USA > South Carolina > Charleston County > Charleston > The newspaper press of Charleston, S.C.; a chronological and biographical history, embracing a period of one hundred and forty years > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13
On the 1st October, 1812, the Courier resumed its for- mer size, arrangements for a supply of paper having been perfected with a factory in a neighboring State.
The columns of the City papers at this period, December, 1812, are filled with recitals of that distressing catastro-
* The embargo was the result of the unsettled differences with Great Brit- ain, and the imperious demands of France. It was a measure of general precaution. John Randolph was said to be the father of it. This inhibi- tion of the departure of our vessels from the ports of the United States, "was removed," Mr. Jefferson has said, " solely to quiet the excitement in New England."
103
OF CHARLESTON, S. C.
phe, the burning of PLACIDE's Theatre, Richmond, Vir- ginia.
So distressing are the accounts of that calamity, and so great was the lamentation which immediately followed, throughout the States, that a description of an occurrence so tragical in its results, will here be attempted.
Seven hundred persons were estimated as being in the theatre, at the time the announcement was made that the building was on fire. It was the night of PLACIDE's bene- fit ; and the pantomime of the " Bleeding Nun" was being performed. After the fire, which was accidental, one hun- dred dead bodies were taken from under the ruins; fifty more, it was supposed, were burned up, and many persons were seriously injured. Soon after the terrible event, Mr. PLACIDE wrote to many of the theatrical managers in other cities, earnestly requesting them to alter their theatres, that every facility should be offered to enable the audience to leave such places, speedily, in cases of alarm.
The proprietors of the Old Theatre, situated at what was then the western extremity of Broad Street, West corner of New Street, in this City, acted promptly on the suggestion of Mr. PLACIDE. Such alteration was then made in that structure, as gave thirteen outlets to the large audience, which assembled, not long afterwards, at that popular place of amusement, to witness the performances in aid of that renowned actor.
It was on the 1st June, 1813, during a period of innu- merable difficulties, which had their origin in the war, that Mr. WILLINGTON assumed the sole proprietorship of the Courier, and aimed at making the paper a commercial and business journal, and rather a medium of general intelli- gence and literature, than a political organ. Mr. MOR- FORD, after severing a connection of about four years with
104
THE NEWSPAPER PRESS
the Courier, returned, temporarily, to his home in New Jersey.
Dr. DALCHO, who was ordained a Deacon by Bishop DE- HON, 15th February, 1814, and Priest by Bishop WHITE of Pennsylvania, 12th June, 1816, was, in 1819, called to the ministerial charge of St. Michael's Church. This skillful editor was born in London, and came to America when a mere lad. It was in Maryland that his whole education was received. He long adorned the community in which he lived, by his urbanity, literary accomplishments, and Christian virtues. To him we owe several works, among them a history of the Episcopal Church in South Carolina, published in 1820, and which will always continue an authority in local history. The Masonic Fraternity is also indebted to him for an Ahiman Rezon. This sincere Di- vine, died 24th November, 1836, in the 67th year of his age, and 22nd year of his ministry.
In 1814, the office of the Courier was removed to No. 63 East Bay, second door from Broad Street, opposite the North corner of the Exchange. This site now constitutes the North portion, or half of the building which has recent- ly been purchased and remodeled by JOHN SIDNEY RIGGS. The location of the office here, was firmly impressed on the mind of the author, by the occurrence of a shocking suicide. The particulars of that occurrence, which took place September 22, 1835, are here given : ISIDORE GAND- OUIN, an old French inhabitant of this City, kept a small miscellaneous dry goods and hat store, two doors North of the 63 location. It was the North tenement of the building, but recently supplanted by Mr. LITSCHGI's new building.
On the morning of the day alluded to, between the hours of ten and eleven o'clock, Mr. GANDOUIN discharg-
105
OF CHARLESTON, S. C.
ed the contents of a heavily loaded horseman's pistol into his mouth, blowing off his head, the lower part of the jaw only remaining. Bodily infirmities, increased by ap- proaching blindness, caused the melancholy refuge, in self- inflicted death. But a few days before he committed the act, he alluded to the painful situation in which he stood, and of his intention. It seemed perfectly intolerable to the combined pride, and honesty of his nature, to battle longer with the ills of life. What was regarded as an empty ebullition of discontent, soon proved a fatal truth.
The specie which belonged to the different banks, amounting, the Courier tells us, to " two million, five hun- dred thousand dollars, arrived in town in wagons, 22nd April, 1816, from Columbia, where it had been deposited during the war." The Christ Church Parish troop, under the command of Captain HIBBEN, escorted the wagon train from Columbia to Charleston.
Mr. WILLINGTON was his own boarding officer, soon after he became sole proprietor of the Courier. The duty he performed in an open boat, eighteen feet in length, with width in proportion; sharp bow, square stern, and rowed by two stalwart slaves. From a vessel, boarded by himself outside of the bar, he obtained the positive news of the treaty of peace between Great Britain and America. This information, received as it was from Savannah, on the 11th February, 1815, by express from Fernandina, Florida, was made known, first to Admiral COCKBURN; then in com- mand of the British Naval force in the Chesapeake and its waters, through a dispatch vessel, a Sweedish pilot boat expressed from Cowes, England. Having obtained this information exclusively, in the manner mentioned, Mr. WILLINGTON announced the fact to his readers, on the morning of the 14th February, 1815. The treaty had been consummated at Ghent, nearly two months before. Tidings
106
THE NEWSPAPER PRESS
so gratifying were proclaimed that day, says the Courier, " throughout Charleston, by the Sheriff of the District, ac- " companied by a full band of military music, in a carriage, " with the Star Spangled Banner of the Union, and the " Red Cross of Britain united." The event was celebrated in Charleston, on the night of Tuesday, 28th February, by the brilliant illuminating of public buildings, and private residences.
The duties of boarding officer in the early days of the press, were such as required constant exposure of person, whilst great energy and perseverance were essential ad- juncts to its faithful performance.
EMANUEL JONES assumed the duties of boarding officer after Mr. WILLINGTON. Mr. JONES' constitution became so greatly impaired through his devotion to business, that he died September 5th, 1826. JOSEPH PREVOST, who came to Charleston in the autumn of the same year, then entered the service of the Courier. From 1834, until the close of 1836, THOMAS SAVAGE YOU was Mr. PREVOST'S assistant ; then JOHN GORDON performed the duties of assistant boarding officer, and continued so to do, until his death, which occurred in 1846. The office then devolved upon GEORGE LINDSAY, another of Mr. PREVOST'S assistants.
The most formidable of the opponents Mr. PREVOST had at various times, in this line of business, were SAMUEL WILCOX, WILLIAM PATTON, WILLIAM G. TRENHOLM and JOHN G. LA ROCHE, boarding officers, at intervals, for the offices of the Gazette, Post, Mercury, and Patriot. Messrs. JONES, PREVOST and WILCOX, were, in that line of busi- ness, men of indomitable will and purpose.
R. A. TAVEL succeeded Mr. PREVOST, and became boarding officer and marine reporter for the combined dai- ly press, with Mr. JOHN KNOX, as his assistant. For the past twenty years, Mr. TAVEL has been one of the most
107
OF CHARLESTON, S. C.
assiduous of workers in this, as well as in other depart- ments appertaining to journalism.
Mr. WILLINGTON, when about to leave the State in 1819, on his first European tour, appointed Mr. ISAAC COURSE, his brother-in-law, and Mr. JOHN GOODWIN, who was also a relative, his attorneys; the editorial duties he confided to Mr. T. G. WOODWARD, and E. P. STARR.
An observatory, erected by J. M. ELFORD, in August, 1822, over his "Navigation School," located at 149 East Bay, opposite Atlantic Central Wharf, was of great benefit to the boarding officers of the newspapers, and the Commer- cial public also. This observatory was so elevated as to have a commanding view over the bar, and from the middle of Sullivan's Island, to the then located tower in rear of Fort Johnson. A signal staff was erected on the South side of the observatory. When a square rigged vessel was seen in the offing, a black ball was hoisted; when two or more were in sight, two black balls were hoisted ; for fore-and- aft vessels, white balls were hoisted in the same order. The balls were kept up until the vessels came to anchor. The frame of this observatory was to be seen as late as 1849. Mr. ELFORD was the author of the " Marine Tele- graph, or Manual Signal Book," published in August, 1823. This excellent invention of Captain ELFORD grew into extensive circulation. It reminds us of the fact, by the way, that the first practical employment of telegraphic communication between distant points, was by the French Government, and cannot with certainty be traced to an earlier period than the year 1793. Flag signals from the cupola of the Custom House, or " Old Post Office," suc- ceeded these ball signals, and were used to designate the approach of the Wilmington steamers bringing the North- ern mail; at a more recent period the New York line of steam ships were sighted by means of a strong achromatic
108
THE NEWSPAPER PRESS.
telescope from this cupola full twenty miles at sea, and these signals were hoisted, regularly, in notification of their approach. The death of Captain ELFORD, which took place on the evening of 25th January, 1826, was considered at the time as a loss to the commercial interests of the United States.
CHAPTER XI.
TITLE OF THE COURIER CHANGED, 1821-WILLIAM CRAFTS AS EDITOR-JAMES GORDON BENNETT, 1823-THE COU- RIER POWER AND STEAM PRESSES-ITS THRIFTINESS- A. S. WILLINGTON, RICHARD YEADON, WILLIAM S. KING, PROPRIETORS-CELESTIAL PHENOMENON-A PERPLEXING INCIDENT.
IN the spring of 1821, the Courier appeared in its fourth, and, up to that time, its most approved, new dress. The title was then changed from Charleston Courier, to The Charleston Courier. The motto, " What is it but a map of busy life," from COWPER's Winter Evening, and the quotation for the Poet's Corner, from the pen of WASHING- TON IRVING, were adopted at the same time. The Hon. WILLIAM CRAFTS was, at this time, called, for a brief period, to the editorial charge of the paper. Not only then, but repeatedly afterwards, the Courier's columns were adorned by his elegant contributions, in prose and verse. The Courier, with the daily editorials of WILLIAM CRAFTS, assisted occasionally by HENRY T. FARMER, JAS. CARROL COURTENAY, that vigorous pamphleteer, EDWIN C. HOLLAND, WM. GILMORE SIMMS, Reverend SAMUEL GIL- MAN, WM. HENRY TIMROD, THOMAS BEE, and others, was distinguished for vivacity and variety ; though its promi- nent object, as a business paper, was not overlooked .
It is quite reasonable to suppose that the motto line, taken from COWPER, (who was surnamed Modern ISAIAH,)
10
110
THE NEWSPAPER PRESS
was the suggestion of the talented CRAFTS. The personal history and character, and the peculiar talent of the Eng- lish poet, had then been bequeathed to all literary and religious enthusiasts. The recollection of what COWPER was, and what he suffered, must have taken strong hold upon CRAFTS, who had all the sensitiveness of a true poetic spirit within him, and could, therefore, appreciate the genius of the British author.
WILLIAM CRAFTS was born in Charleston, January 24, 1787; was admitted to the Sophomore Class of Harvard College in the autumn of 1802; graduated in 1805, and began the study of law at the age of nineteen years. He died at Lebanon Springs, New York, September 22, 1826. His remains were conveyed to his relatives in Boston for interment. HENRY TUDOR FARMER, the chaste and ele- gant writer, and graduate of Eaton College, penned Mr. CRAFTS' epitaph ; fulfilling a promise which had been exacted of him by the deceased, eight years before. Mr. FARMER came from England. While a student, he pub- lished a volume, entitled, "Imagination, the Maniac's Dream, and other Poems," which exhibited some strong and beautiful touches of tenderness and pathos, and was issued from the press of KIRK & MERCIER, New York. Other poems also were from his pen. He wrote frequently for the daily press. FARMER survived his friend CRAFTS but three years and three months. His epitaph can be seen in St. Michael's Church yard. Sons of this editor and essayist-C. BARING FARMER, and H. TUDOR FARMER- reside in Walterboro, South Carolina.
It has been said of CRAFTS that " no limit could have " been assigned to his reputation, felicity and usefulness, " had his application been equal to his genius." The only surviving male relative of the late WILLIAM CRAFTS is his
111
OF CHARLESTON, S. C.
half-brother, our courteous fellow citizen, Captain GEORGE I. CRAFTS.
It will be mentioned just here, parenthetically, that about 1823, JAMES GORDON BENNETT, now the most re- nowned of Northern journalists, became an employé in the office of the Courier. After a few months' residence in Charleston, he returned to New York, and connected him- self with the Courier and Enquirer. He issued proposals in October, 1832, for the publication of The New York Globe. It was published, a short time, in William Street. In May, 1835, Mr. BENNETT brought into existence the present New York Herald; the second paper of that name ever published in New York ; a paper which, in its early career, had the reputation of being the most unscrupulous journal in the United States. Fame and wealth have, since that period, marked the career of JAMES GORDON BENNETT.
A new font of letter again became a necessity with the Courier, and the edition of 2nd January, 1826, was work- ed off on a form of new type, which came from the foun- dery of Messrs. WILLIAM HAGAR & Co., of New York.
Mr. WILLINGTON, in mentioning the fact, stated " that " the circulation had become so large, as to render it diffi- " cult to strike it off, with the presses then in common use, "in the period allowed for that purpose. But it is our " intention," said the proprietor, "as soon as experience " shall have tested the advantages of some recent inven- " tions in printing presses, to avail ourselves of them, in " order to expedite the printing of our paper."
At the time alluded to, SMITH's iron press was used in working off the edition ; ADAMS' power press, with compo- sition rollers, was afterwards, (September 1st, 1834,) intro- duced and adopted. It gave seven hundred impressions to the hour. Steam was not applied, in working off the
112
THE NEWSPAPER PRESS
Courier, until early in 1851, though its proprietors would have been the first to use it, in working off their paper, had it not been for the disclosure of the secret order given by Messrs. A. S. WILLINGTON & Co. to Messrs. CAMERON, MCDERMID & MUSTARD, early in the year 1849. This order was for an engine, to be made entire by those ma- chinists, and which was to be put on exhibition, in com- petition for the prize, at the first fair of the "South Carolina Institute." This contemplated advance in the Courier press-room was not, as it was hoped, smothered up in silence, and before that piece of mechanism-pretty and creditable as it was-could be completed, these in- struments were imported, and other presses were driven by steam.
The credit for the adaptation of steam power for print- ing here, is due to Messrs. WALKER & JAMES, who were extensively engaged in book and job printing. This firm, in February, 1850, applied steam to a double medium cyl- inder machine, manufactured by Messrs. R. HOE & Co., of New York. The imprint of their firm was " Pioneer Steam Presses, of WALKER & JAMES, Charleston, S. C." The first sheets issued through the agency of steam, were those of a short-lived hebdomadal, issued by this firm, and edited by W. C. RICHARDS, assisted by PAUL H. HAYNE and HENRY TIMROD.
Mr. WILLINGTON remained sole proprietor of the Cou- rier, until the 1st day of January, 1833, when he associated with him, as joint co-partners and editors, RICHARD YEA- DON and WILLIAM S. KING. These gentlemen became, each, an owner of one portion of the paper, by purchase. Continued prosperity followed this change. From this office, the first letter-sheet Prices Current was issued, in September, 1833.
It is not only opportune, but interesting to narrate here,
113
OF CHARLESTON, S. C.
one of the grandest celestial sights, ever viewed by man ; which account is extracted from the Courier of the 14th of November, 1833 :
" Brilliant Phenomenon .*- The atmosphere was on Tues- " day night last, illuminated with a brilliant and extraor- " dinary meteoric display. It consisted of myriads of " falling or shooting stars, even of a large size, darting in " an oblique direction towards the earth, seemingly from " every part of the heavens, and occasionally exploding " like rockets. The luminous appearances commenced " about midnight, and were most brilliant between 3 and 4 " o'clock, A. M .; being assimilated, by those who witnessed " them, to a fiery rain or hail, and continued until sunrise. " We understand that a very large meteor exploded imme- " diately over the City Hall. A sudden change of atmos-' " phere from hot to cold, which took place during the " night, was, probably, closely connected with the origin of "the phenomenon. We have been informed by Captain " JACKSON, who was at sea at night, at the distance of nine " miles from land, that the heavens were illuminated with " meteors, during nearly the whole night, as far as the eye " could reach, in every direction ; presenting a spectacle of " uncommon magnificence and sublimity, attended with " frequent explosions, resembling the discharge of small "arms. We learn, also, that a meteor of extraordinary " size was observed at sea, to course the heavens for a great " length of time, and then exploded, with the noise of a " cannon. We trust that a full account of it will be fur- " nished by some scientific hand."
A very singular occurrence took place in the Courier
* This remarkable occurrence was witnessed by the author, then a mere boy. Through the thoughtfulness of his father, he was aroused from his sleep, to view a spectacle which he never can forget, and which filled him with fear and admiration.
114
THE NEWSPAPER PRESS
establishment after midnight of the 27th of April, 1835, which prevented the appearance of the Courier in the morning. One of the journeyman, SAMUEL F. COLE, was engaged in justifying the form, after the foreman had finished " making up," and had left the office ; COLE was left alone with his only attendant, a negro press-hand, and the latter, as was the custom, had gone for the other press-hand, two being required to do the labor. When the negro returned, he found a large quantity of type on the pavement, in front of the office, and the remainder of that which belonged to the form, in most admirable confu- sion, lying about the "imposing stone." From appear- ances, COLE had broken the second page, "locked up" the other, and lifting it up to the window, precipitated it into the street, furniture and all; an exertion that required considerable strength. Mr. COLE was found, shortly after, in bed. On being charged with the commission of the outrage, he readily acknowledged it, and when asked his object in destroying that which took so much labor to ac- complish, answered, "I did it in masonry," and also said "it is the want of money." Some suspicion was attached to him, as being the person who had set fire to both the Courier and Mercury offices, on the night of Saturday, 4th of October, 1834. When charged with this act, he ac- knowledged that also. COLE was likewise charged with setting fire to a residence in Laurens Street, where he boarded, and which was burned down on the night of the 7th of November, 1834. When this offence was imputed to him, he sneeringly replied, " You accuse me of every thing, you may as well say, I burned down St. Philips' Church, also." COLE was committed to the Poor House, where his father was at the time, confined as a lunatic.
The office of the Courier was, on the 3rd of January, 1837, removed from 63 East Bay, to 111 East Bay, just
115
OF CHARLESTON, S. C.
after the completion of what was then a novelty., even in New York City, its present marble front.
Some idea can be formed of the comparative insignifi- cancy of the mail matter which came into, and went out of Charleston, even up to a period as recent as 1839. On the 15th of November, 1836, consequent upon a change of schedule in the departure of the United States Mail from Fayetteville, North Carolina, the Charleston papers of that day announced that the Government had estab- lished a horse express, between this City and the point mentioned. Much interest was manifested by the people of Charleston, at the daily coming in of this express. The carrier would urge his horse, with whip and spur, in his course down Meeting street, through Broad street, and up to the very steps of the Post Office, and there deliver his mails. An accident, which happened to this express on the afternoon of October 14, 1837, will be remembered by many of our citizens. For the purpose of cleaning out a drain which then intersected Meeting and Chalmers streets, an aperture of considerable size was necessarily made. The rider on coming in, the afternoon alluded to, did not discover the opening in time to avoid it, and into the chasm both the rider and his horse went. The rider crawled out, but much injured, but the horse, owing to the injuries re- ceived, had to be shot. This express mail was robbed on the night of June 17, 1838, when about forty miles from Charleston. The rate of postage by the express, which was in operation upwards of three years, was 75 cents for single letters, and $1.50 for double letters.
CHAPTER XII.
FIRE OF APRIL 27, 1838-LOSS OF LIFE ATTENDING IT- HISTORY OF "OLD SECESSION"-CHARLESTON'S UNPAR- ALLELED FIRE, DECEMBER, 1861-THE COURIER FORCED TO CHANGE ITS PLACE OF PUBLICATION-W. B. CARLISLE, U. S. BIRD AND A. O. ANDREWS-WHITTEMORE AND JOHN- SON TAKE POSSESSION OF THE COURIER UNDER OFFICIAL ORDERS-WM. L. DAGGETT-THE COURIER REVERTS TO ITS PROPRIETORS.
OF all the fires that had happened in Charleston, that of the 27th April, 1838, was, up to that period, the most ruin- ous. It broke out at 9 o'clock at night, at the North West corner of King and Berresford Streets. The list of houses destroyed, covered three and a half columns of the Courier. The loss of property was estimated at three millions of dol- lars ; and the loss of life plunged many of our most worthy families in the deepest distress. It was greater than at any previous, or subsequent fire, excepting, perhaps, that less important one produced by the terrific explosion, at the depot of the North Eastern Rail Road, at the time of the last surrender of Charleston, which has been estimated at from seventy-five to one hundred, mostly negroes.
The conflagration of '38, extended North and East. Powder was freely used. The firemen having become ex- hausted, it was hoped that the engineer department, then in existence, would, by blowing up, put a stop to the raging element. In blowing up the house which stood at
118
THE NEWSPAPER PRESS
the South West corner of King and Liberty Streets, Mr. FREDERICK SCHNIERLE, a prominent citizen, and a mem- ber of the department, lost his life. With him perished Mr. JOHN S. PEART. Colonel CHARLES JOHN STEEDMAN, (before mentioned as one of the proprietors of the Gazette) was killed, while blowing up a house on the West side of East Bay, next South of Hasel Street, together with his attendant, a colored man, named WILLIAM, the property of Mrs. TAYLOR, a widow. Capt. DUFF, of the ship Her- ald, and Mr. M. F. TURLEY, of this City, sustained serious injuries.
The services of Mr. J. D. BROWNE, a gentleman well skilled in pyrotechny, were called into requisition on the night of that fire. To him was confided the responsibility of blowing up the houses on the West side of Meeting Street, from a large wooden building, used as a theatre, North to Market Street; thence from the South East cor- ner of Meeting and Market Streets East to Church Street. The proper time-fuses used by the engineers having given out, they then had to resort to the common port-fire and kegs of powder. Mr. BROWNE was successfully employed until he reached the house then occupied by an Italian, named JACOB GEANNI, midway between the opposite points. In blowing up that building, he met with his first injury-a severe gash on the fore-head. This did not de- ter him in the performance of his extremely hazardous duty. On he went, toppling building after building, until he blew up the last house assigned to him, which was just before midnight. There, he narrowly escaped with his life, and was, as he has told the author, "literally burnt from head to foot." His life was, for a long time, despair- ed of. Mr. BROWNE still lives, but bears the marks re- ceived on that eventful night.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.