USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > History of the newspapers of Beaver County, Pennsylvania > Part 6
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THE WESTERN ARGUS.
with James S. Rutan as editor and Jacob Weyand busi- ness manager. The office was burned March 17, 1874, and resumed publication on the first of April, with a new outfit. It then became a vigorous exponent of the Republican party, and was regarded as the organ of the Stalwart wing of the party, and a devoted adherent of Col. Quay.
In 1879 Smith Curtis bought the interest of James S. Rutan in the paper and became its editor, and W. I. Reed bought Jacob Weyand's interest, and was business manager of the paper.
Smith Curtis was born in Sherburne, Chenango county, N. Y., Dec. 21, 1834. His parents were John and Elsie (Jones) Curtis, the former a native of New York and the latter of Connecticut. His father was a miller and a tanner, and was also engaged in the manu- facture of boots and shoes. His family consisted of ten children, of whom Smith is the fifth. He attended common school in his native county until he was sixteen years old, worked in the mill and tannery and went to New York, where he clerked in a store two years; then returned to his native county to prepare for college. He attended an academy in Franklin county one year; then entered Hamilton College, New York, where he spent three years. He then entered Union College, Schenectady county, N. Y., and was graduated in 1858 with honor. He was a diligent and successful student and was fre- quently chosen as a representative of the college in literary contests. He received a prize for an essay while in Hamilton College. After his graduation he com- menced the study of theology and spent one year at the seminary at Princeton, N. J. He then entered the Union Theological Seminary at New York, from which institu- tion he was graduated in 1861. He then went to Toledo, Ohio. In 1861 he was ordained a minister, by the Con- gregational Association, of Ohio, at Columbus, to be
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eligible to election as Chaplain for the 62d Regiment Ohio Vols. From there he went to Fostoria, in the same state, where he took charge of the Presbyterian church for three years. He then resigned and opened an academy there, which he continued two years, when he was appointed Chaplain of a regiment belonging to General Butler's command. The war soon closed, and he did not join his regiment. In 1862 he was elected Chaplain of the 62d Pennsylvania Volunteers, but was not permitted to serve. He came to Pennsylvania in 1865 and was married March 1, that year, to Isidore, daughter of Capt. Richard and Elizabeth (McCurdy) Calhoon. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Curtis, three of whom are now living: John Richard, Dora E., and Elizabeth M. Mr. Curtis was principal of the public school of Beaver borough in 1868 and 1869. He is an active member of the Republican party, and served as secretary of the county committee from 1866 till 1872. He was editor of the "Radical" after Senator Quay's retirement until the consolidation of the "Argus and Radical." He was then appointed to a position in the State Insurance Department Harrisburg, remain- ing there until December 1879.
Wilkins Irwin Reed was born in Moon township, Beaver county, Pa., June 4, 1851, his parents being Thomas and Frances Irwin Reed, whose ancestors were among the earliest settlers of that part of Beaver county. He received his schooling in the country schools, and the public schools of Rochester, to which town the family moved. At the age of 16 he entered the office of the "Venango Republican," Oil City, Pa., the present "Oil City Derrick." He completed his apprenticeship here, a portion of which time was in the business department. He then went to Indianapolis, Ind., and engaged in the job printing business, soon returning to Pennsylvania, where he was managing editor of a paper for some
M. S. QUAY SMITH CURTIS
J. S. RUTAN HOWARD BLISS
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months, thence returned to Beaver county in 1871, and became connected in a business capacity with the Beaver "Argus." He became manager of the business affairs of the "Argus and Radical" until he purchased an interest.
Curtis & Reed began the publication of the "Daily Argus" in May 1883, the second daily in the county, which was continued for thirteen years. September 1, 1885, Mr. Reed sold his interest in the paper to W. F. Bliss and brother Howard Bliss, and purchased a half in- terest in the "Clarion (Pa.) Democrat," the management of which he assumed, and remained in the paper until April 1, 1901, when he disposed of his interest to his partner, and immediately thereafter engaged in the wholesale and retail hardware and manufacturing busi- ness in Franklin, Pa.
The Bliss brothers were born in South Beaver town- ship, the sons of Dr. Zadok and Rebecca McMillen Bliss. The father was a practicing physician in that township, and died there in 1875, while the mother is yet living at Beaver, in the ninetieth year of her age, and residing with her are her two daughters, the Misses Sue and Rebecca Bliss. Both Dr. and Mrs. Bliss were natives of South Beaver township, where their children were born.
W. F. Bliss was a teacher by profession, and upon retiring from the "Argus," he resumed his profession, which he had laid down to take up newspaper work. He was for some time principal of the Beaver public schools and a teacher in the high school. For two terms princi- pal of the Rochester schools, and was the organizer and first principal of its high school. From Rochester he went to California, where he has been engaged in edu- cational work since 1894, and since 1901 has been Pro- fessor of History in the State Normal School at San Diego. He is one of the staff contributors to the "California School Journal," and has prepared and pub-
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HISTORY OF BEAVER COUNTY PAPERS.
lished a history of the early settlement of California. His wife is Miss Nellie Fowler formerly a teacher of Beaver.
When the Bliss brothers sold their interest in the "Argus and Radical," Howard Bliss remained with the paper for about ten years, when he withdrew to accept a position on the "Daily Star." Mr. Bliss remained as a writer on the "Star" until January 1, 1903, when he resigned to enter upon the duties of Sheriff of Beaver county, to which he was elected in November 1902. During the seventeen years he was engaged in newspaper work, he resided in Rochester, and in addition to his other duties, was special correspondent from Beaver county to the Pittsburg "Times" and "Leader." He served two terms as Assistant Burgess, and later one year as Burgess of Rochester; one term as a member of the school board; was twice a delegate to the Republican State Convention from Beaver county; and has at various times been a member of the Republican County Com- mittee. He married Miss Lizzie J .Clark, of Pittsburg, and they have three sons, Wilber Agnew, principal of the Aliquippa public schools; Howard Clifford, clerk in the paymaster's department of the Rochester Tumbler Company, and Curtis Stewart, a student at the Beaver County Commercial College.
In 1890 the Bliss brothers sold their interest in the "Argus and Radical" to Capt. John E. Smith of George- town. During the five years that they were connected with the paper, a new brick printing office was erected, and the office was fitted out entire with new type, and the high standard of the paper was maintained. Upon the purchase of this interest by Mr. Smith, his son-in-law, T. S. Laughlin, became business manager of the paper for a few years, and then retired, Mr. Smith selling his hold- ings to his partner, Mr. Curtis, who has conducted it since, issuing only a weekly edition.
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DAILY X-RAY.
On January 3, 1903, a charter was granted at Harris- burg, Pa., to the Radical Printing Company of Beaver, Pa., capital $15,000; directors, D. A. Nelson, Joseph L. Holmes, R. S. Holt, Ira F. Mansfield, Smith Curtis, D. M. Twiford, Beaver; John H. Sturgeon, Beaver Falls; Hartford P. Brown, Rochester, and J. H. Hamilton, New Brighton. This company absorbed the "Argus and Radical" establishment, buying its plant, name and good will.
On Monday May 4, 1903, this company started a daily paper called "The Daily X-Ray," being Volume 1, Num- ber 1, and the "Argus and Radical" was discontinued. The officers of the company were named in the paper as follows: President, Hartford P. Brown; Secretary, Milton J. Patterson; Treasurer, Joseph L. Holmes; Editor, Smith Curtis; Business Manager, F. L. Parker; Circulation Manager, J. H. Hamilton. From the initial number of the paper, the following extracts are taken, as indicating the reasons for the new paper's existence :
"With this issue 'The Daily X-Ray' makes its initial bow to the public. In one sense it is a new paper, being under a new management and new name, but in another, it is an evolution from the weekly 'Argus and Radical' whose lineal descent reaches, in unbroken succession, to the old 'Western Argus,' published in Beaver in 1818.
"""The Daily X-Ray' has no schemes to push, no friends to favor and no enemies to punish. It opens its columns to free discussion within reasonable limits. It wishes to treat all persons, all orders, all sects, all parties
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HISTORY OF BEAVER COUNTY PAPERS.
and even all factions with impartial fairness. Let the facts be given. Truth will not suffer from error in open combat. Publicity is light; it is the 'X-Ray' that illum- inates society's opaque substances, discovers evil doers, doing thus more efficient service as a protector of the people than even the sleuths of the law. Hail 'The X- Ray!' May her light be as beneficial as her rays are penetrating !"
It was issued as an evening paper, and was understood to be the representative of a new faction in the Re- publican party, whose object was to break up an alleged ring in the party, and carry out the principles enunciated in the editorial quoted. Its editorial columns were re- markable for their plain speaking and denunciation of some of the politicians, but the seed seemed to be sown on shallow and rocky soil, and bore no good fruit. Its end was seen from the beginning by practical newspaper men.
The "Daily X-Ray" was changed to a morning paper June 29, 1903, with the following at the head of its columns : "The 'Daily X-Ray' has been leased by the employees of the firm, and under their management will be issued each morning except Sunday." F. L. Parker was published as editor and business manager. The paper ceased publication with the issue of July 13, 1903, with but a little more than two months of troubled existence. A few months later Hartford P. Brown was appointed Receiver for the company, and it was sold at public auction March 26, 1904, the purchaser being Joseph L. Holmes Esq. In May 1904 Smith Curtis bought the plant from Mr. Holmes, and in it is published the "Argus and Radical," which Mr. Curtis revived when the "Daily X-Ray" failed.
Thus closes the record of a remarkable journalistic career in Beaver county.
CHAPTER V.
THE WESTERN STAR.
The "Western Star," the only Democratic paper in the county that has weathered the journalistic storms, and retains its name to the present time, was started December 15, 1843, by Washington Bigler and William Denlinger, both of whom came from the eastern part of the state, under the firm name of Bigler & Denlinger. The paper was a six column folio, and was printed in a row of old wooden buildings that stood at the south end of the Potter hotel, now the site of the Parkview hotel. It was removed in 1844 to a brick building where the Buchanan block now stands, and in 1845 to a brick build- ing now known as the Merz building.
Mr. Bigler was a brother of the famous Bigler brothers, John and William, who were chosen Governor respectively of the States of California and Pennsyl- vania, on the same day in 1851. He retired from the firm January 7, 1846.
In September of the same year, Mr. Denlinger tem- porarily retired from the paper, and was succeeded by Major John Irons of the "Fayette Genius of Liberty," Uniontown, Pa., who came to his new duties with con- siderable experience and reputation as a newspaper man. The paper appeared in a new dress and enlarged form.
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HISTORY OF BEAVER COUNTY PAPERS.
Major Irons remained a few months on the paper, and then returned to the "Genius of Liberty," where he died June 30, 1850. Mr. Denlinger then returned to the "Star." He had some amusing experiences during his career as editor. He had a subscriber out in Brighton township whose constant boast was, that he always supported the public press, even if he never paid it a cent. He was far in arrears with Mr. Denlinger, and one day brought in a couple of bushels of potatoes, when potatoes were hardly worth throwing away, and had them credited to his account; but before he left town, he managed to borrow enough money from Mr. Denlinger to cover the potatoes two or three times over. Other editors had an intimate monetary acquaintance with the same old subscriber. On the incoming of the Polk administration in 1845, a well known Democrat was an applicant for the Beaver postoffice, and shortly after his papers had been filed at Washington, some of the wags in his own party, got up and forwarded to the old gentleman a bogus commission, and forthwith he commenced fitting up in elaborate style, suitable quarters for the postoffice. Editor Denlinger who boarded with him, kindly suggested that he had better not be in too much of a hurry, as there might be some humbug in the commission he had received, where- upon the irate old gentleman instantly retorted: "Pay me that board bill you owe me, and there'll be no humbug in that."
On the seventh of January 1848, Dr. R. B. Barker, formerly of the "Beaver River Gazette," purchased a half interest in the paper and became the senior editor. How long he remained is not known, but it was certainly not a very long time, perhaps a few months. Associated with him was P. B. Conn, a practical printer, who was the business manager of the paper. He was a well known printer, a Beaver county man, and in later years was one of the most prominent newspaper men in
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Steubenville, O., known all over this section of country, a man of ability and force.
When Dr. Barker assumed the editorship of the "Star," he and William Henry of the "Argus," made the most profound editorial bows to each other, and each invoked an era of peace and good will between the papers; but they were soon industriously sharpening their political goose quill pens, and in a few weeks the political war began and the editorial combat was on. Whole column editorials were written and published, and personalities took the place of good will. That is, such a condition existed editorially. The writing abilty of the two editors made it certain that the combat would be a lively one, especially as both were full of fight and always ready for the fray, and that the subjects discussed would be handled skilfully, and with energy and ability. These two gentlemen, on opposite sides of the political fence, were among the ablest of the editors of the county, and have not been excelled by any others in their style of presenting their views to the people. Both were aggressive, both had political chips on their shoulders for the other fellow to knock off at his peril, and both were graceful, correct and able writers, and both did credit to the journalism of the county. But Dr. Barker was on the losing side, and soon retired, never again to grace the editorial chair.
Mr. Conn withdrew from the paper as associate, December 7, 1849, and was succeeded by D. P. Work. Mr. Work was formerly of the "Argus," a well known newspaper man of the county, and had been in business the early part of the year, in a literary depot, with a Mr. Holmes, on Third street Pittsburg. Nothing of interest is known of his work on the paper, or the impress he made on his party, though he remained on it until March 17, 1852, when he gave way to Samuel Gaither of Somer- set county, Pa. The "Star" was then conducted by Mr.
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Gaither and Mr. Denlinger, under the firm name of Gaither and Denlinger. Mr. Denlinger was a candidate for Prothonotary on the Democratie ticket in 1851, and was defeated by a few votes.
September 8, 1852, Mr. Denlinger finally withdrew from the "Star," and was succeeded by H. C. Connelly. The "Argus" referred editorially to the change as follows: "Mr. Denlinger lias been connected with the 'Star' for a number of years, and we have no hesitation in saying that he now retires with the best wishes of its patrons. Mr. Connelly is a young man, a practical printer, who will doubtless make himself acceptable to the Democracy." Mr. Denlinger was appointed route agent in July 1853, and was on duty between Pittsburg and Harrisburg.
In September 1853, R. Gregor McGregor, of North Sewickley township, purchased Mr. Gaither's interest in the paper, and became associated with Mr. Connelly in its management. In November of the same year, the "Star" came out in a new dress of type, with a new head, making it much more attractive in appearance. In January 1855, Mr. Connelly retired, leaving the entire management of the paper in the hands of Mr. McGregor. Mr. Connelly, who came to Beaver county from Somerset county, Pa., upon his retirement went west, and in 1857, was the editor of the "Rock Islander" in Illinois.
Robert Gregor McGregor was born June 17, 1830, at Hazel Dell, then in North Sewickley township, Beaver county, now in Wayne township, Lawrence county, Pa. His father Donald MeGregor, was a native of Scotland, his. mother Mary Bennett. Donald McGregor, was a seeond cousin of Rob Roy and elaimed a deseent from Gregor, or Gregorius, third son of Alpin, King of Scots, who flourished about 787, of the Clan Alpin, one of the most aneient Clans of the Seottish Highlands. After obtaining a good common school education he attended
THOMP BURTON
R. S. KENNEDY R. GREGOR MCGREGOR
J. E. MCCLURE
THEO LAMPERT
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the Beaver Academy several terms, and adopted teaching as his profession. His first term of school was taught in North Sewickley township in the winter of 1847-48. This he followed in New Sewickley and adjoining town- ships nearly all his life, a few years being spent in news- paper work and as a mail agent. He was a very suc- cessful teacher and possessed intelligence of the highest order. In 1854 he was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca A. F. Randolph of Achor, O., a young lady of culture and refinement, a writer of considerable merit. She died in a few years leaving two children, Donald R. McGregor, and Mary E., wife of I. J. McCready of Beaver Falls, Pa. From 1857 to 1861 Mr. MeGregor was mail agent on the Allegheny Valley Railroad. In 1864 and 1865 he was an editorial writer on the "Star," with Samuel K. Alexander. From 1869 to 1872 was news and editorial writer on the New Castle "Gazette," and in 1872 was employed as editorial writer on the "Conserva- tive," with E. B. Williams, and during the presidential campaign of 1880 was editorial writer on the "Star." In the course of this campaign he made a number of speeches, and was a fluent and logical speaker. Though a good writer and speaker, his greatest pride was in his work as a teacher. After his last formal connection with a paper in 1880, he was a frequent contributor to the local press, doing a good deal of work of that kind for the Beaver "Star" and the "Beaver Valley News" of New Brighton, Pa. He died January 10, 1902.
Mr. McGregor was an unusually fine correspondent, reporting the happenings in the districts where he taught, and his communications were gladly received and published. He had the happy faculty of telling what was going on in such a way as not to offend, though the facts were not always palatable to the person or persons referred to. He had a great many rich experiences. While teaching in one of the townships, he offered to
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send contributions to the "Beaver Valley News," and generally was heard from once a week. On one occasion he came to the office with some good notes, and full of fun over the help he received, or rather that was offered. He said to some of the people, I am going to send the news of the neighborhood to the "News" and I want you to help me. One individual eagerly offered his services, with the remark, "I will help you-there are some fellows in this township that I want to 'whack.'" That was his idea of furnishing news to the papers, and strange to say, it is the idea of a great many people now, and the prolific source of much of the sensational newspaper reading of today.
In the early part of November 1857, the "Star" was suspended for a short time, the editor stating, "That as soon as some needful collections can be made, it will again shine out bright and blazing as in the days of yore." But the latter part of the same month, the "needful collections" were received and the paper again appeared, and shone with all the effulgence and glory of the past. In resuming, the announcement was made that N. C. Barclay would be publisher, and the editorial management was to depend upon McGregor and Barclay.
In this period Michael Weyand was editor of the "Argus," young and full of fire and snap, and the bright pens of Weyand and McGregor were wont to get un- usually sharp, and it was a duel of words that made glad the hearts of the partisans. Both were rough and ready, minute men in the journalistic battles, and each had a style that was catchy and took with the public .. Mr. Weyand was a worthy successor of his preceptor, William Henry, and he was as vigilant in watching his opponents, and as ready to pounce upon them, as ever was Mr. Henry. This required "Uncle Bob," as every- body called Mr. McGregor, to be constantly on his guard.
Mr. McGregor retired from the paper in the latter
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part of 1857 or in 1858, the exact time not being known, and A. C. Barclay became a member of the firm, father and son now being in full control of the paper. While they were in possession, Thursday June 30, 1861, the office of the "Star" was entered, the press was taken apart and the arms carried away, with several cases of type, and dumped into the Ohio river. Nearly all the type, and the parts of the press, were recovered, so that not much loss was sustained. It was a dastardly outrage, condemned by almost all persons, and the "Argus" edi- torially denounced it severely. July 10, 1861, A. C. and N. C. Barclay disposed of their interest in the paper.
The establishment then fell into the hands of O. S. Long, late professor in the Beaver Seminary and Musical Institute of Beaver, as editor, and associated with him was William Pusey for a short time. The latter was from Allegheny, Pa., in attendance at the Institute, who later studied law and afterward died in Pittsburg. Mr. Long volunteered under the call of Governor Curtin for men to defend the State from invasion in September 1862, and when the emergency was over, he returned to his editorial work, where he remained until August 1864, when he leased the outfit to R. Gregor McGregor and Samuel K. Alexander. In 1865 Mr. Long sold the paper to James H. Odell. He went to Wheeling, W. Va., where he was engaged in newspaper work.
Mr. Long gave his support to the "Union" movement in politics in the county, and was very severely judged by his political associates. He was handled without gloves, and so mercilessly condemned, that he was com- pelled to speak in his own defence.
In the issue of October 11, 1861, Mr. Long had a column editorial on his treatment by his party associates, from which these extracts are taken: "Now that the election is over and no man dare charge that the state- ments we are about to make are made for political effect;
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we crave the indulgence of our readers for a few remarks concerning our paper. During the three months in which we have had the management of the 'Western Star,' we have honestly and faithfully striven to do that which was thought to be to be right and our duty to the cause of our country. From the date of the first issue we have wedded our fortunes to our country's flag resolved to stand or fall with it. And yet, strange as it may seem, here in the old loyal Keystone State, in the intelligent county of Beaver, we have from the first met with an opposition which has been as causeless as it was unexpected, and as fierce, unrelenting and dishonorable in its nature as it has been without just cause. No sooner had we proclaimed ourselves in favor of support- ing the government and using our best endeavors to crush out the rebellion which threatens the destruction of our free government, than we were assailed by villifiers and secret enemies laboring to induce men to take their names from our subscription list. Before we had espoused the cause of the Union movement, before we had said a word in opposition to party nominations, these assassins were at work and men who were under their influence came to our office and withdrew their support avowing that they did so because we were supporting the government and in favor of prosecuting the war. * * And thus it went on until the reason that we were humbly laboring for the support of the government-no other cause under Heaven-the cry was raised that the 'Star' was 'not Democratic' and thus a few more men who didn't know the first principle of Democracy, but worshipped only the name, were also drawn off. * * * Our own personal and pecuniary interests so far as the ownership of the 'Star' is concerned, are of little value. We regard the cause of our country as infinitely superior to any consideration of that kind, and we are convinced that the real object of those who are defaming us, is to
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