The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc., Part 59

Author: Wesern historical company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 899

USA > Wisconsin > Rock County > The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc. > Part 59

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

After the dissolution of the firm of Alden & Stoddard, the latter gentleman went to Iowa, where he died shortly after his arrival.

With each succeeding number the list of advertisements was increased by additions, until, in the issue of September 20 following, it required ten columns to promulgate the amount and variety of business transacted weekly in the growing capital of Rock County. October 4, the National Fire Insurance Company of New York announces its readiness " to insure all kinds of property on the most reasonable terms "-the first advertisement of the kind of record in the County. W. H. H. Bailey acted as agent. One month later appears the advertisement of a " daily line of four-horse post coaches, from Milwaukee to Galena, through in three days." One month later still, the partnership between Alden & Stoddard was dissolved by the withdrawal of the junior partner, and thereafter the Gazette was under the exclusive control of Mr. Alden, ""a gentleman well qualified by talent and education to conduct the paper in such a manner as to give satisfaction to its superiors. Mr. Alden is a true, unwavering Whig, not tinctured in the slightest degree with those corrupt and base political organizations," continues Mr. Stoddard in his valedictory, "which now distract some portions of our country, under the head of ' Nativism' and 'Abolitionism.'" The issue of December 6 contains the notice of dissolution, the price current of the markets, published for the first time, and a notice that " the Rev. Mr. Wheelock ( Universalist) will preach at the schoolhouse, on the east side of the river, on Saturday, the 6th inst., at early candlelight." In the following issue, December 13, the firm name of " Alden & Tompkins," as publishers, and " Henry G. Gratton," as printer, appear, and the editor (Levi Alden), in commenting upon the change, declares that the policy of the paper and its editorial utterances shall be as heretofore, an advocacy of " those great principles on which we set out, choosing to anchor our political faith on a well-known and well-tried conservative policy, rather than launch into the unknown sea of speculation and experiment."

The advertising increased under the new management, and such were the means employed by the dry goods, grocery, and drug programme artificers to attract patronage, that failure to do so must have been an exceptional case. As an instance, the following poetic communication to E. H. Bennett, a prominent dealer, of those days, still a citizen of Janesville, will illustrate the idea more perfectly than the pen of a ready writer :

" The time has been in Janesville, and that not long ago, When a place was called a store with a mighty little show; The goods were held at twice their worth-no others could be found, And all were obliged to trade there, for they could not look around.

" But things have altered very much since Bennett came to town, As he brought a splendid stock of goods and put the prices down : He sells his goods at half the price for which they once were sold. And takes all kinds of produce, but he don't refuse the gold.

" When people trade for ready pay they now can look about, And, if they look at Bennett's goods, they trade without a doubt, As he keeps the very best of goods of every style and kind, And they are sure to find the goods and prices exactly to their mind.

" And now I have a word to say in candor and in truth ;

I say it to all classes, from the aged to the youth :

I have tried the stores throughout this town to find the cheapest place. And have found that Bennett's is the one, and I'll say it to his face.

" TO BENNETT.

"One word to you before we part, 'Tis the true conviction of my heart, I do not say it to make you proud- But, in selling cheap, you beat the crowd."

By such æsthetic fulminations and poetic phantasy were the farmer and settler persuaded to avail themselves of bargains offered about Christmas times.

On January 10, 1844, the first " list of letters remaining in the Post Office of Janesville, Rock County, W. T.," was published. They numbered 146, and John L. Kimball, then Post- master, requests callers to remind the clerks that the letters are advertised.

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

May 16, 1846, the Gazette announces editorially that hostilities in Mexico have actually commenced, and condemns the paucity of numbers composing the army under Gen. Taylor. Later on, the paper deprecates discussing the causes which led to the war ; all that is left is to do that which sound policy and a love of country dictate in the present crisis. That duty was to avoid a waste of energies in mutual criminations, or in petulant fault-finding with every act of persons charged with the affairs of State. When a foreign enemy is at the gate, insists the Gazette, no sounds should be heard but the whisperings of a calm resolve to stand by the coun- try in its hour of peril and " swear for her to live, with her to die."

On Saturday, August 22, 1846, the second volume of the Gazette was commenced with increased facilities, and an improved appearance. the paper having been enlarged one column to the page, and printed with new type on a new press. The subscription list increased, the adver- tising patronage appreciated, and the outlook for the paper predicted a future that has been fully realized.

In the issue of September 26, of the same year, the name of " Tompkins " disappears from the firm, that of " Grattan " being substituted, but no editorial explanation is offered. The paper continued prosperous until April 17, when its publication was suspended until May 15, or one month, due entirely to an absence of the supply of paper throughout the Territory, which obliged the publishers " to lie on our oars and wait the movements of wind and tide till paper could be transported from Buffalo." This paper came, but not until three issues had been omitted, which was the only accident, or incident, worthy of comment until the Gazette entered upon its third volume, occurring September 18, 1847, which event was appropriately observed by the editor.

On the evenings of Wednesday and Thursday, June 7 and 8, 1848, a grand concert by the " original band of Ethiopian serenaders," was given at the Rock County Hotel. The pro- gramme consisted of a "Medley Overture," " What's going on," "Mary Blance," ". Sing, Darkies Sing," etc, the whole concluding with "Lucy Long and a characteristic dance." The price of admission was placed at 25 cents, and purchasers of tickets were admonished that the frontseats were reserved for ladies. This was the first entertainment of the kind ever advertised in Rock County.

In the issue of June 15, the editorial column is headed with the Whig ticket, "Taylor and Fillmore," and the earnest and abiding support of those candidates published in full-face lower caps; adjoining, is the advertisement of " Raymond & Company's mammoth menagerie, and Driesbach, with his collection of lions, etc." It should be observed that in this year (1848), the electric telegraph had come to be utilized as a medium for the conveyance of news, and that the Gazette supplied its readers with many items of special interest fresh from these sources of information.

The fourth volume was begun with the issue of September 14, 1848, under the Mentorship of Levi Alden, who was announced as editor and proprietor, succeeding the firm of Alden & Gratton. The latter gentleman, having dissolved his connection with the Gazette, united his fortunes with those of a Mr. McFadden, also of that paper, and settled in Freeport, Stephenson Co., Ill., where the twain began the publication of a sheet. Whig in politics and devoted to the advocacy of "Old Zack " for the Presidency. Mr. Alden continued to go it alone in his dual capacity of editor and proprietor until about December 7, following, when he formed a copartnership with Mr. Charles Holt, with whom he shared the proprietorship of the paper, as also the management of its publishing and editorial departments, through the fifth, sixth, seventh and part of the eighth volumes, participating in the triumphs and mourning the defeats of the Whig party, the principles of which he continuously and ceaselessly advocated In the issue of December 4, 1852, the dissolution of the partnership theretofore existing between Levi Alden and Charles Holt was published, with the further announcement that the business would be con- ducted in the future by the last-named gentleman. "The change in the business arrangement of the Gazette would involve no change in its political or general character," he said. It would remain what it always had been, a Whig journal, advocating Whig measures, and sharing the

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

fortunes of the Whig party, while it would aim to be an acceptable visitor to the counting-room, mechanic's shop and family circle. But this game of professional solitary reached its limit dur- ing the winter ; when spring came once more, Mr. Alden resumed his connection with the editing and publishing of the Gazette, and under this administration the tenth birthday of the hardy, growing and enterprising future pioneer of journalistic ventures in Rock County was celebrated. It was also under this administration that the Janesville Daily Gazette was brought forth and nurtured into life, strength and popularity. The suckling, so to speak, first saw light on the morning of Tuesday, July 4, 1854, and was ushered into life attended by the festivities incident to the celebration of that anniversary. That the issue was well received by the citizens of Rock County, was evidenced by their personal congratulations to the editors, as also by the rapid disposition of the printed edition promulgated. The daily was continued uninterruptedly until October 7, 1854, when it suspended, owing to a lack of patronage. In the weekly issue of October 14, the reasons for this course are set forth at some length. The editors state that in a city of 6,000 inhabitants, and at a time of unparalleled prosperity in every department of business, less than two hundred persons have been found willing to lend their assistance in estab- fishing a daily newspaper. The weekly was continued under the supervision of Messrs. Alden & Holt until March 17, 1855, when Mr. Alden severed his connection therewith, because, as that gentleman advised the public, the support afforded was too limited for a copartnership in the business.

In 1856, the weekly, still piloted by Mr. Holt, entered upon the eleventh volume of its record of current events, and in June of that year, adopting the principles to which the Phila- delphia Republican Convention gave birth, extended a most hearty support to Fremont and Dayton, the nominees of that Convention.

In January following, the question of issuing a daily was revived, and canvassers were employed to ascertain if the enterprise would be sustained by the citizens of Janesville and vicinity. The proposition to publish a daily was received with such general favor, and the sub- scriptions obtained so satisfactorily, that during February it was decided to once more undertake the venture. With this end in view, the printing office and subscription list of the daily and weekly Free Press was purchased by E. C. Sackett, the proprietor, the same merged into The Gazette, and thereupon, on the 9th day of March, 1857, the Janesville Morning Gazette, quies- cent since 1854, was restored to life, with Charles Holt and Hiram Bowen as editors, and an encouraging list of subscribers as sponsors for its future welfare and prosperity. The weekly was enlarged and thereafter known to readers and cotemporaries as The Weekly Gazette and Free Press, until January 15, 1864, when the old name was restored, the form of the paper changed from folio to quarto, and numerous other improvements perfected under the direction of the then proprietors, A. M. Thomson and W. G. Roberts. who also established the Semi- Weekly Gazette.

The daily increased in strength and usefulness under the administration of Holt & Bowen, its columns replete with news, selections and remunerative " ads.," and, having gained the high- way to success, has pursued its advance in the direction of that unknown quantity to the present day.

After the issue of November 10, 1858, the name of Hiram Bowen as co-editor, disappears and until August 2, 1859, to all intents, Mr. Holt was advertised as the responsible head. On the latter date, a copartnership was formed between Charles Holt, Hiram Bowen and Daniel Wilcox, by the terms of which, Holt and Bowen assumed editorial charge of the daily and weekly, Mr. Wilcox attending to the business management, with the office, composing and press rooms in Lappin's building, corner of Main and Milwaukee streets. Holt, Bowen and Wilcox pointed the destinies of the Gazette until December, 1863. when the two first-named gentlemen disposed of their interest to A. M. Thomson. of Horicon, and W. G. Roberts, of Milwaukee, who took possession on New Year's Day, 1864, Mr. Thomson as editor-in-chief, and Mr. Roberts as city editor, Mr. Wilcox retaining his position as business manager. In 1868, as also in 1869, Mr. Thomson was elected to represent Rock County in the Legislature,

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

serving as Speaker of the Assembly both sessions, and maintaining his interest in the Gazette until June 30. 1870, when, after nearly seven years uninterrupted intercourse with his readers, -

he laid down the pen and grasped them by the hand to say good-bye.

During the fall of 1869, propositions looking to the formation of a stock company took shape, and, on December 29, of that year. the " Gazette Printing Company," with a capital of $18.000, was incorporated. and the following officers elected: A. M. Thomson, President ; W. G. Roberts, Secretary, with Daniel Wilcox, Treasurer ; and it was by this company that the sale referred to was made.

On the 1st of July, 1870, a sale of the Gazette, including the material, subscriptions and good will, was made to Gen. James Bintliff, R. L. Colvin and A. M. Colvin. Gen. Bintliff was elected President of the "Gazette Printing Company," A. M. Colvin, Secretary, and R. L. Colvin, Treasurer and business manager. The new Company took possession of their fran- chise, and issued a salutatory in the edition of Friday. July 1, setting forth the intentions of the publishers to make the paper a faithful record of the growth and prosperity of the people, to uphold the interests of Rock County and the city of Janesville, and to maintain the principles of the Republican party. That all the pledges thus made have been fully discharged, is appar- ent to the casual observer in the generous patronage which has met their efforts, the respect in which the paper, as the exponent of Republicanism throughout the Northwest, is held, and from the character of the " matter " which contributes to the attractions of its daily, semi-weekly and weekly editions. As the index of local happenings, the conservator of the rights and privileges of the city, county and State, and as the formulator of public opinion, the Gazette is certainly entitled to the consideration it receives.

Gen. Bintliff occupied the ditorial chair for eight years. From July, 1870, to March, 1874, he was assisted by W. S. Bowen, now editor of the Yankton Press and Dakotaian. In September, 1874, N. Smith (now editor-in-chief of the Gazette), formerly Washington corre spondent of the Milwaukee Sentinel, and later, editor of the Prairie du Chien Union, succeeded Mr. Bowen and continued to occupy the position of city editor until January 1, 1878, when a new administration succeeded, composed of Isaac Farnsworth, President ; Frank Barnett, Secretary: : E. B. Farnsworth, Treasurer. N. Smith then became editor-in-chief and Howard W. Tilton city editor. On the 1st of March of the same year, Messrs. Barnett and E. B. Farnsworth were in turn succeeded by A. M. Colvin. Secretary. and R. L. Colvin, Treasurer, and the company, as thus officered, has remained in charge to date, with the editorial force unchanged.

Politically, as already observed, the paper is Republican of the most stalwart school. Indeed, since the exchange of its Whig principles, its advocacy of those of the Republican party has gradually become more pronounced and radical.

Under Mr. Thoinson's management, the Gazette was conducted with great care and ability_ and, though Republican of the straitest sect, was not blinded by party zeal, but, on many of the great questions of the day, was moderate and independent when compared with their treatment by cotemporaries. The same might be said of Gen. Bintliff's administration. The paper was edited ably but cautiously. and, though urging the principles of the party. he was regarded as not only not over-zealous, but disposed to conservatism and moderation. Mr. Smith, the present incumbent of the editorial chair, has made his department the feature of the paper, his editorials being regarded as fearless, outspoken and faithful expositions of the true Republican principles The company carry on an extensive jobbing department.

In November, 1866, the paper was removed from its contracted quarters in the Lappir- E Block, to their present offices, Nos. 50 and 52 North Main street, where the business is carried on in all its details, requiring the services of twenty-four hands, at a weekly cost of $250. ID conclusion, it may be said that the Gazette is a worthy monument to the memory of its founders- and a trust faithfully executed by those to whom its discharge has been successively delegated.

The Rock County Recorder, daily and weekly, is the lineal descendant of a job office which C for several years prior to and during the year 1869. was prominently identified with quarters in the Lappin Block, corner of Main and Milwaukee streets, under the control of Messrs. Veeder

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HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.

& St. John. While thus engaged in catering to public patronage, it occurred to these gentle- men that the field of journalism was not fully occupied in Rock County-that there was room for a breezy, newsy, crispy paper, that should, in a condensed form, supply the absence of a second record of current events-a sort of a running commentary on the accidents, incidents and measures that were constantly agitating the world and the flesh in the immediate vicinity of Janesville. Acting upon this suggestion, which had for many days besieged the outward defenses of the job office and repeatedly announced its presence to the proprietors, who began to negotiate a surrender, which was, in time, effected-they issued the original number of their journalistic venture on the 1st day of September, 1869. Thereafter, the modest job room became, as it were, an object of minor import in comparison with the business in hand ; its "rules, reglets, quoins" and other resources appertaining thereto, yielding place to the " chases, cases, imposing-stones," etc., to which were added the type and machinery connected therewith. Preparations for the issue were completed some time in August, but it was desired to postpone publication until the day appointed by its founders, September 1st, the interim being devoted to perfecting plans and listening to suggestions from the thousand and one " public spirits," who, upon similar occasions, arrogate to themselves the capacity to manage a metropolitan daily, and unbosom their views without regard to the issue joined. Intermingled with these, also, was the band of self-appointed Cassandras, who predicted the failure of the undertaking at a day meas- ured by weeks, arguing from premises convincing to themselves, the irresistible conclusion that, before the holidays had come, the new weekly would be as a tale that is told. The politics and the name of the paper were also subjects of solicitude and speculation. The former was disposed of by the proprietors, who decided for an independent policy, and the latter by a young lady of the town of Rock, who christened the offspring the " Rock County Recorder," sending it forth "the standard-bearer of truth, justice and humanity." The projectors of the enterprise realized that their success rested with the public. On their part they pledged themselves to spare no effort to deserve support and patronage. Many had encouraged the undertaking by depicting, in glowing colors, the rapid increase in the population of city and county, and the growth of the business and manufacturing interests, as indicating a time favorable to the issue of a new sheet, that should cover all sources of information and "the people's right maintain, unawed by influ- ence or unbribed by gain." Independence should characterize its utterances, though ail ques- tions would be discussed fairly and without prejudice, and, while plain and outspoken, they should be governed by firmness in the right, as God gave them to see the right.

Squabbles and personalities would be avoided ; literary pugilism was no more respectable than physical ; a scolding match in the newspapers no more respectable than the billingsgate of & fish market ; not only the opposite of features essential to journalism, but discreditable to the character of the newspaper press. There were times, however, when it was cowardly to decline a controversy on the ground of a desire for peace. In view of such a contingency, Polonius advice to Laertes was adopted, and, while cautious of " entrance to a quarrel, but being in," they would bear it, that the opposer would beware of them in the future. With such guarantees and admonitions, the Recorder salaamed to an expectant public, launched its journalistic bark on the tide of time, and began a weekly existence that has gathered strength with each succeeding issue.

The new dispensation from the press to the people was well received by its subscribers, and its brethren of the " pen," with kindly hearts, extended a cordial welcome upon its arrival among them.

The paper indeed deserved the congratulations offered, and its initial numbers were worthy the patronage they received. They were folios 24x36, seven columns to the page, printed in long primer and brevier, and presented an appearance in all the features that go to commend a paper to public regard, that proved all persuasive. The first page was devoted to poetical and literary selections, short stories, brief anecdotes and reprint ; the second page contained the salutatory, editorials and editorial brevities, correspondence, telegraphic and miscellaneous news ; the third page comprehended local notes, advertisements, etc., and the fourth page, advertisements and

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paragraphs. The news was spicy, and prepared with a cunning hand that vindicated the superi- ority of the "pen " as a means of communication ; the selections were well-timed and enter- taining ; the headlines " pat" and to the point, and the general make-up so ordered that all who can might read.

At first, Messrs. Veeder & St. John not only published the Recorder, but collected and prepared the locals, beside setting them up ; drafted the editorials, skimmed the exchanges for items of interest, canvassed the political situation, read and revised lucubrations from the many who, by the midnight oil, in a poetic frenzy, so to speak, write themselves down asses of the most pronounced type, and weary the editor in a vain endeavor to tickle his credulity with the whisperings of fancy ; these and other indispensable duties Messrs. Veeder & St. John discharged, beside providing the financial oil to lubricate the motive power. This they did until the obligation became too onerous, when Col. Charles W. McHenry was pro- cured to distribute editorial condiments, and Frank S. Lawrence to dispose of local and rural history.

The arrangement, however, after continuing less than three months, was dissolved by Col. McHenry's withdrawal, when the names of G. Veeder and S. S. St. John once more greeted the inquiring glance of patrons, at the head of the editorial page. The labors were arduous, the demand upon the time and patience of each excessive, yet nothing was wanting to render each department of the Recorder in the last degree complete and attractive. Independence was manifested in every branch save the political. But as an independent political organ, the Recorder maintained its ascendency for a length of time remarkable only for its brevity. Within two months after the issue of the first number, the paper was changed from professedly independent to radically Republican, uncompromising and exacting. A new revelation was opened up to the publishers in their brief experience ; close communion had resolved them to the conclusion that the principles of Republicanism were just, and true and right, embodying the education of the people, the encouragement of every charitable sentiment and noble work. The virtue of the principles and their worth to the Republic had been vindicated by the party's control of the National Government for nine years, during which time that party had made a history that would stand in all ages as a beacon light of liberty to the world. In addition to variety in their political columns, the local and general notes were " written up " in a style that has generally obtained with the city press of late years, and met with approval. They were short, pithy, clean cut, and devoid of ambiguity. An occasional letter from Chicago and other prominent points, detailing a quality of news of interest to the general reader, was published weekly and divided space with the sermon of a leading divine.

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The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc., Part 59

Author: Wesern historical company, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co. Number of Pages: 899

Author: Wesern historical company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 899