USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia and representative citizens, V.1 > Part 43
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The Outer Quarantine .- In 1893 the Con- gress of the United States passed an Act for the better protection of our seaboard against the introduction of disease and required all the seaports on the coast to provide certain plants and fixtures for examining and quar- antining ships, In the event that certain
cities could not or would not so provide, the government undertook to maintain a quaran- tine establishment, with all necessary equip- ments and appliances.
The question was submitted to the Board of Quarantine Commissioners of this district, and upon mature consideration of the matter, it decided not to put the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth to this great expense of such an establishment and turned over to our national government the outer quarantine of these ports, retaining to itself the right to detain and examine all vessels passed into the com- mon harbor, so that if by any careless. incom- petent or corrupt examination at the outer quarantine a vessel comes to this harbor with sickness or infection, she can be immediately sent away.
In pursuance of the above Act of Congress, the Marine Hospital service of the United States has established a complete quarantine plant at Cape Charles, Virginia, where in- fected vessels are detained and the crews and cargo removed on shore, fumigated and disin- fected.
With carefully maintained inner and outer quarantine we are supposed to be amply pro- tected from the introduction of sickness and disease from foreign sources.
CHAPTER XVIII
THE PRESS OF NORFOLK COUNTY
EARLY AND DEFUNCT NEWSPAPERS OF THE COUNTY -- NEWSPAPERS OF TO-DAY.
The press is the liberator, the instructor, the historian. It is the terror of tyrants, the dread of corruptionists, the fortress of free- dom, the defender of the Commonwealth. It is the mouth of public opinion and the eyes of the people. It is the sentinel on the outpost of the Republic. It is the guardian of inno- cence and protector of purity. Its mission is charity, truth and justice. The journalist who makes this motto his guide will be applauded by men and rewarded by Heaven .- " The lib- erty of the press and the liberties of the peo- ple must stand or fall together." The first newspaper was published in England on the 27th of May, 1576 .- The Liverpool Times.
The history of the press of our cities by the sea has not been preserved as it should have been and much interesting detail has been lost. It is said that John Buckner brought the first printing press to Virginia, which was sup- pressed in 1683.
The first newspaper published in Virginia was the 'irginia Gazette, the first number of which was issued at Williamsburg. August 6. 1736. It was a sheet about 12 inches by six, and was printed and published by W. Parks, at 15s. per annum. It was not a free agent to herald the generous impulses of the heart : but had a lord and master in the representative of the crown to govern its course. James Holt. whose publication was exciting in the people
"the spirit of rebellion and sedition," for which ! Dunmore justified his dastardly seizure of the types, fixtures and two printers, was a heroic and patriotic journalist, whose memory should be precious to every American.
The Virginia Chronicle and Norfolk and Portsmouth General Advertiser, was published by Baxter and Wilson in 1793.
The Herald and Norfolk and Portsmouth Advertiser was published by Charles Willet in 1795.
The Epitome of the Times was published by Augustus C. Jordan in 1799.
Norfolk Gazette and Public Ledger was published by William Davis, 1805-14.
Norfolk Herald, 1819, afterward styled The Norfolk and Portsmouth Herald, pub- lished by O'Connor and Thomas G. Brough- ton: styled Norfolk and Portsmouth Herald and Daily Commercial Advertiser, 1844-45. and Vorfolk and Portsmouth Herald, 1849-52, published by Thomas G. Broughton & Com- pany, and Thomas G. Broughton & Son. -
The American Beacon and Norfolk and Portsmouth Daily Advertiser, 1844. published by William E. Cunningham & Company.
The Norfolk Phoenix, published June 13. 1844. W. C. Shields, editor.
Chronicle and Old Dominion, 1843, pub- lished by A. H. Cunningham. It became The New Era, July, 1845. William Wallace, editor
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of the Daily Chronicle, died March 20, 1854.
The Southern Argus, established June 8, 1848. S. T. Sawyer, editor and proprietor, published by T. M. Crowder, succeeded by A. F. Leonard in 1855. Col. William Lamb became a partner and both conducted the pa- per, 1856-60.
The Daily News, established June 1, 1857, issued by T. F. Boothly and C. H. Beal, ed- itors and proprietors.
The Norfolk Day Book, styled The Day Book, 1857-66. Established by T. O. Wise with John R. Hathaway, editor. who soon became editor and proprietor. Capt. Jamies Barron Hope and Holt Wilson became editors - in 1866. John R. Hathaway became editor, and Maj. James F. Milligan, local editor in 1877.
The New Regime, 1864-65. ( Ben. But- ler's paper. )
The Norfolk Old Dominion. 1863-66, pub- lished by R. E. Glassett and William E. Sex- ton. A. Watson Atwood succeeded Glassett in 1864. On March 22, 1865. the editors and proprietors were J. K. Wolcott, R. E. Glassett and William E. Sexton. In 1866. E. F. Preston, editor, styled it the Old Dominion and the Daily Old Dominion.
The Norfolk Post, 1865-66. established by E. M. Brown, publisher, and John Clark, ed- itor.
The Independent Daily Messenger was founded on the 29th of September, 1843. by D. D. Fiske. Its motto was "The Liberty of the Press and the Liberties of the People Must Stand or Fall Together." It supported Martin Van Buren for president, subject to the decision of the Democratic national con- vention.
The Public Index was issued on the 13th of April, 1844. Thomas C. Connelly, editor, -- its politics was Whig.
The Portsmouth Times, established in 1838: John T. Hill, editor.
The Commercial Chronicle, established in 1839 by Theophilus Fisk and A. F. Cun-
ningham, merged with the Old Dominion as " the Chronicle and Old Dominion.
Commercial Chronicle and the Portsmouth and Norfolk Tri-Weekly Old Dominion, 1839-40.
The Old Dominion was established by Theophilus Fisk and A. F. Cunningham, -- the latter soon withdrew. James M. Smith be- came publisher in December, 1841.
The Chronicle and Old Dominion, 1844, published by A. F. Cunningham and The- ophilus Fisk; 1845, Cunningham alone pub- lished. The new series, March 23. 1847, be- gan with D. D. Fiske publisher for the pro- prietor, 1847-48.
The Daily Globe, 1853. published by Law, Badger & Company.
The New Era Daily, conducted by A. E. Cunningham 1845-47: tri-weekly 1846.
The Daily Pilot. 1850, published by John S. Cunningham & Company.
The Daily Transcript, 1853, established by D. D. Fiske.
The Democrat, 1853, Henry E. Orr, ed- itor.
The Daily Enterprise, established in 1873, by John W. H. Porter. editor and proprietor, succeeded by Enterprise Times-Porter and Wilcox, proprietors: Julius H. Wilcox pur- chased it in 1889, and changed name to Progress.
Portsmouth Daily Times, James B. Camp- bell, editor and proprietor, sold to Times Pub- lishing Company .- W. B. Wilder, manager ; William H. Stewart. editor; Mrs. Fanny M. Downing, associate editor.
Tidewater Times ( weekly). Afterward Dr. J. M. Blanton was editor of both Daily and Weekly Times. The Times Publishing Com- pany sold them to Julius H. Wilcox, who con- solidated them with the Enterprise.
The Evening News was established by Judge Chandler W. Hill in 1883.
The Record was established in 1884. Col. K. R. Griffin, editor.
The Evening Times was published by
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Whitson and Griffin a short while. The Ports- mouth Daily Times, Tidewater Times and Portsmouth Observer in 1886, J. H. Wilcox, editor and proprietor ; W. B. Wilder, business manager.
All of the above are out of existence.
Norfolk Virginian .- On the 21st of No- vember, 1865, the first number of the Vor- folk Virginian was issued. It was not born in halcyon days. Its life was no holiday. For many years it was battling for the cause of good government and the recognition of the political equality of the South in the Union. It labored for the material prosperity of Vir- ginia and the commercial advancement of Norfolk. These great cbjects it witnessed se- cured. It witnessed the South, a conquered province, parceled out in districts and presided over by military chiefs. It saw it barthened by a throng of adventurers, whose only ob- ject was to fatten upon the wants of an af- flicted people. All these evils it has witnessed swept away, and the States of the South once again equal in a confederacy of States, their capitals freed from the bivouac of Federal troops their legislative halls no longer echo in the challenge of the sentry or the tread of the corporal's guard, but peace and prosperity and home government secured, each State rap- idly developing its vast wealth, so long per- mitted to remain dormant. It also watched and assisted in the material growth and pros- perity of our common harber, until Norfolk occupies a commanding position among the commercial cities of the country, with a brilliant future before it.
The publishers of the Virginian were G. A. Sykes & Company. Hon. A. M. Keiley, now judge of the Consular Court at Cairo, Egypt, was its first editor. His associate was Capt. James Barron Hope. Col. J. Richard Lewellen as the business manager. The pros- pectus set forth that "apart from the usual feature of journalism, we design that The Virginian should be especially devoted to the advancement of the prosperity of Norfolk and her sister city, and the large section of Vir-
ginia whose interests are common with them." A few months after the first issue Mr. Keiley and Captain Hope retired from the paper and Col. William E. Cameron, now ex-Governor of Virginia, succeeded them as editor. Later on. Colonel Lewellen purchased an interest in the paper. A month or so afterward a new : company was formed, consisting of Col. J. . R. Lewellen, Solomon Hodges. Edward H. Hodges. T. B. Ruffin and J. C. Adkisson, un- der the firm name of J. R. Lewellen & Com- pany. In November, 1866, one year after the first number was issued. Colonel Lewellen withdrew in order to take charge of the Vor- folk Journal. His interest was purchased by the remaining partners and the firm name was changed to S. Hodges & Company, with J. Marshall Hanna, as editor.
In January, 1867, the management of the paper was tendered to M. Glennan, Esq .. and on the 17th of the month he entered upon the : discharge of the duties of the position. After a service of a few months, Mr. Hanna retired from the editorship, and the position was of- fered to and accepted by Capt. James Barron Hope. In November, 1867, Mr. Glennan purchased an interest in the paper. On Feb- ruary 9. 1870, Solomon Hodges disposed of his interest to the other members of the com- pany, and the firm name was changed to Glennan, Ruffin & Company. In the follow- ing .year Edward H. Hodges, on account of failing health, sold his interest, and on Decem- ber 14, 1872, Mr. Glennan purchased the in- terest of T. B. Ruffin, and the firm name was changed to Glennan & Adkisson.
On the Ist of October, 1873, Captain Hope retired from the editorship of The Virginian in order to found the Landmark. The la- mented Capt. John Hampden Chamberlayne, one of the ablest and most brilliant journal- ists of the country, was selected to fill the va- cancy. On the IIth of March, 1876, Captain Chamberlayne retired from the paper in order to commence the publication of his paper, The State, in Richmond. Capt. John S. Tucker. afterward mayor of Norfolk, was tendered
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and accepted the editorship. On March 24. 1876, J. C. Adkisson disposed of his interest to Mr. Glennan, in consequence of which the latter became the sole owner of the paper.
On the 31st of March, 1880, Captain Tucker retired from the editorship, which de- partment was afterward conducted by Mr. Glennan until his appointment as postmaster by President Cleveland on July 1, 1885, when the position of editor was tendered to and ac- cepted by Capt .. Henry E. Orr.
It will not be amiss to allude to the links which connect this journal with the history of the press of this and other States, furnishing as it did so many of those who had been as- sociated with it, to edit and conduct and man- age the departments of successful and enter- prising journals. In Norfolk, it gave to the Norfolk Landmark Capt. James Barron Hope to edit and S. S. Nottingham, Jr .. to manage it. To the Ledger it gave Col. J. R. Lewellen, its manager. Joseph G. Fiveash. and its local editor, T. B. Ruffin. Colonel Lewellen and Mr. Fiveash, previous to the establishment of the Ledger, were connected with the man- agement of the Norfolk Journal, going to that paper from The L'irginian. Colonel Lewellen afterward in connection with W. S. Copeland. of The Virginian, purchased the Danville Register. Mr. Copeland also assisted in the establishment of the Petersburg Mail. The Norfolk Weekly Herald is owned by W. S. Copes, who commenced his business life on The Virginian. The Portsmouth Enterprise was established by Porter & Concannon, who were previously connected with The Virgin- ian. R. E. Glassett, who in 1866-67 was at- tached to this paper, was Portsmouth city ed- itor of the Landmark. Julius H. Wilcox, the editor of the Portsmouth Weekly Observer, and afterward owner and editor of the Ports- month Times and Portsmouth Progress, was for several years on The Virginian's staff. From The Virginian, ex-Governor Cameron was called to edit the Petersburg Index and afterward elected Governor of Virginia. To establish the Richmond State, John Hampden
Chamberlayne resigned the editorship of The Virginian, and associated with him that bril- liant journalist. "Brevity" Bennett, who was connected with The L'irginian in its infancy. Maj. James F. Milligan, connected with so many papers, was in. 1866-67 and '68 the act- ive local editor of The Virginian, leaving it to assume the same position on the Norfolk Journal. Then, too, there were Henry S. Brooke and Alexander Bell, who commenced their journalistic careers as city editors of The L'irginian, and who were afterward re- spectively associated with journals in New Mexico and New York. John W. H. Por- ter, the war historian of Norfolk county and founder and owner of the Portsmouth Enter- prise, was for many years Portsmouth city editor of The L'irginian.
NEWSPAPERS OF TODAY.
l'irginian-Pilot.
On March 31, 1898, the Norfolk I'ir- ginian and the Daily Pilot (established in 1804) were consolidated and the Virginian- Pilot was the result of the union. A. H. Grandy, president of the Pilot Publishing Company, becoming the president, and the late M. Glennan, president of the Virginian Com- pany, vice president of the Virginian and Pilot Publishing Company.
The present management of the l'ir- ginian-Pilot is as follows: A. H. Grandy, president, managing editor and business man- ager; W. S. Wilkinson, treasurer; L. D. Starke, Jr., secretary; R. E. Turner, super- intendent and advertising manager.
The Public Ledger,
An afternoon daily paper, was established August 3, 1876. Walter A. Edwards and Jo- seph G. Fiveash are editors and proprietors. Richard H. Hamilton is city editor for Nor- folk. John C. Niemeyer is city editor for Portsmouth.
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The Norfolk Landmark
Is owned by the Landmark Publishing Com- pany, S. S. Nottingham. manager. It was founded in 1873 by Capt. James Barron Hope, whose poems won for him the epithet "Virginia's Poet Laureate." . The Norfolk Journal, which was established soon after the Confederate war was sold and merged into the Landmark.
The Norfolk Dispatch
Is a daily afternoon newspaper owned by the Norfolk Dispatch Publishing Company. Charles I. Stengle is president : H. T. Plum- mer, treasurer; H. T. Hurtt, secretary; and H. Morton Harper, business manager.
The Norfolk Herald
Is a weekly newspaper. William S. Copes is editor and proprietor.
The Norfolk Journal of Commerce,
W. Thompson Barron, editor, was established in September, 1887, and is published by the W. Thompson Barron Company. It is a re- liable and accurate commercial journal.
The Cornucopia
Is a monthly exponent of the agricultural in- terests in Tidewater. Virginia, edited and pub- lished by A. Jeffers.
The Portsmouth Star,
An able exponent of the interests of the city of Portsmouth, was founded by Paul C. Trugien, on the 3rd day of September, 1893. He is a son of Dr. John W. H. Trugien, one of the hero martyrs of the yellow fever in 1855. Mr. Trugien continued as editor and proprietor until November, 1899, when a stock company was formed to enlarge the plant, with F. D. Gill, president, and Paul C. Tru- gien, secretary, treasurer and managing ed- itor. The Portsmouth Star has been enlarged five times since its first publication and is one of the progressive papers of the State.
The Unionist.
This newspaper is the official organ of the Central Labor Union, and is published every week in the interest of organized union labor by the Unionist Publishing Company, at Nor- folk. Virginia. William A. Davis is business manager.
Norfolk County Democrat.
Published weekly at Berkley, Virginia.
The Norfolk County Times.
Published weekly at Pinner's Point, Nor- folk County, Virginia.
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CHAPTER XIX
THE PORT AND RAILROAD AND WATER COMMUNICATIONS
GREAT EXTENT OF WATER FRONT-REASONS FOR THE COMMERCIAL ADVANTAGES OF THE PORT-INLAND WATER ROUTES-RAILROAD LINES-THE CLIMATE-STEAMSHIP LINES -COMPARATIVE STATISTICS ON EXPORTS AND IMPORTS, SHIPPING, REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS AND COAL SHIPMENTS-THE VIRGINIA PILOTS.
For much of the descriptive and statistical matter in this chapter, relating to the port, we are indebted to the Virginian-Pilot.
The greater port of the cities of Hampto- Roads, -- so closely connected by suburban residence sections tributary to each and by electric railway and ferry steamers as to be practically now, what in the near future they. inevitably must become, one commercial me- tropolis,-consists of the cape anchorage in- side Capes Henry and Charles, Hampton Roads as a whole and the mouths of the Eliza- beth. Nansemond and James rivers. with al- most the entire Elizabeth River and its three branches, a stretch of water frontage .- on Chesapeake Bay of some 18 to 20 miles, on Hampton Roads of about 40 miles and on the three river mouths and the Elizabeth and its branches of fully 30 miles, or a grand total of 85 to 90 miles,-the water front of a small kingdom.
Lest the reader should imagine that the long bow is being drawn or that stories for marines are being told. or "folk'sle yarns spun," it may be pertinent to say that in the stormy season when easterly gales are blow- |
ing it is not uncommon to see from Cape Henry to Back Bay and from the shipyard on the James to the locks at Gilmerton on the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth, lying at anchor behind the bluffs of the capes, off the shoals of Ocean View, in Back Bay, in Hamm- ton Roads and the mouths of the rivers men- tioned, besides those on anchorage in inner harbor and at wharves and docks and piers, as many as 400 to 500 vessels, the majority of which are from Norfolk, Portsmouth, Newport News and Hampton: the remainder being those put in for refuge to the most se- cure harbor and the one providing the most advantages on the Atlantic Coast and excelled in but few of those advantages by any other. and in all of them together by none in the world.
Of these points the dominant and most valuable is undoubtedly the inner harbor of Norfolk and Portsmouth, for many reasons which will be treated more in detail further in this article, but may here be briefly summa- rized as follows :
(I). A climate which rarely falls to freez- ing weather, and therefore gives an open har- bor for 12 months in the year.
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(2). A geographical and topographical po- sition which removes it from the beaten track of heavy storms from every direction.
(3). A geographical. location which makes it the natural center for European im- port and export on the Atlantic Coast.
(4). A depth of water sufficient to float the largest class of vessels afloat in the world's commerce.
(5). The natural and only outport for the finest steaming coal in the world.
(6). The logical outport of the greater bulk of Southern lumber, iron, cotton, tobacco and corn.
(7). Its contiguity to the sources of ship- builder's supplies, repair stock and naval stores is unsurpassed.
(8). It is the key to the system of inland navigation of the coast and a headquarters for the mosquito fleet.
(9). Its commanding position forces a recognition by the government as a great naval base.
These are the principal natural reasons, though there are others which in this story it is intended to bring out. How well or how ill success attends the efforts made, the facts themselves are apparent to any who will calm- ly investigate and personally examine this port.
Of the artificial reasons only a few need be mentioned here. These are principally :
(1). The seeking of the cheapest route for the import and export trade of the country by railroad and steamship lines.
(2). The gradual acceptance of Pocahon- tas coal as the premium steam coal of the world and the putting of Norfolk on the coal- ing-station tables of all lines coming within reasonable distance of this port, outward or homeward bound.
(3). The attraction for vast sums of money in investment offered by this still but partially developed section, in electric and steam railways, manufacturing industries and rapid awakening of the people to a sense of
their opportunities and the taking advantage of them.
Let us take a look at the port of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Berkley, or if you will that of the greater port of Hampton Roads, geo- graphically, topographically and meteorologi- cally :
Almost midway between Maine and Flor- ida, and directly opposite the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea, 100 miles north of Cape Hatteras,-the storm breeder of the Southern Atlantic .- Hampton Roads lies, an inland sea, and the entrance to the three rivers. famed his- torically, scientifically and romantically.
Crossing the upper and weaker flow of the Gulf Stream, the European vessel strikes the Arctic current and follows naturally on its narrowing current to the mouth of the Chesa- peake. If in spring or summer or fall, its cool current is a pleasant voyage-mate and the port stops short of the enervating heat of the semi- tropics. If in winter, the same traffic follows the western edge of the great ocean river, and. and is but a few hours from freedom from ice and snow until it reaches haven here. without . encountering the perils of the Hatteras pas- sage.
South of New York the port has no great natural rival, for Philadelphia and Baltimore are both inland cities and, until the short cut canals are built to connect them with the sea, must remain so, besides which even the con- struction of those canals will not prevent their harbors from freezing or the winter storms from hindering outdoor employment,-a con- dition from which Norfolk is singularly free.
To the south, this port has no rival until Savannah and Charleston are reached and be- tween her and them stretches Hatteras and Frying Pan Shoals, two notable ship grave- yards.
Again, the great cold waves that sweep down from the Dakotas rarely reach as far south as Hampton Roads and even if they come are robbed of their strength by the
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mountain ridges, separated by valleys open- ing to the south, they must traverse.
So arranged by nature are the passes through the mountains separating from the Eastern Coast the broad and fertile West. and : Henry. Now ---! in such direction trend the valleys leading coastward that it is as if the Divine Architect stood at the passes and said to the West, : "There where the waters mingle as in the palm of a mighty hand stretching inland from the sea, there shall ye find readiest outlet and there shall ye find the fleets of the world await- ing you and thence shall ye bring back the gulden store of those who wait your fruits and your harvests."
And in and around those giant passes through the mountains; in the valleys, along the ridges and on the heights the richest mines. of utilitarian wealth have lain buried as if but waiting the travel that was bound to come and that has come and is coming, with wood and . steel and steam to meet the ccean tide of wood and steel and steam waiting at this port to greet it.
When in 1607 the first English vessel sailed into the broad mouth of Chesapeake Bay and cast anchor in the shadow of Cape Henry's huge sand dunes, to the voyagers that lined her bulwarks and stood upon her curious high-peaked forecastle and poop deck. the shores wooded to the beach, must have fur- nished a view as soothing in its sunny, laugh- ing charm as the stern ice-bound shores of Massachusetts Bay did in 1620 to the hunted colonists of the "Mayflower." a secure one.
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