USA > Ohio > Portage County > History of Portage County, Ohio > Part 42
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The Argus was started in Ravenna by H. A. Waldo, some time after the demise of the Sentinel, and was intended to take the place of that paper as a local Democratic organ. The writer has been unable to find a copy of the Argus, and therefore can tell nothing of its size or exact date of publication; but it made very little impression in the newspaper field, and ran only a few months.
The Democratic Press was established in Ravenna by the veteran editor and publisher, Samuel D. Harris, and first issued September 3, 1868. It has always been a four-page paper, 27x39 inches in size; issued every Thursday, and containing thirty-two columns of matter. Mr. Harris had been absent from the editorial chair for about fourteen years, or since retiring from the Sentinel, of which he was one of the founders, August 2, 1854; but a local Democratic paper in Portage County became a necessity, and he concluded to go into the enterprise. The Press was started at $2 per annum in advance, and $2.50 if the subscription was allowed to run, but in August, 1878, the price was reduced to $1.50 and $2 respectively. With the beginning of Vol- ume XIII, in August, 1880, Mr. Harris gave his son an interest in the Press, and the firm has since been S. D. Harris & Son.
The Press began its career on a subscription list of 300, but grew rapidly under the good management of Mr. Harris until to-day it possesses a circula- tion of about 1,000 copies, and is regarded as one of the leading Democratic country papers in northeastern Ohio. Mr. Harris is one of the oldest editors and publishers in the State, born in Ravenna Township, Portage County, May 17, 1816, his whole life has been passed on his native heath, the greater por- tion of it in Ravenna. His memory goes back to the days when Portage County was almost a wilderness, and possessed not a single newspaper of any sort. He worked as a printer on the Courier, the Ohio Star, and the Buckeye Democrat, and his knowledge of the newspapers of this county is more extensive than that of any other man now living within her boundaries. He distinctly remembers seeing the old press of the Courier hauled into Ravenna, and laughs over the avidity with which its first issue (April 23, 1825) was scanned by the few people then living in the village. May he long continue to fill the editorial
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chair which his experience has done so much toward establishing on a firm foundation.
The Portage County Republican was the last newspaper enterprise estab- lished in Ravenna. It was started as a Republican paper in April, 1878, by J. H. Fluhart, in opposition to the Republican-Democrat. The Republican was first an eight-page, 30x44 inch sheet, but about two months before it was sold it was enlarged to 35x48 inches. It was printed on the co-operative plan, with patent inside. On the first of March, 1882, the office and paper was pur- chased by the Republican-Democrat Publishing Company, and absorbed by that institution.
Kent Newspapers .- The first effort made toward establishing a paper at Franklin Mills (now Kent), occurred in May, 1836, when D. Radebaugh, fore- man of the Courier office in Ravenna, issued a prospectus for a paper to be founded by him at that village, and to be called the Franklin Gazette. The principal object intended by the enterprise was to advocate the election of Martin Van Buren to the Presidency, but for want of funds the scheme did not fully materialize, and nothing further than issuing the prospectus was ever accomplished.
The Omnium Gatherum was the pioneer paper of Kent, and was established by Dr. Alonzo Dewey, with W. W. Beach as editor, and first issued September 7, 1859. It was a small four-page, twenty-column sheet 20x26 inches in size, politically independent and issued weekly at $1.25 per annum. It ran under the above title about two months, but November 17, 1859, changed its name to the Family Visitor, which was the same size and price. The Visitor was issued irregularly for three months, and on the 16th of February, 1860, the paper was changed to a monthly, called the Literary Casket, with Marshall Dewey as editor and publisher. It was subsequently issued semi-monthly, changing back and forth, in size and time of issue, as the circumstances and patronage justified. In connection with this venture Mr. Dewey started, in May, 1860, the Cuyahoga Reporter, also a semi-monthly, of which only a few numbers were issued. For about five years the Casket ran along in a sort of " a half dead and alive " manner, but Mr. Dewey was evidently determined to keep up the fight, and December 2, 1865, the paper came out as the Saturday Review. It was issued weekly, and December 16 the sheet was increased in size, though still a five column folio. The Review ran along through the summer of 1866 and was then for a short time suspended. Mr. Dewey again resolved on a change of name, and in October, 1866, sent forth the Commer- cial Bulletin, a small four-column folio, which increased in size with the passing years until it became quite a respectable looking newspaper. In the meantime the name was changed to the Saturday Morning Bulletin and after- ward to the Saturday Bulletin, the paper having by this time grown to a four- page, 22x30 inch sheet of twenty-four columns. The Bulletin was edited and published by Mr. Dewey up to the issue of May 1, 1876, though for some years previously its financial condition was at a low ebb, its annual subscription price changing according to circumstances, being but $1 when Mr. Dewey sold the office.
The present editor and proprietor, Mr. N. J. A. Minich, before purchasing the Bulletin of Mr. Dewey, was President of the Akron Daily Argus Publish- ing Company. With the first issue, May 6, 1876, Mr. Minich changed the name to the Kent Saturday Bulletin and increased the price to $1.50 per annum in advance, at which figure the subscription has ever since remained. On the 29th of July, 1876, the Bulletin was enlarged to a four-page, twenty-eight- column paper, 23x35 inches in dimensions, and on the 16th of November, 1878,
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it was still further enlarged to a 26x39 inch sheet of thirty-two columns. Thus it remained until October 29, 1881, when the Bulletin was changed from a folio to a quarto-an eight-page paper of forty-eight columns. The progress made under the editorship and management of Mr. Minich was very noticeable from the moment he took the helm. The Bulletin had then a very small sub- scription list and little advertising patronage. He soon infused new life and vigor into the concern, and to-day the paper is enjoying a more liberal patron- age than ever before. The best evidence of the Bulletin's prosperity is the steady increase in its subscription list and the general growth of the business from comparative insignificance to its present high position among the news- paper properties of Portage County. In the fall of 1884 the office was refitted with new steam printing machinery, and it now possesses all the conveniences of a first-class job office. The policy of the Bulletin under Mr. Minich has always been thoroughly independent, and it now claims a circulation of about 1,400 copies.
The Kent News, established by L. D. Durban & Co., and first issued Octo- ber 26, 1867, was the next newspaper started in Kent. It was a four page, twenty-eight-column paper, 24x36 inches in size, published at $2 per annum and advocated the principles of the Republican party. The News began on a subscription list of about 600, and Mr. Durban, who published a paper at Newcastle, Penn., put his son in charge of the office. The paper did not pros- per under the young man's management, and after a career of about one year, the father gave up the experiment, and removed the printing material to his own office at Newcastle.
The present Kent News is the only Democratic paper ever published in Kent. It was established by A. C. Davis and Richard Field, and first issued July 8, 1881. The News was then a four-page, sixteen-column paper, printed on a sheet 15x21 inches in dimensions. The firm of Davis & Field existed only a short time, the latter retiring from the business. On the 5th of August, 1881, the News came out in quarto form-an eight-page, thirty-two-column sheet 30x42 inches in size. In June, 1882, the News Publishing Company purchased the office, with Paul B. Conant as editor and publisher; but the following fall he was succeeded by O. S. Rockwell, who has since edited and published the paper. On the 15th of December, 1882, the News was enlarged to a four-page sheet, 24x35 inches in size, and containing twenty- eight columns of matter. Its issues of May 11 and 18, 1883, were published, as an experiment, as the Penny News (being the same size as its first number issued two years before) and sold at one penny. The experiment, however, does not seem to have proven successful, for after two numbers the paper went back to its old title, appearing on the 25th of May, 1883, as a fifty-six- column quarto, which made it one of the largest newspapers in this section of the State. On the 16th of May, 1884, the News was somewhat reduced in size, and has since been an eight-page, forty-eight-column paper, 30x44 inches in dimensions. In 1884 the office was re-equipped, a Campbell steam printing press introduced, and the present comfortable quarters in the Rockwell Block occupied. The News has always been thoroughly Democratic, and complete in the current news of the day. Under Mr. Rockwell's management it has made itself felt in the local political arena, and though it has had an uphill struggle for existence, is now safely established, claiming a circulation of about 1,000 copies, at a subscription price of $1 per annum in advance. The News has come to stay, for its columns are full of life and energy.
Garrettsville Newspapers. - The first newspaper published in the bustling town of Garrettsville was the Garrettsville Monthly Review, by Warren Peirce,
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and first issued in April, 1865. The office was in an old frame building, now (January, 1885,) a part of the structure occupied by the postoffice. Mr. Peirce was born in Windham Township, Portage County; came to Garrettsville in 1851, and soon after opened a small job printing office. For a while he man- ufactured his own presses, and did job work. Prior to 1865 he purchased a small hand-press of the Cleveland Herald Company, and with it published the first and subsequent editions of the Review, which was a four-page sheet, 12x20 inches in dimensions. He continued the Review about sixteen months at 50 cents per annum, and then gave up its publication.
The Garrettsville Journal was also established by Mr. Peirce, and first issued July 10, 1867, as a four-page twenty-four-column paper, 22x32 inches in size. In 1870 he enlarged it to a 26x40 inch sheet of thirty-two columns, published at $1.50 per year. A short time before this enlargement he pur- chased a large cylinder power press, which is now operated by steam. On the 15th of September, 1873, Mr. Peirce sold the Journal to Charles B. Webb, who, October 25, 1883, changed it to an eight-page paper of forty-eight col- umns, printed on a sheet 30x44 inches. By his energy and persistent efforts Mr. Webb has increased the patronage of the Journal, until he now claims a circulation of about 1,200 copies. During its entire existence the Journal has been independent in politics, its owners devoting their energies toward publishing a good local paper for their readers, irrespective of their political opinions. The presses and job office are still owned and operated by Mr. Peirce, who does quite a large business in the job printing line.
The Home Bazar was another Garrettsville publication, started by Mr. Peirce in January, 1869. It was a literary magazine, 9x12 inches in dimen- sions, and contained sixteen pages. He ran it for two years at a subscription price of 50 cents and 75 cents per year respectively, and then sold it to the Rev. W. Clouse, of the Baptist Church, who removed the office to Cleveland, where the Bazar soon afterward failed for want of patronage.
Atwater Newspapers .- Two papers have been established at Atwater, viz .: the Sharp Sickle and the Atwater News. The Sickle was published by a Mr. Hicks for some time prior to his death in 1879, and the press used is now in possession of William Stratton, of Atwater. The News was first issued in July, 1884, but ceased publication after a few numbers. Owing to the fact that the News was printed at Alliance, full postal rates were collected at the Atwater postoffice, which was the main reason for its discontinuance.
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CHAPTER XIII.
PORTAGE COUNTY IN THE REBELLION-THE PATRIOTIC FEELING OF HER PEOPLE AT THE BEGINNING OF THIE GREAT STRUGGLE FOR NATIONAL LIFE-MEETINGS HELD TO DENOUNCE TREASON AND TO SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT-ENROLL- MENT OF VOLUNTEERS UNDER THE PRESIDENT'S FIRST CALL, AND THEIR DEPARTURE FOR CAMP TAYLOR-GOOD WORK OF THE RELIEF COMMITTEES, AND GENEROSITY OF TIIE CITIZENS-THE NUMBER OF MEN SENT INTO THIE WAR BY EACH TOWNSIIIP, AND THE COMMANDS IN WHICH THEY SERVED- OFFICIAL ROSTER OF COMMISSIONED OFFICERS FROM THIS COUNTY-AMOUNT OF MONEY ANNUALLY EXPENDED FOR WAR PURPOSES BY PORTAGE COUNTY FROM 1861 TO 1865-CLOSING SCENES OF THE WAR-PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS OF GREAT JOY OVER ITS GLORIOUS TERMINATION-THE REJOICINGS OF THE PEOPLE SUDDENLY TURNED TO GRIEF BY THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN.
W HEN the news of the firing on Fort Sumter flashed over the wires, a deep feeling of patriotic indignation filled the hearts of the loyal mil- lions of the North, and in nearly every city, town and hamlet, from the Atlan- tic to the Pacific, meetings were held for the purpose of giving public expres- sion to that feeling. Portage County was not behind the rest of the Nation in this respect, for the thrilling news had scarcely grown cold before her citi- zens assembled in the several towns and villages, and passed ringing resolu- tions of fealty to the Union. Ravenna being the seat of justice, the action taken in that city will be a fair illustration of the sentiment which prevailed throughout the county during that momentous period of our history. On Monday evening, April 15, 1861, the citizens of Ravenna and vicinity, irre- spective of party, in response to a call for a Union meeting issued the same afternoon, came promptly together as if moved by the one common impulse of
upholding the flag. The Town Hall was filled to overflowing, and men of every shade of political belief vied with each other in patriotic ardor. The hearts of all those present beat as the heart of one man, as all pledged them- selves to maintain the Union and to uphold the constitutionally elected execu- tive in his proper efforts to sustain the Government and execute the laws. It was a very noticeable fact that the strongest condemnation of the firing on Fort Sumter, the most emphatic expressions of devotion to the Union, and the most decided and cordial pledges to sustain the Government, uttered by the several speakers, met with the loudest cheers and the most hearty and decisive responses from the people.
The meeting was called to order by Samuel D. Harris, Jr., when Hon. Darius Lyman was appointed Temporary Chairman, and J. W. Somerville, Sec- retary. On motion, a Committee on Permanent Organization, consisting of Messrs. O. P. Brown, Samuel D. Harris, Jr., John C. Beatty, H. C. Ranney and J. G. Willis, was appointed by the Chair. A Committee on Resolutions was also appointed by the Chair, consisting of Messrs. Alphonso Hart, Lyman W. Hall, Horace Y. Beebe, J. T. Catlin and Luther Day. After a short recess, the Committee on Permanent Organization reported as follows: Darius Ly- man, President; J. G. Willis, R. J. Thompson and Charles Lawrence, Vice- Presidents; J. W. Somerville and H. R. W. Hall, Secretaries. The report of the committee was accepted and adopted. The Committee on Resolutions made the following report:
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Resolved, That iu utter and patriotic disregard of past partisan differences, we, the cit- izens of Ravenna, here assembled without distinction of party, declining now to pause to recount the causes which have brought upon us the crisis which imperils the existence of the Nation, do emphatically declare, that every other feeling should give way to love of country, and a desire for the preservation of the Union, and now, when war is waged by rebel forces, and rebellion to constitutional law and constitutional government is openly proclaimed, and secession, which is but another name for revolution, is undermining the Natonal fabric, it is the duty of every American citizen to stand by the Stars and Stripes and to uphold the Federal authorities in every constitutional effort to enforce the laws and maintain the constitutional rights of the Confederacy.
Resolved, That the wanton and improvoked attack, by rebels in arms, against the authority of the National Government, in the warlike attack on Sumter, having inaugu- rated civil war, we hereby cordially pledge our support and co-operation to the Federal authorities in every legitimate effort by them put forth to suppress rebellion and maintain the Federal authority in every part of the Union.
These resolutions were accepted, and, after short patriotic addresses by Alphonso Hart, Luther Day, Samuel D. Harris, Jr., O. P. Brown, Rev. J. C. Hart, Rev. E. J. L. Baker, Michael Stuart and L. D. Woodworth, were unan- imously adopted amidst great enthusiasm. Three hearty cheers for the Union were then given, and the meeting adjourned. The magnanimous forgetfulness by the Democratic speakers of all the bitter partisan conflicts of the past, was equaled only by the cordial spirit of fraternization with which they were met by the Republican speakers, and by the hearty response of the assembled hun- dreds. The scene was truly creditable and exhibited the loftiest patriotism.
The people of Portage County were now thoroughly aroused, and, in response to the call of President Lincoln for 75,000 volunteers, the work of organizing military companies began at once. A few croakers here and there exhibited their opposition to the war measures of the Government, but men no longer acted in the spirit of party, or with the aims of partisans; they no longer felt themselves Republicans or Democrats, but awoke to the full con- sciousness that they were American citizens, that they had a common interest in the perpetuation of the Union, and an equal weight of responsibility and of duty in upholding a constitutional government in its efforts to protect its property and enforce its laws against the assaults of armed traitors.
Meetings were held in the Town Hall in Ravenna, on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, April 17, 19 and 20, 1861. The Wednesday evening meeting was called for the purpose of organizing an artillery company. Judge Luther Day was appointed Chairman of the meeting, and H. H. Willard, Secretary. On taking the chair, Judge Day made a few remarks full of the patriotism required by the occasion, which infused a similar spirit through the audience, and the entire evening was a continued outburst of enthusiastic devotion to the Union. A Committee of Finance was chosen, consisting of Alphonso Hart, Ezra B. Taylor and Samuel D. Harris, Jr. Messrs. Hart and Taylor were called out and spoke briefly, but with the spirit demanded by the crisis. Twenty volunteers for Capt. C. S. Cotter's Artillery Company were enrolled, and the meeting adjourned amid loud cheers from the audience.
The meeting on Friday evening had for its main object the enlistment of a rifle company. At the hour announced the Town Hall was filled with an inter- ested audience. Gen. E. B. Tyler was chosen Chairman, and Samuel D. Har- ris, Jr., and T. W. Browning, Secretaries. Brief addresses were delivered by Ezra B. Taylor, Alphonso Hart, Philo B. Conant, Gen. E. B. Tyler and T. W. Browning, earnestly urging the necessity of prompt action in regard to the specific purpose of the meeting. Those sentiments were heartily endorsed by the audience, and a fine list of volunteers went forward and enrolled their names on the recruiting papers held by Capt. H. H. Willard.
At 4 o'clock P. M. on Saturday, a telegram was received from Hon. James
Pita Carton
Clavijo Conton
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A. Garfield, of Hiram Township, and Hon. William Stedman, of Randolph Township, who then respectively represented Portage County in the upper and lower houses of the General Assembly of Ohio, announcing that they would be glad to meet the citizens of Ravenna that evening in one of the public halls of the town. The news was proclaimed upon the streets and the Town Hall was too small by far to contain all who came to the meeting. Gen. E. B. Tyler was chosen Chairman, and T. W. Browning, Secretary. Representative Sted- man first spoke. He said he came not to say, but to do; not to talk, but to enlist; the peril of the Nation demanded men, not words, and he was ready for his part of the duty. Senator Garfield was the next speaker. His hand as well as his heart was in the work, and in a very effective manner he sought to impress and inspire the audience with the generous, patriotic and burning emotions which animated his own nature. His soul-stirring address was received with the wildest demonstrations, his ringing remarks nerving every heart to deeds of heroism. Judge Luther Day was next called out, and responded in a similar strain and with like effect. He was followed by Gen. John B. King, of Ravenna, who wanted to know what such men as he, who were not exactly the stripe for "fighting men," could do; not that his heart did not want to fight; but what could he do for his country; he must do some- thing. A motion was at once made and enthusiastically adopted, that Gen. King be empowered to raise a Home Guard, and drill and command the same. Gen. E. B. Tyler made a few remarks in conclusion, and after appropriate music by the Ravenna Martial Band, the audience dispersed to their homes,
" Their souls in arms, All eager for the fray."
During the evening a resolution was passed at the meeting that a "mass county convention" be called at Ravenna on Monday, April 22, at 1 o'clock P. M., for the purpose of raising volunteer companies. Hand bills were at once issued, and runners dispatched into every township in Portage County request- ing that the notice be read in all the churches on the following day. This call was promptly responded to, and from every portion of the county streams of patriotic people came pouring into town on Monday morning, and by the appointed hour such a large concourse had seldom been seen in Ravenna. The Windham Township delegation, bearing the Stars and Stripes, made the wel- kin ring with their huzzas for the Union. The Brimfield Volunteers marched in holding aloft the flag under which they had enlisted to do battle. This township also sent a fine delegation of her citizens, which appeared in the pro- cession. Franklin Township was represented by a long procession of about 100 teams lined with flags and banners, and led by the Franklin Band and the Franklin Volunteers, forty in number, with Dr. E. W. Crain, himself a volun- teer, marching proudly at their head. Ravenna, Franklin, Garrettsville, Charles- town, Brimfield and Edinburg each contributed a band, and soul-stirring mar- tial notes filled the air upon that bright and buoyant April day.
At a morning citizens' meeting T. R. Williams, Andrew Jackson, E. H. Witter, W. R. Alcorn and J. T. Catlin were chosen as a Committee of Arrange- ments; and George Bostwick and R. B. Witter, Marshals. At 1 o'clock P. M. the volunteers were marched from the Town Hall to the stand in front of the Court House, escorted by Gen. E. B. Tyler, the Ravenna Light Artillery and the several bands. A salute was then fired by the artillery, after which Gen. John B. King. of Ravenna, President of the day. was introduced to the assembled multitude by T. R. Williams, Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements. The other officers consisted of Vice-Presidents Gen. David McIntosh, Shalers-
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ville Township; Col. O. L. Drake, Freedom Township; Col. John E. Jackson, Aurora Township; and Col. W. R. Hallock, Rootstown Township; Secretaries H. R. W. Hall and J. W. Somerville, Ravenna; and Rev. J. C. Hart, Chaplain. The meeting was called to order by Gen. King, and opened with prayer by the Rev. Hart. The large assemblage was then addressed by Hon. Luther Day, Hon. William Stedman, Hon. Alphonso Hart, Hon. James A. Garfield and Gen. E. B. Tyler in the order named, all breathing the same patriotic sentiments of undying devotion and fidelity to the dear old flag. They spoke as men speak whose hearts bleed for their country, whose souls are enlisted in the cause they advocate, and who, appreciating the justice of their position, and the purity of their motives, launch forth upon an irresistible tide of argument, unanswerable because inspired of God and approved by man. Every speaker was greeted with great enthusiasm, and loud cries of " lead us to the field " filled the air. Volunteers were called for and came forward readily, soon fill- ing the quota at that time required of Portage County. Every man seemed anxious to be on duty, and all would have gladly marched on the morrow to the field of battle.
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