History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 59

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1013

USA > Tennessee > Davidson County > History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 59

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The Southwestern Literary Journal and Monthly Review was commenced in November, 1844. The oldest number extant is the last number of the first six months' volume. Each number had sixty-four pages, octavo ; subscription three dollars per year. It was edited by E. Z. C. Judson and A. H. Kidd; A. Billings & Co.) ublishers for the editors.

The Baptist-second paper of that name-was started Jan. 29, 1844, by C. K. Winston, J. H. Shepherd, and J. H. Marshall, publishing committee, under control of the Tennessee Baptist Educational Society. The Tennessee subscribers of the Baptist organ of Louisville, Ky., having ceased taking that paper in large numbers, suggested the publication for them of a home paper. Rev. Dr. R. B. C. Howell and Rev. W. Carey Crane, of Virginia, were edi- tors; W. F. Bang & Co. publishers. The Baptist was a sixteen-page octavo, published every Saturday at two dol- lars per annum. Aug. 23, 1845, Dr. Howell became sole editor. After the issue of the last number, Aug. 22, 1846, Dr. Howell donated the paper to the General Baptist Asso- ciation of Tennessee, and was by them continued as editor, with the assistance of Rev. J. R. Graves, associate editor. May 1, 18+7, the name was changed to the Tennessee Baptist.

The Daily Orthopolitan was started Oct. 4, 1845, by John S. Simpson and John T. S. Fall, and edited by Wil- kins Tannehill, Esq., an extensive and fluent literary writer, author of the " History of Literature," " Manual of Frec- masonry," and several other creditable works. He was a man highly distinguished as a member of the Masonic fraternity. The Orthopolitan was printed in bourgeois type, with five columns to each page of fourteen and a half by twenty inches. It was published daily at fifty cents a month, and also tri-weekly and weekly. H. A. Kidd and B. F. Burton took charge of the paper April 1, 1846. Mr. Kidd served as editor for a short time, when Mr. Tan- nehill again became editor. James J. S. Billings soon after joined Burton & Fall in its control, and Aug. 4, 1846, Mr. Fall retired from the business. No. 310 of volume one, dated Sept. 30, 1846, is the latest number on file. Its publica- tion was discontinued soon after that date.

The Christian Record was commenced under the patron- age of the Presbyterian Synod of West Tennessee, Nov. 14, 1846, by a publishing committee consisting of Rev. Drs. J. T. Edgar and R. A. Lapsley, Prof. Nathan Cross,

and Revs. R. B. McMillen, J. M. Arnell, and Rev. A. H. Kerr, who was its editor. In October, 1847, Revs. J. T. Kendrick, R. B. McMillen, P. A. Hoagman, J. M. Arnell, J. W. Hume, Dr. Harrison, and Prof. Cross were made an editorial committee, and Anson Nelson editor. The paper for Oct. 28, 1848, came out under the name of The Pres- byterian Record, but the former name was continued as an editorial heading. In November, 1849, Rev. John T. Edgar, O. B. Hayes, and W. P. Buell were named as the editorial committee, and Rev. A. E. Thorne traveling and corresponding editor. Mr. Nelson continued to edit the Record until July 5, 1850, when it ceased publication and was consolidated with the Presbyterian Herald of Louis- ville, Ky.

The Naturalist and " Journal of Agriculture, Horticul- turc, Education, and Literature," a forty-eight page monthly at two dollars a year, was commenced at Franklin College, in January, 1846, and conducted by Isaac N. Loomis, John Eichbaum, J. Smith Fowler, and Tolbert Fanning. The sub-title was afterwards changed to read " Journal of Natu- ral History, Agriculture, Education, and Literature." It ceased to be published at the end of the first year.

The Tennessee Farmer and Horticulturist was a monthly journal of twenty-four pages, octavo, published at one dollar per annum, commencing Sept. 1, 1846, Charles Foster editor and publisher. This journal was devoted to the im- provement of agriculture, horticulture, and the mechanical arts, and the promotion of domestic industry. It was illus- trated by wood-cuts made by the enterprising and indus- trious editor.

The Quarterly Review of the Methodist Episcopal Church South was established by the General Conference in 1846, and published in Louisville, Ky., until 1851, then at Rich- mond, Va., until August, 1858, when it was moved to Nashville, and T. O. Summers became its editor. It was published at the Methodist Episcopal Book Concern until suspended by the war in 1861. Each number contained one hundred and sixty pages, octavo ; subscription price two dollars per annum. Dr. Summers was a man of scholarly attainments, and editor of many publications of the Metho- dist Episcopal Book Concern South previous to 1860.

The Tennessee Organ, a temperance paper, was estab- lished here in 1847 by Rev. John P. Campbell, who was editor and publisher. During the latter part of the year he was assisted by Rev. Fountaine E. Pitts. In 1848, Mr. Campbell sold his interest to Anson Nelson, who was then publishing the Daily Gazette and Christian Record. Mr. Nelson subsequently became the sole proprietor and editor of the Organ, which he continued to publish with success until the spring of 1852. He sold soon after to Dr. Wm. S. Langdon, who subsequently disposed of it to Dr. R. Thompson and Wm. G. Brien, Esq., in whose hands it ex- pired during the year 1854.

The Southern Ladies' Companion, edited by M. M. Henkle and J. B. McFerrin, D.D., for the Methodist Episcopal Church South, was commenced in April, 1847, and was printed by William Cameron, at the Nashville Christian Advocate office. It was a twenty-four-page monthly, having two columns to the page. This maga- zine was successfully conducted, and attained a large circu-

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lation. On the decision of the suit at law between the Methodist Episcopal Church South and North, it was stopped, and its patronage transferred to a new publication named the Home Circle, which was its immediate succes- sor. The last number was issued in April, 1854.

The Tennessee Baptist was the immediate successor of The Baptist, edited by Rev. Dr. Howell, and was first issued under that name, May 1, 1847,-Rev. Drs. R. B. C. Howell and J. R. Graves editors, Graves & Shankland proprietors, and W. F. Bang & Co. printers. It was issued weekly at two dollars a year ; size, super-royal sheet, twelve by eighteen inches, with five columns to the page. Dr. Graves became sole editor June 24, 1848. It was soon after increased to seven columns in size. May 20, 1854, William C. Buck and C. R. Hendrickson became corres- ponding editors, and Graves & Marks publishers. The paper was enlarged in 1854. J. B. Rutland became part proprietor in September, 1856. In January, 1857, Dr. Graves became sole proprietor and publisher. In October, 1857, S. C. Rogers, E. F. P'Pool, and Mr. Marks com- posed the firm, under the style of Graves, Marks & Co. May 15, 1858, Rev. J. M. Pendleton and Rev. A. C. Dayton became associate editors with Mr. Graves. Mr. Dayton retired from the concern in October, 1859, and April 7, 1860, the last edition of the paper was issued. The subscription list is said to have contained the names of fourteen thousand subscribers. The printing-house of Graves & Co. was known as the "Southwestern Publish- ing House." Other periodicals of a denominational char- acter were also published by this concern. A prominent and useful one of these was The Children's Book, a pic- torial octavo, which was issued regularly until the office of publication closed.

The Portfolio, or Journal of Freemasonry and Gene- ral Literature, was an interesting and instructive monthly, of thirty-two pages, octavo, published by J. T. S. Fall, com- mencing with July, 1847. Mr. Wilkins Tannchill, one of the most active Masons in the South, was its editor. He wrote a second edition of his " History of Literature." The manuscript (two volumes, folio) was delivered to the State Historical Society after his death. He was a man of great industry, and was highly esteemed by the community in which he moved. The last number of The Portfolio was a fine specimen of the printer's art. The editorials were models of good English, filled with valuable informa- tion, and the work was illustrated with elegant steel en- gravings.

The Christian Magazine was a monthly organ of the Christian denomination, published by the Christian Publi- cation Society of Tennessee, and first issued in 1848 by John T. S. Fall, publisher, and edited by Rev. Jesse B. Ferguson and J. K. Howard. It contained thirty-two pages, octavo, and was sold at one dollar a year. The pub- lication ceased previous to 1854.

The Western Boutman, a monthly periodical of forty pages, devoted to steamboat navigation, was started by D. Embree in January, 1848, and published by Anson, Nelson & Co. at the Christian Record office. The subscription price was two dollars a year. The office of publication was changed to Cincinnati, Ohio, after issuing the first number.

The Evening Reporter, a neutral paper, was published for a short time in 1849-50 by HI. Buckley, but soon failed from lack of support by the reading public.

The Nashville Daily Times was commenced by the firm of Landis, Williams & Church in 1849, a few numbers issued, and the enterprise abandoned.

The Naturalist, a monthly of twenty-four octavo pages at one dollar a year, devoted to science, agriculture, mechanics, arts, education, and general improvement, was commenced by Tolbert Fanning in January, 1850. It was illustrated by Charles Forster, formerly of the Tennessee Farmer, and printed by J. T. S. Fall. On the completion of its first volume it was merged in the Southern Agriculturist.

The Southern Agriculturist was started with the Janu- ary number for 1851, and commenced numbering with volume seven of The Naturalist. It was of the same size and price, but was " devoted to the agricultural interests of the Mississippi Valley." Dr. Richard O. Currey was cdi- tor. It continued but a short time. Dr. Currey became one of the editors of the Monthly Medical Record of Mem- phis in 1852.

The Nashville Journal of Medicine and Surgery was first issued in February, 1851, as a bi-monthly. It con- tained three hundred and eighty-four pages. Publication price three dollars per annum. John T. S. Fall was its publisher until it was stopped by reason of the war. It was issued monthly after the first year. In 1852 there were two volumes issued, each containing three hundred and eighty-four pages. It was projected as an ally and assistant to the Medical Department of the University of Nashville, and was edited by W. K. Bowling, M.D., and Paul F. Eve, M.D., two professors of that department. William Cameron became one of the publishers in 1856. Dr. Eve retired from his position as editor in January, 1858, and George S. Blackie, M.D., succeeded him.

The Southwestern Monthly was a sixty-four page octavo magazine, edited by William Wales, Esq., afterwards a resi- dent of Chicago, Ill., and now of Baltimore, Md. The publishers were Wales & Roberts. It was issued only long enough to form two complete volumes for 1852. This magazine was copiously illustrated with fine steel engravings, which appeared in nearly every number. They were im- ported by Mr. Wales from England, where they were en- graved by Edward Roberts, brother of John Roberts, his associate publisher. This periodical was filled with numer- ous historical narratives and facts relating to the early his- tory of Nashville and of the State. Mr. Wales was one of the most active promoters and earliest members of the State Historical Society of Tennessee.

The Ladies' Pearl, a monthly periodical devoted to the various interests of the ladies of the South and West, Was commenced in October, 1852, by Revs. William S. Lang- don and J. C. Provine, editors, and published by Rev. Mr. Langdon. The subscription price was one dollar a year. Mr. Provine retired in November, 1855. Mrs. Sue D. Langdon, wife of the editor, became editress in October, 1855. In July, 1856, The Pearl was sold to Logan & Brown, of St. Louis, Mo., and removed to that city. Each annual volume contained four hundred and fifty pages, and it was occasionally illustrated.

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The Nashville Evening News was started by M. S. Coms on Broad Street in May, 1851. He was editor and pro- prietor until the March following, when James R. Bruce became one of the editors. In January, 1853, he sold the News to Logan Ashley and George R. McKee. Mr. Ash- ley then became the publisher, and Mr. McKee joint editor with Mr. Bruce. In May, 1854, Mr. Bruce, in company with James Z. Swan, purchased the office. May 17, 1855, they sold to M. V. B. Haile, who conducted the paper until the following August, when it was discontinued and its materials removed to Tullahoma.

The Southern Medical Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences was published bi-monthly by John F. Morgan, commencing with January, 1853. It contained four hundred and sixty pages to the volume; subscription two dollars a year. The editorial management was con- ducted by Drs. John W. King, William P. Jones, Richard O. Curry, and B. Wood. Frank A. Ramsey, of Knox- ville, Tenn., was associate editor. T. A. Atchison, of Kentucky, and R. L. Scruggs, of Louisiana, were corres- ponding editors. Mr. Scruggs retired on the completion of the first volume. The second annual volume was printed by W. F. Bang & Co. The volume of 1855 was printed at Knoxville, Tenn. Mr. Ramsey and Mr. Atchison re- tired at the close of 1854. In 1856 it began to appear monthly, and was published by Kinsloe & Rice, of Knox- ville, as the organ of the East Tennessee Medical Society. Its publication ceased with December, 1857.

The Banner of Peace (Cumberland Presbyterian), Rev. David Barry publisher, Rev. William S. Langdon editor, was moved to Nashville from Lebanon, Tenn., in July, 1853. It originated at Princeton, Ky., as a sixteen-page monthly, imperial octavo, at one dollar a year, in 1840. It was then printed with two columns to the page, by M. Rodgers, and edited by Rev. F. R. Cossitt, afterwards of Lebanon. Previous to its appearance a violent controversy 'existed in Princeton in relation to the removal of Princeton College to Lebanon, Tenn. At this juncture Rev. Mr. Cossitt commenced the paper to still the troubled waters of controversy, and gave to it the significant title of The Ban- ner of Peace. The college was moved to Lebanon. At the close of the year the paper was changed to an eight- page, four-column weekly, and received the additional title of Cumberland Presbyterian Advocate. The price was then advanced to two dollars and a half per annum. In 1846 it was enlarged to seven columns to the page, and Mr. J. T. Figures became publisher. In January, 1850, William D. Chadick, D.D., and W. L. Berry became pub- lishers, and Mr. Chadick editor. Rev. David Lowry be- came editor in October, 1850, and was succeeded by Rev. William S. Langdon in July, 1853. In May, 1857, Rev. William E. Ward became editor, and the paper was enlarged to eight columns and the price fixed at two dollars. It was published with success by the last-named managers until the general suspension of all Nashville papers after the evacuation by the Confederate forces.

The Parlor Visitor was commenced January, 1854, as the organ of the First Baptist Church of Nashville, by William S. Langdon & Co., and edited by Dr. W. P. Jones, one of the most prominent moral educators of the city.

Rev. W. H. Bayless, pastor of the church, was assistant editor. Mr. A. A. Stitt, of the Methodist Book Concern, afterwards became printer for the editors. The Visitor was first issued with thirty-two pages, at two dollars a year, and afterwards enlarged to forty-eight pages. Its publica- tion ceased with No. 6, vol. vii., June, 1857.

The Gospel Advocate was a sixteen-page weekly organ of the Church of Christ. It was first issued as an octavo thirty-two-page monthly, in 1854, by Elder Tolbert Fan- ning and Prof. William Lipscomb, of Franklin College, editors, and published at the corner of College and Union Streets, Nashville, by Cameron & Fall. Elder Fanning was then president of Franklin College. The magazine was continued until the suspension of mails in the early part of the civil war.

The Southern Baptist Review, a quarterly magazine of six hundred pages to each annual volume, was commenced in January, 1855, by Revs. J. R. Graves, Mr. Marks, and J. B. Rutland, and edited by Rev. Mr. Graves and Rev. J. M. Pendleton. Mr. N. M. Crawford became associate edi- tor the first of the next year. At the end of 1856, Mr. Rutland retired. Mr. A. C. Dayton became associate editor in 1858, and the Review was continued under that man- agement until the war.

The Home Circle, a monthly periodical devoted to re- ligion and literature, was first issued from the Methodist Book Concern in May, 1855, but was antedated to Janu- ary, so as to commence the volume with the year. Rev. L. D. Houston was chosen editor. This publication took the place of the Ladies' Companion, started as a private enterprise under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1848, and was one of the results of the organ- ization of the Methodist Publishing House. It was a super-royal octavo of sixty-four pages, printed on fine calen- dered paper, and had one or more steel engravings in each number. The subscription price was two dollars a year. It ceased publication shortly before the surrender of Nash- ville to the Federal authorities.

The Sunday-School Visitor was first published in Nash- ville in May, 1855. It was an illustrated monthly journal, designed for Sunday-schools, and published for thirty cents a year. Thomas O. Summers was chosen its first editor by the General Conference at its second session in St. Louis, Mo., and the first number was issued in Charleston, S. C., Jan. 1, 1851. Mr. Summers continued to edit the Visitor until December, 1856. L. D. Houston was chosen editor by the General Conference in 1856, and the first number of the new series was issued by him in Nashville. This was re- garded as one of the most important in its mission of any publication of the church, and was creditable for both its literary and mechanical work. It was continued until the war.

The Farmer's Banner was issued from the Daily Banner office, and was called "a supplement to the Republican Banner." The first number appeared in 1855. It was published monthly by Bang, Walker & Co., and contained sixteen octavo two-column pages. It continued until the war.

The Agricultural and Commercial Journal was issued in May, 1855.

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The Fountain, a sprightly temperance paper, was started by Alexander R. Wiggs, Esq., in 1855, and closed its career at the end of its first volume.

The Tennessee Farmer and Mechanic, a journal of prac- tical agriculture and mechanics, was first issued as a monthly in January, 1856, edited and published by Boswell & Wil- liams. It was a forty-eight-page octavo, at two dollars a year. Among its contributors were numbered some of the best men and writers in the country. In 1857 its sub- title read, " Devoted to the interests of the farm and shop ; a monthly record of general agriculture, mechanics, stock- raising, fruit-growing, and home interests." It was then published by Smith, Morgan & Co., at No. 16 Deaderick Street. Mr. Boswell retired soon after, leaving Mr. Wil- liams sole editor. It ceased to be published December, 1857, and was succeeded in January, 1858, by The Southern Homestead.

The Nashville Daily News .- This paper was started by a joint-stock company in the fall of 1857. It was man- aged by a board of directors, and devoted to news and the commercial interests of the city and State. It was edited by Allen A. Hall, who was the most favorable selection that could have been made for that position. The enter- prise was not found to be successful, and in the spring of 1858 the office passed into the hands of Don Cameron, who became the chief editor, and R. II. Barry, William Cam- eron, and James A. Fisher. William Lellyet was city and commercial editor. The News became a political paper in the fall of 1859, espousing the Opposition cause, with Allen A. Hall, its former editor, again in the chair. M. O. Brooks bought the interest of James A. Fisher, in Feb- ruary, 1860. The firm-style was Cameron & Co. The publication of the News ceased a few months later.

The Baptist Family Visitor, a forty-eight-page monthly devoted to religious and moral literature, was commenced in July, 1857, and but one annual volume issued. T. M. Hughes was both printer and publisher.

Harper's Theatrical Bulletin was issued for a short time in 1857.

The Legislative Union and American .- This was an important state-document organ issued at the Union and American office, commencing with the legislative session of 1857-58,-Oct. 12, 1857. The object of its publica- tion was a more complete report of the debates in the . General Assembly than had previously been made. The debates were reported by Mr. W. H. Draper, an accom- plished phonographer of South Bend, Ind. The first vol- ume, published in twenty-four numbers, folio, terminated about March 23, 1858, and contained one hundred and eighty-four pages. The second volume was issued in octavo form, and comprised thirty-five numbers, of five hundred and sixty pages in all, commencing with Oct. 8, 1859.

The Daily Christian Advocate .- This paper was pub- lished by Stevenson & Owen, agents of the Methodist Publishing House, in May, 1858, during the fourth session of the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. It was edited by Rev. Dr. J. B. McFerrin, and contained a complete report of the debates and proceedings of the Conference. Twenty-six numbers were issued.

The Christian Unionist, a weekly religious newspaper, was issued by Rev. John P. Campbell, editor, in 1858, and after a short existence was merged in the Southern Maga- eine.

The Southern Magazine of Temperance, devoted to Re- ligion, Education, and General Literature, was commenced in May, 1858, as a thirty-two-page octavo magazine, at one dollar a year. It was published for a short time at the Methodist Publishing House, and edited by Mr. W. H. F. Ligon.

Young's Spirit of the South and Central American, " A Chronicle of the Turf, Field Sports, Literature, and the Stage," edited by William H. Young and Madame F. Llewellen Young, was commenced April 17, 1858. After twelve numbers had been issued it was removed to Louis- ville, Ky., and to Cincinnati, Ohio, and soon expired. It had previously led a brief career in New Orleans and Memphis.

The Nashville Monthly Record of Medical and Physical Sciences was commenced at the Southern Methodist Pub- lishing House, by A. A. Stitt, and edited by Drs. D. F. Wright and R. O. Curry. It was formed in September, . 1858, by a union of the Memphis Medical Recorder and the Nashville Southern Journal of Medical and Physical Science. The Nashville Record formed an annual volume of one hundred and sixty pages; subscription one dollar a year. In July, 1859, Dr. Curry retired, and Drs. John H. Callender and Thomas L. Maddin became editors. The title was then abbreviated to " Nashville Monthly Record," and the subscription price increased to two dollars and fifty cents. In March, 1860, it was announced that it would terminate with the ensuing August number, and that a quarterly medical journal, commencing with January, 1861, would be edited by Dr. D. F. Wright. This, with a pro- posed Medical Bulletin and Hospital Gazette, was inter- rupted by the war.

Southern Homestead .- This was an agricultural and family newspaper, published by Smith, Morgan & Co., No. 16 Deaderick Street, on the expiration of the Tennessee Farmer and Mechanic. The first number was issued Jan. 7, 1858, by Mr. - Williams, sole proprietor. Mrs. L. Virginia French, a very talented lady, was editress of the literary department. The form of the Homestead was at first eight pages, ten by fourteen inches, with four columns to a page; price two dollars per annum. Thomas H. Glenn, former commercial editor of the Daily Patriot, be- came partner and joint editor in 1858. In January, 1859, the size of the paper was increased, and another column added to each page. In July, 1859, Mrs. French gave up her position. In January, 1860, the Homestead was again enlarged. This paper was considered one of the best agri- cultural papers in the Union. . It was profusely illustrated with fine wood-cuts, and was unsurpassed in typographical appearance. Publication ceased with the war.

The Baptist Standard .- During the summer of 1858 some trouble originated in the First Baptist Church of Nashville, the agitation of which soon suggested the estab- lishment of a paper by the friends of that church. The project assuming definite shape, the first number of the paper appeared Nov. 10, 1858, L. B. Woolfork editor. It was published at the Banner office. It had four pages,

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History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 59

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1013

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1013