shelby County Association gave pre- miums which were easily described on four pages of this record book, and they included those awarded on crops, stock, fruits, farm implements, flowers and domestic mannfactures.
For the best planned farm within the county a silver cup, valued at ten dollars, was given. In 1852 and 1853 much trouble was experienced with the conduct of hucksters about the grounds. In 1853 the premiums offered amounted to one hundred and eighty-eight dollars and the amount paid on the same was four hundred dollars. Silverware and books were the chief pre- minms in those days. This was but the beginning of what came to be a great agricultural society in Shelby county. It began right and has been for the
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