History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume I, Part 59

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1202

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CHAPTER XXVIII.

THE PRESS. II.

BY OSMAN C. HOOPER.

The story of journalism in this city is an interesting one, but has heretofore been but meagerly told. The early editor, or printer as he often called himself and was called by others, had no easy task. He was the vietim of storms, delayed mails, and scarcity of materials even to the rags of which paper was made. All of the early papers were weeklies, and each had its regular day of publication, but announcement was often made in some special way that publication would be made on the most convenient day of the week. This irregularity was usually not a matter of choice ; nevertheless publication was often deferred to enable the editor to attend to some business which he considered more important. The uneertainty of news transmission was a frequent cause of embarrassment and delay. A paper worth reading could not be printed when the mails furnished no Eastern exchanges to clip from. Even when exchanges were received the publisher might have no ink, or be unable to get a supply of paper because the paper mill could get no raw materials. Sometimes, too, the journeyman printers, who were none too numerous, would unexpectedly leave the editor in the lurch. The Freeman's Chronicle of November 17, 1812, contained the following apologetic statement:

For some time past the Chronicle has not been as interesting and useful to its readers as the editor always designed to render it. Sickness in his family, his own long indisposition, the recent pressure of extra work and the impossibility of procuring mechanical assistance have been the only impediments which have caused this deficiency. . Having now sur- mounted the greater part of these obstacles, the public are assured that every exertion will he made at this all-important crisis to furnish them with the most early and correct intel- ligence which the very eligible situation of Franklinton at present affords. At no point, per- haps, in the Western States will more facilities unite, than at this, to collate all the particulars relative to the operations of the Northwest Army; and as soon as they transpire, it will be our task to communicate them to our readers as speedily as possible. We shall be carefully guarded against such idle rumors and marvelous tales as alternately amused, agitated and tantalized the public mind during Hull's Quixotic campaign.

This was followed by the statement in the next issue, that " a most unexpected disappointment in receiving our customary supply of paper compels us to issue only a half sheet, this week, and to omit several advertisements which ought to have been inserted."

[452]

453

THE PRESS. II.

On December 5, of the same year, the Chronicle contains another long state- ment from the editor in which he complains that his journeymen have left him, that his paper bas but just arrived, that his ink has not yet been received, and that it is impossible to procure any nearby. Ho assures his readers that he will print his paper whenever it is possible for him to do so, and that the omitted num- bers will be made up at the end of the year.

The successors of this pioneer of Columbus journalism had similar embarrass- ing experiences for many years. Bad roads, floods and delayed mails harassed them continually. Even as late as 1838 the State Journal explained its delayed issues by confessing inability to obtain paper with which to print them.

During the financial troubles of the first quarter of this century publishers were unable to get cash subscriptions and were obliged to accept the best sub- stitutes then current in lieu of money. In the fifth number of the Western Intel- ligencer (1811) it is announced in bold type that " rags, candles, and oats will be received at this office in exchange for subscriptions." Whisky at the rate of twentyfive cents a gallon, bacon, hams, tallow, beeswax, wheat, flour, beans, peas, sugar, molasses, flaxseed, raw sheepskin, sausages, fresh meat, cheese, butter, eggs, feathers and poultry were willingly taken at newspaper offices in payment for sub- scriptions and printing. But such articles would not buy paper and ink. Some money was necessary, and we frequently find the editor imploring that at least onehalf of the sums due him should be paid in cash. But worse than the sub- seriber who wished to pay all his debts in produce was the one who would not pay at all. To bring these incorrigibles to terms, entreaties were first tried, and when these failed threats " to put the obligations in suit," or in other words, "to use the coercive measures of the law," were resorted to. In an editorial threatening delinquents, the Freeman's Chronicle of April 8, 1814, declares that " one hundred and fifty dollars have been expended by the editor for paper alone during the last six months, and not more than thirty dollars received for subscriptions during that time."

The means for transmitting news to these carly periodicals were of course very meager. The stagecoach and canalboat were chiefly relied upon, with occa- sional resort to horsemen or Indian runners, as during the Indian war. Washing- ton intelligence a month old was considered fresh, and foreign news, of which a great deal was printed, was at least three months old. Local events were very scantily reported, perhaps on the presumption that there was no need of telling the villagers through the paper what everyone already knew from street gossip or personal observation. The unreliability of current news and the expedients resorted to for obtaining it find some curious illustrations. The Columbus Gazette of November 15, 1821, contains this announcement :

The following was written on the margin of a waybill received in this town on Tuesday evening last :

PUTNAM, O., Nov. 12, 1821.

Zanesville is on fire, and has been this two hours, and all attempts to extinguish the flames have as yet proved abortive. One square is already consumed. There is no telling when its ravages will end. In haste. P. M.

454

HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

In the next issue of the Gazette these startling statements were thus recalled : " The fire that was stated to have been raging with such violence in Zanesville, as notieed in our last paper, has fortunately proved to be a false statement." The editor's chagrin perhaps explained the blundering construction of this sentence.

The pioneer editor entertained a wholesome respect for the rights of individ- uals. He was cautious of giving needless offense, and was careful to treat his adversaries fairly. Public opinion sometimes held him in slavish restraint. Even as late as 1826, a contributor to the State Journal wrote : " The editor of a news- paper who should dare to say what he thinks of political affairs would have the consolation of printing his newspaper without a subscription list." On April 20, 1826, the State Journal prefaced an account of the Randolph-Clay duel with the following editorial observations: " We know not whether the subjoined statement of an unpleasant affair which recently took place in Washington will be acceptable to our readers. We are aware that, with many of them as well as ourselves, senti- ments are entertained opposed to a settlement of personal differences by a resort of this kind."

In political discussions the editor was careful to give his opponents the fairest possible hearing. The State Journal of October 4, 1827, remarked editorially : " This being the last paper we shall publish before the election, we have declined all electioneering communications." The Columbus Gazette of October 3, 1822, contains this kindred announcement : " As this is the last number that will appear previous to the election, we have refused several communications from our former correspondents, on the merits, etc., of the several candidates. This course we con- sidered fair and honorable to all parties concerned. We wish to admit nothing to our columns to which there would be no opportunity to reply." The editors of to- day are troubled with no such scruples.

The extra editions which are given and accepted as a mark of newspaper enterprise date back almost to the beginning of Columbus journalism. The papers were then all weekly, and the extras were sometimes issued to fill gaps in the regu- lar publication due to some of the causes heretofore mentioned, or to announce some extraordinary news. In 1813, before the Western Intelligencer was brought to Columbus, and while the Freeman's Chronicle held sole possession of the local field, James B. Gardiner, editor of the Chronicle, issued occasional extras to give information of the progress of the Indian war One of these was issued Sunday evening, January 24, 1813. It was but a small handbill, and announced " Lewis's victory at the River Raisin." Following Mr. Gardiner's example, other early pub- lishers issued small extras atoning in part for the frequent failures of their regular editions. The method pursued is illustrated by the following extract from the State Journal of May 26, 1846 :

We have issued a large number of extras from this office within two or three weeks in consequence of the deep interest felt in events now transpiring on our frontier. The eastern mail arrives in the evening and the other late at night. Our hands have been employed several times after midnight, and occasionally hours before our citizens generally arise in the morning. . . . We have thus far circulated all our slips gratis, giving them to all who called. Of one edition we published more than 2,000.

455

THE PRESS. 1I.

FREEMAN'S CHRONICLE.

SUPRICAN - ADEPENDENCE 1HIKIY Lu.HTA

P NUDO PATRIDE TOUTH ITT GLORIOUS PUMAPTI DOS,

I'TDEBAL DOVEHNWEHT TWENTY-JITM TEALL

Volume 1.]

FRIDAY, JULY 23, 1813.

[Number 4G

Foreign Summary.

The pontius of the two armies of the French and Russians was aoch it the last dases as to justify the capec. ume of a speedy commencement of the compaigr by some brilliant ss jons. We bear of reinforcements to the nos. dans Trois their own country, .. .. de of the arrival of French troops . their respeeure places of desutation. It is fmpossible le exhibit the tens positions, so they are changed chen. Satte_ account advance the French tmepe to Bertin. The great action when reported will give us hetter no. uce of the resources and the charsc- ver of the respective artien. The dil- pounica of Sasosy has already been ançounced by the mestares isten by the Nurlan ia li as in a hostilu

ed with ball that number to the same space will sustain duuble the amount et isses, with less espence in the col. Jecuon of them. In revenue then there 10 no comparison. But the dif- Ecully of repairing lostes, the saut uf good ofiteri, and the defects of a iii- lary arrangementt, are articles ine serions to be forgotten lo a just es.i. male of resources and catinnel hopet, Moch has hetn a:tempted ur popular prejudice from the ferocity nf: 1 l'irte soc 4, but their history witt explgts their hopes to all whu will read it.an l the Costsce in regular arms will not for exceed the aid which has heen fur- bished by the hardy nalives of Ainer- ica. The late situation of the French made them an cany prey to these ad. venturera, as it would 10 our trage, bad the French marched in America from Capper river to Iludson's Bay. in the tract of Hearne, but the event off the wer will cot be settled in this auur.

Were our own country eschulerly the terien of patty and prejudice, we should latoent . condhisn en peceiner- ly unlurtunate for the hopes of truth and winut. Del when we find how soon the materials for the flames of contention are ready lo ell countries; bre cumlort ourselves by the hetiel that tas bare le the public liberty an um- pls reward for all we woffer. The ren pert of the deusb of an Emperor gin# *** Lie to party, and wubition h not afraid to look hito the tomb el a desrt= ted victitn torzad the lesence of its in otraction. In ah cour imes m whtet triti dare, they as tendily + tprr is their dis- costes with the pollireal wider cf rap they boa where fear to campl.in of the thuige vi meu -( Salem A. pater.)

PanTivoDIR. IN H ) June 23. SH ANNUA FLIGATE.

at Eretpart so Are friend in this towa, deied Jour 11.

" I have conversed wna agcaticren to day who is particolariy acquainted with the force of the Shannon, be unys she has the guns of SIXTY FOUR en her tome derk, Bad beats piccooLa ber quarter and fore-castle-and brass pieces in her sopt Besides thesc, che has a number of very fuc brase pietas Jung onb tackle, ao on to polse and Join them to soy direction IMry wish, bol depecially to cat away the tups of their enemy. The Shaumnon he says Cofries In all SIXTY GUNS, and 40 svery respect in much superior to the Africe, and superme to any of our irt- (deL. ))c has been on board of both; Ono Further sales shel incy have 00 combustible matter that It is possible to wink of The tnici"ion of t .. Cuba- mandier of the Sturtry "

Lic, to board in case ba arould have

gates, en J ·bereIste was prepared for that purpose. lo fort, the gumlerman Says she is equal to stitust any SIXTY GUN STIIF that the Ka lah hets, Escayt twee which are punicularly equipe and mesncd fur the purpose of IErung vith one ofour foigutes, Capt Broke's crow Le all picked cint han alea e pemher of superwineries lately goco pee of our abyjis, he qualit to Anke her us all r rentt.

Could there be a plainer Mei Ac. koveledgment of the pupcolor novel shall of America then appeore sa the store lacht. An English Je gen tài? in force of guns, din, probably of mon, Boerened into a ship of at least e St- By gus rats, beudas carered with com -* bamble mmler to various forat, which, if vocd in the moment of coo- would render il loimaterial. whether

ait their concented edrootunes to chal. lenge the commander of a 36 gen sidp. unto ycious of any cowardly drcep unn, is a more mortifying refletive en aruth asval skill and valor iban the previous loss of all their chips of war captured by the Americans- and la falw ly Hlu-trated by s boxer chal- longlog another 10 Ggbi iq vào utuel PAS. And as the mement of enbing, piunges a diecer (hefars canceled u der his sheve) loro the boor of his antere- iw Dot Englisginen will run the day that this example of barbarity Was not 10 Atrericane.

LAWRENCE IS NO MORE!

The spirit of Lawrence having tas ben its Light to the mansions of balss, To hald chiverse with the souls of the petrions and hernes who have gone be- fure bith, the least hue cousinmen can do, h to embulm his memory, +: 1 with itfell children to honor the same of him and his bravo compatriots who Have la'len in the len of glory. The Foljowiog article, which == End to te. Maryland Republican of the "Jib olt. beusja ibe pru of a gentleman who hus frequitely distinguished himself by prod .ci'ops characterised by as- ULelu-t falicy aasi on orcibary Repina We 'Inn.plari the fuver lato our colum! t with much pleasure, Nar. Jet-

Tar Iratu, the walle Laureare fe no more -The Drales of America, vi h smiles of triumph, had but just Ni con'ed hey alta tarsi victory, bod led, by the voice of general meree. to register in icare thr here's dentk. Since the loss of Withjames, our

cremive of universal despondeur y. b> the capture of the Chesapeake, not that our sun of glory was tarmisbnd, but the' Lawrence was loved. Though the annals of war blase with por tieto> rice, Jet, like mars reled by the dark. mass of sight, they scrm that from our view by thc gloom bredght upes us by the melancholy lusningauce of our misfortune.

Slate the Grei of 1: month, when The Carsspecke mouths and gallamiş encountered the Shinaon, every irup Americas's htart has been wrought to a pitch of anziely never unill odw Etpercuced. The vicissitudes of for- June on por frontier have been pro- A clalined to en inteinible public. spirit of apathy boa bech oraled io #vtv ry brrust, end a painful aodiGereses betrayed to ssely subject save 1144 which has engrossed wur tenabriltice The eyes of all have been turned to the ocean, and every andl whltching ou tte bosom has been the focind hat- birger of goodly tiduige. Hope and fear have been felt alicrastely, to lat= ier and depress yet hope bas but [ally cheered, while the predictions which preceded this the cerut cog- Grinstion of our lums, sunk upon the Scart like the solemn knell winch an- Doentes the passing corpse of . la+

The brave, Får noMe Lawrrøre is an more .- He who added the Jen brithent truisy to our Irginphal dudem, the bed of glory has received. Ilonared by foce is e far dinagat land, his tomb is ssen, inviting, like another Lorene, the pilgrimage of the brave, where, has the ministering Buget of merey, the kidred shade of Montgomery havere, hallawing wub heavenly ritea the here's grave

PROGRESS OF INA WAR Our ports, harbors, hays, spends & Tivere clacd against all kinds ofsinde, two ofour fregatt's end o sloup of war blockaded op at Hev Landen, ons in- Rule peuneu up to 10e Cácsspeake. 010 được on the coast cổ South America- giả the frigme to Balifss, vnh nearly

Jed, weended æd tien, and che rest reusating and codsevering to get out of the province as fast as possible- Control Dearborne sald re ko akc2, 4

brettny quartare ts Deansbest-und the President, since the rejetime of nr. Duwwis, and the call for leferme+

If this course of rklage does ote nut an sod to the Brush cidms of ! ne pressing their own stejcets, and tohi- Ing wy their own deserters ve de but heow what will. ( Con. Mirrer,

DIRECT TAX

The following are the proportion# of the us to be raised frodo fach stelei Dulle C.

New HampeMre

98,793 37

Maschout4

Jan ato v:

Rhide triaud,

Countercut

116.147 71

Vermont,

70,343 71

New-York,

630,141 92

New-Jersey.

108,871 0$

Delaware,

33.041 21

Maryland,

191,623 04

Virgints,

Obie 104.14- 16

Numb Caribes,

Tinamuito,

$10 088 33

South Carolina,

131.901 n+

Georgia,

Total 83,000,000 00

The above menom af taaen are laid, Appuntioned, and 10 be collected in the seraral counties and sime districts, and us specifically toummarsted by bw

.DON'T DIVE UP THE SHIPI" said the gallant Lawrence, even In the momente of delirium. Such ou .aclamauce mua the offspring of true vajur, the noblest trilt of t nable toul. Perhaps a mircoger and more bonorss ble lostance of the prevalence of the Puder perries, to the last, hi we to be found. It caumplifes what the ing. Ilab poel prophecied of his pirvulc

"And pes, breve Cobbam, la your latest breath,

Thall feel the . .. S-a pasiva strong in death;

Such in that moment, so in alt the

shall be your laet.

Nat, Jof.

BDW-GALLIE&

A MU has passed berk Hentes af Congress, omarly a: maimonaly, few ud- therising the building . number of barges for row-gullies, for the de- frece of the shorce and wuers @ 1hp U Sigles, This is s qui mas of del +n rehed on with much cunddr c. geotiensu dermed writ quel.f. . judges of vach Mettere; undl =

when carried into caccurine. . Icant partially orreat the Senich nul rouding and depredating part' +14 14 rivers and ont tlu: | waters. Auf før \

EVACU ATION OF MALDEN. W'e are isformed from a toutes, That we drem correct, thet the Ornish are preparing to abandon Melden - They have slipped off a considerable Part of their valuable cfrcis du loks Huron Ir in thought they will *p to the Ripper end of lake Huren, sotend a nver that empiles smo Like Hrenile and heads mear the head of the @'sd- bas or Grand river, which darin. bogues liseli not far from Montreal. Through this channel far North West Fur Compaly Hansport af many of The supplies for the Indians, m hp tof e; the Iskra. The portage ro hul short. ti se mistake sal, traders Pove pore in hoch canoes by thị roy

upper and of leke Huron La Na,

which are threatened The violence which will follow, will prepare for a Eery greal change in the manners of the people, whenever the terror of Ruadas pone simil disappear. It Je now concluded thai no conédence con "he plered by the enemies of France in any disquieis which may be found in Holland, Every incentive bes heca emploved la tin once Osurishing toontry, but whatever changes the C. Sales of Holland might wish in the French administration, the Dutch see be peliucel consecuou in Europe which premite gresser advantages to their country, then wil be derived from the countries with which they Tre at present allied, even If they change the forth of their government Before they lowa -heir liberty by the wigepaties of the house of Orange De Will plusly saw the bab.is of France ta ba favorable to the pruaper- lay pf bas favorite republic, and pre- duced . manifesto of the merchau .. in Paris, lo which the value of this COMMUTES WAS represented by the PAori themselves, sna họ bước hin country mes recollect the employment which French cmaomerce gore sol taly by the sơ trại tên por carmes, bet hy the art of Dutch thipe The cult- petlilons Daich care arren elib Dutch commerce are from the north, And serefere the Deica by their přestat en uber enadition Europe infir penseot mit tan offer. The assurances frem sbs French are rory & ouraging, and they ue coolrmed by the common interests of tas two people, ant ouly sa unurd in one crapert, hat from their olmation for mutual aid so com- Merce, The French, by their full Passion of the conutrici between the Like, the Weser and the Eme; prevent ary approach of the war to the Dutch countries Wo sew chqure for the resucts of the sorg and what does bot come from England BuSudien, tout coune shirgether from the Rus- alas empire. A writer in Toto whe wall Meslf 'As AmeriLes lately re- totor* from Europe," has given &

He chariven, that Catherine Das u.4" but to collesi & tarenno equal to thal of the secondary order of ques tu Ed- aLanıp, which la rabrutind es est- rý man's judgment The armies #'s

the are-testeconomy of the bleed, and the continuel application of the agrie cultural labor, these teries irra arri- aus evlt. The osbatary wrong.b was Ure Itapedred by sedluone among the ukliery, conspiracies el Coart and

Frasca, Iosua bos on ofrantage in the cloportes. The đnantes ars v an proporties, li belog adaused :@ pol

PUBLISHED BY JAMES D. GARDINER, AT FRANSLINTON, FRANKLIN COUNTY, STATE OF OHIO.

mander wha ked left a ship of lergor" two gens. priconcrete "Upper Cana-

FIRST PAGE OF FREEMAN'S CHRONICLE, JULY 23, 1813.

083,479 16

456

HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

These extras were circulated free of all cost to the readers, until, by joint arrangement of the Ohio Statesman and the Ohio State Journal, October 1, 1847, the practice was discontinued and the extras were sold, "owing to the great cost of receiving news by telegraph."

The advent of the telegraph revolutionized the journalism of Columbus, and made the daily paper a necessity as well as a possibility. Several attempts had previously been made to establish dailies in the town, but they had proved abor- tive. As early as 1833, Gilbert & Melcher, proprietors of the Hemisphere, had published a small paper called the Daily Advertiser, but it was unremunerative and was soon discontinued. The demand for more frequent publication was never- theless respected. The semiweekly followed the weekly and was in turn fol- lowed by the triweekly. Usually both the Statesman and State Journal made their issues more frequent during the sessions of the General Assembly than at any other time in the year. This was at first done by publishing semiweekly or triweekly editions, but about the year 1840 daily editions during the legislative sessions began to appear. As soon as the telegraph arrived, advantage was taken of the improved facilities which it furnished. On August 11, 1847, the State Journal announced that the city had been connected with the East by wire, that on the following day telegraphic dispatches would be received, and that the publication of a regular daily edition of the paper would at once begin. Next day, August 12, the paper appeared according to promise but in lieu of telegraphic news contained this announcement :

Six o'clock P. M .- We have delayed going to press for the last four hours waiting for our expected telegraphic dispatch, but in default of its arrival, are constrained to go to press without it, in order to reach our subscribers by mail. Should any intelligence of importance arrive, it will be given in a second edition.

The next day " the telegraphie dispatch " came, but it was very short. The State Journal's news by wire appeared under the heading, " By Express Light- ning ;" that of the Statesman was headed, " The Latest Streak." The service was meager, unreliable and expensive, and before its novelty had worn off the editors began to consider how it might be improved and cheapened. The Presidential eleetion in 1848 occurred November 7, but the success of Taylor was not annonuced until the fifteenth. On July 20, 1849, a bogus Washington dispatch was printed announcing the death of President Taylor. These are samples of the troubles which caused the State Journal to discontinue the service in August, 1849 ; the great cost was another consideration, but the publishers soon found out that they could not dispense with the use of the telegraph, and resumed it a few weeks later.

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History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume I, Part 59

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co Publication date: 1892 Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1202

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1202