USA > New York > Orange County > The history of Orange County, New York > Part 64
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
The first paper published in Warwick, so far as present records are obtainable, was the Doctrinal Advocate and Monitor. It was probably started as early as 1845-possibly earlier-and was edited or conducted by Elder Jewett as an exponent of the Old School Baptist doctrine. In 1846 this Monitor was merged with Elder Gilbert Beebe's Signs of the Times, and for a while the latter paper was published under both titles.
The second paper started there was the Warwick . Advertiser, the first number of which made its appearance January 27, 1866. It was a well- printed, neat, newsy, and bright paper from the first, and age not only
698
THE COUNTY OF ORANGE.
does not dim its luster, but seems to add to its sprightliness. Its first editor and proprietor was Leonard Cox, who was an elder in the Old School Baptist church of Warwick for a few years. It was independent, or rather neutral, in politics, but catered to the religious and moral senti- ment as well as the local interests of the community, from its inception, and has never ceased to act as a propagandist theological, political, social and formal. Within three years Elder Cox sold the plant to John L. Servin, a local lawyer and farmer, a man of high standing and education. In 1873 Mr. Servin transferred the business to his associate editor, Daniel F. Welling, a practical printer, but took back the concern within the year and soon afterward sold the same to Samuel J. Stewart and Joshua C. Wilson. A few years later Mr. Wilson sold his interest to DeWitt C. Demorest, a workman in the office, who, after a year or two, transferred his share back to Mr. Stewart, who remained sole proprietor until April 1, 1882, when the plant was purchased by its present owner and able editor, Hiram Tate. Under Mr. Tate's management the Advertiser be- came an advocate of the politics of the republican party, of which it has since remained a staunch and fearless supporter. The Advertiser has been a factor of no little importance in the growth and general well-being of the village and Warwick valley. After a careful campaign of educa- tion on that special subject, it was largely instrumental in bringing about the now very popular and certainly sensible style of fenceless dooryards and lawns, so prevalent in Warwick as to excite the admiration of all tasteful visitors, and one of the distinguishing factors in earning for the place the well-merited title of the "Queen Village." It was also largely through the efforts of the Advertiser that a teacher in music and elocution has been added to the Warwick schools. Other betterments in local affairs have been brought about by this paper's efforts, and the Advertiser is certainly a paper of high tone and a credit to the Warwick valley.
The third newspaper to make its appearance in Warwick was the Wl'ar- wick Valley Dispatch, which has been a success from its start. It was established in June, 1885, by George F. Ketchum, who has since been its fearless editor and publisher. The Dispatch has prospered under Mr. Ketchum's continuous and wise management of nearly twenty-three years, and has been a potent factor in shaping the progressive development of the village and town of Warwick. Its columns have been especially de- voted to school improvement, the Dispatch and its editor taking a leading
ยท
699
JOURNALISM IN ORANGE COUNTY.
part in the movement for two modern brick school houses-primary and high school-during the twelve years that Mr. Ketchum served as a member of the Warwick board of education, he being president of the board when the high school was built. It is generally acknowledged that the successful outcome of this agitation was largely due to the influence of the Dispatch and its editor. The paper has been a leader in all efforts to secure improvements for the village and the valley, especially for in- creased water supply, fine streets, and roads, and the development of Warwick as a summer resort. The paper also heartily advanced the formation of the Warwick Valley Telephone Company, the Warwick Realty Company and the Warwick Knife Company. Politically the Dis- patch is democratic, and is recognized as the most influential exponent of democracy in this section of the State. For a dozen years its editor has been chairman of the democratic county committee, during which time the influence of the Dispatch has been markedly shown in shaping the policy of the party in Orange County, and in the favorable results achieved for its candidates at the polls, although the county has a normal republican majority. The paper has gained a large local circulation be- cause of its newsy features, and is respected for its fairness and fearless- ness in controversy. The Dispatch was started as a nine-column four-page newspaper, and was first printed in a small frame building on Main street. adjoining the Warwick Valley Hotel. Since 1889 it has been comfortably housed in a brick structure known as "The Dispatch Building." which was erected on Main street by Thomas Burd, and is equipped with modern presses and a Simplex typesetting machine. Although Mr. Ketchum has always personally controlled the editorial policy of the Dispatch, Isaac W. Litchfield was a partner with him in its business from 1889 to 1894. and much of the reputation of the Dispatch is due to his bright humor and facile pen.
CORNWALL PAPERS.
Cornwall, or rather Cornwall-on-Hudson, has had its full share of journalistic ups and downs. Through the courtesy of L. G. Goodenough. editor and proprietor of the Local-Press of that place, the writer learns that the first paper, probably, issued in that interesting old town appeared April 15. 1871. It was called The Cornwall Paper: "A Local Record of Things New and Old." It was published by P. P. Hazen, of Cornwall,
700
THE COUNTY OF ORANGE.
in conjunction with A. A. Bensel, Ferry Building, Newburgh. It was stipulated, in the editorial announcement, that unless the necessary sup- port in the way of subscriptions, etc., was received, the project would have to be abandoned. Mr. Goodenough has a copy of Volume I, No. 1, of The Cornwall Paper, and as no other number seems to be in existence, it is assumed the requisite "support" never materialized, and that the paper practically "died aborning."
To a woman belongs the credit of having started the first regularly issued paper in this village. The Cornwall Times appeared May 24, 1875. with Miss S. J. A. Hussey, a highly educated woman, as editor and pro- prietor. The Times was continued for at least six years, and with credit to herself and to Cornwall. Miss Hussey died February 21, 1898, aged seventy-nine years. Her declining days were passed practically as a recluse in a cabin on Round Top Mountain, which she owned, and where she seemed to be happiest, efforts of relatives to persuade her to live with them proving unavailing.
The Cornwall Reflector was started about 1877 by John Lee, and later was edited by H. H. Snelling, an elderly gentleman of ability and a forceful writer. He continued as editor for ten years, and until failing eyesight forced him to retire, and he went to a St. Louis home for the blind, where he died in the early nineties, after having become totally blind.
In 1879 appeared the Cornwall Mirror. It was published at Highland Falls by James C. Merritt, and was represented in Cornwall by various persons at different times.
In April, 1888, the Cornwall Local appeared, under the management of H. A. Gates, and was an excellent paper. In September, 1889, he dis- posed of the Local plant to C. P. Brate, of Albany, who induced his brother-in-law, Thomas Pendell, to become its editor and publisher. In June, 1892, the paper came under the present efficient management of L. C. Goodenough. Mr. Pendell became connected with the New York Herald, later with the Middletown Sunday Forum, which he removed to Massena. N. Y., whence he went to Peekskill and then to Poughkeepsie. For the past fifteen years the Local has been conducted by L. G. Good- enough, and is a particularly handsome, bright and ably-edited local journal. Practically the paper's former politics was classed as "inde- pendent." In 1896 Mr. Goodenough made it distinctly and avowedly
701
JOURNALISM IN ORANGE COUNTY.
republican, and, as such, it has become an influential member of the county's republican press. In 1859 Mr. Goodenough purchased Mr. Mer- ritt's Cornwall Mirror, merging it with the Local. Recently the name Local-Press was adopted as more significant of a newspaper than the name Local. The Local-Press is an eight-page weekly, issued Thursdays at $1.50 a year, and with an average circulation for the year 1907 of 1,225 copies.
In October, 1898, S. T. Morehouse started a paper known as the Corn- wall Courier. It was conducted by Mr. Morehouse, by his son Claude, by the well-known writer Creswell MacLaughlin, Bernard Call, Clark J. Brown, Clayton Brown, and William Clark. It lived until 1906.
WALDEN NEWSPAPERS.
Walden has two good, newsy weekly papers. So far as the writer can ascertain the first paper started there was by Stephen H. Sayer, who, at Middletown, in 1866, started the Rising Sun, and at Montgomery the Wallkill Valley Times ( 1868), and the Dollar Weekly ( 1869). Mr. Sayer started at Walden in 1869 the Walden Recorder, but suffered it to go down. In 1870 Chauncey B. Reed resumed its publication and called it the Walden Recorder and Herald, but subsequently dropped the Recorder, and it has since appeared as the Walden Herald. It is now edited by Ward Winfield. It is a well-printed seven-column folio, and devoted entirely to local and general news.
The W'alden Citisen was established in 1887 by Jacob Sears, and had its first home over John Simpson's cigar store. The outfit consisted of a Washington hand press and a small quantity of type. After struggling a year, the ownership passed into the hands of a Mr. Scudder, and the plant was removed to the top floor of what is now the Fowler building. Soon afterward Eugen Abel, a practical printer, and Prof. D. C. Dominick, principal of the high school, purchased the concern, enlarged the paper and plant, and were getting the business on a profitable basis when, in 1898, a fire swept everything away. The paper was revived, however, and soon afterward Whitfield Gibbs became owner of the plant and speedily put the paper on solid footing and made it a leading republican paper. John Barringer succeeded Mr. Gibbs, and since March. 1903. the Rev. J. H. Reid has been editor and publisher. The paper is republican in politics, and Mr. Reid makes it a lively publication.
702
THE COUNTY OF ORANGE.
MISCELLANEOUS.
It is not generally known that for two years ( 1884-1886) the United States Official Postal Guide for New York City was printed in Orange County. A. M. May & Co. had the contract and the printing was done by William H. Nearpass at the Port Jervis Gasette office.
Of the papers at Pine Bush, Monroe, Washingtonville and Chester, mention has already been made.
In the number of publications Newburgh leads with about forty publi- cations or changes from one to another ; Middletown comes next with 22, Port Jervis with 15, Goshen with 13, and Montgomery with 7.
Bloomingburg is in Sullivan County. So is New Vernon. But each is on the south slope of the Shawangunk range and on the Shawangunk Kill, which divides the counties of Orange and Sullivan. In each place there was once a paper that practically was an Orange County produc- tion, and depended to a greater or less extent on this county for its sup- port. The first was the Signs of the Times in about 1883. The other was the Sullivan Whig at Bloomingburg, in 1846. The former was Elder Beebe's Old School Baptist organ : the latter John W. Hasbrouck found at Bloomingburg in 1846, where he began to learn the printing trade.
INCIDENTS.
As an auxiliary incident of Orange County journalism, it may not be entirely out of place to record some facts regarding journalism in Pike County Pa., opposite Port Jervis. In 1846 or 1847 James J. McNally removed the material of the Goshen Sentinel to Milford, in Pike County, and started the Pike County Democrat, July 14, 1849. It was a seven- column folio. In 1852 he changed its name to the Milford Herald. Some time afterward John M. Heller purchased the plant, and put in charge John B. Adams and Harry Heller. the son of J. M. Heller. It passed to several owners, and when O. H. Mott took it. in January 1, 1878, he for some unknown reason changed its name to the Milford Dispatch, which it remains, and now. 1908, it is edited by Josiah F. Terwilliger.
But the first paper in Milford was The Eagle of the North, in 1827, with T. A. Wells, printer. In 1828 it became The Northern Eagle and Milford Monitor, under Benjamin A. Bidwell. Somewhere between 1831
703
JOURNALISM IN ORANGE COUNTY.
and 1840 the paper disappeared. A second Northern Eagle appeared February 6, 1864, started by Dr. Edward Halliday. It was a red-hot re- publican journal, and, as might be inferred, had a small constituency in that land of 991 democratic and only a few republican voters, and it died January 1, 1866.
MORE OR LESS PERSONAL.
Orange County's pioneer journalists have been gathered to their fathers. Of the second generation there remains one-as if to link the memories of the first with the fast-reclining activities of the third generation of newspaper workers. And that one relic of the dead past is a woman, now in the sunset of life. Dr. Lydia Sayer Hasbrouck is with us yet ; a landmark in Orange County journalism-honored by those who know her best, beloved by kindred, respected by all. The twilight of her years is closing pleasantly at her beautiful home on Linden avenue, Middletown.
Of the third generation but few remain of printers, reporters, editors, publishers. The frosts of many winters have silvered their heads, but the "strength of years" finds a few of them still struggling with the insatiable demand of modern type-setting appliances for "copy" and the bustle and rush of daily newspaper life.
At this point it is interesting to take a look at the individuals, the char- acters-the men and women who have been on the scene of action, and who are there now. We have examined their work-the news and other papers and publications they have produced ; we have scanned them in the best light afforded, refracted and reflected, and to know somewhat of those who, in their own and often crude way wrought these paper tablets of thought, let us again look over the field.
MANDEVILLE AND WESTCOTT .- The first names to appear-the first characters to attract our attention-are those of David Mandeville and David M. Westcott as publishers of the Goshen Repository (1788), "at the Academy." What relations they had with the old Goshen Academy, or why the Repository was started "at the Academy" is not apparent. Victor M. Drake wrote from his recollections that David M. Westcott "was a practical printer and editor, who served a portion of his time in Benjamin Franklin's old printing office in Philadelphia, though, of course, not under Franklin's mastership. He was born in Cornwall of humble parentage, and in early life was apprenticed to a farmer, and afterward learned the printer's trade. His wife was the daughter of Coe Gale, one of the early set- tlers of Goshen, by whom he had five daughters and three sons, Mandeville, Nathan,
704
THE COUNTY OF ORANGE.
and William. Nathan was clerk of Orange County from 1844 to 1855. David M. Prescott," continues Mr. Drake's recollections, "was not only a good practical printer, but a good merchant and farmer, an able editor, and a trustworthy public servant; he was county clerk in 1815 and 1821, member of assembly in 1828, state senator in 1831-34, and filled many other stations of honor and trust. He acted as editor of the Independent Republican for a long time after. Mr. Cheevey was struck down with paralysis. I have repeatedly called him from his labors on the farm to write editorials for the Republican," says Mr. Drake, "for such was the high state of party feeling that its public would trust no other man than 'little Dave Westcott' with the responsibility of editing that paper in critical election times." Such, then, was the character and standing of the first editor in Orange County. That he was a man whose character, whose personality, and whose extraordinary abilities stand clearly silhouetted against Time's somber background, is apparent to the reader and the student of history.
CAREY, LUCIUS .- The name of Lucius Carey appears next as the printer of the Newburgh Packet in 1795. Beyond the announcement that he was the son-in- law of the Rev. John Close, he cuts no illustrious figure.
DENNISTON, DAVID .- David Denniston appears on the scene in 1797 as the purchaser of the Packet from Carey, and as changing the name to that of The Mirror. He was early in the field as a printer, having a shop in Newburgh in 1796, when he got out a bound pamphlet or book for the Rev. R. Watson, entitled "An Apology for the Bible." Mr. Ruttenber says he was of the New Windsor stock of Dennistons. Mr. Denniston was certainly a busy man, and a thinker. He died in Newburgh, December 13, 1803, of malignant fever, having up to that time been connected, at different times, from 1796 or earlier, to 1803, with the American Citi- sen and Watch-Tower, of New York City, and The Mirror, The Citizen, and the Rights of Man, in Newburgh.
SCHULTZ, JACOB .- A local contemporary of Mr. Denniston was Jacob Schultz, also of New Windsor, where he was born April 23, 1776, and February 14, 1799, married Anna, daughter of John Denniston, of that town. He first appears in the journalistic field as editor and proprietor of the New Windsor Gasctte. When this paper came into existence is not known, though it was as early as, and probably some time prior to, 1799, for in that year he moved the paper and plant to Newburgh. In 1818 he retired to a small farm in the town of New Windsor, where he erected a substantial stone house, and where, in rural pursuits and pleas- ures, he passed the remainder of his days, and was gathered to his fathers in 1859, aged eighty-three years.
WINFIELD, DR. ELIAS .- Next on the scene is Dr. Elias Winfield, who, in 1799, started the Rights of Man, and later removed to Kingston, and was lost to subsequent Orange County history.
705
JOURNALISM IN ORANGE COUNTY.
HEURTIN, JOHN G. AND WILLIAM .- John G. and William Heurtin are heard of in 1800 as purchasers of the Goshen Repository, the name of which they changed to that of the Orange County Patriot. They seem to have retired from public view after 1803, when the Patriot passed into the hands of Gabriel Denton and William A. Carpenter, and became The Friend of Truth.
DENTON, GABRIEL .- Gabriel Denton appears in 1801 as purchaser of the interest of William Heurtin in the Orange County Patriot. In 1803 Mr. Denton sold his interest to William A. Carpenter. In 1804 Mr. Denton began the publica- tion of the Orange County Gusette at Goshen. In 1808 he started in Goshen the Orange County Patriot and Spirit of Seventy-six. Mr. Denton seems to have been industrious as a founder of newspapers, but others must have reaped the reward, for his last days were passed in the Orange County poorhouse.
COLES, DENNIS .- The name of Dennis Coles appears in 1803 as starting the Recorder of the Times, in Newburgh.
GAZLAY, WARD M .- In 1804 Ward M. Gazlay appears on the scene for the first time. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and became engaged in the printing business at Goshen as the purchaser of the Friend of Truth, the successor of the Repository and the Patriot. He changed its name to that of the Orange Eagle. His office was destroyed by fire in 1805, and with the remnants he drove into New- burgh, purchased the Recorder of the Times, of Dennis Coles, and changed its name to the Political Inder, under which name it continued until 1829. The Rc- corder claimed to be Republican in politics, but was generally regarded as repre- senting the Federalists and Burrites. When Mr. Gazlay merged the Times with his Goshen paper, and evolved therefrom at Newburgh the Political Index, the interests of the Republican party were apparently consolidated. It supported Jef- ferson and Madison, and the War of 1812. Jonathan Fisk wrote the editorials for the Index, and with the inspiration of this able man's articles, the Inder cared little for its only cotemporary, the Orange County Patriot, a Federalist paper, and the latter retired to Goshen, whence it came, to become the Goshen Democrat. He sold his Index to Charles M. Cushman, in 1829. Mr. Gazlay served as a magistrate in the village of Newburgh for some years, and died there in April, 1836. aged fifty- four years. His wife was Bridget, daughter of Jonathan and Bridget Carter, by whom he had three sons.
BEACH, CYRUS, PRATT, LUTHER .- AAt Montgomery, May 6, 1806, appeared the names of Cyrus Beach and I.uther Pratt, as printers, or rather publishers, "for the proprietors," of the Orange County Republican. The proprietors were twenty- four "patriotic citizens of the county." Pratt's name remained connected with the paper until 1818, when it became the Independent Republican, with James A. Cheevey as its proprietor.
706
THE COUNTY OF ORANGE.
HENDRIE, R. C. S .- The name of R. C. S. Hendrie appears in Goshen between 1822 and 1834, through coming into proprietorship of the Patriot. He sold it to F. T. Parsons, who changed its name to the Goshen Democrat, February 22, 1834. In 1843 Mr. Hendrie started the True Whig, and two years later sold it to Mead & Son, who united it with the Democrat under the name of the Democrat and Whig.
CROWELL, T. B .- T. B. Crowell appeared in 1812 as the publisher of the Patriot, and in 1822 as its proprietor. Then he passed from the scene.
VANDYCK, HENRY H .- In 1832 the name of Henry H. Vandyck appears, in connection with the purchase of the Independent Republican at Goshen. In 1836 he was elected to the State Senate. In October, 1839, he became proprietor of the Newburgh Telegraph. His course in favoring the building of the Erie Railroad- a terrible commercial blow to Newburgh-was so displeasing to the people of New- burgh that he disposed of the paper to Elias Pitts, and left. He went to Albany, and became editor of the Albany Atlas, and was later elected Comptroller of the State. He was a Democrat of the Jackson school.
VAIL, LEBBEUS L .- Lebbeus Lothrop Vail was born at Middletown, in 1793. His father was 'Squire Izaiah Vail, a farmer and miller, and his mother, Azuba Horton. Mr. Vail, after engaging in various occupations, finally started at Goshen the Signs of the Times in 1832. In 1843 Vail and Denton started the Democratic Standard, which afterwards came into the possession of his son Hector, who changed its name to the Goshen Clarion.
Mr. Vail was a highly popular citizen, and was elected county clerk for two terms by handsome majorities. He died in 1849, and was buried in Middletown, but the remains were afterwards transferred to Goshen. Mr. Vail was married to Sally Moon, who lived until 1876.
CUSHMAN, CHARLES M .- Charles M. Cushman in 1829 purchased Gazlay's Political Index at Newburgh. He changed it to the Orange Telegraph and later to the Newburgh Telegraph. Mr. Ruttenber says of him that he was a descendant of Robert Cushman, one of the original company of Pilgrims who sailed for the New World August 5, 1620 (O. S.) He was born in Washington County, N. Y., March 20, 1802, served as an apprentice in Rutland, Vt., and subsequently in Boston; and retired from printing in 1839. He was one of the founders of the Newburgh public libraries, and also helped to establish the Quassaic Bank, and also the Newburgh Savings Bank. In 1853 he was chosen to represent the first assembly district of Orange County in the legislature. In June, 1832, he married Mary, fourth daughter of Captain John Birdsall. He died without issue at Rhinebeck, June 1, 1859."
SPALDING, JOHN D .- A contemporary of Mr. Cushman was John D. Spalding or Spaulding. He was born in Salem, Mass., January, 1800, and came to New- burgh in 1815 with his father, the Rev. Joshua Spaulding, of the Presbyterian
707
JOURNALISM IN ORANGE COUNTY.
Church. He served an apprenticeship as "devil" with Ward M. Gazlay, was subse- quently connected with the Newburgh Gasette and the Journal, for about thirty- eight years. He married Elizabeth L., daughter of Rev. John Johnston, D.D., of Newburgh, and died August 22, 1853, in his fifty-fourth year. He was survived by several children.
PITTS, ELIAS .- Elias Pitts practically succeeded Mr. Cushman in Newburgh journalism. He was born in Columbia County, N. Y., in 1810, graduated at the Kinderhook Academy, served an apprenticeship in the Kinderhook Sentinel, and became interested in the paper. Later he was in the editorial department of the Rochester Advertiser, and succeeded Mr. VanDyck on the Newburgh Telegraph in the winter of 1840, which continued until 1850. He was next heard of at Pough- keepsie as editor of the Poughkeepsie American. Soon after 1853 he received an appointment to a clerkship in the State Department at Washington, which con- tinued until his death at Washington, July 21, 1854. His first wife was Elizabeth, daughter of John Jamieson, of Newburgh. His second wife was Margaret, daugh- ter of John Whited.
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.