Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 38

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others
Publication date: 1905
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1149

USA > Ohio > Butler County > Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio > Part 38

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A successful career in any honorable business is regarded as evidence of substan- tial merit. Judged by this rule, the Dime Savings Bank. of Hamilton, is conspicuous among institutions of this kind. Such a

record implies that the managers of the bank must have possessed the qualities need- ful for their positions in so eminent a de- gree as to command ready recognition. In times of financial uncertainty its depositors have rested secure in the safety of their savings, while business men have received such aid as was consistent with sound financiering and with equitable protection of the interests of all classes of customers. The officers are George P. Sohngen, presi- dent; Clarence Murphy, vice-president, and A. J. Welliver, cashier.

THE NEWSPAPERS OF HAMILTON.

The following is a chronological record of the newspapers of Hamilton from 1814 to 1905 :

Hamilton Intelligencer, June 22, 1814, to March 29, 1816.

The Philanthropist, August 23, 1816, to April 18, 1817.

Miami Herald, September 12, 1817, to October 5, 1819.

Hamilton Gazette and Miami Register, October 12, 1819, to November 11, 1821.

Murray's Volunteer, from April, 1821, to December 15, 1823.

Hamilton Intelligencer and Advertiser. November 1I, 1821, to January 10, 1825.

Hamilton Advertiser, January 10, 1825.

Hamilton, Ohio, Advertiser, November 17, 1826, to October 26, 1827.

Western Telegraph, November 2, 1827, to March 9. 1832.

Hamilton Telegraph, March 9, 1832, still published.

Hamilton Intelligencer, resumed August 10, 1828, to May 20, 1862, when it was consolidated with the Telegraph.

Christian Intelligencer, January I,

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1829, still published under the name of the United Presbyterian, at Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania.

Harrison Democrat, April 21, 1840, twenty-five issues.

Miami Echo, May 10, 1848, published seven weeks.

Free Soil Banner, August 21, 1848, to October 9, 1848.

The Rose Bud, June 9, 1849, to June 13, 1851.

Democracy Untrammeled and Butler County Investigator, September 20, 1849, to October 4, 1849.

Rossville Advertiser, April 20, 1849, to August 10, 1849.

Miami Democrat, January 1, 1850, to October 1, 1851.

Daily Press, April 22. 1851, to June I, 1851.

Scott Battery, June 13, 1852, to Sep- tember 15, 1852.

Herald of Education, January 1. 1853, to December 1. 1854.

Schildwache, May 10, 1859, to January 1, 1874.

True Telegraph, September 26. 1862, now published as the Butler County Demo- crat.

National Zeitung, July 4, 1864, still pub- lished.

Tri-Weekly Advertiser and Independent, March 14, 1867, to April 5, 1874.

Examiner, May 2. 1874, to September 14. 1874.

Guidon, August 26, 1874, to May 6, 1875.

Sunday Morning News, July 17, 1876, to November 28, 1876.

The Orcus. June 18, 1878, to February 12. 1880.

Daily News, December 22, 1879, to March 21, 1898.

Herald, daily and weekly, January I, 1883, to September 1, 1885.

Daily Democrat, December 20, 1886, still published.

Daily Republican, July 19, 1892, now published under consolidated title, Republi- can-News.

The Butler County Press, May. 1901, published by the Nonpareil Printing Com- pany.

The Evening Sun, June 19, 1902, now published by the Sun Publishing Company.

Of the above papers the following are on file in the Ohio state library at Colum- bus :

Hamilton Intelligencer. from June 22, 1814, to April 17, 1817.

Philanthropist, March and April, 1816.

Miami Herald, from September 1, 1817, to October 1. 1819.

Hamilton Gazette and Miami Register, from October 12, 1817, to January 31, 1821.

Hamilton Intelligencer and Advertiser, from November 17, 1821, to January 3, 1825. .

Hamilton Advertiser, from January, 1825. to October. 1827, inclusive.

Hamilton Intelligencer, from August 16, 1828. to January 10, 1856.

Harrison Democrat, published in 1840, twenty-five numbers.

Miami Echo, published in 1848, seven numbers.

Free Soil Banner, published in 1849, nine numbers.

The Rose Bud. from June 9, 1849. to June 13. 1851.

The Scott Battery, from June 13 to September, 1852.

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Political Broadsides, sixty-six in num- ber, issued in the early epoch of Butler county.

Daily Press ( Rossville), from April 22 to June 1, 1852.

Democracy Untrammeled and Butler County Investigator (Rossville). from Sep- tember 20 to October 4, 1852.

Rossville Advertiser, from April 20 to August 10, 1849.

Miami Democrat (Rossville), from Jan- uary 1. 1850, to October 1, 1851.

These copies, together with the bound volumes in the office of the county auditor. are precious legacies and relics of the past and make practically a complete file of news- papers from Wednesday, June 23, 1814, up to date. No more comprehensive nor ac- curate history of a community can be found than the record as made from issue to issue in the local press. After a careful and com- prehensive search through the files of the Hamilton newspapers in the state library and the county auditor's office, we are en- abled to give the following brief and, we believe, authentic history of the Hamilton press.

The first printing outfit was brought to Hamilton in June. 1814, by James McBride, who purchased the press and type at Deer Creek, near Cincinnati, from a Frenchman named Menessier. The first issue of the Miami Intelligencer made its appearance on June 22, 1814, the publishers being Colby. Bonnel & Company. In politics this pioneer paper was Democratic-Republican, and the following is a copy of its prospectus :

ADDRESS .- From the sheets of the Miami Intelligencer the reader may inform himself of the principles and policies of the editors. How- ever, lest the omission of giving some small out- lines of our political opinions might be attributed

to our prejudice, we have no hesitation in avow- ing ourselves as American Republicans. Not of those pretended Republicans, who seek but to condemn; who with impunity violate all law and outrage all order-nor of those Republicans who, under a pretended attachment to the principles of Washington, daily contradict by their words and actions every moral and political opinion which that great and good man promulgated-but of those genuine, honest Republicans who are in- dependent enough to condemn, and candid enough to praise, where either may have been deserved- to censure only where censure may be due, and give applause where merit deserves it.

Although we are the avowed friends of the present administration, yet we never shall become the tool of any man or set of men, be they attached to what party they may, or their station ever so high and their influence ever so extensive.

The moralist, the poet and the politician whose productions deserve attention, shall find place in our paper for their accommodation; but scurrility or personal abuse shall never disgrace the pages of the Miami Intelligencer. Such are our political opinions, such is the plan which we have determined to pursue, and from them we trust no consideration shall ever induce us to swerve.

Some very interesting and valuable his- tory is gleaned from the early issues of this paper. It is recorded that the Fourth of July. 1814, was appropriately observed in Hamilton, by a parade through the streets, followed by exercises in the old sycamore grove at Wayne's Spring. On the 27th of the same month General William Henry Harrison passed through Hamilton on his way from Greenville. He informed the citi- zens that a treaty had been concluded, ac- cording to the provisions of which the Indi- ans were to disperse immediately, that the squaws and children of the tribes that were included in the treaty were to remain at Greenville, and that the expedition fitted out to go against Mackinaw was inadequate for the successful accomplishment of the proposed object.

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On the same day, July 27th, appears the advertisement of Mrs. Sarah B. Colby. mil- liner, which says, "Produce will be taken in part payment. such as wool. butter, cheese, flour, sugar, etc." The following ad- vertisement is from the Intelligencer of November 24. 1814:

THE DELORAC OR UPPER FERRY .- Being far ad- vanced in age and unable to traverse the streets and bye-roads of Hamilton in search of passengers and freight, but wishing to make an honest and honorable livelihood by my profession, I take this method to inform my friends particularly, and the public in general, that my ferry is in com- plete repair, the flats new, etc. Good entertain- ment for man and horse. Rates of ferriage at the upper ferry: Four-horse team, loaded, twenty- five cents; four-horse team, empty, twelve and a half cents; two-horse team, twelve and a half cents; man and horse, six cents.

MICHAEL DELORAC.

It is evident that competition was keen even in those days, as the preceding adver- tisement induced the following caustic re- ply :

JOHNS' LOWER FERRY ACROSS THE MIAMI RIVER. -On looking over the twenty-first number of the Miami Intelligencer, I find an advertisement signed by Michael Delorac, giving notice that he has become old and infirm, therefore not able to procure custom, as usual, by hunting the bye- roads and streets, to procure a living on the spoils of others. This appears to be the only claim Charity has on your patronage-can a man be an object of charity, who has by intrigue or frequent- ing the streets, and turning the traveler to his ferry, by telling him he should "eat, drink and be merry." without costing him a cent provided he cross at his ferry, be an object of charity? I would suppose not. Beware of a wolf in sheep's cloth- ing; his object is to concentrate all the custom to his ferry, by reducing the price of ferriage so low as to render us no longer able to continue (as he supposes), and thereby get both ferries into his possession-then take care and pay well. This ap- pears to be of a piece with all his former conduct.

Our customers and the public will take notice that we have got all the necessary crafts, and as good ferry flats as Mr. Charity, and will ferry at

the same prices as he continues to do. Also good entertainment for man and horse.

LEVI JOHNS.

Upon receipt of the news of Andrew Jackson's victory at New Orleans, the In- telligencer immediately issued an "extra," which was simply a handbill and printed only on one side.

Soon after the publication of the Intelli- gencer commenced William C. Keen and Andrew Stewart arrived in Hamilton with a printing equipment and, on September 10, 1814, issued a prospectus for the publica- tion of a newspaper. In July, 1815, how- ever. they purchased an interest in the Mi- ami Intelligencer and united in its publica- tion, under the firm name of Keen, Colby & Company until February, 1816. About that time D. W. Smith purchased the inter- est of Keen and Stewart, and in March, 1816, the name of the paper was changed to that of the Philanthropist, under which title it was continued by Smith, Colby & Com- pany until August, 1816. D. W. Smith sell- ing his interest in the paper, it was then continued by Zebulon. Colby & Company until April. 1817. when the plant was sold to William and James B. Cameron, who commenced the publication of the Miami Herald September 12, 1817, and continued it until October 5, 1819, when an interest in the establishment was purchased by Wil- liam Murray. The name of the paper was then changed to that of the Hamilton Ga- zette and Miami Register. being so published under the firm name of Cameron & Murray until January 11. 1821.

THE VOLUNTEER.

In April, 1821. John L. Murray com- menced the publication of a paper called The Volunteer, and later also started Mur-

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ray's Weekly Volunteer, which was con- tinued until December, 1823, when it was discontinued. It is noteworthy that at that early date, while news items were scarce, advertising was liberal. Among the busi- ness notices, some of the more interesting are as follows: Samuel McCullough, of Oxford, announces his willingness to "board sixteen students of Miami Univer- sity ; will provide a comfortable room, a large entry for the dining room in warm weather, and a cook to attend, on the reas- onable condition of one dollar per week. Whiskey will be taken at cash price." John C. Dunlavy, M. D., announces his return to Hamilton and that he will attend to the practice of medicine and surgery, and that he can be found at his lodgings, at Major Murray's inn. Ira R. Lewis announces that he has commenced the practice of law and is located over the Hamilton Bank. Dan- iel Brooks advertises for a flatboat. fourteen by nineteen feet, the seams to be pitched on the bottom. J. R. Gilmore & Company, of Cincinnati, publish a list of ninety-seven banks whose bills are quoted all the way from par to eighty-nine per cent. discount. In this list the Hamilton bank was quoted at thirty-three and one-third per cent. dis- count. Another interesting item was the "Public Notice of James Heaton, a Trustee to settle and adjust the business of Thomas C. Kelsey, an insolvent debtor." The sched- ule of Kelsey's assets and liabilities showed assets amounting to $3.74. while his debts amounted to $11.427. It is related of Kel- sey that at one time he started a bank, and sent his agents with the new bank bills out among the Indians with instructions to buy everything at any price, and get the paper into circulation as soon as possible. He

never redeemed a dollar of the paper thus put into circulation and must have realized handsomely on the venture. A band of In- dians brought in six hundred dollars of this wild-cat currency for redemption and great excitement was created when they dis- covered that the whole lot was not worth the paper it was printed on. The Indians threatened to wreak vengeance on the author of their trouble and required careful watch- ing to prevent them carrying out their threat.

The publication of the Hamilton Intelli- gencer and Advertiser was commenced in November, 1821, by James B. Cameron. The name of the paper was changed, in January. 1825, to the Hamilton Advertiser, and in November, 1826, it was again changed to the Hamilton, Ohio. Advertiser. This publication was continued until No- vember, 1827, when Mr. Cameron, with Taylor Webster as editor, began the publica- tion of the Western Telegraph, a pro- nounced Jackson paper. The Hamilton In- telligencer resumed publication on August 28, 1828, with Dr. John C. Dunlavy in the editorial chair, and the paper supported John Quincy Adams for the presidency. John Woods succeeded to the editorial chair in March, 1829, and the following is an ex- cerpt from his salutatory :

Having claimed and exercised during the late political contest the right of deciding for myself, and of acting on the conviction of my own judg- ment, without regard to the poor popularity which is bought at the sacrifice 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 un- mindful that others have an equal right to form and act upon their own opinions.

Whatever may be my success in endeavoring to make the Intelligencer a source of general in- formation, and of agreeable amusement to its read-

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ers, I will at least preserve it from low scurrility and degrading personal contests. When it wan- tonly attacks private character and becomes the vehicle of low and malignant slander, I will no longer ask those whom I assail or abuse, or the public thus insulted, to support me with their pat- ronage and countenance.

A number of changes took place in the management of the Intelligencer during the next few years, as follows: On December 22, 1829. Edward Schaeffer was announced as publisher. and John Woods editor. On August 17, 1830, John Woods became edi- tor and publisher. October 13. 1830, Rich- ard H. L. Neale was announced as being jointly interested in the enterprise. John Woods continuing in the editorial chair. The latter became sole proprietor and in the early part of 1832 L. D. Campbell became associate editor.

Mr. Woods retired from the concern at the close of the presidential campaign. No- vember 10. 1832. and on November 17th following L. D. Campbell purchased the paper. assuming both the editorial and busi- ness management. From his opening ad- dress the following paragraph is repro- duced :

It is confidently hoped that, as the presidential canvass 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 clos- ing, be what it may, our exertions will be actively employed in restoring peace and tranquility. We are ready and willing to submit to the solemn decision of a free people.

Six years later Mr. Campbell withdrew from the enterprise and the following ex- tract from his "Editor's Adieu" will prove specially interesting in view of the forego- ing :

I congratulate myself upon leaving my situ- ation with a whole hide and a clear conscience,

and upon placing myself in a position which will enable me to be an observer of what is going on in the great editorial arena. It will be fun to see the lunges that will be made to see the Register and Statesman "woo" each other-to see E. D. Mansfield, the veteran of the Cincinnati Gazette, deal out his well-aimed blows at both friend and foe-to see George D. Prentice floor his hosts- and to see the "small fry" about the country dex- terously wielding their weapons.

I now deliberately walk out of the editorial field, and put up the bars, entertaining a hope that those friends who have stood by and patron- ized me, may live a thousand years-that all honest Van Buren men will soon perceive and flee from the error of their way-and that the Intel- ligencer may be more profitable to its publishers and more efficient to its object than it has been under my control.

Many subsequent changes occurred in the ownership of the paper, as may be noted from the following: May 20, 1834, Gibbon & Gardner became the owners of the Intel- ligencer, L. D. Campbell continuing as edi- tor. About two years later, however. on May 10. 1826, Isaac M. Walters became the publisher of the paper. Mr. Campbell con- tinuing in the editorial chair until Novem- ber, 1838. On February 27, 1840. Mr. Wal- ters sold the paper to William C. Howells, a man of unusual ability, who remained at the head of the paper until November 28, 1848, when he sold the plant to Charles & Boardman. On May 24, 1849. J. W. Mc- Beth purchased Mr. Charles' interest. the new firm being styled McBeth & Boardman. On May 10, 1851, Mr. Boardman sold his interest to D. W. Halsey, who became sole owner on February 15. 1855, conducting the business until his death, two years later. In 1858 Minor Millikin and D. W. McClung purchased the Intelligencer from Dr. Wil- liam Huber, executor of the estate of D. W. Halsey. Mr. McClung retired from the en- terprise in October of the same year and on

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June 30, 1859. Jacob Morris and William Bunston became owners of the paper, con- ducting it until May 20, 1861, when Israel Williams and Fred Egry purchased it and consolidated it with the Intelligencer.

At this period the Telegraph was the or- gan of the regular Democrats and took the side of the anti-war faction. On August 3, 1861, at a convention of the Democrats of the county M. N. Maginnis led a movement denouncing the war and the President of the United States for the part he was tak- ing. Dr. John P. P. Peek, who was editor of the Telegraph at that time, refused to print the resolutions of the convention bear- ing on this topic.

The purchasers of the Telegraph, Messrs. Williams and Egery. were both ar- dent war Republicans and their control of the paper had a distressing effect on the Democrats. especially the anti-war element. The Democratic leaders found, themselves with no organ in which to express their views and felt somewhat handicapped in lo- cal political matters. As an answer to this want, Robert Christy, S. Z. Gard. Job E. Owens, Daniel Longfellow and Dr. John McElwee each contributed two hundred dol- lars in cash and drove over to Oxford and purchased the equipment of the then de- funct Oxford Union, which they loaded into wagons and brought to Hamilton. On the 26th of the following month the first number of the True Telegraph was issued by Dr. John McElwee and A. C. Marts, and the local Democracy once more had a party organ. In November of that year Dr. Mc- Elwee resigned as editor and wa's succeeded by Archie Mayo. The firm of Marts & Mayo published the paper until April 23, 1863, when it was bought by Stephen Crane

and E. E. Palmer. On July 24, 1864, the 'True Telegraph Company purchased the pa- per and Dr. McElwee again occupied the editorial chair. On February 23, 1865, the True Telegraph was purchased by Cockerill Brothers, John A. Cockerill assuming edi- torial charge. They conducted the enter- prise until July 2. 1868, when Jacob A. Long purchased the plant and installed Colonel H. H. Robinson in the editorial chair. On January 13. 1870. Nickel & De La Court became owners of the True Telegraph and at the same time changed its name to the Butler County Democrat. Nickel dis- posed of his interest in the paper on the 11th of May. 1871. and on December 21. 1873. De Ina Court sold out to Thomas H. Hod- der. who was in turn succeeded by R. N. Andrews & Company in April, 1875. at which time J. W. Short became editor. Within a month's time Mr. Short died and was succeeded by James P. Caldwell, who served until December 2, 1875. when Harry C. Hume superseded him. In June, 1876, Daniel C. Callen obtained control of the pa- per, but in November of the same year he became financially embarrassed and the pa- per was placed in the hands of N. E. War- wick, as receiver, who edited and managed the paper until February 21. 1877. Shortly afterward the establishment was sold to Byron K. Brant. who, on December 17, 1885. sold out to John K. Aydelotte and T. E. Crider. under whose management, how- ever. the enterprise made little financial progress, and shortly afterwards Mr. Crider sold his interest to F. W. Whitaker. George St. Clair and other local Democrats.

The first number of the Hamilton Daily Democrat appeared on Monday. December 20. 1886. it being published by J. K. Avde-

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lotte & Company, with J. K. Aydelotte as editor and F. W. Whitaker as business man- ager. The new paper did not at once meet with the most flattering financial success and it at length became necessary to take in new capital, the outcome being the incorporation of the Butler County Democrat Company. Mr. Aydelotte continued as editor of the paper until his tragic death, January 21, 1891. He was succeeded as managing edi- tor by Homer Gard, who had previously been on the reportorial staff of the paper. In September, 1894, the Democrat was pur- chased by a syndicate. of which Paul J. Sorg was at the head. and S. L. Rose was in- stalled,as managing editor. In September, 1895, Mr. Rose retired to return to his edu- cational work in the Hamilton city schools, and was succeeded by Thomas M. Boyd as general manager, with Sloane Gordon as editor. On June 1, 1896, Charles Alf. Wil- liams and T. T. Williams secured the con- trol of the paper. Charles becoming editor and Tom business manager. On June 1, 1897. Homer Gard was called back to the management of the paper. At this time the stock of the Butler County Democrat Com- pany was owned by F. W. Whitaker and Fletcher S. Heath and in June of this year Mr. Whitaker sold his interests to Mr. Heath, who, on September 21st, sold the en- tire property to Homer Gard, the board of directors elected at that time being as fol- lows: Homer Gard, president ; Clayton A. Leiter, vice-president; L. R. Hensley, sec- retary : George E. Holdefer, treasurer, and Samuel Z. Gard.

The initial issue of the Western Tele- graph and Hamilton, Ohio, Advertiser made its appearance November 2, 1827, under the management of James B. Cameron and

Taylor Webster. About two years later the name of Taylor Webster appears as the sole publisher. In March, 1831, the name of the paper was changed to Hamilton Tele- graph and Butler County Advertiser, and a year later the name was again changed to the Western Telegraph and Butler County Advertiser. This paper for nearly eight years subsequently was dated at Rossville. On October 28, 1836, the paper suspended publication. but on November 18th follow- ing the publication was resumed by Frank- lin Stokes, John B. Weller appearing as edi- tor. On November 7. 1839, the paper was again suspended, but on the 30th of the same month it was again issued, its location being again changed to Hamilton. Febru- ary 18. 1847. the name of the paper was changed to the Butler County Telegraph, and in November of the same year Ryan & Witherby were announced as publishers. with O. S. Witherby and N. M. Gaylord as editors. M. C. Ryan assumed sole editorial charge of the paper on October 18, 1849, and on November 15th following was suc- ceeded by Ferd Van Derveer. who in turn was superseded on January 4. 1851, by Charles L. Weller. The following, as pub- lished in a local paper, gives the subsequent changes in the management of the Tele- graph : "William H. Kinder, November 11. 1852, purchased the paper and continued as editor and proprietor until June 13. 1854. when the plant was purchased by Charles I. Barker and James McCormick. On No- vember 5. 1855. A. A. Phillips bought Bar- ker's interest in the paper, selling the same in April. 1856, to Daniel R. Empson, when the firm became Empson & McCormick. On September 3, 1857, James K. Webster purchased the paper and conducted it until

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Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 38

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1149

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others
Publication date: 1905
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1149