USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > History of the newspapers of Beaver County, Pennsylvania > Part 8
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In April 1896, the office was removed from the Ken- nedy building on Turnpike street into the Buchanan building Third street, and new material and press added. The plant was burned the morning of March 25, 1897, between the hours of 5 and 6 o'clock, when the entire out- fit was totally destroyed. The "Beaver Valley News" of New Brighton, telephoned at once to the editor, offering the help of its office, and the same day an issue was published, and was printed from the "News" office for a few days, when new type, etc., was purchased and set up in an old frame building in the rear of the "Argus and Radical" office, where the type was set, and the paper printed in the press room of the "Argus and Radical."
In July 1898, a new building was erected for the "Star" immediately in rear of the new Buchanan block, and a complete new outfit installed. The editorial and business office was established in the Buchanan building.
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THE WESTERN STAR.
In February 1899, Mr. Porter resigned and David L. Mc- Nees a skilled newspaper man was appointed as his suc- cessor. Mr. McNees was born January 4, 1866, at Jacks- ville, Butler county, Pa., the son of John M. and Mary E. McNees. He was educated in the public schools, the Prospect Academy, the West Sunbury Academy, and Allegheny College Meadville, graduating from the latter in June 1892, with the degree of A. B., having spent six months of his senior year in Great Britain as the repre- sentative of a commercial house of Washington, D. C. In college he was on the staff of the college paper, and served continuously as news and literary editor. After graduation he traveled three months in the Northwest, then came to Beaver county, and was employed on the staff of the "Star" as New Brighton reporter until 1898, in the meantime acting as special correspondent for several Pittsburg and Philadelphia papers. He was secretary of the New Brighton Board of Health from the fall of 1895 to August 1, 1898. On January 9, 1895, he was married to Miss Ada Irene McEwen, of Mercer, Pa.
The "Star" has had a number of bright representa- tives in the different towns, but we have been able to obtain sketches of but few. Among the younger re- porters is Samuel G. Kennedy, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Kennedy, New Brighton, who entered the newspaper busi- ness on the Pittsburg "Gazette" in the summer of 1901, working there during his summer vacation from college. The next summer he was on the "Chronicle-Telegraph," doing general assignment work. The following summer he engaged with the "Beaver Times" as Beaver and court reporter, remaining there until September 1904, when he entered upon work with the "Star." In addition to his other duties, he is the Beaver county representative of the Associated Press, the Publishers' Press, the "New York World," "Sun," "American and Journal," the "Philadelphia North American," "Press," "Public
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HISTORY OF BEAVER COUNTY PAPERS.
Ledger" and "Evening Bulletin," and the Beaver and New Brighton representative of all the Pittsburg papers and news gathering agencies.
One of the best known reporters in the county, James Ellis MeClure, Beaver Falls representative of the "Star," is given a place here because of his long connection with the paper though he began newspaper work in Beaver Falls. He was born in Pittsburg July 7, 1844, is a graduate of Duff's College, and during the Civil War served in the 15th Regiment State Militia, Knap's Inde- pendent Battery of Light Artillery, and in the First Battalion of Pennsylvania Light Artillery. At the ex- piration of his term of service he entered the auditing department of the Union Railroad & Transportation Co. at Pittsburg, leaving there after six years' service to engage with his brother-in-law, Samuel F. Burd, in the banking business at Mercer, as Burd & McClure. They were successful until the panic of 1873, and Mr. Burd having died in the meantime, he helped organize and opened the books of the Farmers & Mechanic's National Bank of Mereer, where he remained two years as Assistant Cashier, having wound up the affairs of Burd & McClure during that time. He resigned and went to Evansburg, Pa., to keep books for a wholesale hardware and Oil Supply Co., which failed, and then he went to Chicago and followed his calling for about a year, and then returned east. He first began newspaper work in the office of the "Beaver Falls Tribune" in 1881, where he was bookkeeper, and began to write local news. He remained there about two years and helped start the "Daily Tribune," being its first reporter. In the fall of 1884 he accepted the position of Beaver Falls reporter on the daily edition of the "Beaver Valley News," where he remained four years, resigning to engage with John W. Carson in 1888, in the publication of the daily "Journal" Beaver Falls, where he remained until it was
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THE WESTERN STAR.
purchased by George Warrington, when he returned to the "Tribune." After two years he was offered the position of Beaver Falls reporter and city editor of the "Star," which he accepted, and he has held that position since. He has also been the Beaver Falls representative of the Pittsburg "Dispatch," "Post," "Times," and "Gazette," and the Tri-State Press Bureau of Pittsburg, and has done considerable special work for New York, Philadelphia and Cleveland papers.
Among others of the local writers on the paper, are W. C. Hamilton New Brighton, John Thomas Rochester, and Thomas Beaver, Monaca.
Mrs. Carrie Ashton reads proof and has charge of the mailing department.
The force of printers consists of James Alexander foreman of the newspaper; compositor Walter Hallam; foreman of job office Robert Nulton; pressman W. B. Drassler; operators of Simplex H. L. Gresham and G. R. Hemphill; apprentice Ed. Steel.
In 1900 the weekly "Star" was changed to a semi- weekly. The type is now set on a Simplex machine, and a fine new press has been installed, making the office a very complete one. The paper has become one of the best Democratic papers in Western Pennsylvania, out- side of Pittsburg, and is prosperous. The hard work and fortitude of the journalistic fathers of Democracy, have borne good fruit, and the party has in the "Star" a worthy and able organ.
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HISTORY OF BEAVER COUNTY PAPERS.
THE COMMONER.
May 1, 1897, the "Commoner" another Democratie paper, of a more radical type than the "Star," was started by the Rochester Publishing Company, with R. W. Stiffey editor. The company was composed of R. W. Stiffey, H. D. Anderson and William Lutz. It was organized into the Commoner Publishing Company May 1, 1900, with Charles R. Eckert as editor, and still exists.
GENEVA COLLEGE CABINET.
A monthly paper with the above name, is published by a set of officers representing the students of Geneva College Beaver Falls, devoted exclusively to literary subjeets and college news.
A weekly paper was conducted for a while at New Galilee by George W. Pyle, but is now discontinued.
CHAPTER VI.
BEAVER FALLS PAPERS.
The lands on which this little city is located, were patented by General Daniel Broadhead in 1779. He succeeded General Lachlan McIntosh in command of the western department, with headquarters at Fort Pitt. March 17, 1793, the Legislature of Pennsylvania passed a law opening up the lands for settlement lying north of the Ohio and west of the Allegheny rivers. General Broadhead had two tracts of 400 acres each, embracing the "black walnut bottoms," on which the first town was laid out.
In August 1801, General Broadhead sold his land to David Hoopes of Chester, Pa., for the use of Hoopes, Townsend & Co. In 1803 these gentlemen erected a building in Sharon, now the northern part of Bridge- water, the second house from Brady's run on the bank of the Beaver river, for the use of Isaac Wilson for merchandising. It was called the "Old Red Front" and is yet standing, remodeled and made more modern. Near this old building, on the flat between the Beaver river and Brady's run, in 1806, Aaron Burr's managers and workmen built a flotilla of boats as a part of his expedition down the Ohio. All the material was furnished through the Old Red Front, and the men were
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HISTORY OF BEAVER COUNTY PAPERS.
boarded in a house near by. With this expedition were two English brothers named Constable, who had no part in the expedition, but were along to see the country and sketch its interesting points. The owners of the Black Walnut Bottom wished to lay out a plan of lots on their tract, and engaged the Constable brothers who were engineers, to do the work. For their services they requested, and were granted, the privilege of naming the new town, which they called Brighton after their old home in England. The new town had varying fortunes, with some manufacturing and trading, but did not grow mueh until 1867, when new industries were established in it, and it was incorporated November 9, 1868, as the Borough of Beaver Falls.
BEAVER FALLS CHRONICLE.
The first newspaper in the town of Brighton was called the "Beaver Falls Chronicle." This paper was the successor of the "Aurora," which was discontinued March 1, 1839, and began its existence in Rochester October 12, 1839, with J. Washington White as editor, who was the last editor of the "Aurora." It is said that Ovid Pinney was the originater of the paper. He owned a large amount of real estate in the town, and was one of its most prominent citizens, leaving the place in 1853. The motto of the paper was "Our country right or wrong." It was a four page, six column paper, and in the amount of reading matter would compare favorably with many of the weeklies of today. The paper suspended some time early in the year 1840, the following referenee being made to it by the "Argus" of March 11, 1840: "A number of the 'Beaver Falls
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Chronicle,' which had been suspended for some weeks, was issued a few days ago. The editor gives good reasons for his suspension, and takes occasion to lash the Loco Foco leaders with great severity. He has been shamefully treated by professed friends who led him into difficulty, and took advantage of his situation."
In June 1840, the "Chronicle" hauled down the Van Buren flag and enlisted under the banner of Harrison for president, and thereafter was a Whig paper. The paper remained in Rochester until July 1840. In its issue of the 23d of that month, the following editorial notice appeared: "The office of the 'Beaver Falls Chronicle' has been removed from Rochester to Brigh- ton. Those of our subscribers who reside in Rochester and its vicinity, will find their papers by calling at Jacob Hinds' grocery-those in Beaver at the book store of J. Bowen-those of Fallston at Mr. Cannon's store, and those in New Brighton at the store of Edward Hoopes." This closed the career of the paper as a Rochester insti- tution, and was the first paper published in Brighton, now Beaver Falls, and remained under its old name until August 1840.
BEAVER COUNTY PALLADIUM.
August 29, 1840, J. Washington White editor and proprietor of the "Beaver Falls Chronicle," formally transferred the paper to E. Burk Fisher, in the following notice: "With the last number of the 'Beaver Falls Chronicle,' the subscriber relinquished his connection with it, and has assigned the establishment to E. Burk
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HISTORY OF BEAVER COUNTY PAPERS.
Fisher Esq., who will hereafter publish it under the title of 'Beaver County Palladium.' In introducing his suc- cessor to the confidence of his old subscribers, the sub- scriber feels that the name of Mr. Fisher will be sufficient guarantee that the character of the 'Palladium' will be fully commensurate with the interests and wishes of Beaver county. Mr. Fisher has been a publisher for more than ten years, and must be well known to the citizens of this county." It was published by W. H. Whitney & Co.
Mr. Fisher came from Pittsburg where he edited the "Literary Examiner and Western Monthly Review," and was also editor of the "Saturday Evening Visitor." In June 1851 Mr. Fisher started a paper in Columbus, O. Mr. Fisher took charge of the paper promising to pub- lish a clean, decent paper, that "will never be the vehicle of falsehood, or assailant of individual reputation." After defending his political standing he said: "When the heat of the political excitement shall bave been lost in the result of the approaching contest, and our duty as a politician shall for the time be suspended, it will afford him pleasure to assume the less exciting, but equally grateful, duty of a herald of the business resources of Beaver county." He espoused the cause of General Harrison, and placed at the head of his paper the motto: "Take away the sword-the pen can save the state," an exclamation attributed to Richelieu, which Mr. Fisher made the text for a two column article, political to the core. The paper was published at $2 per annum, and was the same size as its predecessor. This issue of his paper contained nine columns of Sheriff's sales, signed by David Somers Sheriff. It also contained three columns of ordinances of New Brighton borough, signed by Harvey Blanchard president of council, and Harvey Thomas clerk.
From the time of assuming charge of the paper until
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BEAVER FALLS PAPERS.
the National election, Mr. Fisher made as red hot a political paper as the county could produce. In its issue of October 29, he had an editorial entitled, "The editor to his fellow citizens," which was over five columns in length, a "last word" that was full of political vim. From December 12 ,1840, the name of E. B. Fisher dis- appeared from the paper, and the prospectus was signed, "Publisher of 'Beaver County Palladium.'" In the issue of December 26, 1840, the following notice was printed in the paper: "Take notice that we have applied to the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Beaver County, for the relief provided for insolvent debtors, by the law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and that they have appointed the first Monday of March next, for the hearing of us and our creditors, at the Court House in the borough of Beaver, at which time and place you may attend if you think proper. E. B. Fisher, W. H. Whit- ney, late printers." February 6, 1841, the firm of Wm. H. Eskridge & Co. appears at the head of the paper, which disappeared after the issue of March 12. The motto was changed to "The Throne we Honor is the People's Choice."
March 19, 1841, the name of John B. Early appears as editor. In his prospectus he says that, "at the solicita- tion of a number of friends, he has consented once more to assume the arduous duties of a newspaper editor." While continuing the paper as a supporter of President Harrison's administration he says : "Its columns shall be free from those foul blots of party malevolence and personal detraction, which instead of being productive of good, are calculated to sow the seeds of embittered dis- sension, and pander to the worst passions of human nature." Mr. Early made a good paper, which was fairly well patronized with advertisements, but it was doubtless too expensive for the population, and it was discontinued in the fall of 1841.
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HISTORY OF BEAVER COUNTY PAPERS.
BEAVER FALLS JOURNAL.
No record exists of any other newspaper in the town until 1874. The first printing office established in the present Beaver Falls was that installed in November 1873, by Gilbert A. Hays, who removed his equipment from Sewickley, and opened up a job printing office in the Reeves building on Main street, now Seventh avenue, under the title of Boles & Hays. The office was con- ducted until August 1877, when accepting a lucrative offer in the then frontier country, as manager in one of the large wheat farms in Dakota, near Bismark, he dis- posed of his interest to his partner, Scudder D. Boles. Soon after opening their office Boles & Hays began the publication of the "Beaver Falls Journal," the initial number appearing October 1, 1874, which continued monthly until the next year.
Gilbert Adams Hays was born in Kittanning, Pennsyl- vania, July 9, 1854, his father Alexander Hays, then chief engineer of the Allegheny Valley railroad, later being one of the conspicuous figures in the Civil War, giving his life, with the rank of a Major General, to his country, on the battlefield of the Wilderness. Early in life Gilbert A. Hays acquired a decided taste for the art of printing, his first training being in the office of Rev. John Launitz, who printed a small German Sunday School paper in Manchester, now a part of Allegheny City, and his experience in "pi-ing" a big form, just inked, all in German type, is yet one of the star tales of his printer life. In February 1869, he accepted a position in the general office of the old Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad, in Pittsburg, having charge of the stationery department for four years, when he
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gave his entire attention to his new office in Beaver Falls, having conducted a two-press office at his home in Sewickley during the greater part of the time he held his railroad position. On the death in 1880, of his grand father John B. McFadden, for many years a prominent business man in Pittsburg, Mr. Hays accepted the management of a number of fire insurance companies formerly represented by his grandfather, and conducted this office until April 1895, when he sold his business and established the "Sewickley Valley," a high grade, illus- trated, society journal, in his home town of Sewickley. On acquiring control of the "Beaver Times," a long established weekly paper in Beaver, Pa., in February 1898, the "Sewickley Valley" was sold to Miss Janey M. Coard, and Mr. Hays once more figured in the newspaper field of Beaver county. This venture proving neither profitable nor congenial, the "Times" was sold to its present publishers, and on the organization of the United States Steel Corporation, he accepted a position in the executive offices of that concern in New York, as traveling representative of their insurance department with which he is at present identified.
In 1882 Mr. Hays wedded Miss Sallie A. Fleming, a member of the well known family in Sewickley, ten children being the result of this union, eight of whom are living, all at the family home in Sewickley.
For many years Mr. Hays was active in Masonic circles, being a charter member of Crescent Lodge No. 576, of Pittsburg, and all other bodies up to and including Consistory and Mystic Shrine; a past commander of Davis Camp, Sons of Veterans; honorary member of General Alexander Hays Post, No. 3, Grand Army of the Republic; charter member of General Alexander Hays Council, Jr. O. U. A. M., and secretary and historian of the Sixty-third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers Regi- mental Association.
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HISTORY OF BEAVER COUNTY PAPERS.
BEAVER FALLS COURIER.
In 1875, John F. Porter examined the field at Beaver Falls, and found a town of 4,000 people with a printing office but no weekly paper, an unheard of condition else- where in the great state, yet how to establish such a thing with a cash capital of $1.85 puzzled him; but he had taken chances before, and he rushed a little plan of advertising specialty, so that when bills were to be paid there was enough of surplus to issue one week's paper and thus "The Courant," a name that lasted only one week, first saw light in April 1875. It was printed by Boles & Hays, job printers. Now it so happened that the publisher held an interest in a view of Niagara Falls, a striking picture, and this was the chromo day for subscriptions. The liberty was given to canvas in the many factories at the noon hour, and these orders for subscriptions were recognized by the cashiers of the companies as cash. It was a bold move for every subscription meant with picture framed $3.75, but it won, and the "Beaver Falls Courier" was established April 18, 1875, and in 1876 bought its own office. In 1879, having made a living for the editor and family, for these years of hard work, the inevitable happened. Two young men from Roches- ter, N. Y., Roberts and Vanhorn, sought to establish another paper, and so rather than endure another struggle, and as these new men would pay a real value, by the advice of true friends who in the time of need stood by him, Mr. Porter sold his interest and retired.
John Frederich Porter was born at St. Joseph Berrian county, Mich., February 5, 1840; was the son of John Frederich Porter of German descent, and Mary Porter
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of English ancestry; was educated in the public schools of New York and was married October 26, 1864, at Bayonne, N. J., to Minnie Florence Bird. At the out- break of the Civil War, Mr. Porter enlisted as a private in the 84th New York Vols. (14th N. Y. S. N. G., Brooklyn), was wounded at Groveton, Va., August 29, 1862; was promoted to Second Lieutenant of the Pierr- pont Rifles N. Y. Infantry, which was consolidated with the 14th Regiment N. Y. C. Volunteers; was com- missioned Captain October 8, 1862; resigned April 1864; re-entered the service and was commissioned Captain Co. H 25th N. Y. C. Volunteers August 22, 1864; com- missioned Major, and Brevet Lieuenant Colonel by General Sheridan, for gallantry at Fisher's Hill.
The oft told incident of Col. Porter's gallantry on the field, was graphically told the writer many years ago. In the fall of 1864, General Sheridan in supreme com- mand of the Union forces in the Shenandoah valley, was sent for by General Grant at Harper's Ferry for con- sultation. On the morning of his return, he heard the booming of cannon and started on his "twenty miles away" ride. Col. Porter was acting on the staff of General A. T. A. Torbet and in the dawn, sharp firing not more than a thousand yards away, told of Early's sur- prise. The Confederates had found a gap in our picket line, and not a shot was fired until their whole force was fairly on top of our sleeping army. The confusion was great and even to find one's own horse was impossible, and Col. Porter seized the first horse he could, and cleared out where the zip of bullets was less hot and thick.
Possibly two thousand yards from where were gathered a knot of soldiers, was a hastily thrown up earthwork, from behind which a scattering rifle fire came. The aide who received his order, dashed over to this small crowd of unorganized soldiers, and seeing Major Porter
ยท
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HISTORY OF BEAVER COUNTY PAPERS.
said: "Major, General Sheridan says clear that earth- work of Johnnies and see what's there." At his call 20 to 30 horsemen responded, and a dash was made for . that spot. Half way to it the Major turned and found he was uncomfortably in advance of his men, and he also found that he could not check or control the new horse. In a moment he was near the trench, and tried hard to sheathe his sabre but could not and so let it drop, and as the horse leaped the earthwork, he with pistol in hand made an effort to capture or wound the only soldier who had remained to resist the charge, but discovered later when the excitement was over that he had brought the pistol hammer to half cock. Probably the Confederate's nerves were not real steady either, for he fired not twenty feet away and missed his mark, and what is more escaped. To General Sheridan who could not see the runaway horse, it looked like a very brave and heroic deed, and he made the Major a Lieutenant Colonel for "gallant and meritorious action in the face of the enemy," "but" adds the Major when telling the story, "what about the horse ?"
The Civil War closed, and in it Col. Porter had done heroic work, being twice severely wounded. He spent a year in Libby prison, from which after a marvelous patience in preparation, he boldly walked out in broad daylight, clad in a grey uniform, right past both guard and commandant whom he saluted. In the city of Rich- mond he sought and found Union sympathizers, with whom he remained more than a week gathering infor- mation concerning Confederate forces and defences, and then disguised as a teamster after supplies, he drove a mule team to the Potomac river, over which he crossed in a small boat, and which to get safely back had to run the blockade of the Union patrol fleet. Reaching Washing- ton he reported to the Secretary of War, upon which in- formation largely, the Dahlgreen-Kilpatrick raid was planned.
J. F. PORTER
I. F. MANSFIELD W. H. REED
G. A. HAYS W. S. FULKMAN G. L. EBERHART
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BEAVER FALLS PAPERS.
From 1865 to 1873 Mr. Porter filled many positions, much of the time with the American Associated Press. After selling the "Courier," for a year he issued in- dustrial publications and wrote much of the "Picturesque B. & O." issued by that railroad.
In 1889, having in a single year while living at Swarth- more, Pa., lost by death seven, every member of his family but one, his son now Dr. Fred W. Porter of Tampa, Fla., he visited Florida, and expecting to remain but a few days. It was a belated train on a Saturday night, and so made no connection, that changed the course of Mr. Porter's life. On Monday morning he left for a hundred miles south of where he was, and a derailed train forced a stop when only twelve of them had been run, and thus being diverted and asked to share a ride with a stranger to Avon Park, 25 miles away, he accepted not knowing who his companion was. He proved to be the Right Rev. William Crane Gray, who as they journeyed, told of an intensely interesting religious work, and it was thus that the Bishop and the laymen met, and out of that day's drive grew in time the consecration of a life and the building of a church.
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