USA > Indiana > Daviess County > History of Daviess County, Indiana : Its people, industries and institutions > Part 16
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The Herald was founded by Duncan Smith, now a noted Chicago writer of humorous paragraphs. Then, in 1895, it was bought by Graham Sanford, who later took for his partner his brother, George L. Sanford. At first it was printed on a big job press in the second story of the building at Third and Main streets, now occupied by the State Bank of Washington. Later a cylinder press was bought, and the office was moved to the building at Fourth and Van Trees streets now occupied by the Gazette and Herald
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Company. Graham and George Sanford sold out in 1904 to a company which changed the political complexion of the Herald from independent Democrat to Republican, and chose Charles G. Sefrit for the paper's editor. A year later the Herald and the Gasette were merged.
"PRESS DAY" IN OLDEN TIMES.
When the old Gasette was founded, and for more than fifteen years thereafter, the paper was printed on a "Washington" hand-press. It was a nerve-racking and muscle-tiring job to get out the weekly edition with the slow hand-press, and on print day, which was Friday, everybody worked at the office until long after midnight, getting the sheets printed, folded and ready for mailing. All the papers that went into the postoffice had to be addressed by hand, as there was no mailing machine, and one of the duties of the "local" editor was to write the addresses on the big bunch of "single- wraps." Printing was tedious work, but it was well done, on rag paper that cost from seven to ten cents, or more, the pound. It was good paper, though, as the files of nearly half a century ago prove. Early in the 'eighties the proprietors discarded the old "Washington" and bought a second-hand Babcock cylinder-press, which had to be turned by hand and was a regular man-killer. It required a powerful man to turn the crank single-handed. After Hugh McKernan opened his planing-mill at the rear of the Hyatt building on Third street, power was secured from the mill, the day of hand- press work for the Gazette ended and a daily edition was begun. In 1912 the Cranston cylinder-press, which was put in by the Sanfords, was replaced by a Goss "Comet," a web perfecting power-press that prints and folds the editions of the Herald and the Gazette at one operation from a continuous roll. The Herald's is the first perfecting press to be installed in Daviess county. Likewise the Herald was the first newspaper in the county to put in a Merganthaler linotype, which does away with type-setting by hand. This machine was purchased by the Herald in 1905.
FOUND SUCCESS IN WIDER FIELDS.
The Gazette and the Herald, in the fifty years of their combined exis- tence, have turned out many newspaper men, some of whom have gained prominence in the profession. Jacob Covert, one of the original founders of the Gazette, went from Washington to Evansville and from there to Washington City, where he obtained a situation in the government printing
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office, that he held until his death. Duncan Smith went from the Herald to Chicago to become one of the celebrated paragraphers of the second city of the Union. Frank I. Sefrit went from the Gazette to Salt Lake, where for years he was the manager of the Salt Lake Tribune, one of the leading newspapers of the inter-mountain states. He now is the editor and general manager of the American Reveille, at Bellingham, an influential Republican paper of the state of Washington. Graham, George L. and Leigh Sanford, brothers, all of whom started with the Herald, now are prospering in the newspaper and printing business in Nevada. Louis B. Sefrit went from the Gazette to Seattle, Washington, where he held a responsible place with the Seattle Times until his sudden death from pneumonia in 1909. Jack Mat- tingly, who learned to be a good reporter on the Herald, and Jack McCafferty, who had his training in the Gazette office, went to Salt Lake to work on the Tribune. Each of these bright young men died at Salt Lake. Walter Mc- Carty, now with the Indianapolis News, was a "cub" reporter on the Herald. Carl C. Brayfield, a versatile Indiana writer who died a few years ago at Charlestown, was associated with the Gazette for many years.
THE DEMOCRAT.
The Daviess County Democrat was established on December 12, 1863, by T. R. Palmer and Stephen Belding, as a six-column folio, with the sub- scription price at two dollars per year, and with the motto: "The Union, the Constitution and the Enforcement of the Laws." On June 4, 1868, the paper was enlarged to a seven-column quarto, a patent inside being adopted, and the motto dropped. On October 17, 1868, Colonel Palmer sold out to Mr. Belding, who was the sole proprietor until October 23, 1869, when Elias F. Widner was admitted to partnership, and the firm became S. Beld- ing & Company. The office of the publication, which had up to this time been on Van Trees street, in the rear of the postoffice, was removed, June 10, 1870, to the Gallagher block, on Main street. At this time Mr. Widner sold out to Mr. Belding. The patent-inside feature was discarded on November 13, 1869, and on April 8, the subscription price was reduced to one dollar and fifty cents per year. On July 1, 1876, the paper was enlarged to an eight-column folio. In 1873 a power press was set up and the paper. took on a more prosperous appearance. On February 20, 1881, the estab- lishment was moved to larger quarters on Third street, just south of where now stands the Neal & Eskridge store, and in 1885 a half interest in the newspaper was sold to Samuel B. Boyd, the firm name becoming Belding &
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Boyd. In June, 1886, the publication of a daily paper was started, the paper being named the Washington Democrat. From the start, this publication proved a success, and today it is considered one of the best small-city news- papers in Indiana. On October 1, 1887, Mr. Belding sold his half interest in the Democrat to B. F. Strasser, who remained a partner of Samuel B. Boyd until October 7, 1891, when Mr. Boyd became the sole owner. On May 25, 1889, the newspaper plant was moved into the new Democrat building, erected on East Third street, between Van Trees and Walnut streets. On January 1, 1906, Mr. Boyd sold a half interest in the news- paper to Henry Backes, who at that time was city editor of the Democrat: Simultaneous with the formation of the new partnership of Boyd & Backes, a Mergenthaler linotype machine was installed. About a year later an addition was built to the Democrat building, almost doubling the floor space, and, as the business rapidly grew, a vast amount of new machinery was added, including a more rapid newspaper press. In January, 1915, the Washington Democrat secured the franchise of the United Press Asso- ciation, with a leased wire running direct into the office, placing the Demo- crat in a class with the metropolitan newspapers for quick handling of the world's news. The partnership formed in 1906 continues at this time, with Mr. Boyd as editor and Mr. Backes as business manager. Both the Wash- ington Democrat and the Daviess County Democrat contain eight pages, six columns to the page, the subscription price of the daily being ten cents per week and the weekly one dollar per year.
OTHER NEWSPAPERS IN COUNTY.
There have been other newspapers started in some of the smaller towns of the county during its history, but these journalistic enterprises were usually of brief existence. The exception to this newspaper experience is the Odon Journal, published at the flourishing little town of that name in Daviess county. This paper was established in 1873, and is still being pub- lished, with a good list of subscribers and a fair advertising patronage. The present editor and publisher is John B. Stott.
CHAPTER XII.
CHURCH HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
In the history of the world, church history has gone hand in hand with the material development of nations that have arisen. But, unlike the history of nations, the church has not only continued to exist, but has continued to increase in power and influence. It has gone from continent to conti- nent, and from hamlet to hamlet, until every town and city today boasts of its coterie of churches. Washington, like all other cities, has within its borders representatives of several of the prominent religious bodies of the world, each with an active, progressive membership and shepherded by an efficient pastor.
WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Westminster Presbyterian church claims to be the oldest church organization in Daviess county, and the claim seems to be well established. Its origin dates back to 1810, when missionaries of the Presbyterian faith visited this part of what was then the Territory of Indiana, preaching and teaching in the humble homes of the pioneers who had settled in this section. In August, 1814, Rev. George T. Scott, of Vincennes, organized a church, with a membership of seventeen. In the same year a young man was or- dained for the ministry by the Muhlenburg presbytery, and in May of the following year Rev. John M. Dickey came to serve this newly-organized church, as the first regular pastor. Rev. Dickey came on horseback, with his wife and all his earthly possessions carried on the horse behind him. The library of Mr. Dickey consisted of a Bible, Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," a theological dictionary and Fisher's catechism. For four years he ministered to the needs of the small congregation, which was scattered over an area of ten by sixteen miles. During his pastorate his wife died, and he after- ward married the daughter of Ninien Steele, one of his elders. It may be interesting to know that Rev. John M. Dickey was the grandfather of Rev. Sol. C. Dickey, D. D., of Winona, Indiana.
The first church home of this congregation was located on the north side of Palmers creek, two and one-half miles southof the village, now the
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CHRISTIAN CHURCH, WASHINGTON.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, WASHINGTON.
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city of Washington, just across the road from the present home of David Kribs. The church was built of unhewn logs, with clapboard roof, held in place by poles, a dirt floor and seats of split logs planed with the broad axe. It had no chimney, nor any method of heating, and conse- quently could only be used during the warm season. This was the third Presbyterian church in Indiana Territory, and, humble and crude as it may seem, it was quite as pretentious as the homes of the people who assem- bled there for worship. How long this house was used as a place of wor- ship is not definitely known, but after Daviess county was organized, and the town of Washington was laid out, there is recorded a deed, dated on August 7, 1819, conveying to the trustees of the Presbyterian society lot No. 89, of the original town of Washington, as laid out by Peter Wilkins and Emanuel Vantrees. Thirty-five dollars was the price paid for this lot, which is the location on the corner of what is now East Sixth and Hefron streets. A small frame building was erected on this lot, soon after the pur- chase was made. This building served for a church, a school house and a court house, in the early period of Washington's history. In 1832 this build- ing was replaced by a brick structure. The work required in the erection of this latter building was arduous and long, the labor, for the most part, being performed by the members of the congregation. The clay from which the bricks were made was tramped by bare feet, and the women took their turn in cooking for the men while they worked.
In 1868 the congregation had grown to such numbers that a new church was imperative. The old building was sold to the Christian de- nomination, and in the same year the work of erecting a larger house of worship was begun, on lots donated by Philip and Sarah Cruse. In 1890 this church was remodeled, at an expense of several thousand dollars, and in 1896 Mrs. W. L. Jackson gave five hundred dollars as a nucleus for a. fund for a pipe-organ for the church. The second melodeon used in the church is still in the possession of David Kribs.
The present church building was erected in 1910-II, and was formally dedicated on February 12, 1912. It is a beautiful structure, built of smooth Bedford stone, in the classic order of architecture, commodious, convenient and artistic, standing as a monument to the untiring zeal and liberality of the Westminster Presbyterian church, and its faithful pastor, Dr. William P. Hosken.
The following have served as pastors of the Westminster Presbyterian church since its organization: Rev. John M. Dickey, 1810; Rev. Ransom Hawley, 1823-34; Rev. Calvin Butler, 1834-38; Reverend Adams; Reverend
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Wall, 1846-48; Rev. H. L. McGuire, 1848-52; Rev. S. Taylor, 1853-54; Rev. J. C. Martin, 1855-57; Rev. H. B. Scott, 1858-60; Rev. Francis Lynn, 1860-62; Rev. O. M. McKee; (supply) Rev. C. McCain, 1863-66; Rev. A. Taylor, 1866-68; Rev. John Carson; Rev. A. Sterritt, 1871; Rev. E. C. Trimble, 1872-76; Rev. E. A. Burnett, 1876-77; Rev. John Gerish, 1878-80; Rev. R. E. Hawley, 1880-86; Rev. James Omelvena, 1887-95; Rev. Alex- ander Urquhart, 1895-97; Rev. I. I. Gorby, D. D., 1898 -; Rev. James A. Douglass, 1905-10; Rev. William P. Hosken, D. D., 1910 to the present time.
On January 20, 1909, a union of the Cumberland Presbyterian and the Westminster Presbyterian churches was consummated, this united body taking the name of the Westminster Presbyterian church of Washington.
In November, 1914, the centennial of the Westminster Presbyterian church was celebrated. On this occasion an extended history of the congre- gation was given, relating many interesting facts and incidents of the hun- dred years of its existence. It is from this historical sketch that this article has been compiled.
FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, WASHINGTON.
The First Methodist Episcopal church of Washington had its origin in 1816. The first sermon preached here by a minister of that denomination was in the private house of Samuel Miller. The house of Thomas Meredith also was used for that purpose. Rev. John Shrader had charge of the cir- cuit that included Washington at that time, preaching here once each month. The worship was conducted in private residences, and sometimes in the school house or court house, until 1827, when a small brick church was erected at the corner of Hefron and First streets. It seems that the con- tractor who erected this building slighted his job. The structure was con- sidered unsafe and was used only about two years, when it was abandoned, and for eight years the congregation again resorted to private residences for worship. The congregation purchased a lot at the corner of Third and Flora streets, upon which stood a small dwelling. This was remodeled by Lewis Jones, John Fryer and William Bratton and converted into a house of wor- ship, the modest little church being formally dedicated by Rev. John Wood, in 1837. The membership of the church at that time was one hundred and twenty-five.
In 1858 another church building was erected, at a cost of about two thousand dollars, and was dedicated by Rev. Calvin Kingsley, a prominent Methodist divine, who afterward became bishop. There was a continued
FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, WASHINGTON.
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increase in the membership of the congregation each year until the necessity of a larger building became apparent. Accordingly, the leading spirits of the congregation began to devise plans for the erection of a church to meet the demands. A location was purchased on the corner of Meridian and Van Trees streets, where a modern and conveniently-arranged church was erected and formally dedicated in 1890. This is the church in which the congregation at present worships. Rev. W. S. Rader has been the pastor in charge since 1913. The present membership of the church is eight hun- dred and fifty, with a Sunday school enrollment of eight hundred. A. O. Fulkerson has been the efficient superintendent of the Sunday school for fifteen years. Dr. R. M. Smiley is director of the large choir, one of the best in the conference. Doctor Smiley has served this church as chorister for about twenty-five years.
During the more than one hundred years of history of the Washing- ton Methodist church, about sixty-two ministers have served the church as pastors. Among these are the names of men who have been prominently identified with the larger work of the denomination, men of recognized ability throughout the church and in the state. The pastorate of the larger number of these ministers was for a period of only one year. Until the pastorate of Rev. John Tolbert, in 1841, no minister has a record of more than one year's service. After Rev. Tolbert the following served for two year each : James R. Williams, from 1843; J. W. Julian, from 1849; T. S. Whited, from 1854; J. F. McCan, from 1856; Charles Cross, from 1860; Stephen Bowers, from 1864; W. F. Harned, from 1866; Aaron Turner, from 1869; Hayden Hayes, from 1871; John Walls, from 1874; F. A. Friedly, from 1876; Walter Underwood, from 1881; W. F. Sheridan, from 1891; E. A. Campbell, from 1899. The following served for a period longer than two years: T. C. Danks, 1883 to 1886; M. S. Heavenridge, 1886 to 1891 ; C. E. Asbury, 1893 to 1898; Samuel Reid, 1901 to 1904; J. W. Baker, 1904 to 1908; H. H. Allen, 1910 to 1913, the beginning of the present pastorate.
OTHER METHODIST CHURCHES IN THE COUNTY.
There are about twenty other churches of the Methodist denomination in Daviess county. The most of these are small country churches, where there is no settled pastor and preaching services are irregular. On account of this condition, some of the country churches that once were prosperous and gave promise of permanency have suffered a decline. In some instances
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the larger part of the membership has been transferred to some other church; only a faithful few remaining to give the church "a name to live."
The Elnora Methodist church is the most prosperous one of the denom- ination outside of Washington. They have a fine new brick church, cost- ing twelve thousand dollars; a parsonage costing one thousand dollars, and a membership of four hundred and fifty. They have a large Sunday school enrollment, an active Epworth League, and are well equipped in every way for aggressive work.
The Odon Methodist church was organized in 1858. It has a com- fortable frame building and an active membership of three hundred.
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF WASHINGTON.
In September, 1864, a call was sent out over the community, asking that every person who at any time had been identified with the religious movement known in history as the Reformation Movement, to meet on a certain day to devise means for the organization and establishment of a congregation advocating that faith in this community. About forty per- sons responded to that call, but only thirteen had the courage to face the bitter struggles that were to confront them in the establishment of such a congregation. But these thirteen, like the people of the thirteen original colonies, believed in the mission they were called to fulfill; and they went forth as true disciples consecrated to the service of the Master. The fol- lowing are the original charter members, and no list of names would be a fair representation of the people to be honored by this community if these were omitted in the record of county history :
Mr. and Mrs. James Ragsdale, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Cunningham, Mrs. Hannah S. Thomas, Miss Mattie Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jones, Mr. and Mrs. David McDonald Wilson, Mrs. Laycock, David Nixon and George Waller. Of these thirteen original members, Mrs. Nelson Cun- ningham and Miss Mattie Thomas are the only two now living.
For one year this little congregation met regularly for worship, in a little dingy room in the old court house, always with a faith and confidence that, somehow, God would lea'd them to a solution of the problem of se- curing a place of worship that would be suitable and inviting to those whom they sought as members of their little band. At the end of the first year the opportunity came to purchase the little brick church on Sixth and Hefron streets. Here they continued to worship until 1897, all the time growing in faith and numbers. Among those who were added to the roll of mem-
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bership, during the early years of the church history, were many whose names should have an equal place of honor with the original thirteen, be- cause they contributed a full share of the toil and struggle incident to the establishment of the church. Space forbids the mention of all these names here, but they should be inscribed in bronze upon the walls of the church and written upon the tablets of memory, as a testimonial of their service in making this congregation what it is today.
Rev. John Mathes was the first regular pastor of the congregation. Though his service was only for half time, his work will ever stand as a monument to him, as well as to the little flock that stood so nobly by him. To David Hixon, the first elder of the congregation, must be ascribed much of the credit for the success of the cause. Faithful in rain or sun, and under all circumstances, he met with his people, advised, counseled, prayed and toiled until the very day of his death. The memory of David Hixon is held in sacred reverence by this congregation.
From the very first the congregation has been served by some whose names have become prominent in history, many of these names being house- hold words among the men of their faith. Among these are the following : Rev. Charles Robertson, who served as pastor for two years; Rev. Henry Pritchert, who served three years; Rev. Jacob Wright, one year; Rev. J. L. Griffin, two years; Rev. J. C. Holloway, three years; Rev. B. C. Sherman, one year; Rev. Holloway was again called to the pastorate and served another year, followed by Rev. Peter J. Martin, who served for two years.
In 1887 the congregation had grown strong enough to support a pastor for full time, and Rev. George G. Alford was called to the pastorate that year. He served four years, doing splendid work during his entire pastorate. In 1892 he was followed by Rev. A. B. Cunningham, who soon became one of the best-loved men who ever preached in Washington. Rev. W. P. Waldren followed Mr. Cunningham, served as pastor for six months, and Rev. C. W. Brickert was next in succession. It was during the latter's pastorate that the church-building project came to be considered seriously, for the little brick church had long since become inadequate to meet the growing needs of the Bible-school and congregation.
Accordingly a building committee was appointed to look into the matter of a better location and also the matter of a new church building. On that committee were Hugh Barr, E. L. Hatfield, T. D. Slimp, C. E. Mattingly and James H. Wilson. After some consideration of various locations and plans, the present location was decided upon, Hugh Barr making the proposi- tion that he would give five thousand dollars to the enterprise, the congre-
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gation to raise the rest. Mr. Barr afterward gave an additional five hundred dollars on the day of dedication. The lot cost the congregation three thou- sand dollars. The committee accepted the building plans submitted by W. S. Kaufman, of Richmond, Indiana, and awarded the contract for its. construction to J. F. Brown & Brother, of this city. The contract called for a ten-thousand-dollar building, but when it was completed such changes had been made that the total cost had been increased to sixteen thousand dollars. The building was dedicated on February 21, 1897, and continued to. be the home of the congregation until January 6, 1911, when it was com- pletely destroyed by fire. Every piece of furniture, pipe-organ, hymn books, tables and dishes, were completely destroyed.
Undaunted by their misfortune, the congregation met and decided to rebuild. A building committee was appointed, consisting of M. S. Hastings, T. D. Slimp, Elkanah Allen, George J. Keith, P. A. Hastings and Lester Routt. The building was completed and formally dedicated on May 19, 1912, Hon. M. S. Hastings, of the building committee, delivering the dedi- catory address. This church building is one of the most beautiful in archi- tectural design, the most complete in modern equipment, that could be desired. The congregation, after all their struggles, now have a home of which they may be justly proud. With a membership of more than one thousand, the congregation exerts a wide and beneficent influence. It supports the home work in the city of Washington at an expense of about three thousand dol- lars, annually, and gives to missions and charity about one thousand dollars, annually.
In addition to those named, who have served as pastors of this congre- gation, are the following: Rev. E. O. Tilburn, G. W. Thompson, Rev. E. A. Cantrell, Rev. J. F. Floyd, Rev. H. W. Laye, Rev. Kyle Brooks, Rev. E. E. Davidson, Rev. J. B. Cleaver, and Rev. J. W. Darby, the latter's service beginning on January 1, 1912.
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