History of the city of Nashua, N.H., Part 87

Author: Parker, Edward Everett, 1842- ed; Reinheimer, H., & Co
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Nashua, N.H., Telegraph Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 652

USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Nashua > History of the city of Nashua, N.H. > Part 87

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July 11, 1832, Mr. Bard steps off the journalistic stage in the following, which is the only editorial: "The proprietor of this paper has determined from a variety of considerations to discon- tinue it. Those in this vicinity who are interested would oblige us by calling immediately. Arrangements will be made for the accommodation of those at a distance."

October 20, 1832, Alfred Beard commenced the publication of a new venture in the form of a newspaper, and named it "New Hampshire Telegraph." Terms, one dollar and fifty cents in advance-two dollars at the end of the year. It claimed to support the National Republican party, and would "aim at Consistency, Decision, Independence; " promising to "support, by all just and honorable means, the cause of Henry Clay, the American System, the Constitution, and the Union of the states." In those early days, relying upon a sparse population for support, with the field already occupied, it required no little courage to set up a printing press in opposition to one already established. Mr. Beard was of fine personal appearance, and soon became en rapport with the citizens of the village. He advocated the principles of his party with much vigor and ability. A few years

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of arduous labor as printer, publisher, and editor, made inroads upon his health, and he fell by the wayside, a victim of consumption, dying April 18, 1839.

In 1836 Albin Beard, (see biography) a twin brother, but quite unlike in physical appearance, a reporter on a Boston daily, came to Nashua as associate editor, and, after the death of his brother,

Temple of Fashion

WILSON BROS

TELEGRAPH BUILDING.

became sole editor and proprietor, and so continued for more than thirty-one years, dying Sept. 16, 1862, at the age of fifty-four years.

Albin Beard, while somewhat exacting with his employes, in his social intercourse was most genial, and always full of pleasantries. The Telegraph became the vehicle of a great deal of quaint- ness, which was oft quoted by contemporaries, and thus became a widely known journal. Mr. Beard,

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while very tenacious of his opinions, did not become a very aggressive politician, aiming rather to make his paper a pleasant visitor in all families, at the same time asserting his stalwartism as a Whig and a Republican, but not offensively so. After the death of Albin Beard, his family carried on the publication of the Telegraph, employing several persons to supply the editorials.

November 1, 1862, Henry B. Atherton (see biography) assumed the duties of editor, and ably fulfilled the trust for about a year and a half, with the vim of a soldier wounded in the defence of the Union ; for he had just returned from the field of battle with a memento of the conflict at Lee's Mills, which compelled him to resign his commission of captain. Mr. Atherton was a graduate of Dart- mouth college, class of '59, and after ceasing to be editor, resumed his profession in Nashua. As a lawyer and citizen Mr. Atherton enjoys an enviable reputation.

April 9, 1864, Orren C. Moore (see biography) became editor of the Telegraph, and so continued for a year or more.

April 24, 1865, Bernard Corr wielded the editorial pen for some three months.

April 29, 1865, Mrs. Albin Beard advertised the Telegraph plant for sale.

July 15, 1865, Mrs. Beard transferred her interests in the Telegraph to White & Berry. Shortly after the purchase Mr. White sold his interest to C. V. Dearborn (see biography), a practicing lawyer of Nashua, who became its editor; and it may be said that the Telegraph lost none of its vigor as an exponent of Republicanism during the incumbency of Mr. Dearborn, who has since deceased.

November 23, 1867, O. C. Moore purchased Mr. Dearborn's interest, and again became its editor ; Moore & Berry, publishers.

February 1, 1869, Mr. Berry sold out to Clark M. Langley of Lowell, Mass.

March 1, 1869, Moore & Langley took a decidedly advanced step in the issue of "The Daily Telegraph." It was the first local daily in the field and was very gratifying to the citizens of Nashua, who knew little of the trials and perplexities of the undertaking, but fully realized the manifold bene- fits resulting from a more frequent communion and announcement, as well as giving renewed life and character to a young city, struggling for a higher plane, and a reputation for enterprise, to say nothing of the coveted opportunity for the progressive merchant to daily extol his wares. It has been five times enlarged.

January 1, 1887, "The Telegraph Publishing company" was incorporated, organizing with Charles Holman, president; O. C. Moore, manager and treasurer; William O. Clough, clerk.

In 1889 pressing outside duties demanded so much of Mr. Moore's time and attention that editorial assistance became imperative, and he called James M. Adams of Weare, (see biography) as assistant editor, and he so continued until Mr. Moore's death, May 12, 1893. After that date, he became editor-in-chief, and has proved himself a ready and versatile writer, with a tendency to literature and art, while his Republicanism is not left in doubt.

January 4, 1892, Mr. Moore appointed Charles A. Poff (see biography) assistant business man- ager of the company, which position he has since held.

May 14, 1892, Albert E. De Wolfe, (see biography) for many years local correspondent of the Boston Globe, became city editor, having been reporter for several years prior to his promotion; and as reporters are sure to get behind the scenes, he has been able to act a double part acceptably. Edwin S. Secord is reporter.

For twenty years William O. Clough toiled unremittingly in gathering items for the Telegraph, and as city editor presented them to its readers. He severed his connection with the Telegraph in May, 1892.

Since the decease of Mr. Moore, The Telegraph Publishing company, as re-organized, consists of Mrs. O. C. Moore, president and manager; Charles A. Poff, assistant business manager; Gertrude C. Moore, treasurer; James M. Adams, editor; A. E. De Wolfe, city editor. It is quite apparent that success in monetary directions has been secured, although the expenditures must have greatly increased, as changes and improvements plainly indicate. Under the present management the Telegraph has taken no backward step.

The public career of Orren C. Moore, as journalist, orator, congressman, and politician, when written, will fill a large space in history, for he was unceasing in his labors, untiring in his pursuits. and unbending in his purposes. Through the columns of his journal he advocated the higher life-a life of purity, of temperance, of morality. He advocated cleanness in politics, specially condemning

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the use of money in purchase of votes, and corruption of the ballot. Possessing a clear, penetrating voice; having a wonderful command of words; blessed with an exceedingly retentive memory of statistics; with a mind stored with past and passing events; with a lively remembrance of history and the story it tells; with an ability to memorize annotations and written opinion, it is not a matter of wonder that, with a terse, direct form of speech; with an intense earnestness, albeit without an attempt at wit or humor, Mr. Moore was widely sought as an advocate of the principles he professed.

In 1840 a campaign paper was published six months prior to the presidential election in Novem- ber of that year, by an association of young men, under the name of "The Nashua Tippecanoe Club," the foremost spirit in the club being the late Judge Thomas Pearson, (see biography) then a minor, but active in political work. It may be unnecessary to say that the Harrison Eagle was a screamer, and dealt largely in invective and personalities, making the hard-cider campaign one of spirit.

January 4, 1843, Murray & Sawtell, (see Mr. Murray's biography), both practical printers, brought out a new paper which they named "The Oasis," having for its motto, "The Home Circle ; the Brightest Oasis in Life's Pathway." It was not much favored by the two papers then occupying the field, deeply impressed with the idea that they were fully sufficient for all requirements of the good people of both Nashua and Nashville-for the goodly town of Nashua had been rent assunder in 1842, through dissensions on account of the Nashua river, which had then as now, a north side and a south side-and each side claimed to be the more eligible site for a contemplated town hall. The southsiders, being in the majority, won, hence two corporate bodies, the north side taking the name of Nashville, which were to coalesce in 1853 under a city charter.

The new paper appeared to strike a popular current, and it soon grew in size and so much in fa- vor that its circulation exceeded that of the older ones; and, on proving that fact to the post office department in Washington, the publication of the list of letters remaining in the Nashua office on the first of every month, was awarded " The Oasis," although the postmaster was editor of the Nashua Gazette and fought valiantly for this perquisite.

August 16, 1843, A. I. Sawtell sold his interest to Horatio Kimball, and the firm of Murray & Kimball continued until September, 1849, when Mr. Murray sold out to J. R. Dodge, who subse- quently gained a national reputation as statistician in the agricultural department under the secretary of agriculture, which important position he held for many years, under changing administrations, re- siding at Washington, D. C. In 1854 he published a township and railroad map of New Hampshire, which perhaps paved the way to higher work. The firm of Kimball & Dodge was dissolved in 1851.

January 22, 1851, Mr. Kimball sold out to S. Homer Noyes, and Dodge & Noyes continued the business successfully.

In 1855 Mr. Noyes purchased the interest of Mr. Dodge, and became sole proprietor. He em- ployed for a time Rev. M. W. Willis, pastor of the Unitarian church, as editor. Later, he called Charles Lamson to that position.

October 6, 1858, Mr. Noyes moved the plant to Bridgeton, Me., where it was published under the name of "Bridgeton Reporter ;" and " The Oasis " thus ceased to be identified with Nashua.

In 1853 a campaign paper was published by J. M. Fletcher (see biography) with above title, which strutted its brief allotted time upon the political stage, and then sank beneath the placid waters of oblivion, as all such campaign publications are wont to do.

May 8, 1857, E. Turner Barrett and Henry C. Gray, two practical printers, under the firm name of Barrett & Gray, issued a large and handsome seven-column folio from an office in Noyes block with the above title. Republican in politics, it came in direct competition with the Telegraph ; and al- though much ability was displayed in its stalwartism, the proprietors had not sufficient capital to keep up the fight for public recognition, nor friends willing to become sponsors.

May 10, 1858, Mr. Gray sold out, and Mr. Barrett continued the publication alone.

March 4, 1859, the name of E. T. Barrett was dropped from the imprint, as publisher and proprie- tor, and after April 8, 1859, the Granite State Register ceased to appear.

March 17, 1888, the first one cent daily in Nashua was issued from the Telegraph office. In the Telegraph, March 12, it was announced that "to meet what is a want of the plain people of Nashua, we shall on Saturday, March 17, begin the publication in this city of 'The News ' a one-cent daily, to

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be devoted exclusively to the general and local news. *

* It was was known as the Tele- graph's "little brother." Publication ceased about Aug. 1, 1888.

During the latter part of 1891 a determined and most pretentious effort was made by a large num- ber of active Republicans to establish a morning daily in Nashua. W. S. Towner sought subscrip- tions for stock to the amount of $40,000. When secured, the following named gentlemen united in forming a corporation, under the name of "New Hampshire Press Association": Warren S. Towner, Joseph Shattuck, (see biography), L. F. Thurber, W. B. Wakelin, Charles S. Rounsevel, (see biography), Andrew J. Tuck, George A. Rollins, James H. Hunt, (see biography), W. P. Hus- sey, Charles E. Faxon, F. E. Anderson, and E. H. Wason, (see biography.)

December 30, 1891, the first meeting of the incorporators was held, when Joseph Shattuck was chosen chairman, and E. H. Wason, clerk, pro tem. At this meeting articles of agreement were adopted, and the name of the corporation fixed. The stock was divided into eight hundred shares, of par value of fifty dollars each. A code of by-laws was adopted and the following named gentlemen were elected as a board of officers : Joseph Shattuck, Lester F. Thurber, George A. Rollins, Frank E. Anderson, William B. Wakelin, Joseph W. Howard, (see biography), Nashua ; John McLane, Milford ; George T. Cruft, Bethelehem ; Henry B. Quimby, Lakeport. Clerk of corporation, Web- ster P. Hussey. The board elected Milton A. Taylor, treasurer ; William B. Wakelin, clerk ; Joseph Shattuck, president.

An office was fitted up in Telegraph block with all the latest improvements; with a perfecting press, to print from paper in rolls ; with a full staff of editors ; a large corps of reporters ; with a stenographic writer ; supplied with the New England press reports ; and a telegraph operator. Surely a fine outlook but the enterprise could not be steered clear of the rocks of disaster.

The following named gentlemen comprised the Daily Republican staff : Business manager, Warren S. Towner; managing editor, Howard P. Merrill ; staff correspondent, William O. Clough, (" Nashoonon "); city editor, Harry E. Back; telegraphic and night editor, H. W. Morey ; sten- ographer and state editor, G. R. Gammel; reporters, Charles H. Holt, Fred G. Walker ; telegraph operator, Jesse Taylor ; bookkeeper, George H. Hatch. The Republican made use of the New Eng- land press reports until about October I, then New York Sun reports.

As our railroad managers persistently refuse to run an early train from Boston, Nashua is with- out morning news, if we except the Manchester Union, until a late hour, and hence a local morning daily seemed much needed ; therefore the New Hampshire Republican was gladly greeted by the people generally, and highly complimented for its enterprise and laudable ambition. It had been projected on a truly metropolitan scale, with a large outlay on its managerial staff, necessitating an expenditure of funds far exceeding its receipts with the inevitable result easily foreseen.

The New Hampshire Republican was an eight-page morning daily, a model of neatness, and its editorial management was universally approbated by the friends of the venture, while it gave to its patrons a much earlier service of telegraphic news, as well as the happenings of a local character, all served with the early breakfast.

May 31, 1892, the first number was issued and its "leader" declared : "The New Hampshire Republican is in response to a demand of the Republicans of the state for a morning daily newspaper. It is the result of the enterprise and push of Nashua citizens and of the liberality of Republicans of all sections of the state. It occupies a field that brings it into rivalry with no other Republican newspaper of New Hampshire, and it asks the encouragement and support of all. It is the pioneer of its party in work already well done by the Manchester Union for the Democracy. Its stockholders are active and leading Republicans scattered all through New Hampshire, who have no other interest in its establishment than the advancement of Republican principles. They are tried and true Republicans who have helped maintain the ascendancy of their party in the state and nation, and they are unflinching in their fealty to that organization which is represented on our statute books by all that is progressive in legislation. They are energetic men who in their respective communities have fought the battles of the party, giving of their time and means to secure its victories, and this is their latest contribution. * * *

The Republican is to be impersonal in its management, having no selfish purpose to promote, and the personal ends of no man to subserve. In its comment on the actions of individuals it will endeavor to be fair and unbiased, considerate of all and abusive of none. Its columns will be open

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to the temperate discussion of all public questions, and closed to no courteous reply to its opinions."

The promises were indeed praiseworthy, and the early collapse was only in line with the oft quoted aphorism, "The good die young." In spite of all adages, the world is not liable to be depopulated, nor the newspaper field to become fallow.

This attempt to establish a morning daily, with the adjuncts furnished, was a notable incident; and the loss of capital and prestige will doubtless curb the ambition of like minded persons in Nashua for many years to come; yet a similar publication is greatly needed in this growing city.

In September, 1892, the staff was reconstructed by making Edward O. Lord, business manager, and William O. Clough, associate and political editor; and Oct. I Chester T. Cornish became city editor, and Harry E. Back was made telegraph and night editor. Sept. I state correspondence was added to the duties of the managing and associate editors.

February 18, 1893, at an annual meeting adjourned from the third Thursday of January, the following named gentlemen were elected directors for the ensuing year: Joseph Shattuck, Frank E. Anderson, Charles J. Hamblett, (see biography) Frank W. Maynard, William B. Wakelin, Milton A. Taylor, E. H. Wason. Clerk, Webster P. Hussey. The directors chose William B. Wakelin, clerk ; Milton A. Taylor, treasurer; Joseph Shattuck, president. Those directors who had residences outside of Nashua were replaced by those who could readily attend meetings of the board, thus facilitating business. The publication was regularly continued until Feb. 11, 1893, when a notice, under the editorial head, signed by the clerk, W. P. Hussey, appeared, the first and only declaration to the public of its demise. It was as follows: "The adjourned annual meeting of the New Hampshire Press association will be held at the office of C. J. Hamblett, Beasom block, Nashua, on Thursday, Feb. 16, at eight o'clock, P. M., to ratify the action of the directors, acting as a committee of the stockholders to dispose of the plant, and for the transaction of any other business that may legally come before the meeting."

The only editorial announcement, which meant much to the stockholders, was "Good bye." This was followed by a plea for a good word for the deceased-" De mortuis nil nisi bonum.". Thus quietly passed this newspaper meteor.

It became known that negotiations had long been carried on with the Telegraph Publishing company for the purchase of the Republican plant, which finally resulted in its absorption. Thus the Telegraph became possessor of a fine and complete outfit.

Of the collocation of editors, proprietors, publishers, and printers connected with the various newspapers which have been projected in Dunstable and Nashua during the seventy years under consideration, the writer is able to say that he had personal knowledge of each and all, and since 1834, when he joined the ranks, personal acquaintance. The work, therefore, has been largely reminiscent, and limited space alone compels a curtailment of much that might be written. The endeavor has been to be truthful and just in all characterizations.

They were, but are only memories now :- W. A. Brown, of the Constellation; S. J. Bard, of Nashua Herald; Alfred Beard, of Telegraph; William H. Butterfield, of Gazette; Albin Beard, of Telegraph; R. W. Berry, of Telegraph; J. C. Crosman, of Constellation; William H. Dinsmore, of Gazette; C. V. Dearborn, of Telegraph; Charles P. Danforth, of Gazette; William H. Gilmore, of Gazette; Henry C. Gray, of Granite State Register; William H. Hewes, of Gazette; Israel Hunt, Jr., of Gazette; Horatio Kimball, of Oasis; Charles Lamson, of Oasis; Paul Morrill, of Gazette; Orren C. Moore, of Telegraph; S. Homer Noyes, of Oasis. Thomas Pearson, of Harrison Eagle; Augustus I. Sawtell, of Oasis; Andrew E. Thayer, of Gazette; J. F. Trow, of Nashua Herald; W. Wiggin, of Constellation; G. A. White, of Telegraph; M. W. Willis, of Oasis; B. B. Whittemore, of Gazette. O. D. Murray, of the Oasis .*

Q. I. Munay

* Mr. Murray died February 23, 1896. The foregoing chapter is the last work of his pen. His biography appears on another page.

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JEREMIAH WILSON WHITE.

Jeremiah W. White was born at Pittsfield, Sept. 16, 1821, died at Nashua, July 22, 1892. He was a son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Jones) White. His ancestors were of Scotch origin, and sturdy, energetic and enterpris- ing farmers among the first settlers of the Suncook valley.

Mr. White was educated in the public schools of his native town and at Pittsfield academy, where he was a student two and a half years. At the age of seventeen he left home and entered upon a mercantile career in a drug store in Boston. At the same time he stud- ied medicine until qualified for pro- fessional practice. This knowledge was of great ser- vice to him in his later life in busi- ness as a druggist, and because of it he was generally known as Doctor White. Mr. White came to Nashua in 1845 and established himself in the drug and coal business in a store at the corner of Main and Factory streets where he remained twenty- four years, until the Merchants' ex- change building was erected, when he moved to the store at the corner of Main and High streets, where he continued as pro- prietor till shortly before his death. During the Civil War Mr. White was appointed by Jay Cooke government agent for Nashua and vicinity and the loans he negotiated greatly aided the National administration.

Mr. White was a busy and energetic man outside of the business which he established and controlled. In 1876 he founded the Second National bank of which he was presi- dent until compelled by ill health to relinquish its cares. The same year he became prominently identified with the Nashua & Lowell railroad as a stockholder and director and later as treasurer. An aggressive policy against the Boston & Lowell road, which had operated the Nashua &

Lowell for a number of years, was inaugurated under the lead of Mr. White, and after a long controversy the road was again leased to the same company on much more advantageous terms.

Mr. White was also interested directly and indirectly in many of Nashua's industrial enterprises and it is due to his business sagacity and the encouragement he gave them at times when they needed a helping hand that they are in a prosperous condition to-day. Notable among these may be mentioned the Nashua Card and Glazed Paper company and the White Mountain Freezer company. He was also interested in the Nashua Light, Heat and Power company. In a word Mr. White was essentially a business man,“ a hard, 'indefatiga- ble worker who inspired all about him with confi- dence, and whose judgment was con- sultedby menin all circumstances and conditions of life. By economy, hard and constant work and sagacious business moves, he amassed a large fortune.

Mr. White gave the Pittsfield acad- emy, where he was a student, $5,000. He also gave $10,- 000 towards the construction of the chapel of the First Congregational church, and re- membered those who had been faithful to his in- terests in like manner. A friend has said of him : "Mr. White liter- ally made his own way in the world. His tastes were simple, but refined.

JEREMIAH WILSON WHITE.

Mr. White was united in marriage July 5, 1846, with Caroline G., eldest daughter of Caleb Merrill, a leading lawyer of Pittsfield. Of their children, the eldest, Caro- line Wilson, died in infancy ; the son, James Wilson White, born June 10, 1849, died in Florida, Jan. 27, 1876. Mrs. White died suddenly of apoplexy in ISSo. In April, 1881, Mr. White was married the second time, to Mrs. Ann M. Prichard of Bradford, Vt., an educated and ac- complished lady, and the sister of his first wife, who sur- vives him.

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HISTORY OF NASIIUA, N. H.

SOLOMON SPALDING.

Hon. Solomon Spalding was born at Merrimack July 20, 1811. Ile is a son of Solomon and Martha ( McCluer) Spalding, and a descendant of Edward Spalden who came to this country from Spalding, a town in Lincoln- shire, England, in 1630 or 1633, and located at Braintree, Mass., where his first wife and his daughter died a few years later. In 1645, with thirty-two others, he petitioned the colonial authorities for a tract of land upon which to settle, and, the petition being granted, became one of the pioneers of Chelmsford, Mass. By his second wife, Rachael, family name not given (see Spalding me- morial published in 1872), he had four sons and one daughter. Of his grandsons, Samuel and Henry, born at Chelmsford, set- tled in Merrimack. Samuel was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, the Spald- ings of England from whom the Spaldens, Spald- ings and Spauld- ings of America trace their lineage to the middle ages. The significance of the name is "shoulder-strik- er." They were noted for their prowess in battle, when men fought hand to hand; they had a coat-of-arms and were promi- nent in the coun- cils of feudal kings. Their de- scendants have held high stations the world over, and in this country have becomeprom- inent in peace and war, in church and state, in the pro- fessions and call- ings in which men engage for a livelihood.

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History of the city of Nashua, N.H., Part 87

Author: Parker, Edward Everett, 1842- ed; Reinheimer, H., & Co Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Nashua, N.H., Telegraph Publishing Company Number of Pages: 652

Author: Parker, Edward Everett, 1842- ed; Reinheimer, H., & Co
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Nashua, N.H., Telegraph Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 652