USA > Pennsylvania > Fayette County > Uniontown > A history of Uniontown : the county seat of Fayette County, Pennsylvania > Part 44
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I left the standard office in 1869, and secured service in the office of the Genius of Liberty, then on the second floor in Camp- bell's row on Pittsburgh street, under the proprietorship of Col. E. G. Roddy. In a few weeks after entering this office it was re- moved to Morgantown street, having passed into the ownership of A. M. Gibson. The Standard was under the ownership of William H. Miller when I left the office, and after a continuous service of thirty-six years in the office of the Genius of Liberty, I accepted a position in the office of the News Standard to take charge of the job department."
The issue of October 4, 1906, announced that the Genius of Liberty and the Evening Genius had been sold to David J. Berry of Greensburg for $30,000; the deal having been consum- mated Tuesday evening, October 2, 1906. The issue of the Evening Genius of September 5, 1908, gives John O'Donnell as president and manager and W. L. Leamon as managing editor, and the issue of April 15, 1908, gives John L. Keffer as editor.
Frank P. Cottom retired from the firm February 15, 1908, after having been connected with the paper for twelve years, to enter the practice of law.
The Fayette Publishing company began also the publishing of a morning daily paper known as the Morning Herald, the first issue of which was January 8, 1907.
The issue of February 6, 1908, gives John O'Donnell as president and manager, Jesse L. Kaufman as editor. Kaufman retired August 9, 1909, having been with the office since August, 1907. The issue of February 14, 1912, gives O'Donnell as presi- dent and managing editor, and W. P. Harader as secretary and treasurer.
THE FAYETTE AND GREENE SPECTATOR.
The Fayette and Greene Spectator was established Thurs- day, January 10, 1811, Vol. I, No. 1, bearing that date. William
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Campbell, brother of Dr. Hugh Campbell, and who had learned the printing trade in the office of the Fayette Gazette and Union Advertiser or Genius of Liberty, was the founder. The issue of Wednesday, April 23, 1814, mentions that James Lodge & Co. are now the publishers. After one year's experience in the newspaper business in Uniontown Mr. Campbell established a paper at Perryopolis, the name of which is not now known, and this venture lasted but about one year. He subsequently went to New Lisbon, Ohio, where he again ventured in journalism.
THE AMERICAN TELEGRAPH.
The American Telegraph was established in Brownsville by John Bouvier in 1814, where it was conducted for four years, and in the year 1818 it was consolidated with the Genius of Liberty under the ownership and editorship of Bouvier and Austin.
THE PENNSYLVANIA DEMOCRAT.
The Pennsylvania Democrat and Literary Gazette was founded by Jacob B. Miller, Esq., Vol. I, No. 1, bearing date of July 25, 1827. The office of publication was then on the lot lately occupied by the Frey and Gilmore hardware store, in a frame building. In 1829, J. S. C. Goff and Samuel Yarnell, practical printers of the office, took charge of the paper in the absence of Mr. Miller, who upon his return from the West associated with himself John F. Beazell, a brother-in-law. They removed the office of publication to Stew- art's row on Morgantown street where they conducted it until 1834, when it was sold to Samuel and William McDonald, brothers, who published it for about four years, after which Samuel became sole proprietor until 1844. He changed the name to "Uniontown Weekly Democrat and Fayette County Advertiser." In 1844 he sold the paper to Thomas Foster, a gentleman from Harrisburg, who changed the name back to the " Pennsylvania Democrat." In 1846 he sold a half interest to John F. Beazell, who soon after acquired the other half and con- tinued sole owner until March 1, 1866. When the American or Know-Nothing party sprang into existence the Democrat advo- cated the doctrine of that party, viz .: " America for Americans," and as evidence of its sympathy and advocacy of such doctrine the name of the paper was changed on December 14, 1854, to the " American Standard." Another version of the changing of
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the name was for the purpose of inserting the coat of arms of the state in the center of the title head.
When the Republican party was organized the American Standard became a supporter of its principles to which it has ever since adhered with the exception of a few months in 1878, when it became an ardent advocate of the doctrines of the Greenback party. In the latter years of Mr. Beazell's connec- tion with the paper he was ably assisted by his son, Col. John W. Beazell under the name of John W. Beazell & Co.
On March 1, 1866, the paper was sold to James G. Johnston and Alexander W. Boyd who controlled the paper jointly until the 12th of the following December when Johnston became sole owner. During Mr. Johnston's ownership of the paper several sensational episodes occurred the publication of which brought the paper into prominence and doubled its subscription list.
In May, 1867, Mr. Johnston sold a half interest to Jacob B. Miller, the founder and former editor, who passed it over to his half-brother, William H. Miller. This arrangement, how- ever, was of short duration, as Jacob B. Miller persisted in writing editorials in which he had a penchant for scorging those who opposed liis views. Mr. Johnston retired from the paper, March 26, 1868, disposing of his interest to Jacob B. Miller who continued to be the chief editor until his death, at which time William H. Miller became sole owner and editor.
On March 21, 1879, the paper was consolidated with the Fayette County Republican, under the name of the Republican Standard, the firm name being Miller, Rush and Ritenour, the last named being the editor, which position he filled until his retirement from the paper in 1881, when he returned to Pitts- burgh journalism. On June 21, 1879, G. C. McKnight bought the half interest of William H. Miller, whose place in the firm name he also took. On June 11, 1881, Rush and Ritenour disposed of their half interest to John K. Ewing Jr., and Orrin Jones Sturgis, and a few days later Mr. McKnight transferred to them his interest, they assuming full control June 15, 1881. On December 1, 1890, Mr. Ewing bought the one-half interest of his partner, the latter, however, continuing as managing editor until June 15, 1891, when he went to Pittsburgh. Mr. Ewing continued sole proprietor until October 30, 1893, when he sold the paper to his former partner, O. J. Sturgis. On the same date a con- solidation of the Uniontown News was effected with the Re-
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publican Standard under the name of the News Standard, and was published under a chartered company with O. J. Sturgis as managing editor and T. S. Gorley as business manager. Upon the death of Mr. Sturgis, which occurred May 14, 1908, William H. Cook, a former proprietor and editor of the Genius of Liberty, was called to the editorial chair as editor in chief, which position he filled until Nov. 9, 1912, when Harold G. Sturgis assumed the position.
On Monday, December 17, 1888, a daily edition of the News Standard was issued to meet the requirements of the Fayette county teachers' institute then in session, and such was the impetus then attained the daily has proven a financial success and has truly supplied " a long felt want."
The News Standard office issued a new paper known as The Morning News, the first issue of which appeared Thursday morning, April 5, 1906. This paper was spicy during its meteoric flight, but proving unprofitable it was soon discontinued.
The Uniontown Democrat and Fayette County Advertiser was the Pennsylvania Democrat under a new name and was published by Samuel McDonald as editor and proprietor ; Vol. I, No. 1, bearing the date of Tuesday, August 20, 1844. Mr. Mc- Donald also did book printing and binding at his office.
The Democrat and Review was another name for the old Pennsylvania Democrat with Thomas Foster as editor and pro- prietor, with the office in Stewart's row on Morgantown street. The issue of September 26, 1844, is given as Vol. 18, No. 6.
The American Banner and Literary and Temperance Jour- nal was established with Alfred Patterson, Esq., as editor and William H. Whitton as printer, Vol. I, No. 1, bearing the date of April 16, 1832. The office of publication was in the old Rowland house, known as the oldest brick house in Uniontown, on East Main street. Mr. Whitton had formerly been connected with the Genius of Liberty.
The Democratic Shield was established by James Piper in May, 1834, with Thomas Patton, a former editor and pro- prietor of the Genius of Liberty, and Justin G. Morris as printers. The office of publication was in a log building on East Main street opposite the Austin property and belonging to Mr. Piper. In May, 1836, it was under the editorship and manage- ment of Justin G. Morris, and in 1837, it was absorbed by the Genius of Liberty.
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The Harrisonian and Weekly Conservative was estab- lished in the fall of 1840, with Nat. Byers as proprietor and George W. Sullivan and Benjamin F. Lincoln as editors and publishers, Vol. I, No. 26, bearing date of September 15, 1840. This was a campaign paper issued in the interests of General Harrison, and the office was in the basement of the Clinton House hotel of which Mr. Byers was the proprietor. The paper ceased after the campaign.
The Cumberland Presbyterian was published in 1847 by Robert W. Jones in Campbell's row on Pittsburgh street where the Grand Opera house now stands. It was published in the interests of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
It was in this office that the late Judge C. E. Boyle took his first lessons in typesetting. Mr. Jones soon removed the paper to Waynesburg. He was a son-in-law of John P. Sturgis.
The Extra Allowance was a campaign paper published in Uniontown. Vol. I, No. 1, bearing date of Tuesday, October 10, 1848, at twenty-five cents during the campaign. It contained many poetic effusions of a campaign character in the interests of Zachary Taylor.
The Fayette Whig was established in 1849 by John Bosler of Pittsburgh. Bosler and Shaw were announced as publishers, and Vol. I, No. 14, bears date of Tuesday, April 3, 1849, and the office of publication was in Commercial Row. Mr. Bosler conducted the paper for some time in the room now occupied by the Central Hotel bar. Mr. Bosler got into legal trouble while here with a rival editor and left under discouraging circumstances.
The Democratic Sentinel was established in 1850 by J. Nelson H. Patrick. In 1854 the firm became Patrick and Riley and under this firm it was known as Vol. IV, No. 16, September 6, 1854. The paper was subsequently removed to Connellsville.
The American Citizen was established by William H. Murphy and Jesse B. Ramsey; Vol. I, No. 1, bearing date of September 18, 1855. This paper was published in the interests of the Citizens' party and had for its motto " America must be Americanized " and advocated that the public offices of the land should be filled by native Americans. This paper lasted but a little over two years. The Citizens' party was composed of members of the two old parties, and from the fact that they in- variably denied knowing anything about the new party, they
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acquired the sobriquet of the "Know-Nothing " party. This party acquired power enough, however, to elect part of their ticket in Fayette county.
The Baptist Journal was a monthly paper, established by James C. Whaley December 20, 1855. He was the founder, editor and proprietor. This publication lasted but one year.
Our Paper was a monthly and was first published in October, 1872. It was edited by Nathaniel Ewing, Esq., and Dr. A. P. Bowie, as a committee from the Young Men's Chris- tian Association under whose auspices it was published. It continued one year.
The Uniontown Enterprise, a free advertising sheet was published by J. Austin Modisette, a druggist, in 1876. It ex- isted one year.
The Fayette County Republican was founded June 6, 1878, by John S. Ritenour and William J. Rush. This paper was consolidated with the American Standard March 21, 1879, be- coming the Republican Standard.
The Temperance Radical was first established in Connells- ville in the interests of temperance, by Will J. McConnell, Vol. I, No. 5, bearing date of March 28, 1878. The office was soon removed to Uniontown where it was continued for about ten months. It was anything else but temperate in expressing its sentiments as to the liquor business.
The Uniontown Democrat, Vol. I, No. 1, bearing date of April 13, 1878, with Joseph Beatty and Charles D. Conner as editors and publishers, with office in the Tremont building, con- tinued to be published under different ownerships for about six- teen years, when the machinery and material were bought by parties and removed to California, Pa.
The National Enterprise, Vol. I, No. 1, bearing date of July 31, 1879, survived until November 1st of that same year. Dr. W. L. Penny was editor and proprietor. The paper was published in the interests of the Greenback party, and the office was located in Campbell's row on Pittsburgh street.
The Amateur was a free advertising sheet started in 1879, and printed monthly by George Irwin. It lasted between six months and one year. It had an issue of 500 copies, 400 of which were on the exchange list.
The Pick and Plow was published by W. Nixon Canaan as manager and local editor, Vol. I, No. 1, bearing date of May
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10, 1879. It was issued in the interests of the Greenback party and survived but a short time.
The Western Pennsylvanian or The Three Towns was started in Brownsville by O. O'B. Strayer as editor, Vol. I, No. 26, bearing date of August 5, 1884. It was announced as the only daily paper then in Fayette county. This paper was soon removed to Uniontown and J. H. Grable was announced as publisher and E. D. Fulton as the authorized agent for Western Pennsylvania. The outfit of this office was sold at sheriff's sale at March term, 1885, to Charles D. Conner who removed the office from the Campbell row to the John Thorn- dell building on Main street.
The Madison Review was established in October, 1887, as an adjunct to Prof. C. A. Gilbert's school, known as Madison Academy, under the editorship of W. H. Rankin, Wooda N. Carr, J. R. Nutt and Frank H. Taylor and published as a monthly paper until March, 1888. This was a publication of considerable literary merit and attained quite a creditable circu- lation throughout the county.
The Uniontown News was the successor to the Browns- ville Three Towns, under the ownership and editorship of Charles D. Conner, who established it in March, 1885, when in 1888 he sold the paper to John D. Carr and Robert W. Herbert. The latter soon retired and Mr. Carr became sole owner, and Wooda N. Carr became editor. In 1889, Mr. Carr sold to A. M. Claybaugh and others, who soon transferred it to Frank M. Fuller and company who conducted it as a daily until its con- solidation with the Republican Standard in 1893; when the consolidated papers became the News Standard Daily and Weekly.
The Fayette Beacon Light was a quarterly established by John Beatty and H. A. Crow as publishers and editors ; Vol. I, No. 1, being dated April, 1889. The price was 25 cents per year. This publication was of short duration.
The Fayette Advertiser Vol. I, No. 2., bears date of March 29, 1890, and announces James B. Martin as editor and pro- prietor. The office of publication was in a frame building be- longing to Wish Miller on Penn street. The publication did not last long.
The Western Enterprise was published in the interests of the Afro-American League. Vol. I, No. 14, bears date of Fri-
e
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day, June 19, 1896, with T. B. Littlejohn as manager and Rev. W. C. Goens, B. D. and Rev. B. F. Combash, B. D., as associate editors. The office of publication was on the corner of South and Arch streets, and was issued under the auspicies of the Western Mutual Enterprise company. It lasted only a year or two.
The People's Tribune, issued in the interests of the Pro- hibition party, was established June 8, 1893, by a company in- cluding H. L. Robinson, Esq., Daniel Sturgeon, Esq., Albert Gaddis, and others, with George E. Merkley as editor.
The names of the stockholders as given June 14, 1907, were Editor W. M. Likins, about one-third; Andrew Brown, W. H. Martin, Esq., T. Scott Dunn, Daniel Sturgeon, Esq., T. S. Lackey, Esq., Albert Gaddis, Jasper T. Sembower, Lewis H. Workman and R. D. Warman, Esq.
In pursuance to the developments in the suit brought by J. T. Sembower against the Tribune company and its directors, the Court on June 9, 1909, appointed said Jasper T. Sembower temporary receiver for the People's Tribune company, with in- structions to continue the business. The publication of this paper was suspended indefinitely January 2, 1913.
The Evening News was started in the spring of 1893, and was published daily by the Daily News Publishing Company, office in the Miller building, with John R. Burns as business manager and Emery W. Bartlett managing editor. In October of the same year it was merged into the News Standard.
The Index was founded in Ashland, Ohio, in 1899, by Rev. C. H. Plattenburg and upon his advent here as pastor of the Central Christian church the paper was continued here. On Mr. Plattenburg's removal the publication was resumed by Rev. Herbert Yeuell, and after Mr. Yeuell's removal the publication was still continued by Rev. J. Walter Carpenter in the interests of the church. The issue of March 31, 1906, is Vol. IX, No. 27, two years of which it was published in Ashland, Ohio.
St. Paul's Echo is a monthly issued in the interests of the St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church, and was founded, edited and published by Rev. Ernest Anton Trabert; Vol. V, No. 1, bearing date of January, 1906.
The Church Herald was a monthly issued in the interests of Saint Peter's parish of the Episcopal church. It was founded, edited and published by Rev. F. E. J. Lloyd, the rector ; Vol. I, No. 1, bearing date of July, 1903.
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History of Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
The Bethel Bulletin, a small weekly paper published in the interests of the Great Bethel Baptist church, with Rev. Joseph S. Bromley as editor. Vol. I, No. 1, is dated March 25, 1906.
The Daily Citizen was started September 30, 1907, Vol. I, No. 1, in the interest of the Citizens' party, under the manage- ment of B. S. Forsythe as chairman, N. A. Rist as vice chair- man, H. H. Burwell as secretary and John A. Simpson as editor. This was a campaign paper published to defeat a certain judicial candidate. It ceased with the issue of Tuesday, November 5, 1907.
The Peoples' Advocate, Vol. I, No. 7, was dated Saturday, February 15, 1908, and was published by Charles H. Plummer, president; John T. Briggs, treasurer; Joseph J. Attwell, secretary and manager; these were all colored men and the paper was not published principally in the interests of that race as might be expected but was conducted as an independent paper, and was a very creditable sheet. The issue of February 22 added the name of John M. Trent as associate editor, and W. C. Vance as treasurer instead of John T. Briggs. The paper was issued from the editorial office, No. 84 East Main street, and ceased to exist about the last of March. Mr. Vance states that he was induced to invest his money in the enterprise just in time to be caught in the fall, and that some of the other mem- bers of the firm lost nothing for the reason they had nothing invested, and he also affirms that one of the firm had absconded with the funds of the concern, and most emphatically declared that there should never be any more adventure in the news- paper business for him.
The Critic, is a weekly paper issued in the interests of the Socialistic Party. The first issue, Vol. I, No. 1, bearing date of October 18, 1912, and bore the names of Charles N. Walker as editor, D. Z. Walker as associate editor and Edward Miller, Jr., as staff editor The office of publication is in the D. P. Gibson building on West Peter street.
The latest venture in journalism to date is The Daily Record published in the interests of the Progressive Independent party ; the first issue of which was issued about October 1, 1913. This paper was published by a corporation of which William A. Stone, J. W. Dawson, H. L. Robinson and others were the promoters, with Frank Hurst as business manager.
CHAPTER XXI.
SCHOOLS.
The Constitution of 1790 provided for the education of the poor as soon as practicable, in order that they might be taught gratis. Under this provision laws were passed in 1802, 1804, and 1809, looking to the education of the poor. Under the act of April 4, 1809, what was known as pauper schools was organ- ized, it not being expedient at that time to educate all at the public expense ; this plan was opprobiously called the " pauper system," and under which little progress was made. Parents were notified that they could send their children to the most convenient school free of expense.
The education of the masses had been a long-felt want when Governor George Wolf, in his message to the Senate and House of Representatives, declared that "it was time that the character of our State should be redeemed from the state of supineness and indifference to its most important interest, the education of its citizens." On the first day of the session, Samuel Breck, a senator from Philadelphia, moved the appoint- ment of a joint committee of the two Houses for the purpose of digesting a general system of education for the commonwealth. Of this committee, James Thompson of Venango county, after- wards chief justice of the supreme court of Pennsylvania, sub- mitted a bill entitled " An act to establish a General System of Education by Common Schools." The authorship of that bill is ascribed to Senator Breck. This bill passed the House by an almost unanimous vote, and the Senate concurred and it met the governor's approval.
This action proved to be the substratum of the common school system of Pennsylvania. The present school system was established by the act of April 1, 1834.
The early school houses were generally single-story log cabins with huge stone chimney and fire place ; glass or greased paper admitted the light, the floors were of puncheon and the roof of clap-boards; the door was held shut by a wooden latch to which was a string to lift it. Seats were made of split logs into which legs were driven and were so high the feet of the children would not reach the floor, and had no backs. Writing
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desks were made of slabs supported by pins driven into the walls.
The teacher made all the pens from goose quills furnished by the pupils, made the ink from nutgalls and copperas, ruled the copy book and set the copy.
The books mostly in use were the new testament, the United States spelling book, the English Reader, the Western" Calculator, Cobb's Speller, John Roger's Primer, Introduction to: the English Reader, and Samuel Kirkham's school series.
A school building had already been erected in Uniontown prior to the erection of Fayette county, September 26, 1783, as it was ordered that the first term of court be held in the school building which then stood on what was known as the Central Public grounds now occupied by the sheriff's residence and jail. In this school house the first term of the Court of Quarter Ses- sions and of Common Pleas was held on the fourth Tuesday in December, 1783. One Colin Campbell was a resident of the town in 1783, and his profession was that of a teacher and it is not improbable that he taught in the school house above mentioned.
A school was organized in 1791-2 under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal church. This was known as the Union school and was under the charge of Rev. Charles Conway, and later taught by Rev. John K. Reynolds in 1795, and by John St. Clair in 1807. This school was situated at the west end of Peter street, next to the Methodist Episcopal church.
A log building stood on the north side of Peter street that had formerly been the residence of Jonathan Downer and this was used for many years as a school house. An Irishman by the name of Burns taught here about 1810, and Silas Baily taught here in 1820. This was known as the Downer school house. Mr. Enos West built a one-story log building on his lot on South street for a school house in which George Brown of Virginia, taught a school in 1839. A Mr. Richard Stokes taught here and among his pupils were Catharine McCleary, John Ken- nedy Ewing and John S. Harah. Nobel McCormick was another who taught in this building, and Norval Greenland was one of his pupils. One Lathrop was also a teacher here. Joseph Cole- stock taught in this building for several terms. This building is still standing although all the teachers and with few excep-
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