Venango County, Pennsylvania: Her Pioneers and People (Volume 1), Part 39

Author: Babcock, Charles A.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

USA > Pennsylvania > Venango County > Venango County, Pennsylvania: Her Pioneers and People (Volume 1) > Part 39

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Space forbids mention of all the features of this celebration. The sports deserve attention. There were Indian races, one for the maidens, in which Ella Scotty was first, Mary Lay, sec- ond, and Minnie Jack, third; a sprint for four young Indians, Kelly Lay, first, and Frank Kenjockety, second. Two lacrosse games ar- ranged between teams of Cattaraugus and Al- legheny reservations were watched and attract- ed great interest. Perhaps it was remembered that a similar game, a hundred and thirty- two years before these, introduced the mas- sacre at Fort Venango, and the return of the whole region to desolation for twenty-five years. Collections of various kinds fully ex- hibited the home interests and fashions of Franklin life both in the far, and the near past.

But the outstanding feature of the week was the representation of the rise and progress of the manufacturing in- terests of the city. This was shown by floats in procession miles long. Practically every industry of the city's hive was illustrated by machines in operation, in their primary forms and in their full development. The change wrought by oil and gas, those genii of the rocks, was evident. How their gifts, sur- passing all dreams, were utilized so that there

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should be no waste, how they were prepared for market, the manner of applying them to the production of power, the multiplicity of products formed from them-all these were shown simply but completely. All changes wrought in the pioneer settlement through the hundred years up to the marvelous present, appeared in the same picture. One felt that a magician's wand, waved in the heart of the wilds, had instantly produced this new city, strong, aggressive, wealth-producing, beauti- ful, endowed with the spirit and intelligence of a great country. The world has seldom seen such a picture.

Oil City Fair and Trotting Association .- The quiescence of the Venango Agricultural Society, for a number of years before and after Franklin's Centennial, encouraged a num- ber of Oil City's progressive citizens to or- ganize a County Fair and Trotting Association. Among others were the following: Amos Steffee, Mayor, president of the Association first three years ; F. W. Bowen, vice president : I. N. Hinderliter, secretary ; John M. Berry, treasurer. All these officers were for the year 1900, except the president. The directors were: A. R. Smart, J. J. Saltzmann, J. H. Con- ner, P. C. Boyle, H. L. Dale, A. Gilbert, D. J. Geary, Amos Steffee, F. W. Bowen. There was a somewhat different set of officers for 1898 and 1899, with the exception of Presi- dent Steffee, from those named for 1900. Hon. William Hasson gave a deed for thirty-six acres, more or less, to the association, without reversion. This was Mr. Hasson's third gift to the city, the first having been six acres for a hospital, and the second about forty-four acres for a public park. The grounds were put in order during the spring and summer of 1898. On June 14th the race track had been constructed, the fences and needed buildings were only partly erected; but upon this date, in honor of the State Encampment of the G. A. R., which was meeting in Oil City at this time, the grounds were opened to the public, and the delegates to the Encampment were invited, as the special guests of the Fair As- sociation, to view the grounds and partake of a luncheon of roast ox, sandwiches, and burgoo soup. The guests were conveyed to the grounds in carriages, and seats reserved for them. "The general public is also in- vited," President Steffee announced; "every- body come. We will feed you all; this fair will be a hummer." The invitation was ac- cepted. Thousands went up the hill, saw the grounds, and were fed with portions of the two oxen which experienced cooks had been

preparing for twenty-four hours, using the drippings for the "burgoo," and freshly baked bread. Many took the tin cups and spoons as souvenirs. President Steffee's characteriza- tion, "This fair will be a hummer," became a local slogan for the next two years.

The first fair was held in September, 1898, and as an exhibition was an unqualified suc- cess, the attendance surpassing expectation and the quality and number of exhibits amaz- ing. Mr. J. K. Earp, the secretary during this first year, stated recently that friends of his from distant cities who saw the exhibit still speak of the excellence of "the fair you were managing back in '98 at Oil City." The pre- mium list indicates the scope of the fair. Note the following summary :

DEPT. No. I, J. K. Earp, Supt., Horses; 12 classes, 90 prizes.

DEPT. No. 2, John Fornof, Supt., Cattle; Io classes, 82 prizes.

DEPT. No. 3, John Fornof, Supt., Sheep; 13 classes, 69 prizes.

DEPT. No. 4, John Fornof, Supt., Swine; 8 classes, 39 prizes.

DEPT. No. 5, Joseph Blacker, Supt., Poultry ; 130 prizes.

DEPT. No. 6, D. August, Supt., L. L. Gra- ham, Asst., Farm Products ; 99 prizes. Fruits, same supts., 50 prizes. Butter, bread, cakes, pies, preserves, pickles and all cooked fruits, etc., same supts., 100 prizes.

DEPT. No. 7, H. H. Rand, Supt., Ladies' Handwork ; 90 prizes. Supt. H. H. Rand and Assts., Fine Arts, water colors, drawings, oil paintings, pastel, photographs, china painting, miscellaneous painting ; 37 prizes.

DEPT. No. 8, Agricultural Instruments, ad- mitted free, including Oil and Musical Instru- ments; 119 diplomas of excellence apparent. Plants and flowers ; 5 prizes, $3 to $6. Fam- ily Exhibit, showing production of a family on farm in all departments : $20, first prize; $10 second prize ; $5 third prize.

Additional prizes numbering one hundred or more were offered by the merchants of Oil City and the citizens of Venango county to farmers and gardeners of Venango County only. Very desirable were these prizes, vary- ing from suits of woolen clothes to boots, ladies' umbrellas, a barrel of flour, $200 cash or a Jersey bull (this only to the Grange mak- ing best exhibit), clothes wringer, a year's subscription to a daily paper, parlor lamp- all with the one exception noted for the best six onions, or for the largest egg-plant or other collection. There was a ham for the biggest sunflower, or a pair of custom-made trousers

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for the best blackberry pie; and so on the al- luring offers continued.

The races during the fairs were enjoyed by all, even by the ladies, and children especially. A fast track-the best oblong half-mile in the country the horsemen said, pure air, a fine out- look, good water, and the absence of the objec- tionable features of some "hoss" races, con- tributed to the general pleasure.

In all, four fairs were held, the last in 1901. The grounds soon after were sold on a mort- gage foreclosure for $5,000, with interest for a number of years added. Several gentle- men paid the mortgage and other claims, and continued the Trotting Association for seven or eight years longer as a part of the Iron and Oil League. The last race was held in 1908 or 1909, the land still remaining in the hands of those who paid the mortgage; but they have not yet decided what to do with it. Probably it will be turned into building lots, as the city has grown up to it and nearly around it.

RECENT EXHIBITS

Recently various exhibits have been made of fruits and vegetables and of the products of the domestic arts and sciences, and also poultry exhibits. by the Farm Bureau and by poultry organizations. The matter has assumed prac- tical shape, so that it seems to need no acces- sories to draw the attention of a people newly awakened to the growth, development and con- servation of food and other objects of solici- tude and of necessity in a world striving toward better things.

Not as lost, or mistimed, or as without value for the future, should the work or expense of

the Venango fairs be regarded. They are worth to-day all they cost, and more. The knowledge gained and interest aroused will reappear in the future. Exhibits of special products locally, and generally by counties and by the State, the presence of farmers' clubs and institutes, and the desire among farmers to keep up with the procession, showing pride in their work-all these indicate that appre- ciation of the importance of agriculture is here.

PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY

The Grange has had a number of organiza- tions in Venango county. But for some reason the interest was frequently short lived, and other groups of people took their places. The Cooperstown Grange, instituted in 1874, was one of the most flourishing, but it too did not survive. A list of the present Granges in the county will be found in Chapter XX, Fraternal and Social Organizations.

HARVEST HOME ASSOCIATION

Harvest Home Associations have become popular. Utica, Dempseytown, Chapmanville and other points in the county entertain great gatherings, usually in August and September. They are like the old-fashioned neighborhood picnics, with the addition of numbers made possible by the automobile, and are really de- lightful occasions. They are often made the Mecca for aspiring politicians. Here elo- quence may be offered to all who will listen, and the candidate with the strongest voice is reasonably sure of getting the most votes. .

CHAPTER XVII THE PRESS (Emma W. Babcock)

FRANKLIN NEWSPAPERS-EMLENTON-SENECA-PITHOLE-RENO-PLEASANTVILLE - ROUSEVILLE -COOPERSTOWN-OIL CITY

Like all other ambitious American towns those of the oil country had their days and even years of experimental journalism. News- papers were conceded to be a necessity, but

few men had the financial courage of their convictions and dared risk good money in an enterprise so hazardous. The small town edi- tor and publisher has his peculiar problems,

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and in 1820, the date at which the first Venan- go county paper is thought to have been issued, the towns were small and the problems large.

FRANKLIN NEWSPAPERS

The Venango Herald, of Franklin, is the first on record as having lived long. It is a pity that files of this early paper are not obtain- able. Its publication office was in a little log house at the corner of Twelfth and Liberty streets. The Herald was a small sheet costing two dollars a year. This was to be paid in advance. John Evans, who established the paper, was born in Washington county, and came with his parents to Meadville, where education was in the air. He assimi- lated enough to be ambitious, and came to Franklin to live, became interested in politics, and held many offices. He was postmaster, county treasurer and sheriff, and was commis- sioned colonel of militia in 1839. By his mar- riage to Rachel Hemphill, a daughter of Wil- liam Connely, he had twelve children. His death occurred Nov. 30, 1871.

The exact date of the birth of the Venango Democrat is uncertain, but it is believed to have been in March, 1823. The county treas- urer, George McClelland, was the senior mem- ber of the firm of publishers. John Little took charge of the mechanical part of the publica- tion and was one of the firm. In 1849 this paper became merged into the Spectator.

In the autumn of 1829 the Democratic Re- publican was started by Little & Tucker, pub- lishers. It is said that no editorial matter was printed in it, and the suggestion of its contents was given by its name and the addition of the words "Anti-Masonic Examiner."

Alexander McCalmont, brother-in-law to John Evans, became financially interested in the Herald, it is said. John Little made an impression upon this paper, although he left his own paper literally with all its assets and liabilities and left the town of Franklin at the same time.

After many vicissitudes the Democrat began a somewhat regular career in 1828, when it was bought by John Galbraith, a Huntingdon man who had learned the printer's trade. He was a young lawyer of promise and was highly esteemed in Franklin. He was elected to the legislature and was re-elected three times, a most unusual thing, and he became a Congress- man in 1838. He died in Erie, his new home, where he had been made president judge. Jon- athan Ayres, John Hunter and Sylvester Ran- dall took charge of the Democrat for Mr. Gal-

braith. John S. McCalmont, afterward pres- ident judge of this county, and William Gal- braith, afterward president judge of Erie county, were apprentices and worked diligently on this paper. Dr. George R. Espy and other Democrats purchased it and carried it on for a time, when John W. Shugert was urged to buy the paper and was given his own time to pay off the debt. He gave four hundred and fifty dollars for it and said it was not worth fifty. However, he published it for four years and has left it on record that they were four years of strenuous effort. When he was elected sheriff, he leased it to John E. Lapsley, who bought an interest after a time, but upon Lapsley's death, a year later, Shugert claimed that the paper belonged to him. Matters were adjusted and the publication was sold to lead- ing Democrats, Arnold Plumer and George Connely among them.

In 1842 another paper was launched upon the journalistic sea, The Democratic Arch, issued by James Bleakley and John W. Shu- gert. It became at once a paper of absorbing interest, for the personal animosities of the publishers, added to the political fire, made things exceedingly warm in Franklin. Later it was absorbed, and under new management lost the popular appeal to some extent.

The Venango Spectator succeeded various Democratic papers, and its history is not unlike all those struggling sheets which flourish in a hostile atmosphere. Its editors were men of ability. The founder, A. P. Whitaker, estab- lished the publication with the hope of build- ing up a permanent paper which would grow with the country. Others connected with it were James Bleakley, R. L. Cochran and John W. Shugert, all men of pronounced talent. The Spectator was at one time an eight-page paper and had a large circulation. Changes in the town and other business interests made its later years one of struggle and it finally ended its life before the psalmist's allotted time for man. It is remembered as having had excel- lent writers and editors on its staff and to have occupied a good position. As organ of a hope- lessly small minority it could not survive.

The Franklin Intelligencer was established in 1834 by J. P. Cochran. Only an able editor could have been successful as he was in the conduct of a paper doomed to die, since its in- terests were bound up in a party so weak in numbers as to make patronage almost negligi- ble. Mr. Cochran left Franklin for Erie and became part owner of the Erie Gazette. The Franklin Gazette experimented in the same field, but was forced to suspend after a short

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life. Richard Irwin and John W. Howe had furnished capital, and John W. Snow was the editor and publisher. Mr. Snow was after- ward successful in newspaper work in Illi- nois.

The Advocate and Journal, a paper devoted to temperance and agriculture, was published for several years by E. S. Durban. His strug- gles illustrate the difficulties and uncertainties of the journalism of the time and place. There were times, according to Mr. Durban's account, when the loan of twenty dollars helped the is- sue of the paper and uplifted his spirit with the thoughtfulness back of the loan to such an ex- tent that he went on with his work. The story of some of his trials is well worth preserving: "My office force, typesetters, pressman and edi- torial staff, consisted of one small boy and myself. I worked eighteen hours a day, and did editorial duty at the case, setting up my editorials without writing. Finding the labor of working the old screw press very hard and slow, I got my father-in-law to make a wooden platen, full size, to take off half the work. It did reasonably well while warm weather lasted; but when winter came it was almost impossible to make a good impression, and many num- bers were sent out that could not be read at all. This was disastrous. When April came again everybody who came in to pay ordered the paper stopped. At last a week came when nearly every one who came in was a subscriber who wanted to pay up and stop. More than one hundred stopped that week and there were less than one hundred names left on the list. Saturday night I locked the door and felt a relief in the fact that one day intervened before any more could get away. I told no one, not even my wife, of the calamity. I went to church the next day, but didn't hear the ser- mon. Knowing I was broken up, I debated with myself whether to try to go on or not. About the time the doxology was sung I had determined to 'die game.' At the rate they had been going, there were not enough to last one week; but till they were all gone I would be there. I went to the office as usual before six o'clock Monday morning, looking as cheerful as I could. About nine I sat down to the table, and soon heard a step coming toward the door. I listened, and sure enough the latch clicked, and some one came in. I did not look round, but said: 'Well sir, what's your name?' He told me. 'What post office?' He told me. I looked. 'Why sir, there is no such name on my list at that office!' 'I know it,' said the man, 'I have called to have it put on.' This was a new sensation. I looked at the man.

He seemed to be sane, so I put his name on and actually took his money. The weather was warmer and the paper had become readable. That week not a man discontinued and thirteen new names were added to the list by voluntary subscription. The calamity had culminated. In fact, it was not a calamity. People in those days never paid cash for their papers unless they wanted to 'stop.' I had charged every man two dollars, because it was not paid in advance. The result was that I had money enough to buy a first class iron hand press, which I did, changing defeat into victory. I also bought more second-hand type and en- larged the paper. From that time on the Ad- vocate and Journal prospered."

The Whig Banner lived six months. Its pub- lisher, R. Lyle White, was successful in other fields, and the Banner, modern in appearance, was a credit to him while it lived.

The American Citizen was established in February, 1855, with Charles Pitt Ramsdell, from Chautauqua county, N. Y., as its spon- sor. He was able and enthusiastic. His after career in politics was brilliant and successful. The Citizen was purchased in 1859 by William Burgwin and Floyd C. Ramsdell, and later acquired by N. B. Smiley, when the name was changed to the Venango Citizen. Alexander McDowell and Mr. Smiley conducted the paper for a time, until J. W. H. Reisinger became in- dividual owner. In 1870 E. W. Smiley, with H. S. and F. D. Smiley, became the owners and publishers. In 1884 the Independent Press was consolidated with the Citizen, and the paper was renamed the Citizen-Press.

The Independent Press had lived a little less than ten years when the consolidation took place. It was the only Prohibition party paper in the State. Its editors were successively J. R. Patterson, Miss Sue Beatty, and W. H. Whittaker. S. P. McCalmont established the journal, and it was undoubtedly due in large degree to this first Prohibition paper that sen- timent was developed which later has become so effective. Mr. McCalmont's health becom- ing impaired, the paper was taken over by the Independent Press Association, Limited, W. R. Crawford was chairman, B. W. Bredin, sec- retary, and E. W. Echols, treasurer. The edi- tors were J. J. McLaurin and H. May Irwin. The paper became Republican and in 1884 was merged into the Citizen-Press.

The Franklin Herald, a Greenback organ, lived a few months, although printed in Corry. Pencil and Shears and The. Daily Citizen were also seekers after journalistic life, but suc- cumbed after a short period of struggle.

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The Evening News has a history that differs greatly from its predecessors. The first num- ber was issued on the 18th of February, 1878. James B. Borland directed its course. James B. Muse and H. May Irwin were for a time associated with him in editorial work. The price of the new paper was one cent at first, and its small size did not give indication of its later development. But it was a sturdy in- fant. Its owners and editors profited by the experience of others who had experimented along the same line, and to their tasks they brought that true newspaper instinct without which no paper can succeed. Its size increased and the price also. The new publication com- manded respect and gained interest. That the people generally believed in it was proved unmistakably, not alone by the list of sub- scribers, but by the liberal advertising. The management was changed at times, and as is usual many contributed to its columns. Mr. Bor- land, a lover of the woods and waters, about his home county in particular, gave the readers many sketches of his trips out into the world of nature. Two years ago Mr. Edgar T. Ste- venson became editor of the News. His ability is appreciated by the readers, and the paper compares favorably with any metropolitan evening journal. The publishers are the Evening News Printing Company, president, Gen. Charles Miller, treasurer, Mina Neill. Its annual subscription price is $4.50 in ad- vance.

The Venango Citizen Press, with the same publishers and editors as the News, is pub- lished every Wednesday morning.

The Morning Star shone upon a heedless world for a few brief moons, and then waned to rise no more. Every evening belied its title when it failed to appear.

The Penny Press should have been popular, but connected with the Greenback party its days were few in the land.

The Venango Herald began a prosperous career in 1902. David McCalmont was its inspiration. He gave time and talent unre- servedly to the publication. William P. F. Ferguson has been the editor during its life. He is an able advocate of the doctrines upheld by the paper and is also in demand by his party as a public speaker. Mr. Orson Gra- ham contributes his special articles and has appreciative readers. In April, 1917, Mr. McCalmont retired as stockholder and a reorganization took place, James B. Bor- land being now managing editor and business manager. Mr. Ferguson is editor, Milton E. McWilliams, news editor; George A. Fahey, 18

assistant business manager and advertising manager. A department is devoted to Oil City news, Mr. Roy Brower and Miss Grace Fye taking charge of this section. The Herald has during the latter weeks of the war published a Sunday edition. Having one of its staff Some- where in France gave added interest to the news, James E. Murrin writing from many fields of war work.

EMLENTON

The Allegheny Valley Echo was the first paper to be published in the growing, wide- awake village of Emlenton. Peter O. Conver lived for a while in Franklin and worked on the staff of the Advocate and Journal. After a short time spent in Kansas he returned to Venango county and established the Echo at Emlenton. The paper must have been a unique organ. It missed issues when the editor felt like resting for a few days or a week. It is said to have been witty but not wise at times. When the Civil war made patriotism with courage essential Mr. Conver enlisted in the 4th Pennsylvania Cavalry and served dur- ing the struggle. R. F. Blair purchased the Echo in 1861. In 1863 the materials were se- cured by J. W. Smullin and removed to Oil City.

The Rising Sun, by Walter L. Porter; the Emlenton Register, edited by W. R. Johns ; the News, by P. McDowell ; the Telegraph, by Samuel Young, and the Times, by M. Hulings and D. D. Moriarty, were the local papers that followed, but journalism does not seem to have been a profitable vocation during the period that they were published.

On the 23d of March, 1877, Needle & Crow- ley issued the initial number of the Register. Within a few months they were succeeded by Wands & Hulings. The paper passed succes- sively to Samson, Kittell & Dean and A. A. Hulings ; in 1881, the publication having been suspended, T. W. West, formerly of the Clari- on Jacksonian, purchased the materials and established the Edenburg National.

The Emlenton Critic, a semi-weekly pub- lished by M. Gouchler & Brother, was the next local paper. It suspended in July, 1887.

The Home News, a two-column folio with a page nine inches long and six inches wide, made its first appearance May 14, 1885. E. H. Cubbison was editor and publisher. It was en- larged June 18th and July 27th, of the same year, and early gave evidence of being more than an amateur effort. With the close of the first volume the name was changed to the Em-

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lenton News. For a time it was issued semi- weekly, but in May, 1889, became a weekly. The News has been a valuable exponent of local interests, in every way creditable to its constituency and to the enterprising publisher.

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Venango County, Pennsylvania: Her Pioneers and People (Volume 1), Part 39

Author: Babcock, Charles A. Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: Babcock, Charles A.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: