History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 75

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Pennsylvania > York County > History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended > Part 75

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afterward published by Lewis Smyser, J. Shelley Boyer, S. I. & M. S. Adams, A. H. Chase and H. S. McNair. At the time it ceased publication, it had nearly reached its one hundredth anniversary, and was always a highly prized journal.

Until the year 1808, there had not been two English papers published here at the same time. In the month of May, in that year, the first number of the Expositor was issued, a weekly paper printed and published every Thursday by Daniel Heckert and Daniel Updegraff. The Expositor was con- tinued until August, 1814, when both editors suddenly relinquished their employment, and went forth with signal patriotism to the field of fame and danger. After their re- turn from North Point, whither, with other "hearts of oak," they had marched as vol- unteers, they did not resume the publication of the Expositor. In August, 1810, a monthly literary periodical, the Village Museum, was started by P. Hardt, and con- tinued four years. The German Reformed Magazine, the organ of the theological seminary, was removed to York in 1828, and remained here until the removal of that institution.

In the year 1815, a new German paper entitled Der Union's Freund, was com- menced in York, the first number of which was issued on January 19, 1815, by Charles T. Melsheimer and James Lewis, at that time joint editors of the York Recorder. This paper was continued nearly two years. The last number of it was issued in October, 1816.

The publication of the York Gazette was commenced about May 18, 1815, it is sup- posed by William C. Harris, whose name ap- pears as publisher in No. 29, Vol. I. It was published every Thursday, at $2 per an- num, payable half-yearly in advance. "Advertisements, not exceeding a square, will be inserted twice for $1, and every subsequent insertion 25 cents; larger ones in proportion." The office was located in the main street, next door to the German Presbyterian Church. Copies of the paper now in the office commence with No. 9, Vol. I, dated Thursday, November 30, 1815, to April 11, 1816. The size of the paper was 20x16 inch- es, four columns to the page; column about fifteen inches in length. On April 1, 1816, the office was removed to South George Street, where Squire Haller kept his office, within a few doors of the court house. An omission here occurs in the file, which recommences Thursday, May 13, 1819, as No. 17, volume I, printed by King & Mallo -Adam King and Daniel Mallo-between

the court house and postoffice. This was the first number printed by the new firm. In the interval the paper had fallen into the hands of a successor to Hr. Harris, who died, and whose name is not given, but supposed to be W. M. Baxter. On Tuesday, April 11, 1820, it was announced that "the printing office of the York Gazette will be removed this week to the house of James Loyd, between Judge Baritz's and Presbyterian Church (Zion's Re- formed), and opposite John Eichelberger's tavern in Main Street, west of the court house." The number for April 18, 1820, we find to be Vol. III, published by King & Ab- bott. Mr. Abbott succeeded Mr. Mallo in the proprietorship. The file leaves off at May 21, and recommences May 6, 1823. May 4, 1824, the partnership of King & Abbott was dissolved, and King & Welsh- Henry Welsh-assumed proprietorship. On September 18, 1827, the office was removed to southwest corner Main and Beaver Streets. King & Welsh dissolved partnership April 7, 1829, when Mr. Welsh was succeeded by George A. Barnitz. Tuesday, August 7, 1823, the size was increased to 203x30 inches- six columns to a page. In April, 1833, the office was removed to the north side of Main Street, a few doors below the York Bank. King & Barnitz dissolved partnership April 1, 1835, Mr. Barnitz re- tiring. He was succeeded by Adam J. Gloss- brenner. Adam King died May 6, 1835, and was succeeded by David Small, one of the present proprietors, in April, 1836. In September, 1835, the office was removed to the west side of North Beaver Street, op- posite Duncan's Hotel. In April, 1836, it was removed to the east side of North Beaver Street, a few doors north of White Hall. It appeared in enlarged form May 31, 1836, size, twenty-one and one-half by thirty-five inches. Another removal took place during the week between the 10th and 16th of No- vember, 1847, to East Main Street, in the building of Charles Weiser (now Lehmay- er's). April 1, 1858, the sole proprietorship passed into the hands of David Small, who disposed of a half interest April 1, 1858, to William H. Welsh, son of Henry Welsh, one of the former proprietors. August 3, 1858, the paper was enlarged to 262x39} eight columns to the page. William H. Welsh was succeeded by his brother, John B. Welsh, early in the year 1862, and with David Small constituted the firm of Small & Welsh, the present proprietors. Owing to the high price of paper during the Rebellion, the size of the Gazette was, on January 13, 1863, reduced to 233x38 but was restored to

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its former size January 26, 1864. The of- fice was removed to Jordan's building north- west angle of Centre Square, July 25, 1865, its present location. Its office machinery and variety of printing material are'unexcelled. The Gazette, now the oldest paper in York County, is substantial, conservative and re- liable, three very essential requisites to en- lightened journalism. The files of this paper from 1815 to date, have been of inesti- mable valne to the author of this article in the preparation of many topics found in this work. The proprietors will, therefore, accept our grateful acknowledgements for the generous courtesy extended to us.

Die Evangelical Zeitung, edited by Rev. John H. Dreyer, began in 1828. It lasted two years. In 1830, the Harbinger, an English paper, which originated in Shrews- bury, this county, was removed to York by its editor, William C. Smyth. It existed for a number of years.

The York County Farmer first appeared in December, 1831. It was printed in the English language, and edited by A. J. Gloss- brenner. It was discontinued at the end of the second year.

An agricultural paper was published in Lewisberry during the year 1835, and a Ger- man paper existed for two years in the vil- lage of Jefferson, beginning in 1834.

The Democratic Press was established in June, 1838, by an association of gentlemen for the purpose of opposing the erection of the court house upon its present site. Court had previously been held in the old court house in Center Square in which Continental Congress held its session for nine months of 1777 and 1778, after being driven out of Philadelphia by the approach of the British Army during the Revolution. The demoli- tion of the old court house was an act of vandalism, and was so considered by this en- terprising journal. The Press was started under the editorial control of Thomas Loyd, who was quite an able writer, but unfortu- nately it only remained under his charge six months, in consequence of a misunderstand- ing among its stockholders, on account of his strong opposition to Charles A. Barnitz, the Whig candidate for Congress that year. Mr. Loyd not being permitted to take as strong sides for the Democratic candidate as he desired, withdrew from the editorship. The paper remained under the control of the stockholders, with Dr. T. N. Haller as its chief, until June, 1839, when Samuel Wehrly (now in the Government printing office at Washington)and the present proprietor, Oliver Stuck, became its owners, and for a year or

more thereafter, the late Albert C. Ramsay was its editor. It was published by Wehrly and Stuck until March, 1845, when Mr. Wehrly disposed of his interest to F. E. Bailey, who died a few weeks after. In April following, D. F. Williams, now deceased, purchased Mr. Bailey's interest. The paper was then published by Williams & Stuck, until October 1855, when the pres- ent owner purchased Mr. Williams' interest and it has ever since been printed and pub- lished under his immediate control and sup- ervision. The mechanical department of the establishment, when Mr. Stuck became the sole owner, contained a double medium hand press, with 500 or 600 pounds of brevier and long primer type and a few fonts of wood and metal job type, with a small subscription list. Since that time the office has prospered and increased from a limited supply of material to a large and influential journal and an office equipped with modern steam presses for newspaper and job work.

The York Pennsylvania, a paper very popular with its readers, was started in 1851, in a building located on the corner of Market and Duke Streets, where it continued to be published until 1867, when the office was removed to its present place one door east of court house on East Market Street. The orig- inal proprietors were Frey & Hunter. The last named gentlemau retired in 1853, and Samuel. Wehrly purchased his interest and remained a part of the firm for three years, when D. A. Frey became sole proprietor and continued its publication very successfully. In 1881, his son, V. R. Frey became a part- ner, and the paper is now published under the firm name of D. A. Frey & Son. The office is supplied with a Hoe power press and Washington hand press and a Gordon quarter medium, latest improved job press. The size of the paper is 25x363 inches. It

is published weekly; is independent in politics, and contains a great variety of local and general news. The price originally was $1.50 per annum, which was reduced to $1 per annum in the year 1884. The Pennsylvania has a number of well- trained correspondents to its local columns.

The York Advocate was an ardent Whig paper, edited and published by Christopher Stair. It continued several years and was an ably edited journal.

The American Eagle, a lively and interest- ing paper, was started in 1856, by Henry F. Thomas. It was an advocate of what was then known as the American party.

The True Democrat, a paper of strong Re- publican principles, which soon became a

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prominent and influential journal in York County, was started during the civil war, as an ardent advocate in support of the im- periled government. The first number of this paper was issued on June 7, 1864, the same day that Abraham Lincoln was renomi- nated for president of the United States by the National Republican Convention, which then convened in the city of Baltimore. It was at first issued by a stock company with Hiram Young as editor. There were at first about twenty employes. Its circulation in- creased very rapidly, and at one time num- bered 3,500 regular subscribers. It was started in the McGrath Building on South George Street, where it. remained until 1867, when it was desired by the proprietors to in- troduce steam as a motor. This was an im- portant event in the history of journalism, it being the first paper printed by steam in York, The office ever since the removal has been at No. 10, East Market Street, York. A few years ago the name was changed to the Weekly Dispatch.

The first number of the York Daily made its appearance on October 5, 1870, nnder the management of J. L. Shaw, C. H. Glass- myer and A. P. Burchell, all of whom were strangers in York. It was printed in a Columbia office, and brought to York on the morning trains. Its original size was 14x21 inches. The business office was in Capt. Solomon Myer's building, No. 304, west Market Street. After a few weeks' existence Rev. J. C. Smith, a highly respected clergy - man of York, and F. B. Raber, coal merchant, each having a son who was a practical printer, purchased printing material and placed it in the hands of the original firm, with the condition that their sons, John C. Smith and Lewis B. Raber become partners in the business. The arrangement ceased on ac- count of the expenses exceeding the income, when Isaac Rudisill, in connection with Raber & Smith, by reducing the size of the paper, continued its publication. Its size after reduction was 15x22 inches. Under this management the press-work was done in the office of the American Lutheran. The paper was enlarged to 18x26 inches and its circula- tion began to increase. John B. Welsh of the Gazette purchased a one-half interest in it, April 24, 1871, and during the following June became sole proprietor, with Isaac Rudisill as local editor. In September, 1871, the office was removed to No. 3, South Beaver Street, where it remained until April, 1874, when it was removed to No. 4, North Beaver Street. During this time new machinery and material were purchased, and associated

press news received. On September 4, 1876, the Daily was sold to Isaac Rudisill, John H. Gibson and A. P. Moul, who formed a copartnership in its publication. All of them were at the time employes in the office. April 21, 1877, the paper was enlarged and greatly improved. The Daily had long before be- come a necessity in York, even though for a time during its early history it struggled for an existence. In 1881 it was moved to its present place opposite the court house. On January 26, 1882, it was purchased by its present proprietors. E. W. Spangler, John B. Moore and S. C. Frey. In February of the same year it was increased in size, being then made a sheet of 25x36 inches. During the following July the price was changed from $3 to $4 per annum, and a more com- plete supply of associated press dispatches received. It thus became one of the largest and newsiest of inland dailies. April 1, 1885, the issue of a twenty-page paper from this office was considered a marvel of enter- prise. The large finely equipped office is now located opposite the court house. This paper is independent in politics and the only morning paper published in York. The town of York is justly proud of so enterpris- ing a daily journal. Its news is eagerly read by a large number of subscribers. The York Weekly, issued from the same office, was started in 1876, as a quarto sheet, 26x36 inches in size. When the Daily was pur -. chased by the present owners it was included. It was enlarged to a six-page paper, and on October 19, 1883, the form was changed and it was made an eight page paper on a sheet 31x43 inches.

The Evening Telegram, edited and pub- lished by George R. Prowell, from Oc- tober, 1873, to June, 1875, was the first paper in York County to be connected with the associated press, and regularly receive the telegraphic news. Thirty dollars a week were regularly paid for dispatches. This was a new era in the history of journalism in the county. The paper ceased publication at a time when nearly all the industrial estab- lishments in York had temporarily closed on account of the financial depression.

The Teacher's Journal is a valuable month- ly Sunday-school periodical, established in York in 1874, and is still edited and pub- lished by Rev. P. Anstadt. It now contains thirty-two pages, price 50 cents per year. The Lesson Quarterly was started by the same gentleman in 1875. It contains twen- ty-two pages, price 12 cents per year. The Primary Leaf, published monthly at 6 cents a year, and the Children's Guide, an illus-

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trated monthly, price 25 cents a year, was started by the same authors in 1884. In 1885 Rev. Anstadt published a book of 360 pages entitled "Practical Sermons and Ad- dresses, " by Rev. A. H. Lochman, D. D.

The Evening Dispatch was established by Hiram Young on May 29, 1876, the same month the great centennial exhibition of Philadelphia opened. The proprietor having had long experience in publishing a success- ful weekly paper soon made his new daily paper an influential journal. For neatness of topography and excellence of mechanical execution it has received the most favorable comment in the columns of other journals and from its many patrons. It is also fre- quently commended for the excellent selec- tions, and for the variety of its news. When the paper started a limited amount of press dispatches was obtained. In November, 1883, the United Press leased from the lead- ing telegraph companies a wire for the transmission of newspaper dispatches, where- upon Mr. Young then introduced one of these wires into the Dispatch office, and on May 14, 1885, to better protect himself and receive more extended telegraphic reports daily, he became a member of the United Press and secured exclusive franchise for receiving the news from this association for an evening paper in York, thus giving the Dispatch prestige as a prominent and lead- ing journal. Its ninth anniversary was celebrated May 29, 1885, by issuing a twenty- page paper containing a great variety of interesting reading matter.

The Commercial Monthly was edited by H. M. Crider, and existed for a year or two. The Record, a daily paper, was published by S. H. Spangler for nine months during the centennial year. It was ably edited by the well known poet, E. Norman Gunnison. The Missionary Journal is now printed in the Daily office.

The Age, a vigorous and enterprising Democratic daily paper was started January 24, 1883, by its present editor and proprietor, Edward Stuck, son of Oliver Stuck. of the Press, in which office it is published. Mr. Stuck had just returned to York from the position of editor of the Derrick, a daily paper published at Oil City, Penn., for the purpose of establishing a Democratic daily organ in York, which he has since managed with undoubted enterprise and skill. It was a morning journal from January to May, 1883, since which time it has been published in the afternoon. The first year of its history it was a six-column paper, twenty-one inches in length. On January 24, 1884, it

was enlarged to a seven-column paper. It contains a great variety of telegraphic, gen- eral, and local news.

The Fountain, an interesting and popular illustrated monthly, widely used for supple- mentary reading in schools, is issued monthly during ten months of the year, and edited by W. H. Shelley, superintendent of the public schools of York, and printed at the office of the York Gazette. It was started in September, 1883, price 50 cents per year.

HANOVER JOURNALISM.

The first paper published in Hanover was started in April, 1797, by Stellingius & Lep- per, and was called Die Pennsylvanische Wochinschrift, printed in German. It sus- pended publication in February, 1805. April 4, of the same year, Daniel P. Lange, an intelligent German, and J. P. Stark commenced to issue the Hanover Gazette, a German paper. The type was purchased at York, having been used in publishing a paper that had been discontinued. The partnership of Lange & Stark continued un- til 1816, when Mr. Lange alone continued the publication of the paper regularly until 1842, and from that year to 1846, Augustus Schwartz was associated with him. From 1846 to 1850, Mr. Lange again conducted the Gazette alone, and afterward sold it to Gutelius & Swartz. The first named gentle- man was pastor of the Reformed Church of Hanover, who sold his interest to V. S. Eckert in 1852, and soon after, T. S. Eckert purchased Mr. Schwartz's interest. At the opening of the civil war in 1860, the Gazette changed from a Democratic to a Republican paper; George E. Sherwood, of York, was for a time its editor. It ceased publication in 1864, after an existence of sixty years.

Another German paper was started in 1809, and continued only one year. In August, 1818, Rev. Jacob H. Wiestling, pastor of the Reformed Church, issued the first English paper published in Hanover. Its name was the Guardian. In 1819, he sold it to Joseph Schmuck, father of Henry M. Schmuck, now president of the First National Bank of Hanover and lumber merchant. Joseph Schmuck owned one of the old time Franklin presses. One day, while printing his paper, he over-exerted himself working at the press, burst a blood vessel, and died from the re- sult at the age of thirty-three years. Will- iam D. Gobrecht purchased the paper in 1824. It discontinned in 1825, and soon after the Hanoverian, another English paper, took its place, and was published several years. In 1824, Joseph Schmuck and Dr.

Yours Truly

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Peter Mueller began the publication of the Intelligenceblatt. It was soon removed to Adams County.

In 1835 another English paper, the Herald, was started by George Frysinger, and in 1839, was purchased by J. S. Gitt, and in 1840, by Grumbine & Bart. It suspended in 1840,

The Democrat, an English paper, was founded in 1841; in 1844, its name changed to the Planet and Weekly News, when it was purchased by Senary Leader, of Baltimore, Md., who had previously founded the Bed- ford, Penn., Enquirer. He changed the name of the paper to the Hanover Spectator. He died March 20, 1858, and his widow, Mrs. M. Leader, became the publisher, and F. M. Baughman, of Baltimore, the editor, who con- tinued until 1860. Mrs. Leader conducted the paper until her death in 1875, and since then the Spectator has been owned by W. H. & E. J. Leader. It is a large nine col- umn folio, Republican in politics, and now the oldest paper in Hanover. It is printed on a power press. The office is supplied with a large variety of type and machinery.

Rev. A. Rudisill, now of York, for several years published the Monthly Friend, begin- ning in 1843. The Regulator, started by J. S. Gitt, in 1848, existed two years. From 1850 to 1861, the English Gazette was pub- lished by Swartz & Eckert. It discontinued.

The Journal, the Visitor, the Locomotive and General Advertiser, were other papers that had a short existence. The Hanover Citizen was established in 1861. During that year, George W. Welsh and Joseph Del- lone purchased the York County Democrat, a German paper, then published in Hanover, by Swartz & Bart, and changed its name to the Hanover Citizen and York County Dem- ocrat. The first number of the English Citi. zen appeared January 31, 1861, with F. M. Baughman as editor, and Welsh & Dellone, proprietors. Since that time there has always been an English and German paper pub- lished at this office. The editorial manage- ment of the papers was assumed by the own- ers, February 26, 1863. William Heltzel purchased both papers November 9, 1865, and in December of that year, he sold the one- half interest in the two papers to William Von Monikovski, who took charge of the German department of the office, and so con- tinued until his death, April 25, 1868, when Mr. Heltzel again took charge of both papers. William J. Metzler became an equal partner in the business, March 16, 1869, and sold his interest to A. P. Bange, October 19, 1871, who conducted the German edition till his

death, May 4, 1875. Mr. Heltzel again assumed charge of both papers, and published them until June 29, 1879, when, on account of ill-health, he sold the office to Barton K. Knode, the present proprietor. The size of the English paper is 24x36 inches, and the German paper 22x30 inches. They are both Democratic in politics, and are prominent and influential journals. The office is supplied with an excellent selection of job type and all varieties of printing material and machin- ery.

In June, 1872, the present Hanover Herald was started by M. O. Smith, of York, and P. H. Bittinger, of Hanover. Mr. Smith had founded the Glen Rock Item in 1870, and sold his interest in that paper to his partner, N. Z. Seitz, to come to Hanover and establish the Herald. The new paper was independent in politics, a seven-column folio in size, printed on a hand press. The growth of the business demanded improved facilities and a power printing press. The first used in Han- over was purchased in 1876, when the paper was also enlarged to eight columns, or 28x42 inches. By 1881 the increase in circulation rendered necessary the introduction of steam- power, the Herald being the only paper printed by steam-power in the town. The firm of Smith & Bittinger was dissolved April 7, 1885, Mr. Bittinger retiring. In his announcement Mr. Smith stated that of the 667 numbers of the Herald, issued in the thirteen years up to that date, not more than three of them were published without his own immediate supervision.

The Delta Herald is a four page, seven- column weekly published at Delta, this county. It was started September 1, 1878, as the Weekly Herald by N. W. Boyd, of Peach Bottom. In April, 1879, R. L. Keisling, of the same township, became a partner in its publication, and in June following was sole proprietor. S. J. Barnett, the present editor and proprietor, March 2, 1880, became associated in the business, soon after pur- chased Mr. Keisling's interest and assumed entire charge, under the name of the "Herald Publishing Company." The Herald has ever been devoted to the highest interests of the people of the section in which it is pub- lished, and especially of the Peach Bottom roofing slate interests, located near Delta. It is also a persistent advocate of the temper- ance cause. The paper receives a generous support from the appreciative public.

The Delta Times, a weekly journal, was published for a year or more by J. T. Craw- ford, before the Herald started.

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History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended, Part 75

Author: Gibson, John, Editor Publication date: 1886 Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Gibson, John, Editor
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: F.A. Battey Publishing Co., Chicago
Number of Pages: 1104