The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 78

Author: W.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1214

USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county > Part 78

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THE MIAMI COMMERCIAL COLLEGE.

This college has for many years been one of the leading educational in! tions of the city, having not only a large local patronage, but a constant at ance from the surrounding States. It was established in 1860, by Mr. E. D.

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CITY OF DAYTON.

b;, the accomplished author of the Babbittonian system of penmanship. In 1862 ), Babbitt associated with him Mr. A. D. Wilt, who, in 1865, succeeded to the sole cotrol and ownership of the college, which he yet retains. The most approved hods of instruction have always been pursued, and thoroughly practical and ipetent instructors engaged, and as a result, the graduates of the college are frad engaged as highly successful business men and accountants in all the lead- it cities of the country. The college now occupies an entire floor of the elegant Femans' Insurance Building, on the corner of Main and Second streets, and is uplete in all of its appointments. The faculty consists of Mr. A. D. Wilt, Princi- ; Mr. W. H. Sunderland, Assistant Principal ; Mr. A. C. Tyler, Superintendent >Practice Department, and Mr. W. E. Donson, Assistant in the Theory D'artment.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

CHAPTER IX.

THE DAYTON PRESS.

PIONEER NEWSPAPERS-THE DAYTON JOURNAL-THE DAYTON REPUBLICA THE DAYTON DEMOCRAT-THE DAYTON WHIG AND MIAMI DEMOCRA THE DAYTON TRANSCRIPT-THE DAILY DAYTONIAN-THE DAYTON WEEKLY BULLETIN-THE DAYTON GAZETTE-THE DAYTON DAILY WEEKLY VOLKSZEITUNG-THE SATURDAY PEOPLE-THE DAILY AND WEF HERALD-THE MIAMI VALLEY COURIER-THE VINDICATOR-CHRIST CHII RECORD-THE REFORMED PUBLISHING HOUSE-THE RELIGIOUS TELES -THE UNITED BRETHREN PUBLISHING HOUSE-CHRISTIAN PUBLIS! HOUSE-CONCLUSION.

IN July, 1806, Noah Crane, from Lebanon, Ohio, began publishing a n L paper in Dayton, but after issuing a few numbers, he was attacked chills and fever and abandoned the enterprise, returning with his press type to his former home at Lebanon.

As far back as 1850, there were no files of the paper in town, and its r could not be ascertained. Some time previous to September, 1808, Archi McLean and William McClure entered into an arrangement to publish a we paper in Dayton, but it was never carried into effect.

September 18, 1808, the first number of the Dayton Repertory was is from their office, on Main street, by William McClure and George Smith; a & four page paper, eight by twelve inches in size, two columns to the page, W ly at $2 a year in advance. With the fifth number, issued October 21. paper was suspended till February 1, 1809, at which time it was enlarged to x20 sheet, and issued with Henry Disbrow, and William McClure, as ed and proprietors. News items from foreign countries were four, and months old ; two of the enterprising merchants of the town advertised a of goods received from Pittsburgh and Philadelphia in the fall before ; were also a number of notices of estray horses "taken up."

The paper was discontinued about the first of January, 1810; which the community without a paper, until the 3d of May, when the first numk the Ohio Centinel was issued by Isaac G. Burnet, " on a sheet of royal s 11x19 inches; a four page paper ; four columns to the page ; and wit rules : $2 dollars a year in advance, produce taken in pay at market prices. motto was " With slight shades of difference, we have the same religion, ners, habits and political principles" Washington.

Official announcements and legal notices for all the territory to the as far as Detroit, and on out to Chicago, were necessarily published in this paper that circulated through all that sparsely settled region.

In politics, the paper was devoted to "Republican principles," wha that may have meant ; sprightly in its editorials, giving a variety of info: tion from points that would interest its readers. During the war of 1811 its patrons were kept thoroughly posted as to the events occurring at the N until May 19, 1813, the men of the community being nearly all in the arn.

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CITY OF DAYTON.

nome way connected with it, and the women, generally working hard in ing the soil and caring for the families and farms, had no money to pay o.a paper, so the Centinel went down.

Isaac G. Burnet and James Lodge were editors and proprietors of the ) Republican, a continuation of the Centinel, similar in style and using the a e type and press.

The first number was issued October 3, 1814, flying this motto as indicat- n the policy of the paper-" Willing to praise, but not afraid to blame."

A month later, Mr. Burnet having been elected to the Legislature, sold hi interest in the paper to his partner, Mr. Lodge, who conducted the paper ir:1 October 9, 1816, when he was obliged to discontinue its publication, be- ale his subscribers would not pay up-two-thirds of the list never paid a e .

Flying the motto, " Truth, Equality and Literary knowledge, are the three rid pillars of Republican Liberty," the first number of the Ohio Watchman 78 issued November 27, 1816, by Robert J. Skinner, who had bought press, (v and the "good will " of the wrecked Republican. On the 5th of June, 791, the motto was changed to " A Free Press is the Palladium of Liberty," n April 9. 1818. the paper was enlarged to a sheet 12x20 inches in size, five o mns to a page ruled. Its political principles were " Genuine Republican- I` a very vague political expression.

Christmas Day, 1820, the name of the paper was changed to that of the Daton Watchman and Farmers' and Mechanics' Journal: printed and pub- 18 d by George S. Houston and R. J. Skinner.

In August, 1822, Mr. Skinner retired from the firm, and in the following i er A. T. Hays became one of the proprietors. Mr. Houston retired from the ar, upon his appointment as Postmaster, in 1821; but he controlled the Morial department until the paper was discontinued, November 21, 1826. A oi on of this time the Watchman was published by A. T. Hays and E. Lind- From August 6, 1822, up to December 24 of the same year, the paper was nished under the name of George S. Houston & Co. At the latter date the end volume commenced, and was published by G. S. Houston and A. T. HI&. In April, 1823, the style of the title was changed from the old English ript, and that in September, 1823, was displaced for gothic. "Democracy, ivature, Agriculture, Manufactories and Internal Improvements the Pillars f ur Independence," was added as its motto, on the 16th of March, 1824. Ib paper was 12x20 inches in size, five columns ruled, price, $2 per year, and fır, beef, pork, whisky, wood, wheat, rye, corn, oats, sugar, tallow, beeswax, my, butter, chickens, eggs, wool, flax, feathers, country linen, and clean ni and cotton rags received in payment."

George B. Holt, as editor and publisher, issued the first number of the i ni Republican and Dayton Advertiser, September 2, 1823 ; a weekly Dem- PI ic paper, 11x21 inches in size, that was continued until September 7.

THE DAYTON JOURNAL.

This paper is the lineal successor of the one started by William Camp- ]on the 30th of April, 1826. Mr. Campbell came to Dayton from West- o land County, Penn., and on the 10th of April, 1826, purchased the Miami e blican and the Dayton Watchman, which he consolidated under the title f e Ohio National Journal and Montgomery and Dayton Advertiser, and the hırshumber issued as a weekly paper, at the usual price -- $2 a year. It was a set 13x20 inches in size, five columns to the page, ruled, and its motto, " I'inciples and not men, where principles demand the sacrifice." In poli- ticsthe Journal was Whig. After issuing two numbers, Mr. Campbell sold

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

the paper to Jeptha Regans, and December 4, 1827, Mr. Regans sold a one-b interest to Peter P. Lowe, and it was thus continued until January 15, 18 when Mr. Lowe retired. On the 1st of January, 1828, the title was modes reduced to the Dayton Journal and Advertiser. December 2, 1828, John Van Cleve bought a one-half interest in the Journal, and from that date ur June 15, 1830, when Mr. Regans died, the style of the firm was Regans Van Cleve. For a short time the paper was published by Mr. Van Cleve. in October, 1830, Richard N. Comly bought the interest of Mr. Regans' est in the establishment, and the firm was Van Cleve & Comly till the 15th of .J: 1834, when Mr. John Cleve sold his interest to William F. Comly, and Journal was increased in size so that it was the largest paper then publish in Ohio.

The firm of R. N. & W. F. Comly did more toward building up and veloping the newspaper interests of Dayton than any other publishers of th day. For years, they struggled on, trying to give Montgomery Count newspaper worthy of the name, and when, at last, success had crowned ti efforts, the accumulations of many years of hard labor were lost in the desta tion of the Journal, building by the mob of May 5, 1863.

No. 1, Vol. I, of the Daily Jounal, was issued by R. N. & W. F. Cou December 16, 1840, as an experiment; it was changed back to a tri-weekly, months afterward, and so continued until, on Thursday morning, May 6, 18 No. 1, Vol. I, of the Dayton Daily Journal was issued, which has contin up to the present. in connection with the Weekly. In 1857, R. N. Co: withdrew from the paper and John P. Comly became a member of the fi and so continued until April, 1862, when, on account of the appointment W. F. Comly to the Postmastership of Dayton the previous year, they sold to Lewis Marot and William H. Rouzer, taking their notes in payment for same.

Thus it stood on the night of May 5, 1863, when the office was sacked ! burned by a mob, which was openly organized during the day for that purp Strange to say, the city authorities could not, or did not, prevent this war outrage, and as there was no identification of responsible rioters, there no recovery for damages; the laws of Ohio failing to accord a public ren for property destroyed by a mob. By this outrage, Messrs. Comly lost al $10,000, including 1,500 copies of the "Life and Speeches of Thomas ( win; " a complete set of Niles' Register, which had been published in Bi more, Md., and a very rare and valuable library.

Promptly upon the destruction of the office, citizens of Dayton subser. a fund of $6,000, to re-establish the Journal, and Maj. William D. Bickł then war correspondent of the Cincinnati Commercial, and volunteer Aid Camp on the staff of Maj. Gen. Rosecrans, commanding the Departmer the Cumberland, was invited to accept the fund as a gift, and publish paper. He declined the gift, but accepted the fund as a loan, payable three years, and proceeded to the business in hand, locating himself in 1. ton, May 11, 1863. The debt was paid before the expiration of the t. years.

In consequence of inability to procure eligible rooms for an office, it necessary for several months to accommodate the Journal to a single a] ment in a third story. The paper, however, was issued in diminutive f letter-sheet size, until suitable quarters on Main street, next north of the c house, were obtained, when the Daily Journal was enlarged to a seven cold paper, and a Weekly Journal was issued. A well-assorted book and job r was added to the office. Maj. Bickham's experience in various departmen the printing and newspaper business, proved greatly advantageous to the

Youly

yours

DAYTON John Rouzer

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CITY OF DAYTON.

perprise. The cash system was adopted as far as practicable, and up to date this publication, he has never given a note or solicited time in a business Thisaction, always pa ying cash on delivery or demand. From the beginning nevas general business manager, editor, reporter, city editor, solicitor of ad- eisements, etc., until prosperity relieved him of details, and he educated (ng men for the several business departments of the establishment.

For some years after Maj. Bickham took charge of the Jomnal, political tions in this vicinity ran incessantly at a high pitch, and the conduct of 'h paper was bitter, exciting and hazardous. The editor, however, sustained hiself vigorously and resolutely, and the Journal prospered and acquired a .e and valuable reputation, which is yet firmly maintained. It may be fair- yaid, that it enjoys a reputation for vigor, ability and devotion to the prin- l'es of the Republican party, second to no paper in the nation outside of the ir-class cities. Maj. Bickham continues to be the editor of the paper in all Heartments, retains his oversight of the several branches of the business, nev- -r'oes into debt for material, and takes active part in the affairs of the party n)istrict, State, and National conventions.

During the more than nineteen years of his residence in Dayton, he has nei a delegate in all Ohio State Conventions, save two, nearly all Congressional Joventions, and a delegate to the Presidential Nominating Conventions of 82, 1876 and 1880. He is entirely disinclined to other political honors, pre- e:ing his professional to all other distinctions.

In the summer of 1881, Maj. Bickham erected a two-storied brick office on In street, opposite the Market House, into which he moved November 1, of a year. He had owned the property for several years, and the original build- .ny were remodeled, and are now used for business office and editorial rooms, le the new building is occupied by the other departments of the paper. '1 offices are large and roomy. A new Cottrell & Babcock fast press has et added to the establishment, and the whole is operated by steam power. "I circulation of the daily is about 3,300 copies, and the weekly 2,500.

THE DAYTON REPUBLICAN.

The Dayton Republican, a weekly Democratic paper, published by E. Lilsey, made its appearance January 5, 1830, edited by William L. Helfen- ter and others. In 1834, it was discontinued, and in that year Mr. Lindsey estolished the Democratic Herald, and that in turn was succeeded in January, ISI, by the Western Empire. About 1844, it was made a daily paper under hvitle of Evening Empire, 6 cents a week. Since that date it has changed als many times, but has ever remained true to Democratic doctrine. In 8", the paper was styled the Daily Empire; afterward the Daily Ledger, i to the Herald and Empire, and subsequently to the Democrat, a history of Ih will be found under that head.

THE DAYTON DEMOCRAT.

This is a daily and weekly, the recognized organ of the Democratic party in lacounty. and the lineal successor of the first Democratic paper started in heMiami Valley north of Cincinnati, and has always exercised a potent influ- -n in the counsels of its party throughout this portion of the State. At differ- n'periods in its history, it has been edited and controlled by men who after- wa achieved national reputations. Among these were John Bigler, who was nof the early Governors of California, and Delazon Smith, one of the first Sertors from the State of Oregon. At two different times, Hon. C. L. Val- lar gham also owned an interest in it, and presided over its columns.

Hon. M. E. Curwen's " History of the press of Montgomery County,"

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

prepared at the request of the Ohio Editorial Association, and published the Dayton Bulletin of March 8 and 18; April 3d. 5, 12 and 17 of the y 1850, shows that previous to 1826, no newspaper had ever succeeded establishing itself permanently in Dayton. Of the first attempt in 1806, specimen copy and no certain recollection of even the name is preserved. is only known that in July and August of that year, a few numbers c paper were published by Noah Crane, of Lebanon, Ohio.

Mr. John G. Doren says he was informed by E. Lindsey, one of the ] neer printers and publishers of Dayton, that the first paper was called the Her or Democratic Herald, and it was in reverent recollection of this pioneer pa of 1806, that Mr. Lindsey afterward adopted that name for a Democr paper started by himself some time in 1834.

Up to 1826, all the newspapers ever published or started in Dayton fessed "Democratic " or "Republican " principles, whatever these may b meant in those days, but the difference between the "Democratic or "Rep lican " ideas on one side, and the "Federalist " or " Conservative" ideas the other, was to be more sharply defined thereafter. Various attempts w made at different times to establish a more thoroughly Democratic (or Jacl nian) paper, than had up to that date been published in Dayton, which tin: culminated in the establishment by E. Lindsey, January 5, 1830, of the I ton Republican. He thus adopted a part of the title used by one of the pap before the consolidation of the Watchman and Republican, in an attempt preserve the lineal succession to the good will and patronage of the first ne paper.

From this time on, the paper passed through many changes of name ownership, until it came back to Lindsey again, who then restored the n. which he regarded as that of the pioneer and father of all the Dayton ne papers, viz., the Democratic Herald. In January, 1842, the name was chan to the Western Empire.

The paper was edited and published successively by Smith & Munn, landigham & Munn, Fitch & Ramsey, Fitch & Clawson, David Clark an R. Kelley & Co., composed of F. J. Bollmeyer, W. T. Logan and others. U the killing of Bollmeyer in 1862, W. T. Logan took charge, and conducted paper until the arrest of C. L. Vallandigham in 1863, when on account of article counseling resistance to such measures, he also was arrested by mili. authority, and the paper suppressed. A stock company then took charge the office, and was succeeded by William and Thomas Hubbard, they by Hi H. Robinson, and he by J. McLain Smith. The paper then fell into the session of C. L. Vallandigham, Dennis Dwyer and James Kelly, from w the present editor and proprietor purchased it.

In 1844, the daily was started, later the name was changed to the Led then back to the Herald again.

In 1870, the establishment was purchased by John G. Doren, who j lished the paper until 1876, under the name of the Herald and Empire. then consolidated it with a paper which had been started in 1874, by Ge Neder and J. McLain Smith, under the name of the Dayton Daily Demo It has been published under this name and under Mr. Doren's manager ever since, and has steadily increased all the time in influence, business financial prosperity. Under his management the Democrat has acquired now possesses the exclusive control of the dispatches of the National As ated Press in Dayton, and the paper receives as close and careful editorial business attention as is bestowed on metropolitan newspapers.

Mr. Doren, although not yet fifty years of age, has been about thirty y. in the printing and publishing business. He began his first editorial 1.

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CITY OF DAYTON.

1 er Samuel Medary, on the old Ohio Statesman, as a Legislative reporter, won yet not more than eighteen years of age, and subsequently worked with VI Medary in every other department of that paper, typographical, business u editorial. Being a protege and pupil of so vigorous and celebrated an old Daocratic editor, Mr. Doren prides himself on the orthodoxy of the political fah imbibed from such a preceptor, and holds that one of the special obliga- 1us which such a faith imposes on the citizen, and upon the editor especially, so distinguish between a blind devotion to partisan leaders, and an intelli- got conception of and adherence to, the fundamental principles of morals and gernment. The effect of this has been to make Mr. Doren on the whole, rater independent for a partisan editor, although always an unswerving Dem- e.t. Ofttimes during his career as editor, he has felt it his duty to be the e're critic, rather than the servile mouthpiece of his party, but always as he I'med in defense of the unadulterated faith professed in the party platforms, I to protect the organization against the misuse or perversion of its name machinery, for the private purposes or personal ambitions of self-seeking x ticians.

Such a course has at times since Mr. Doren took the management of the Doocrat, bred temporary differences between some of the Democratic party erers and the paper, but the result of these misunderstandings has usually e) to strengthen the Democrat, both in the public and party estimation, as a e less advocate of what it believes to be right, and as willing to sacrifice -o ething to secure it.

In addition to his service on the Ohio Statesman, Mr. Doren has had a great tel of experience besides as an editor and publisher. After leaving the Ohio Stesman office, he was from 1854 to 1858, the editor of the Hillsboro Grette, then official reporter of the Ohio House of Representatives, which ction he resigned to take an appointment in the Treasury Department at Thington. While at the latter place he was for a time one of the writers The Washington Union, then the National organ of the Democratic party. uer, he was editor and publisher of the Southern Ohio Argus at Georgetown, Bin County, and from 1864 to 1868 was managing editor of the Cincinnati Eluirer. Here his health broke down, and he was compelled to retire en- il y from editorial duties until 1870, when he came to Dayton at the earnest oitation of Hon. C. L. Vallandigham, and purchased the Empire (now Jeocrat) establishment. His career since, notwithstanding extremely pre- abus health, has been a very successful one, no man before having brought h Democratic paper here to so high a pitch of public and partisan influence r financial prosperity.

The office is on the corner of Fifth street and Canal; the circulation of h Daily is about 2,000, and of the Weekly, 3,500, the latter being called the fire and Democrat.

THE DAYTON WHIG AND MIAMI DEMOCRAT.

B. Dutton issued the first number of the Dayton Whig and Miami Demo- in 1833. The firm was afterward, Dutton & Maloy, but a year sufficed " o in it out, as the county could not support two Whig newspapers.

THE DAYTON TRANSCRIPT.

This paper was established in January, 1841, by George C. McCuen and Jch Wilson, both practical printers. It was a sheet of 11x17 inches, pub- lied semi-weekly, at 25 cents. After sinking money for about eighteen miths, the paper was suspended for want of funds. In October, 1842, the fir! of McCuen & Wilson was dissolved, the interest of the former having

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

been bought by J. Milton Sanders, who continued to edit the Transcript 1 October 4, 1843, when he left it. The paper was then enlarged to 1: inches in size, and for six weeks was published by John Wilson and E. M. under the style of E. Marot & Co. Subsequently, Mr. Marot left and W was sole proprietor until July, 1845.

In the political campaign of 1844, the Transcript threw aside its for neutral character, and, May 15, of that year, came out under the title of Dayton Transcript and Ashland Whig, thus identifying itself with the V party.

It was edited by A. M. Scott until December 9, 1844. Previous to Se editorial service, John Macracon had edited the paper, and, upon Scott r ing, he resumed that post again On the 28th of July, 1845, Macracon came one of the proprietors, and the paper was then enlarged. It w valuable investment, and in 1847 Ralph S. Hart and H. D. Stout purch an interest in it, Wilson having previously retired. The firm was H. D. S & Co., Mr. Hart writing the leaders and Mr. Macracon attending to the c parts of the paper. Mr. Hart remained as editor for eighteen months. M Curwen was a frequent contributor, and at times had control of its edit columns. Mr. Macracon left the paper in February, 1849, and was succes by A. M. Scott. The paper was finally disposed of to William C. Howel Co., in May, 1849, who subsequently published daily, weekly and tri-we editions. It was moderately Whig under this management, but was disco) ued in the year 1850.

THE DAILY DAYTONIAN.

In 1846, N. M. Guild & Co. started the Daily Daytonian, editer John A. Collins, which only lasted about a year.

THE DAYTON TRI-WEEKLY BULLETIN.

Neutral in politics and devoted to general news and literature. The Bul was first published in Dayton, September 1848, by John Wilson and Jaco Decker, both practical printers. Its size was 15x21 inches; time of pub tion, Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings; terms, $3 per year. M Curwen was the editor of the Bulletin from the commencement, and he full control of its columns nearly the whole time. It issued its last nur. April 17, 1850, and throughout its career was ably conducted, as Mr. Cu was a man of fine education, a thorough legal scholar, and an author o mean ability.

DAS DEUTSCHE JOURNAL.

This paper, published by John Bittman as a weekly Democratic or was established in 1849 and continued about two years.

THE DAYTON GAZETTE.

A daily. established in 1850; it was a first-class paper in every way. was first edited by D. W. Iddings, and in politics, was Whig. The p. was owned and conducted by different parties until it was purchased by \ iam H. P. Denny, who conducted it until the beginning of 1860, whe stopped publication. It was then a weekly paper.

THE DAYTON DAILY AND WEEKLY VOLKSZEITUNG.

This paper was established April 25, 1866, by George Neder, and first lished as a weekly only. In June of the same year, in addition to the week] semi-weekly was issued, and the following October, the semi-weekly beca tri-weekly; these papers in size were 22x32 inches, four pages with six colur In 1867 and 1871, the paper was enlarged to seven and eight columns res

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The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 78

Author: W.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1214

Author: W.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1214