USA > Ohio > Columbiana County > Salem in Columbiana County > History of Salem and the immediate vicinity : Columbiana County, Ohio > Part 7
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"He writes so keen, and cuts so clean, No person dares offend him, And talks so larned, that I'll be darned If I can comprehend him."
There was some rhyme and a little reason in their verses, but meter was much lacking. " Burns, " who imitated the Scottish bard of that name, gave a set- tler to the whole affair. Here is one of his stanzas : -
" His taunting satire shaves sae keen, It scarce has left an inch o' skin Upo' the back o' Joshua Shinn. Yet Shinn is wise, He shuts his eyes upo' the din, And manfu' flies."
But the greatest exploit of authorship was a serial story that extended through fourteen chapters-each making from two to four columns. It was entitled, "Life and Death as they are, a serio-comico-
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tragico-philosophico mixed Tale, mainly founded on fact. By Cyrus W. Hart ;- the peddler, the preacher, the lawyer, a lover of music and philos- ophy, and an admirer of the fair sex." The author was a queer genius, who flourished about Salem in those days. Some people considered him somewhat crack-brained. His style in this story is verbose and graphic, showing much command of language. It is impossible to tell how many midnight candles were
burnt reading this story. Carbon oil was not then discovered. There were doubtless many people then who liked such reading as this article, but they were not glutted with novels, novelettes and newspaper tales as the public now is. The speculation in sensa- tional literature had not then commenced. The hero of this story is named Lee; whose sage father gave him some wholesome advice, when on his death bed, also, left him a considerable fortune. He had good intellectual powers, but fell into habits of dissipation. Harriet Stocking, the heroine, is styled, "The smart- est of all the female creation,"' and, for "Two hundred miles around, she was admired universally." She had much regard for Lee, and had some influence in restraining his ill habits; while a sense of his degra- dation, and her maiden pride only partially suppressed the tender passion between them, during her lifetime. The scene of the narative is in Massachusetts and Connecticut, including a voyage to Europe. The story closed with her happy death, and Lee's wonder- ful change. About a dozen stanzas are given in conclusion, entitled, "Response of Lee to Harriet Stocking after his conversion to Christianity, by means of a conversation with her departed spirit in a dream while in the shades."
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
There was some advertising in this paper; but there was then less to advertise, and people then did not know the benefit of advertising. One of the greatest calamities recorded was the burning of Goshen meeting house. It occurred on a Sabbath morning. The Gazette came to an untimely end in July, 1826.
In 1830, and during some of the following years, Salem received only a semi-weekly mail. Yet, it then contained many newspaper patrons. The Ohio Patriot (Democratic) and The Western Palladium (Whig), were then published in New Lisbon. . The Aurora was com- menced in 1832. It was neutral, but contained many excellent moral, literary and historical articles, as well as some of the most important news of the day. Anti-masonry was a prominent topic, and this paper did much to excite prejudice against all secret socie- ties. No post-office received more of these papers than Salem. Some Philadelphia papers were taken, especially The Saturday Evening Post. A few persons took Columbus papers, especially during the sessions of the legislature. The Christian Advocate, The Cross and Journal, and The Friend, were taken by some of the pious people. Literary taste and thirst for knowl- edge were then fast developing. The nearest news- papers besides those at New Lisbon were The Warren News Letter, The Trumbull Democrat, The Ohio Star (Ravenna), The Ohio Repository (Canton), a paper pub- lished at Centerville (now Carrollton), and the Steu- benville papers. A few of these were taken in the city, and vicinity. Salem, at that time, might be considered as literally begging for a printing press and a live editor.
Some time in 1835 Wilson F. Stewart came and
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issued his prospectus for The Salem Visitor. This prospectus was a curiosity of its own kind. It com- menced by saying that "Without the usual notice that periodicals already abound, the editor would simply state that he intended to publish a paper like others in some particulars-in others, unlike them." It was to be like them inasmuch as its main object would be to suit the public taste. He acknowledged the difficulty of knowing what this was; and, "If it were possible, to ascertain what the reigning taste was, he would endeavor not to reform, but to con- form." Some promises about the character of the paper were given; among others, that "Stanzas should have a ready admission, adapted to the love- sick, and sick of love." Hoh! hoh !! hoh !!!
The first number was issued and the carrier sent around with it. Wmn. Reed, on seeing it, paid for it and gave orders for no more to be sent to him. John Frost, of the New Lisbon Aurora, noticed it by merely mentioning that he had been favored with a visit from The Salem Visitor. He wisely thought that enough to say about such a rival in the editorial line. It was filled with trashy tales, foolish anecdotes, a little news, some Pittsburgh advertisements, and some silly stuff. Some of the "stanzas" published in it and the Mercury were very spooney. It is not known that any love-sick swains were benefited by them. After a few months the paper was enlarged, and extra labor saved by repeating some of the out- side columns on the inside. Unfortunately for this man stereotype plated news, which is now furnished daily from news agencies in large cities, was not then invented.
Among the unsophisticated country folks, and the
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enterprising citizens, who wished the town to have a printing press, a considerable number of subscrib- ers was obtained. Some communications were writ- ten for the paper, which were willingly published, as this gave evidence of "conforming" to the "reigning taste " in the town.
A schoolboy, whose literary knowledge and judg- ment were unusually developed, had the temerity to tell this astute editor that the paper "did not suit his taste, " because it only "imposed on the readers foolish anecdotes and nonsense. " At this he swore wickedly, and asked " what kind of a paper he would like." The Aurora and Niles Register ( Baltimore )* were quickly replied; both taken by the boy's father. More profanity followed, and threats of being kicked out of the office convinced the boy that "Discretion then was the best part of valor. " A good old Friend, for refusing to subscribe was denounced by an appro- brious ephithet qualified by some profanity. So slow was this ignoramus of the press in learning editorial policy, and "the reigning taste " of this then modest and moral town.
In the spring of the next year P. F. Boylan bought the press and type of The Visitor. He adopted Stew- art's prospectus with a few words and terms changed, and commenced The Ohio Mercury. It was some improvement on The Visitor, but its tone and style were the same as its " illustrious predecessor." The editor made some fair promises, and the people con- nived at his failings. He published some notices of his paper by other editors, and he forestalled attacks on his enterprise by warning that "if anybody put
o Niles Register, in its time, was about the best exponent of congressional pro- ceedings, the movements of leading politicians, and general news, of all periodi- cals in the United States. For candor, dignity, and reliability it was unsurpassed.
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their hands into Boylan water, they would find the scald to be dangerous." After a few months Stew- art's plan of repeating a few columns was adopted, and he confessed that he " found it very convenient," but would not "do so often." Then followed irreg- ular issues and a decrease of good reading matter until The Aurora, in mentioning some changes, men- tioned that " The Ohio Mercury was about being trans- ferred to some of its creditors as the editor had absconded between two days." Another report was that after giving his presidential vote for Martin Van Buren, he left the town as fast as his feet and legs would carry him.
The Visitor and Mercury were both printed in an old building that stood where C. I. Hayes' store now is. After such signal failures as these, it would have been impossible to establish a press in Salem-so soon as it was done-if such means as had not been used as will be detailed in next chapter. The people were much disgusted with such printers as had been here, and those of the first - class in the art were afraid of the place.
CHAPTER XI.
THE PRINTING PRESS CONTINUED.
OTWITHSTANDING the unsuccessful efforts to establish a press in Salem, as told in the preceding chapter, and the discouraging prospects resulting therefrom, there were some people who believed that a newspaper could be supported in the town, and that one was much needed. Many eastern papers were then taken, and the neighboring papers got about as much patronage here as they deserved. A tri-weekly mail was then received by the way of Lisbon, besides one or two cross-mails, not oftener than semi-weekly. Thereupon Benjamin Hawley, Janies Eggman, John Campbell, and John Harris associated themselves as an editorial committee, with Benjamin B. Davis and Joshua Hart as publishers; the last mentioned being a practical printer. A press and other printing material were procured, and, on the 12th day of April, 1842, the first number of The Village Register was issued. It was a respectable sized sheet, it made such an appearance, and it contained such reading matter as at once recommended itself to patronage. The well-known character of the editorial staff also helped it much. It "conformed" much to "the reigning taste," and did much to "reform, " without any cringing cajolery; and it avoided the folly of its predecessors. And thus it rendered itself just such a paper as the citizens of the place wished.
"The Register looked well to education, temper-
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ance, and whatever tended to elevate and preserve a healthy moral condition in the community. " It did not give its inflence to any political party; but it took such a position on the anti-slavery subject as to make it very acceptable to all of the abolitionists. Salem was then a stronghold of that persuasion. Many communications were published in The Register which exhibited literary taste and cultivated talents. A limited amount of advertising was done, and this made the paper more acceptable to its readers. In those days there were but few monthlies; wherefore many incipient writers used the newspaper as a means of ventilating their thoughts and publishing their ideas about the times and morals of the people. Per- sons, of this class, were not then scarce in this place.
After what seemed a fair start (about a year), B. B. Davis became principal editor, and he employed printers to do the work. Some time in 1844 Joseph H. Painter came to Salem and rented the office. He came from West Chester, Pa. He was both a printer and a man skilled in newspaper craft. Heretofore the paper had been, in most particulars, an imperson- ation of the town and immediate vicinity; he gave it a more popular character abroad, and much improved it. With him George W. Keen, Joseph Ware, and Jesse Hutton learned the art of printing, and they afterwards rendered important service to the press in Salem and some other places.
Mr. Painter remained in Salem over two years. He occupied the brick building that then stood at the corner of Main street and Lincoln avenue. He also kept a bookstore. On his retirement B. B. Davis again took charge of the paper. He took Aaron Hinch- man, who was a self-made printer, as a partner in
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
1846. In a short time Mr. Hinchman became sole editor and proprietor. He changed the name to that of Homestead Journal. He advocated labor reform, the rights of producers, and the exemption of home- steads from being seized for taxes or debts. The paper was now on a durable basis and in a prosperous way-a credit to the town, and it did not suffer by comparison with other country papers.
In 1854 Mr. J. K. Rukenbrod entered into partner- ship with Jesse Hutton, and, after a short time, purchased the whole concern. He identified the paper with the interest of the republican party; and, in 1857, gave it the name of The Salem Republican. From that time he continued in the even tenor of his way, issu- ing a good weekly paper of its character till near the time of his death. Mr. Rukenbrod served several terms in the Ohio legislature; and, while thus absent from Salem, the paper was edited by Henry C. Hawley.
A short time before his death Jonathan K. Ruken- brod sold out to the Salem Publishing Company. By them this paper was consolidated with the Era, was continued under the name of Republican-Era, and is now issued as a semi-weekly.
The successful establishment of a newspaper in Salem, and its general prosperity, together with the growing interest of the town in various ways, pre- sented some inducements for other enterprises of a similar character. There was then more job printing to be done, and a greater demand for reading of the periodical kind. Hence appeared chances and encour- agement for other printing establishments.
At that time the anti-slavery excitement was strong, especially in Salem. Wm. Lloyd Garrison, Abby
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Kelly, Stephen Foster, Frederick Douglas, and other champions of the doctrine were often here. Anti- slavery newspapers and other documents of that character were much read. And it seemed an appro- priate place for the establishment of an anti-slavery paper. Whereupon the Anti-Slavery Bugle was started with Benjamin S. Jones as editor, and George N. Hapgood, of Warren, was engaged as printer. He was a good workman, and was much respected for his gentlemanly habits while residing in Salem. In September, 1852, he returned to Warren, and there passed the remainder of his life. This paper was thenceforth printed by John Hudson, * till he entered the army in 1860.
Mr. Jones, after a few years, retired from the edi- torship of this paper; and then, for awhile, Samuel Brooke became editor and publisher. He was suc- ceeded by Oliver Johnson, who, after a few years, engaged on the staff of The New York Tribune. Marius R. Robinson then became editor and publisher, and continued in this position until the year 1860, or thereabouts. This paper was suspended about the time at which President Lincoln issued his emanci- pation proclamation.
The tone of this paper was bold and fearless against everything that was supposed to keep the colored people in bondage. It found many enemies among the church members. Abolition and disbelief in orthodox religion were often blended by deists and
*"John Hudson was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1818. When quite a young man he served his apprenticeship to the printing business in Medina, Ohio. He published a newspaper in Carrollton, Carroll county, Ohio, for several years, and, in 1850, removed to Salem where he remained in the printing business until the year 1860. * * He died at the residence of his son, Franklin Hudson, in Kan- sas City, Mo .. June 10th, 1877, in his 59th year. He was a member of the school board in Salem for a numberof years was mayor ofthe city and always took an active part in local affairs, especially in church and educational matters. He was an honorable, manly man and had the respect and confidence of all who knew him."-[COMMUNICATED.]
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
skeptics, and, by them, the support of slavery was charged upon the prevailing churches.
In February, 1865, The Salem Journal was com- menced by John Hudson. He had, in former times, . resided in Salem, and had been engaged in printing. After his return from the war and a term of service in Alliance, he came to Salem, and remained here till his removal to the west.
About four years afterwards Mr. Vernon went into partnership with Jesse Hutton; and, by them, this paper was continued about one year, when Rev. I. N. Baird took control for a short time. Then another party bought the establishment, under whose manage- ment it became unprofitable, and it was moved from Salem.
Dr. J. M. Hole started The Salem Era in 1873. In the next year he sold half of his interest to E. F. Rukenbrod, and later, the other half to J. B. Park. Mr. Park then sold his interest to his partner, who continued the publication of it till some time in 1889. During which time he issued a good and clean weekly paper. He sold out to Stanley & Company. These men had also purchased The Salem Republican, and they then consolidated the two papers, and named the com- bination The Republican-Era. They afterwards organ- ized the Salem Publishing Company.
Some time in January, 1883, Mr. J. W. Northrop came to Salem. Previous to this, he had for three vears edited and published at Bryan, and Columbus, Ohio, a weekly paper entitled The Buckeye Vidette. It was in the interest of the laboring class; and it advo- cated the issue and control of all kinds of money by the government, and making the government respon- sible for all of its real value. This paper was
JOHN HUDSON.
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THE PRINTING PRESS CONTINUED.
resumed here and continued till arrangements were made for publishing a daily paper.
In April, 1890, The Democratic Bulletin was com- menced. For about six months it wasedited by Oliver O. Hogan. It was printed and published by Kirby & Co. In 1896 the name was changed to The Weekly Bulletin. By the same parties The Daily Herald was commenced in 1891. Mr. G. W. Penn was reporter for it about a year and a-half. He was afterwards about two years in The News office. He was a man who had much skill in newspaper policy. The Herald
and Bulletin now make respectable issues. Phillip G. Hiddleson has there done some service as reporter. J. W. Northrop is now principal editor.
In January, 1875, Mr. Wmn. D. Henkle commenced the publication of Notes and Queries. It was continued till December, 1881. This was a monthly magazine, which, as its name imparted, was devoted to science in all its branches, and literature in its various depart- ments. Queries were proposed in one number, and answers in a subsequent one were given by the editor or some correspondents. These were a source of much interest, and they prompted much inquiry and research that often led to useful and interesting dis- coveries. It was patronized and read with much interest by many of the votaries of science and liter- ature in this region, and, in some other states.
In September, 1870, Mr. Henkle bought the inter- est of The Ohio Educational Monthly, and here he edited and published it till he died in November, 1881.
XII.
THE PRINTING PRESS CONCLUDED.
B ESIDES the journals of which account has been given in the aforesaid chapters, there have been some efforts to estab- lish periodicals, that were unsuccessful. These, and some that may yet be permanent long enough to give them a fair reputation, deserve some honorable men- tion. To make a periodical successful requires fac- ulties, in addition to knowledge of printing and editing, that many who are skilled in these parts do not possess. Doubtless some of those who wished to conduct a periodical were totally out of their ele- ment in soliciting subscribers, or had not opportu- nities of presenting to enough persons who would eagerly approve and encourage them in such an enter- prise. Some of these merited credit and honor that they never got. This has been true in many other enterprises besides publishing. Wherefore it appears to the author eminently proper that some of these should be herein noticed.
In the summer of 1834 Amos Gilbert came and opened a school in Salem. He brought with him a printing press that his son Howard worked. Before this time, he had published, in Lancaster county, Pa., a monthly paper called The Inciter. Its object was to diffuse knowledge, and instruct the young. Facts in natural science, educational and moral reflections were its burden. A few numbers were issued here, but the paper did not get enough of encouragement.
In 1846 John D. Cope, a hydropathic physician
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THE PRINTING PRESS CONCLUDED.
established a water cure institution where the Y. M. C. A. block now is. A large number of invalids came to be treated by him. For a short time he published a paper (monthly or semi-monthly) entitled The Water Cure Advocate. Its object was, as its name purported, besides advertising his institution. Some local news was also given in it. Although hydropathy took readily with many people in the town and vicinity, the enterprise was abandoned in a year. This paper was printed in The Village Register office.
A paper called The Literary Gem was commenced in August or September, 1853. It was filled with arti- cles penned by pupils of the Union school. We can not say how many numbers of it were issued. In October, 1858, a small semi-monthly paper was com- menced by Stanton Weaver. It was called The Salem Pallas, and was devoted to the interest and instruc- tion of young America. The subscription price was sixty cents a year. This periodical was also short- lived.
"The Dollar Age, a weekly venture started by Alfred A. Sipe, survived but a few months. Mr. Sipe dying during a visit to West Virginia-said to have taken poison. Sipe was a brilliant writer and compiler of local news, still the Dollar Age never paid. J. R. Mur- phy and J. C. Kling bought the outfit and started The Salem Times which soon starved. "
A weekly paper called The Tribune was commenced; but it did not survive one year. The Salem Weekly Democrat had an existence of one year. And Dr. Hardman "at intervals issued a very original weekly, called The Clipper, but it soon passed out of exist- ence."
In January, 1896, Willis Whinery commenced issu -
.
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
ing a monthly paper, entitled The Swine Advocate. It is published in the interest of the business in which he is engaged. And it gives much useful information for all persons concerned in this kind of stock raising.
In March, 1898, Rev. C. W. Fletcher commenced publishing The Gospel Worker, an eight-page monthly, being, as its name purports. And a small weekly called the The Disciple Bulletin has been published about two years, "And is for the purpose of giving items of interest relating to the church, and church work in general." Rev. Ralph C. Sargent is editor.
A periodical entitled, Sanative Medicine, was com- menced, at Columbus. It is devoted to Physio-Med- ical Medicine. In September, 1897, Dr. T. J. Lyle bought the interest of this paper, and thereupon commenced issuing it here. It is now in its eighth volume, and it is published semi-monthly at one dol- lar a year. His sons are the printers of it.
"The Daily Holiday Newsboy was established in the seventies by J. S. Rentz. It has been published almost continuously ever since-with the exception of a few years when the publisher was absent from the city. Upon his return, he resumed its publication, and it has been published ever since, being greatly enlarged and much improved in appearance. This periodical is published in the interest of the merchants of the city, who wish to advertise their holiday goods at that season of the year. It is issued daily for seven days -the last number on the day before Christmas. Fif- teen hundred copies of it have been printed daily and distributed in the city and among the farmers of the vicinity, who trade with our merchants."'
The publisher of this paper served his apprentice- ship with J. K. Kukenbrod, while the latter waseditor
JONATHAN K. RUKENBROD.
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THE PRINTING PRESS CONCLUDED.
of the The Salem Republican. Now he is engaged in the office of A. K. Tatem Label Co. In that office the Newsboy has been printed.
From the time of the first establishment of a print- ing press in this place, there has been a vast amount of job printing done. This has been in the form of hand bills, posters and pamphlets. Book work has also been done here that would compare well with what is done in the eastern cities ordinarily. Label printing has become one of the greatest factors in this useful art.
The following account of Harris & Co. 's gummed label manufactory has been furnished by the senior member of the firm:
"Salem has the distinction of introducing the man- ufacture of gummed labels into America. Josiah Mitchell, an English drug clerk, in the store of Alfred Wright, having been used to gummed druggists' labels in England started the business in a small way in a room over Mr. Wright's store. From that small beginning a large business of this kind has grown."
"Soon afterwards Isaac Wright, now of Alliance, started a label printing office and carried it on for a few years; selling it in 1869 to Dr. John and Augustus H. Harris, who immediately enlarged the office, and, by vigorous efforts, increased the business into a large andimportant one. In 1876 Charles W. Harris bought the interest of Dr. John Harris, and the business was carried on for two years by the two brothers, A. H. and C. W. Harris. A. H. Harris then sold his inter- est to Mr. W. L. Deming, of this city, who, in turn, in 1880, sold to his partner, Charles W. Harris, who has since carried on the business. "
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