USA > Ohio > Fulton County > A standard history of Fulton County, Ohio, an authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and county, Vol. I > Part 21
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him if the 'Whiteman' was a trader or not, he shook his head and said: 'Whiteman build wigwam' ...... I asked the chief to tell me where to find him ...... The question seemed to bother him. He walked away and sat on the stump, and seemed to be lost in thought. In a little while he came up to me, and taking me by the arm led me to a section corner stone, which the government surveyors had planted a few years before. Pointing at the stone, and then in a cer- tain direction, he made a certain number of motions with his arm, then stopped, and pointing in another direction ...... made two mo- tions. .. and said: 'There, Whiteman.' We knew that each mo- tion . . meant a mile, and the next day Mr. Briggs and I started out ...... We followed the courses given us by the Indian, and as we came to the last mile, as marked by the Indian, we looked off to our right and saw a settlement. We received a hearty welcome into this home for we were the first white people they had seen in over a year. This was the home of Chesterfield Clemons ...... after whom Chesterfield Township was named. Mr. Clemons had moved his family into this wilderness the fall before ...... in an emigrant wagon. .
and stopped in the woods ...... where he had bought a farm ..
There was not a stick of timber cut on the place. The family lived in this wagon until a log house could be built." This narrated ex-
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perience will make it readily imaginable that news of other parts, and of the world in general, came to the pioneer families rarely. Travel was venturesome and difficult and a journey from one end of the county to the other would not be lightly undertaken. After 1836, mail came in by mounted carrier over the Star mail route with fair regularity ; but the mail would consist mainly of personal letters, folded and sealed, but not enveloped. A newspaper from the East would rarely find its way into the mail carrier's valise or pouch. The mail route established in 1836 between Toledo and Lima, Indiana, covered a distance of 110 miles, with only one postoffice between the terminal points, and there was a continuous stretch of unbroken forest for thirty- three miles, from four miles west of Morenci, Michigan, through what is now Fulton county. For several years John S. Butler, the same "Uncle John" referred to above, and at that time a boy in his early teens, traversed the route on horseback twice weekly, carrying the mail. And one experience he had while travelling the route will show how perilous was travel in those wild parts in that early days. He said: "About as badly scared as I ever was in my life was in the spring of 1838, while I was carrying the United States mails from Sylvania, a town north of Toledo, to Lima, Lagrange county, Indiana, a dis- tance of ninety miles. I was a lad then of fourteen summers, and had carried the mail for more than a year over this trail, which was one almost unbroken forest. Along the route would be a settlement or a tavern here and there, where a traveller could stay all night ...... I liad travelled this route more than a year, and I knew every turn it made through the forest as well as I now (1907) know the publie highways of my own township, where I have lived for more than seventy-two years. Travellers wishing to go West would wait at Syl- vania for the 'mail boy' to pilot them over this route. The old Terri- torial road, now known as the 'Old Plank Road,' was cut out at this time as far as Morenci, but from there to the westward, for a distance of thirty miles, it was one unbroken forest, without a sign of civiliza- tion, and the only roads to travel were the Indian trails.
It was in March, 1838, when a traveller, whom I was piloting through the woods, and myself left the old Territorial road and set out to the westward over these Indian trails, which I had travelled many times. To me it was the same old story over again, but the fellow with me seemed to drcad starting into the 'thirty-mile woods.' It was a fine March day. The sun shone warm, and the snow began to melt, and by two or three o'clock it was difficult for the horses to travel ...... As we were riding along the trail on the bank of the St. Joe River, near the Indiana line, the man remarked that we must be near a settlement, for he has seen a dog down in the river bottom. I told him that the nearest settlement was five or six miles ahead of us, and that the dog he had seen was a wolf ...... Along about sun- down he ealled my attention to another wolf trotting through the woods some distance from us. I knew those wolves meant trouble for us before we reached the tavern. As the shades of night began to draw upon us, the traveller stopped his horse and asked what made that noise which sounded like the howl of a dog. I told him it was a pack of wolves, and that they were on our trail. We each eut a good club, sprang onto our tired horses, and pushed them forward as fast
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as they could go. These clubs were the only weapons we had. Nearer and nearer came the sound, until we knew that they were al- inost upon us. I had told the man with me not to try to run from the wolves when they came upon us, but to pull up to a big tree, and fight them off with his club. If he could kill one the rest of the pack would stop and eat it, and that would give us time to go a little further. Looking back, I could see the forms on the snow of a dozen or more wolves close to us. I directed the traveller to pull up to one side of a big tree, and I took the other. For half an hour we fought off those vicious beasts. Finally, they retreated, and we knew that one of thein had fallen a victim to our clubs, and that it was now our chance to push on. It was only a short time before we could hear those wolves coming on again, and I knew that this fight would be harder than the other, for the taste of blood had added to the fury of
"I TOLD HIM THE DOG HE HAD SEEN WAS A WOLF."
those wild beasts. We were still two and a half miles from our tavern when we were compelled to pull up to a big oak, to make an- other fight. The fellow with me partially lost heart, and wished many times that he had not started on this journey. But we were in it, and an attempt now to run or turn back meant certain death. The wolves bore down upon us, and how long we fought them off I don't know. We shouted for help, and in the fierce fight our horses became frightened, and threatened to break away, which ...... we knew meant certain death to us. When we were almost exhausted and overpowered, I heard the report of a gun, and knew that the tavern keeper had heard our shouts and ...... was coming to our re- lief ......; finally, after what seemed hours of waiting and fighting, we could see the light of a torch. It was our tavern keeper ...... A few well-directed shots from his gun and the light from his hickory
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bark torch turned the wolves back, and we, half dead, proceeded to the tavern, where the good landlady did everything that she could to cheer us up and make us comfortable. Mr. and Mrs. Fowler (tavern keepers) were brave, kind, good-hearted people. They had learned to watch for me on my trips, and when I was late that night, they were listening to catch some sound of me. . . when they heard the howl of the wolves, and our cry for help."
With such possibilities ever before the mail carrier he would prob- ably not venture forth on a journey heavily encumbered with mail. He probably had no facilities for carrying much of other than first- class mail. And newspaper post, with its penny a pound rate, would hardly have been in the dreams of the most imaginative publisher of that day. In fact, conditions in general, and particularly in trans- portation, were distinctly disadvantageous for the publisher and jour- nalist of that period. With the coming of the cable, telegraphic and railway systems, however, came the era of the newspapers; and in matters of journalism Fulton county has a record of progress as cred- itable as that of any other northwestern Ohio county. The people of Fulton county have been quite as ready to support good journals as have been the readers of other territories; and they have been quite as willing to recognize and appreciate in a practical way the efforts of capable editors. There are ten weekly, or semi-weekly, newspapers now being issued regularly in Fulton county, and some have been long established. While most of the publishers have to avail themselves to some extent of the ready print of the national newspaper serv- ices, only one newspaper is printed entirely outside of Fulton county. Most of the publishing houses have good printing plants, and all with two exceptions have in their equipment modern linotype machines.
The county has developed many capable journalists and editors, and the newspaper has probably been the most important factor in the public life of the county. The light of the conscientious print has done much to illumine the darkness that formerly obscured politi- cal maneuverings; has lent its power to light the way through the hazy dawn of many a worthy public project; has given its columns freely to pass, from friend to friend, news of the daily happenings of communal life; and generally the newspaper has been that bond which has bound the people of Fulton county, pioneers and children of pio- neers, in loyal co-operative comradeship, all working to maintain in fertility and profitable yield the territory they, or their fathers before them, won to fertility from the waste lands-from the wilderness and the swamp. And all of them proud and gratified to realize that the co-operative labors of themselves, and their forebears, have wrought such a wonderful change in the, at one time, uninhabitable region. The newspapermen have been pioneers; have had part in the pioneer work; have spread the news of pioneer efforts, and thus have stimu- lated others in the work. And although their hands have more often been black with printer's ink than with the soil of the Black Swamp, their part in the pioncer building of Fulton county has nevertheless been meritorious, self-sacrificing, and in most cases arduous. The earnest and capable newspapermen of Fulton county of today are well- known, and the subscription lists give good indication of their respec- tive personal standing with the people of the county. Therefore, it
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is not the purpose of this chapter to, in particular, eulogize the several worthy editors of Fulton county of today. But no historical review of journalism in Fulton county would be complete that made no ref- erence to the notable record of the late James Hunter Sherwood, who for nearly fifty years was an editor and newspaper publisher in Fulton county. From 1861 until his death in 1913, James H. Sherwood was connected with the Wauseon "Republican" and for the greater part of that period was its editor and owner. A local newspaper wrote of him, shortly after his decease:
"Since 1865, he has ...... wielded an influence in the political and social life of the community and the county. Firm in his con- victions, yet kindly and tolerant in his attitude toward those who dif- fered from him, he was highly esteemed ...... and there was no one man in the county better known than was Mr. Sherwood. During the past twenty years he has rarely, if ever, been absent from the town; and every day his has been a familiar figure on the streets, or at his place of business ... . Another of the old guard of pioneers who have put their lives into the building of our community has gone."
His brother, General Isaac R. Sherwood, gained greater national prominence, but James Hunter Sherwood has a more notable place among the pioneers of Fulton county. He lived among them practi- cally throughout his life; disliked to leave home on any pretext; and "in season and out lauded the beauty and worth of the people and soil and products of Fulton county." He came into the county at a time when newspaper enterprises were few and of brief continuance; and his was the hand that stabilized the press of Fulton county. He was particularly active; ran a printing plant for his brother at Bryan at the same time as he was building a good Fulton county newspaper ; and also found time for the duties of the Probate office at Bryan dur- ing his brother's absence in military service. He was active to the end, the apoplectic seizure which ended his life being probably attribu- table to his activity in superintending the unloading of a truckload of wood into his barn. His wife, Matilda (Yates) Sherwood, who died in Wauseon, in 1918, might also be included in the Press record, for during her sixty years of residence in Wauseon, during which time her husband and her sons owned the "Republican," she must have had close connection with, and perhaps to some extent guided, the news- paper policy of her husband. She "was loved and respected by all who knew her"; was a charter member of the Woman's Relief Corps, and an ardent church worker, member of Wauseon Methodist Epis- copal Church.
Chronologically, the history of the newspapers of Fulton county begins with the "Fulton County Democrat," a six-column folio paper, established in the winter of 1851-52, in Delta by Lewis W. Stum, the enterprise passing twelve months later to Frank Rosenberg. The county seat was at Ottokee then, and to that centre Mr. Rosenberg transferred the office of the paper soon after it came into his posses- sion. A few months later, however, he disposed of his interest in it to. J. W. Carter and H. B. Bayes. Within six months H. B. Bayes was sole owner and editor of the "Democrat," but apparently he did not long continue as editor, for records show that a Mr. Topliff had
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held the newspaper under lease, from Mr. Bayes, for some time prior to the spring of 1856, wlien the paper and plant was removed from Ottokee to Morenci, Michigan.
Twelve months or so after the founding of the "Fulton County Democrat," another Delta newspaper came into being. Lewis W. Stum founded in 1852-53 the "Delta Independent Press." A few months later, however it passed from him, being acquired by Martin H. Butler, who was one of the first school examiners of the county. Not long afterwards he sold the paper to William Stum and James K. New- comer, who remained in partnership for several years. Eventually Peter James bought Stum's interest. The paper had belied its name for several years prior to the outbreak of the Civil war, and instead of being non-partisan, or independent, it had been strongly Democratic in its editorial poliey. And although the paper was issued regularly until the early 60s, its circulaiton had dwindled; so much so that its subscription list became insignificant, and the owners eventually had to suspend publication. The material and stock passed into the hands of a former owner, Martin H. Butler, who removed the plant to Wau- seon, shortly afterwards using it in the publication of a weekly paper, named the "Fulton County Democrat," which journal however had no connection with the former publication of like name. The "Ful- ton County Democrat" soon passed from Martin H. Butler to William Aultman, but its life was brief, for within a few weeks soldiers, home on furlough, took umbrage at its attitude on the great and vital national question of that trying period, when the feelings and opin- ions of loyal citizens were abnormally sensative and emphatic, and they vented their displeasure by wrecking the plant, strewing the roadway with its material.
Next in order of establishment must be placed the Wauseon "Re- publican," which has continued in circulation for sixty-five years. Strictly, it was the third newspaper to be established in the county ; but it may be claimed for it that it was the first newspaper of conse- quence to be established; and its continuance in regular publication, in high moral and literary standard, and in its aim to give direct home news and eounty happenings prior place in its columns instead of fea- turing national or international news, now gains the "Republican" distinctive place as the oldest and foremost home journal of the county. The personality of the editor is generally clearly reflected in the col- umns of the paper. And those who have followed Mr. Reighard, present editor and owner of the "Republican," in his editorial direction of the "Tribune" and latterly of the "Republican," must have noted the marked respect, almost reverence, Mr. Reighard has for the pio- neers of the county; for the men who gave their lives to hard dis- couraging labor in unhealthy surroundings and precarious living, and eventually made for their sons and their posterity a rich productive area of what once was swamp and wilderness. The pioneers have given statesmen, legislators, jurists, and many able educators to the state and nation, but predominately the pioneers of Fulton county have been home builders. And a motor trip through the county must convince an observer that the farm homes of Fulton county are homes of comfort and prosperity. The paper now edited and owned by
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Mr. Frank H. Reighard may be said to have had its inception in 1855, when, as the "Sentinel," it first came into being. The "Sentinel" was established by H. B. Bayes and John J. Hunter. It was the pioneer Republican paper, and soon took front rank among the newspapers of the county. Not along after it was established H. B. Bayes became sole owner and editor. Two years later he sold to A. E. Ball, who soon afterwards disposed of his interests to E. W. Fuller, who twelve months later took John D. Devor, of Elkhart, Indiana, into partner- ship. Within a few months however the paper reverted to Mr. Fuller. On January 1, 1858, the name of the paper became "North-Western Republican," and it was increased in size from a six to a seven column folio. About six months later J. D. French acquired a part-interest in the "Republican," and early in 1859 the Fuller interest was pur- chased by Isaac R. Sherwood, of Bryan, Williams county, Ohio. Al- though at that time only twenty-four years old, Isaac R. Sherwood had had quite a notable career. Orphaned in early boyhood, he, a farmer's son, somehow struggled through school; became a teacher; attended a law course, qualifying as an attorney ; took up printing in Youngstown, setting type for the Mahoning County Register; became editor and owner of the Williams County Leader, at Bryan when twenty-two years old; was elected probate judge when twenty-four; and a year later became mayor of Bryan. So that much was expected of the "Northwestern Republican" when he became identified with it. The co-partnership of French and Sherwood continued until early in 1861, when Mr. Sherwood became sole owner. Very shortly after- wards however came the national event which so greatly changed the career of so many men throughout the country, north and south. A newspaper article, written in 1915, stated that Isaac R. Sherwood, in 1861, when mayor of Bryan, was the first man in northwestern Ohio to enlist in the Union Army. He enlisted in the grade of private. He closed his military career as a brigadier-general, brevetted by Lin- coln for repeated distinguished service. He took part in forty-two battles and engagements. And the subsequent career of General Sher- wood has also been notable. He served two terms as Secretary of State of Ohio (1868 and 1870) ; was elected to United States Congress from the Toledo District in 1872; became probate judge in 1878, and again in 1881; and many times since he has been a member of Congress; in fact, although now eighty-five years old, he is still in office, and still active. Although his hair is snow-white, his carriage is erect; "he carries his six feet straight as a young hickory, and his 220 pounds like a man of forty-five." Truly a worth-while life has been that of Gen. Isaac R. Sherwood, who is entitled to place, as an early editor, in Fulton County Press records.
Upon the enlistment of Isaac R. Sherwood in the Union Army in 1861, his brother, James, assumed the management and editorial con- trol of the "Northwestern Republican." In 1862, James H. Sher- wood, acting for his brother, bought the "Fulton County Union," which paper had been established in Wauseon early in that year by Mr. French, a former associate of Isaac R. Sherwood. The papers were merged, and took the name of the longer-established journal, the "Northwestern Republican," which throughout that year, or for the greater part thereof, continued to advocate forcefully the ideals of
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the republican party. In the latter part of 1862, or early in 1863, the paper was leased to Joseph Cable. The leasing proved some- what unfortunate. for by tactless writing or indifferent support, Mr. Cable lost the confidence of the republican party leaders, and the official printing of the party in the county was taken from him, and placed with the Ottokee "Monitor," a journal established in June, 1863, by H. B. Bayes. Therefore, the Sherwood family was glad when Mr. Cable's lease expired, and the paper again came under their control. That probably was early in 1864, for it was in that vear that James H. Sherwood purchased the Ottokee "Monitor," and consolidated it with the "Northwestern Republiean." In 1865, James H. Sherwood beeame sole owner, having purchased the office and material from his brother, Isaae R., who was still in military service; and under his able management the paper was re-established in official favor. and the eirculation gradually rebuilt. In 1867, Gen. Isaae R. Sherwood again beeame owner of the paper. A year later, he took Col. Albert B. Smith, a printer, the partnership continuing until 1869. Colonel Smith was well-known in Fulton county, and was destined to have connection with the county Press for about thirty years. In 1859 he had entered the employ of Fuller and French, who then owned the "Northwestern Republican." . He responded to the first eall for troops in 1861, and in 1865 elosed his military earcer with a brevet-lieutenant-eoloneley. For eleven years from 1867, he was part- owner of the "Northwestern Republiean," in 1878 being eleeted Clerk of the Courts, which office he held for nine years. In 1883 he, with J. H. Fluhart, founded the "Fulton County Tribune," with which paper he was identified until within a few months of his death, in 1890. Colonel Smith "was a man of genial nature, endowed with agreeable traits that won him many friends." He became a part- ner of James H. Sherwood in 1869, the latter having purchased Gen. Isaac R. Sherwood's interest in the "Northwestern Republican." The paper had a wide eireulation through the county, and an exten- sive exchange list, and was undoubtedly the leading weekly journal of the county, and was recognized by the republican party, as a factor of much influenee, in its steadfast adherence to the highest principles of the party. In 1877, Mr. Sherwood purchased Colonel Smith's in- terest, and for four years thereafter was sole owner. In 1881, a part interest was acquired by E. M. Ogle. The latter, a few months later sold to W. C. Williams, who held eo-partnership with Mr. Sherwood for fifteen years. In 1896, James H. Sherwood again beeame sole owner, soon afterwards however admitting his sons into partnership. As James H. Sherwood and Sons, the publishing house continued to regularly issue the paper, the name of which had become the "Wau- seon Republican," until December 10, 1917, when Frank H. Reighard, who for three terms had been state representative, and formerly was for seven years owner and editor of the "Fulton County Tribune," purchased the Sherwood interests. Sinee that date, Mr. Reighard has given his whole time and effort to the rendering of a good news- paper service in the "Republiean." That he has succeeded is evi- dent in the growth of the mailing list of the paper. In two years Mr. Reighard more than doubled the number of subscribers to the "Republiean," and the list is continually being added to. A some-
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY 185
what similar experience followed Mr. Reighard's advent as editor of the "Tribune" in 1903. Undoubtedly the "Wauseon Republican," under Mr. Reighard's editorial control and management is a live home journal, aiming to render, chiefly, news of home, village, township, and county, and not sceking to cover the state, national and world cvents recorded by the daily newspapers, which of course also in these days find their way into most Fulton county homes.
The second newspaper to be established in Ottokee, which was then the county seat, was the "Signal," the first issue of which was in the summer of 1856. It only ran however for about six months, its editor-owner, T. D. Montgomery, being a Williams county man, editor of the "Star of the West," of Montpelier. He perhaps was not sufficiently interested in Fulton county to make his paper force- ful. At all events, at the end of six months, he removed his printing material to Montpelier, Williams county.
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