USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > History of the newspapers of Beaver County, Pennsylvania > Part 5
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The name of the paper was changed to the "Beaver Argus" August 2, 1843, and it was enlarged to seven columns to a page. The paper on which it was printed was made by Archibald Robertson at his mill in Brighton, and it was of excellent quality. The enlarged paper presented a nice and neat appearance and was full of good reading matter. In changing the name of the paper, the editor said: "We have long been disposed to drop the 'Western' part of our head and make it more local and appropriate to our position; for it is a disputed question whether we are in the West or in the East, the Armory Commissioners placing us precisely on the divid- ing line of these geographical divisions. So far as the paper is known abroad it is the 'Beaver Argus,' and as we go for Beaver first before all the West or all the world, all the Beavers will doubtless agree that it is a more appropriate title."
April 19, 1848, the paper appeared in a new outfit of type, smaller in size than that before used, to enable the editor to give more reading. In the next year, Decem- ber 8, announcement was made that arrangements were completed for receiving news by telegraph, doubtless the first in the history of the papers in the county.
June 26, 1850, Albert G. Henry, brother of William Henry, became associated with him in the control of the
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paper, but no change was made in its management or policy.
Albert Gallatin Henry was born in Beaver November 3, 1828. After attending the public schools and Beaver Academy, he entered the "Argus" office as an apprentice. When he sold out his interest to Jacob Weyand in 1854, he engaged in the mercantile business in Pittsburg. In 1855 he went to Davenport, Iowa, where he remained un- til 1858, and then returned to Beaver and opened a store. In 1866 he went to Kittanning, Pa., and bought the "Armstrong Democrat," and changed its name to the "Armstrong Republican." In 1882 he took his son W. M. Henry into partnership, and then went to Washing- ton, D. C., where he was appointed to a position in the Pension office. In 1889 he returned to Kittanning and resumed the management of his paper, where he re- mained until his death in 1897. During his active career he was frequently urged to be a candidate for Congress but he declined. He was always ready and willing to help others, but refused to enter into any con- test for himself.
Announcement was made July 24 of the same year, in the columns of the paper, that Michael Weyand was its agent in Lawrence and adjoining counties, authorized to receive subscriptions, etc.
November 19, 1851, William Henry disposed of his interest in the "Argus" to Michael Weyand. In re- ferring to the change Mr. Henry among other things said of Mr. Weyand that he "is known here as a young gentle- man of intelligence, integrity and industry-an excellent practical printer, who I have every confidence will prove acceptable to the community. He will be associated with A. G. Henry in the management of the office." Mr. Henry reviewed his work, stating that he had been con- nected with the office as a boy and man for 27 years lack- ing a month, and for 22 1-2 years as editor.
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During the editorship of Mr. Henry, there were some printers who are pleasantly remembered by old news- paper men and citizens. John Truesdale, a faithful and efficient printer afterwards was associated with the "Iowa State Register." Matthew Light and David Light, who also worked for Mr. Weyand, both died of consumption in early manhood. Michael Weyand was apprentice and journeyman under Mr. Henry, and when he got into the business for himself, frequently helped at the case, and set his editorials in type without writ- ing them. Other printers were Benjamin Churchhill and Joseph Wilson, and doubtless some others whose names cannot now be recalled. Among the apprentices with Mr. Weyand was James (Kit) Carson, who was killed in the Battle of the Wilderness in the Civil War. Another was Joseph L. Anderson, who afterwards was foreman of the "Radical" under Col. Quay. The best known printer of the day perhaps, was John B. Early, who was foreman for both Mr. Henry and Mr. Weyand.
In the days when Mr. Henry was in the height of his work, Beaver was a greatly different place from that of today. With a population of about 300, there were 7 or 8 licensed hotels, with breweries, etc., that afforded liquid refreshment to all comers. Militia trainings were great features, and "review day" was the day of all days at the county seat, bringing together hundreds of uni- formed and non-uniformed people, to be inspected by gaily dressed officers, on richly caparisoned steeds. All the feuds of the year had to be settled with the fist on that day, and numerous were the scraps going on almost continuously. The venders of spruce beer, the hotel bars and the sellers of quarter sections of gingerbread, would reap a rich harvest by nightfall, and would be loaded down with the Spanish and Mexican quarters, and other coin of the realm. Because of its quietude outside of special times of excitement, the strict religious senti-
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ment of heads of families, and the absence of the grosser haunts of wickedness and crime, the town came to be known as the "Saints' Rest."
In the issue of Nov. 26, 1851, Mr: Weyand addressed the readers of the "Argus" in a half column editorial, vigorous and hopeful, declaring fealty to the principles advocated by the "Argus," closing with the following words: "And now, kind friends, having thus formally introduced ourselves, 'we're at home' to all of you, in future, in the building heretofore occupied, where we hope to send the 'Argus' on its mission of duty with its wonted regularity; and by strict attention to business, and an earnest desire to serve you, we trust we shall merit. your kind approval."
M. Weyand was born in Somerset, Pa., June 11, 1825, the son of Henry and Magdalena Weyand, both natives of Somerset county, Pa., and of German descent. When a year old his parents removed to Lawrence county, Pa. At the age of 12 years he entered the office of the New Castle, Pa., "Intelligencer" as an apprentice and served one year, and in the spring of 1838 entered the office of the "Western Argus," served 4 1-2 years as an appren- tice, and afterward was a journeyman printer. Mr. Weyand was married to Amanda Somers November 1851, having 4 children, Henry S., Mrs. J. H. Wilson, David and Julia. He held the office of Prothonotary of Beaver county for six and one half years, one half year by ap- pointment and six years by election. He was a Presi- dential Elector in 1884 and was appointed postmaster at Beaver in 1900. During his long career as a journalist, Mr. Weyand had many bitter and exciting controversies, but he always sought to avoid personalities where possible. He has been a life long Whig and Re- publican, and a protectionist of the Henry Clay school; he was inflexibly opposed to the extension of slavery, and
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resisted the repeal of the Missouri Compromise and the introduction of slavery into Kansas and Nebraska with all his ability. He is a good speaker and one of the best writers ever on the press of Beaver county. Mr. Weyand is a member of the M. E. church.
July 27, 1853, the name of the paper was changed to the "Beaver County Argus." A. G. Henry retired from the firm June 28, 1854, and in an editorial said: "Our carcer as one of its editors has been short but pleasant, and friends for their many kindnesses will be held in grateful remembrance. Our successor, J. Weyand, brother of the senior is a young gentleman of energy and ability, and we doubt not will add much to the columns of the paper." Michael Weyand expressed regret at the retirement of Mr. Henry, in a pleasant editorial.
July 5, 1854, Jacob Weyand succeeded Mr. Henry and introduced himself to the readers of the "Argus" in an editorial marked by strength and candor, that stamped him as a young man of journalistic ability, closing it with these words: "In connection with the senior, we shall from time to time, present our views unreservedly, of those measures of national and state policy, which may be deemed of importance."
Jacob Weyand was born in Lawrence county, Pa., March 29, 1828. He worked on a farm until he attained his majority, attending school three months a year until he was fifteen years of age, after which he attended school in Beaver for a short time. He disposed of his interest in the "Argus" and bought the "Free Press" at Carrolton, O., in 1858, where he was when the Civil War broke out. He sold his paper, raised a company of volunteers, was elected its captain and was attached to the 126th O. V. I. He was twice wounded in battle and was a cool, courageous soldier. At the battle of Monocacy, Md., July 9, 1864, he was in command of his
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regiment, and was publicly mentioned in the official re- port of the battle, for his courage and skill. For his gallant services he was recommended to the Secretary of War for brevet promotions as Major and Lieutenant Colonel. He was married July 1857 to Victoria, daugh- ter of the late Dr. Milo Adams, for many years a leading physician in the county. They had seven children, four of whom are living: Emma, wife of Harry W. Reeves, Beaver Falls; Edwin S., an attorney at Beaver; Blanche, stamp clerk in the Beaver Falls postoffice, and Paul, a minister in the M. E. church. He was married a second time to Miss Mary Cooke, daughter of Major J. M. Cooke, late of Rochester, Pa. Col. Weyand was a good business man.
When the McCreery bank failed in 1883, he was selected as assignee, and settled the complicated business of that institution to the satisfaction of all parties in- tcrested. He is a member of the M. E. church. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature for two terms, 1893 and 1895, and during the latter term was a member of the Ways and Means Committee. He intro- duced and had passed the first bill giving an appropri- ation to the Beaver Valley General Hospital of New Brighton.
Jacob Weyand retired from the "Argus" December 16, 1857, with the following editorial announcement: "Having disposed of my interest in the 'Argus' office to my brother, the senior partner, I now take my leave of those who have been kind enough for a series of years, to extend their patronage to the firm. The business relations between ourself and patrons have been of the most agreeable character, and it is to be hoped that their uniform kindness and generous support will long be cherished." The "Argus" continued under the control of Michael Weyand until December 1859, when he re-
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tired, and was never again connected with the paper, sell- ing the establishment to Samuel Davenport, who changed the name again to the "Beaver Argus." Mr. Davenport was the second president of Beaver College and Musical Institute, serving for one and one half years. After the Civil War he was for some time Assessor of Internal Revenue. Later he moved to Indiana, Pa., where he died. Mr. Davenport retired from the "Argus" Decem- ber 25, 1861, and closed his work with a very appropriate editorial, in which he said: "The intercourse between ourselves and our patrons has been of the most pleasant kind and he has not the recollection of having had a single difficulty with any one since he entered the office." Mr. Davenport was regarded by many associated with him, as the most scholarly man that has occupied the editorial chair in Beaver county, but being more inclined to ease than a strenuous life, he failed to impress his scholarship and learning on the journalism of his day, as he might easily have done.
Thomas C. Nicholson, a young man of fine ability, as- sumed charge of the "Argus" January 1, 1862. He was the son of Thomas and Rebecca Stewart Nicholson, his father a prominent man in the county, the first Superin- tendent of the schools of the county, a member of the Legislature and Cashier of the State Treasury for a number of years. Thomas C. Nicholson studied law in Beaver, served as a member of the 140th Penna. Volun- teers, later went to Kansas, where in August 1868, he was admitted by the District Court of Junction City, Kas., to practice in the courts of that State. Later he lived at Altoona, Pa.
Upon taking charge of the paper, Mr. Nicholson ad- dressed the patrons of the paper in the following edi- torial: "Being reared and educated in your midst, it is hoped this fact will inspire a reasonable degree of confi-
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dence that the interests peculiar to our native place will be neither overlooked nor forgotten. For this purpose constant attention will be paid to everything calculated to advance the local interests, and develop the resources of Beaver county."
The publishers were T. C. Nicholson & Co.
In an editorial in the paper September 17, 1862, the following appeared: "The editor of this paper, T. C. Nicholson, enlisted in Capt. Darragh's company of three years' men and is now with his regiment. The acting editors, Rutan and Anderson, both volunteered under the late call of the Governor, and left for Harrisburg on Monday. We are therefore left without sufficient force to carry on the paper properly. We hope our readers will bear with us for a short time, until they return. We will try and do the best we can under the circumstances- Angels could do no more. The country seems to require all our able bodied men, and the next call may leave the 'Argus' without even the 'devil.' "
The emergency men under Capt. Rutan, under the Governor's call to defend Pennsylvania, returned home the latter part of September.
February 11, 1863, De Lorma Imbrie assumed control of the "Argus" as editor and proprietor. In his saluta- tory he announced: "The 'Argus' will, as it has hereto- fore done, sustain to the utmost of its power, the prin- ciples laid down by the founders of our government; and so long as our present Chief Magistrate shall be faithful to those principles, we shall continue to give him our unqualified support."
De Lorma Imbrie was born in Big Beaver township March 4, 1824; was educated in the country schools and Darlington Academy; taught school in Darlington, Brighton and Wilmington; was married at the latter place to Miss Margaret Carman October 27, 1851. He then took up his residence in Beaver where he studied
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law and was admitted to the bar November 25, 1853. He was a conspicuous figure in politics; was a member of the Legislature 1856-57-58, and of the Senate in 1859. During the last seven years of his life, he was employed in the Auditor General's office at Harrisburg, where he died November 6, 1888. He had five children: Carman; Nannie B., wife of Rev. W. S. McClure; Mary E., wife of W. H. S. Thomson, Esq., a prominent attorney of Beaver, now of Pittsburg; Lilian Fra, and Edith.
In the issue of August 31, 1864, Mr. Imbrie said: "We are compelled to issue a half sheet this week. John Tallon one of our hands, volunteered last week, and we are left without sufficient force to issue a full sheet."
November 2, 1864, Mr. Imbrie announced his retire- ment from the "Argus," and the next issue November 9, D. W. Scott Jr., took charge of the business and edi- torial management of the paper. Mr. Scott had been a student at Beaver Academy and subsequently of Jeffer- son College, in which he was graduated, and intended to enter the ministry, but on account of ill health ceased his theological studies and entered upon the work of editing the paper. At the close of the year he sold his interests in the paper, and died of consumption April 6, 1865, in Hopewell township.
January 4, 1865, M. S. Quay and J. S. Rutan bought the paper, assumed the management, and conducted it together until October 18, 1865, when Mr. Rutan an- nounced that he had purchased Mr. Quay's interest, and would thereafter conduct it as sole editor and proprietor.
This continued until November 22, 1865, when J. S. Rutan & Co. were given as editors and proprietors, J. L. Anderson being the other member of the company. This continued until July 11, 1866, when Jacob Weyand pur- chased the outfit, and took charge of it as editor and proprietor, without any editorial flourish, but with a mere mention of the fact.
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April 3, 1867, the paper was fitted out with a new dress of type, and December 16, 1868, it appeared in a still more beautiful dress, and the office was furnished with a Cottrell & Babcock power cylinder press. January 8, 1873, Mr. Weyand disposed of an interest in the paper to Robert L. Treiber of Beaver, a printer who learned his trade in the office, the firm name being Weyand & Treiber. September 17 of the same year, the "Argus" was consolidated with the "Beaver Radical," un- der the name of the "Argus and Radical."
THE BEAVER RADICAL.
In November 1868, Matthew S. Quay established the "Radical" in Beaver, in opposition to the "Argus," then owned and conducted by Col. Jacob Weyand. The paper was started without any flourish, and with no regular list of subscribers. It is said that at a meeting with a number of his political friends Colonel Quay an- nounced that he purposed starting a paper, and that sub- stantial assistance, as well as encouragement, was given to the enterprise, and what the list of patrons lacked in numbers was made up fully in weight and ability.
It was doubtless one of the ablest country papers ever published in the State, and its columns were frequently graced with articles from some of the ablest writers in the country. It was positive and aggressive in politics, representing of course the views of the distinguished editor in all things, and making war on the enemies of those views. The existence of the two Republican papers, so at variance with each other, was injurious to the party, and led to much controversy and considerable
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ill feeling, and the inevitable result followed, in the in- terest of political peace, in the consolidation of the two papers.
Matthew Stanley Quay was born at Dillsburg, York county, Pa., Sept. 30, 1833, the son of Rev. Anderson Beaton Quay, a prominent Presbyterian clergyman, the latter a son of Joseph Quay and Ascenath Anderson, who lived in the northern part of Chester county; the latter's father, Patrick Anderson, was a captain in the French and Indian War, and, on the breaking out of the Revo- lution was, along with Anthony Wayne, a member of the Chester county committee. He went into the service in 1776 as Captain of the first company in the Pennsyl- vania Musketry Battalion, and after the battle of Long Island, he commanded the battalion. In 1778 and 1779 he sat in the Pennsylvania Assembly, and his son, Isaac Anderson, represented that district in Congress from 1803 to 1807. Senator Quay's great-grandmother, Ann Beaton, was the daughter of Daniel Beaton, and the sister of Colonel John Beaton; who, during the Revo- lution, was most active in military affairs in Chester county.
Matthew S. Quay graduated from Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, in 1850, studied law with Penny & Ster- rett, in Pittsburg, and was admitted to the bar of Beaver county in 1854. The following year he was appointed Prothonotary of the county, and was elected in 1856, and again in 1859. In 1861 he resigned his office to accept a lieutenancy in the Tenth Pennsylvania Reserves, and was subsequently made Assistant Commissary-General of the State, and with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Afterward he was appointed private secretary to Gov. Andrew G. Curtin, and, in August, 1862, was commis- sioned Colonel of the 134th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was mustered out, owing to ill health, December 7, 1862, but participated in the assault on
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Marye's Heights, December 13, 1862, as a volunteer. He was subsequently appointed State Agent at Washington, but shortly afterward was recalled by the Legislature to fill the office of Military Secretary, created by that body; was private secretary to the Governor of Pennsylvania; was Major and Chief of Transportation and Telegraphs; was Military Secretary to the Governor of Pennsylvania, 1861-1865. He was elected to the Legislature in 1864, and again in 1865 and 1866. In the latter year he was secretary of the Republican State Committee, of which he was Chairman in 1878. In 1873-78 he was Secretary of the Commonwealth, resigning to accept the appoint- ment of Recorder of Philadelphia. This office he resigned in January 1879, when he was again appointed Secretary of the Commonwealth, filling that post until October 1882, when he resigned. In November 1885, he was elected State Treasurer and resigned in September 1887.
He was elected a member of the Republican National Committee and chosen Chairman thereof and ex-officio Chairman of the Executive Committee when the commit- tee organized in July 1888, and conducted the successful Presidential campaign of that year; was a delegate to the Republican National Convention of 1892; was Chairman of the Republican State Committee 1895-6; was a delegate to the Republican National Convention of 1896; was elected a member of the Republican National Committee and chosen a member of the Executive Committee in 1896; was a delegate to the Republican National Convention of 1900; was elected a member of the Republican National Committee of 1900; was elected to the United States Senate as a Republican, to succeed J. I. Mitchell, and took his seat March 4, 1887; was re-elected in 1893; in 1899 was defeated for re-election by a deadlock existing throughout the session of the Legislature; was appointed United States Senator by the Governor of Pennsylvania
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to fill the vacancy caused by the failure of the Legisla- turc to elect, but the appointment was not recognized by the Senate; on the day of his rejection by the Senate was nominated to succeed himself by the Republican State Convention of Pennsylvania, and was re-clected United States Senator January 15, 1901. He died at his home in Beaver, Pa., on Saturday May 28, 1904, at 2:48 p. m.
Senator Quay was married, in 1855, to Agnes Barclay, daughter of John Barclay, by his wife Elizabeth Shan- non. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and were of Scotch-Irish descent. The children of this marriage, all of whom were born at Beaver, are Richard Roberts, Andrew Gregg Curtin, Mary Agnew, Coral, and Susan Willard.
In the year 1872, Hon. James S. Rutan purchased the paper from Col. Quay, and published it thereafter, Smith Curtis being the editor. Joseph L. Anderson was fore- man of the "Radical" until April 1873, when he resigned and went to the "Pittsburg Chronicle-Telegraph" and was succeeded by Simeon Dinsmore.
Mr. Rutan was born in Carroll county, O., May 29, 1838, the son of Alexander A. Rutan, an influential farmer. His ancestors on his paternal side were French Hugenots, who settled in New Jersey, and on the maternal side were Scotch-Irish. He was educated at Richmond College, O., and at Beaver Academy and taught school for one year. He then studied law in the office of Col. Richard P. Roberts and was admitted to the Beaver bar in 1861. He engaged in practice in Beaver, where he continued until September 1861, when he en- tered the army as First Lieutenant of a company of the 101st Pa. Regiment and served until August 1862, when he resigned on account of ill health. Returning to Beaver he was elected District Attorney of Beaver county which he held for six years. In 1868 he was
-
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chosen as the representative of the State, to carry the electoral count to the National Capital. In 1869 he was elected to the State Senate, and was President of that body in 1872. In 1876 was appointed Collector of the Port of Pittsburg, which he held four years. Soon after his retirement from the office was appointed United States Marshal for the western district of Pennsylvania. He was elected to the State Senate in Allegheny, Pa., in 1886, serving one term. Mr. Rutan was united in marriage with Cora, daughter of Rev. William Cox, D. D., a prominent member of the Pittsburg Conference M. E. Church, and died in Allegheny, Pa., June 18, 1892, and was buried at Beaver.
Joseph L. Anderson was born in Beaver and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Eakin) Anderson, farmers, of Scotch-Irish origin; attended the common schools and the Beaver Academy; entered the office of the "Argus" as apprentice and learned the trade, where he remained until he became a partner, and subsequently was foreman of the "Radical;" was transcribing clerk in the Senate of the State in 1867; and after leaving the "Radical" . was foreman of the "Chronicle-Telegraph." He was married in 1861 to Margaret Hall of Beaver county, and had three children, James Paul, Stanley, and Mary Olive.
ARGUS AND RADICAL.
The journalistic contest between the two rival papers, the "Argus" and the "Radical," was continued from November 1868, to September 17, 1873, when the two papers were consolidated, taking the name of "Argus and Radical," published by the Beaver Printing Company,
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