History of Green County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 83

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1168

USA > Wisconsin > Green County > History of Green County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 83

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"The present position of parties is one that calls for calm and dispassionate deliberation on the part of every one who feels that he has an interest in the well-being of our common coun- try; and we shall, therefore, at this time en- deavor to portray faithfully, yet succinctly, the most prominent land-marksand guide-stars which have always, and do still, distinguish between the genuine Jeffersonian democracy, and the base counterfeits which unsernpulons politicians aided by a venal and hireling press are trying to foist upon the masses.

"in the first place, then, the democratic party believes that no more power should be delegated than is imperionsly required to produce the good intended, because history clearly shows

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

that the tendency of power is to exceed its proper limits, and that assumption and usurpa- tion on the part of rulers have always been de- structive to free governments. Again, one of the most prominent articles of its faith is that recognizing the doctrine of State's Rights, which doctrine forbids all interferences on the part of Congress with the domestic policy or municipal institutions of the States, thereby in- suring the stability of the Union by avoiding the exciting causes of danger. The democracy believe that in construing the Constitution of the United States, that no jurisdiction should be extended beyond the obvious meaning of the language in which it is conveyed. They be- lieve, furthermore, that congressional inter- position with regard to the Territories of the United States should be confined to the organi- zation of governments, leaving untouched the domestic relations, whether of husband and wife, of parent and child, of master and servant, or of any other of the social conditions of life; maintaining that the people of the Territories like those of the States, should be left perfect- ly untrammeled, to decide in their own way upon all questions relative to the domestic policy and domestic affairs within the limits of the Territo- ries. In other words, they leave with the general government all the powers which are granted to it, and claim for the people the remainder. They regard slavery as local and municipal, and not as National in its character; and, entertaining this opinion, they do not recognize the right of our National legislature to interfere with the in- stitution. They contend, also, for an equality of the States, holding that every section of the Union has an equal right and interest in the general government and to the National domain or territory.

"In regard to our foreign policy-to adopt the language of our noble standard bearer in this campaign-'it ought ever'-and will be if the democracy triumph-'to be based upon the principles of doing justice to all nations, and requiring justice from them in return.' Hav-

ing thus briefly, and truly, though somewhat hastily, glanced at democratic principles, we now ask every candid reader of our journal if they are not such as they can readily, nay heart- ily subscribe to. Are they not clear, plain common sense stand-points? There can be but one response from every American heart. They, and they alone, are the principles which have secured to us the prosperity that we now enjoy, and they are the only ones through the medium of which we can hope to retain the blessings of civil and religious liberty. In con- clusion, we tender the hand of fraternal fellow- ship to our brethren of the quill throughout the State and country, hoping and trusting that even the heat of party warfare may not lead us astray from the paths of courtesy and gentle- manly conduct."

The Jeffersonian Democrat lived only to April 1857.

VARIOUS MONROE PAPERS.

In the fall of 1857, the Independent Press, ed- ited by S. P. Condee and E. C. Moulton, arose from the ashes of the Democrat. Mr. Moulton withdrew from the Press in January of the next year; and three or four months later; Mr. Con- dee sold it to a gentleman who transformed it into the Albany Times.

The next venture in the way of a newspaper, was that of N. L. Slant, who published the State Rights a year or two, beginning in the spring of 1859. The next was that of A. W. Potter, who, in January, 1870, started the Green County Re- publican. In the fall of 1872, F. J. Mills started the Liberal Press, which in September, 1873, was consolidated with the Republican, the new paper being known, at first, as the Republican and Press, but latterly as the Green County Re- former. It was edited by A. W. Potter and George Il. King, until January, then by Mr. Mills until April, then by G. J. Patton until January, 1875; afterwards by I. T. Carr, with whom William Bullock was associated the first year.

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

THE SUN.

A younger brother of G. R South, laving got possession of an amateur novelty press and suf- ficient old type, rules, etc., to publish a small three column paper, an office was fitted up in the loft of an unused shop, and it was resolved by these brothers, to publish every two weeks, a paper, without advertisements, to be called the Sun. The first number was issued Saturday, Jan. 23, 1875, with the following

INTRODUCTORY.

"We presume it is in full accordance with precedence and the eternal fitness of things, for us to make a few casual remarks pertinent to the occasion, in this, the first issue of the Sun, and state what we 'propose to do about it.'

"Well, we are going to run a peaceable little Sun-very peaceable. The immense interests of this great and glorious village-commerce and trade, hog and hominy, pork and beans, corn and its etherial essence, the fair and the fair sex, accidents, irregularities, cireusses, weddings, balls, and a little genuine slander thrown in oc- casionally, as a gentle stimulant seasoning. Gentle reader! dost thou love slander and scandal? dost thou revel in human foibles and frailties? dost thou delight in frost-bites and back-bites and 'sich' like? Dost thou sometimes glory in human imperfections? If yea, we will feed you on some sweet morsels. Art thou sick, or hip-shotten, or colicky, until you feel that earth is full of sorrows that Heaven cannot heal and you want to be an angel, and with the angels stand? Scan our fresh and fragrant col- umns attentively, and, perhaps you'll find a balm for every ill-a weal for every woc. The Sun is a publie functionary and shines on all and for all alike. We intend to cater and caper for the 'dear people.' The 'body politic' is a men- agerie, and the different beasts require, and must be fed on different foods. Our 'Bill of Fare' is before you. If you like it, board with us, and pay as you go, (price two cents) and

when you get tired, quit. This is a free coun- try.

"The genial Sun does not propose to dapple in the reeking maelstrom of politics at all. It graciously leaves all the grave and momentous political questions of the day to the profoundly soporifie pen of our great Boss Bourbon and finance philosopher-whose 'living lyre' has once more awoke to ecstacy, after a dismal and protracted silence, and opened his sluices to del- uge a long suffering people with his 'chromatic,' glittering incongruities. No, the Sun will take no polities in his'n, but will beindependent and outspoken in all things, and neutral in nothing.

"With malice toward none; with charity for all, and firm in the right, as far as the sinuosi- ties of our original sin will permit us to see the right, we intend to express our opinion impar- tially and boldly, and pursue the even (or un- even, according to circumstances), tenor of our way, without fear or favor. There are persons whom it is perfectly safe to 'go for' at any time. We desire it to be distinctly understood that to that species of hair-pins we do not belong. Our 'composing-sticks' will be double-leaded as ac- cession may require, and we flatter ourselves that we have had sufficient practice in the 'art preservative of arts,' to use them with skill and precision. In the use of the 'shooting-stick,' our devil considers himself proficient, and if any one has a hankering to have his 'form justi- fied,' 'locked up' in a neat-fitting rosewood over- coat and 'sent to press,' he can be accommodated with neatness and dispatch, and on short notice, and-'that's all there is of this business.'"

Money not coming in very fast, the young brother who did the mechanical work on the paper grew discouraged and finally retired from the "company" leaving George to publish the paper alone. The office was removed to a much more eligible location near to the public square, where, unaided by any one, the paper was pub- lished regularly by George every two weeks. The first number issued after the change was made, contained the following :

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

" TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS MAY COME, GREETING.

"The Sun Printing Company,' having col- lapsed and been dissolved by the 'devil' forsak- ing us, we have, after an infinite amount of pa- tient meditating, cogitating, ruminating, think- ing, studying, pondering and soliloquizing, finally settled down to the settled determina- tion to run our little concern alone, according to the dictates of our own conscience and our true inwardness, as guaranteed to ns by the grand palladium of our liberties and civil rights, Andy Johnson, and play our own 'devil' to the best of our ability. And now let the winds that sweep the prairies carry the glad tidings to afar, that owing to the fact that Christopher Columbus discovered America-in consequence of which George (Washington) couldn't tell a lie, and to the additional fact that it has been as cold as blazes every day that it has not snowed for the past thirteen months, and con- sequently there is not much 'bloom upon the rye,' to speak of, and the corn is not waving, Annie dear,' by a long shot, we decided to issne semi-monthly this paper for the sole benefit of this fodder-stricken community, so that the peo- ple who have found by bitter experience that farming is an honest way to get a hard living, can store their minds with useful and orna- mental knowledge, while bewailing their unfor- tunate condition. The ends we aim at are our 'country's, our altars and the greenbacks of our sires." This edition is gracefully contributed to this generous, confiding community, like sal- vation, without money, without price, and, we will add, without passing a contribution box, etc., etc."

The little paper became immensely popular, and was a success from the start, and being confined principally to local and society matters it soon had a large bona fide paying subserip- tion list. The publication of the paper was continued reglarly twice a month-with the ex- ception of a month or over in the heat of summer, when its publication was suspended while the

editor was taking a trip somewhere-for six years, until the year 1881.

About a year after the death of his father, which occurred in the spring of 1880, George, foreseeing that the support of his mother and sister would in all likelihood, eventually devolve upon him, resolved to make journalism the more serious and responsible business than it had been, and he therefore went to Chicago and purchased a Washington hand press and the necessary type and material to publish a seven- column folio weekly paper. Under circum- stances of the most depressing and discourag- ing nature, and with well-founded misgivings as to the success of the venture-a few democrats becoming alarmed at the prospect of having another republican paper here (it being assumed that the Sun was to be run in the interests of that party) made a desperate and successful effort to start a democratic paper ahead of the Sun with the avowed purpose of crowding the paper to the wall. And so the Gazette was started, the editor, a worthy but impecuni- ous young man having been induced by flat- tering promises to remove his printing office from Jefferson, in this State, to Monroe. But the editor of the Sun had gone too far to think for a moment of abandoning his project, and although it was almost "rushing in where an- gels feared to tread,"-starting another paper in a city the size of Monroe where there were two English and one German paper already es- tablished-yet he went courageously to work fitting up his office, etc., and on the morning of Saturday, Nov. 26, 1881, the first number of the weekly Monroe Sun was given to the public, the editor making his salutatory in the follow- ing words, addressed

TO THE PUBLIC.

"With this issue the Sun makes its first ap- pearance as a weekly newspaper, and in an en- larged form, and takes hearty pleasure in pre- senting its greetings to all its old friends and patrons, and to all the new ones as would like

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

to try our board. It introduces itself to the public with the determination to win support.

"It is quite unnecessary, we presume, for us to make any announcement in relation to the po- litical affiliations of the Sun in the good here- after. It will, however, be reasonably inde- pendent in politics, neutral in nothing, and fair in all things. We shall be bound by no clique and no party, general or local, and the dictates and behests of leaders, self-appointed or other- wise, will, as such, have no influence with us whatever ; but we shall on all subjects of pub- lic interest, express our views unbiased by the dictates of any power save our own opinions and a desire to aid, so far as in us lies, public well-being. No caucus nomination or party or- ders will, as such, receive from us any obedience whatever. We believe neither in the cry of 'party, not men,' nor in that of 'men, not party,' but we believe in 'men with principles.' In lo- cal affairs whenever any matter of considerable interest is at issue, we shall be guided by such interest. When no such interest is at stake we shall choose the best men for our support, or where no choice is warranted, we shall re- main neutral. It is quite possible that we may make occasionally, mistakes in judgment, but it shall be our aim to make as few as possible, and if made, to acknowledge them freely when discovered. No party owns us, and no clique controls us, and what we do will be done in what we believe to be the interest of all. This much we promise, and so far as we redeem this promise, shall we, in our opinion, have suc- ceeded or failed. Failure or success of our own views or candidates will mean to us as editor, little, but a neglect to labor earnestly for those views and candidates would mean to us a com- plete and disgraceful failure. We shall not thus fail.

"The Sun will be specially devoted to encour- agement of all commendable public enterprises and interests and a faithful chronicler of mat- ters relating to the local affairs of this town and county.

"It will open its columns at all times to courte- ous communications, irrespective of political, social, or class distinctions.

"Special efforts will be made to continue the Sun as well-deserving the regards and confi- dence of the generous public and as welcome a visitor into the household as it has been as a semi-monthly.

"The worth of a journal is to be ascertained as it represents well or ill, the best interests of the people. The Sun, therefore, asks the pub- lic to judge it by its future; and as it deserves so may it be rewarded."

The first year of the publication of the weekly Sun was not encouraging ; but the paper struggled along, money going out in a constant and never-failing stream and nothing but promises and "great expectations" coming in. However, the editor persevered and now, at the commencement of the 3d volume, he be- gins to realize the fruition of his fondest hopes in finding himself at the head of a prosperous and popular weekly newspaper.

George Reppert South,

oldest son of John and Sophia C. Reppert South, was born in the picturesque little city of Brownsville, situated on the banks of the ro- mantic Monongahela river, about thirty miles above Pittsburg, Penn., March 23, 1841. His father, after a hard two years struggle to es- tablish himself in his chosen field of labor, that of carriage building, removed in 1842 to the city of Allegheny, opposite Pittsburg, where the clear, pellucid waters of the Allegheny river joins Monongahela's murkey tide to form the noble Ohio river. Here a much more lucrative and more extended field opened to the struggling but rising young mechanic. A few years of close application, endowed, as he was, with keen business capabilities and an indomitable energy that could not be discouraged, and he began to realize the fruition of his fondest hopes and aspirations, by finding himself the independent possessor of a large carriage manufactory, employing scores of skilled me-

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

chanics, and with a trade extending far into the southern States, in addition to the large and constantly increasing home patronage. His fame as a builder of superior vehicles increased at home and abroad as the years came and went, and when the first ominous mutterings of the coming storm were heard, which eventually culminated in the great Rebellion, "South's carriages " was the synonym of all that was excellent and beautiful in those vehicles. In the meantime the family continued to increase until ten children, six sons and four daughters were gathered beneath his roof-tree, all of whom are still living, excepting the youngest, a daughter, who died in infancy. In this city George's early life was passed, with about the usual unimportant events common to the boy- hood of all, attending the public, and occasion- ally select or private schools, until the spring of 1853, in the twelfth year of his age, when the almost fatal event occurred which resulted, finally, in his losing a leg, and undoubtedly changing the whole tenor of his future life. It is, perhaps, unnecessary to go into details as to the causes which led to the above misfortune. Suffice it to say, that with the thoughtlessness and rashness of childhood, he plunged into the cold waters of the Allegheny river while over- heated from running, and received a severe chill. The effects of this indiscretion mani- fested themselves the morning following, when upon attempting to rise out of bed, he found himself unable to stand, in consequence of the intense pain such exertion subjected him to. This was the beginning of a long, tedious languishing upon a bed of pain for two and a half years, when, by having a leg amputated above the knee, he was soon able to hobble about on crutches and thus liberated from his weary confinement. Up to the beginning of George's illness, it had always been his desire and intention to follow mechanical pursuits, for which he already displayed a natural aptitude full of promise of future excellence in whatever branch he might devote his ener-

gies, but losing a leg put an effectual veto upon his engaging in any mechanical pursuit, and so from his fifteenth to his nineteenth year he applied himself diligently and studiously to acquire as thorough and practical a common school education as circumstances would per- init, attending for this purpose a select private school for boys, and this was all the schooling he received. The eventful spring of 1860 found George in charge of a carriage repository in Pittsburg, in the interest of his father, who, finding his southern trade liable to be cut off, began to give more of his attention to home trade. Adjoining the repository was a book and variety store, in which George served a clerk- ship, which proved very advantageous in giving him a drill and confidence, and what was still more acceptable, some money of his own earn- ing. 'The knowledge of business thus acquired enabled him at a later period to embark in busi- ness on a small scale by himself, and when, in the fall of 1864, his father finding his business in the south entirely destroyed by the war and, no signs, at that time, indicating the near close of the fratricidal strife, he disposed of all his real estate, some of it at a great sacrifice, in Allegheny, and with the family, George alone excepted, removed to Wisconsin to pass the re- mainder of his days. George, as above stated, remained behind to carry on his business, sell- ing jewelry, varieties, etc, which had just be- gun to prove highly remunerative. But so as- siduously did he devote himself to business that his nervous system began to suffer and dyspep- sia intervening his health broke down com- pletely. He grew gradually worse in health until the spring of 1870, when he was reluctantly compelled to close up his business, now very profitable, and go home to die, as he then firm- ly believed. This step proved the turning point in his life and changed its whole course and undoubtedly saved him from a premature grave. The pure, invigorating and bracing air of Wisconsin, combined with the change of scene and living, wrought so beneficially upon

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IHISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

his enervated system and debilitated digestive organs, that quite restored him to his pristine health and hopeful spirits. Two years subse- quent be began to take a lively interest in liter- ary pursuits, and got his first most needed drill in the use of the pen, laying the foundation for his future success in the field of journalism. His first feeble efforts were somewhat satirical criticisms and burlesques of the literary effu- sions of some local scribes who had got into a jangle upon religion, and were carrying on a wordy warfare in the public prints, and, although sent anonymously to an opposition sheet, were deemed of sufficient merit as to impel the editor to give the articles insertion, instead of consigning them to the waste basket, the general fate of anonymous communications. Thus encouraged he put forth still greater efforts, and his contributions on other topies, published over the nom de plume of "I. U. N." attracted so much attention as to induce the editor, him- self, to ask in his paper, " who was this literary feller ?" He at length was pursuaded to take charge of the local columns of the Liberal Press, in which capacity he did good work, as his spicely written " locals " and pungent para- graphs attested. He continued to act as local editor, more for the love of it and the disci- pline it gave than what money there was in it, until the paper, for the third time, changed ownership, and I. T. Carr took control. George took this opportunity to retire from a position where the pay was not near commensu- rate with the amount of labor entailed. But having once tasted of the sweets of publicity, he could not be content to pass much of his time in obscurity. He thereupon, in connec- tion with a younger brother, as already ex- plained, commenced the publication of the Sun.

THE MONROE GAZETTE.

A paper was started in Monroe, by J. W. Odell, called the Gazette, on the 4th day of November, 1881. This periodical was first started in Jefferson, Jefferson Co., Wis., and then continued in Monroe; so that the first num-

ber issued in Monroe was "No. 15, Vol. III," in- stead of "No. 1, Vol. I." In issuing the first number in Monroe, Mr. Odell explains his views and determination in the following:

SALUTATORY.

"In commencing the publication of a demo- cratie paper in Green county, we are aware of the difficulties that we shall be called upon to encounter, therefore we realize at the begin- ning that to make the Guzette a success as a permanent institution, we must have the hearty co-operation of every independent thinker who aets up to his convictions in this country. This will induce the great majority of those who call themselves democrats and a portion of those who go by the party name republican, and quite a number of those who belong to other parties.

"All the people of this county we argue, will agree that an independent democratie paper is needed here. Believing this to be the case our- selves, we come here for the purpose of publish- ing such a paper. We desire also to state in this connection, that our paper is not to be built up on the ruins of others that have gone before us, neither has it any connection with any democratie paper heretofore published in this county. We bring our own press with us and start out on our own hook as the saying is, hoping to merit the patronage of men of all parties and creeds.

"Our columns will be open to fair and free discussion so far as we may have the space, but not open for the purpose of slander and abuse of others. We shall endeavor from time to time, to set forth true democratic doctrines and principles, and uphold so far as we are able to do so, honest government. We do not deem it necessary because we publish a democratic paper that we shall be in favor of every person and idea called by the name democrat. Still we shall finally hold to the cardinal principles of the great National democratic party, and at the same time act in all these matters as becomes an independent citizen.

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

"We therefore without saying more under this head, ask the co-operation of the people generally, while we give them as good a paper in return as we are able under the circumstances to get up. In conclusion, we desire to say that we will do our part in helping to build up the business interests of this community, while our paper shall be conducted so as to merit a place in every household and be a welcome visitor to every family in the community who favor us with their patronage."

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History of Green County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 83

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company Number of Pages: 1168

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1168