History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc., Part 73

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: [Madison, Wis.] : Brant & Fuller
Number of Pages: 714

USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc. > Part 73

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CHAPTER XV.

THE NEWSPAPERS OF EVANSVILLE -- THE GAZETTE -THE JOURNAL - THE COURIER -THE PUBLIC - THE DEMOCRAT - THE TRIBUNE - OTHER EVENING PAPERS - THE BULLETIN - THE POST - THE CALL - THE ADVANCE - OTHER PAPERS.

HE newspaper, that agent in the dif- [buck-horns hung on a post in front of the fusion of knowledge and the de- velopment of material wealth whose power is universally recognized, early made its appearance in the town of Evansville. In 1821, the Evansville Gazette was estab- lished, its proprietors being Gen. Elisha Harrison and William Monroe. Gen. Har- rison was self-taught, honorable, and of great ability and energy. He occupied many important places of trust, and was highly esteemed for his excellent and manly qualities. During his day his individuality was stamped upon nearly every branch of his country's history. Mr. Monroe was a practical printer, and attained no especial distinction. Because of the hard times, affecting every interest about 1824, the Gazette suspended publication.

Ten years passed, during which no paper was published nearer than Vincennes. At the end of this time William Town, who came from the east, settled in Evansville and announced his intention of starting a newspaper. This announcement was grati- fying to all classes of citizens, and much en- couragement was extended. Mr. Town combined teaching with journalism, and taught a grammar school in the Presbyte- rian church, of evenings, while preparing his printing office in the old Mansel house, on Main street. About the middle of March, 1834, he sent out his first issue. The lead- ing item was an account of the Buck Horn tavern, so called from the sign, a pair of

cabin. He called his paper the Evansville Journal, under which name it has been published continuously to the present time. The fournal at the outset advocated whig principles, and was a very influential organ. It chiefly displayed its zeal and industry, however, in encouraging the development of the country. Its progressive spirit led it to favor every enterprise whose ultimate object was the advancement of the public welfare. Mr. Town's death occurred within a few years after his arrival here, and in the spring of 1839 his paper passed into the possession of W. H. and J. J. Chandler, both men of large attainments and influence. The paper on going into their hands was known as the Evansville Journal and Van- derburgh Advertiser, but the latter part of the name was soon dropped. Under the efficient management of its new editors and proprietors a decided improvement was made in the mechanical execution of the paper, as well as in the character of the matter that filled its columns. After sev- enteen months, John J. Chandler, on account of the pressure of his legal business, retired from the firm, leaving William H. Chandler sole proprietor. In 1846 the latter started the Tri-weekly Journal, and two years later, the daily. Capt. Chandler, in the publication of this pioneer daily, did the duty of the entire editorial and news department, and in addition, took upon himself not a little of the mechanical work, with his office hours

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from 4 o'clock in the morning till midnight. He was a man of heroic mold, and had led an eventful life. He was born in New York city, March 26, 1814, son of a Vermonter, who had commanded a ship in the ocean traffic, and later was a merchant in the city. In ISIS they came west and settled at Evansville, where the father died from the " milk sickness " in the following autumn. In 1822, his mother married Maj. James Cutler, and the family moved to New Orleans by flat boat, going from there, in 1823, to New York, where William had the advantage of the first free school of the city. In 1824 they again came west to Nashville, Tenn., where William introduced himself to the printing business by entering the office of the Nashville Republican as an apprentice, where he remained five years, becoming foreman of the book department and saving $2,000. At twenty years of age he joined the militia and became a captain soon afterward. In 1836, news came that Santa Anna was inarching into Texas, and $2,000 being tendered for the expenses of the company if they would join the Texas forces, Mr. Chandler also offered $2,000, and he soon was on his way with a command of fifty-four men. They endeavored to join Gen. Houston, but although accomplishing a wonderful amount of marching they were unable to do this until after the close of hostilities. Returning home, Capt. Chan- dler established a whig paper at Lexington, Ky., the Gazette, which did not survive the state campaign. His next venture was at Evansville, where he became a permanent resident. In 1847 he married Miss Rebecca Hugg. In 1848 he was appointed post- master by President Taylor, and sold the Journal to Gen. Add H. Sanders. His ten- ure of the postoffice ended with the admin- istration of President Pierce, and for four years afterward he was disabled by rheum-

atism. After that he started a book and job office, and published the first city direc- tory. He retired from active life in 1862.

Gen. Add. H. Sanders retained possession of the fournal for six years. He was an accomplished journalist, and made the paper very popular. His editorials were clean- cut and incisive. Naturally witty and abounding in humor, he gave to his local paragraphs a flavor which made them gen- erally attractive. Seeing the importance of a well-edited city department in a daily paper, he gave much of his personal atten- tion to that portion of his journal. His gen- eral activity and vigor of thought imbued the paper with a spirit which caused its cir- culation to extend throughout the whole of southwestern Indiana. Gen. Sanders was an influential and consistent advocate of whig principles, until the disastrous cam- paign of 1852. Afterward he continued to oppose vigorously the democratic organiza- tion, and, in 1854, went with the know-noth- ing party. Two years later he supported Millard Fillmore for president, as the repre- sentative of the American party. In Sep- tember of that year, while the political con- test was at its height, the Journal passed into the hands of F. Y. Carlile, a profound thinker and scholar of large liter- ary and scientific attainments. His pen was ready, graceful and sarcastic, and the paper in certain departments was much improved by its work. In the discussion of scientific, financial and economic questions, he ex- hibited rare ability and sound judgment, but his political editorials were not worthy of high commendation. Mr. Carlile found the management of the office irksome, and de- siring to be associated with practical printers, admitted F. M. Thayer and John H. McNeely to a partnership. The new partners, in April, 1858, assumed control of its financial and mechanical departments.

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At that time the fournal office was lo- cated in the second and third stories of the old Lewis building, at the corner of Main and Water streets. The paper and all the job work was printed on two hand presses. The assortment of type was what could be called fair for a country office. The weekly bills for labor, including compositors, press- men and foreman, amounted to about $60. The new proprietors at once went to work to put the office in accord with the progres- sive spirit of the time and the growing im- portance of the city. A steam engine, power press, job press and a good assortment of job type were added to the outfit. Other improvements were in contemplation, but before being made, the office was de- stroyed by fire. Immediately steps to re- pair the loss were taken, and publication was suspended for one day. In a short time the paper appeared in an entirely new dress, and was pronounced by competent critics to be one of the handsomest in the state. In the fall of 1858, the proprietors purchased the lot on which the fournal building at present stands. It was at that time occu- pied by a two-story frame building, fifty feet deep, with a basement which was fitted out for a press room. This building was re- garded at the time as ample for many years to come. In the spring of 1865, one section of the present commodious building was erected. It was a three-story brick, fifty feet deep. In November, 1867, the build- ing now in use was completed and ready for occupancy. The establishment, at the present time, is one of the largest and best arranged offices in this part of the state, comprising all the departments of news- paper work, of job and book printing and binding, each complete in itself. In addition to his duties as business manager, Mr. Thayer generally assumed much of the labor of the editorial department. In the | Col.

fall of 1859, Mr. Carlile sold his interests to James H. McNeely, who became asso- ciated with Mr. Thayer in the editorial work. Mr. Carlile had supported the candi- dates of the American party through 1856, and in 1858, had advocated the election of Gen. Hovey on the anti-Ne- braska issue. He had given the republican party no aid or encouragement, preferring, as he said, as the least of two evils, the demo- cratic party. With the retirement of Mr. Carlile, the new proprietors, who were, in- dividually, republicans, in 1856, determined upon joining the fortunes of their paper with the new political organization. When Abraham Lincoln was nominated at Chicago, the Journal advocated his election. Throughout the memorable campaign of 1860, it boldly, with great zeal, courage and ability, championed the cause of the republi- can candidate. It was the chief instrument in securing a signal triumph, for the vote of Vanderburgh county was given to the party whose principles it had been advocating. Shortly after Mr. Lincoln's inauguration, James H. McNeely was appointed post- master, and thenceforth devoted all his atten- tion to that office, leaving the editorial management of the fournal in the hands of Mr. Thayer, where it mainly rested for more than twenty years. During the civil war period the fournal was unflagging in its loyalty to the Union. Despite threatened destruction and efforts to intimidate its pro- prietors it was true to the nation, and re- ceived the hearty endorsement of the people among whom it circulated. In 1864 it supported Mr. Lincoln for re-election, and was one of the first papers in the country to suggest the name of Andrew Johnson for vice-president. Yet, when the latter aban- doned his party, the fournal was among the first to denounce him. In July, 1866, John W. Foster bought the

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interest of James H. McNeely, and became connected with the paper as one of its edi- tors and proprietors. In January, 1867, Edward Tabor, who had for some time been connected with the office as book-keeper, 'was admitted as a partner and took the position of business manager. In 1868 Col. Foster was appointed postmaster by Gen. Grant, and in November, 1872, disposed of his interest in the office to Claude G. DeBruler, an enterprising and able editor, who for many years was associated with Mr. Thayer in the editorial control. Later, Mr. Thayer's connection with the paper was terminated; he removed to the west, and but a short time since died. Subsequent to the departure of Mr. Thayer, the death of Mr. Tabor occurred, and the paper was thus left in the possession of John H. McNeely and Claude G. DeBruler. The interest of the latter was purchased by James H. McNeely, who again assumed control of the editorial rooms. Since passing into the possession of the McNeely brothers the partnership has been converted into a stock company, a controlling interest in the shares of which is owned by the Messrs. McNeely. The staff of the fournal is now as follows: James H. McNeely, editor in chief; John H. McNeely, river editor; Netter Worthington, city editor; W. W. Ross, foreman of the news room, and Edward McNeely, business manager.

every proper effort to build up Evans- ville, endeavoring to gain for it the recogni- tion which its importance as a city deserves.

JAMES HENDERSON MCNEELY, whose life has been so intimately connected with that of the fournal, to which his talents and energy have been so zealously devoted, is a. native of this state, born at Lawrenceburgh, July 2, 1828. His father and mother, Elisha and Catherine D. McNeely, re- moved from western Pennsylvania in the early period of the settlement of Indiana. Their immediate ancestors bore an active part in the Indian troubles of their time. Two of the family names, Hamilton and Laughery, were famous in the early history of Pennsylvania and the west. Laughery creek, in southeastern Indiana, was named in honor of Col. Archibald Laughery, who, with a detachment of troops, was massacred by the Indians, near that stream, while on his way to reinforce Gen. George Rogers Clarke, in the year 1781. The primary education of Mr. McNeely was in the common schools, his college training in the university of the printing office. In 1846 he began to learn the typographical art in the office of the Western Republican at Lawrenceburgh, and next year went to Cincinnati, where he found employment in the offices of the Gazette, Commercial and other papers, until 1849, when, on account of the prevalence of cholera, he returned to his native town. During the summer and fall of that year, he, with two other printers, published the fournal, the first daily in that place. He then went to Indianapolis, and spent a year in telegraphing, being en- gaged in the O'Reilly office, a pioneer es- tablishment, and other pursuits, after which he entered the office of the Indianapolis Fournal, where he acted as local editor, proof-reader and " general utility man," until

This pioneer paper has maintained a high standing among the respectable journals of the state, and by contempories throughout this part of Indiana is quoted as authority on all political questions. Its loyalty to the republican party is unquestioned, and its clear, forcible and candid discussion of pub- lic questions has contributed largely to republican successes throughout the district and the state. At the same time it is not unmindful of local interests and champions ! 1854. During his last year in that office he

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was one of five interested with the pro- prietor, John D. Defrees, in the profits of the establishment. In April of the year named, he and William S. Cameron started the Capital Book and Job printing office, the first of the kind in that city, a business . which occupied him for five years, during which period he was also one of the pub- lishers and editors of the Indiana Republican, daily and weekly, and principal editor of the Citizen, an evening daily. In November, 1859, he came to Evansville, of which he has now been a valued citizen for nearly thirty years. After becoming an owner of the fournal, he was appointed postmaster in May, 1861, was reappointed in 1865, and held the office until May, 1867. After selling his interest in the fournal to Col. Foster, he was occupied as a real estate agent, was assignee in a number of bankruptcy cases, and in May, 1869, was appointed assessor of internal revenue for the First Indiana district, which office he held from the following July until May, 1873, when the office ceased by act of congress, serving the government and the public efficiently and honestly. Subse- quently he was appointed and acted as su- perintendent of construction of the United States building at Evansville. He was mar- ried on Christmas eve, 1853, to Miss Mar- garet Park, of Avon, Lorain county, Ohio, and they have had four children. The only son died in 1856, and one of the daughters was lost in the year following. He is a vet- eran Odd Fellow, having been a member since January, 1851, and having passed all the chairs in the lodge and encampment, and served in the grand bodies of both.

The Evansville Courier .- The Courier, after encountering many vicissitudes in its early career, long since obtained an endur- ing support, and is now upon a secure basis. Before attempting to record the facts which make up its history, some mention of previ-

ous but unsuccessful efforts to maintain a democratic newspaper in Evansville may be properly made in this connection.

The South-Western Sentinel, edited and published by Jacob Page Chapman, was the first democratic newspaper in this city. Started in 1839, its publication was contin- ued through the campaign of 1840, and went out of existence with the defeat of Martin Van Buren. Mr. Chapman, a man of ability, was afterward one of the pro- prietors, and for many years managing editor of the Indianapolis Sentinel. In the winter of 1847-8, H. C. Huntington began the publication of the Vanderburgh Demo- erat. Being vigorous and influential, it ob- tained a widespread weekly circulation, but in 1850, because of divisions between local political leaders, it lost its prestige, and in the next year ceased to exist. Before its publication stopped, Ben Stinson, Esq., established the Evansville Advertiser, the first democratic, daily in the city, with Col. C. W. Hutchen, a vigorous political writer, as editor. The paper was soon sold to Col. C. K. Drew and Calvin Frary, who changed its name to the Republican, and later trans- ferred it to Messrs Clark & McDonald, who continued the publication about one year. They disposed of their interests to William B. Baker, under whose auspices the paper died in 1851, again leaving the democracy of Evansville without a local organ. In the presidential campaign of the next year Charles P. Baymiller and J. W. Brewer commenced the publication of a tri-weekly sheet called the Times, which was managed with some spirit until the election was over, when it ceased publication for want of sup- port.

In 1853 Capt. John B. Hall purchased the office of the Independent Pocket, a neutral paper, and began the publication of the Evansville Daily Enquirer. Col. Charles

Charles 2. Wedding.

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Denby was the first political editor of the paper, and conducted it during the stormy times of Knownothingism. Under his man- agement the fame of the paper was widely extended. As a writer, Col. Denby was forcible and scholarly, and his productions commanded the respect of his most violent political adversaries. After six years Col. A. T. Whittlesey purchased the Enquirer, conducted it about one year, and then sold it to Capt. Nathan Willard and S. S. White- head. When, at the commencement of the war of the rebellion, in 1861, Capt Willard joined the federal army, the newspaper sus- pended publication, and was never revived. During the summer of 1862, John H. Scott published a small weekly paper called the Gazette, but it soon abandoned the political field, and, for a time, was conducted as an independent newspaper, and afterward as an advertising sheet.

The political campaign of 1862 resulted in complete success for Vanderburgh county democracy, and before another general elec- tion came on, the leaders of the party were encouraged to begin the publication of a daily paper devoted to the principles upon which the recent victory had been obtained. To this end a subscription of about $4,000 was raised; the office of the Volksblatt, a German republican paper, was purchased, and Robert S. Sproule was engaged as editor. The paper was called the Evansville Times, and began its existence under favorable auspices. Mr. Sproule pos- sessed an extensive acquaintance with the leading men of Indiana, a perfect knowl- edge of the political history of the state, and a thorough conversance with the feel- ings of the democracy throughout the Union. He was assisted by Ben Stinson, an ex- perienced and excellent business manager, and J. B. Maynard, an erudite and finished newspaper contributor, but their united 'and a marked improvement was the imme- 33

efforts could not make the new venture a success. Its demise occurred soon after the election of 1864, leaving the democracy with a printing office but no newspaper. In the following winter George W. Shanklin took hold of the office, and for a few weeks conducted a sprightly little sheet called the Evansville Dispatch, which was not a suc- cess financially. It made its last appearance dressed in mourning for the martyred Lin- coln.

The Evansville Daily and Weekly Courier came into existence January 7, 1865. The printing office was held by five trustees for the benefit of the subscribers to the fund with which it was originally purchased. The . trustees were Hon. John A. Reitz, Judge William F. Parrett, Hon. Thomas E. Gar- vin, Hon. Charles Denby and Richard Raleigh, Esq. They were empowered to make any disposition of the presses and material that would secure the establish- ment of a democratic newspaper in Evans- ville. Alfred S. Kierolf, William M. Holeman, J. B. Cavins and H. H. Homes, four practical printers, were permitted to begin the publication of a newspaper, and so faithfully did they prosecute the enter- prise that in a short time they became the owners of the old Times establishment. Mr. Homes retired from the Courier very early in its career, and Mr. Cavins soon transferred his interest to S. R. Matthews, who continued but a little time as a partner. Messrs. Kierolf and Holeman formed a partnership with Albert C. Isaacs, who also soon withdrew, being speedily followed by Mr. Kierolf, who up to this time had acted as editor, leaving Mr. Holeman sole proprietor. Robert S. Sproule was then engaged to manage the editorial department. With characteristic zeal and brilliancy he entered upon the discharge of his duties,

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diate result. Bright expectations were indulged in, but the establishment had contracted pecuniary obligations which pre- vented its further publication without an- other change, and a sale of the concern was. made to George W. Shanklin. A strong effort was made to induce the retention of Mr. Sproule as political editor, but the new proprietor had already made arrangements with W. T. Pickett, of Maysville, Ky., to do the editorial work. Mr. Pickett was not an unworthy successor to his talented pre- decessor. He was a fluent writer, and pos- sessed a vast fund of information, upon which he drew with ease and skill. During his control, Mr. John Gilbert Shanklin re- turned from Europe, where he had spent three years as a student, and became con- nected with the management of the paper.

In March, 1869, C. & F. Lauenstein, owners of the Evansville Demokrat, pur- chased the Courier, and under their man- agement it rapidly became valuable property. They bought the paper for $6,000, and after an ownership of less than five years sold it for $18,000. When they took pos- session Col. A. T. Whittlesey was engaged as editor and continued in charge until late in 1872. His editorials evidenced ability, good judgment, and the positive character of his mind, and were extensively quoted. A disagreement with the proprietors on a question of policy severed his connection with the paper. In 1873 the Courier was sold to S. D. Terry & Co., who, in March, 1874, transferred it to Messrs. J. G. & G. W. Shanklin. In December, 1876, the property passed into the possession of its present owner, Mr. J. S. Reilly, an experienced and able business manager, and has since been published under the name of the Courier company. The Messrs. Shanklin have remained in charge of the editorial department since 1874.

Hon. J. G. Shanklin was elected in 1878 as secretary of state, receiving the largest majority ever given up to that time to any candidate for that important office, and dur- ing the two years of his official life resided at the state capital. A few years later Mr. G. W. Shanklin resided in the east for one year, being the Washington correspondent of the Cincinnati News, and managing editor of that paper during one of the Ohio state campaigns. Notwithstanding these temporary absences the editorial columns of the Courier have remained under their supervision during the past fourteen years. Their able, dignified, and forcible treatment of all political questions, has made the Courier one of the leading democratic papers in the west. Being a sound expon- ent and true champion of democratic prin- ciples, it is extensively quoted as authority by contemporary journals. Its influence is deservedly great, every department being conducted with candor, dignified manliness, and good judgment. For the past six years the paper has been widely noted as a steadfast adherent to ' President Cleve- land. On the morning following his election as governor of New York it named him as its choice for the democratic presidential nomination of 1884. After his inauguration as president, it was the first paper of note to endorse his administration; and even while such papers as the Indianapolis Sentinel and others of equal prominence were opposing his policy, it ably defended and supported him. It was the first of the leading papers of the country to name him for a second term, and throughout the campaign of 1888 gave him a most cordial support, its editors discussing with great ability and clearness the abstruse questions of the times. The paper is earnestly devoted to the interests of Evansville, and while it fearlessly wages war upon every scheme to unjustly enrich

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History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc., Part 73

Author: Publication date: 1889 Publisher: [Madison, Wis.] : Brant & Fuller Number of Pages: 714

Author:
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: [Madison, Wis.] : Brant & Fuller
Number of Pages: 714