USA > Indiana > Henry County > History of Henry County, Indiana > Part 34
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LEANDER P. MITCHELL was born in Fall Creek Township, Henry County, Feb. 5, 1849, and is the youngest son of Charles and Mary Mitchell who, originally from Clark County, Ohio, settled in Henry County about 1825. Charles Mitchell conducted the tanning business for some years in New Castle, his tan-yard being among the first industries of the town. He removed to Madison County, Ind., where he served as Associate Judge from 1832 to 1838. Returning to Henry County he settled in Fall Creek Township, where he died in 1863, and his wife in 1878. Leander P. Mitchell was reared on a farm and attended the common schools. When about fourteen years of age he entered the army as a musician and served about five months. He afterward attended school and taught at Mechanicsburg, then went to Spice- land Academy for two years. He then entered the law department of the State University at Bloomington, where he graduated in 1872. He is also a graduate of the literary department of the Northwestern Christian University. In the fall of 1872 he opened a law office in New Castle where he has since practiced his profession with success. In 1874 he married Miss Bettie Wood- ward who died in 1875. In 1879 he married Miss Gertrude Lennard, only daughter of Colonel George W. Lennard. They have one son-Lennard Harris.
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MILTON BROWN, the present Clerk of the Circuit Court, was born in Henry County, May 12, 1854. His father, Milton Brown, Sr., was a native of Harrison County, Ky., and came to Indiana when young, settling in Wayne County, whence he removed to Henry County in 1829. In 1872 Milton Brown, Sr., was elected Recorder of Henry County, and was still in office at the time of his death, May 12, 1876. His widow, née Sarah Moore, died in 1884. Milton Brown, Jr., was reared upon a farm and at the age of seven- teen entered the office of the Knightstown Banner to learn the printer's trade. Here he continued until the family removed to New Castle, where he began reading law in the office of Judge Elliott and son, and in 1876 was admitted to the bar. His father dying soon after, Milton was appointed by Governor Hendricks to fill out the unexpired term as Recorder. On completing this term, he became Deputy Clerk of the Circuit Court, which position he held until 1880. He was then elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, in which capacity he still serves. Mr. Brown was married in 1878 to Emma, daughter of W. W. Cotteral, then County Auditor, and has had two children, one of whom is living. He is a Republican, a member of the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Knights of Honor and Red Men.
ROLLIN WARNER, son of Eli and Emily (Burch) Warner, was born in Henry County, April 18, 1856. His parents were natives of New York State, and his father, after coming to Indiana, was in the mercantile business at Blountsville until his death in 1871. Rollin was educated in the common schools and at the National Normal School. at Lebanon, Ohio, and for a time taught school, devoting himself to the study of law in his spare time. In 1877 he went to Winchester and for a year studied under Judge Monks. Having been admitted to the bar he began practice in New Castle in 1878. Mr. Warner was married in 1879 to Mary V., daughter of Gordon and Susan E. Cecil, of Delaware County. They have two children-Etta G. and Everett.
JOHN R. WOODWARD was born in New Castle, March 27, 1854 .. His mother died when he was three years of age and his father when he was ten. He therefore went to live with a family in Delaware County, afterward attending the common schools and a college in Lexington, Ky. He then entered the Northwestern Christian University at Indianapolis (now Butler University ), where he was graduated in 1876, being the first student to receive a degree from that institution. He read law in Indianapolis
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and was admitted to the bar of Henry County in June, 1878, and opened an office in New Castle. He died June 23, 1879. He was a young man of talent and his early death cut short a promising career.
JOHN M. MORRIS is one of the rising young lawyers of Henry County. He was born in this county, April 22, 1857. His grand- father, Lewis Morris, a native of Virginia, was one of the early pioneers and settled near Knightstown. John Morris, the father of John M., settled in this county in 1832 and still resides here. The subject of this notice remained at home on the farm until he was seventeen, then engaged in the mercantile business for two years as a clerk. He next studied law in the office of Hon. M. E. Forkner and was admitted to the bar in 1878. Opening an office in May of the same year, he has since devoted himself closely to the business of his profession. Mr. Morris was married in 1879 to Miss Cora Heritage, only daughter of D. L. Heritage, of Knightstown. They have one child-Bessie Joy.
JOHN SAMUEL HEDGES, the youngest of three children of Samuel and Mary L. (Blair) Hedges, was born in Deersville, Harrison Co., Ohio, April 25, 1848. Left an orphan by the death of his father when John was but two years of age, the subject of this sketch was thrown upon his own resources at an early age. His mother moved to Henry County in 1855, and the following year married again. At the age of fifteen, without a dollar in money, John began to make his own way in the world. He went to live with Judge Elliott and began attending the high school, paying his tuition by taking care of the school-house. He began teaching school in the following year, when but sixteen years of age. Continuing this occupation in winter and attending school in sum- mer until 1870, he then began the study of law in the office of Mellett & Forkner. He served as Deputy Clerk of the county from the spring of 1871 until November, 1872, then again en- gaged in teaching. From 1874 to 1876 he served as Deputy County Clerk, and in the latter year was elected Clerk, in which capacity he served one term. Mr. Hedges was admitted to the bar in 1880, and since 1881 has been actively engaged in the prac- tice of his profession, as a member of the firm of Chambers & Hedges. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and Knights of Honor, and of the Society of Friends. In 1874 he married Emma Cook, of this county. Two children bless this union. Mr. Hedges is a rising attorney. He is also one of the principal stockholders in the New Castle Foundry and Pump Company.
CHAPTER VII.
THE PRESS OF HENRY COUNTY.
INTRODUCTION .- THE GROWTH OF MODERN JOURNALISM .- THE FIRST PAPER .- THE FEDERAL UNION PUBLISHED AT KNIGHTSTOWN IN 1832 .- THE FIRST PAPER AT NEW CASTLE, 1836 .- THE INDIANA SUN AND COURIER .- THE NEW CASTLE COURIER .- A RETROSPECT. -AN EDITOR'S TRIALS AND HARDSHIPS .- JOURNALS OF A LATER PERIOD .- NEWSPAPER VENTURES IN KNIGHTSTOWN, NEW CASTLE, LEWISVILLE AND SPICELAND. - NEW CASTLE MERCURY .- NEW CASTLE DEMOCRAT. - KNIGHTSTOWN BANNER .- OTHER PAPERS, EARLY AND LATE.
As an adjunct of modern civilization there is no more potent factor than the newspaper press. In nothing evincing the spirit of progress has there been greater advancement during the last half century than in American journalism. Fifty years ago the country had few newspapers that could be considered paying prop- erty; the metropolitan journals devoted about as much space to foreign as to domestic news, while country weeklies seemed to consider that which happened at home as of no importance what- ever, and imitated the larger journals in style and contents. The telegraph and railroads, assisted by that enterprising spirit which is inseparably connected with successful journalistic management, have wrought most gratifying results. The weekly newspaper whose circulation and support are confined to a single county no longer ambitiously apes the city daily. It has found its place as a chronicler of local news and recognizes the fact that its mission and that of the great journals of the day are totally distinct-sep- arated by well-defined lines. This change has caused the country papers to be liberally patronized and has given them a degree of influence which they never could have attained under the old method.
In Henry County, journalism has kept pace, in the march of improvement, with other professions and industries. A very con- spicuous change for the better is evident from the tone of courtesy
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with which one editor now speaks of another. We seldom find columns of reading matter filled with abuse of a contemporary; the words "perjurer," "slanderer" and "liar" are bandied about less frequently than they were wont to be in former years; it has even been discovered that an editor may be a gentleman and still differ in opinion from another editor; and finally, no editor now demeans himself by taunting another about his looks, his clothes or his poverty. New editors and new papers are sure of courteous treatment at the hands of older journalists and journals. It seems to be admitted that there is room for all, or at least that the prin- ciple of the survival of the fittest must prevail. We would not seek to cast a reflection upon former editors of this county, but re- mark in passing, that in some instances they were too much given to quickness of temper and too ready to engage in mud-flinging matches with one another. There have been many able writers employed upon the papers of Henry County, but without disparage- ment to any, it can safely be asserted that the county press, taken as a whole, was never better conducted than at present. The edit- ors are gentlemen who understand their business thoroughly and do their utmost to give their patrons good, clean and reliable home newspapers.
THE FIRST PAPER.
The first newspaper published in Henry County made its appear- ance in 1832. It was issued from Knightstown, then an incipient village, by Grant & Mitchell and bore the name of the Federal Union. Little is known of its size and character, and it is proba- ble that not a single copy of the paper has been preserved in the county. Mr. John W. Grubbs, a journalist who received his first lessons in the art of printing in the office of the Union, states that the paper expired in less than a year for want of patronage. Under the date, April 18, 1833, in the records of the Circuit Court, appears an order that a petition for a divorce be printed "in the Federal Union, a newspaper published in the county of Henry, Indiana." Only two days later, viz .: April 20, 1833, it is ordered that a petition to assign dower be printed in " the Western Times, a public newspaper printed in the county of Wayne (being the county nearest the county of Henry in which a paper is printed, and there being no paper printed in said county of Henry)." This record, therefore, is conclusive evidence that the Federal Union ceased to exist in April, 1833.
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THE SECOND PAPER.
In 1835, a list of letters remaining unclaimed in the Knights- town postoffice was advertised in the Richmond Palladium, a fact which goes to show that at that time there was no paper pub- lished in Knightstown. Some time between the dates of the ex- piration of the Federal Union and the establishment of the third Knightstown paper, Thomas J. Langdon edited and printed a sheet known as the Banner. This venture proved unsuccessful and the paper soon suspended.
NEW CASTLE BANNER.
The next paper in the county, and the first at the county seat, was established in 1836. Its name was the New Castle Banner. It was published by J. B. Swayze and edited by Rev. Alfred John- son Cotton. In the third issue, dated March 31, 1836, there is the following editorial paragraph:
" We have the pleasure to state that, notwithstanding we issued our first number of the Banner without a subscription list, we is- sue the third with a list rising 300. We confidently anticipate 500 ere long."
Probably the editor's hopes proved greater than his prospects. At all events, the Banner survived little more than half a year. Its publisher went to Hagerstown, Ind., and started a paper, and its editor to Dearborn County where he became a Judge. The Banner claimed to be independent in politics, but was edited and published by Democrats.
THE INDIANA SUN AND THE NEW CASTLE COURIER.
In 1837 the Indiana Sun was started at Knightstown, by T. D. Clarkson, who, in 1838, sold out to Hannum & Grubbs. Hannum was never an actual owner in the concern; and having abandoned
in 1840, John W. Grubbs became sole proprietor. In June, 1841, the name of the paper was changed to the Indiana Courier, and in December of the same year Mr. Grubbs moved the office to New Castle. We have seen number 27 of the first volume of the Courier (old series, volume 5, number 235), bearing the date Dec. 11, 1841. In this issue the following announcement is made:
"The printing establishment of the Indiana Courier, formerly located at Knightstown, has been removed to New Castle. This change in the place of publication has been made solely for the
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convenience of the people of Henry County, and we now appeal with confidence to a discriminating and an enlightened public for a living support."
The notice of the editor's marriage is given, supplemented by the following additional information-probably furnished by the " devil" of the establishment: "The editor has come up missing since Tuesday last." A fact worthy of note is that not one busi- ness man of New Castle had an advertisement in the paper of the above date. In 1843 H. C. Grubbs became associated with J. W. Grubbs in the publication of the paper, J. W. Grubbs continuing as editor.
Mr. Grubbs continued the publication until about the middle of the year 1846, when he disposed of it to C. V. Duggins. Mr. Duggins died in 1850, and for a short time James Comstock, his executor, managed the paper. But in March of the same year J. W. Grubbs, the former publisher, took charge of it.
In January, 1853, George W. Lennard purchased the office. A few months later he took Coleman Rogers into partnership, and the two published the paper until the end of the year.
Another change of owners took place in January, 1854, at which time Nation & Ellison purchased the Courier. This adminis- tration began with H.C. Grubbs as chief editor, and David Nation died local editor. Mr. Grubbs soon retired, and David Nation became the managing editor. In the latter part of 1854 Wrigley & Lyle became the proprietors, and in 1856 they sold out to Chas. E. Harwood and Thomas B. Redding.
E. B. Martindale was the next owner, but continued as such only a short time, selling out in the beginning of the year 1857, to I. S. Drake. Mr. Drake was editor and proprietor until some time in 1859, when Walton P. Goode became his partner. In about a year Goode became sole proprietor, and the Courier continued to be published by him until November, 1862. The paper was then bought by Elwood Pleas, who conducted it nearly six years and a half, selling out in March, 1869, to M. E. Pleas and H. H. Hoover. May 15, 1870, A. G. Wilcox, as the representative of The Telegram Printing Company of Richmond, bought the Courier. He conducted it until September, then sold an interest to Calvin R. Scott. The paper was very ably managed by Wilcox & Scott until 1872.
In July, 1872, Adolph Rogers purchased the paper, and soon after Elwood Pleas secured an interest. It was then consolidated
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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
with the Henry County Republican, a journal established in 1870. Rogers & Pleas continued to own and manage the Courier for two years and six months. Then a stock company purchased it for the sum of $10,000, and employed Adolph Rogers as editor. The following gentlemen composed the company : Adolph Rogers, Elwood Pleas, George Hazzard, J. W. Griffin, S. S. Bennett, John R. Millikan, Calvin R. Scott, and A. S. McDowell. Mr. Rogers continued as editor until January, 1877. Under him the editorial department was conducted with ability and a high literary char- acter given to the contents of the paper. With the first number of the year 1877, W. H. Elliott, the present editor and manager, took charge of the Courier. At that time the paper had a circula- tion of 950 copies, and its financial condition was anything but prosperous. Without previous experience in journalism, Mr. Elliott soon succeeded in bringing about a change for the better, and from that time until the present the Courier has steadily grown in prosperity and influence. It is now not only the leading newspaper of Henry County, but is among the best weeklies in Eastern Indiana. Its average actual circulation each week for the past three years has been as follows: In 1881, 2,208; in 1882, 2,388; in 1883, 2,571. The Courier Publishing Company still has a nominal existence, but the paper is controlled and virtually owned by Mr. Elliott. The Courier has taken advanced ground upon temperance and other questions of reform, and in its political utterances is outspoken and independent. During the campaign of 1880, from February until November, a daily edition was issued. It was styled the Daily Noon Courier, and was the first paper in Indiana to recommend and urge the nomination of the Hon. Albert G. Porter for Governor.
Among those who have served as associate editors of the Courier under its present management may be mentioned John Thornburgh, now of Minneapolis, from 1877 to 1881, and Fleming Ratcliff, from 1880 to July, 1882.
The Indiana Sun, the predecessor of the Courier, was a five- column paper, 21 x 32 inches in size. The form of the paper was but little changed until some time after the change of name. In 1851 the paper was enlarged to a sheet 24 x 36 inches, with seven columns to the page. It was again enlarged in 1858, but reduced in size in 1861. In 1863 Mr. Pleas enlarged the paper to its size in 1851, and about three years afterward made it an eight-column paper. Wilcox & Scott enlarged it to nine columns. The first
editor 21 yrs
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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
number in January, 1872, appeared in a new dress and in a new form-a quarto, 28 x 42 inches, six columns to the page. In Janu- ary, 1879, the present form was adopted-a six-column quarto, 30 x 44 inches. The Courier was formerly devoted to Whig prin- ciples. Since the Republican party came into being it has been constantly devoted to its interests.
A RETROSPECT.
Through the kindness of Martin L. Powell, the writer has been enabled to examine a copy of the Indiana Sun of the date Fri- day, March 22, 1839, being number 12 of the third volume of the paper. The motto of the Sun was, "Corruption wins not more than Honesty." Hannum & Grubbs were the publishers; terms $2 per year in advance, $2.50 within the year, and $3 after the expiration of a year. A brief review of the contents of this num- ber may prove interesting. First page-Message of President Van Buren on a question then exciting the public mind, namely, the fixing of a boundary between the United States and the British provinces on the Northeast, followed by an article headed "Will there be War?" copied from the Cincinnati Sun. These matters take up nearly three columns, and the remainder of the page is made up of miscellaneous selections. Second page-under the head of "News,"-Congressional proceedings, accounts of Indian barbarities, and of the progress of the Seminole War in Florida; "Latest from the Boundary;" a copy of correspondence of the Boston Times, dated Augusta, Me., March 4-interesting, as it shows how fast news traveled in those days; the "Proposed Ship Canal across the Isthmus of Panama," and other items fill out the page. Two of the five columns are devoted to the boundary ques- tion. Third page (editorial)-David Ransom, F. F. Needham, J. P. Aydlott and P. N. Willis are announced as candidates for the office of Constable at the coming election; two local items only: one announcing that Elder Samuel K. Hoshour will preach at the Presbyterian church in Knightstown, Thursday evening; the other, that "Mr. Freeman will meet his class for singing next Wednesday evening, at the usual place." Three of the columns are devoted to advertisements, mainly local. Fourth page-two columns of miscellany, and three of advertisements.
If the Sun had not advanced ideas regarding the importance of local news, it was sufficiently enterprising in politics. Aug. 28, 1841, it places at the head of the editorial columns the name of
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Henry Clay, of Kentucky, as Presidential candidate for 1844. The editor says: "No Whig can hereafter place any confidence in John Tyler." "We have hung out our banner. We hope to see the movement extensively followed by our brethren of the Whig press."
The editor's lot was not a happy one. Nov. 11, 1841 (after the Sun had become the Courier), Mr. Grubbs states editorially that during the week he has received a visit from the constable, and details the causes which have led up to this unhappy result : In the summer of 1838 he purchased from Tisdale Dean Clarkson one half of the printing establishment of the Indiana Sun, agreeing to pay for the same the sum of $260,-" which." says he, " I have found to my sorrow, was an enormous price." In the summer of 1840 he was obliged by force of circumstances to purchase the remaining half of the office. And in November, 1841, by virtue of an execution in favor of Clarkson for $90 due on notes, the constable levied upon the press, types, etc., of Mr. Grubbs. But as the paper appeared the next week as usual, we conclude that the editor found a way out of his difficulties.
In May, 1842, the editor of the Courier, in an article headed " Hard Times," addresses himself "to the people of Henry County, to the Whigs in particular, in plain language: unless a more liberal support is extended to us, the press must stop !" And if the support is not forthcoming "justice to ourself and those dependent upon us will require that we abandon a business that promises nothing but poverty."
THE DEMOCRATIC BANNER.
Feb. 20, 1852, a new paper made its appearance in New Castle,-the Democratic Banner, published by J. Fenwick Henry, with D. R. H. Nevin, editor. It was a six-column paper, size 21 x 30 inches. In about a year and a half Nelson Abbott suc- ceeded Henry & Nevin, as editor and proprietor. He enlarged the paper and changed its name, making it the New Castle Banner, and proceeded to do earnest work in behalf of the Democracy through its columns. The Banner ceased to exist in 1855.
THE KNIGHTSTOWN CITIZEN.
The above paper was established in 1859 by T. D. Clarkson, and was afterward edited by Will C. Moreau and then by A. M. Woodin. The Citizen expired in 1861. It was Republican in politics.
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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
MONTHLY PUBLICATIONS.
A literary magazine styled the Beech Tree was started by Isaac Kinley in 1858. It was published first at New Castle and after- ward at Knightstown. Only a few numbers were issued, the magazine perishing from lack of pecuniary support.
The Western Ruralist, an agricultural magazine, was published at Knightstown by John A. Deem, for a few months in 1865.
HENRY COUNTY TIMES.
The first number of the Henry County Times was dated Oct. 13, 1865. It was a seven-column sheet, edited by R. F. Brown, formerly of Connersville, Ind. The Times was published in New Castle about one month, then removed to Knightstown where it was continued about five months longer. At the end of that time Mr. Brown went West, and the Henry County Times was no more.
THE NEW CASTLE MERCURY.
A paper styled the Henry County Independent was first issued in New Castle, in April, 1867. The editors and proprietors were H. H. Hoover and H. L. Shopp. Twenty-four numbers of the Independent were issued by these publishers. The paper was then sold to a company of Democratic citizens and placed under the editorial charge of Leonard H. Miller. In January, 1868, its name was changed to Signs of the Times. Mr. Miller continued to edit the Times until April, 1868, when S. S. Darling, of Hamil- ton, Ohio, succeeded him. It seems to have been the fashion to change the name of this paper with the advent of each new editor, and on the 27th of May, 1868, the paper was christened the New Castle Examiner. L. L. Dale then assumed editorial charge. The following May, there being an opening for a Democratic newspaper in Cambridge City, the office was moved thither and the Examiner became the Democratic Times. The paper was published in Cambridge City only a few months, and the office was then re-established in New Castle. In December, 1870, L. E. Bundy and William Johnson bought the Times and it was con- ducted by them for two years. J. M. Hiatt and H. H. Hoover were the next proprietors, taking charge in December, 1872. They changed the name and politics of the paper, making it Republican and styling it the New Castle Times. About six months later Mr. Hoover sold his interest to Mitchell Kissell; and he, in the latter
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