Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 26

Author: Emerson, Edgar C., ed
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Co.
Number of Pages: 1368

USA > New York > Jefferson County > Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York > Part 26

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

236

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

of the paper and company perfectly systematized and conducted. In all respects the papers issued by the Brockway Sons company are the strongest in northern New York, and rank among the leading journals of the state.

The Watertown Post was founded and established July 16, 18:0, by firm of Bragdon & Co., George C. Bragdon being the active factor in the enterprise. He retired from the firm Nov. 2, 18:1, and the paper was published for the next year by Hanford, Wood & Plumb. In 1822 J. H. Treadwell succeeded to the Plumb interest, and was in turn (June, 18:4) succeeded by R. A. Oakes. In September following Mr. Ingalls became sole proprietor and conducted the paper until September 1, 1892, when the present owner, L. G. Chase, assumed management. The Post is an interesting newspaper, republican in politics, but is de- voted to miscellaneous reading and subjects, and finds warm welcome in all the towns of the county and even beyond its borders.

The Republican was founded in 1883 by General Bradley Winslow. and entered the local journalistic field with every prospect of success, but after about a year it was merged in the Post.

The Watertown Advocate was established February 6, Iss4, by George E. Satchwell, although in December of the preceding year the first number of the paper had been issued, espousing the cause of prohibi- tion. Since that time it has maintained a successful existence while the history of similar enterprises in the state has been one of only a transient life and ultimate downfall. The Advocate is devoted almost wholly to temperance miscellany and statistical matter and enjoys a fair circulation and advertising patronage.

The Watertown Herald was established July 4, 1886, and was a "merger" of four country newspapers, the Copenhagen News, the Carthage Leader, the Jefferson County Herald (Theresa) and the Clay- ton Free Press. Jere. Coughlin, a practical newspaper man of ex- perience was the originator of the enterprise and all of its subsequent success has been due to his persevering industry and judgment, for never before in the history of journalism in this part of the state, or possibly the whole state, had a like attempt been made and carried to successful results. Mr. Coughlin undertook the enterprise to secure a good subscription list at the outset without the customary preliminary canvass, and issued a paper so entirely satisfactory that the circulation increased rather than decreased, and the most gratifying results at- tended his efforts. The Herald is an independent and not neutral pa-

THE JEFFERSON COUNTY PRESS.

per, and discusses all public questions fearlessly and without prejudice. Its circulation extends throughout Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties, and has at least a hundred correspondents in as many towns and villages. One of its most interesting features is the illustrated de- partment, all work for which is done at the home office.

The Watertown Daily Standard, and the Watertown Semi Weekly Standard (issued Wednesday and Saturday), were founded March 21, 1894, by the Standard Publishing Company, incorporated just previous to that date. The officers of the company were John P. Douglas, pres- ident; Daniel J. Eames, vice- president ; D. C. Douglas, treasurer; and C. S. Adams, secretary. Mr. Eames was succeeded as vice-president by A. W. Munk, and Mr. Douglas as treasurer by llannibal Smith, other than which there has been no subsequent change in the personnel of the management. The Standard, in both editions, is one of the leading newspaper publications in northern New York, thoroughly and unqualifiedly republican in sentiment and expression, and a factor for good in the councils of the party. It is admirably managed and ably edited, hence is in all respects a successful paper

The Lodge Record, a semi- monthly publication devoted almost ex- clusively to the interest and advancement of fraternal orders, was es- tablished in 1893, the initial number appearing December 1 of that year. Addison B. Parker, the founder, has been at the head of the paper since it was started. The editor is Charles J. Bellinger.

The Annals of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, a monthly magazine devoted to subjects especially interesting to Catholic readers, was es- tablished in Watertown in 1882, and during the period of its publica- tion gained a wide circulation and was productive of much good in its special field.

Referring briefly to the daily press of the county seat (there have been no daily papers in the county outside the city of Watertown) first mention may be made of the Daily Journal, which was started in 1843 by Joel Greene, but was soon afterward changed into the Watertown Journal, a tri weekly, and continued until 1846. On May 10, 1851, the Daily Jeffersonian was issned from the office of the weekly Jeffersonian. It was continued for about two and one half years and then suspended.

The Daily Republican came into existence May 1, 1856, about the same time as the party of that name. It was issued from the Reformer office by proprietors Ingalls & Stowell, and warmly supported the can- didacy of Mr. Fremont for the presidency; but after the campaign

238

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

was ended the paper became unprofitable, therefore was diseontin- ned.

The Daily Telegraph was founded by several interested eitizens of Watertown, in 1858. The Atlantie cable had just been laid and the promoters of the enterprise hoped for substantial results through the increased facilities for acquiring news by that great consummation. J. D. Huntington, operator in charge of the loeal telegraph office, was the leading spirit of the paper, and was assisted by John H. Rice, Will- iam Farwell and others. However, the Telegraph continued only one year, and was sneceeded by the Daily News, founded by L. M. Stowell, Mareh 13, 1859, and suspended after another year had passed.

A second paper under the name of Daily News was started in Janu- ary, 1861, by A. H. Hall, with L. J. Bigelow in the editorial ehair un- til Mareh 16, when George C. Bragdon took charge. Under this diree- tion the paper was continued with varying fortunes until January 20, 1862, when it was sold to the owners of the Daily Reformer, the latter having entered the field April 22, 1861, under the proprietorship of Ingalls, Broekway & Beebe, publishers of the Reformer. On January 4, 1820, the name Daily Reformer was changed to Watertown Times, and was then a small paper, having a limited circulation, but a fair advertising patronage. This paper developed into the Watertown Daily Times of the present day, one of the leading dailies of this part of the state. It is published by the Broekway Sons company, ineor- porated.

The Daily Republican, a morning paper, was started in July, 1888, by the publishing firm of Ingalls, Shepard & Dewey, with L. Ingalls, Charles R. Skinner and H. E. Knickerbocker, editors. After six months of indifferent success the paper was suspended.

The Watertown Evening News was started November 28, 1891, by WV. B. Phillips, formerly of On the St. Lawrence, and Arthur E. Mc- Allister. The partnership was dissolved Deeember 16 of the same year, after which Mr. Phillips continued the publication alone until January 22, 1892, when the paper was suspended.

The Watertown Daily Standard, which is mentioned at length in a preceding paragraph, was established March 21, 1894, and has sinee been published in connection with the semi-weekly edition by the same company. The Standard is one of the best dailies in this region, and with its local eotemporary stands at the head of the newspapers of the county.

THE JEFFERSON COUNTY PRESS.

The Watertown Gazette was started April 19, 1896, by Charles W. Clare, owner and publisher of the Re- Union, who invested a considera- ble sum of money in the enterprise with the full belief that a good, prudently managed democratie daily could be made a profitable invest - ment. The office was equipped with modern presses of the best make, and a competent corps of editors and reporters was seeured. During the campaign of that year, the Gazette advocated the nominees of the Chicago convention, and was well managed in other directions, but for some cause the enterprise failed of success, therefore the paper sus- pended publication on September 8, 1896.

In the same manner the history of the various newspaper publica- tions in the outlying towns of the county may be briefly traced.

In Adams, Theron Parsons, as proprietor, and Abner Morton, as editor, issued the first number of the Censor on July 1, 1828. It was an anti masonic paper, and at the end of about six months was removed to Watertown and took the place of the Anti-Masonic Record. In 1830 it became the Anti-Masonic Sun, with Enoch Ely Camp as proprietor.

The next paper at Adams was the Jefferson County Democrat, started in Is11 by Josephus C. Hatch and by him continued until 1842, when E. J. Clark became proprietor, he having previously held an interest in the enterprise. Mr. Clark conducted the Democrat until 1855, when he removed to Watertown to engage in other business, upon which the paper passed into the hands of Justus Eddy, and by him was changed to Jefferson County News, an independent weekly publication. In 1863, 1). A. Wight, a bookseller of Adams, acquired an interest with Eddy and continued the News until April, 1865, when George C. Bragdon bought the plant and changed the name of the paper to Adams Visitor. The office was burned just previous to the day on which Mr. Bragdon was to issue his first number, but the plant was at once re- stored, and an excellent paper was provided by this enterprising pro- prietor for about three years, when Babcock & Delong bought the office. In 1869 S. R. Pratt purchased the Babeock interest, and through his influence the paper was enlarged to eight pages, and changed its name to Northern Temperance Journal, becoming the special organ of the Good Templar organizations and the temperance cause in general. It was thus continued until October 20, 1550, when the name was changed to Jefferson County Journal, an independent paper, as the experiment with a purely temperance organ did not meet with hoped for success. In 1811 the Pratt interest was purchased by

240

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

William J. Allen, and the new firm of Hatch & Allen continued the Journal with a good degree of success until failing health compelled Mr. Hatch's retirement from business. Mr. Allen then became sole proprietor, and has published the paper uninterruptedly to the present time. The circulation exceeds two thousand copies weekly, and the Journal is regarded as one of the substantial newspapers of the Black river country. The office is equipped with excellent job printing ma- terial.

The only other newspaper venture in Adams was that made in March, 1876, when 11. W. Gunther & Co. issued the first number of the Adams Herald, a bright and newsy sheet, but at the end of one year the office material was sold to the owners of the Journal.

The town of Wilna, and Carthage village in particular, has for years been noted for the number and also for the quality of its newspaper publications. Indeed, the statement may be made without boast that Carthage has furnished to the county press some of its most brilliant contributors. The first paper printed in this enterprising village was the Carthagenian, of which David Johnson was editor, but the means nec- essary to carry on the work was supplied by Hiram McCullom, for many years the leading business man of the locality. The first issue appeared Dec. 19, 1839. In politics the paper advocated the principles of the whig party, but its special mission was to influence public senti- ment in favor of the Black river canal enterprise, which was then being earnestly discussed. On June 18, 1840, William H. Hough, another conspicuous figure in local journalism, became owner of the paper, and in April, 1843, changed its name to Black River Times. During this year the paper ceased publication.

The People's Press, a neutral semi-monthly paper, was started Jan- uary 1, 1847, by Myron F. Wilson, but soon afterward W. H. Colston became associate editor. In September following, L. Jones took charge, but the Press soon dropped out of existence. It was followed by the Black River Budget, published by Barnes & Burr for one year.

The Carthage Standard was started in January, 1858, by the removal of a printing establishment from Constableville. A. W. Allen appears to have directed the affairs of the paper, but W. R. Merrill and E. R. Cole were its real founders, having been its proprietor previous to the removal. Soon after locating at Carthage Mr. Merrill became proprie- tor, and was next succeeded by the firm of Merrill & Cole, with Charles T. Hammond as associate editor. In December, 1858, the Standard

241

THE JEFFERSON COUNTY PRESS.

was succeeded by the Black River Gazette, the latter the venture of Almont Barnes and Alva Wilson. It was continued a little more than one year.

The Carthage Republican, which has been one of the permanent newspapers of the eastern part of the county, was founded in the spring of 1860 by Mareus Bickford, proprietor, and O. T. Atwood, associate editor. In September, 1865, the paper was sold to James II. Wilbur, who continued it with Mr. Biekford in the editor's chair. In 1866 M M. Williams became partner in the management, and sole owner in 1872. In January of the next year S. R. Pratt became proprietor and in connection with the Republican published the Farmers' Journal, a grange paper, devoted to agricultural interests. The Journal, how- ever, was sold in 1896 to John O'Donnell, of Lowville. In August of this year Lloyd G. Chase, who has long been known in journalistie circles in the county, purchased the Republican, and installed Jere Coughlin, now the veteran editor of the Watertown Herald, at the head of its literary department. Mr. Chase owned and managed the paper until January, 1892, when he was succeeded by George W. Dickinson, the present proprietor, a practical printer, and now on the thirty- fifth year of his connection with newspaper work.

The Northern New Yorker was started in April, 1875, by Durham & Gillett, but in the following fall Wesley Barr became proprietor. In April, 1826, Mr. Coughlin became editor and continued with the paper until it was merged into the Republican.

The Carthage Democrat made its initial appearance in the local journalistic field in 1829, under the proprietorship of E. D. Bates, who brought his press and other office equipment from Copenhagen. The paper suspended after three months.

The Carthage Leader was established in March, 1876, under the ownership of B. G. & C. E. Seamans, but in June following passed into the hands of Jere Coughlin and was one of four leading country newspapers published in this region which in 1886 were by that capa- ble journalist merged into the Watertown Herakl.

The Carthage Tribune was started in October, 1887, by a company of interested stockholders, but Wm. B. Kesler has all through this period been the active manager and leading spirit of the enterprise. Under his control the Tribune is one of the best country democratic newspapers in the county, and deservedly enjoys a liberal patronage both in its subscription and advertising departments.

242

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Sackets Harbor enjoys the prominence of having the second news. paper published in the county. On March 18, 1>14, George Camp issued the first number of the Sackets Harbor Gazette, and in 1818 changed the name to Gazette and Advertiser, and so continued it until 1820. The paper soon afterward passed into the hands of Matthew Cole, Elisha Camp and others, and on February 9, 1821, the new management changed its name to Jefferson Republican. It was con- tinned until the early part of 1823 and then suspended. In the spring of 1824 the Freeman's Advocate was started by Truman Haskell, and was, like its predecessor, a federalistic sheet, showing that although the war had resulted contrary to the expectations of advocates of that party, the old spirit was still rampant in the region. But the Advo. cate not only held to the federalist theories but as well was thoroughly anti-masonic in expression. It was a short lived paper and suspended publication in the latter part of 1828.

Soon afterward, at just what date is now unknown, James Howe started the Sackets Harbor Courier, which he made a good and reason- ably successful general family newspaper. It was discontinued about 1837. In this year was issued the first number of the Jefferson County Whig, the venture of Edward H. Purdy. It was continued about a year, and was followed in October, 1838, by the Sackets Harbor Jour- nal, with Edmond M. Luff, publisher, and D. M. Burnham, editor. Mr. Luff soon became sole proprietor and continued the paper until the spring of 1541. when he was succeeded by Joel Greene. The last proprietor was Calvin Greene, under whom the paper suspended in 1843. About this time Joel Greene attempted the publication of a double edition paper called the Black River Journal, which he hoped to circulate freely both at the harbor and the county seat. The enter- prise failed of success, and in 1846 the plant passed into the hands of A. W. Clark who conducted it only a short time.

The next journalistic venture in this historic village was the Sackets Harbor Observer, founded March 20, 1848, by O. H. Harris, a pub- lisher of spirit and capacity, who espoused the cause of the old whig party of that period. In 1852 Mr. Harris associated with Mr. Hunting ton and superseded the Observer with the Jefferson Farmer, neutral in politics, but a bright family paper devoted particularly to agricultural interests. The paper soon afterward passed entirely under Mr. Harris's control, and by him the original name was restored, and was main- tained so long as the owner lived in the village.

213

THE JEFFERSON COUNTY PRESS

At Cape Vincent the first newspaper was the Cape Vincent Gazette, founded May 8, 1858, by Paul T. Leach. In 1864 it was succeeded by the Frontier Patriot, a spirited paper issued under the ownership of P. 11. Keenan until he entered the service and left the management of the office in the hands of Robert Mitchell. The latter suddenly disap- peared and never returned, hence further publication was suspended.

The Cape Vincent Eagle, one of the most enterprising and ably con- ducted country papers of the county, was founded April 10, 1822, by Ames & Hunt. Mr. Ames soon succeeded to the sole proprietorship. On April 21, 1817, the Eagle was sold to Charles B. Wood, a practical newspaper man, and who by reason of his long service is one of the oldest publishers in the county. He is still its owner and editor. Soon after he bought the paper Mr. Wood changed its name to Dem- ocratie Eagle, but later on restored the old headline. The Eagle is un- questionably one of the strongest democratic country papers on the St. Lawrence river border.

The first newspaper published at Theresa was the Theresa Chronicle, which made its appearance January 14, 1848, under the proprietorship of Elisha C. Burt, with James L. Bufford and William Fayel editors. The venture proved unprofitable, hence publication was suspended after a few years. From this time until 1881 Theresa was without a local paper except the edition of Major Durham's Northern New Yorker, which was for a time circulated in the town under the name of Theresa Journal.

The Theresa Advertiser made its appearance in 1881, under the management of W. S. Saunderson, a practical printer, but who unfortu- nately lacked experience in the business department. The paper was published about two years. The next venture in this field was made by proprietor Van Slyke of the Antwerp Gazette, who sold an edition of that paper in this town under the name of the Sentinel. This par- tially satisfactory arrangement was continued several years, but on January 1, 1895, Allen C. Strough issued the first number of the Theresa Weekly Gleaner, a bright, newsy sheet, fully in spirit with other inter- ests in this flourishing village. Mr. Strough fills the position of editor and treasurer of the publishing company, and is in fact its owner, with S. P. Severn as business manager.

In Clayton the first newspaper was the Clayton Independent started in May, 18:3, by William D. Clark and George Beden. Before a year had passed Mr. Clark became sole owner, but at the end of two years

244

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

was in turn succeeded by William II. Rees, a native of the town and a lawyer by profession, but nevertheless a capable newspaper publisher and editor. At the expiration of a year Mr. Rees sold out to Warren W. Ames, and the latter to George A Lansing. Then Mr. Ames again came into control and took as partner Frank D). Rogers, of Chaumont. The next firm was Rogers & Brown, and still later E. C. Rogers ac- quired an interest. Under these ownerships the paper was published with varying success, but in the winter of 1882-83 a disagreement in the firm led to suspension of the business.

The Clayton Standard, the direct outgrowth of which was On The St. Lawrence, of the present day, was established June 23, 1883, by C. E. & F. G. Hocknel. In November, 1884, the senior partner succeeded the firm, and on January 1, 1886, the name of the paper was changed to On The St. Lawrence and Clayton Independent. At this time Mr. Hocknel purchased what was left of the Independent and merged it in his paper under the name mentioned. The latter portion of the name was afterward dropped. The paper was purchased in the winter of 188; by Ratchford, Phillips & Slate and published by them one year. The next owners were Phillips & McCarn, who continued it two years. In 1890 the Thousand Island Publishing Company (limited) was organ- ized with $5,000 capital, and under its management the paper has been successfully conducted. E. J. Welsh was editor until his death late in the fall of 1891.

The Free Press was started at Clayton in the spring of 1885 by E. D. & W. M. Vincent, but the field and patronage were both limited, hence the publication was soon suspended.

The Antwerp Gazette was the result of the first attempt to establish a newspaper publication in the enterprising village of Antwerp. James M. Beaman was founder of the enterprise and issued the first number of the paper September 1, 18:3. On December 24 of the next year he was succeeded by James W. Van Slyke, afterward proprietor of the Philadelphia Monitor and the Theresa Sentinel, both of which were for a time issued from the office of the Gazette. On December 12, 1888, Mr. Van Slyke sold out to M. H. Bent, who continued the papers until February 15, 1892, when Duane W. Fuller succeeded him, and has since issued the Gazette, which is regarded as one of the best weekly newspapers in northern Jefferson county. In August, 1893. the Phila- delphia edition of the paper, known as the Monitor, was sold to G. L. Olds.

2.15

JEFFERSON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

The Philadelphia Budget was established in June, 1891, by C. R. Stoddard as an 8-column folio. On April 13, 1892, the paper was pur- chased by G. L. Olds, formerly of Gouverneur. Under this manage- ment the Budget became firmly established in the families of Philadel- phia and adjoining towns, but to attain the best business results Mr. Olds, in August, 1893, purchased the subscription list of the Phila- delphia Monitor, then printed in Antwerp, and consolidated the papers, so far as this town was concerned, under the name of the Budget Monitor, as now known.

The Black River Herald, formerly known as the Croghan News, made its appearance in the enterprising village of Black River in May, 1889, under the proprietorship of P. B. Mereness, a newspaper man of good repute. The paper, however, failed to gain the patronage necessary for its support and was therefore discontinued in April, 1890.

CHAPTER XVIII

A Brief History of the Jefferson County Agricultural Society, and its Kindred Associations-The Jefferson County Historical Society.

The first agricultural exhibition within the present state of New York, of which there is any definite knowledge, was a cattle fair held at New Amsterdam, October 15, 1641. On November 11, 1692, an act was passed "for settling fairs and markets in each of the respective cities and counties throughout this province," which remained in force until repealed by the legislature March 12, 1288. Previous to this time, and on March 8, 1263, a special act provided for fairs to be held in Albany, Cumberland and Tryon counties, but the revolution delayed the organization of any society under the act.

Acts were also passed by the early legislatures applying to particular towns, but the custom of holding fairs under them soon fell into disuse. These exhibitions were more properly market days; no premiums were offered, but the products of farm culture were placed side by side and their comparative excellence was left to the determination of the pur- chaser, which fact contributed to excite emulation among the producers. These fairs were generally held semi-annually. on fixed days, under the

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Our county and its people. A descriptive work on Jefferson County, New York, Part 26

Author: Emerson, Edgar C., ed Publication date: 1898 Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Co. Number of Pages: 1368

Author: Emerson, Edgar C., ed
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Co.
Number of Pages: 1368