History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 46

Author: Reifel, August J
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1648

USA > Indiana > Franklin County > History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 46

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Oldenburg as teachers and from that time down to the present a flourishing school has been maintained. During the current year, 1914-15, there were seventy-seven children enrolled in the school.

Father Heck was removed in 1879 to a larger field of labor and re- mained at his new post, St. Wendel, Posey county, Indiana, until his death, in 1899. Rev. John Stolz followed Father Heck, but remained only a few months. Rev. J. W. Kemper became the permanent pastor of the church in 1879 and remained until 1882. Rev. James Pfeiffer was in charge of the church from 1882 until 1889, this being the longest pastorate of any priest at Enochburg. He was transferred in 1899 to St. Wendel, Posey county, Indiana, and was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Haas, who remained ten years. In 1909 Rev. Henry Verst became pastor and continued to minister to the people of the parish until July, 1914, when the present pastor, Rev. Mathias Schmitz, assumed the charge. The official census for 1914 gives St. John's church a membership of three hundred and seventy souls. It should be men- tioned that while the church is usually associated with Franklin county, it really stands in Decatur county, being just over the line. The residence stands on the Franklin-Decatur line, while the school house stands in Frank- lin county.

DREES CHAPEL.

One of the most interesting Catholic chapels in the state is located along the roadside about half a mile southeast of Oldenburg. This quaint little chapel owes its existence to Siegfried Koehler, a very pious and devout Cath- olis, who came from Germany and settled in the vicinity of Oldenburg. On his voyage to this country the ship in which he chanced to be a passenger was caught in a heavy storm and for a time it looked as if it would be destroyed. With death facing him Mr. Koehler made a vow that if he were spared that he would build a chapel in honor of the Mater Dolorosa. His life was spared, but when he finally got located in Franklin county he was so poor that he could not fulfill his vow for several years. As soon as he was able he secured a statue of the Mater Dolorosa, which he kept in his own house until it finally found its present resting place in the little chapel. By 1871 Mr. Koehler had saved enough money, which, with donations from charitable friends and neighbors, enabled him to build a small brick shrine, sixteen feet square and twelve feet in height. Mr. Koehler was sacristan to Rev. Rudolf and his successors as long as he lived.

The statue of the Mater Dolorosa which had been in his own house for several years was now transferred to the chapel and here it still remains.

FRANKLIN COUNTY, INDIANA.

The statue is protected by a railing and in front of the railing is placed the step on which devout Catholics pay their devotions to the Sorrowful Mother. The roof projects several feet in order to protect the inside of the chapel. The building is placed about two hundred feet from the road on the top of a small eminence and is a well chosen place for those seeking seclusion for private devotions. The chapel is frequently visited by residents of Olden- burg and by parties spending their summer vacations there. Great praise is due to the Sisters of St. Francis for their services in cleaning and decorating the altar of their beloved Mother. Most of the expenses are borne by the Sisters, although donations are frequently made by those who have been relieved of their troubles as result of a visit to the Sorrowful Mother.

The chapel was built on the corner of Mr. Koehler's farm, who sold to Frederick Drees. The latter owned the farm for many years and the chapel has been known as the Drees Chapel ever since he became the owner of the farm on which it is located. After the death of Mr. Drees, Joseph Schmidt became the owner of the farm and he, in turn, deeded it a few years ago to his son, Leo, the present owner. All of these men have shown commendable zeal in keeping the shrine in good repair. The chapel was dedicated in 1871 by Rev. Bonaventure Hammer, O. F. M.

ST. RAPHAEL'S CHURCH, LAUREL.

A few Irish Catholic families settled at Laurel while the canal was being built and up to 1858 were regularly visited by a priest from Shelby- ville. From 1858 to 1874 the mission was in charge of a priest from Con- nersville. During most of this time mass had been said at the home of Will- iam Early. In 1869 a church was erected, Edward Zacharias being the prime mover in the building of the new church. It is a handsome little frame building, well finished on the interior, and cost fifteen hundred dol- lars. From 1874 to 1883 Rev. Joseph Fleischmann, of Brookville, con- ducted regular services here. The priest from Cedar Grove had charge of the mission from 1883 to 1906, and since the latter year the little congrega- tion has been served by the priest from Cambridge City.

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CHAPTER XIX.

NEWSPAPERS OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

It is impossible to write the history of a newspaper without having its complete files, and the fact that complete files of the Franklin county news- papers have not been preserved renders it impossible to write a complete his- tory of the county papers. Fortunately, there are bound volumes of the Democrat and American for many years, as well as one interesting volume containing incomplete files of the Inquirer, Franklin Repository and first issues of the Indiana American. The following files of Franklin county papers are found in the recorder's office in the court house :

BOUND VOLUMES OF FRANKLIN COUNTY NEWSPAPERS.

There is one bound volume of newspapers which contains fugitive issues of the Brookville Inquirer, the Franklin Repository and the Indiana American. There is one issue of the Brookville Inquirer, Saturday, October 23, 1824 (No. 20, Vol. VI, Whole No. 332). The editors were D. W. and C. W. Hutchen. The next paper in this old volume is the Franklin Repository of October 31, 1826 (Vol. I, No. 53). There are a few issues of this in 1826, a few in 1827, and several in 1828, the last one being dated November 19, 1828. This is followed by Vol. I, No. I, of the Brookville Inquirer of January 4, 1833, which is continued by its editor, C. W. Hutchen, until June 21, 1833; the issue is complete between those dates (January 4-June 21, 1833). C. F. Clarkson's Indiana American, Vol. I, No. 29, is the next paper in this bound volume and the remainder of the volume contains a complete file of the Amer- ican for the rest of 1833.

The files of the Democrat are complete from 1868 down to the present time. There are two other bound volumes of the Democrat : the complete year of 1853 and one volume, May 31, 1861 -- August 7, 1863.

There are many years missing from the files of the American. The first issue of the American, as well as the remaining for that year (1833), are in the miscellaneous volume above mentioned. Seven bound volumes con- tain practically all of the issues from May 3, 1834, to the close of 1853. There are no more issues of the American (or its Civil-War namesake, the

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National Defender) until 1870. The files of the paper are complete from that year down to the present time.

In addition to the files of the Brookville papers, there are two bound volumes of the Laurel Review ( 1887-88).

This chapter has been compiled with reference to the copies of papers which have been examined, and if there is any doubt concerning the names of editors, dates of papers or changes of ownership, it is so indicated in the text.

THE FIRST PAPERS.

The first chapter in the newspaper history of Franklin county covers the period from 1815 to 1830. From all indications there seems to be no ques- tion but that the various papers of this period were printed on the same press. It is not known when the first paper in Brookville was issued. But a notice in the commissioners' record of February 2, 1815, would seem to indicate that a paper was in existence here at that time. On that date the com- missioners ordered the payment of one dollar and twenty-five cents to "the printer for the insertion of the advertisement for the sale of the court house." Unfortunately, the record does not state to whom this was paid or tell whether the paper was published in Brookville or some neighboring town. The infer- ence is, however, that it was paid to a local printer, and it seems that this printer was a man by the name of Ogle.

The best information concerning this pioneer newspaper man of Frank- lin county is found in a letter of C. F. Clarkson to L. L. Burke, dated June 4, 1888. Apropos of this first paper, Clarkson has the following to say: "The first paper started in Brookville was commenced sometime in the year 1815 by a man by the name of Ogle. I have never seen a copy of his paper after a thorough search and inquiry for it during the twenty-one years which I published a paper in Brookville. Nor was I able to learn anything of the history of the publisher. The paper, as well as the publisher, was ephemeral, as eighteen years afterwards no citizen of Brookville could tell how long it was published or what became of the publisher. It was called the Plain Dealer." Clarkson is also authority for the statement that a paper by the same name was established in October, 1816, by Bethuel F. Morris and John Scott. The exact date of the first issue by the new proprietors is unknown, although the twenty-first number was dated March 25, 1817. Morris & Scott continued to publish this paper at more or less regular intervals until 1820, although sometime before February 12, 1820, they changed its name to the Brookville Enquirer and Indiana Telegraph, and later in the same year

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they disposed of it to D. W. and C. W. Hutchen. This date is more or less problematical and is given on the authority of Clarkson. The historian has seen one copy of the paper published by the Hutchen brothers, the same being known as the Brookville Inquirer and dated Saturday, October 23, 1824 (Vol. VI, No. 20, Whole No. 332). However, their paper seems to have been called the Franklin Republican at one time. Just when the Hutchen brothers obtained the paper or at what time they began calling it the Inquirer is not known. In this issue of October 23, 1824, the editors of the Inquirer say, editorially, that "Great exertions are being made to establish another print- ing office in this place and no doubt it has been suggested to the people as absolutely necessary. A word is sufficient-we can do all the business for this place and as much more." It has not been ascertained who the courageous printer was, but from the fact that Augustus Jocelyn established the Franklin Repository in October, 1825, there might be reason to suspect that he was the printer in question.

In the Inquirer of October 23, 1824, there is an announcement, dated October 7, 1824, which shows that on the latter date the partnership between Robert John and I. N. Hanna, known by the firm name of Robert John & Company, was dissolved. John & Company had charge of the Inquirer, it is thought, but whether they sold it to J. W. Scott or the Hutchen brothers, is not known. It is more than likely that Scott purchased a paper from them, but, according to the best information, Scott stole the money with which to make the purchase and shortly afterwards disappeared from Brookville. It is probable that Rev. Augustus Jocelyn, the Methodist minister, was the next man to take charge of the paper.

The first issue of Jocelyn's paper which has been seen is dated October 31, 1826 (Vol. I, No. 53). This would put the first issue in October, 1825. The last issue of the Repository on file in the recorder's office is dated Novem- ber 19, 1828, although it is certain that it was published a year or so after that time. On September II, 1827, Jocelyn started an advertisement in his paper in which he offered his newspaper for sale, saying that ill health was the reason for his desire to retire from the business.

Sometime in 1828 or 1829, Reverend Jocelyn gave his paper the agricul- tural title, The Brookville Western Agriculturist, and, no doubt, felt that the new name would bring it more support. But he reckoned in vain. Fifteen years had now elapsed since Ogle had started the first paper in Brookville, . and the presumption is that the seven different owners had published their respective papers under various names on the same press.

The next chapter in the history of Franklin county newspapers is fea-

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tured by an entire absence of any paper whatever. The failure of the Meth- odist preacher to make a success of a paper must have seemed conclusive proof to any prospective newspaper men that it was impossible to make a success of a paper in Franklin county. In January, 1820, Jocelyn sold the press and type of his defunct paper to Milton Gregg, who promptly hauled them out of town, not caring to rush in where a preached had failed. The press, which had been doing duty in Brookville for fifteen years, was taken to Lawrenceburg and in that flourishing town Gregg started the Western States- man. It may be noted in passing that this press was what was known as a Ramage pattern, and was probably brought direct from Philadelphia to Brook- ville in 1815.

From 1830 to 1833 there was no paper published in Franklin county, although, in November, 1832, C. F. Clarkson issued a prospectus in which he stated that he intended to start a paper at Brookville to be known as the Indiana American. However, C. W. Hutchen issued his prospectus for the Brookville Enquirer at about the same time and Clarkson, after investigating the field, decided that the county could not support two papers, since it was apparent that Hutchen was determined to establish the paper. Consequently the next paper in the county was established by the same Hutchen who had been connected with the Plain Dealer in 1820.

The first issue of the Brookville Enquirer was on January 4, 1833. By the following July, Hutchen, who was not managing the paper to the satis- faction of the owners, William Seal & Company, evidently so incurred the dis- pleasure of his employers that they were willing to sell out to Clarkson. Clarkson had been publishing the Western Statesman at Lawrenceburg, and had disposed of his paper to D. Symnes, Major, with the intention of either buying out Hutchen at Brookville or starting another paper in the town. In July, 1833, Clarkson finally succeeded in securing possession of the Brookville Enquirer, and No. 29, Vol. I, dated July 19, 1833, contains Clarkson's "Salu- tatory."

Upon securing possession of the Enquirer from Hutchen, in 1833, Clark- son immediately changed its name to the Indiana American and continued it under this title until 1853, at which time he disposed of it to Rev. Thomas A. Goodwin.

Editor Goodwin was not a newspaper man, although a very forceful writer. While the paper had previously been Whig in politics, Goodwin made an effort to put out an independent, non-political sheet. Goodwin had a sarcastic way of saying things and his paper stirred up no little amount of discussion. In addition to publishing the American, Goodwin issued a

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temperance sheet for a short time with the striking heading, The Temperance Spontoon. After the presidential election of 1856, Goodwin moved his news- paper plant to Indianapolis, the transfer taking place April 2, 1857. The Franklin Democrat, April 3, 1857, says "The Indiana American has moved to Indianapolis ; the press left yesterday." There seems to have been a paper established in Brookville to take the place of the American, but its name, as well as its editor, has been swallowed up in oblivion.

The Brookville American was revived in 1858 by Foster & Hunter, but the firm was dissolved within a few weeks, Hunter disposing of his interest in the paper to his partner. Foster seemed to have difficulty in keeping the paper going and, after a fevered and fitful existence, it suspended publication in February, 1861. Foster met with many discouragements during his brief career with the paper and several issues of his paper were issued in the Demo- crat office because of his illness and inability to take charge of his press.

The Democrat was the only paper in the county until August, 1861, when Charles A. Bingham and U. V. Kyger purchased the plant of the American from Foster and established The National Defender. This paper, as the name indicates, was a stanch supporter of the administration of President Lincoln and bitterly assailed the opposition to the progress of the Civil War as voiced in the columns of the Democrat. Kyger disposed of his interest in the paper, in 1864, to Richard Swift, of Blooming Grove, and at the same time the name of the paper was changed to the Brookville American. Within a year Bingham became the sole owner of the paper and continued as such until he issued the last number of the Indiana American, November 3, 1871. From that time until January 4, 1872, the press of the paper stood idle. On the latter date, Milton L. Wilson, who had purchased the plant of Bigham, issued the first number of the Brookville American, and called it Vol. I, No. I. Wilson had been formerly connected with a paper at Newark, Ohio, and came to Brookville with a reputation as a practical newspaper man. However, for reasons which have not been discovered, he did not succeed, and on October II, 1872, he issued his last number of the paper. In this number he announced that he had sold it to Capt. William A. Beasley and the new owner took immediate possession, his name appearing as owner and editor in the issue of October 18, 1872. It is to be noted that he made a slight change in the name of the paper, and during his connection with it he called it the Brookville Weekly American. In the issue of November 15, 1872, the owners appear as W. A. Beasley & Company, and they continued as managers and editors until the last issue, February 21, 1873.

M. C. Price became the next owner and editor of the paper and made

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his bow on February 28, 1873. On October 30, 1873, Price returned to the old name of The Brookville American. Price was not a printer, and ad- mitted this fact in his first issue, so it is not to be wondered that he retained the paper only a short time. His career ended with the issue of November 27, 1873, at which time he announced that C. W. Stivers, a practical news- - paper man of Liberty, Indiana, had taken over the management of the paper.

Stivers brought with him from Liberty A. M. Dawson, an experienced printer as well as a local writer. Dawson was entrusted with the mechanical execution and business management of the paper, and also served as local editor. The second issue of the paper under the new management (Decem- ber II, 1873) states that Stivers is editor and proprietor, while Dawson is local editor and publisher. Just how the two men divided the mechanical and editorial management of the paper, the historian leaves an experienced newspaper man to figure out.

Stivers issued his last number June 24, 1874, and in the issue of that date said : "I have sold the American newspaper and job printing office to A. M. Dawson, to whom belonged the credit for making the paper what it has been for the past six months. Our successor, Mr. Dawson, we recommend as a gentleman in every way worthy of confidence and respect. He is a prac- tical printer, a pointed and peerless writer, and will make the American all that the Republicans of Franklin county could desire." Dawson continued in charge of the paper a few months, when he disposed of it to J. Stivers and brother. These gentlemen terminated their connection with the American with the issue of September 6, 1877.

William H. Green followed the Stivers Brothers as owner and editor of the American, and issued his first paper September 13, 1877. Green appears to have been a successful newspaper man and for eleven years safely piloted the paper in a strongly Democratic county. With his last issue, of April 5, 1888, Green announced that, on account of his ill health, he had sold his paper.

The new owner, Louis L. Burke, was a practical printer from Wash- ington, D. C., and introduced himself to the reading public of Franklin county with his issue of April 12, 1888. Burke changed the size of his paper on August 17, 1893, to a six-column quarto, and this size has been maintained ever since. Burke was connected with the paper as editor and owner until December 29, 1904, when he disposed of it to E. C. Hancock. Burke later located in Worthington and lived there until his death. Hancock issued his first number on January 5, 1905, and his last number on April 15, 1909. He was compelled to retire from the paper on account of failing eyesight. He

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rested for about two years and was then connected for about a year and a half with a paper at Ashtabula, Ohio. His eyes again soon compelled him to give up his work. Later he was business manager of the Muncie Chronicle. Since the first of 1915 he has been editor and business manager of the Ashta- bula (Ohio) Beacon.

I. M. Bridgeman, the present owner and editor, who bought the paper from Hancock, issued his first number April 22, 1909. Before assuming the management of the paper, Mr. Bridgman had been engaged in banking and educational work. Fifteen years of his life had been spent as a teacher in the public schools of Indiana and Illinois.

THE PEOPLE'S FRIEND.

The People's Friend was a Democratic paper started by Hutchen & Berry in 1836, and was very probably established for the purpose of advo- cating the election of Van Buren. The history of this paper is difficult to trace, since there are no definite records concerning its existence. It is known from a fugitive copy, dated January 6, 1837, that William West and James Wright were the publishers and William D. Pattee, the printer. In accord- ance with the custom of that day, it carried a striking motto at its head and the optimistic words, "Era of Good Feeling-Dawn of a Better Day," were intended to cheer its readers. In the issue mentioned, it is stated that "this is the last number which will be printed of this size." In further explanation of the proposed enlargement of the paper, the editors say, "We had stopped for that purpose before, but bad roads prevented our getting the necessary material. We cannot say when the next paper will be issued, but it will be as soon as possible, and. after that, regularly."

According to the best information obtainable, it appears that when The People's Friend appeared after its proposed increase in size, it was called the Franklin Democrat.

The Franklin Democrat was established December 7, 1838, by James Seal, Jr., and Charles T. Cake. This partnership continued until sometime in May, 1839, when Seal bought out the interest of his partner in the paper and became the sole proprietor. Seal continued to publish the paper until December II, 1840, when he sold it to Charles Riley and John S. Glisson. The new firm continued its publication until June, 1842, at which time Glisson disposed of his interest in the paper to John S. Williams. On November 3, 1843, Henry Berry, Jr., and Benjamin H. West purchased the paper of Riley & Williams, the new owners continung ts publication until May 26, 1848.

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At this date Nelson Abbott purchased West's interest, and in March, 1849, Abbott secured the interest of Berry. The latter continued as sole owner and editor of the paper until February 22, 1852, at which time the newspaper plant was almost totally destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of three hundred and fifty dollars. It was on this same day that the court house, as well as many buildings on the west side of Main street, was burned. In the Brookville American of February 27, 1852, is noted the following interesting letter :

"American Office, "Brookville, Ind., Feb. 25, 1852.

"Dear Mr. Berry: In the absence of Mr. Abbott, I tender to you the free use of my office, materials and press, and such other aid as you may need in publishing the Franklin Democrat until Mr. Abbott's return. And to him also until he shall be able to procure other materials for its publication. "Yours respectfully, "C. F. CLARKSON,

"Editor of Brookville American."

At the time of the fire, Abbott was in Indianapolis and Henry Berry had charge of the Democrat during his absence .. The kind invitation of the editor of the American was replied to in the following manner :

"Brookville, Ind., Feb. 25, 1852. "Dear Sir :

"Your kind note of this instant is received in which you proffer the free use of your office, materials, press and such other aid as may be needed in publishing the Franklin Democrat, until Mr. Abbott shall be able to procure other materials for its publication. The offer is worthy of a generous heart and may, for ought I know, be accepted on the return of Mr. Abbott. It is impossible to publish a paper this week, the work done being all knocked into pi, and the outside of the Democrat printed and lost in the fire.

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History of Franklin County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 46

Author: Reifel, August J Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1648

Author: Reifel, August J
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Indianapolis, Ind. : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1648