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Cornell University Library PN 4899.B383R28 History of the newspapers of Beaver Coun
3 1924 008 444 295 olin
HISTORY
OF THE
NEWSPAPERS
OF
BEAVER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA,
BY
FRANCIS S. READER,
AUTHOR OF THE LIFE OF MOODY AND SANKEY; HISTORY OF 5TH W. VA. CAVALRY; HISTORY OF NEW BRIGHTON, PA .; SOME PIONEERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
F. S. READER & SON, NEW BRIGHTON, PA. 1905
PREFACE.
In writing a history of the newspapers of Beaver County, the author had two objects in view, first to get a connected history of each paper as to time and name, and second to place on record a sketch and portrait of every writer and printer who attained any prominence in the work, in any line he pursued.
The former it is believed has been accomplished with very few exceptions. Every public document bearing on the subject, and copies of newspapers that could be found, were carefully examined, and individuals con- versant with any facts were seen or written to, and the facts thus secured were used, so that as a matter of mere historical sequence, the subject seems to be exhausted.
The second object has been but partially carried out, much to the writer's disappointment, and to the regret no doubt of the readers of the book. In the case of many of the early actors, a full sketch was not obtainable, and portraits were not to be had; but in the last half century or more there are many of whom pen pictures and portraits should be had, which could not be secured. Men yet living, in many cases, were the hardest to get. Weeks of time, and more weeks of labor, have been spent to reach this end, but have failed, so the work is sent forth incomplete in this respect. If it could have been
made more complete, the value of the work would be greatly enhanced, yet the more prominent persons, with a very few exceptions, are given.
This history has been prepared as a tribute to the author's journalistic associates, editors, publishers and printers. The search for material, and the writing and putting it in shape for the printer, is the author's con- tribution, for which no compensation would be accepted. The portraits have been inserted at the cost of securing half tones, without profit to the author, and the only source of income to pay for the mechanical work, is the sale of the book to those who may have a curiosity to see it, or a desire to own it for its historic value.
The author's thanks are due to every one who helped in any way in preparing the book for publication, whose names are cherished in the mind of the writer, if they do not appear here.
CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTION.
Page.
Erection of Beaver County-Pittsburgh Common- wealth-Pittsburgh Tree of Liberty-Abner Lacock-Ephraim Pentland. 1-4
CHAPTER I. EARLY PAPERS OF BEAVER. The Minerva-The Western Cabinet-The Crisis- The Beaver Gazette-The Crisis and Beaver Gazette. 5-16
CHAPTER II. EARLY DEMOCRATIC PAPERS. Beaver Republican-Beaver River Gazette-Demo- cratic Watchman-The Aurora-Beaver Falls Chronicle-Beaver County Patriot. 17-36
CHAPTER III. FALLSTON PAPERS. The Fallston and Brighton Gazette-Beaver Falls Union. 37-49
CHAPTER IV. THE WESTERN ARGUS.
Western
Argus-Beaver Argus-Beaver
County
Augus-Radical-Argus and Radical-Daily X-Ray 50-76
CHAPTER V. THE WESTERN STAR.
Western Star-Local-Conservative-Beaver County Post-Commoner-Globe Star-Beaver Star-Daily Star.
The Commoner. Geneva College Cabinet. 77-102
CHAPTER VI. BEAVER FALLS PAPERS. Beaver Falls Chronicle-Beaver County Palladium- Beaver Falls Journal -- The Courant-Beaver Falls Courier-Beaver County Enterprise-Beaver Falls Tribune-The Life Boat-The Evening Pen-Globe Advertiser-Spray of the Falls-Psalm Singer- Evening Journal-Daily Recorder-Daily Radical -Daily Republican-Review .103-129
CHAPTER VII. THE BEAVER TIMES. Beaver Times-Daily Times-Tramp Printers. Monaca Herald 130-141
CHAPTER VIII.
NEW BRIGHTON PAPERS. New Brighton Record-The Young American-New Brighton Times-Beaver Falls New Era-New Brighton Herald-Beaver County Press-Beaver Valley News-Daily News. Ambridge-Economy Citizen 142-173 Some Last Words. 174-176
1
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
-
Amberson, L. S.
.opposite page 120
Anderson, H. D opposite page 136
Barker, Abner
opposite page 24
Barker, Dr. R. B
Barker, Jesse J
.opposite page 24
. opposite page 24
Barker, Ralph
opposite page 24
Barker, Pierce
opposite page 24
Beitch, A. H.
. opposite page 120
Brighton Dam
.page 142
Burton, Thomp
.opposite page 80
Carson, J. H.
opposite page 128
Carson, J. W.
.opposite page 128
Chamberlain, E. K
opposite page 48
Chamberlain, B. B
.opposite page 48
Close, Clarence O.
opposite page 168
Corbus, E. T. opposite page 160
Correll, Guy H. opposite page 168
Critchlow, Major D .opposite page 160
Curtis, Smith opposite page 72
Daniels, D. F
.opposite page 168
Dentzer, C. O.
.opposite page 136
Deitrich, T. C.
. opposite page 144
Disbrow, H. E ... . opposite page 168
Eberhart, G. L
. opposite page 112
Edgar, J. B. .opposite page 120
Edmonds, J. D. opposite page 136
Fetterman, N. P
.opposite page 48
Bliss, Howard
opposite page 72
Brittain, Miss H.
opposite page 136
Frank, Charles R. . opposite page 144 Fulkman, W. S. opposite page 112
Harris, W. R. opposite page 136
Hays, G. A. . opposite page 112
Henry, Thomas .opposite page 56
Henry, William . opposite page 56
Henry, A. G.
. opposite page 56
Kennedy, R. S. . opposite page 80
Keyser, W. J.
opposite page 168
Lampert, Theo.
. opposite page 80
Lemmon, W. B
.opposite page 48
Mansfield, I. F
. opposite page 112
Mathews, O. H.
opposite page 160
MeCaughtry, J. F
opposite page 152
MeClure, J. E
.opposite page 80
McGregor, R. G .opposite page 80
News Building .page 161
Opera Block .page 159
Opera Block after the fire
opposite page 144
Palmer, Harry
.opposite page 144
Porter, J. F
.opposite page 112
Quay, M. S .. .opposite page 72
Reader, F. S
.opposite page 156
Reader, W. S. .opposite page 156
Reader, W. Don opposite page 156
Reader, R. W
opposite page 156
Reed, W. H
opposite page 112
Rutan, J. S.
.opposite page 72
Scene Old Canal
. page 143
Sutherland, H. A
. opposite page 144
Tallon, F. W
opposite page 168
Taylor, J. H. .opposite page 144
U. S. Bank Building .page 144
Weyand, Jacob .opposite page 56 Weyand, Michael . opposite page 56 Whisler, A. W. .opposite page 160
Whisler, C. F. .opposite page 160
Wilson, N. M. .opposite page 48
Winter, John opposite page 48
INTRODUCTION.
Beaver County, Pennsylvania, was erected March 12, 1800, and the county was organized for judicial purposes April 2, 1803, the first court being held February 6, 1804, in the house of Abner Lacock on Third street, with Hon. Jesse Moore judge. Jonathan Coulter, Joseph Hemp- hill and Denny McClure were designated to erect the necessary public buildings, and Beavertown was selected as the county seat, under the Act of Assembly forming the county. Two of the reserved squares were selected as the locations for the public buildings. The first building was the jail, the second story of which was used for the Court room until 1810, during which year the first Court house was completed, on the same lot as the present one, but east toward the old jail. It was a one story structure to which an eastern wing was added in 1840, and a western wing in 1848, for use of public officials and to preserve the records. The present jail was built in 1858-9.
With the advent of the Courts and the business of the county officials, came the necessity for advertising such public acts as the law required. There was then no paper in the county, and legal advertisements were placed in Pittsburg papers; and indeed after the estab- lishment of a Beaver county paper, important legal
2
HISTORY OF BEAVER COUNTY PAPERS.
advertisements were required to be published in the paper at Washington, Pa., and the Pittsburg papers, from which two counties Beaver county was formed. The politicians depended mainly on the Pittsburg papers for a hearing and for access to the newspaper reading public.
A paper of that city which had most to do with Beaver county, was the "Commonwealth," started in Pittsburg Wednesday morning July 24, 1805. It was printed and published every Wednesday morning by Ephraim Pentland. Mr. Pentland was the son-in-law of Abner Lacock of Beaver, was a Pittsburg lawyer, and was admitted to the Beaver County Courts April 11, 1831. He was city recorder of Pittsburg for a number of years, but was best known in those days in his stormy career as a newspaper editor.
Mr. Lacock was a frequent, indeed almost a regular contributor to the columns of the "Commonwealth." In the first issue of the paper, an editorial reference is made to a letter from Lancaster, Pa., to John Israel, register and recorder of Washington county, and editor of the "Tree of Liberty," no doubt the same Israel who was arraigned in the columns of the "Commonwealth," in its second number. In that number Mr. Lacock had an article two and one-fourth columns in length, defending his course in the legislature from the attacks of an "apostate printer." This was supplemented by an edi- torial commenting on the letter to Israel, from which the following is taken: "There certainly can be but one sentiment of disapprobation with all parties, towards the editor who wilfully mutilates and disfigures what is com- mitted to his charge for publication. Israel knew Mr. Lacock's letter was unanswerable, and forsooth under- took to destroy the effect of his language by altering the spelling and punctuation. Oh, meanness unparalleled."
3
INTRODUCTION.
This "Tree of Liberty" is spoken of at later times, and in the "Minerva" of Beaver, October 8, 1808, a reply was made to articles that appeared in the "Tree of Liberty," which has led some to think that it was a Beaver county paper published prior to the "Minerva," but it is clearly established that it was a Pittsburg paper and was never published in this county. Mr. Israel sold the "Tree of Liberty" in December 1805. In January 1807, Hon. Walter Forward was editor of the paper, and he was Secretary of the U. S. Treasury in 1841-43.
In the issue of the "Commonwealth" August 7, 1805, a report is given of a meeting in Beaver county, in which it is said that a 'number of Democratic Republicans con- vened on the banks of the Beaver creek * * * in order to celebrate the anniversary of our independence,' with the usual toasts. One of the toasts was, "The Tree whose fruit is blasted, may it soon be despoiled of its branches, and the axe of the Commonwealth at its root." In the issue of the same paper of September 28, 1805, there appeared a call to the Republicans of Beaver county on the issues at stake in the approaching election. Mr. Lacock had a number of articles in the paper on political questions, and many other Beaver county articles appeared frequently.
Abner Lacock was born near Alexandria, Va., July 9, 1770, came to Beaver county in 1796, and on the 19th of September of that year, was appointed by Governor Thomas Mifflin Justice of the Peace for Pitt township, Allegheny county, afterward made a part of Beaver county. He was elected to the legislature in 1801; was appointed Associate Judge in 1803, and served in the first conrt held in his house in 1804, resigning to return to the legislature, where he served until elected to the State Senate in 1808; was elected to Congress in 1810, and to the United States Senate in 1813, serving six years, the first U. S. Senator from Beaver county. He was a
4
HISTORY OF BEAVER COUNTY PAPERS.
strong friend of Presidents Madison and Monroe, but intensely disliked Andrew Jackson. He died April 12, 1837.
By aet of the legislature September 28, 1791, Gover- nor Thomas Mifflin was authorized to have surveyed, near the mouth of the Beaver river, on or near where the old French town stood, two hundred acres of land in town lots, and also one thousand acres adjoining and on the upper side thereof, as nearly square as might be, in out- lots of not less than five nor more than ten aeres each. The survey of the land was made by Daniel Leet in November 1792. Fort McIntosh was established here in 1778, and prior to that time about twenty years, there was a town built by the French for the use of certain Indian tribes. By the Act of March 12, 1800, establish- ing the county of Beaver, the town was designated and fixed as the county seat. Then the beautiful plateau on which the town was built, was covered with a dense growth of shrubs and saplings. The town was regularly incorporated March 29, 1802, and entered upon its legal existence.
CHAPTER I.
THE EARLY PAPERS OF BEAVER.
The newspapers published in Beaver before the "Western Argus," were included in the period from No- vember 4, 1807 to September 1, 1818. They were in- fluential in their day, and supplied a want that was felt by all classes of people, the politicians, the tradesmen, the office holders, and the humbler workers who were the backbone of the rapidly growing population.
These papers changed from hand to hand, or in name, with great rapidity, doubtless under the stress of adverse circumstances, and the lack of suitable patronage, so that there was no permanency until eleven years after the first one began its existence. Materials were neces- sarily high and subscribers and advertisers few, and the comparative sparseness of the population, made the official and legal printing a small item. Labor was cheap, and the purchasing power of the people was poor, and subscribers paid so little in cash, that the burden of securing enough to pay the expenses of the printer, was a heavy one and could not be borne long.
It must be borne in mind that at this time there was but a small population in the county, not larger than New Brighton at present; that the most thrifty town in the county, Fallston, was a mere hamlet with a flouring
6
HISTORY OF BEAVER COUNTY PAPERS.
and saw mill; Beaver Falls, then Brighton, had a few lots laid out on the Walnut bottoms, but gave no promise of the present growth and prosperity; New Brighton had not even a name and about its only distinction was Wolf's flouring mill near the present Tenth street bridge; Sharon, now Bridgewater, had been the scene of Burr's operations in the building of boats; and everywhere in the valley of the Beaver and along the banks of the Ohio, was a dense wilderness, forests that had never been fully penetrated, and nothing but the quiet, and stillness and loneliness of the almost unbroken wilds that but a few years before had been the haunts of the Indians. None of the comforts of modern life were to be had, communi- cation with the great outside world was a question of months, and the solitude and monotony of the pioneer life, was scarcely conducive to a condition where a news- paper would find ready acceptance, and receive such sup- port as to enable it to live.
What the equipment of these early papers was, is known only in part, but it was of necessity simple and crude. The printer who laboriously picked the separate pieces from his case of type, and found it impossible to put in type even the limited amount of copy of the period, would have regarded it an evidence of insanity for any one to predict the wonderful type setting or type casting machines of the present. The presses of that early day were typical only of the magnificent ones of today. The first press then used in the county, was probably the Ramage press, which printed one page at a time, with but very slow speed and moderate mechanical skill. This was followed by the Franklin press, some- what of an improvement, which in later years was super- ceded by the Washington hand press, well known to many printers yet living. The type was fairly good and looked tolerably well, and the paper used was coarse in texture and poor in appearance, but it has stood well the
7
THE EARLY PAPERS OF BEAVER.
ravages of time, the first of the papers yet in existence being in a good state of preservation.
The papers of this period are believed to be the same in mechanical equipment, and each the regular successor of the preceding one; being the same in size and general make up, type the same generally, but changed in name of paper and editor, combining in the course of eleven years in making the "Western Argus." The latter is the legitimate successor of the "Minerva" through the ups and downs of the enterprising gentlemen who attempted to fill the journalistic want of the day, and all failed except the Logans, who passed the "Argus" on its way to the Henrys, who kept the name given the paper in 1818. Mr. Berry named his paper the "Minerva;" Mr. White who followed him changed it to the "Western Cabinet:" and when he laid down the burden, the Logans took it up but dropped the name and called it the "Crisis;" and after five years of hard work, disappointment and partial success only, they changed the name to the "Western Argus," the name never lost except for a few weeks, in the eighty-seven years that have followed; and when they tired of the responsibility, James Logan in 1825 trans- ferred the paper to Thomas Henry, who kept the name intact.
The modern journalist would hardy submit to such conditions, and none but the newspaper pioneers of the ever receding west, during the century that has just closed, have known the real hardships, genuine priva- tions, and depths of discouragement, that the early news- paper men of the county experienced. And these men who started papers were not ignorant upstarts, who led by the hope of political reward ventured beyond their literary depths, but in every case were men of intellectual strength and culture, whose virile writings compare favorably with the best of the present day, with all our
8
HISTORY OF BEAVER COUNTY PAPERS.
advantages. Like the pioneers in all departments of life, they were equipped for their work, but the condi- tions were not such as to command success.
THE MINERVA.
The first paper in Beaver county of which there is any record, or any copy known to be in existence, was the "Minerva," 'published in the town of Beaver every Satur- day by John Berry at two dollars per year, and when sent by post, the postage of fifty cents per year to be added.' It was started at an eventful period, in the latter part of President Jefferson's administration, in the height of his popularity; and in the closing year of Governor Thomas McKean's administration in Pennsylvania, the inde- pendent Democrat, who had defeated Simon Snyder Democrat in 1805 by over 5,000 votes in the state.
It was devoted to the Republican party and conse- quently gave a hearty support to President Jefferson. While not much space was given to editorials, there was enough to outline its policy and show the aggressive character of its utterances. Its columns in its second year, showed a controversy with the "Tree of Liberty," a sheet that seemed to be specially virulent in its attacks on the leaders of the Republican party in the west. The character of that paper is seen in the introduction to this work, and its attacks on the public men of the Jefferson
9
THE EARLY PAPERS OF BEAVER.
party were met with spirit. The writing as shown in the few copies of the "Minerva" in existence, is of a high character, and evidences ability and candor, with literary excellence.
The "Minerva" was a small sheet, the pages about ten by seventeen inches, four columns to the page, and four pages in all. In the issue of the paper December 19, 1808, there appears at the end of the last column the signature: "Beavertown, Pa., printed by Joseph Israel." It is not stated who he was, but probably the practical printer, who assisted John Berry the editor.
Number one, Volume one, of the "Minerva" is dated Wednesday November 4, 1807. The head line is evidently a wood cut, near the centre of which is a representation of the goddess whose name,it bears, somewhat crude, wearing her plumed helmet on her head. On the left of the figure is the word "The," and on the right "Minerva," the letters sloping to the left and about one inch in height. Underneath the head line is the motto, taken from Cowper, and reads :- "This folio of four pages % * * * happy work! what is it but a map of busy life, its fluctuations and its vast concerns." The date line is Volume 1 Number 1, Wednesday November 4, 1807. One third of the first column is taken up with the terms of subscription and the card, "Printing- pamphlets, hand bills, cards and all kinds of blanks, neatly. and accurately executed at this office." The re- mainder of the page consists of "European affairs," the latest intelligence of which is given as August 15. The countries of Europe were all noticed in the news thus printed. On the second page were more European news of the date of September 7, and the remainder of this page was filled with news from Philadelphia and other places in America, as late as October 19.
On the third page is this paragraph: "In order to lay before the public as soon as possible the first number
10
HISTORY OF BEAVER COUNTY PAPERS
of the 'Minerva,' we have published it on Wednesday. Saturday will henceforth be the day of publication." At the head of this page is the editorial salutatory, which reads as follows: "We this day present to the public the first number of the 'Minerva.' In doing this, it is per- haps necessary to state the principles upon which it will be conducted. The 'Minerva' shall be strictly impartial, free from the influence of party and political prejudice. Convinced that when correctly informed, the people can- not fail of judging correctly, the editor will give a faith- ful detail of passing events, leaving them to form their own conclusions. He will not assume the office of. Dictator. He does not mean, however, to exclude from his paper political discussion. On the contrary it is invited. Believing that the only way to come at the truth is to hear the arguments advanced on all sides, he will gladly receive and cheerfully publish political essays from either party, when such essay is written with moder- ation and couched in respectful language. But he never will consent that the pages of the 'Minerva' should be- come the channel through which partizans may give vent to their gall. Its columns shall be occasionally devoted to amuse as well as instruct liis readers. With respect to his own opinions, he has no hesitation in declaring them Republican; that he is warmly attached to the con- stitution of the State and of the Union. Such, briefly stated, are the principles upon which the 'Minerva' will be conducted; the editor trusts they will be approved of by an enlightened public. J. Berry. Minerva office, 4th November 1807."
The third page contains the proclamation of Gover- nor Thomas Mckean, dated at Lancaster October 3, 1807, offering a reward of five hundred dollars for the arrest and conviction of the person who murdered James Hamilton, September 23 last past, said Hamilton having accompanied William B. Irish deputy marshal in the dis-
11
THE EARLY PAPERS OF BEAVER.
trict of Pennsylvania, George Holdship Esq., and Ennion Williams agent of the Pennsylvania Population Com- pany, to dispossess William Foulkes. The advertise- ments were all on this page. The printer of the paper advertised a lot of ground in the town of Mercer. William Gillespie boot and shoemaker, informs his friends that he still continues to carry on his business in Third street, opposite Mr. Hemphill's tavern. David Johnson register of the county has a notice. Arnold Eichbaum of Pittsburg, advertises turning in all its branches, oval and round, in ivory, wood or metal, and Zadok Cramer of the same city, advertises a number of books just published. Coulter, Bever and Bowman, an- nounce that they have commenced building a paper mill at the mouth of Little Beaver, near Georgetown, and hope to complete it in the course of the winter.
The fourth page is filled with poetry and miscellane- ous reading.
The "Minerva" was in existence as late as January 9, 1811, and doubtless until succeeded by the "Western Cabinet." In 1810 Mr. Berry presented a claim to the Beaver council as follows: "For publishing three ordi- nances, 3 squares, $3.00; proposals for building a market house, one square, $1.00, total $4.00." January 9, 1811, it was endorsed-"Held under advisement." John Berry was a member of Beaver council in 1808-09, and wliile no doubt a man of influence and standing, nothing is now known of him personally; but the fact that he published the paper for four years, shows that he was a man of energy and strength of will, combined with intelligence.
12
HISTORY OF BEAVER COUNTY PAPERS.
THE WESTERN CABINET.
The "Western Cabinet" was started September 30, 1811, "printed and published by Joseph W. White," at Beavertown, Pa. It was issued every Saturday at $2.00 per year, was the same size sheet as the "Minerva," and practically the same in style and appearance. Every- thing goes to show that it was the immediate successor of the "Minerva," with a change of name. Its motto was: "The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter the constitution of Govern- ment .- Washington."
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