USA > Ohio > Butler County > A history and biographical cyclopaedia of Butler County, Ohio, with illustrations and sketches of its representative men and pioneers. Vol. 1 > Part 28
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Under the date of Paris, April 6. a new French con- stitution is given. A few of the articles are as follows : "CONSERVATIVE SENATE.
" Extract from the Register of the Conservative Senate, of Wednesday, 6th April.
" ART. 1. The French Goverment is monarchieal and hereditary, from male to male, in order of primogeniture. "2. The French people call freely to the throne of France, Louis Stanislaus Xavier, of France, brother of the late king, and after him the other members of the house of Bourbon, in the ancient order.
" 21. The person of the king is sacred and inviolable. All the acts of the government are signed by a minister. The ministers are responsible for all which these acts con- tain violatory of the laws, public and private liberty, and the rights of the citizens.
" 23. The liberty of the press is entire, with the ex- ception of the legal repression of offenses which may ro- sult from abuses of that liberty. The senatorial com- missions of the liberty of the press and individual liberty are preserved."
It also contains the address of the French Provisional Government, from which we extract, where they speak of Napoleon :
" He never knew how to reign, either in the national interest or the interest of his own despotism. He has destroyed all that he ought to create ; and reereated all that he ought to destroy. He relied ouly upon force ; force now overwhelms him-just reward of senseless au- bition.
" At length this unexampled tyranny has ecased, as the allied powers have entered the capital of France.
"Napoleon has governed us like a king of barbarians ; Alexander [of Russia] and his magnanimous allies speak only the language of honor. justice, and humanity. They have just reconciled Europe to a brave and happy people. "People of France! The senate has declared that. Napoleon has forfeited liis throne. The country is no longer with him."
David MeMechan, of Seven-mile, advertises a dark brown mare, strayed or stolen from his resi lence in Mil- ford Township, about the beginning of April. Ho offers five dollars reward, and promises to ask no questions in case she is returned.
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Michael Hagerman and Abraham Piatt & Co. adver- . tise jointly that about the 4th of July they will have in operation on the Miami River, a half mile below Hamil- ton, "three cording machines of superior quality."
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James P. Morton " gratefully acknowledges the par- tiality of a discerning public," and advertises that he has "recommenced boot and shoe making at Mr. Pearson's."
Andrew O. Rork says that he has a new cording ma- chine on Four-mile, at Scott's mill.
Samuel Millikin, near the printing office, advertises a large lot of approved family medicines, "prepared only by T. W. Dyott, M. D., grandson of the late celebrated Dr. Robertson, of Edinburgh."
Colby and Bonnell retired from the firm September 12, 1814, at which time Keen & Stewart removed to their new office on High Street. Stewart withdrew No- vember 14, 1814, Zebulon Colby returning, and the pub- lishers became Keen & Colby. This arrangement con- tinued until May 14, 1815, when William Murray, the father of the late William Murray, took an interest in the paper, to secure a debt, and the firm became Keen, Colby & Murray.
The publication of the Miami Intelligencer was con- tinued by this firm until March 29, 1816, when the business relations were dissolved, and Smith, Colby & Co. took possession, and changed the name of the paper to the Philanthropist.
The Philanthropist had for its motto "Man is man ; who is more?" It was printed from the same type and press, and preserved the form and announced the same terms of subscription as its predecessor. Except in uame, there was nothing in it to indicate a change. In August, Mr. Smith sold out, and the publishing firm was changed -to Zebulon Colby & Co., August 23, 1816, and under their direction the paper was issued until April 18, 1817, when they sold out to Wesley Camron and James B. Camron. They issued the Miami Herald.
"Free, but not licentious."-Volume I, number 1, appearing under date of September 12, 1817. The pub- lication office was in a frame building that stood near the north intersection of Reily with High Street. This build- ing has since been removed to Second, below Basin, and is the present residence of Frank Martindell.
After running two years-to October 5, 1819-a new publishing firm, consisting of James B. Camron and John L. Murray (brother of the late William Murray), was organized, and the name of the paper was changed to the Hamilton Gazette and Miami Register, the first number of which appeared October 12, 1819. While the paper professed to be independent in politics, and devoted to literature, it betrayed a decided tendency to Republican or Democratie polities. The enterprise of the new firm Jed them to enlarge the paper to five col- tions, on January 25, 1520, and its publication was con- tinned by them until January 3, 1821, certainly, and in all likelihood continuously until November 11, 1821, when
James B. Camron became sole publisher, changing the name of the paper to the Hamilton Intelligencer and .Id- vertiser.
It commenced the publication of a new series at that date, and the office was removed to the building in which, a few years ago, Tom Myers, was assassinated. On Jan- uary 10, 1825, Mr. Camron changed the name of bis paper to the Hamilton Advertiser, with " Justice and equality" for a motto; and again, on November 17, 1826, he changed to the Hamilton Ohio Advertiser, and began a new series, which was closed October 26, 1827.
At this last date Cameron, as he now spelled his name, began the publication of the Western Telegraph, a flaming Jackson paper, with Taylor Webster as editor. The fol- lowing August (1828) the publication of the Intelligencer was resumed, under the auspices of its carly friends, and with the title of the Hamilton Intelligencer. It supported John Quincy Adams as President, and from that time on advocated Whig measures. Dr. John C. Dunlevy was supposed to be the editor, but his name was not an- nounced. .
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Mr. John Woods, then the leading lawyer of the county, and the member of Congress, became a part owner in the Intelligencer on the 15th of November, 1828, when he bought half of the establishment from Edward Shaeffer, to begin in March, 1820. The other half' was! sold to Michael B. Sargeant, the law partner of Mr. Woods, in February, 1829. Mr. Shaetler's name ap- peared as publisher as late as December 22 of that year. August 17, 1830, John Woods was editor an l publisher. October 13, 1830, Richard H. L. Neale was announced as jointly interested, John Woods continuing editor. June 21, 1831, Mr. Woods became sole publisher. At about this time Lewis D. Campbell, who had just finished his apprenticeship on the Cincinnati Gazette, came to the office of Mr. Woode as a printer.
We have left to us in the journals of that time several articles which show the cost of carrying on newspapers. Before this period, now just half a century ago, the newspapers were carried on by printers; after this they were conducted by politicians, who felt the viai in- poriance of having their doctrines correctly set forth.
In Mr. Woods's office there was then only a Ramage; press, requiring two pulls to complete the impression, and inked by balls. There was no large assortment of . type, and but little mercantile printing was done. Much depended upon legal and official advertising.
The Telegraph, in July, 1831. published the following as an attack on the other paper :
"We know a press which is doing business under the following prospects: It has two ostensible partner-, and as it is published by A. B. & Co., the corn any style wouh! seem to indicate that there were more than A. & B. They do not profes- to have more than four iaindred subscribers, and it is said that not three huudred ant fifty papers are received by paying subscribers-this, for
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six months (if cash were paid within that time), would be $350; but no subscription of that number ever paid within that time $300. The actual living expenses of each of the partners can not be less than $5 per week -- they ought to receive 86, to make journeymen's wages. They employ a hand at not less than $5 per week; their paper for four hundred subscribers is 85; their office rent, ink, contingeneies, etc., will be $2. These sums, which are all put at the lowest estimate, amount to 822 per week, which multiplied by twenty-six, the number of weeks in six months, will amount to $575. The adver- tising and jobs can not amount to $75. Allowing, there- fore, four hundred subscribers, and each to pay his dollar within the six months, the receipts can not exceed $475, leaving a deficit of $100. Our knowledge of business has taught that an establishment ander such regulations can not be continued a year under a certain sacrifice of 8200, and a very probable sacrifice of several hundred more."
The younger members of the profession will not be able to see where he has understated the income or over- stated the expense. This is, however, the case. If there were two partners. one undoubtedly was a lawyer and politician, and took nothing from the fund. They would also have received a larger sum from advertisements and job printing, certainly $200 in the six months. By tak- ing off, therefore, $130 for one of the partners, and add- ing $125 to the advertising and job printing, $255 is gained, making a surplus of $155, instead of a deficit of $100.
This idea that there must certainly be a loss is carried out still further in another issue of the same paper :
" PRINTING OFFICE, Dr.
"To cash paid at sundry times:
for paper, -ince Ist January, . $550 00
paid journeymen, . 1,248 00
for twenty cords wood, 20 00
for type,. . 150 00
expenses of apprentice, 100 00 incidental expenses, 100 00
Total, $2,138 00
" SAME, C'r.
" By cash received in said time. $500 00
outstanding claims, . 3,500 00
Balance in favor of institution, . $1,262 00
"From the preceding it will be seen that $2,138 have been expended in the process of business during the past year, not including stockholders' time --- equal to $1,200- and that the actual receipts into the treasury have not exceeded $500. Thus the stockholders find themselves $1,638, in cash, out of pocket : and (if all be collectable) only a urt gain of $162, a sum ner half adequate to the injury of materials."
This was a preposterously large price to pay journey- men. No office outside of Columbus and Cincinnati, in this State, paid anch a zum ; and the quantity of paper usedl would imlicate a very large subscription list.
John Woods was announced as the editor of the In- telligencer, March 31. 1820. His opening address breathes a true spirit :
"Having claimed and exercised, during the late po- litienl contest, the right of deciding for myself, and of acting upon the convictions of my own judgment, without regard to the poor popularity which is bought by the sae- rifice of principle and self-respect, I need now give no other pledge than that I will still pursue a fearless and independent course. I trust, however, that I shall not be unmindful that others may have an equal right to form and aet upon their own opinions.
"Whatever may be my success in endeavoring to make the Intelligencer a source of general information, and of agreeable amusement to its readers, I will at least preserve it from low scurrility and degrading personal contests. When it wantonly attacks private character, and becomes the vehicle of low and malignant slander, I will no longer ask those whom I shall assail and abuse, or the publie thas insulted, to support me with their patronage and countenance."
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Mr. Woods retired at the close of the presidential contest, the day of publication was changel to Saturday, and a new series was started on Saturday. November 10, 1832, and on the 17th of that month Lewis D. Campbell was announced as editor. Mr. Campbell did all the l ;- bor-was publisher, editor, compositor, office boy and all. Fle employed, for the first two years, no one to help him, except when working press, when be required some one to ink the forms as he pulled off. For this be paid " one bit" per week. We quote a paragraph from his salutatory :
"It is confidently hoped that as the presidential enn- vass is over party spirit will soon subside, and the public mind, which has so long been kept in an unpleasant agitation, again become settled. Let the result of the contest which is now closing be what it may, our exer- tions will be actively employed in restoring peace and tranquillity. We are ready and willing to submit to the solemn decision of a free people."
The last sentence alludes to the second election of General Jackson, in 1832. The subsidence of party spirit and the restoration of peace and tranquillity in polities were Utopian schemes of the day. In 1834. L. Gibbon and D. B. Gardner assisted him as publishers. Mir. Gardner retired November 12, 1-35, and Mr. Gib- bon continued as publisher until May 12. 1836, when Isaac M. Walters succeeded. The name of the paper was changed. January 4, 1838, to the Hamilton Ohio Intelligencer, and in November of that year, Mr. Camp- bell retired. He had in the mean time studied laws, and was admitted to the bar. His fare well article, un-les the head of " Editor's Adieu," contains the following prise graphs :
" I congratulate myself upon leaving my situation with a whole hide and a clear conscience, and apon placing
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myself in a position which will enable me to be an ob- server of what is going on in the great editorial arena. It will be fun to see the langes that will be made; to see the Register and Statesman ' wool' each other; to see the veteran of the Cincinnati Gazette deal out his well-aimed biows at both friends and foes; to see Prentice floor his hosts, and to see the 'small fry' about the country dex- trously wielding their weapons.
"I now deliberately walk out of the field, and put up the bars, entertaining a hope that those friends who have stood by and patronized me may live a thousand years, happily and prosperously ; that all honest Van Buren men will soon perecive and flee from the error of their way, and that the Intelligencer may be more profitable to its publishers and more efficient to its objeet than it has been under my control."
Mr. Walters, in addition to his duties as publisher, assumed those of editor, preserving these relations until February 27, 1840, when William C. Howells, now con- sul-general of the United States in the Dominion of Canada, purchased the paper, and became both editor and publisher. His son, William D. Howells, the graceful essayist and novelist, was employed in the office a portion of the time. The first business Mr. Howells undertook was to restore to the paper its oll name of the Hamilton Intelligencer. He conducted the paper with marked ability until November 16, 1848, when he soll it to John P. Charles. A few months after, Mr. Howells purchased the Dayton Transcript.
December 7, 1848, the firm of the Intelligencer became Charles & Boardman, Mr. Charles being the editor.
Mr. Charles disposed of his interest in the paper to Mr. J. W. MeBeth, on May 17, 1849, and the style of the firm was MeBeth & Boardman-Mr. MeBeth doing the editorial work, and Mr. Boardman superintending the publishing department.
Mr. D. W. Halsey succeeded to Boardman's interest April 24, 1851, and the firm of Halsey & MeBeth ex- isted until February 15, 1855, when MeBeth disposed of his interest to Mr. Halsey.
.The appearance of the newspaper had greatly changed at this time fron: that of the first issues of the Intelligencer. It was a large, handsome sheet, filled with good reading matter, and devoting a reasonable proportion of its space to local news. The enlargement took place at the be- giuning of 1852, and was the first since 1837. Mr. Halsey owned the paper until 1857, when he died. The date was November 4. It was purchased from his exec- utors by Minor Millikin and David W. M. Clung. Mr. Millikin afterward went out to the war, and was killed while bravely Aghting for his country. Mir. MeChing is the present collector of internal revenue in Cincinnati. Among the contributors to the paper at that time was Whitelaw Reid, now editor of the New York Tribune, who furnished the weekly Oxford letter. It was well home. Mr. MeChong retired July 29, 1856, uni Mr. | Ramsay only holding the paper ten days.
Millikin owned and edited the paper until June 30. 1859, when he soll it to Jacob Morris. Mr. Morris associated William Bunston with him as joint owner, February 23, 1860, and this business relation existed until May. 1862, when Williams & Egry, proprietors of the Hamilton Telegraph, purchased the paper, and merged it in the Telegraph.
The Western Telegraph and Hamilton. Chio Advertiser, Volume I, Number 1, was published by James B. Cam- ron aud Taylor Webster, November 2, 1827, under the firm of Camron & Webster.
October 29, 1829, it was printed aud published by Taylor Webster, no account being given of the with- drawal of Mr. Camron at that time. Mr. Camron after ward became county auditor, and died in 1843. He was not a practical printer.
March 11, 1831, the name was changed to Homilton Telegraph and Butler County Advertiser. The motto then was "Justice and Equity."
March 9, 1832, the name was changed to Histeri Telegraph and Butler County Advertiser, and the place of publication ebanged. This paper was dated at Rossville, as were all its successors for nearly eight years.
October 28, 1836, the paper was suspended, Mr. Web- ster not having leisure to attend to it. He was the inem- her of Congress at that time.
November 18, 1836, the publication was resumed by Franklin Stokes, a practical printer. A vast improve- ment in the typographical appearance of the paper is perceptible in his first number. John B. Weller ap peared as editor.
November 7, 1839, the paper was again suspended for a brief period. for the purpose of settling up, the printing office being offered for sale. "This paper," Mr. Stoles says, "closes the twelfth volume of the Western Toegrup', and we embrace this occasion to return oar thanks." cre.
November 30, 1839, the place of publication was again changed to Hamilton.
February 18, 1847, the name of the paper was changed to Butler County Telegraph.
November 18, 1847, Ryan & Witherby are anaonned as publishers, and O. S. Witherby and N. M. Gaylard are announced as the editors. A. P. Miller was the pro- prictor.
October 18, 1849, M. C. Ryan, who had long infiore been employed by Mr. Campbell in his printing office, assumed the sole editorial charge of the paper, having had greatness thrust upon him, as he explains, by men- tioning the departure of one of the editors to California 'and the absence of the other on the business of " Parolise Lost."
November 15, 1849, F. Van Derveer was anme andol as editor. He disposed of his interest to WaWan Ram- ay, of the Parton Empire. October 1. 150, si war to California. C. L. Weller was the editor in 151.
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November 11, 1852, the official records show that William R. Kinder commenced a new series at that date, styling it volume 26, number 1. Mr. Kinder con- tinued as editor and proprietor until June 13, 1854, when his interest was purchased by Charles I. Barker and James McCormick.
"On November 8. 1855, Major Alfred A. Phillips pur- chased Barker's interest in the paper, and the firm name was McCormick & Phillips. Mr. Phillips remained in the business but a short while, and was bought out by Daniel R. Empson, April 17, 1856. Under this arrange- ment Empson became editor, and McCormick had charge ' of the publication. About one year later -- April 23, 1857-the paper passed into the hands of the Telegraph Company, with William R. Kinder as editor. Mr. Emp- son died June 18 of that year.
September 3, 1857, James K. Webster purchased the . paper, and retained Mr. Kinder as his editor. Mr. Kinder finally retired from the editorial chair, May 6, 1858, and Mr. Webster succeeded him, F. Van Derveer acting as editor, and owned and controlled the paper until June 6, 1861, when John McElwee and John P. P. Peek purchased it. The former remained in the paper but a short time, selling out in a couple of weeks to his part- ner, who made it an outspoken champion for the cause of the Union in the war of the Rebellion, which was then inaugurated.
The greater portion of the Democracy in this county were opposed to the war. It seemed to them something which could have been avouled by a few timely con- cessions, and they were not slow in discharging their wrath upon Mr. Peek, as a renegade Democrat. He was at that time a private banker, and a run was begun upou his establishment, resulting in its suspension. He pub- lished the Telegraph nutil October 24, 1861, when the paper, press, aud material were purchased by Williams & Egry, proprietors of the Hamilton Intelligencer. The two papers were merged, and were theuceforward, to the present time, published as the Jhamilton Teley aph.
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again became sole owner of the paper, with F. H. Scobey for editor-relations that continued unbroken until Mr. Egry sold out to C. M. Campbell, on the 17th of De- cember, 1879. The next week appeared the first number of the Daily News, an evening daily, which has been con- tinued up to this time. Mr. Scobey acted as editor until March, 1880, when he withdrew, shortly afterward going to Kansas. Since this time Mr. Campbell has acted as editor. Albert Dix has been the business manager since Mr. Campbell took possession, and Fred L. Rosemond has been the city editor since Mr. Scobey left. The Telegraph is still continued as the weekly.
It is difficult for those not on the ground to conceive the intense excitement that prevailed here at the out- break of the war. The outbreak of patriotic feeling at the time Sumter was fired on was enough to silence dis- sent, bat in a month or two affairs had changed. We had lost some small engagements; the war wes by no means as successful as had been hoped, and business was stagnant. To those who believed that the struggle should have been averted the course of the Telegraph was ex- tremely offensive. Its proprietors were Democrats, but the bulk of the party charged them with being traitors. The proposition, therefore, to establish a new paper de- voted to sound principles was hailed with alaerity. Once begun, its course was pain. . It denounced the admin- istration and the war, it ridiculed the leaders in Congress, declared Democrats who had sprung to the assistance of the country wore hypocrites or turneoats, and was never tired of harping the changes on the negro, Old Abe, Bensi Batler, and the downiall of the Constitution. The leader of the pesce party in this section was Clement L. Val- andighani, of Dayton, a man of high standing, aral of great personal magnetism. They continued this opposi- sition dering the war, and for years after, although Mr. Vallandigham did not. He saw and accepted the new situation very soon after the close of the contest.
The True Telegraph began in September, 1661, and soon foreed the other Democratie paper to sell out to its Republican rival. The paper was erlited, at the begin- ning, by In. Mellwee. Within a few weeks the paper was sold to Marts & Mayo. Mr. Mayo acted as editor. He had previously been a school-reneber, and had written a life of Vallandigham. October 30, a new series of the True Tekgraph was started, and styled volume 26, num- ber 1. The paper was published by the True Telegraph Company, with Owen Morons business manager.
The Democracy were not satisfied with the withdrawal of their patronage from Mr. Peck's bank and his paper, but set up a new journal, entitled the True Telegraph. It was printed on type bought in Oxford, and was issued by Dr. John MeEiwee and Abram C. Marts. Thus there were three papers here in progress at the same time-the Telegraph, the True Telegraph, and the Intelli- genrer. The editors of the latter, after the consolidation with the Telegraph, were Valentine Chase and H. P. K. Under this management, Crane and Palmer appear as editors. March 26, 1863, and on April 23d of that year they became proprietors. On July 21, 1864, Crane & Palmer sold the paper to the True Telegraph Company. They secured the devices of John Meklee as eliter, Who served as each until February 23, 1865, when he was succeeded in the editorial chair by John A. Cockerill. Mr. Cockerill. at this tane, was a very young man, but Peck, to November 27, 1862, and W. S. Bush to March 12, 1863. At the last date, Mr. John C. Lewis purchased the interest of Mr. Williams, and became the editor. Mr. Lewis disposed of his interest to Mr. Egry, Novem- ber 2, 1805, who remained sole owner, with J. T. Lang- stroth as editor, until October 31, 1867. At that the F. I. Scobey became a part proprietor, which interest. be retained for one year. In October, 1868, Mr. Bery a writer of great fores. John A. Cockerill & Brother
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