USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical > Part 90
USA > Pennsylvania > Lebanon County > History of the counties of Dauphin and Lebanon : in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania ; biographical and genealogical > Part 90
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350
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
The first issue of the paper was made from a house . have been able to discover, copies of it treated every "adjoining the register's office, Harrisburg." That other subject at large except agriculture. Its original effusions were very brief and do not exhibit shining ability. Mr. John L. Lingle has a complete tile of this paper in excellent preservation. There are a few numbers of it in the collection of the Dauphin County Historical Society. office was then at the northwest corner of Second and Walnut Streets, " near Bombach's tavern." The printers soon removed to " Mulberry Steet, opposite the residence of Adamn Boyd, Esq., near the bank," where the po-t-office was also kept; then to the northeast corner of the Market Square and Market Street, where it was published as long as it survived. When this paper was commenced the territory of Dauphin County included all of the present Lebanon. up to the year 1819. It was edited with great prudence, and without any attempt at brillianey.
Messrs. Allen & Wyeth had a well-furnished print- ing-office of English and German type, and printed and published before 1803, neatly bound, price three shillings, " Reflections on Courtship and Marriage. in Two Letters to a Friend." This work is in clean print. on dark paper. from excellent type, with the addi- tional recommendation to a bibliopolist of careful proof-reading and ink of a character far superior to that of the present day. Binney & Ronaldson cast the type.
Die Unparteiische Harrisburgh ( Morgenrothe) Zeit- ung was the imposing title of the first German news- paper published in Dauphin County. Its initial issue was March 1, 1794, its printers Benjamin Mayer and Conrad Fahne-tock, its politics Democratic, and for a number of years its proprietor- were the leading poli- ticians of the county; the subscription price one dollar a year, single copies " ein cent," perhaps the very first penny paper in the United States. It was continued by Benjamin Mayer a. Die Morgenrothe until 1811. Mr. Mayer resided in a house ou the southeast corner of Chestnut Street and Dewberry Alley, where the paper was printed. It afforded a handsome living to its owners for several years, but. a> tradition has it, they, like all politicians of that day, expended the income a shade more rapidly than they made it, and so came to griet in a pecuniary way. The senior partner died a poor man. Mr. Fahne- stoek removed from Harrisburg to Mildletown, where he engaged in merchandising and there died. In 1811, John 8. Wiestling, who had been taught his trade in the office, purchased the establishment. Soon after he had associated with him Christian Gleim, "a young man from Lebanontown." They carried on the business several years. Mr. Gleim was afterwards sheriff of this county, while Mr. Wiestling ended his career as an iron manufacturer. Files of the earlier years of this paper are in the possession of the State Library and Dr. Egle, subsequent years John L. Lingle and Gen. Cameron. It is probable the later volumes are in the possession of some of the descendants of the various editors. The regular publication ended about 1833, making its age quite forty years.
The Dauphin Guardian, " from the press of Jacob Elder, in Second Street, next door to the sign of the Seven Stars," commenced in June, 1805, and con- tinued for five or six years. Mr. Elder was one of the numerous grandsons of the Rev. John Elder, of Pax- tang. The files, so far as preserved, give greater attention to local occurrences than its cotemporaries, at present a most important and interesting depart- ment of editorial labor. Several volumes of the Guardian are in the State Library, and also in the possession of Dr. Egle. Mr. Elder died at a compar- atively early age about 1816. His paper was merged in the Republican in 1811.
The Times, "printed by David Wright," issued Sept. 21. 1807. Perfeet copies of it to the time of its discontinuance, in 1810, are in the State Library. It was soon after removed to and issued at Lancaster, the then seat of government. Its editor was Hugh Hamilton, then a young lawyer just admitted to the bar of Dauphin County, and he continued hi- edito- rial labors for nearly thirty years after this time.
The Harrisburg Republican was issued by James Peacock in lell, and published by him for ten or twelve years, when Mr. Peacock was appointed post- master. The paper then passed into other hands, subsequently merged into the Intelligencer. If a com- plete_file of it exists, it is in the collection of Gibson Peacock, of Philadelphia. The senior Peacock pub- lished his paper when the politics of Pennsylvania partook of whatever element of savageness was nec- essary to make it exciting and an editor's life uncom- fortable. He survived it all, and to a good old age. departing this life in the esteem of his fellow-citizens. regretted by the very large cirele who had partaken of his liberal hospitality and enjoyed the pleasure of his conversation. The Republicun was a continuance of the Guardian, Mr. Peacock having purchased that paper and its good will, by the aid of John Downey and Jacob Boas, both men of importance in the then village. As it came out in subsequent political qual- bles, Downey and Boas became irreconcilable enemies on account of a personal quarrel of the latter with Gloninger, of Lebanon, a standard friend of Downey. Governor Snyder having married the sister of Mr. Peacock's wife, was always ready to sustain his friend and relative, and the Republican was soon looked upon as the organ of Snyder and his cabinet. Yet the editor, practical printer as he was, at last became ! quite as important a factor in the political and social life of Pennsylvania as those who "patronized" him in his early years. He deserved to be, for he was a
The Farmers' Instructor und Harrisburg Courant, published by Benjamin Mayer, was i-sued Jan. 2, 1800, first a folio, then in quarto, and, so far as we ! courteous and upright gentleman.
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351
CITY OF HARRISBURG.
The Chronicle or Harrisburg Visitor. first issued May 8, 1813, " by William Gillmor, next door to Dr. Agnew's, and one door from the post-office, on Walnut Street." In 1815, Hugh Hamilton came in as partner andits editor. In 1820, Mr. Gillmor retired, and llugh Mellwaine took his place. Soon the whole establish- ment came into the hands of Mr. Hamilton, and it was continued under his control and that of his son, A. Boyd Hamilton, until 1836, when it passed by pur- chase to Jesse R. Burden, Charles B. Penrose, and Nicholas Biddle, and Mr. Guyer became the editor. It was continued with varying suces until 1842. when its publication ceased. Copt. Mellwaine was a popil of William Duane. a carefully-trained workman and rigid instructor, as the late Chief Justice James Thompson would testify if he were alive. The tech- nical lessons he received under Mellwaine on the Chronicle, after his imperfect training in a Western printing-office, he always said, " were the making of him," greatly assisting him in that system of detail which made him a " figure in the State." Mellwaine was a sergeant in Walker's company in it- march to Baltimore, and was noted for the manner and care with which he performed hi- duties. It was the first paper to report "legislative proceedings" with full- ness at the seat of government, and to give to its readers semi-weekly edition- during the sessions of the General Assembly. A complete file of it is in the State Library. It was the organ of Governor Hiester and his cabinet as much as the Republicen had been that of Snyder and his friends. Much of the corre- spondence respecting the course proper to be pur-ued by Governor Hiester is preserved. It shows how much anxiety was felt about it, and also that the po- litieal bistory of 1819-20 resembles that of to-day, retieence being the distinguishing feature. Deei-ions were not announced then before they were published.
The Commonwealth, by John McFarland and Wil- liam Greer, commenced in 1818, printed at Third and State Street-, and continued without succe -- for four or five year -. No file of it is known to be in exist- enee.
political opinion which had been led by the Intelli- geneer refused to follow. Then Gen. Cameron with happy fortune sold to Judge Krause, who carried on a stont contest with the Jacksonians until 1828. Samuel C. Stambaugh, printing the Free Press at Lancaster, which he had commenced in ISIS, then came upon the exciting scene. The Press had shown his ability, notwithstanding its careless make-up. and soon took rank as one of the brightest, most reckless and successful of newspapers. Stambaugh was an energetic, hard-healed, positive sort of man. He issued proposals for a new paper, to be called The Pennsylvania Reporter, at the same time offering to buy out the Intelligencer. It was accepted, and its career ceased, but only for a short time, for as soon as Governor Shulze and the men about him couldl pre- pare it was reissued by John S. Wie-tling. He thus became the owner of the two leading newspaper-, English and German. He had a "gay and festive" following, a liberal support, was on the road to fortune, when he was tempted to "sell out to David Krause and George P. Wiestling." Mr. Wie-tling was an enterprising gentleman and respected citizen. For a long while he had his office in Second Street above Locu-t, now Dr. DeWitt's: then in Market Street, north side, near River Alley ; then opposite the court- house, now Mr. Gilbert's. The career of the Intelli- gencer finished under the management of Mr. Colin McCurdy.
Der Unabhaengige Beobachter, a German weekly, commeneed by William White & Co., May 22, 1822. It was continued for eight or ten years with varying success, under several able editors, among others the Rev. Dr. E. W. Hutter. Of all its numerou- editors Capt. Jacob Babb alone survive -. It was commenced as the German organ of Governor Hiester's friends, and was a trusted organ in Jacksonian days.
The American Patriot was issued in 1812 and 1813. with Alexander Hamilton as editor. We have never met with but one copy of this venture. Its life was nearly two years.
The Ladies' Souvenir, by George E. Ludwig, issued July 21, 1827. It was published for about six months. a pleasant and cheerful quarto, but politics was then the absorbing theme, and its proprietor was wise enough to retire in time. A complete file of this paper is in the collection of A. Boyd Hamilton.
The Pennsylvania Intelligencer, Dec. 5. 1820, by Charle- Mowry. In 1822. Simon Cameron came in as partner; in a few years Cameron and David Kranse, then John S. Wiestling, then MIcCurdy, Elliott, and many others until about 1838. The family of Mr. Mowry should have a set of the paper, The Farmers' and Mechanics' Journal, by John S. Wiestling, issued Aug. 12, 1827, and continued to Dec. 15, 1827, when it merged in the Intelligencer. with the title Pennsylvania Intelligencer and Farmers' and Mechanics' Journal. Mr. Cameron also up to the time he ceased to be connected with it. There are several volumes in the State Library. This newspaper had its existence in a lively political season. Its original editor and some of his successors were masters of trenchant pens, The Pennsylvanian. by Christian Gleim. in 1824. This paper had a short life. No file of it is known to exist. of which they made warlike use, and many a man abo:it Harrisburg will detail the lively expectation with which the weekly issues of this and its awago- The Christian Monitor, a weekly religious paper, by John M. Keagy, M.D., in January, 1826. Only one nist, the Chronicle, were looked for by their sub- scribers. When the political complications arose re- or two numbers were issued, so far as can be ascer- specting a successor to Mr. Monroe, that portion of : tained.
352
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
The Harrisburg Argus, of 1827, was published by Francis Wyeth. Some fifteen years after this another Argus was published by Valentine Best, senator from Columbia County in the State Legislature. A file of this paper nearly perfect is known. Its career was briet.
Pennsylvania Statesman, by John McCord, in May, 1828. This paper had entered upon its fourth year when, as narrated subsequently, it was merged into the Telegraph. A file is in the possession of Dr. Egle. Press.
The Pennsylvania Telegraph was started by Theophi- lus Fenn in September, 1831. The following ex- traets from a letter of the founder will be of interest, and inform the curious how the paper came to be issued by Mr. Fenn fifty years ago:
" In the winter of 1831, when I was living at Lan- easter and publishing the Herald, which I had estab- lished in 1828, I received numerous letter- irom gen- tlemen of influence in many parts of the State urging me to establish a paper at Harrisburg, saying that without an organ at the seat of government, to advo- cate the principles that I supported, the party could not become organized over the State. I was opposed to the undertaking, as I had succeeded in securing a large cireulation for my paper and a large jobbing patronage, with my party also largely in the majority. My business being prosperous and promising. I per- emptorily declined and urged that some one else be selected. . . . I sold my establishment in April, 1831. I soon after issued my prospectus for the Pennsylvania Telegraph, which I purposed to commence in the fol- lowing fall, before the meeting of the Legislature in December. I also visited Harrisburg about the close of the session of the Legislature. and while there was called upon by John MeCord, who proposed to sell me the Statesman, a newspaper which he had started there a year or two before; but I declined to pur- chase. . . . I closed with Mr. McCord by paying him three thousand dollar> down for the Statesman and seven hundred dollars to continue its publication under his own name and editorship until I should take possession of the office in September following, thus giving me time to settle up my business at Lin- easter. As arranged. I came to Harrisburg in Sep- tember and took possession of the office of the States- man. . . . I issued the first number of the Telegraph in September, 1831. Neither Mr. McCord nor any other person but myself wrote one line of that nun- ber, nor did he ever write a line for the paper while I conducted it, which was until November, 1-53. when it was sold to John J. Patterson. ... I found les- than three hundred regular subscribers to the States- man. But being encouraged by the large receipt of subscribers over the State and the letters from politi- cal friend -. I pocketed the disappointment and tossed the lo-x behind me and went ahead. well knowing the unrelenting hostility and desperate encounter
that was before me. I spent twenty-two years of un- paid toil, the prime of my life, in conducting the Telegraph, and made every sacrifice in my power to build up the party, without receiving the benefit of office or even the acknowledgment of those who ob- tained the ' loaves and fishes' that were due for my services."
Asstated, Mr. Fenu sold to John J. Patterson, who had a short time previous purchased the Whig Mate Journal of John J. Clyde, the Telegraph of course Mr. McCord had formerly edited the Elkton, Md., absorbing the latter newspaper. A few months after
Mr. Patter-on -old one-third of the establishment to Stephen Miller and another one-third to John J. Clyde. The year following Patterson sold the re- maining interest to Mr. Miller and retired from the editorial arena. In 1856, prior to the opening of the Presidential campaign, Mes-rs. Miller and Clyde -old the establishment to Alexander K. MeClure and James M. Sellers. The former had just retired fr .m the Juniata Sentinel, the Telegraph affording a wider politieal feld for his trenchant pen. In 1857 the paper passed into the hands of the late George Berg- ner. and became a financial success. From the death of Mr. Bergner until the present year his son, Charles Il. Bergner, has had complete control of the estab- lishment. It is now owned and managed by the Harrisburg Telegraph Company. Many of the sets of its files were destroyed in a fire some years ago. The State Library has as nearly a perfect file as can be found ; indeed, it is very nearly complete.
Vaterlands Waechter, commenced in 1829 by Joseph Miller, was purchased by Samuel Kling in 1832, and at his death, June 5, 1836, pa -- ed into the hands of Joseph Ehrenfried, of Lancaster. with whom Mr. Kling had learned the art of printing, and subse- quently to the control of the late George Bergner, who continued its publication until his death. Uu- der the same name it was continued by Frederick C. A. Scheffer, who in 1876 changed it to the Dauphin County Journal. Since Mr. Scheffer's death the news- paper has been published by Dr. J. R. Hayes.
The Gospel Publisher, the organ of the " Church of God," was i-sued under the auspices of this religious body June 5. 1535, edited by the Rev. John Wine- brenner. Afterwards it had many editors,-Me-Is. Weishampel, McCartney. Mackey, etc. According to the history of this paper, by the late Dr. George Ross, of Lebanon, the money loss to the church in the first decade of its existence was nearly tive thousand dol- lars. It was discontinued for. some years, but subse- quently revived, and under its change of name, The Church Idrocute, has been a financial success. We believe a complete file is in po-session of the family of Dr. Ross, in Lebanon.
The Republican and Anti-Maxmia Inquirer was com- theneed in 1833 by Francis Wyeth, former editor of the Oracle. It was continued to a fourth volume. when its publication ceased. It had a considerable eirenlation in Dauphin, Lebanon, and Cumberland
353
CITY OF HARRISBURG.
Counties, I do not know of any complete set of its issues. Its editors, private and public. wore Samuel Shoch, George W. Harri-, and Francis Wyeth, a -- isted by a knot of young lawyer with more brains than business. They made a bright paper of it ; but no amount of capacity could render permanent a publi- ration founded upon so narrow a plank as opposition to secret societies ; in particular that of Masonry, em- bracing as it did then and now nearly the whole body of publie men and professional politicians.
Fron Grey, by John H. Cox, in 1838. A file exists. The Plough Boy, by - Rutter. in 1838. No file known.
Pennsylvania Bulletin, in 1839, by Shunk & Weidler. This was a short-lived publication, a partial nle of which is known.
Der Stats Bothe. by Edwin W. Hutter and Samuel S. Bigler, in 1839. It is presumed that full files of this paper exist.
The Magician, by E. W. Hutter and J. J. Cantine, in 1839, a file of which has probably not been pre- served.
Log Cabin Rifle, by Henry Montgomery, a cam- paign paper, 1840, in favor of "Tippecanoe and Tyler too."
The Yeoman, by E. W. IFutter and S. S. Bigler. in 1841. A file of this paper is known:
The Watchman, by James S. Wallace, in Ist1. No file known.
The Signal, John S. Steck, in 1541. No file known.
Harrisburg _tryus, by Valentine Best, in 1843. A file known.
The Commonwealth, by William Lewis, in 1348. No file.
The Penny Advocate, by Cherriek Westbrook, in 1843. The first number was issued July 15, 1843, from " No. 68 Market Street, basement -tory." It was a small quarto and published every Wednesday and Saturday evening, at one dollar and fifty cents a year. The terms of advertising was " a penny a line for each insertion." The _ideertiser reached twenty- two numbers, a file of which i, in the possession of Mr. Westbrook.
The year 1843 was prolific of new enterprises, as the Oracle and all its suecc-sors, save one or two, had ceased to be published.
The Champion, a campaign paper of 18H, pub- lisbed by Augustus Sprigman. It was conducted with remarkable vigor in favor of Shunk as again-t Muhlenberg.
Whiy Bugle, by Colin McCurdy, a campaign paper in favor of Gen. Taylor for President, 1313.
Crystal Fountain, in 1-56, by John J. Clyde. The organ of the then great temperance movement in the State. It was continued for several years.
The American was established by John .I. Clyde in 1856 in connection with his daily newspaper,-The Herald.
The rise and progress, the generation and succes- 23
sion of the Pennsylvania Reporter embraces so much that an endeavor to combine its history from 1827 to the present has been made. It was issued in a time of great political excitement, November, 1827, by Samuel C. Stambaugh, and in its history is the story ot many other ventures. It has been continned by a crowd of able editors. The whole is now merged in the Itriot, published by a company, and of necessity without a "fighting editor," as was always the case before 1856. About that period editors began to be impersonal. In the good old times courageous per- sonality, not ability, often made a popular new-paper editor.
Mr. William D. Boas gives us the following mem- oranda :
" November, 1827. The Pennsylvania Intelligencer was purchased and suspended. Samuel C. Stain- baugh then established the Pennsylvania Reporter and Democratie Herald.
" March, 1829. Mr. Simon Cameron, who was a silent partner of Mr. Stambaugh up to that time, withdrew from the paper, and Stambaugh formed a connection with Mr. Henry Welsh, at that time one of the editors of the York Gazette, and Hon. Jesse Miller, of the State Senate. The paper was after- wards published under the firm of Stambaugh, Welsh & Co.
" In 1829, Mr. Stambaugh withdrew from the paper, which was afterwards published by Henry Welsh and Jesse Miller, under the firm of Welsh & Miller.
" December, 1830. Jesse Miller withdrew from the paper, leaving Mr. Welsh sole proprietor and editor. " May, 1834. Henry Welsh formed a partnership with Samuel D. Patterson, who afterwards published the paper under the firm of Welsh & Patterson, and added to the title Democratic Herald."
The Reporter was greatly enlarged and improved in December of this year, and continned to be edited with vigor and success. In the following spring Mr. Welsh disposed of his interest to his brother-in-law, Mr. David Small. It is unnecessary to write that both retired in comfortable circumstances.
The Democratic Satte Journal was started March 23, 1832, by Geo. W. Crabb & O. Barrett,-" office near the south end of the court-house." It had a brief but stormy existence, and in the number for Jan. 12, 1836. Crabb bows himself out. and the paper was consolidated with the Pennsylvania Reporter, David Small of the latter also retiring. A> The Re- porter und State Journal it was published by Patterson & Barrett, On the Ist of June following, in a three- line paragraph, Mr. Barrett informs the patrons of his paper that his connection with it terminated. Mr. Patterson remained sole publisher until Sept. 1, 1837, when William D. Boas purchased an interest in the establishment, and a month later the whole con- cern passed into his hands. Thomas L. Wilson, of Philadelphia, was editor. In April, 153s, William
354
HISTORY OF DAUPHIN COUNTY.
F. Coplin, senator from Fayette County, entered into partnership with Boas, the firm retaining the editorial services of Wilson. March 6, 1940, Coplan retired. For over a year Boas battled alone ; but, as the edi- torial of May 2, 1841, expres-e> it, "Samuel D. Pat- terson has returned to the ardnous task of helping to conduct it as an independent, faithful. and zealous exponent of Democracy." April 29, 1842, Mr. Boas take- his leave of the Reporter and retires from the editorial field, Patterson remaining until October following, when John H. Dimock, of Susquehanna County, now of Chicago, purchased the establish- ment, who, in a whole column leader. takes occasion to advocate the claims of Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. The last number issued was June 2. 1843. It was merged in the new arrangement. Two years after the name was assumed by Isaac R. Diller, to which we shall again refer. Almost a complete file is possessed by the State Library.
The Keystone, started in August. 1336, by William F. Packer, afterwards Governor of the State. O. Bar- rett, and Benjamin Parke. The senior member re- mained until February, Is40, when be disposed of his interest to Barrett & Parke, " the arduous duties ap- pertaining to the office of canal commissioner" com- pelling him to relinquish it. Ovid F. Johnson edited this paper with great vigor. In April. 1541, James Peacock and I-aac G. Mckinley purchased the establishment. Mr. Peacock, in October follow- ing, sold his interest to Joseph M. ti. Leseure, of Philadelphia. Messrs. MeKinley and Lescure con- tinued its publication until the union of the three Democratie papers on June 7, Is43.
In 1848, Mr. Barrett commenced a nes -paper with the old title of Keystone, which continued for several years. The complete files of this, with other of Mr. Barrett's new-paper venture-, were destroyed in the burning of a frame building corner of Fourth Street and Cherry Alley, where they had been stored, with the exception of some volumes which are in the pos- session of the State Library.
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