A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume I, Part 65

Author: Orth, Samuel Peter, 1873-1922; Clarke, S.J., publishing company
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago-Cleveland : The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1262

USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume I > Part 65

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).

The "Herald" was for years our leading newspaper. It will not be out of place to record here some of the struggles that editors passed through in the pioneer days. The lack of paper was one of the harassing circumstances. In 1820 paper was ordered from Buffalo, but its failure to arrive caused the issue

512

HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

to be printed on half-sheets and there were not enough numbers printed to go around. The winter of 1823 was peculiarly severe and several issues were omitted because of the want of paper. In September, 1825, the Herald had boldly increased the size of its paper but on March 26, 1826, it appeared in small form again. "The matter was nearly all prepared for the press when it was found that no paper of the usual size was to be had * The great * distance we shall be obliged to send and the almost impassable state of the roads render it uncertain when we shall be able to resume publication in an enlarged form." Again in February. 1828, the issues had to be printed on half- sheets. In July, 1833, the paper apologized to its readers for the lack of mar- gin, the columns edging the very ends of the sheet. The paper makers had "miscalculated." After 1840 the better transportation facilities did away with this annoyance. The prosperity of the paper was measured by its type and size and its willingness to trade. In 1820 the "Herald" advertised "the fol- lowing articles will be received in payment for papers : flour, pork, oats, corn, tallow, butter, cheese and sugar." This offer appeared frequently. As late as 1845, it advertised for "good butter and fresh eggs" in payment for subscriptions. In 1851 the list has grown to "good wood, potatoes, oats, hay, fresh butter and eggs wanted immediately in payment for 'Weekly Herald.'"

In September, 1827, the editor complained of the delinquency of his sub- scribers. "Money is the grand operative and stimulus to action," he said.

The securing of news was another difficulty. The days of publication were frequently changed to accommodate the paper to late stage coaches. The Co- lumbus mail, carrying the news from the legislature, was especially dilatory. The roads southward were in frightful condition in spring and late winter. So in 1828 the editor complains that the Columbus mail was late six to twelve days as usual. "We think six to seven days should be enough to get mail from Columbus to Cleveland." On April 6, 1837, this commendable sentiment was expressed by the editor. "If we give no news to our readers today, our apology must be found in the fact that the mails bring none. We cannot furnish what we do not receive." This was before the day of the imaginative reporter. The advent of the "magnetic telegraph" was a great boon. In 1848 the paper, with great pride, advertised that it received news "by telegraph to Pittsburgh," thence by mail to Cleveland. On November 2, 1854, the "Herald" and "Plain Dealer" made joint arrangements to get New York telegraphic reports by the Associated Press. The latest market quotations were especially desired.

The "Herald" was started as a weekly of small proportions and four pages. It increased in size as prosperity warranted. With the absorption of the "Daily Gazette," it published a daily edition and also a bi-weekly.

"THE PLAIN DEALER."

On January 6, 1831, appeared the first number of the "Cleveland Advertiser," edited and published by Henry Bolles and Madison Kelley. It was soon sold to W. Woodward, who sold it to H. Canfield and T. P. Spencer late in 1834 or in January, 1835, and they moved it "over the postoffice," on Superior street. It was a small weekly paper of democratic poli-

From a daguerreotype "ARTEMUS WARD" (CHARLES F. BROWNE)

Photographed from the original in Western Reserve Historical Society

THE OFFICE CHAIR AND TABLE USED BY ARTEMUS WARD WHEN HE WAS ON THE "PLAIN DEALER" STAFF Also caricatures of himself and his famous kangaroo

513

HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

tics. In 1836 it became a daily sheet and in 1837 the editorship was changed to Spencer & Curtis. In 1841 J. W. and A. N. Gray bought the paper and changed its name to the "Plain Dealer," a name that exactly suited the outspoken, trench- ant style of J. W. Gray, the editor. In November, 1842, the paper was moved over Dr. Clark's durg store on Main street, and united with the job printing es- tablishment of Penniman & Bemis. It was published on "terms to suit special payments." In 1853 it was published in the "Plain Dealer" building, corner of Vineyard and Superior streets, thence it removed to the Drum block, corner Seneca and Rockwell, then to the old "Herald" building in 1885. Early in 1896 the paper was removed to its present favorable site, corner Superior and Bond streets and now occupies its splendid new home, erected in place of the one destroyed by fire in 1908.

The editorial vicissitudes of the "Plain Dealer" have been numerous. J. W. Gray was the editor from 1841 until his death in 1862. Hon. John C. Cov- ert, who for many years was connected with the "Leader" describes J. W. Gray as "a small, slight man, with a fine head and a pleasant face. Gray was a demo- crat through and through; saucy, piquant, always attacking somebody and sel- dom allowing the forms of his paper to go to press unless they contained a few paragraphic stabs. * *

* He would write a paragraph denouncing the whigs for their rascality and corruption and then call upon the democrats to save the country. These paragraphs generally ended with the admonition, 'watch and pray.' It would be difficult to explain how Gray made people laugh, there was something elusive in his wit and fun, but it was always striking." *

Gray had associated with him many men, and there were constant changes in the style of the firm name. May 17, 1853, the caption Gray, Beardsley, Spear & Company, is indicative of a sort of cooperative plan, plan, the men associated with Gray being all employees of the paper. The arrangement lasted only a short time. In 1855, J. P. Cleveland, later a distinguished judge of our courts, became one of the editors and he remained with the paper in various capacities until 1857, when he became deputy clerk in the United States District Court. He was succeeded by "Artemus Ward," Charles F. Brown, who became associate editor. The files of the paper during Brown's regime are of great interest. His quaint genius illumines the flimsy columns of the struggling sheet and he radiates good humor and kindness. On November 10, 1860, he bids the following farewell to Cleveland.

"VALE."

"The undersigned closes his connection with the 'Plain Dealer' with this evening's issue. During the three years that he has contributed to these col- umns, he has endeavored to impart a cheerful spirit to them. He believes it is far better to stay in sunshine while he may, inasmuch as the shadow must of its own accord come only too soon. He cannot here in fit terms express his deep gratitude to the many, including every member of the Press of Cleveland, who have so often manifested the most kindly feeling toward himself. But he can very sincerely say that their courtesy and kindness will never be forgotten.

* Annals Early Settlers' Association, Volume 3, page 866.

514

HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

The undersigned may be permitted to flatter himself that he has some friends among the readers of newspapers. May we meet again.

CHARLES F. BROWN." 5

In 1861 A. M. Griswold became associate editor, but J. W. Gray's health failed. He suffered "from an affliction that prevents his reading and writing." On Jan- uary 21, 1862, he offers the paper for sale and later in the year he succumbed to his disease. Gray was a very active and very emphatic man. He was especially keen for political news and in the presidential campaigns of 1848, 1852 and 1860, he revelled in sharp and often uncharitable political tilts. He was a close friend of Stephen A. Douglas and espoused his cause with great personal zeal. The outbreak of the war made his paper unpopular, but he gave the government his support following his distinguished leader, Douglas. After his death the paper languished. 'Advertising and circulation dropped off. For a while J. S. Stephen- son managed the paper, with William Collins and George Hoyt as associate edi- tors. In May, 1865, W. W. Armstrong of Tiffin, a man of considerable news- paper experience, purchased the paper of the administrator of J. W. Gray and a year later the paper bears the names W. W. Armstrong and William D. Morgan, editors and proprietors. This firm dissolved in 1867 because of Morgan's ill health and Fred W. Green, clerk of the United States District Court, bought a half interest, and the firm became Armstrong & Green. In March, 1872, Green retired and Armstrong again became sole owner and editor. On April 17, 1877, "The Plain Dealer Publishing Company" was organized with W. W. Armstrong as president, and George Hoyt, vice president. In 1885 L. E. Holden secured control of the paper. In 1893 Charles E. Kennedy, a newspaper man of wide experience, who had received his schooling on various Cleveland papers, became general manager. In 1898, E. H. Baker, also of large newspaper experience, joined Mr. Kennedy and these gentlemen leased the paper for a term of years. Under their management the "Plain Dealer" was brought to a high plane of pros- perity. In 1906 on the expiration of their lease, Mr. Kennedy retired from the paper. Mr. Baker continues as manager.

For many years the "Plain Dealer" was an evening paper. In 1885 it was changed into a morning paper, with an afternoon edition. It began as a small four page six column sheet. For a time in the '6os it was increased to eight col- umns and large folio sheets. In 1881 it was reduced to quarto six column, eight pages, and in March, 1883, it was enlarged to seven columns, with a larger and wider page, but only four pages. In 1885 under its new management it fattened into eight pages and the days of its leanness and severe struggles were over.

Among the names connected with the history of the "Plain Dealer" none is more honored than that of J. H. A. Bone, who became in 1885 one of its editorial writers and remained in its service until his death in 1906. For thirty years previous to his engagement with the "Plain Dealer" he had been with the "Her- ald," where he had commenced his quaint and charming contributions, signed "Spectacles." "The spectacles," he wrote in his first observation in the early '50S, "can be brought to look only on the good, the genial, or beautiful side of things, distorted by no partyism, colored by no personal predilections or dislikes." And

5 "Plain Dealer," November 10, 1860. It is interesting to note that he spells his name Brown without the "e," not Browne, as is commonly done.

515

HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

these spectacles he wore to the last, their spiritual prisms flawless and undimmed. He had a memory of wonderful retentive powers, a mind of encyclopedic capacity and a sweetness of heart that repelled all animosity. He was well informed on all subjects and an authority on international politics. A collection of his editorials should be gathered in a book that the present generation might profit by their reading.

"THE CLEVELAND LEADER."

"The Ohio American" established in Ohio City (west side) in 1844 by R. B. Dennis, was the germ of the "Leader." Its corps con- sisted of one pressman, Ralph R. Root ( later of the firm of Morgan, Root & Company, now Root, McBride & Company) three journeyman printers and two boys. Tradition has it that Edwin Cowles was one of these boys. It was a "Liberty Party" advocate. In 1845 Edwin Cowles, a printer, eighteen years old, became its publisher, and L. L. Rice its editor. The following year Cowles relinquished the publishing to M. W. Miller, who continued until 1848. In 1846, Hon. E. S. Hamlin, a former congressman from the Lorain district, founded the "True Democrat," a weekly anti-slavery whig journal. It was at first issued at Olmsted Falls but soon moved to Cleveland, where it absorbed "The Ameri- can," the two papers being known as the "True Democrat" and advocating the principles of the Van Buren freesoilers. In 1848 James A. Briggs and T. G. Turner purchased the paper and a year later John C. Vaughn and Thomas bought it. They brought George Bradburn from Boston in 1851 to edit the paper and his powerful pen made it popular throughout the Reserve.

In 1852 Joseph Medill, later the successful editor of the "Chicago Tribune," came to Cleveland and established "The Daily Forest City." Competition drove the "True Democrat" and "The Forest City" into consolidation, and Edwin Cowles was admitted to a partnership with Medill, under the firm name of Medill, Cowles & Company, Cowles having the management of the business department and Vaughn and Medill of the editorial department. In March, 1854, the paper, on the insistence of Cowles, was renamed "The Leader," a title descriptive of its long preeminence in Ohio journalism. Early in 1855 Edwin Cowles bought the interest of Medill and Vaughn and these latter gentlemen with Alfred Cowles, a brother of Edwin, went to Chicago and assumed control of the "Tribune."

Edwin Cowles at once became the soul of the paper. He remained its editor until his death. But at various times he had others associated with him. For some years F. Pinkerton was his business partner, under the firm name of Cowles, Pinkerton & Company. This was dissolved in 1856, succeeded by E. Cowles & Company. In 1861-62 S. D. Page was associate editor. July 3, 1865, a joint stock company was organized called "The Cleveland Leader Company." The stock was largely owned by Mr. Cowles and those associated with him. The name was changed April 15, 1867, to "The Leader Printing Company."

During most of its existence the "Leader" was published in the Leader build- ing on Superior street, near the American house. In 1906 it moved into its present ample quarters on Superior and Bond, where it can eye its keen competi- tor across the way.

516

HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

The "Leader" was from the first an anti-slavery paper, and when the re- publican party was organized it assumed a commanding place among Ohio re- publican journals. From the first it was a morning daily. Weekly and tri-weekly editions were also issued. The tri-weekly was very popular with the surrounding farmers and towns. In 1861 an afternoon edition was published, called the "Evening Leader." In 1868 this edition was called the "Evening News" and later when the "Herald" was purchased it was called the "News and Herald." For a time in 1857 the paper was increased from seven to eight columns. In 1865 its sheets were increased two and a half inches in size and the following year it was made a nine column paper. This made an unwieldy folio and January I, 1874, it appeared in more compact quarto form of eight pages, six columns each. With this date the editorial page assumed a much greater importance. Three years later the size of the page was increased one and a half inches and in 1885 a similar increase was made. Its first Sunday edition appeared in 1877, a thin edition, with few cuts and no glaring head lines or chromatic monstrosities. It is claimed for the "Leader" that it was the first newspaper in Ohio that was printed on a rotary lightning press which delivered the sheets pasted, with leaves cut at top and folded, all in one operation. And it installed the first electrotype plates in Ohio.

Edwin Cowles was the Horace Greeley of the west, the greatest editor Cleve- land has produced. He was born in Austinburg, Ashtabula county, Ohio, Sep- tember 19, 1825, learned the printer's trade in Cleveland, became publisher and editor at an early age, was one of the organizers of the republican party, was post- master of Cleveland from 1861 to 1866, was a delegate to the republican national convention of 1876 and 1884, was an honorary commissioner to the Paris ex- position of 1877, and was actively interested in every forward movement of his city. His tremendous energy, his dauntless will, his relentless dogmatisms and unchanging attachments, were all dominated by an eccentric personality that was at once powerful and tender. He had the genius of clear expression, straight thinking and a superhuman courage. He died March 4, 1890.

For a time the paper was edited by Hon. J. C. Covert who later became United States Consul to Lyons, France. James B. Morrow followed him as editor. Mr. Morrow has now attained national recognition as a master of biography. James H. Kennedy, now of New York, a writer of western history, and a well known metropolitan correspondent, was a prominent member of the "Leader" staff. The stock of the paper found its way gradually into other hands. The personal inter- est in the management was wanting and the paper fell into lean years.

In 1909 "The Leader" was leased to Charles E. Kennedy, whose tact and wis- dom have long been known in the Cleveland newspaper realm, and to Nat C. Wright, whose virility as editor has impressed itself upon the city, and H. S. Thalheimer, for many years the business manager of the paper. Under this triumvirate of wisdom, energy and experience, the traditions of the earlier "Leader" will not be suffered to perish.

"THE CLEVELAND PRESS."

The first issue of the "Penny Press" was printed on November 2, 1878. Ed. W. Scripps and John S. Sweeney of the "Detroit News"

EDWIN COWLES

517

HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

were the promoters of this little seven column, four page folio with columns only eighteen inches long, that sold for a penny and excited at first so much mirth and skepticism as to its ability to survive. But the little sheet called "The Frank- fort Street Handbill" created a market for its condensed paragraphs and unique, and often sensational, style of handling news items. The paper grew in circulation until its snug Frankfort street quarters were outgrown and about 1890 it was moved to its own building on Seneca street near St. Clair. In 1892 the columns were lengthened and the paper increased to eight pages. From the start an af- ternoon paper, it now issues many editions and the modern equipment of lino- types and Potter presses are kept constantly busy. Ed W. Scripps was the first editor. In 1881 he removed to Cincinnati to establish the "Post," and W. H. Little became editor. He was soon succeeded by R. F. Paine. H. N. Rickey be- came editor in 1901. He retired in 1905 to take charge of the entire Scripps-McRae papers. He was succeeded as editor by Earl E. Martin, the present editor.

The "Press" is the most important of a large chain of newspapers supplied by the Scripps-McRae League, and its energy in news getting and its individualistic manner of news disseminating have made it prosper greatly. Three men of national prominence in the newspaper world received their earlier training with the "Press :" Chas. Nelan, the cartoonist, S. E. Kiser, the humorist and poet, and John Vandercook (now dead), who became general manager of the United Press Associations.

"THE CLEVELAND NEWS."

On August 29, 1889, the first issue of "The Cleveland Daily World" appeared. It was the survivor of the "Sunday World," formerly the "Sun- day Journal" published by the "Evening Star," a west side paper begun in 1889 by Doty & Hall; and of the "Sunday Sun and Voice" and the "Evening Sun" started by George 'A. Robertson the same year. In the au- tumn of 1889 "The Morning Times" was started by H. E. Woods. By a process of amalgamation and elimination the "World" survived all these ventures. B. F. Bower, an experienced newspaper man from Detroit, assumed the management of the new venture and associated with him G. A. Robertson of Cleveland. In April, 1895, these gentlemen sold their interest to Robert P. Porter, who edited the paper until November, 1896, when, on account of financial difficulties, J. H. Clauss of Fremont, Ohio, was appointed receiver. Subsequently the paper re- turned to the hands of Mr. Bower and he remained editor and manager until 1907, when Charles A. Otis purchased the paper, together with the afternoon edition of the "Plain Dealer" and the "News and Herald" of the "Leader." All these papers were then amalgamated under the name of "The Cleveland News," an independent conservative paper, appealing especially to the home. The "World" was an eight page afternoon daily and sold from the start for one cent and claimed to be the largest one cent paper of its size in the middle west.

A fire destroyed the "World" plant on the evening of March 17, 1895. At noon the following day the regular edition was on the streets. The neighborliness of other newspapers and the reserve of type stored in another block were re- sponsible for this feat.

518

HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

"The Cleveland Recorder" was first issued on September 9, 1895, as a four page morning daily. In December, 1896, it was increased to eight pages and sev- eral afternoon editions were printed. It was published by the Record Publish- ing Company. George A. Robertson was editor and Roland B. Gelatt of the De- troit "Tribune" was manager. The paper was started as a partisan democratic journal.

THE "WAECHTER UND ANZEIGER."

The first German newspaper in Cleveland was the "Germania," be- gun in 1846. It was originally democratic but in 1852 was purchased by the whigs. It was not wholly in accord with the preponderating sentiment among the Germans, who comprised one fourth of the city's population. In 1852, when the slavery issue was rising to molten heat, a stock company was organized by Jacob Mueller and Louis Ritter, for the purpose of issuing a new German paper and on August 2d of that year the first number of "Der Waech- ter am Erie" made its appearance. It was devoted to the Union, the abolition of slavery and the promulgation of liberal culture. As an exponent of these prin- ciples, the paper was more than fortunate in securing as editor August Thieme, a scholar, essayist, journalist and humanist of ability, who at once made his journal potent. The "Germania" succumbed to competition about 1853. Until his un- timely death in 1879, Thieme guided the destinies of the "Waechter." He was succeeded by Julius Kurzer as editor and Jacob Mueller as manager. In 1889 the controlling interest in the stock was purchased by Charles W. Maedje, who as- sumed the business management, while Carl Claussen and Paul Wolff were the editors.

The paper was issued as a semi-weekly, later as a tri-weekly and finally on September 17, 1866, as a daily. At first it was published on Ontario street, later in the '70s on Michigan street, and finally on Seneca street.

In 1872 Heinrich Gentz founded the "Cleveland Anzeiger." It passed through various hands and finally was purchased by William Kaufman and Emil Paetow, who jointly conducted the venture until in 1881, "The Anzeiger Pub- lishing Company" was organized. Kaufman possessed a useful combination of business judgment and journalistic ability. His paper gradually veered from a decided republican to an independent position. In 1891 it absorbed the "Germania" and the "Deutsche Presse," both newly started ventures scarce three years of age.

In October, 1893, "The Waechter am Erie" and the "Cleveland Anzeiger" amalgamated under the name "Waechter und Anzeiger." It is published by "The German Consolidated Newspaper Company" in a commodious building on Seneca street near Michigan, where is found all of the most modern equip- ment for a complete successful newspaper plant with a constantly increasing business. Since the consolidation, Simon Hickler has been the editor of this fearless journal. Mr. Hickler came to Cleveland from Milwaukee, where he had an ample experience in journalism. To his trenchant pen, devotion to the principles of individual and national freedom and an unusually well stored mind, this paper owes its constantly increasing influence in our city.

MOWACHTEN ANTENIE.

HOME OF "WAECHTER AM FRIE" IN THE '70s

Jacob Müller

Louis Ritter

August Thieme

WICHTER

ERIEY

WACHTER AR IN

ESTABLISHMENT OF "WAECHTER AM ERIE" IN THE '60S

519

HISTORY OF CLEVELAND

CHAPTER LVI.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

An outline of the development of the public schools of Cleveland will embrace the following groups : (1) Buildings and equipment; (2) administration; (3) education.

(I) BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT.

The first schools in this vicinity were private schools, free only to the poor who were unable to pay the meager tuition. The first schoolhouse in the city was built on the lot where the Kennard House now stands. The accompanying cut illustrates this simple district school. The drawing was made from memory by a pioneer pupil, Miller M. Spangler, for Andrew Freese's volume on "The Early History of Cleveland Schools."

The second school building was also built on St. Clair street, nearly opposite the first one. It was ready for occupancy in 1821 and for its day was "a neat and convenient academy, built of brick, with a handsome spire and with a spa- cious room in the second story for public use."1 This academy was built by private persons but in 1839 it was purchased by the city for six thousand dollars.

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.

A history of Cleveland, Ohio, Volume I, Part 65

Author: Orth, Samuel Peter, 1873-1922; Clarke, S.J., publishing company Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Chicago-Cleveland : The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1262

Author: Orth, Samuel Peter, 1873-1922; Clarke, S.J., publishing company
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago-Cleveland : The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1262