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 29
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117
THE PRESS.
became the owners of the paper, October 26, 1865, and on April 25, 1867, Mr. John A. Cockerill became sole owner of it, and so remained until July 2, 1868, when he sold to Jacob H. Long, who installed Colonel H. H. Robinson as editor. Mr. Long continued in own- ership of the paper, and Mr. Robinson was its editor, until January 13, 1870, when it was sold to John R. Nickel, editor-in-chief, and L. B. De la Court, managing editor, and its name changed to the Butler County Dem- ocrat, March 10, 1870; owing to Jegal complications, the additional name and True Telegraph was appended to it.
Dr. Nickel retired from the paper, May 11, 1871, and its entire possession passed into the hands of L. B. De la Court, who retained Dr. Nickel as its editor, Mr. De la Court owned the paper until December 21, 1873, when Thomas H. Hodder purchased it, and held it until April 15, 1875. During this time, Mr. - Hodder changed the form of the paper from a folio to a quarto, and made some other mechanical improvements in it.
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The firm of R. N. Andrews & Co. succeeded Mr. Hodder in the ownership of the paper, April 15, 1875. Mr. J. W. Shart's name appeared in the initial number as its editor, and until June 24, when it was dropped. Later in the year it was edited by J. P. Caldwell for a brief season and by Thomas H. Miller and others.
On May 13, 1875, the paper assumed the name of the Butler County Democrat and Hemilton Guidon, MeEl- wee & McMaken selling the Guidon to the Democrat. On December 2, 1875, the paper was purchased by the Demo- cratic Printing Company, composed of R. N. Andrews, Thomas Miller, and H. C. Ilume-Mr. Hume acting as editor. Subsequently Andrews disposed of his interest to George R. Vinnedge, and afterward Mr. D. J. Callen, of Mercer County, purchased the interest, first of Miller, then of Vinnedge, and then came into entire possession of the paper, by purchasing the interest of Mr. Hume. Callen became financially embarrassed, and the Democrat was placed in the hands of a receiver. The receiver, N. E. Warwick, under the order of the Court of Common Pleas of Butler County, calited and continued the publi- ยท cation of the paper until February, 1877, when it was soll by him to H. C. Hume, Mrs. Catharine Miller, and George Vinnedge, who soon afterward sold the establish- ment to B. K. Brant, its present proprietor, who is assisted by Isaac Coy. It is Democratie in politics. A daily pa- per was issued from this office in the Fall of 1881.
In April, 1821, a paper was commenced by John L. Murray, called the Volunteer, and afterwards Murray's Weekly. Volunteer, which was continued to December. 1325. when it was discontinued. ,
The next earliest periodical of which we have any account was published at Oxford. It was edited by the professors, and printed by John B. Smith. Its title was the Literary Register, and it had for motto " Prodesse qu'on conspici." It was in magazine forma, two columns to the page, and devoted a tritle of its space to local mat-
ters. It appears to have continued only about two years, for we find in the Hamilton papers an advertisement of the material for sale :
"To PRINTERS.
"The Erodelphian and Union Literary Societies of Miami University will dispose of a good printing press, together wit !: a large quantity of type, to suit the purchaser, if application be made immediately.
"For particulars apply to "ISAAC SHEPPERD. SAMUEL W. MCCRACKEN, WILLIAM M. MOLAIN, JAMES H. BACON, " MIAMI UNIVERSITY, OXFORD, December 4, 1830."
Committee.
The Rev. Dr. MaeDill, a name ever to be honored in this county, began the publication of a religious period- ical in Hamilton, in the year 1529. It began in January. It was entitled the Christian Intelligencer, and was pub- lished in pamphlet form, forty-eight pages to each monthly number. It was devoted to the defense of the doctrines of the Associate Reformed Church and the diffusion of religious intelligence generally. After editing the paper for three years, 1829, 1830, and 1858, it was then sus- pended, but resumed again in March, 1833. At this time the fourth volume commenced. At the close of the thirteenth volume the name was changed, and it was then called the Evangelical Guardian. In 1847 it was called the United Presbyterian. At this time the Rev. James Pressley, then of Cincinnati, was associated with Dr. MaeDill as publisher and assistant editor. At the closo of the eighteenth volume, Dr. MaeDill couchadded to re- move West, and the Rev. James Claylaugh. D. D., succeeded him, although the former still contributed arti- cles from his home in Illinois. The journal is still car- ried on in Pittsburg.
In July, 1830, James B. Cameron commenced a weekly paper in Rossville, called the Ohio Independent Press, which was afterward published by Cameron. Hutch- ins & Co., until February, 1832, at which time the publi- cation was discontinued, the publication not having been regular during the latter part of the time.
The Free Soit Banner was issued in Hamilton, Angust 21, 1848, giving an active support to Van Buren. IL was edited by the following committee : John W. Erwin, John W. Wilson, Henry S. Earhart, Mark C. MeMaken, Alfred Thomas, and John R. Lewis. (John H. Elliott) Hamilton, and H. C. Bird, Rossville, were publishing agents. John C. Skinner, treasurer. It was issued weekly, for three months.
The Daily Press was issued in Rossville, in May, 1851. by James H. Green and Alfred L. Sewell. two practical printers. Four numbers ouly were published.
The Miami Demoret was legen in Rossville in an- uary. 1850, and was conducted by Wilson H. Lavoron. He retired from the paper, Tuesday, September 9. 15il. and the next number was owned by an association of Democrats-Longfellow & Co. ; L. J. Strong, editor.
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118
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
Of the Hamilton and Rossville News we know nothing but its death. This happened on the 10th of February, 1848.
Democracy Untrommeled and Butler County Investigator was first issued at Rossville, September 20, 1849. It was printed by J. M. Christy.
The Hamilton Daily Chronicle was proposed by S. R. Smith & Co., in 1855. We do not know whether it came to pass.
The Herald of Education was published by J. P. Ellin- wood, in 1854. He was then superintendent of schools here.
Steph. R. Smith issued the Butler County Democrat, in August, 1861, which died after one week.
The Tri-weekly Advertiser was published March 14, 1867, by Jacob H. Long, and a weekly newspaper of the same name was begun by Mr. Long, February 24, 1875. The first was afterward merged into the Independ- ent, which began in 1871. Mr. Long afterward disposed of his interests to Dr. J. R. Brown, Samuel L'Hommedieu, and W. H. Beardsley. The paper was edited by Colonel H. H. Robinson, and was printed until 1874, when it was disposed of to. the Hamilton Printing Company, and merged into the Examiner.
The Examiner was begun in 1874, by the Hamilton Printing Company, and was conducted thus until in October of that year, when it was sold out to the Guidon, and became merged into that paper. It was edited by Thomas A. Corcoran, of Cincinanti, six or eight weeks, and afterward by John F. Neilan.
The Guillon was started August 26, 1875, by John MeElwee. It established a reputation at once for ability to criticise, ridicule, and lecture the community in general. Its proprietor associated with bim J. J. MeMaken, and they bought out the Fcaminer, and the paper then bc- came more conservative, and was removed to West Ham- ilton. In May, 1875, MeElwee and MeMaken sold out to the Better County Democrat, and the Guidon and Er- aminer were merged into that paper.
The Orcus was originatal in 1878, by S. D. Cone, who published and edited it for about three months; then being purchased by Lou J. Beauchamp and Cobt. S. Carr, when it was bought by B. R. Finch and N. E. Warwick, and ran about six months-being uoted for its sprightliness. Then, on account of change of business affairs, it was discontinued, the proprietors refunding ad- vance subscriptions.
July 17, 1876, S. D. Cone and Colonel P. H. Gallagher, formerly of Charleston, West Virginia, and who was Mr. Callen's business manager of the Democrat, began pub- fishing the Sunday Morning News. Mr. Cone was the originator of the venture, in the belief that a Sunday paper i-su. di at an early hour, before the arrival of the Cincinnati trains, could acquire a large and profitable circulation, and in grent measure supplant the Cincinnati Sunday dailies: With that view, special telegraphic dis- !
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patches were engaged, by the Atlantic and Pacific line, from all important points-the first attempt at newspaper special telegraphing ever made in Hamilton. The Mars ran its career in a little less than four months, and was highly appreciated. It came to an end through the business troubles of the Democrat, and not through lack of support.
The Observer is published by Jacob HI. Long, and is a continuation of the Advertiser. It was established Feb- ruary 24, 1876. From the same office there was pub- lished, in the Fall of 1881, a Democratic daily of the same name, and later, another daily, entitled the Daily People.
The Homaton Register was established in 1877, by J. W. Bennett, and was afterward changed to the Honilton Free Lance. It suspended publication in 1879, and its editor entered the field of journalism in Warren County, where he continued his labors.
The Schilbvache was established in May, 1859, by F. E. Humbach and John P. Bruck, being edited by John P. Dietz, of Dayton. After six months' service in this ca .- pacity he resigned, and was succeeded by L. F. Schmid- icke, of Cincinnati. During 1800, F. E. Humbach sol . out to J. P. Bruck. In 1861 J. P. Bruck responded to the call of the President for troops, and raised the first com- pany that left Hamilton for the seat of war, of which he was elected captain. During his abrenec in the fieldl (three months), Frederick Egry acted as superintendent, and attempted to rua it in the interest of the Union cause, although it was originally an outspoken Demo- cratic sheet. In November, 1862, Captain Bruck soll out to Peter Milders, with Professor A. Goering and Louis Hey as editors. In 1863 Milders disposed of the Schildwache to Robert Christy. Esq., now a prominent practicing attorney at Washington, D. C., who imme- diately sold it to J. Il. Long, the latter publishing it as the Butler County Democrat, a short time, in connection with J. B. De la Court. After a brief partnership, De la Conrt withdrew, and, in 1864, began the publication of the National Zeitung.
After the rlose of the Fall campaign, in the year . 1863. the German Democrats of Butler County maui- fested a desire to start a new German Democratie news- pimper, not having been satisfied with the policy pursued by the Democrat. The project was carried out by a num. ber of German Democrats, who called a meeting for the purpose of organizing a stock company. On the thir. teenth day of Apel. 1864, the following persoons met at Rumple's Hall. West Hamilton : Meses. Christian Morgenthaler, Janvary Getz, Lberhart Botlinger, John Fischer, L. B. De la Court, Adolph Schmidt. Peter Baker, and others. Mr. Morgenthaler was elected pre-Ment : Adolph Schritt. secretary; and January Giz, treasurer of the company. The meeting resolved to paldich a German Democratie newspaper, to solicit subscriptions for stock, and elected b. B. De la Cour:
119
THE COUNTY INN 1838.
editor and business manager of the concern. On the fourth day of July, 1864, the first number of the Hum- ilton National Zeitung was published. A few years later the paper passed into the sole possession of L. B. De la Court, who bought the entire stock of the company. The National Zeitung has been published since without inter- ruption, and is at present the only German newspaper published in Butler County.
Preceding the Schildwache there had been a German paper called the Wachter, and, during the war, a Repub- lican journal was issued in Hamilton, entitled the Beo- bachter.
We can not refrain from expressing our indignation at the vandal who destroyed a series of files of these newspapers, running up to the beginning of the county, and of priceless value. He had before refused to allow access to them on the ground that Butler County had not treated him right. He was a disappointed candidate for office, and his fellow-citizens had undoubtedly judged his capaeity and public spirit correctly.
There are now published in this city the Nous and Telegraph, from the same office, by C. M. Campbell, the formed being daily; the Democrat, by B. K. Brant; the Observer, by Jacob II. Long; and the National Zeitung, by L: B. De la Court. Two advertising sheets are also issued.
THE COUNTY IN 1828.
BUTLER COUNTY was formed and organized in 1803. The following table will show the march of population since the organization of the State government, accor ling to the quadrennial enumeration of the free males over twenty -one years of age, made for the purpose of appor- tioning the representatives and senators to the State Legislature :
In 1803, 836
In 1807, 1.719
In 1811, 2.326
Tu 1815, STT
in 1814, 3.754
In 1523, 4,239
In 1827,
1,546
The whole population was, in 1810, 11,071; in 1820, it had increased to 21,726; and in 1828, amounted to about 26,000. The whole number for each of these dates may be ascertained with sufficient accuracy by multiplying the number over 21 years by 5.6. The whole number of free persons of color, in 1820, was 158.
In 1820, there were in this county, of free white males, nudler 10 years of age, 459; between 10 and 16, 1,774; Between 16 and 26 years. 2,656; between 26 and 45, 1,976; and of 45 years and upward, 1,242. And there Were also of free white females under 10 years, 8.870; wtween 10 and 16 years, 1,694; between 16 and 26
years, 2,022; between 26 and 45 years, 1,835; of 45 years and upward, 961. From this data it will appear that in 1820 the number of males exceeded that of the females 928.
This excess was accounted for, in part, by the spirit of adventure and the prospects of success inducing more young men to emigrate to and try their fortunes in the new countries than young women; but, even of that class under 10 years of age (upon whom these circum- stances could have little or no influence), there is an ex- cess of 189 males.
Fairfield Township contains 26,294 acres of land, valued, with the improvements, in 1827, at $192,112. It contained, in 1827, 522 voters, and 2,923 inhabitants. It contained also 591 head of horses, and 863 head of eattle, valued at $30,664. The foregoing items, together with the town property, valued at 8160,990, and the capital engaged in merchandise, estimated (before the court) at 86,600, made the aggregate valas of the town- ship $300,366. This amount of property paid a tax of $941.14, for State and canal purposes; $640.60 for school and county expenses ; and 8330.11 for township expenses: making, in the whole, 81,911.94.
Hanover Township contains 21, 590 acres of land, val- ucd, in 1827, at $101,876. There were in this township 391 horses, and 540 cattle, valued together at $19,960. Total value of the township, $123,836. On this amount there was paid $387.50 State and canal tax; $255.55 county and school tax; and $64.91 for township uses ; total, 8710.32. Number of voters, 285, and of inhah- itants, 1,526.
Madison Township contains 24,502 acres. estimated, then valued at $134,972. Horses, 532; cattle, 756; value, 827,688. Capital engaged in merchandise, 82,976. Town property, 86,074. Aggregate estimate. $171,719. On this amount was paid $534.99 for State and canal pur- poses; $363.20 for county and school uses; total, 8898. 11. Number of voters, 418; of inhabitants, 2,340.
Lemon Township conta.as 22, 165 acres of land, then valued at $153,458. Horses, 632: cattle, 886; estimated at $32,376. Capital in merchandise, 816,300. Towi property, 833,395-making the aggregate value of the township. 8236,129. On this was paid $726.12 State and canal tax; $495, for county and school purposes ; total. 81,221.19. This township contained 554 voters and 3,100 inhabitants,
Liberty Township, 17,783 acres of land, estimated. in 1827, at $105,499. Number of horses, 377: and of cattle, 529; valued at 819,219. Town property, esti- mated at $700; capital in merchandise, $1,750. Giving an aggregate value for this township of 8127, 101 ; paying a tax of 8389,54 for State and canal expenses ; $202.71 for county and school use; and $128.55 for town Mp purposes; total, 8781.25. Number of voters. 255; of inhabitants. 1,42%.
Milford Township, 20,965 acres of land, then valued!
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
at $104,984. There were owned in it 428 horses, and 600 cattle, valued at $21,920; town property, $2,400; mercantile capital, $4;780. Value of this township, $134,004. Taxes: State and canal, $407.10; county and school, $273.02; total, $680.12. Number of voters, 306; and of inhabitants, 1,713.
Oxford Township contains 1,583 acres of taxable land, valued at $7,886. The college lands, mounting to 17,464 acres, valued at $50,257, were not subject to taxation. This township contained 332 horses, and 8,607 cattle; valued at $18,136. Town property, 810,585; merchants' capital, $6,700; property of the Miami Uni- versity, buildings, etc., $25,000. Total value of the township, 8127,566. This township paid $104.35 for State and canal purposes; and 887.50 for county and school purposes; making only a total of $198.05. The number of voters was 367, and of inhabitants 2,050. The annual rents paid to the university by the lease-holders of this township amounted to upward of $4,000.
Morgan Township contains 23,003 acres of land, then valued at $72,072. It also contained 392 horses, and 654 cattle; valued at $20,912; capital in merchandise, $700: total value, $93,684. This township paid $291.37 for State and canal purposes ; and $197.95 for county avt school expenses; total, $489.82. Voters, 333; in- habitants, 1,884.
Ross Township -- acres of land, 18,395; value, 8105,306. Horses. 369; and cattle, 586; value, $19,424; town prop- erty, $6,790; merchauts' capital, 84.400; total value, $135,930. This township paid a tax of $416.73 for State and canal purposes; 8280.90 for county and schools; and $105 for township expenses. It contained 304 voters, and 1,702 inhabitants.
Reily Township-22,125 acres of land, valued at $70.463. Horses, 397, and 624 head of cattle, valued at $20,872; merchants' capital, 8800. Tax: $278.34, State and canal; $186.21, county and school; $186.99, township; total, $464.56. Number of voters, 208; and of inhabitants, 1,500.
- St. Clair Township contains 17,761 acres of land, val- ued, in that year, ai $125,638. Number of horses, 356, and of cattle, 509, valued at $18,312; town property, 828,120; merchants' capital, 819,075; making the aggre- gate value of the towaship 8182,145. This township paid $556.12 State and canal tax ; 8373.98 county and school tax ; and $186.99 township tax; making a total of $1, 117.09. Number of voters, 294; and of inhabi- tants, 1,664.
Union Township contains 21, 104 acres of land, then valued at $120,220. Horses, 397, and cattle, 574, value $20, 172 ; town property, $3, 413; capital in merelundise, $1,250 ; aggregate vaine of the township, $145,355. . Taxes: 8468.51, State and canal ; 2323.25, county and school, 897.17, township. Number of voters, $15; and of inhabitants, 1,164.
Wayne Township-This towaship, the last in their
alphabetical order, contains 21,207 acres of land, valued, in 1827, at 8122,974. There were in this township 525 horses, and 676 cattle, valued at $26,384; and also town property worth $5,748; with 84,500 of capital engaged in merchandise; making an aggregate value of the town- ship of $159,606. Tax : $483.24, State and canal ; $223.63, county and school; and $80.90, township; total, $887.78. Voters, 204; inhabitants, 1,646. .
To arrive near the whole value of the county, to the items above enumerated must be added the value of the young horses and cattle under three years old, and the sheep and swine, which would amount to a very consid- crable sum, and also the amount of household furniture, farming implements and mechanic tools. These items would probably increase the amount nearly ene half, the horses and cattle being each valued at a fixed rate -- the horses at $40 each, the cattle at $8-probably much be- low the average value which they would then sell for in the market.
An ingenious writer who collated the above statistics indulges in the following anticipations as to the future of this county. He writes in 1828:
" We will indulge, here, in a few speculations on the energies which heaven has imparted to the soi, and to how great an extent its resources may be developed. Butler County contains about 15,000 acres of first-rate land; 180,000 acres of second-rate land; and 80,009 acres of third-rate. This 15,000 acres of first-rate land will produce annually of corn, at the rate of 45 bushels per acre, 675,000 bushels.
"This amount of corn, at two gallons per bushel, would yield 1,350,000 gallons of spirits, which at 20 cents per gallon, would amount to 8270,000; and it would produce, allowing 10 bushels to yield 100 pounds, 6,750,000 pounds of pork, which at 23 cents per pound, would be worth $169,750, aud would subsist about 100,000 persons!
"The 180,000 acres of second-rate laud, supposing it to yield 15 bushels of wheat per acre, would produce 2,700,000 bushels, which would make about 500,000 bar- rels of flour, worth $3.25 per barrel, and would amount to the enormous sum of $1,375.000, exclusive of the price of the barrel and expense of grinding and packing ; aml at 40 cents per bushel would amount to $1,080,000. This quantity of wheat would subsist 400,000 persons, allow- ing each to consume 63 bashels, which is rather more than is actually consumed in bread-stuffs. One-third of the second-rate land, 60,000 acres. in grass, would yield, at 1} tons of hay per acre, 90,000 tons, which would winter about 90,000 head of horses, or 120,009 head of cattle ; and the remaining two-thials, 120,000 acres, would yield sufficient grazing to feel them through the Summer. Were they disposed of, either horses or cattle, at three years old-in general, the most judicious age- if horses, 30,000 (one-third) might be disposed of an- nually, which, at an average of $40 each, would yield
121
EDUCATION.
$1,200,000; if cattle, 40,000 would be disposable an- nually, which at $10 per head, would yield $400,000. This showing proves clearly that horses are much the most profitable species of stock.
" The living animals which are annually sent from the Western States into the Southern markets (principally horses) yield about $3,000,000. It is, perhaps, not rating horses too high in those markets at $80 per head; and 37,500 horses only would be required to produce that sum. Butler county, alone, appropriating all her lands, could produce this number.
"Eighty thousand acres of third-rate land, very proper for that purpose, would support, at 5 sheep to the acre, 400,000; which, averaging each fleece at 2 pounds, would yield 800,000 pounds, worth, at 30 cents per pound, $240,000.
"These calculations have been made, supposing every acre of land to be ainder cultivation. At present the quantity in actual agriculture does not greatly exceed one-third, and there is a very small portion of it, indeed, under that high state of cultivation to which it will prob- ably arrive at some future day, when the great increase of population will demand every energy of the soil to produce aliment to sustain animal life. We may gather a knowledge, satisfactorily accurate, of the prospective population which this county may one day contain, or at least support, by ascertaining the greatest quantity of grain which it will produce. It is a principle infallible in the economy of nature to produce life to as great an extent as nature and art furnish means to sustain it.
"The whole quantity of land (rating the first quality at 30 bushels of wheat per acre, the second quality at 15, and the third-rate at 8) would produce 3,799,000 bushels. Estimating the consumption of each individual, young and old, in bread, meat, liquors, clothing, and that con- sumed by the necessary proportion of domestic animals, to be equal to 25 bushels (and this is apportioning a more liberal allowance than is consumed in some countries of Europe), it would give 156,000 inhabitants --:. number greater than was contained in the States of Delaware and Rhode Island in 1820. And yet this would not make a population much more dense than some sections of country in the old world. It gives 326 to the square mile. The Netherlands contains 214 persons to the square mile ; England, 225; and Ireland, 228. In countries as ex- tensive as either of the last mentioned, there must be con- "iorable quantities of land which will not produce; in this county there is scarcely a rood which may not be profi- tably improved.
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