USA > New York > Cayuga County > History of Cayuga County, New York > Part 10
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In 1818 Henry C. Southwick issued here the Advocate of the People, and continued it for a short period only, the ground being then fully occupied by the Patriot and Republican.
In the order of dates the Free Press was the next paper issued here, by Richard Oliphant, in 1824. He continued it for five years, and then sold it to his brother Henry, by whom it was continued four years, and in May, 1833, it was united, as stated, with the Cayuga Republican.
The Free Press was always a creditable and well-managed journal, the largest in the state west of Albany, and the political rival of the Patriot, then the leading Democratic paper, and edited by that close thinker, cogent reasoner, and forcible writer, U. F. Doubleday.
The Gospel Messenger was started in Auburn in 1827, by Rev- erend John C. Rudd, D. D., rector of St. Peter's church, and for several years principal of the Auburn Academy. The Messenger was published weekly, and while primarily devoted to the Episcopal polity, was liberal to all sects. It was very ably edited, Doctor Rudd having been one of the clearest and most forcible of writers. The place of publication was first changed to Geneva, and thence to Utica.
The Gospel Advocate was commenced by Doubleday & Allen, January 1, 1828, Reverend L. S. Everitt, Universalist, editor; 8vo. form, semi-monthly, continued for three years. Reverend O. A. Brownson was one of the contributors.
The Diamond was commenced in 1830, and continued for a brief period only.
In 1834, Frederick Prince started the Cayuga Democrat, the first of a series of subsequent journals that bore the word "Democrat"
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as their prominent designation. It was, however, not a success, for in 1835 he started the Auburn Miscellany, and in 1839 he became foreman of the Western Banner, started in that year, with Francis S. Wiggins, editor, the printing office having been purchased of Mr. Prince. Subsequently, the name of the paper was changed to the Auburn Banner, and in 1841 it was sold to the Methodist Book Concern, in New York.
Frederick Prince had a long and an exceedingly varied experience, as printer and publisher, both here and elsewhere. Returning to Auburn, in 1833, he started the Auburn Democrat, followed in 1835 by the Auburn Miscellany, and in 1838 by the Auburn Daily News, the first daily paper published in the county, and continued it for seven months, with a brief subsequent revival. He sold his office, in 1844, to the proprietors of the Western Banner, and became their foreman; but soon removed to Port Byron, and established the Port Byron Herald, issuing it for two years, but continuing a job office there until 1849, when he closed his eventful career as printer, editor, author and publisher-the most eventful experience of any of the publishers of the county-and came here to reside. He was for many years clerk of the village, the second clerk under the city charter, and for several subsequent years. As a writer, he inclined to romance, and some of his stories were published in the Cabinet, in 1822. His "Tales of Fort Hill" had a marked local celebrity, and have been again and again republished.
Henry A. Hawes learned his trade in the office of the Banner, and, on its sale, engaged with Mr. Oliphant, on the Advertiser, the foreman then being O. F. Knapp, and Cornelius S. Underwood was an employee. Mr. Hawes was subsequently employed on the Patriot and the Tocsin, and in the book publishing house of Derby, Miller & Company. He was partner of H. M. Stone, in publishing the Democrat; also of Stone, Hawes & Company, in publishing the New Era.
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Cornelius S. Underwood was for many years prominent amongst the printers of Auburn, in the capacities of journeyman, foreman and proofreader. In the latter capacity he had few equals. His perceptions were quick and accurate, and his knowledge of his art complete. He held that position for several years in the book publishing house of Derby, Miller & Company, and afterwards held various civil and military positions.
T. B. Barber learned his trade in the office of Henry Oliphant and learned it so well, that it will be no disparagement to his brethren in the craft to say that few, if any of them, could show as many neat specimens of workmanship as have come from his hands, in the various offices in which his artistic skill has been manifested. His were the aptitudes of the artist, with which but few are favored, and his true employment would have been that of the designer or engraver.
The Primitive Christian, by Reverend Silas E. Shepard, Disciple, was commenced in 1835, and continued for six years. It was devoted to the advocacy of the religious views of that sect. Nearly a full year's issue is devoted to a discussion of their respective beliefs, by the editor and the Reverend G. W. Montgomery, which is very interesting.
The Chronicles, by Ezra, the Scribe, were published here at this time, but their author and publishers were kept secret. They were ingeniously and forcibly written, and very severe upon the alleged barbarities of the officers of the Auburn Prison. The excitement was so great and general as to change the party politics of the county. Libel suits grew out of it without discovering who wrote them. After many years it was discovered that they were written by Reverend Silas E. Shepard, the then editor of the Primitive Christian. This is no doubt authentic, as it appears in a full biographical notice of him, published at Troy, Pa., after his death, which occurred there on the 18th of October 1907.
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The People's Library was started in 1836 by Francis S. Wiggins, but was soon discontinued.
The Conference Record was begun here by Reverend J. S. Chamberlain in 1837.
On April 5, 1839, the Cayuga Tocsin, Second, was started, and became the organ of the "Free Soil" or "Barnburner" division of the Democratic party, the Partiot being the organ of the con- servative or "Old Hunker" division, distinctions which were kept up until 1847, when a partial truce was made, and the two papers were united, under the title of the Cayuga New Era.
The Tocsin was first published by Miller and Hine. Gelem Hine had published the Genoa Spy, and the materials of that office were carted here and used in the Tocsin office. The paper was next published by Miller & Stowe, and afterward by Merrill & Hollett, T. Y. How, editor. It was a wide-awake journal, and the political sparring between it and the Advertiser and the Patriot, was sharp and severe.
The Northern Advocate, Methodist Episcopal, was started by Reverend John E. Robie, in April, 1841, with Reverends F. G. Hibbard and William Hosmer editors. It was continued as a private enterprise until May, 1844, when it was purchased by the Methodist General Conference, and continued here as the Northern Christian Advocate for twenty-eight years, under the following editors: Reverend Nelson Rounds, from '44 to '48-four years; Reverend William Hosmer, from '48 to '56-eight years; Reverend F. G. Hibbard, from '56 to '60-four years; Reverend Isaac S. Bingham, from '60 to '64-four years; and from '64 to '75 by Rev- erend D. D. Lore, D. D .- eleven years, and until his death. The paper, however, was removed to Syracuse in 1872, three years before that event, on the establishment of the Methodist University there. While published here, the work was executed by William J. Moses, who was the agent and business manager of the paper. The Advocate has always been a very successful enterprise.
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The Star of Temperance, was started by L. W. Dewey, in 1845, and removed to Rochester, about 1848, leaving an opening for the Cayuga Chief, which soon followed.
The Auburn Journal and Advertiser, weekly, was, as stated, first issued here in May, 1833. In March, 1846, Mr. Oliphant issued the weekly under the title of the Auburn Journal, and commenced a daily under that of the Auburn Daily Advertiser, the latter the second daily paper printed here.
The telegraph wires were brought into Auburn in May, 1846, and wrought a marvelous change in the transmission and publica- tion of news. Hitherto, from one to two days had been required for the receipt of news from the sea coast, which now was instantly transmitted; and at business centers a daily journal became a necessity.
The Cayuga Tocsin therefore, quickly followed the Advertiser in issuing a daily paper. Both those papers had anticipated the completion of the telegraph to this point, by receiving their dis- patches by mail, first from Utica, and then from Syracuse, as the telegraph was extended to those cities.
On September 14, 1846, Mr. Oliphant, whose health had failed, sold his papers to Henry Montgomery, by whom they were pub- lished until May 26, 1848. The latter did not make the enterprise a financial success, but made an assignment to Chas. T. Ferris. Mr. Ferris subsequently bought the establishment, and published the papers until August 22, 1849. He then sold to George W. Peck, Oscar F. Knapp taking a one-half interest therein, Mr. Peck and Mr. Montgomery editors; and Mr. Knapp business manager, the firm being Knapp & Peck. Afterwards Mr. Peck became the editor-in-chief.
In the History of Caguga County, published in 1879, the follow- ing paragraph occurs in the chapter on the press, edited by the late Elliot G. Storke:
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"The Auburn Daily Advertiser and the Auburn Journal have been published the longest of any in the county under one ownership, and have been signally prosperous. They hold a prominent place among the larger and more important journals in the interior cities of the state."
Oscar F. Knapp and George W. Peck, the early owners of the Auburn Daily Advertiser and Weekly Journal, continued the business under the firm name of Knapp & Peck-Mr. Peck as editor and Mr. Knapp as business manager-without interruption until the death of Mr. Peck in July of 1877. Mr. Peck's two sons then inherited his interest, and Mr. Knapp divided his interest with his son, making four equal partners in the concern, but not changing the name. The firm of Knapp & Peck continued until September, 1883, when Edward H. Thomson was admitted to partnership, and the title underwent its first change in all these years, becoming Knapp, Peck & Thomson.
At the present time the personnel of the Advertiser is as follows: Horace J. Knapp, George R. Peck, Henry D. Peck, and Edward H. Thomson.
George W. Peck from eighteen to twenty-two years of age, was employed as an apprentice and compositor on the Quincy, (Ill.) Herald; for about three years on the St. Louis Daily Repub- lican, as a compositor. He was next engaged for one year on the Cortland County, N. Y. Whig, and coming thence to Auburn worked here, in turn, for Henry Oliphant and Henry Montgomery, on the Advertiser. He was next employed in the editorial department of the Lockport Daily Courier, and on August 22, 1849, he bought the Advertiser, as stated. Some years later his health failed, and his disease-hemorrhoids and nervous dyspepsia-induced manifest and repeated instances of mental derangement, with an impulse to self-destruction which he finally effected, in his own library, on the 28th day of July 1877, by a pistol shot through the brain.
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Kendrick Vail took his first lessons in his art in the office of the Advertiser, under Montgomery, and has devoted thereto his subse- quent life, in the various capacities incident to the business, as compositor, foreman, proofreader, pressman, editor and pub- lisher; understanding practically and thoroughly all the depart- ments of the business, whether of book, or newspaper publishing. He had the principal charge of the press room in the publishing house of Derby, Miller & Company, was one of the publishers of the Daily and Weekly Union, and was business manager of the firm of K. Vail & Company, publishers of the Auburn Daily Bulletin, which will be hereinafter noticed. He retired from the newspaper business about 1880 and has since died.
Andrew Shuman, then sixteen years of age, began his second year's apprenticeship with Montgomery on the Advertiser, in 1846, and remained nearly three years. In 1848 he published, "on his own hook," a small weekly paper entitled The Auburnian, doing the work on overtime. Kendrick Vail, a fellow apprentice, soon became partner, and their paper was a brisk and lively little sheet. But it involved too much labor for the limited time of the young men, and they continued it for four months only. Young Shuman, though but eighteen years of age, in 1849 formed a partnership with T. W. & Emma Brown, in publishing the Cayuga Chief, and continued it for one year. Feeling the need of a more thorough culture, he spent the ensuing two years at the Clinton Liberal Institute, fitting himself for college, and entered Hamilton in 1851. While there he made the most of his time and his vacations, even, were spent here in writing for the Advertiser. In 1853 he was offered the position of editor of the Syracuse Daily Journal, which he accepted and creditably filled for three and a half years, going thence to Chicago to accept the editorship of the Chicago Evening Journal. In politics he became equally conspicuous and successful. He was state penitentiary commissioner of Illinois from 1865 to 1871, and lieutenant-governor of that state.
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The Cayuga New Era was started in June 22, 1847, and pub- lished for nearly ten years. Merrill, Stone & Company were the first publishers, and its editor was Thos. Y. How. It was after- wards published successively by Stone, Hawes & Company, Finn & Hollett and Wm. L. Finn, and discontinued in 1857
John S. Jenkins, an elegant and forcible writer, and the author of several valuable works which were published here, held for some time the position of editor of this journal, and his articles merited and received the marked attention, both of their local readers and of the press of the country.
The New Era was designed to heal the old divisions in the Democratic party on the question of slavary extension; but time only widened the breach, and increased the bitterness of the contest which culminated in the formation of the Republican party, and in 1860 in the election of Lincoln, to be followed by the disastrous and terrible events of the ensuing four years.
The Auburn Daily Bulletin, the first of that name, was issued as a campaign journal in 1848, by Stone, Hawes & Company.
Auburn's Favorite, by N. P. Caulkins, in 1847; The Masonic Union, by Finley M. King in 1850, a few monthly numbers only were issued; the Spiritual and Moral Instructor in 1851; the Farmer and Mechanic in 1856, changed in 1857 to The Teacher's Educational Journal, both by P. B. Becker; and the Spiritual Clarion in 1857; were unsuccessful experiments, and of little public importance.
The Cayuga Chief, owned, edited and published by Thurlow W. Brown, was an outspoken, original and vigorous temperance journal, commenced here January 4, 1849, and continued for eight years, when it was removed to Wisconsin, and continued there under the same ownership. Emma, sister of Thurlow W., was early associated with him in the literary and business management of the paper here, and so continued after its transfer to the West.
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Thurlow W. Brown, and his sister Emma, were "peculiar people." They were independent and fearless in the advocacy of what they believed to be right. They had decided talents, and great industry and perseverance. As serial writers they had few superiors, and Thurlow W. Brown was also an effective public speaker. He published a very readable volume on his favorite theme, "Temperance Tales and Hearth Stone Reveries."
The Christian Ambassador was first established in New York city, as the successor of the Christian Messenger, on the fourth day of December, 1850, and Reverend J. M. Austin was appointed its editor. It was, however, removed to Auburn early in January following, and conducted here for about twelve years, under the able supervision of the same editor. It was published in the in- terest of the New York Convention of Universalists, by a stock company. The enterprise was very successful.
The circulation rose to over 8,000 weekly, and gave the patrons great satisfaction. It earned, bought and paid for the entire stock, and the establishment was then turned over to the State Convention, agreeably to the original plan, and the latter became its sole owners and publishers. At this time Mr. Austin resigned his position as editor, to accept that of paymaster in the army, which he held until the close of the war. Reverend T. J. Sawyer succeeded Mr. Austin as editor, and the Ambassador was removed to New York.
The Auburn American, daily and weekly, was issued by Wm. J. Moses, in February, 1855, and continued under that name until June 20, 1859, when its title was changed to the Auburn Daily and Weekly Union, Moses & Vail publishers.
The American was the organ of the political party of that name, while the latter existed, and ably advocated its principles.
The Union was continued until March 6, 1861, when the papers were sold to Knapp & Peck, who, for a short period, issued their weekly under the title of the Auburn Journal and Weekly Union, and their daily as the Advertiser and Union.
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B. F. Hall was chief editor of the Union, and Chas. A. Warden city editor, and their departments were conducted with signal ability. Though Judge Hall had been the recognized editor of our journals here to a limited extent only, he, nevertheless, per- formed much valuable work in that capacity, and largely con- tributed to give interest and value to our local press up to twenty years ago.
The Northern Independent was established in August, 1856, by Reverend Wm. Hosmer, aided by a Publication Committee of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It had its origin in the anti-slavery zeal of its projectors, who regarded the regular church organs as too cautious and not sufficiently outspoken on the slavery question. It was vigorously conducted and well supported, until the causes which gave it birth had ceased, when it was discontinued.
Reverend Wm. Hosmer, its projector and principal editor, was for about twenty years prominently connected with our local press, in the capacities of editor and author. His convictions were earnest and sincere, and at all times plainly expressed. He was an "agitator and reformer" of no mean ability, and as such always stood in the front ranks-boldly confronting the opponents of his opinions, and challenging their admiration by the firmness and consistency of his course. Slavery and intemperance were espe- cially obnoxious to him, and no one ever contended against them with greater zeal and energy. He lived to see the former die; but the latter will probably live, despite the efforts of philan- thropists, while evil exists in the world.
The Orphans' Friend was first issued in August, 1857, more than fifty years ago. It was an effective advocate of the noble charity in aid of which it was established.
The Auburn Democrat, weekly, was started in August, 1857, by Stone, Hawes & Company, by whom it was continued about five years, and until Mr. Stone entered the army. The establishment
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was then transferred to Wm. S. Hawley, who issued the Spirit of the Times for about eighteen months. Mr. Hawley also issued one number of a daily of the above title, but this enterprise failing to receive proper encouragement was abandoned, as was his weekly.
The People's Union, an advocate of political reform, was pub- lished during the local canvass of 1862, the contributors to which were Michael S. Myers, Warren T. Worden, C. L. Adams, and others. The Mcclellan Banner was published during the political campaign of 1864, by P. W. Rhodes and C. L. Adams.
The Semi-Weekly Herald, Democratic, was published in 1865, for about six months, by N. T. Hackstaff and G. E. Bostwick.
In September, 1868, another Democrat was issued by Charles F. Durston & Company The establishment, however, was the next year transferred to J. N. Bailey, who published it under that title for four years, when the paper was sold to Wm J. Moses.
The Auburn Morning News, daily and weekly, was first issued here in July, 1868, by Dennis Brothers & Thorne. Its editor-in- chief was Wm. H. Barnes; Charles A. Warden, city editor, and Theodore H. Schenck, literary editor. It was the advocate of Republican principles and conducted with energy and ability. No expense was spared to give interest and value to the journal. Its proprietors, however, were without experience as publishers. The disbursements of the establishment were not justified by its receipts, and, after sacrificing largely, the papers were discontinued in January, 1871.
The Auburn Daily Bulletin was started February 16, 1870, by K. Vail & Co. William J. Moses was the directing spirit in the enterprise, and it was published from his printing establishment at 27 and 29 Clark street. Mr. Moses was in editorial charge and Kendrick Vail was the business manager. The paper entered the field as a local independent newspaper. At that time the Asso- ciated Press service had a monopoly of the telegraph news service and the Bulletin had to depend on its local news and editorial
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strength to win public favor. Charles A. Caulkins, who had a reputation for originality in handling local matters, was the city editor.
From the same publication office, the Auburn Daily News, a morning newspaper was published beginning July 16, 1872, and the weekly edition of the News was begun August 12th of the same year. The publishers of the News were the Auburn Printing Com- pany of which Mr. Moses was president and H. L. Storke, secretary and treasurer. In politics it was vigorously Democratic, Mr. Moses at the time being very prominent in Democratic state politics. Mr. Moses was the editor-in-chief of both publications, but he devoted most of his attention to the morning edition and his editorial opinions were widely read and quoted. He wielded a vigorous pen ; he always stood for the advancement of Auburn and was very devoted to its public institutions, especially educational. As a writer he had a clearness of statement that made his editorials forceful and he could crowd into a dozen lines as much common sense argument as many would take a column to present. The point was never obscured by useless verbiage or attempt at orna- mentation; there was no mistaking his language or meaning.
The Morning News, though it had the advantage of the Asso- ciated Press service which was very important in those days and was ably edited did not prove a financial success and was discon- tinued after a more or less precarious existence of six years. The subscription list of the News was merged with the Bulletin and the evening paper became the News-Bulletin.
Mr. Moses took over the business management of the consoli- dated papers and a few years later, that he might give his whole attention to that department, made Edward M. Allen, who came here from Utica, managing editor of the News-Bulletin. Mr Allen had for a time been editor of the Evening Auburinan, which was established originally as the Item, in June, 1877, by Urban S. Ben- ton, with offices in Exchange street. The Auburnian was taken
CHARLES F. RATTIGAN
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over by a stock company and it had considerable success for several years, but in January, 1885 it was purchased by Mr. Moses and merged with his paper under the hyphenated name of News-Bulletin- Auburnian.
The consolidation gave the Bulletin, which in the meantime had grown in circulation and influence under the combination of two such men as William J. Moses and Edward M. Allen, the largest circulation attained up to that time by any paper in the city.
The early 80's were trying years for all the newspaper publishers. Following the success of the Auburnian, there came dissensions in the company and the result was the establishment of the Evening Dispatch, as a fourth evening paper-the Advertiser, Bulletin, Auburnian and Dispatch.
The Dispatch after a hopeless struggle to get a foothold as an evening paper entered the morning field and with the United Press dispatches made a very creditable newspaper. But it could not command sufficient patronage and it followed the Dennis brothers' Morning News and Mr. Moses' later venture to the newspaper graveyard in 1890.
Edward M. Allen continued in editorial charge of the Bulletin until his death in 1893. He was a born newspaper man and under him the Bulletin attained and held an important position in the life of the city. On his death Charles F. Rattigan, who began news- paper work on the Dispatch in 1884 succeeded to the managing editorship and continued in that position until it was merged with the Auburn Citizen, October 2, 1905.
The Citizen Was established by a stock company organized by T. M. Osborne and Mr. Rattigan. The building No. 34 and 36 Dill street was purchased and equipped with the latest machinery, the old Bulletin printing plant, which was established over half a century before being dismantled. The subscription list of the Bulletin was taken over by the new company and greatly added to by new subscribers and on this consolidation the Citizen took the
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