USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Nashua > History of the city of Nashua, N.H. > Part 86
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April 24, 1704, John Campbell, a Scotchman, began and established "The Boston News Letter," at Boston, prior to which time there was not a newspaper published in the English colonies, throughout the extensive continent of North America.
In 1754 only four newspapers were printed in New England, and all those were sent out from Boston, all were published weekly, while the average number of copies from each press did not exceed six hundred.
In 1756 a press was moved from Boston to Portsmouth. The governing powers were fearful of the press, as in the royal instructions sent to Governor Allen of New Hampshire, March 7, 1692, may be found this injunction : "And forasmuch as great inconvenience may arise by the liberty of printing within our Province of New Hampshire, you are to provide by all necessary orders, that no person use any press for printing, upon any occasion whatever, without your special license first obtained."
In August, 1756, Daniel Fowle began the publication of the "New Hampshire Gazette," at Portsmouth-the first in the state.
January 21, 1765, "The Portsmouth Mercury and Weekly Advertiser" made its appearance, and was the second newspaper to be established in New Hampshire, and both from the same town.
In the beginning of 1775 there were fourteen newspapers in all New England, and but one in New Hampshire.
Near the close of the year 1775 a third newspaper, called "A New Hampshire Gazette," was issued at Exeter.
In 1800 one hundred and fifty newspapers were being printed in the United States, of which number some twenty were daily issues; while previous to the Revolution all the publications were weeklies.
In 1810 there were twelve newspapers being published in New Hampshire, viz: at Portsmouth, three, New Hampshire Gazette, Portsmouth Oracle, and Intelligencer; at Dover, the Sun; at Walpole, two, Farmers' Museum, and Farmers' Cabinet; at Hanover, Dartmouth Gazette; at Concord, two, Concord Gazette, and New Hampshire Patriot; at Keene, New Hampshire Sentinel ; at Haverhill, Coos Courier; at Exeter, the Constitutionalist.
Newspapers and periodicals multiplied rapidly at a later date; and the number which had a beginning, and most of them an end, in Hillsborough county alone, is about two hundred and thirty, and, incredible as it may seem, some two hundred were located at Manchester, as stated by the late E. D. Boylston of Amherst. Nashua, too, has contributed its full quota to the number of defunct ventures, as will be evinced by the relation of local efforts in that direction.
December 16, 1826, "The Constellation and Nashua Advertiser" was launched upon the troubled sea of newspaperdom, and although sailing under many masters, and with frequent change of figure- head, it is still staunch and buoyant. The Constellation was issued by Brown & Crosman, editors and proprietors, Nashua Village, Dunstable, N. H. One dollar and fifty cents per annum, payable in six months, or one dollar and twenty-five cents in advance. Its motto was: "Uninfluenced by Party, we aim to be Just."
In the second issue, December 23, under the head line " the Latest from Europe," appears a let- ter from London, dated Nov. 2, 1826. Surely the "ocean greyhound " was not then in commission.
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This number contained no editorial, except a "stickful" calling attention to a long communication favoring protection to manufacturers against foreign competition, and heartily commending the same, as heartily as it could be done in an article of one and three-quarter inches.
Number three announced the retirement of Mr. Crosman, ill-health being assigned as the cause. A few years since Mr. Crosman died in Boston, Mass. A short time before his death he wrote a letter, which was published in the Gazette, in which he disavowed ill health as the cause of his with- drawal, but rather the habits of his partner, of which he was ignorant when their business arrange- ments were made, as will be seen by the following letter, published in the Gazette June 29, 1889:
"MR. KELSEY, DEAR SIR :- Referring to the letter which you showed me this noon, from Mr. Whittemore, in relation to the proposed sale of the Nashua Gazette and requesting me to write any- thing which I might think would be of interest in regard to the city, its general appearance in 1826, or of thepaper itself, or of Mr. Brown, my then partner. I regret to say that I remember nothing that can be of interest for your friend or anyone else to know. Sixty-three years having elapsed since the publication of the paper was commenced, it ought not to be considered strange, or as exhibiting any remarkable degree of forgetfulness, that I am now unable to find on the tablets of my memory, any record of importance or worthy of repeating.
"All that I recollect is that we bought our type, office fixtures and press-a 'Well's' press, I believe-of Messrs. Greeley & Willis of Congress street, Boston. I am not clear whether they did business under the name of 'The New England Type foundry,' but, if not, their establishment-I feel quite certain-assumed the above name not long after or perhaps before we purchased the outfit for the Nashua office.
"All I know of Nashua may be found in her written history. I was attracted there while look- ing around for a place to commence a printing office in connection with a newspaper. I thought that that locality appeared to me to possess exceptionally flattering prospects. I believed that the abundant water power at her command could not fail to bring capital and business there-that the town would rapidly increase in population and wealth. My anticipations of the grand career that awaited her have been exceeded more than a thousand fold.
"I have but a very dim recollection of the place, as it appeared in 1826. I remember the tavern where I boarded and lodged, near our office, but I cannot recall the name of the landlord. I made only two or three acquaintances, for I was constantly occupied every hour, day and evening, doing nearly all the work in our office-writing, type-setting, etc., with precious little assistance from my partner, whose habits, then first made known to me, were so objectionable, that I soon determined if I could not purchase his interest, which I hoped and endeavored to do, that I must relinquish mine. I ought to explain that I knew little, really nothing, of Brown until after he joined me at Nashua.
"I never knew or heard, until I read in your letter, that I was in 'ill health ' while in Nashua. If such a story was ever current there, it must have been one of Brown's coinage. I was troubled for a day or two with inflammation in my eyes, from working, often into the small hours of the night, by insufficient light or new bright type.
"I well remember making the acquaintance of John Rand, the artist, and my intimacy with him continued until the day of his death. Also that of Mr. Greeley, one of whose sons, whom I have known for many years past, founded the town of Nashua in Iowa. I also became acquainted with a very pleasant young (or perhaps middle-aged) lawyer whose name I have forgotten.
"I was utterly astounded to learn from your letter that I resided in Nashua only 'three weeks.' Had I been asked, I should have replied about three or four months. One thing, however, I know and that is that I endured as much mortification, vexation and substantial suffering while in that town as any mortal ought to be subjected to in three times that number of the longest years.
" Have never heard a word of or from Brown since I left him.
"Thursday p. m., June, 27, 1889.
Yours truly, JOHN C. CROSMAN."
Number four, issued by W. A. Brown contained no editorial except one of like length as number two, while the name was changed to "The Constellation and Nashua Gazette." Brown dropped the motto.
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Number ten contained a display advertisement of " Rhode Island Lottery-$12,000 Tickets and shares sold at this office." This number contained the nominations for members of congress-seven in number. New Hampshire was of some account in those early days, with nine electoral votes. The paper was overrun with communications.
May 26, 1827, the Constellation said: "For ourselves, we are decidedly in favor of Mr. Adams, and shall use all fair and honorable means to secure his re-election," but deprecated the abuse heaped upon Jackson.
June 9, 1827, W. Wiggin assumed the publication of the paper, continuing the support of Adams' administration.
July 21, 1827, the names of Thayer & Wiggin appeared as publishers. In this issue appeared the "latest from England" under date of June 8.
August 18, 1827, the title of the paper was changed to "Nashua Gazette and Hillsborough County Advertiser."
Volume two commenced with a change in the imprint to "by A. E. Thayer & Wiggin," and Feb. 2, 1828, the paper was enlarged by the addition of some two inches to width of page.
Volume three, Dec. 12, 1828, "Sciences" and "Morality " were dropped from the motto.
December 18, 1828, the issue contained Jackson's message to congress, with the boast that it was expressed to Boston in thirty-one hours and twenty-three minutes.
July 29, 1831, Andrew E. Thayer (see biography) assumed the sole control of the paper, and made a somewhat aggressive journal, as he was a man of ability, and occasionally preached to Unitarian congregations. He kept a book store, with a circulating library, and accumulated considerable property, becoming owner of much real estate. Mr. Thayer took great interest in all public affairs, and, being a good speaker, his voice was heard in all public gatherings for the furtherance of township advancement and public morality.
February 24, 1832, Andrew E. Thayer transferred the Gazette to Israel Hunt, Jr. In his valedictory Mr. Thayer recounts the difficulties under which he labored from being a liberal in religion. He says: "A large proportion of the orthodox party withdrew from us their patronage. A meeting was held in the vestry of the orthodox church in this village, when a committee was appointed to hire an editor and a printer, and to provide funds for the establishment of another paper. The prospectus has been published. If we may judge from this, the paper is not to be a religious or a political paper. The leaders of the party have, however, very explicitly stated the object of starting this paper. It was intended to ruin this establishment, to prevent all free inquiry upon religious subjects, and not to allow any communications in favor of liberal principles to be circulated in the community."
The outcome seemed to be the establishment of the "Nashua Herald," April 14, of the same year, whose lease of life extended through three short months, when obit was written on its issue of July 11, 1832.
March 2, 1832, Israel Hunt, Jr., (see biography) took possession of the Nashua Gazette, as editor and proprietor. Thenceforward the Gazette was pronounced in its adhesion to the principles of Jackson. In his salutatory we find the following: "A Democratic Republican Newspaper has long been called for in this County, and no place combines so many advantages for the early reception and circulation of news as the Town of Dunstable. We ask of the Yeomanry of the State to give us such support as may enable us to present them a Journal worthy of the cause, and of the old County of Hillsborough. And we request the patronage of the friends of Freedom, both civil and Religious, in general."
General Israel Hunt, Jr., was one of the most widely known men in Dunstable, and throughout the state as well. As a party leader he stood in the front ranks, as a military man he ranked with the foremost, as a writer he was fearless in invective, and never failed to strike hard. In political life he was a Democrat of Democrats, and never hesitated to speak his mind with infinite freedom. A man with such characteristics could not fail to make an aggressive paper, and the Gazette stood only second to the New Hampshire Patriot in its influence in the state. Its change in party fealty did not appear to alienate its patrons, while the paper increased in power, with the aid of such able writers as John M. Hunt, (see biography), Charles J. Fox, (see biography), Judge Charles F. Gove, Rev. Dura D. Pratt, and others, all strong men, and true to the party, under all exigencies.
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HISTORY OF NASHUA, N. H.
General Hunt was a large landholder, and in these later years which have brought prosperity to Nashua, appreciation in real estate values has greatly enriched the estate. General Hunt was of a quick, nervous temperament, and perhaps contentious at times, but no man could quicker recover from a display of earnestness, and overlook the heat of his opponent. In this respect he was a most generous disputant, but always a free lance.
February 23, 1838, Morrill & Dinsmore purchased the Gazette property of General Hunt and became editors and proprietors, and so continued till April 12, 1839, when Paul Morrill purchased the interest of William H. Dinsmore and became sole proprietor. Six months later he sold his interest.
August 23, 1839, Charles P. Danforth (see biography) took charge of the edito- rial columns as proprietor of the Gazette plant. Mr. Danforth had been a frequent contributor to the Gazette, and felt that he had a call to the chair editorial, and entered upon the duties with the greatest ardor. He was exceedingly zealous in his new calling, and followed close in the steps of his predecessor, with whose nts assistance he was often favored, thus making a scathing paper for his oppo- nents. Being young, vigorous, and full of the spirit of democracy, he forced the IN HOUSE BUILDING. Gre fight at every salient point, and by dint of activity and perseverance succeeded in materially increasing his list of subscrib- THE Subscribers would inform the Public at large, that they, having all the facilities derived from Water Power and Newly Invented Machinery, are prepared, and do hereby propose, to do ers. Mr. Danforth was deeply imbued ALL KINDS OF WOOD WORK, with the spirit of those resolutions of his according to all the various orders of Architecture, adapted to buildings of every description, and also suited to all the variety of tastes and customs of country villages. party councils, which declared for "free They will also do the following Piece Work, viz : ... All kinds of Doors & Door Frames; Window Frames and Sash, of every description ; Win- dow Blinds and Folding Shutters; Pannel Work of all kinds; Chimney Pieces of the neat- est order; Pews and Pulpits suited to various Churches. soil over every foot of God's heritage;" and when the annexation of Texas was They will also Tennon and Mortice Doors and Sash, for any who may favor them with their custom, much better and cheaper than can be done by hand. broached as a measure to extend slavery, in a fiery article the Gazette characterized They will also Plane, Joint, Tongue and Groove BOARDS, in the nicest manner, and with great dispatch. All the above they will do on the most reasonable terms, so as to make it an object for people to come from a distance. They will also execute Plans and Drawings in the neatest manner for all kinds of Buildings, or parts of Buildings, of Wood, Brick, or Stone, with a minute description of every part of the finishing, most accurately laid down. the object as "black as ink, and bitter as hell." Party discipline caused him to recant; but after disposing of his interest SHEPHERD & BALDWIN. Nashua Village, May 20, 1834. in the Gazette, and on the advent of the Kansas and Nebraska imbroglio, he broke Telegraph Press, Nashna. 1 \ B. -- WWred Beard. Printer. from his party, became a Republican, and was recipient of the shrievalty of Hills- AN OLD ADVERTISEMENT. borough county for a term of five years. Mr. Danforth was very courtly in manner, and was ever a popular citizen of Nashua. Aug. 28, 1845, Mr. Danforth disposed of the Gazette plant to William H. Hewes, a New Hampshire man, and the issue of that date contained the farewell of the departing, and the introductory article of the coming editor.
April 23, 1846, Mr. Hewes, on account of failing health, sold out to William H. Butterfield of Gilmanton, N. H., formerly of the Lowell Advertiser and Patriot; and the imprint contained the name of William H. Gilmore as printer. In a few months Mr. Butterfield left the narrow field for a wider one as editor of the New Hampshire Patriot.
December 3, 1846, Mr. Butterfield retired, having sold to B. B. & F. P. Whittemore, proprietors ; B. B. Whittemore, editor. With the advent of the Whittemores the multitudinous changes, which had seemed inherent in the plant, ceased, and for the period of forty-three years the Nashua Gazette continued its even course.
Bernard B. Whittemore (see chapter on Bench and Bar) was a Harvard graduate of 1839; admitted to Hillsborough county bar in 1842; practiced in Amherst, Nashua, and Palmer, Mass. He
41
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HISTORY OF NASIIUA, N. H.
was an amiable man, quiet, reticent and studious. His advice in legal matters was highly prized. His editorials were scholarly in diction, and from his standpoint bore the impress of sincerity. In politics his democracy was rather ultra than otherwise; while in all things else he was very conserva- tive. During the nearly half century incumbency of the Whittemores, the Gazette was always issued in a neat and tasty dress, the work of the junior member.
September 5, 1872, the Daily Gazette first saw the light. This was a venture which had long been considered, as a measure to meet the assaults of an opposing daily from the Telegraph office, which had occupied the field some three years. It was something of a struggle, but it lived and prospered and became a fait accompli.
As time aged the editor, and his step became less elastic, his party friends thought the paper less robust than the times demanded. Seeking to effect a change, a corporation of the leading members of the party was formed, and a purchase made by sale of stock.
June 22, 1889, articles of incorporation as "Gazette Press company" were filed by the following named gentlemen: J. H. Tolles (see biography), F. A. Dearborn, D. A. Gregg, E. P. Brown (see biography), J. H. Vickery, W. W. Bailey (see biography), F. A. Mckean, C. H. Burke, (see biography) F. G. Noyes (see biography), C. S. Bussell (see biography), B. B. Whittemore, E. H. Everett. The corporators organized by choosing W. W. Bailey, president; F. A. Dearborn, clerk; C. S. Bussell, treasurer; W. W. Bailey, D. A. Gregg, C. H. Burke, J. H. Tolles, E. P. Brown, J. H. Vickery, C. S. Bussell, board of directors. The capital stock was $10,000. C. S. Bussell was elected managing editor; and having later resigned the treasurership, E. P. Brown was elected as his successor. Subsequently owing to other business relations, Mr. Bussell withdrew from the editorship, and G. W. Fowler (see biography) was elected to succeed him.
July 1, 1889, the Gazette Press company took possession of the Gazette property, and on that day the issue was under its auspices, and contained the farewell words of one who had communed with his readers forty-three years consecutively. Mr. Whittemore retired with a competence.
Under its corporate management, with the infusion of new and young blood, the Gazette carried on the political warfare with renewed vigor, and its assaults were felt all along the line of its opponents. It was frank and outspoken in its utterances, bold in its charges, sought the offensive more than the defensive, and most certainly had the courage of its convictions.
The "Gazette Press company," as then organized, consisted of George W. Fowler, managing editor; A. W. Greeley, associate editor; A. A. Flinn, reporter; board of directors: W. W. Bailey, president ; George W. Fowler, treasurer; D. A. Gregg, James H. Tolles, A. W. Greeley. Mr. Fowler was local correspondent of the Boston Herald.
It must not be supposed that all the honor accruing from the publication of a daily paper inheres in the editor, but it must be divided with the news gatherers, reporters, and city editor. Charles S. Bussell, (see biography) who impersonally filled a column in the Manchester Daily Union, did more to hold the large number of readers in Nashua than all the other editors and writers in the staff, assisting in the Gazette reportorial work as well.
October 14, 1895, the controlling stock of the Gazette Press company was purchased by W. O. Clough and C. T. Cornish. These gentlemen assumed the plant and its newspapers, conducting the latter as independent in politics.
November 9, 1895, appeared this announcement: "The last Daily Gazette. Good bye. This is the last issue. From this day forth the Nashua Daily Gazette is a back number. * * * * Having faithfully served a constituency, in victory and defeat, for nearly a quarter of a century, it has earned a right to hope, in parting company with its readers, that whatever has been good and com- mendable in its career will be kindly remembered, while whatever has seemed unjust-for newspapers but reflect the doings of the day, with its passions as well as its commonplaces-will be speedily forgotten."
Change presses hard upon the heel of change in this, the oldest printing office in Nashua, for Nov. 11, 1895, the following appeared under the editorial head of "Nashua Daily Press, published by 'The Gazette Press company,' William O. Clough, managing editor; Chester T. Cornish, business manager :-
"The Nashua Daily Press makes its debut without boasting. Those employed upon it are 'old hands at the bellows,' and such know that conceit and unkept promises count for nothing in the
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newspaper world. They know, too, that what this community wants of a local newspaper is the news. If the Press gives that fairly, without prejudice, it may hope to succeed, otherwise it must fail. The news, therefore, will be our first care. Having made good this promise, it will devote so much of its space as remains-after taking care of its advertising patrons-to the discussion of matters of public moment.
"The editor realizes from long experience that he cannot hope to please everybody, and, knowing this, will be compelled to deal with all matters in deference to his own judgment. In doing so he will endeavor to be fair and just, more of a promise it is not necessary to make. The local news will be collected under the supervision of C. S. Bussell, long and favorably known as a local writer, assisted by Harvey E. Taylor, a young Nashuan who has had considerable experience in the work in other places, and the management bespeak for them the usual favors and accommodation of the public. Besides this it will have a woman's department, edited by Charlotte M. Cornish. The management solicits items of news and comment from its lady readers, and while they cannot promise to publish without amendment or alteration, they can assure them that their news and suggestions will be appreciated and utilized as far as their importance and space will permit. Address Woman's Department, Press Office.
"With this brief announcement the Press is launched. What its career is to be is pro blematical. It had high hopes and generous words of encouragement. If it fails, it will be through no lack of enterprise or effort. If it succeeds, it will be its constant endeavor to merit the confidence of the people and honor the city of Nashua."
In January, 1896, the pecuniary affairs of the company were shown to be involved; the company was voted into insolvency, and publication suspended on the twenty-fourth of that month. A few months later the plant was purchased by J. Alonzo Greene and re-established as an out and out Republican plant, May 20, 1896, with Mr. Clough as managing editor, and Mr. Cornish as business manager. It has met with good success. At the time of this writing it is under the ownership and management of the two gentlemen last mentioned.
April 14, 1832, Bard & Trow commenced the publication of the "Nashua Herald;" S. J. Bard, editor; J. F. Troy, printer. The prospectus concludes as follows: "Our purpose is now before the public. It is briefly this, to make our paper a fountain of useful information and an organ of the truth. We offer our proposals to our fellow-citizens of every party, sect, profession and employment, promising not always to say what they may think true or expedient, but not intentionally to mislead them, or wound their feelings, or impair their interests."
In the salutatory Dr. Bard says: "It follows as a matter of course, that, in the selection of national rulers, we prefer those whose views upon these important subjects, correspond with our own. But it does not follow that we as individuals, or as journalists, must necessarily engage in indiscrimi- nate hostility to the present or any future administration; or an equally blind and absurd support of its rivals and opposers."
From the above it is fair to conclude that Mr. Bard of the Herald did not mean to run his bark upon the shoals that had wrecked Mr. Thayer's independence in the Gazette, and that the "fountain of useful information " had failed in three short months.
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