History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 41

Author: Perrin, William Henry, [from old catalog] comp; Battle, J. H., [from old catalog] comp; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852- [from old catalog] comp; Baskin & Battey, Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1034

USA > Ohio > Crawford County > History of Crawford County and Ohio > Part 41

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Many leading Democrats in Crawford County were not satisfied with Orr's irregularly issued publication, and J. R. Knapp, Jr., who had for several years been connected with the Marion Mirror, was induced to establish another Dem- ocratic paper at Bucyrus. The first num- ber of this, the People's Forum, appeared April 12, 1845, and for more than thirty-five years the Forum has been regularly published by dif- ferent proprietors. Knapp's office, for a few weeks was opposite the court house, then a few doors east, near the Methodist Episcopal Church. In April, 1848, the printing material was removed to the room over Lauck & Failor's store ; April, 1850, to the Anderson Block, now the residence of C. K. Ward and George C. Gormly ; in the spring of 1855, to the Sims House corner. Knapp sold the paper to Mor- decai P. Bean, in 1847, and he was proprietor for ten years. During the latter part of this decade, Philip Dombaugh was associated with him, but never owned an interest, although con- sidered publisher for several years. They finally dissolved business relations April 24, 1857, and shortly afterward Bean sold the Fo- rum to J. A. Estill, now editor of the Holmes County Farmer. The office was removed to Quinby Block April 1, 1859, and, in a few weeks, passed into the hands of A. McGregor, present editor of the Stark County Democrat, who re- mained until April 20, 1860, and then trans-

ferred the paper to Thomas Beer, now a Judge of the Common Pleas Court. The office was removed to Burkhart's Block, now the property of J. G. Mader, Jr., January 1, 1862, and April 25, Henry Barnes and Thomas Coughlin pur- chased Beer's interest in the paper. After five months, Barnes retired from the partnership, but Coughlin continued as proprietor until April, 1868. In October, 1867, he was elected County Clerk, and re-elected in 1870. Before entering upon the duties of this position, he sold the office to John R. Clymer, Clerk for the previous seven years. About this time, the office, which had been improved by the addition of a fine Cincinnati cylinder press and other new printing material, was removed from Blair's Hall to the second story of No. 8 Quinby Block. August, 1867, Coughlin employed, as associate editor of the paper, William Hubbard, who con- tinued with the Forum until April, 1869. This gentleman was an unusually earnest and forei- ble writer, who had attained, as editor of the Logan County Gazette, a national reputation. When he retired from the Forum, the partner- ship of Hubbard & Coughlin was formed. and they bought the Democratic Northwest. at Na- poleon, Ohio, which the gifted Hubbard edited until he died, May 11, 1872. J. R. Clymer con- tinued as publisher of the Forum for nine years, until April 20, 1877, when he sold the office to Maj. J. H. Williston. In February, 1871. an engine was purchased, and the paper printed by steam. For over twenty-seven years, the paper was folio in form until, in October, 1871, it was changed to a quarto, and subscribers who desired it semi-weekly were furnished four pages on Tuesday, and four pages on Friday. This system was continued until the four-page form was resumed November 17, 1876. During the nine years Mr. Clymer was publisher, the office occupied. at different times, each floor of No. 8 Quinby Block. In December. 1878. the establishment was removed to the basement of the Deal Block, where it has continued since

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

that time. An attempt was made to establish a daily Forum during the past year. The first number appeared July 12, 1880, but, after con- tinuing regularly for four months, the daily was discontinued November 3. In June, 1851, the name of the publication was changed from the People's Forum, to the Crawford County Forum. It is well known that Crawford County has always been strongly Democratic, and dur- ing the past thirty-five years the Forum has been regarded as the party organ. Its course on the many questions at issue before the na- tion have met with the hearty approval, and the firm stand it has always taken in the inter- ests of the party have been enthusiastically in- dorsed by the Crawford County Democracy.

After Shrenck's Bucyrus Democrat had been discontinued, the Whigs of Crawford were without an organ for nearly ten years. Near the close of 1852. subscription papers were cir- culated throughout the county, and, as enough subscribers were guaranteed to warrant J. A. Crevier in publishing a new Whig paper, Janu- ary 6, 1853. the first number of the Bucyrus Journal was issued. Soon after this, the Re- publican party was organized, and the Journal, under Crevier, warmly espoused the doctrines advocated by its leaders. Since then, the pa- per, under different proprietors, has faithfully labored in the interests of the Republican party. With the exception of eleven eight- page numbers. printed during the first three months of 1856, it has always been folio in form. For two years, the office was located "at the corner of Main street and Pill alley ;" then on Main street, north side of square ; May 1, 1856, it was removed to near where Ritz & Van Voorhis' restaurant is at the pres- ent time ; February 22, 1858, to McCoy's build- ing. opposite the court house ; January 1, 1859. to the second story of Rowse's new block. where the paper was published for seventeen years. In the year 1853, a strike occurred among the printers at work on the Pittsburgh

daily papers; two of them, David R. Locke and James G. Robinson, started on a Western trip. They reached Plymouth, Ohio, and were induced by citizens to revive the Advertiser, which they sold in 1855, and, with Rudolph Brinkerhoff, purchased the Mansfield Herald. Soon after, Locke sold his interest in this pa- per, and March 20, 1856, purchased of Crevier, the Bucyrus Journal. For several months his brother, D. W. Locke, was associated with him, but they dissolved partnership July 15. Shortly afterward, Locke prevailed upon his former partner to take an interest in the Jour- nal, and, in April, 1857, the two friends were again united in their business interests. The office was improved by the addition of a Rob- inson Princeton power press, which was the first cylinder press brought to Bucyrus. These two enterprising men cordially worked together, and advocated in the Journal many new enter- prises needed by the community. Among the many public and private improvements which were the result of their persistent agitation, are the gas-works, the cemetery, the many shade trees, the well-paved sidewalks, and many buildings. In April, 1861, Mr. Robinson was appointed Postmaster of Bucyrus, by Pres- ident Lincoln, which position he held until re- moved, for political reasons, by President John- son in 1866. Mr. Locke retired from the Jour- nal, November 13, 1861, and purchased the Fremont Journal, and afterward an interest in the Toledo Daily Blade, with which paper he is connected at the present time. While editor of the Fremont Journal, he commenced writing the noted Nasby Letters, which obtained for him a national reputation. September 2, 1867, Mr. Robinson sold his interest in the Journal to J. Hopley for $2,000. April 1, 1862, Ralph Robinson became associated with his brother in publishing the paper, and continued with Mr. Hopley until May 20, 1868, when he also sold his interest to his partner. After leaving the printing office, James G. Robinson em-

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

barked in the drug business with Dr. M. C. Cuykendall, and continued at this until he died, April 14, 1872. Ralph Robinson removed to Iowa, and has since been connected with the Fairfield Ledger, Clarinda Herald and Newton Journal, of which he is now sole proprietor. In October, 1875, a new Cottrell & Babcock improved drum cylinder press was added to the printing material of the Journal. and shortly afterward, December 30, the office was removed to the Converse Block, and fitted up with steam power. [For many years the pres- ent editor of the Journal has been engaged collecting files of Bueyrus newspapers, and he has secured many copies of publications printed in the village during the early settlement of this county. All of his files were kindly placed at the disposal of the gentlemen engaged on this county history, and these papers have proved, in many cases, a valuable aid to the historian, and furnished many historical facts that otherwise would have been over-looked .- HISTORIAN.]

Two German papers have been published in Bucyrus, during the past three decades. The first number of the Crawford County Demo- krat was issued September. 15, 1855, by Mor- decai P. Bean, proprietor of the Forum. This ! German paper was continued for several years ; a portion of this time it was under the charge of Bernhardt Roch, who was killed by the cars at Dayton, Ohio. April 10, 1863, and shortly afterward the Demokrat was discontinued. The first number of the Deutscher Courier was pub- lished in January, 1875, by Joseph Killian. proprietor of the Mansfield Courier. In about a year the office was removed to Mansfield, but for some time after this, a Bucyrus edition of the paper was published.

The Independent Democrat was started by Dr. A. E. Jenner, of Crestline, in February, 1873. The office was first located in that town; the paper was folio in form until May 14, 1875. when it was changed to eight pages, and the

name to the Crawford County Democrat. For two years it was in charge of A. N. Jenner, son of the proprietor, who continued in the office until July 15, 1875. Some months previous to his retirement, J. E. D. Ward purchased an in- terest in the office, and, when young Jenner left, continued sole publisher until Charles Wright became associated with him in Novem- ber, 1876. About this time the office was re- moved to Bucyrus, but. some months previous to this change. a Bucyrus edition of the Demo- erat had been printed at Crestline. Wright re- tired after several weeks' experience, and Frank Plants took his place. When Major Williston purchased the Forum in April. 1877. the pub- lishers of the Democrat soon found they could not successfully compete with him for the pat- ronage of the Crawford County Democracy, and their paper was discontinued about July 1, 1877.

Since the first printing press was brought to Bucyrus, several attempts have been made by different parties to establish other miscella- neous publications. In 1838, William Robbins issued the first number of a semi-monthly pub- lication called the Buckeye. It was printed at the Republican office, and the articles contained in it were of a class to amuse rather than in- struct ; no efforts were made to publish local news. The Buckeye was continued for several months ; No. 9. Vol. I. appeared April 27. 1839, but shortly after this the paper was dis- continued. In May, 1855, the first number of an agricultural paper, the Crawford County Farmer, was printed at the Journal office. Rob- ert N. Patterson was publisher ; J. A. Crevier and C. Elliott were editors. It was a monthly paper, four pages in size, and - devoted to agri- culture, horticulture, gardening, mechanics and domestic industry," but discontinued after sey- eral numbers. May 1. 1861, No. 1. of Vol. 1, of the Millers' Journal was published by Raub & Butterfield. It was a small four-page monthly "devoted to the interest of millers-terms, 50

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

cents per annum." Although it was issued in the interest of the Ingham California Wheat Cleaner, it was a bona-fide publication, but the second number never appeared. Martin Deal, who has the only copies in existence, says this was the first milling journal ever printed in the United States. In 1867. Henry J. Deal pub- lished the first number of the Bucyrus Chronicle, a paper for boys. The next year the name was changed to Bucyrus Budget, and the second number appeared, which was followed by several others during the next six months. Another amateur publication was started January 1, 1869, by J. E. Hopley & Co. This little sheet, The Acorn, was issued semi-monthly ; after the first three months, the senior partner gave his brother, Thomas P., an old shot-gun, if he would assume the financial responsibility. An entire volume of twenty-six numbers was published, and then the Acorn was planted but never sprouted. In July, 1879, Daniel Kanz- leiter issued the first copy of the Sunbeam, an illustrated sheet printed " semi-occasionally." The wood-cuts were designed and engraved by the publisher, and four copies of the Sunbeam appeared before it " ceased to shine for twenty- five cents a year."

The newspaper history of Galion ranks next to that of Bueyrus. The following sketch of the Galion press was compiled by Dr. J. C. Mellvaine : The newspaper business com- menced early in the history of Galion, indeed before it was possible to secure patronage suf- ficient to support it. The frequent changes of names, politics and partners, of the first paper in Galion, give evidence of the trials and dif- ficulties of the enterprise. The early printers of Ohio had an obstacle to the circulation of their papers in the matter of postage, that was almost fatal to their success. There was a dis- count on bank bills, and specie sent by mail in small sums, lost enormously.

If the publisher of a county newspaper re- ceived enough for a bare subsistence, it was con-

sidered sufficient remuneration for his arduous duties. But till within late years such papers have not paid for themselves. While the churches and schools molded the character of the people in their own peculiar way, another influence was quietly gaining its sway over the masses, widening out the scope of mind. Relig- ion and education are the two great powers of civilization, refinement and human progress. The press, though silent in its admonitions, its chronicles and histories of the ever present, has made its influence felt throughout the world, to an extent unequaled by any other power.

In 1855, the first newspaper was published in Galion. The establishment was owned by John W. Putnam, who was, for many years, the worthy editor of the Ohio Statesman. The of- fice was removed by him from Union City, and the first numbers were printed in the building now owned by James Martin, but at that time by P. W. Webber, and which stands on Main street. Dr. D. Abger became a partner, and the name of the paper was changed to the Galion Weekly Train. It was independent in politics, but the partnership lasted but a short time. Dr. Abger removed to Crestline, where he started a paper, and J. V. D. Moore, came from Union City, and took his place as a partner with Mr. Putnam. When the campaign of 1856 opened Mr. Moore retired and Jacob Riblet took his place. With this change of proprietors, there came a change in the political complexion of the paper. From Independent it became Dem- ocratic, and was re-christened the Galion Dis- trict Democrat. In 1857, Andrew Poe, a former citizen of Mansfield, purchased Mr. Riblet's in- terest in the paper, and soon after Mr. Putnam retired. The business did not pay Mr. Poe, and soon after it was sold under an execution. In the year 1864, it was bought by the Matthias brothers, and edited by Peter Schum, who is now publishing a daily and weekly journal in Joplin, Mo., called the Joplin Morning News. It

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was not long until H. S. Z. Matthias took the editorial control, and changed the name of the paper to the Galion Democrat. It was Demo- cratie in politics, but was not properly sup- ported, and was soon after abandoned, and the office changed into a job office until July, 1865. At this time, Mr. Matthias commenced publish- ing a paper called the Weekly Review, independ- ent in politics. In September, 1871, the Mat- thias brothers sold out to John C. Covert, of the Cleveland Leader, who changed its name back to Democrat, but made it Republican in its tone. In the fall of 1872, G. W. DeCamp, of Mansfield, edited it under the same political color, but changed the name back to Galion Review, and so continued until it passed into the hands of the present proprietors, A. D. Rowe and F. E. Coonrod, in July, 1874. These gentlemen made it once more Democratic in polities, and conducted it in that faith until February 1, 1877, when it flopped again, and became Republican in sentiment, remaining so to the present time (1880). The office is in the third story of the Sponhauer Block, where they have plenty of room and a good office.

The present editor and owner of the Galion Sun is George T. Ristine. The Sun was es- tablished by Mr. Ristine, October 31, 1872, as an independent weekly newspaper of twenty- eight columns. The success that followed this enterprise warranted him in enlarging the paper to its present size. The office is located in the second story of the Ristine Block, on East Main street. In 1875, Mr. Ristine introduced steam power into the establishment, making it the first steam printing house in Galion.

In August, 1876, a campaign paper was es- tablished, under the name of the Republican Free Press. As such it was run for one year and seven months. On the 29th of September 1877, it was purchased by S. G. Cummings & Co., which company changed the name of the paper to the Galion Enquirer, and have pub- lished it ever since as a Democratie paper.

Hon. J. G. Meuser is the political editor, and H. S. Z. Matthias has charge of the local de- partment. The office is a fine one, and is in the second story of David Mocky's new block, on South Market street.

The three weekly sheets of Galion are fair specimens of county newspapers. There is a hearty support given to each one, and the sub- scription lists are large. Of the three, one is Democratic, one Republican and one neutral, or independent. Each issue of these papers is largely sought for by the citizens of the town.

The Crestline press is of more recent origin than either that of Bucyrus or Galion, and con- sequently its history is more brief. The Crest- line Advocate is the only paper now published in the town. There have been others established, however, but after a short career were discon- tinued. The newspapers of Crestline will be noticed more at length in the chapter devoted to that town.

The perfection of the railroad system of the country is one of the grandest achievements of modern times. As we contemplate the im- provements of railroad construction, and the perfection to which the system has been brought in the last quarter of a century, we are ready to accept any suggestions or prophecies on the subject, though it be to the effect, that in a quarter of a century more we will be flying through the air as we now fly over the country at the heels of the iron horse.

The ideas which led to the invention of rail- roads, originated more than two centuries ago. In the seventeenth century, roads were con- structed in the collieries, in the north of En- gland, with wooden rails, upon which carriages ran to and from the mines, drawn by horses or mnles. Later, the tops of these rails were cov- ered with plate or bar iron, to render them more durable. About the year 1776, flanges were added to the wheels to keep the wagons from running off the track. As early as 1794. the use of locomotives instead of animals was sug-

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gested, though we hear of no locomotive being built until about 1805. Slowly, and by little at a time. improvements were made, and roads were extended from the mines to the shipping- points, and then to the chief markets. Steam was introduced, and in 1825, George Stephenson invented and placed in successful operation an engine that drew a train of cars over a wooden railway, protected by an iron covering, at the rate of twelve miles an hour. This great achievement astonished the English people, who prophesied only dire disaster and distress would attend the operating of such a monster.

In 1826, the first railroad in the United States was built. This was a " tramway " from the granite quarries of Quincy, Mass., to the Neponset River, a distance of three miles. A second road was laid out in January following, from the coal mines of Mauch Chunk, Penn., to the Lehigh River, a distance of nine miles. Other similar enterprises followed, among which, in 1828, was the Baltimore & Ohio, now one of the greatest railroad corporations in the country. It has increased in business and importance since the publication of the following statement : "The receipts for traveling and transportation on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, for the six months ending the 31st of August, 1833, ex- ceeded $108,000. The receipts during the same period last year did not quite amount to $90,- 000; the increase, therefore, was about $18,000, being an average of $3,000 per month."

From 1830 to 1835, railroads in the East re- ceived a considerable impulse. Improvements of all kinds were being made in them, a speed of twenty and thirty miles an hour was attained, and the benefits of their construction and use were becoming more and more apparent. As the railroad system developed in the older set- tled Eastern States, the Western people caught the " Internal Improvement " fever, and, with a laudable ambition to give to their own States a full share of those advantages accruing to the people of the East. voted away millions of

money for the construction of railroads and canals. Legislatures responded to the ardent messages of their Governors in a liberal man- ner, by chartering such a number of roads as to literally checker the map of their States. They saw nothing but the most prosperous times ahead, and the system of financiering that was inaugurated well-nigh, in the end, impoverished the entire country.

Ohio stepped to the front of the Western States in the old internal improvement system. " In January, 1817," says Howe, " the first res- olution relating to a canal connecting the Ohio River with Lake Erie was introduced into the Legislature. In 1819, the subject was again agitated. In 1820, on the recommendation of Gov. Brown, an act was passed providing for the appointment of three Canal Commission- ers, who were to employ a competent engineer and assistants for the purpose of surveying the route." But, as the canals of the State have no especial place in this work, we shall not go into details. This brief allusion is made merely to illustrate the excitement which prevailed in regard to the system of in- ternal improvement.

There is some question as to the first rail- road built in the State of Ohio. Many are of the opinion, and with a good show of anthor- ity, that the Cincinnati & Sandusky, originally known as the Mad River Railroad, was the first road built in the State. Others claim that a little road, about fifteen miles in length, ex- tending from Toledo into the State of Mich- igan, was the first. While still others claim the Little Miami as the pioneer railroad. But, with these conflicting statements, it is not alto- gether an easy matter to definitely decide as to the priority of the different roads in either commencement or completion. A " preponder- ance of the evidence," legally speaking, how- ever, is in favor of a division of the Mad River, or Cincinnati & Sandusky, Railroad. Other roads followed in rapid succession in dif-

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ferent parts of the State, and, as the years went by, culminated in the perfect system we have to-day.

The first road to intersect Crawford County was the Mad River road, above referred to, which passes through the northwestern part of Wyandot County, then a part of Crawford Connty. In 1851, the Cleveland & Columbus Railroad, now known as the Cleveland, Colum- bus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis, or " Bee Linc," Railroad, was built through the eastern part of the county. The question of building this road was agitated as early as 1835-36. But, as railroad-building was then in its infancy, it was not until 1851 that the line from Cleve- land to Columbus was completed, an event that was celebrated by a great banquet at Cleveland, to which everybody was invited. An effort was made to secure it to Bucyrus, but sufficient inducements financially were not made to the company, and a route further east was chosen. According to an act of the Leg- islature then in force, on a majority vote of the electors of any county through which a rail- road might pass, the County Commissioners were allowed to subscribe to the capital stock. In the spring of 1846, a proposition to sub- scribe $50.000 to the Cleveland & Columbus Railroad was submitted to the people of Craw- ford County, and defeated by a vote of 1,507 to 361. In January, 1862, the Cleveland & Columbus road purchased the Springfield, Del- aware & Mount Vernon Railroad for $134,000, by which more direct connection was made with Cincinnati. Some years later, this road purchased the Bellefontaine & Indianapolis Railroad, which forms the Indianapolis Divi- sion of the Bee Line, one of the great railroad corporations of the country.

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History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 41

Author: Perrin, William Henry, [from old catalog] comp; Battle, J. H., [from old catalog] comp; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852- [from old catalog] comp; Baskin & Battey, Chicago, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1034

Author: Perrin, William Henry, [from old catalog] comp; Battle, J. H., [from old catalog] comp; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852- [from old catalog] comp; Baskin & Battey, Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1034