History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Part 96

Author: Ashmead, Henry Graham, 1838-1920
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L.H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1150

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In the latter part of the year 1824, Butler sold his interest to Worthington, who continued to issue it until 1826, when he sold it to Joseph M. C. Lescure, who changed the name to the Upland Union, and in- creased the size of the paper. Lescure had his office on Market Street, nearly opposite to the court-house, and in addition sold "blank-books, stationery, spell- ing- and copy-books, slates, dictionaries, Testaments, etc.," which branch of business he seems to have discontinued after he removed his printing-office to the north side of Fifth Street below Market. Mr. Lescure continued the Upland Union with indifferent success until 1838, when he sold the paper to Joseph Williams and Charles F. Coates. Of the latter we have no information other than given. Williams we know was a lawyer of attainments, a good politi- cal speaker, who could "sing a wine-song or a hymn, preach a sermon or deliver a temperance lecture, besides being a clever amateur performer on several musical instruments."1 He was one of the assistant secretaries of the convention whichi amended the Constitution of Pennsylvania in 1837. The news- paper was edited by Mr. Williams ouly for a short time, when it was sold to Alexander Nesbit. Wil- liams was appointed by President Polk a judge in Iowa. During the Mexican war a volunteer company paraded in front of the hotel where the judge was lodging, and the captain told the former he had marching orders. Judge Williams offered himself as a volunteer. "The company is full," was the reply. "Perhaps you want a musician?" said the judge. "We want a fifer," responded the captain. "I'm your man!" exclaimed the judge, and he at once donned the uniform and marched away, playing " Yankee Doodle" like a regular. The quota being filled, the company was not forwarded to the front.

1 Philadelphia Spirit of the Times, 1846.

4. SWalter

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THE CITY OF CHESTER.

After the Territory became a State, Mr. Williams was made chief justice.

Alexander Nesbit in turn sold the Upland Union to Alexander McKeever, an active Democrat, who con- tinued its publication until March 30, 1852, when he discontinued it.

Samuel Anderson Mckeever, a son of the editor of the Upland Union, born in Chester, died in March, 1880, at Pilatka, Fla. The young man had been connected with the press of the city of New York, and in 1874, in connection with James B. Mix, pub- lished "The New York Tombs," an interesting, but in several instances inaccurate, story of that noted prison and the conspicuous prisoners who had been confined therein. In 1858 an attempt was made to revive the Upland Union, and it "languished, and, languishing, did live," under the editorial control of Mr. Brimner, who at the same time edited the Penn- sylvanian in Philadelphia, and William Cooper Talley, of Delaware County; but it finally suspended Feb. 19, 1861, the last-named person having removed to Nor- ristown.

During the Presidential contest of 1828, William Russell began the publication of the Weekly Visitor, and Strange N. Palmer was employed to edit it in the interest of the opponents of the Democratic party, to which political organization the Upland Union gave earnest support. The owner and editor of the new organ disagreed in their views, which difficulty ter- minated by a sale of the establishment to thirty gen- tlemen, warm advocates of John Quincy Adams, Pal- mer being still retained to edit the paper. The fact being noised abroad, the Upland Union dubbed its opponent "The Son of Many Fathers," and predicted its early demise. In that prognostication it was right, for at the close of the campaign it was sold to Thomas Eastman, who continued it, and it languished until 1832, when it died. Palmer, after he severed his con- nection with the Visitor, removed to Schuylkill County, where he subsequently became a judge.

The Delaware County Republican .- In the sum- mer of 1833 the material and press of the Weekly Vis- itor were purchased by Y. S. Walter, who removed them to the village of Darby, and published the first number of the Delaware County Republican, on Ang- ust 31st of that year. The Upland Union, shortly after the Republican made its appearance in the county, stated that "the first person who Walter consulted was an old Tory of the Revolution, a partisan of King George, who conducted Lord Howe into Philadelphia, and escaped hanging for treason only by burying him- self for several weeks in the neighboring woods of Darby." The allusion has lost its point in lapse of years, but the whole story is doubtless false, editorial unpleasantness in those days being carried on, and statements made without regard to fairness or truth. On Oct. 25, 1841, Walter removed his printing-office to Chester, locating on the northeast corner of Market Square, thence, in March, 1845, to the brick building

on Third Street, now occupied by William Lamb as a hat-store. In 1851 the paper was again removed to Penn Buildings, and in 1876 to the new and commo- dious office erected by Walter at Market and Graham Streets. During the fifty years the Republican was edited by Walter it grew steadily in size until, at the time of his death, it was four times as large a sheet as when first issued at Chester. On Sept. 1, 1882, the Delaware County Republican was purchased by Ward R. Bliss, under whose able management the oldest paper in the county has been compelled to enlarge its size to accommodate the increasing advertising de- mands on its columns.

Young S. Walter was born in Philadelphia, Feb. 14, 1812. His father, Capt. Peter P. Walter, was of Scotch descent, and owner of a line of vessels trading to the West Indies. He died when his son was quite young, leaving him in charge of his grandfather at Bedford, Pa., where he was educated in the common district schools. He left school in 1826, and was ap- prenticed to the printing business with Thomas R. Gettys, of the same place, remaining with him until 1829, when he began life on his own account as a journeyman in Philadelphia and New York, continu- ing that occupation until 1833. He then removed to Darby, and on August 4th, of the same year, estab- lished the Delaware County Republican, which he con- tinued to publish in that place until November, 1841. In that year he removed to Chester, where he still published the paper on Whig and Repub- lican principles. One of the most noteworthy fea- tures of his journal was the strong and emphatic opposition he made to slavery, being one of the earliest advocates of its entire abolition in this country, and the articles which frequently appeared on this subject had so much weight, and were so ably and forcibly written, that they materially increased the sale of his paper, which had a larger circulation than any in the county. He sent forth from his office many apprentices who obtained eminent positions in the country, among whom may be mentioned William Ward, the first lawyer in Chester ; John W. Forney, Jr., of the Philadelphia Press; Henry T. Crosby, chief clerk of the War Department at Washington, D. C .; and many others. Mr. Walter was inspector of customs at Marcus Hook from 1842 to 1844, and postmaster at Chester during President Lincoln's first term of administration. He was also at different times member of the Council of the horough and city of Chester, as also president of that body. He was prominent as an originator of the Farmers' Market of Philadelphia, and of the corresponding one at Clies- ter. He was also president of the Chester Library Company, organized in 1769, and influentially con- nected with many other enterprises and institutions of a local and general character. Mr. Walter was married, in 1833, to Lætitia, daughter of Jesse Warne, of Philadelphia. Throughout his long course of edi- torial and journalistic life he uniformly maintained

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

a high character for ability and integrity, and con- tributed largely by his personal influence and by his pen towards the spread of that high tone of morality which ever marked his own career. The death of Mr. Walter occurred May 22, 1882, in his seventy-first year.

Delaware County Democrat. - In 1835, Caleb Pierce established a weekly newspaper under the above title in advocacy of Henry A. Muhlenberg's candidacy as Governor, but it was short-lived. In October, 1856, John G. Michelon began the publica- tion of a weekly, called the Upland Union and Dela- ware County Democrat, and its life was also but a span. Oct. 5, 1867, the Delaware County Democrat was estab- lished by D. B. Overholt, whose interest was shortly afterwards purchased by Dr. J. L. Forwood, who con- tinued the publication of the paper until the fall of 1871, when he sold it to Col. William Cooper Talley. Early in 1876 John B. McCay purchased it, but shortly afterwards sold it to William Orr, who at the time was publishing the Democratic Pilot, a paper which had been started in 1872, and had died and been resur- rected several times. The two papers were merged into one, and were sold by the sheriff, on an execution against Orr, to Dr. Forwood, in 1877, who, in turn, sold it to William A. Gwynne. The latter, in August, 1879, disposed of his interest to Edw. J. Frysinger, whose father, H. Frysinger, then became publisher, and issued the first paper under his editorial charge, Sept. 4, 1879. At the time Mr. Frysinger purchased the Democrat it had less than one hundred and sev- enty-five bona-fide subscribers, and only a nominal advertising patronage. It was purchased for the esti- mated value of the printing materials belonging to the office, the good will being considered valueless. The energy, enterprise, and talent which Mr. Frysinger devoted to his paper has made it a remunerative and valuable property, and its circulation has very largely increased. Being the only Democratic newspaper in the county, the field for extending its circulation is yet both broad and inviting.

On the 11th of February, 1884, H. & Ed. J. Fry- singer issued the first number of the Daily Herald, as an independent journal with " Democratic tenden- cies." This newspaper venture was designed origi- nally merely for the spring election, and more especi- ally the mayoralty campaign; but before the first issue appeared it had been determined to establish it permanently.

The Delaware County Advocate .- John Spencer, who had a printing-office in the second story of the old City Hall building, and Richard Miller, on June 6, 1868, issued the Chester Advocate, a weekly news- paper ; size, fifteen by twenty inches, four columns to the page. It was distributed gratuitously at first. The paper was so well conducted and its reading mat- ter so well selected that it soon met with public favor. The proprietorship continued as above until May, 1869, when Mr. Miller withdrew, and Mr. Spencer

took sole charge. The paper was enlarged from time to time, and soon a subscription of fifty cents per year was charged. The popularity of the Advocate spread beyond the limits of Chester City, and in September, 1874, Mr. Spencer changed its title to The Delaware County Advocate, and raised its subscription price to one dollar per year. It is now a nine-column folio, thirty-one by forty-four inches, has an extensive cir- culation throughout the county, and is regarded as one of the most valuable newspaper properties in the neighborhood of Philadelphia.

Chester Evening News .- Saturday, June 1, 1872, the first number of the Evening News was issued by F. Stanhope Hill, as editor and proprietor. It was a folio sheet, eighteen by twenty-five. The title of the paper was changed June 17th of the same year to Chester Evening News. The first month of its publi- cation the venture was regarded by the inhabitants of the city in no kindly spirit, and many were the prognostications of ultimate failure, but by degrees it won its way to public favor. Mr. Hill, Oct. 1, 1872, sold his interest to William A. Todd, and the latter continued its publication until his death, Aug. 18, 1879, when it was purchased by William H. Bowen, Oliver Troth, and Charles D. Williamson. During Mr. Todd's ownership the circulation had so increased that he was compelled to twice enlarge the presses to meet the growing popular demand. The new owners assumed the conduct of the paper September 29th of the same year, and immediately after enlarged it by an addition of two inches to the columns. Mr. William- son did not take an active part in editing the paper until nearly a year subsequent to its purchase, and in less than twelve months after he begau work in the office as city editor he died, and his interest was pur- chased by the surviving partners. Nov. 4, 1880, the News was again enlarged by an addition of another column to each page, and to meet its steadily-increasing circulation its proprietors have twice been compelled to add new presses of increased capacity and speed. In 1883, for the third time the size of the paper was enlarged. The Chester Evening News, although strongly Republican in tone, is never offensive in its presenta- tion of its political preferences.

Chester Daily Times .- Maj. John Hodgson, who had established the Jeffersonian in West Chester, having sold that paper to the present proprietor, came to Chester in the summer of 1876, and in September of that year issued the first number of the Chester Daily Times, the second daily afternoon paper pub- lished in Chester. Mr. Hodgson continued as its editor until his failing health compelled him to dis- pose of it, March 7, 1877, to J. Craig, Jr., who had been on the editorial staff since its first issue. He managed it quite successfully, displaying consider- able ability and enterprise in its conduct. On Octo- ber 20th, of the same year, Mr. Craig sold the Times to John Spencer, the proprietor of The Delaware County Advocate. The owner enlarged the paper from five to

385

THE CITY OF CHESTER.

six columns and otherwise improved it. He continued its publication until April 15, 1882, when he sold it to the Times Publishing Company, its present owner. The latter had purchased The Delaware County Gazette, which, under the title of The Delaware County Paper, had been established, in 1876, by Col. William C. Gray, and subsequently passed into the ownership of John McFeeters, then Maj. D. R. B. Nevin, who changed its name to the Gazette, and finally of A. Donath. The Times, under its new management, has shown great energy, and to keep pace with the increase of circulation and advertising patronage has been enlarged three times, until now it is one of the largest daily papers published in the State, excepting those in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. It is ultra Repub- lican in tone and well edited.

The Weekly Reporter, an octavo publication, adver- tising legal notices, and reporting in full the opinions of the conrts of Delaware County, was established March 31, 1881, by Ward R. Bliss, Esq. Mr. Bliss has continned The Weekly Reporter with marked ability. Recently the opinions which have appeared in the Reporter have been published in a handsome volume, entitled "Delaware County Reports."

In 1882, The Chester Business Mirror, a monthly ad- vertising paper, was published by Edward Frysinger, and is now well established.

In August, 1842, Edward E. Flavill and Mr. Jack- son published The Chariot, an advocate of the cause of temperance. The paper was printed in Philadel- phia, but after a few numbers had been issued it was discontinued.

Occasionally, in 1848, a small folio, The Owl, was published in Chester and circulated at night. It was very personal in its articles, and although many of its gibes and hits are pointless now, at the time of its publication it caused much excitement in the ancient town.

In April, 1850, S. E. Cohen, a new agent in the borough, began the publication of the Chester Herald, issuing it monthly, subsequently changing it to a weekly sheet, and finally discontinued it at the end of twelve months.

In 1857, The Evening Star, a literary paper, made its appearance under the auspices of the Washington Literary Association, being at that time edited by Ed- ward A. Price and Miss Kate Taylor, but, as with many similar publications, interest in it abated, and it was abandoned.

On Oct. 27, 1866, the Chester Advertiser, a weekly advertising sheet for gratuitous circulation, was is- sued by John Spencer and Dr. William Taylor. April, 1867, Mr. Spencer ceased to be a partner in the enterprise, and Dr. Taylor continned its publication until the following October, when it suspended.

In 1869, H. Y. Arnold and Wilmer W. James began the publication of a weekly advertising sheet, -The Independent. Arnold soon after withdrew, and James associated J. J. Shields with him in the

enterprise, until 1871, when the latter retired, and James continued the paper until 1874, when it was discontinued.

The Delaware County Mail was established Nov. 27, 1872, by Joseph T. DeSilver & Co. Nov. 27, 1876, it was sold to the proprietors of The Delaware County Paper, and merged into the latter publication.

The Public Press was issued May 3, 1876, by Thomas Higgins and Robert Simpson, but its publication was suspended during the same year.

The Commercial Advertiser, a Democratic paper, was publisbed by J. M. Stowe & Co. in February, 1878, but after a few issues the publishers abandoned the enterprise.

In 1877, during a revival of the temperance move- ment, Andrew J. Bowen began the publication of The Temperance World, and after several issues changed the title to The Chester World. In a few months interest in the paper ceased, and it finally was dis- continued.

In October, 1883, the first number of The Brother- hood, a monthly journal devoted to the interests of the Brotherhood of the Union (H. F.), was issued by the Brotherhood Publication Company, Charles K. Melville, editor. The paper is printed by Melville & Hass, and is the official organ of the order in Penn- sylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.

The County Bridges .- The first bridge erected over Chester Creek, where the King's road (the present Third Street) crosses that stream, was a draw- bridge. In 1686 the court ordered the building of a horse-bridge over the creek, near Chester, as the King's road at that time did not pass through the borough, but to the north of the town, through the present borongh of Upland, where a horse-bridge bad been erected shortly after Penn's arrival, for at conrt held 6th day of First month, 1687, "Nathin' Evins, Supervisor of ye King's wayes for Chester, presented Caleb Pusey & Jno Hodskins [Hoskins] for not lay- ing ye . planks on ye bridge over Chester creek." There is no evidence that the order of the court as respected that bridge was ever carried into effect ; indeed, the contrary seems to be negatively estab- lished, for at the December court, 1699, Ralph Fish- bourne presented a petition "for a convenient road from the west side of Chester creek, where the ferry is kept for to lead to the now King's road." The court thereupon appointed six viewers to lay out "the said roadway in the most convenient place they can for the convenience of the inhabitants."

In 1700, the inconvenience arising from the round- about way became such an annoyance to the traveling public and the inhabitants of the borough of Chester that a determined and successful effort was made to change the route of the King's highway, so that it should pass through the town and nearer the river. To avoid interrupting the free navigation of the stream, it was determined that the creek be spanned by a draw-bridge. Accordingly, in that year, an act

386

HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

of the Colonial Assembly was procured, which author- ized the erection of a bridge over the creek at Ches- ter, and ordered the justices of the County Court " to lay out a road from the King's Road that leads to New Castle and Maryland to the intended place for a bridge over Chester creek." The act required that the bridge should have a draw to it, provided for the employment of a man to attend to it, and specified what his duties were,-to draw it up when necessary to let sloops and shallops pass to and from the mills situated on the creek, and also designated that a space of twenty feet should be left clear between the timbers or stonework for "the conveniency" of rafts and logs passing to said mills.

As early as the 4th day of the Fourth month, 1690, a public highway had been laid out from Chester Creek to Chichester Creek, but it was along the bank in front of the Essex House, as the report filed shows :

" Wee of the Grand Jury doe Lay out A foot way of Six foot Wid att the Lest, begining att Chester Creek over againat the Comon Landing place, from thence upon a Strait Line over the Swamp of Robert Wades to the Corner of Robert Wades' pales, and so a long by the said palee and fence to a popeler and White Wallnot Standing by the said Robert Wades fence, and so to Remain & Longe the Syde way Accordingly, 86 it is already Marked and Cutt out unto Chichester."

The Queen's highway, which runs from Darby to Chester bridge, at Third Street, was not laid out until 1706, and it is stated that the bend in the road from the Lincoln Mills to Fifth Street, and then continued the highway direct along Market Street to Third, was due to the influence of Jasper Yeates, the course chosen bringing the road along part of his property and that belonging to the estate of his father-in-law, James Sandelands. The people of that day declared that "God and Nature intended the road to cross directly across the creek, but the Devil and Jasper Yeates took it where it was located."

The bridge was in course of construction late in the fall of 1708, for at the court held November 24th of that year, it was ordered "that 24 foot of Chester bridge at the east end and 42 foot at the west end be filled with wood and earth with all expedition." The county treasurer was directed to supply Henry Wor- ley and Henry Hollingsworth with money "out of the county stock" to pay for the work. " And it is further ordered, that James Hendrickson is to perform and finish all the carpenter work relating to taking up the planks and new railing the whole Bridge, and laying the planks where it wants as soon as the work is fit for it, for which he is to have five shillings per day, and his man, Richª Weaver, four shillings per day, finding themselves."

The bridge thus made must have been indifferently constructed, for on Jan. 7, 1709, the following agree- ment was made and spread at large on the record of the court:

" It is agreed on hy the justices and Jasper Yeates aforesaid, in man- ner following, viz .: That the bridge over Chester Creek, in the Town of Chester, be sufficiently and completely repaired in manner following, to wit: that the planke at the westerly end of said bridge be taken up 24 feet in length and the place be filled with earth, and those of the planke

that are sound and fit to be used to be to repair some other parts of the said bridge, and what new planke may be wanting for repairing said bridge ba procured two inches and a half thick, and good oak posts and rails and braces affixed on each side of said bridge, only making use of so many of the old rails that are good, which used to be placed at one end of the said bridge, and that it be so repaired as aforesaid, or what more the meo hereafter appointed overseers of the said work may think necessary to be done, he wholly completed and finished before the 15th day of April next.

" And the justices and Grand Jury aforesaid have and hereby do order and appoint Robt. Hodgson and Jos. Coburn to be overseers of the said work, and for to agree with some workmen to do the same within the time limited for which said work, when finished, do also for the said Roht. Hodgsou and Jos. Cobourn'e trouble in the premises, they are to he paid out of the county stock, and that the dangerous places in the said bridge, by reason of the holes and rotten planks, &c., he forthwith repaired for the present security."

At the court held Oct. 3, 1710, the following further reference to this bridge appears of record :

" Jasper Yeates, to prevent further debate with the county, allows the connty two ditches on each side tha causeway, on tha Westerly side of Chester Creek to enlarge the Road in breadth, making it 40, with which the Justices, Grand Jury, and Assessore, are satisfied and that is to de- termine all further dispute.

" It is further agreed on by the Justice, Grand Jury, and Assessors that Jos. Coburn do forthwith, as speedily as may be, repair the bridge and causeway at Chester creek, and remove the causeway on the East side of the creek straight with the street called James Street (now Third) and fraime it and make it wharf-like at the end of the bridge near low water-mark, aod twenty feet wide and thirty feet along the street, and make the causeway from the said wharf as far further a6 will make it good and easy passing and repassing for carts, etc., and he is to make the wharf and causeway of wood and fill in with good sound wood, and lay it over the top with gravel and earth, and that he keep an account of how many corde of wood he makes use of, all other charges which he may be at about the said work, and briog in his ac- count when he has done his work in order to be left to the judgmt of two men mutually chosen between the said Jos. Coburn, and the Justices, and so much money as the said two men Go as aforesaid chosen ehall allow him for the work that be his price, and also that he repair the causeway on the Westerly side the said Creek, and bring in his account to be allowed as aforesaid."

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History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Part 96

Author: Ashmead, Henry Graham, 1838-1920 Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L.H. Everts Number of Pages: 1150

Author: Ashmead, Henry Graham, 1838-1920
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L.H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1150