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CHAPTER XV.

THE PRESS OF CINCINNATI.

WHEN THE FIRST PAPER WAS FOUNDED AND BY WHOM-ITS NUMEROUS SUCCESSORS- A LONG LINE OF POLITICAL, LITERARY AND RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS-- AN OFFICE MOBBED AND DESTROYED-CINCINNATI DIRECTORIES- NAMES OF ALL PUBLICATIONS IN 1893.

TO write the history of Cincinnati journalism and speak in detail, if it. were possible, of every publication, weekly, semi-weekly, daily and monthly, during the past hundred years, would require the space of a large volume. During that period hundreds of publications have existed-some for only a few weeks, others for months and years. The first settlers were a rugged, brainy race of people, and they

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speedily recognized the importance, if not the necessity, of at once having a newspaper. They clearly foresaw that one of the most potent agencies in the van of civilization was the Press. And where such desire existed it, did not take long to find an editor. He is ubiquitous. William Maxwell came to the front in that capacity, and being encouraged he straightway "set up" an office. It was a primitive affair, located in a small room in a log cabin, which stood at the corner of Front and Sycamore streets. But it served as the beginning of what has long since grown into a mighty power. The office was little better than a rude improvised affair, as the settlement at, that time scarcely consisted of two hundred inhabitants. The outfit was small. All the type, and the Ramage press, fashioned after the one first used by the illustrious Dr. Franklin, could have been carried in a large canoe. It was brought by water from Pittsburgh, having been carried over the mountains on pack horses. Everything being in readiness, Editor Maxwell issued the first number of The Centinel of the Northwest Territory, November 9, 1793, one hundred years ago! The title was appropriate, for Fort Washington was virtually the gateway through which the early pioneers, seeking homes in the mighty domain beyond, had to pass. A sentinel therefore on the outer limits to signalize danger, or proclaim "all is well," was of transcendent importance to those who were starting out to lay the foundation of what has proved to be a mighty western empire.

How it appeared.-The Centinel was a weekly, printed on " whitey-brown paper, of half royal size, each page about as large as a small window pane, and the whole no larger than a handkerchief." It bore at its mast-head the following significant motto: "Open to all parties; influenced by none." The first number contained few advertisements, no editorials, or local items. Its news, principally foreign, was very old, but nevertheless it was news to its readers, many of whom had not seen a paper for a year or more. A copy of the issue for April 12, 1794, which has been preserved, has dates from Marietta only eight days old, New York fifty-six, and from London to the preceding November-over four and a half months before the date of publication in Cincinnati!

Maxwell's Centinel was not only the first paper published in Cincinnati, but the first north of the Ohio river, and the third or fourth west of the Alleghany Mountains. It was emphatically a sentinel on the outpost of civilization, and from this humble beginning has developed a local press which now wields a mighty influence among the enlightened and progressive inhabitants of the Queen City. The comprehensive and significant motto, which the young publisher adopted, has never been departed from by his numerous successors, when viewed in a general sense, the Press of to-day being characterized by a spirit of independence, fairness and liberality toward all, which is truly the secret of its great power and success.

This pioneer editor and publisher hailed from the land of New Jersey, whence so many of the prominent early settlers came. For his enterprise in establishing the first paper he was not forgotten. If e was made the second postmaster of Cincinnati, and succeeded Abner Dunn, the first, who died July 18, 1794, after being in office but a short time. As Maxwell was the owner of the only printing office in the embryo city, his principal duty was the publication of the Territorial laws; and it is surmised that he gave more attention to this than news gathering, because it paid him better. But being entrusted with office he could not carry on both, and in the summer of 1796 he disposed of the Centinel to Edmund Freeman. What he realized from the sale of his plant history fails to inform us, but the sum was undoubtedly small, when compared with the value of some of the great newspapers of to-day. With this sale the glory of the Centinel departed, for the purchaser, evidently more emulous of fame than his predecessor, immediately changed the name to Freeman's Journal, under which title he continued the publication till the beginning of 1800, when he removed the plant to Chillicothe, which had then become the seat of Territorial government, and founded the Chillicothe Gazette.

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THE SECOND PAPER.

Drake, in his sketches of the infant city, published in 1815, informs us that Joseph Carpenter founded the second paper, called The Western Spy and Hamilton Gazette, May 28, 1799. As the settlement had had a sentinel it was evidently deemed proper that there should be a spy. Cist claims that this was the first regularly printed journal in Cincinnati. From this remark we infer that be considered it possessed more of the attributes of a newspaper than Maxwell's publication. The latter was certainly the first printed sheet, even if it did devote more space to the publication of laws and ordinances than news.

Mr. Carpenter came from -Massachusetts, and was one of the earliest settlers. He became popular in the settlement, and was honored with many small offices, both by appointment and election. During the war of 1812-14 he went out as captain of a company, and for six months served under Gen. Harrison, dying in service from exposure endured daring a forced march from Fort St. Mary's in midwinter, 1814. He was buried with military honors in Cincinnati, and his death was greatly lamented. Thousands attended his funeral, and many flattering testimonials to his worth and memory were freely bestowed.

That Capt. Carpenter possessed the instincts of a true journalist all the contemporary accounts agree in stating, and under his management the Spy steadily grew and prospered.

Among the curious advertisements occasionally published about the beginning of the century, one may be noted. In the issue for April 20, 1802, Andrew Jackson-afterward President of the United States-offers a reward of fifty dollars for the recovery of his negro slave, George, who had eloped from his plantation on the Cumberland river.

The Spy changed hands several times during the first ten years of its existence, but always retained its name until Carney & Morgan became the owners, when its title was changed to The Whig. Only fifty-eight numbers were published, when new parties became the owners and it became The Advertiser, but only existed a short time.

In September, 1810, Capt. Carpenter appeared in journalism again, as editor of a new Western Spy, which was continued under his direction and management until his death. It appears to have been in existence in 1815, when it was conducted by Morgan & Williams. It was also published in 1823, when its name was changed to The National Republican and Ohio Political Register. Notwithstanding the Spy was a bright and aggressive paper for its time, it appears to have had many ups and downs during its career.

THE THIRD PAPER.

On the 9th of December, 1804, the third paper made its appearance. It was called Liberty Hall and Cincinnati Mercury, but the latter half of the title was soon dropped, as it was deemed superfluous. A local historian says that" the Rev. John W. Browne, enterprising editor, publisher of almanacs, etc., preacher, town recorder, bookseller, and occasionally vendor of patent medicines, was proprietor of the new venture, and had rather a troublous time of it, being once or twice personally attacked by citizens aggrieved by his sheet." The first number was issued in the loft of a log cabin which stood at the southeast corner of Sycamore and Third streets. Editor Browne, though he at times wielded a caustic pen, did not make a great success of the enterprise. In 1815 it was conducted by J. H. Looker and A. Wallace. This was a book-publishing firm, and they doubtless acquired possession of the paper for the purpose of more particularly advertising their business. The paper was now of super-royal size, and had more than fourteen hundred subscribers, which was regarded as a good circulation for that time.

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Sometime in June, 1814, an ephemeral paper, called The Spirit of the West,. was started, but it only survived through forty-four numbers. The names of its projectors and publishers have not been preserved.

But the city and country were filling up rapidly with settlers, and others became ambitious to embark in journalism. On the 13th of July, 1815, a new paper called The Gazette was started by Thomas Palmer & Company, and on the 11th of December following Liberty Hall was purchased and consolidated with the new enterprise, under the title of Liberty Hall and Cincinnati Gazette. This was the beginning of the great daily of to-day known as the Commercial Gazette. Early writers inform us that it was the first paper in town with column-rules and other marks of modern typography.

In November, 1819, Joseph Buchanan started a new weekly paper of a somewhat distinctive character, called the The Literary Cadet; but after twenty-three numbers had been issued it was merged in another paper, which added the name to its own in the compound title of The Western Spy and Literary Cadet. Mr. Buchanan continued as editor, and made his paper quite popular with those of literary tastes. The date of its discontinuance is unknown.

This year (1819) the papers of Cincinnati were the Liberty Hall and Cincinnati Gazette, semi-weekly and weekly, published by Morgan, Dodge & Company; the Western Spy and Cincinnati General Advertiser, weekly, issued by Mason & Palmer; and the Inquisitor, also weekly, by Powers & Hopkins. All were imperial sheets, with six columns to the page, and they were larger and contained a greater variety of matter than any others in the State. Good book and job offices were attached to each.

EARLY BOOK PRINTING.

Cincinnati early became the center of active book printing. In 1811 twelve different books, besides many pamphlets, had been published. These books averaged more than two hundred pages each, and were bound. From that time to the present there has been a steady growth in the book publishing business, and it is doubtful if in this line of work it is excelled by any western city. At first the paper for both newspaper and book work was obtained from Pennsylvania, partly from the mills at the Redstone Old Fort, on the Monongahela, which were started' in 1800, and later from Georgetown, Ky. In 1803 the Spy got out of paper, ands several numbers appeared upon a variety of sizes and tints. An old German papermaker named Waldsmith, who had settled on the Little Miami, near where Camp Dennison was afterward established, was prevailed upon, about this time, by the publishers to start a paper-mill on that stream, which he did. It was a crude affair, but proved a success, and the pressing needs of the printers and publishers were relieved.

After 1820 there was a rapid growth of journalism, and periodicals, weekly, semi-weekly and monthly, rose and fell with astonishing rapidity. This was largely caused by the rapid increase of population and the development of trade and commerce on the river. So numerous were the publications, and as many were short lived, it were a waste of time and space to attempt an enumeration of all. From 1815 to 1820 there had been at different times but one semi-weekly paper and five weekly papers in the city, but the next decade ushered into existence a large number, because of the influences spoken of above. Between 1820 and 1830 the long and honorable list of Cincinnati magazines and literary publications had their beginning. In the early part of 1821, a semi-monthly, in quarto, called the Olio, was started by John H. Wood and S. S. Brooks, editors and publishers. It only survived about a year, but during that time it afforded a medium for the publication of the contributions of such industrious collectors of local history as Robert T. Lytle, Sol. Smith, Dennis McHenry, John H. James, Lewis Noble and a number of other well-known writers of that time.

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MONTHLY AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS.

Medical journalism had a beginning in 1822 is the Western Quarterly Reporter which was published by John P. Foote, and edited by Dr. John B. Godman. In a short time the editor removed to Philadelphia when the publication was discontinued. In 1823, John P. Foote projected the Cincinnati Literary Gazette. It was a weekly, and soon attracted attention from the character of its literary contributions. Among other things discussed in its columns was the " Symmes theory of concentric spheres." This was a new topic, and occupied public attention for some time. The two volumes of the Gazette, that. were issued, contained much valuable matter relating to local history. In its columns appeared the first articles of Benjamin Drake, who proved himself one of the most industrious local writers of the time, and his contributions are eagerly consulted by historical gleaners of the present time.

After the discontinuance of the Gazette there was a lull in local literature until July, 1827, when the Western Monthly Review appeared with W. M. Farnsworth as publisher, and Rev. Timothy Flint, editor. Although the editor was the author of several books, and an industrious gleaner and writer, the Review did not prove a success, and, after a number of changes in both the editorial and publishing departments, the subscription list was sold in 1835 to James B. Marshall, of Louisville, who removed it to that city. It was succeeded by the Saturday Evening Chronicle. Messrs. Hatch, Nichols & Buxton were the publishers, and it was edited by Benjamin Drake. Strange as it may seem, however, it did not succeed, and was merged in the Cincinnati Mirror, another literary enterprise of the time. The Shield and The Ladies' Museum, also started during this decade, were short lived, the latter only existing but a year or two.

FIRST DAILIES-THE GAZETTE.

The first daily, called the Commercial Register, was started in 1826 by S. S. Brooks, and edited by Morgan Neville. It was not, only the first daily in Cincinnati, but the first daily started west of Philadelphia. It was printed on a " half. sheet royal every day but Sunday, at six dollars a year," but it only survived six months. It was resuscitated again in 1828; but only lasted three months.

Soon after its first suspension a party of merchants waited upon the proprietor of the Gazette, then a weekly, and requested him to start a daily. They argued that the times demanded a daily paper, and claimed that it would grow into a great enterprise. Their arguments succeeded, and the second daily came, which still exists, and is recognized as a leading paper of its class in the Ohio Valley. The first number made its appearance June 25, 1827, with an edition of 125. It was printed on old-fashioned hand presses for nearly ten years, the speed not exceeding 250 sheets per hour. Some time in 1836 an Adams press, the first " power-press" brought west of the Alleghany Mountains, was purchased and set up. It was run by handpower, but the improvement in speed was so great that 750 sheets were turned out per hour. In 1843 a Hoe press was introduced. The first publishers of the daily Gazette were Morgan, Lodge and Fisher, with Charles Hammond as editor.

E. D. Mansfield, in his Memoirs of Dr. Drake, pays a flattering tribute to Editor Hammond. "That the public opinion of Cincinnati was corrected, and the Press maintained its independent position, was chiefly due to the intrepid character and great ability of Charles Hammond," remarks this great writer. He " was the ardent friend of liberty," he continues, " and, being thoroughly acquainted with the laws of the country, fought its battles where only it can be successfully fought, with liberty by the side of law, and rights protected by the constitution."

While editing the Gazette in 1828. Mr. Hammond also conducted a monthly called Truth's Advocate, published in the political interest of Henry Clay, of whom he was a great, friend and admirer. Mr. Hammond continued as principal editor

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of the Gazette until his death, which occurred April 3, 1840, He was succeeded by Hon. Isaac C. Burnet, another notable man of that time. He was a brother of Judge Burnet, and first mayor of the city of Cincinnati. In the meantime the death of James Ledge, one of the publishers, had occurred. This necessitated some changes in the publishing and editorial departments, but to follow them in the order of their succession would involve more space than the limits of this work will warrant.

Taken all in all, the history of this great journal is most interesting, both on account of its many changes, and the eminent men who have from time to time been connected with it, up to the achievement of its greatest success. Its final consolidation with the Commercial in January, 1883, was one of its greatest triumphs. The latter was established in 1843 by Curtis & Hastings, and after a number of changes the celebrated Murat Halstead became connected with the editorial staff, and finally editor-in-chief. It was the great morning rival of the Gazette for many years, consequently the union was for the interest of both parties.

In early days the Gazette was and evening paper, and it continued to be so published for many years. The public demanded a morning issue, however, and it was so ordered. Being greatly strengthened by its union with the Commercial, its success has been more marked since that time, and to-day it takes rank with the great morning dailies of the country. In politics it is stanchly Republican. By the terms of the consolidation the title became the Commercial Gazette, The latter had been in existence for more than seventy years, and was able to trace its history back through many changes and titles to the old Centinel of the Northwest Territory, which, as has been shown, was the first newspaper started in Cincinnati. Its two noted editors of modern times, before the union, were Richard Smith and Murat Halstead. Both are distinguished members of the journalistic profession. The latter has been for some years the New York representative of the paper, and the former is still connected with the editorial department in the home office. The paper is published by the " Commercial Gazette Company," which is regularly organized and officered. It is superbly equipped in every department, mechanical and intellectual, and presents a strange contrast to the humble outfit of a century ago. It has Sunday and weekly editions,

OTHER JOURNALS OF THE LONG AGO.

In 1823 the celebrated Sol. Smith, the actor, established the Independent Press, which attracted much attention on account of its satirical sketches and witty sayings. Its career was a short and merry one.

On the 25th of August, 1826, a new candidate for public favor, called the Western Tiller, was issued by James W. Galley. It expired some time in 1827.

Some time in 1829, B. S. Thomas commenced the publication of the Daily Comrcial Advertiser in connection with his son Thomas. The career of the paper was brief. In 1834 the elder Thomas, in association with John B. Dillon and L. S. Sharp, began the publication of the Democratic Intelligencer, a daily, tri-weekly and weekly. supporting Justice John McLean for the Presidency. Mr. Dillon afterward became the distinguished historian of Indiana. Like the Advertiser, the Intelligencer had a brief career. In 1835 the Thomases are found conducting a new daily, called the Evening Post. It. obtained some celebrity on account of its notes on arts and artists, but it was discontinued in 1839.

During this period many papers appeared, and almost as quickly disappeared. Among them we find the National Reporter, the Pandect, the Sentinel, the Chronicle and Literary Gazette, all weekly; the Ladies' Musenm, semi-weekly; the Western Review, and the Western Journal of Medical and Physical Science, monthly.

The Cincinnati Mirror, started in 1831 by John H. Wood, was edited by a wellknown literary character of his time, W. D. Gallagher. It was a neat little quarto of eight pages, and appeared semi-monthly. It built up a large circulation in a short

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time. At the beginning of its third year Thomas H. Shreve became joint owner and assistant editor. In November, 1833, it was enlarged and changed to a weekly. Its circulation was greatly increased, but financially it was not a success, In April, 1835, the Chronicle, then under the management of James H. Perkins, was consolidated with the Mirror, which was now owned by Gallagher, Shreve & Perkins, and published by T. H. Shreve & Company. The paper was kept up to the end of this year, when it was sold to James B. Marshall, who changed the name to the Buckeye, maintained it three months, and then sold it to Flash, Ryder & Company. They restored the old name, and retained the editors. Gallagher and Shreve soon drew out, when J. Reese Fry took the editorship for a few mouths, when he in turn abandoned the sinking craft. Its subscription list was transferred to the Weekly Chronicle, and that was the last of the Mirror.

AN OFFICE MOBBED AND DESTROYED.

The Ohio Anti-Slavery Society, formed in 1834, authorized the publication of a paper called The Philanthropist. It was started at New Richmond that year by James U. Birney, but met with strong opposition and threats of mob violence from the start. On the encouragement of friends it was moved to Cincinnati, the headquarters of the society, in the spring of 1836. At a meeting of pro-slavery citizens held in July. it was "resolved that no Abolition paper should be published or distributed in the town." On the 14th of that month, the publication of The Philanthropist still continuing, the printing office was violently entered by a mob, and the press and materials, which were the property of Mr. A. Pugh, the printer, afterward of the Chronicle, were defaced and partially destroyed. Even this did not daunt the fearless editor, and the publication went on. On the 23d a great meeting of citizens was held at the Lower Market, "to declare whether they will permit the publication or distribution of Abolition papers in this [Cincinnati] city." A committee was appointed, which requested the executive committee of the Anti-Slavery Society to stop the publication. They refused, much to the chagrin of the mobocrats, whereupon the committee published the correspondence, adding remarks which deprecated a resort to violence, but which really still further inflamed public sentiment. Previous to this-April 11th---•-there had been a mob, which rose against the colored people, and fired a number of their houses in a locality known as "The Swamp," just below Western row, now Central avenue, at the then foot of West Sixth street. From that time up to the 30th of July the volcano had been slumbering. On that day, which was Saturday, another mob assembled at the corner of Main and Seventh streets, held a short consultation, then marched down to the office, only two squares distant, effected an entrance and again seized the press and materials, which they carried into the street. The type were scattered broadcast, the furniture smashed, the press broken, and a part of it dragged to the foot of Main street and thrown into the river. The mob then visited the house of Mr. Pugh in search of other materials, supposed to be there, but finding none, offered no violence. The dwellings of Birney, Donaldson, and other prominent Abolitionists were visited, but no mischief was done. Returning to Main street, a proposition was made to make a bonfire of the inflammable materials of the office, but the fear of endangering other property caused the mob to desist. Threats were then made to mob the Gazette, whose editor, Charles Hammond, had not pleased the malcontents by his fearless course toward them in his paper; but better counsels prevailed, and the office was not molested. After further noisy demonstrations, when the houses of several blacks were damaged, the moll dispersed in disorder. Thus was this outrage against "free thought, free speech and a free press" consummated, and Editor Birney driven into exile.

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EARLY GERMAN NEWSPAPERS.

As early as 1826, a German weekly called Die Ohio Chronik, appeared, but it only survived a short time. It was followed in 1832 by a campaign paper-whose name has not been preserved-in the interest of the Whig party. On the 7th of October, 1834, appeared the Weltburger, edited by Hartmann, whose energies were first directed against the Democrats, but in a short time it passed into the hands of Benjamin Boffinger, who cabled it Der Deutsche Franklin, and advocated the election of Van Buren. The Democrats now founded the Volksblatt, which was edited by Heinrich Rodter, who filled that position from 1836 to 1840. Rodter paved the way to a better, more worthy and higher development of the German press in Cincinnati. In 1840 he sold the Volksblatt to Stephen Molitor, and removed to Columbus.

In 1837 another German paper, the Westlicher Merkur, was founded by Christian Burkhalter. It was devoted to the advocacy of Whig principles. In 1830 Burkhalter had taken part with Birnoy in the publication of the Philanthropist. He conducted his German weekly until 1841, when the name was changed to Der Deutsche im Westen, and was edited by Burkhalter and Hofle. In a few months the paper passed into the hands of Rudolph von Malitz, and was named the Ohio Volksfreund. Burkhalter now retired and became a silent partner in the Cincinnati Chronicle, edited by Pugh, Hofle and Hubbell. As early as 1837 the Catholics established the Wahrheits Freund, the first Catholic periodical of the country. Its publication was superintended by Rev. J. M. Henni, archbishop of Milwaukee, and it soon attained a large circulation. On the Protestant side appeared for a while Der Protestant, tinder the supervision of Georg Walker-and afterward, in 1838, Der Christliche Apologete, a Methodist paper, conducted by Wilhelm Nast, whose permanent editor he remained for some time. He also founded the Sonntag-Schule Glocke, a juvenile paper. This learned and eminent theologian went to Germany in 1844 as a Methodist missionary, and labored in that country with good results for his church.

In 1843 appeared the first belles-lettres journal in the city, entitled the Fliegende Blatter, by Emil Klauprecht. He was born at Mainz in 1815, came to the United States in 1832, and in 1837 located in Cincinnati and established the lithographic business. His literary publication was the first German illustrated publication in the United States. Soon after starting the Blatter he became editor of a Whig paper, the Republikaner, which he made for ten years the principal organ of this party in the western States. He also wrote a number of novels, and an historical work entitled " German Chronicle in the History of the Ohio Valley." It went back to the beginning of the history of the Territories and States of the West. During the years 1856 to 1864 he was engaged on the Cincinnati Volksblatt, and was then appointed consul of the United States at Stuttgart, which position he filled until 1869.

RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS.

The Baptist Weekly Journal of the Mississippi Valley was founded July 22, 1831. Rev. John Stevens, editor. It was published under his editorial direction for seven years when it was moved to Columbus. In the meantime (1834), a Baptist paper of Kentucky, called The Cross, had been purchased and merged with it. The name was then changed to The Cross and Baptist Journal of the Mississippi Valley, but on its removal to Columbus it was abridged to Cross and Journal, which made it less cumbrous and more popular. About 1850 it was moved back to Cincinnati, and the Christian Messenger, an Indiana Baptist paper published at Madison and Indianapolis, was united with it; hence the present name Journal and Messenger. A number of changes in editorship have occurred in recent years. It is said that there are but five other Baptist publications in the country as old as this one.

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It was in the spring of 1834 that The Western Christian Advocate, that famous northwestern organ of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was founded by the Book Concern. The editor was Rev. T. A. Morris, who afterward became Bishop Morris. The Concern also founded the Ladies Repository in January, 1841, Rev. L. L. Hamline, editor; and also the same year The German Advocate, with Rev, William Nast as editor.

In June. 1835, the Western Messenger, a Unitarian publication, under the patronage of the Unitarians of the West, was commenced. Rev. Ephraim Peabody was the editor, with Shreve & Gallagher as publishers. In its second year it was removed to Louisville, placed in charge of a new editor, but came back in a short time and was taken in band by the famous Rev. W. H. Chinning. It was popular in the denomination, hilt as it did not pay it was discontinued in April,

The Family Magazine, a small monthly, appeared in January 1830. It: was conducted by Eli Taylor, who was succeeded by J. A. James. It was published fur six year,. Mr. Taylor was also for a time publisher of the Cincinnati Journal, an antiCatholic and anti-slavery organ. In July of the same year W. D. Gallagher, as editor, issued the first number of his Western Literary Journal anal Monthly Review Local historians say it was a magazine of considerable pretension and real excellence. the largest, till then, established in the West, each number containing seventy-two pages royal octavo. It was published by Smith & Day. In November, 1836, it was consolidated with the Western Monthly Magazine, which had been removed to Louisville and was still under the charge of James B. Marshall. He changed the name to Western Monthly Magazine and Literary Journal, retaining Mr. Gallagher as editor, but as it failed to pay it was discontinued in 1837.

The Literary Register, a short-lived folio sheet, belonged to this era. It was published by S. Penn, Jr., and William Wallace. Also the Literary News, quarto, by Edmund Flagg, editor, and Prentice & Weisinger, publishers. The former afterward became the celebrated poet-editor of the Louisville Journal. In 1839 E. D. Mansfield conducted for a short time a very creditable magazine called the Monthly Chronicle. Achilles Pugh was the publisher. It devoted much attention to local antiquarian subjects, and its files are much sought after by modern local writers.

Another publication called The Chronicle, a weekly, had been started in 1830, with Mr. Mansfield as editor, assisted by Benjamin Drake. It was really a revival of the old Chronicle of 1826, which in 1834 had been merged in the Mirror, and after that was sold to Drs. Drake and Rives, of the Medical Department of Cincinnati College, partly to become an organ of that institution. The medical gentlemen were unsuccessful, and in 1837 the paper was sold to Mr. Pugh and William Dodd, printers and publishers. Mr. Mansfield was retained as editor, and gave the sheet a distinctive character as an anti-slavery Whig organ, but stopping short of abolitionism. In December, 1830, the Chronicle became a daily with the subscription list of the Cincinnati Whig, but its career was short. The Whig had been founded some time before by Maj. Conover, who obtained the services of Henry M. Spencer. In March, 1840, Mr. Drake severed big connection with the paper, when Mr. Mansfield conducted the paper alone till 1848, and afterward resumed connection with it, until 1850, when the Chronicle finally lost its identity in the Atlas, a paper originating with Nathan Guilford, and which survived through three or four years. It is a notable historical fact that Miss Harriet Beecher's first printed story appeared in this paper about 1835, during the residence of her father and her prospective husband, Prof. Stowe, at Lane Seminary. Many other brilliant lights honored the Chronicle with their contributions, and added lustre to its name. Several notable editors of the State commenced their career in its columns, Richard Smith, editor-in-chief of the Commercial Gazette, being one of the number. And it may be mentioned that the first issue of The Price Current, published by Mr. Peabody, was made from the office of the Chronicle.

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THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER.

The leading paper of the city to-day is the Enquirer. It has a long and interesting history. In its beginnings it was mainly the creation of Moses Dawson, the editor of an old-time paper called the Phoenix, and the Commercial Advertiser, as early as 1828. In the latter part of the "thirties" John Brough purchased the Phoenix and changed it to the Enquirer. He was a distinguished editor and politician, and his editorials were noted for their clearness, strength and brilliancy. He retired in 1848. In 1863 Brough was elected governor of Ohio, over Vallandigham by 101,099, the largest majority ever cast for a governor since the foundation of the State. In early years the Enquirer changed its location many times. During the great fire of 1866, which destroyed Pike's Opera House, the office was consumed. Finally it found a home on Vine street, between Sixth and Seventh, near the great Public Library. In 18-14 the Hon. James J. Faran took au interest in the paper; afterward Washington McLean purchased the interest of Mr. Derby, and became a joint owner with Mr. Faran and Mr. Wiley McLean. John R. McLean, son of Washington McLean, soon became interested, and he and Mr. Faran finally became the sole proprietors. Mr. Faran served as managing editor from 1844 to 1867. Among the eminent journalists connected with the managing editorship have been John A. Cockerill and Joseph B. McCullagh. About 1880, John R. McLean became sole owner of the plant, and under his direction it has made rapid advances, and takes rank with the great papers of Chicago and those of other progressive western cities. Its Sunday edition has a wide circulation. Politically it is Democratic.

A DECADE OF ACTIVITY.

In the beginning of the "forties," journalism was in a flourishing condition. There were six English dailies and eight weeklies. The German weeklies numbered five, with one daily, The Volksblatt, founded in 1838, after running two years as a weekly. During much of its later and more important history it was under the editorial management of the Hon. Frederick Hassaurek. At this period there were also a number of hook publishing houses, and all signs pointed to prosperity in the publishing line.

Mr. Cist in his annals for 1841 refers to these publications: The Gazette and Liberty Halt, Whig, issued 900 daily, tri-weekly, 400, and weekly, 800. The Advertiser and Journal, Democratic, issued 400 daily, tri-weekly 150, and 1,600 weekly. The Times, a neutral evening paper. circulated 1,500; the Public Ledger, a neutral evening penny sheet, 1,400; the Volksblatt, Democratic, claimed a daily issue of 312. and a weekly of 1,400; the Unabhaengige Presse, likewise Democratic, 250 tri-weekly: the Deutsch, fm Westen., 1,500; Wahrheits Freund (Roman Catholic), 1,050; the Apologete (German Methodist), 1,000-all weekly; and the Licht Freund, a Universalist, semi-monthly, 500.

Besides these publications, the Western Christian Advocate, Methodist weekly, had a circulation of 14,000; the Cincinnati Observer, New-School Presbyterian, 1,300; the Western Episcopal Observer, 500; the Catholic Telegraph, edited by Bishop Purcell, 1,100; the Star in the West, Universalist. 2,300; Western Temperance Journal, 6,000; the Ladies' Museum. 1,200; Ladies' Repository, 7,000; Western Messenger (Unitarian), 1,000; Christian Preacher (Disciple), 2,500; Precursor (New Jerusalem). 400; the Evangelist (Disciple), 1,000; Family Magazine, 3,000; the Counterfeit Detector, 750; and there was one other periodical, the Western Farm and Garden, the circulation of which is not given. We are particular to give the circulation of the foregoing papers and periodicals at that time, for the purpose of enabling the reader to contrast them with the publications of to-day. The majority of them have ceased to exist, or lost their individuality by being merged in other publications, whilst many new ones have appeared.

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In the fall of 1843 a new weekly literary venture appeared under the name of the Western Rambler. It was published by Austin T. Earle and Benjamin St. James, under whose auspices it flourished for a short time and then disappeared.

It was during this year (1843) that the Cincinnati Commercial, one of the ablest and most influential morning journals, was started by Curtis & Hastings. During its brilliant career of forty years, until its consolidation with the Gazette, many changes took place in its editorial and business departments, but it was ever aggressive, able and influential. In 1853, Murat Halstead, one of the most distinguished journalists of the da_y, became connected with it, and remained until the union with the Gazette, having been editor-in-chief since 1860. In 1879 a reorganization of the firm took place, and a joint-stock company was incorporated. The capital stock was fixed at $235,000.

Another candidate for public favor appeared in 1848, called The Great West. The title was as captivating as it was suggestive of a wide field. It was started by Robinson & Jones, with a strong corps of Cincinnati editors, and all prominent writers throughout the Mississippi Valley, were engaged as paid contributors. With this strong array of journalistic and literary talent the enterprise was kept going for nearly two years, when, in March, 1850, it was consolidated with the Weekly Columbian. as the Columbian and Great West, published by E. Penrose Jones and edited by William B. Shattuck. The celebrated Celia M. Barr (Mrs. Kellum) was the literary editor for a time. A daily Columbian was also started, but it broke the establishment down, and all failed together in August, 1853, The mistake was in trying to cover too great a territory, and then in loading the enterprise with a daily to quickly sap its remaining vitality.

MORE LITERARY VENTURES.

In 1850 the local chroniclers inform us that there were nine English and four German dailies in Cincinnati, most of them with weekly and some with other editions. Altogether there were eleven English and four German weeklies, with two semi-monthlies, which shows the rapid progress that was being made in the diffusion of literature for the masses.

It is claimed that one of the finest publications of this era was a monthly quarto magazine, embellished with fine steel engravings, which was published by R. E. Edwards, in connection with the Arts' Union Gallery. In January, 1853, a weekly magazine of sixteen octavo pages, of somewhat similar character, called the Pen and Pencil, was started by William Wallace. It only survived about a year. Next came the Genius of the West, a bright and promising monthly of thirty. two octavo pages, started in October of the same year by Howard Dunham, who had been conducting for some time a semi-monthly musical and literary journal known as the Gem. It started with a vigorous life, and embraced among its contributors Miss Alice Cary, and a number of other writers of note. About the middle of 1854 Mr. Dunham took into editorial partnership Coates Kinney and Charles S. Abbott,, but soon withdrew to start another periodical of like character, which be called The Western. His venture proved a failure at the end of three numbers. In the following August we find W. T. Coggeshall engaged as a co-editor of the Genius. The next month Mr. Abbott withdrew, and Mr. Kinney in July, 1855. In the latter part of this year Mr. Coggeshall disposed of the magazine to George K. True, a young poet and essayist of Mount Vernon, who bravely maintained it for six months, when it went to join the innumerable caravan of literary failures. It was a very excellent magazine while it lasted, and had many friends, but at no time more than paid expenses of publication.

Dailies:-At the close of 1859 Mr. Cist enumerated the dailies as follows: Gazette and Liberty Hall, Enquirer, Times, Commercial, Volksblatt, Volksfreund, Republikaner, Penny Press, Law and Bank Bulletin.

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Weeklies:-Western Christian Advocate. Presbyter, Central Christian Herald, Journal and Messenger, American Christian Review, Western Episcopalian, Star of the West, New Christian Herald, Catholic Telegraph, Christian Leader, SundaySchool Journal, Wahrheits Freund, Christliche Apologete, Protestantische Zeitblaetter, Horwaechter, Scientific Artisan, Journal, Helvetia, Israelite, and Deborah.

Semi-Monthlies:-Type of the Times, Presbyterian Witness, Sunday-School Advocate, Lord's Detector, United States Bank Mirror, White's Financial and Commercial Reporter, and Counterfeit Detector.

Monthlies:---Repler's Bank Note List, Ladies' Repository (discontinued in 1880), Masonic Review, Odd Fellows' Casket and Review, Lancet and Observer, Medical News, Cincinnati and Eclectic and Edinburgh Medical Journal, College Journal of Medical Science, Physio-Medical Recorder, Sonntag-Schule Glocke, Young People'e Monthly, Youth's Friend, Sunbeam, and Dental Register of the West.

ANNUAL PUBLICATIONS-DIRECTORIES.

The first publication, entitled "Pictures of Cincinnati," was by Drake, in 1815. The first; city Directory was published by Oliver Farnsworth, in October, 1819, and included an almanac for 1820. The printers were Morgan, Lodge & Co. The Directory, only about two hundred pages in size, contained 1,693 names. The second Directory, by Harvey Hall, appeared in 1825. Among its unique features was an analysis of the nativities of the inhabitants. It showed a very large percentage of Pennsylvanians and Jerseymen in the population, 394 of the names given being those of natives of the Keystone State, and 324 of New Jersey birth. Ohio was only able to show 52 natives. It contained 2,600 names, and the number of houses was given at 1,663. In 1826 Drake published his history of Cincinnati, in which be gave the population at 16,230. The next Directory appeared in 1829, by Robinson & Fairbanks. It contained 4,563 names. In 1834 E. Deeming published a Directory which contained 6,354 names. The record does not show any new Directory until 1836, when J. H. Woodruff appears to have published one. It contained 6,500 names, showing that the city was slowly advancing. Some time in 1839 a book entitled "Picture of Cincinnati" was published by Glezen & Shepherd, but it was not a regular city Directory. In 1840 D. H. Shaffer came before the public with a Directory, in which he gave the number of names at 9,170. Cist's Directory appeared in 1841, and he published one annually until 1843. The last one contained 13,625 names. In 1844 R. P. Brooks issued a Directory, but it was simply a reprint of Cist's last one, with one thousand new names added. Robinson & Jones came to the front in 1846 with a Directory, which contained 14,600 names. In 1848 C. S. Williams published his first Directory. It contained 320 pages and 21,545 names, besides much valuable historical data, from which the foregoing facts have been deduced. Mr. Williams continued to issue a Directory annually until 1861, when he disposed of the business to Americus V. Williams & Co., the present firm, who have continued the publication annually up to the present time. Compared with the Directory of 1819, that of June, 1893, presents a wonderful contrast. The latter contains 2,130 pages and 147,500 names, from which the publishers estimate the population of the city at 332,000. Another curious fact in connection with these veteran Directory publishers should be noted, viz.: No relationship existed between C. S. Williams and Americus V. Williams, the superintendent of the present publishing house.

IMPROVEMENT OF THE PRESS.

Thus stood the journalism of Cincinnati on the eve of the great Civil war. That event caused a number of changes, and gave birth to other publications. That it resulted as a purifying process is evident, for in 1867 James Parton, the eminent essayist and historian, in an article on Cincinnati for the Atlantic Monthly, remarks

266 - HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

that "nowhere else, except in New York, are the newspapers conducted with so much expense." He was assured by observing Cincinnatians "that the improvement, in the tone and spirit of its daily press, since the late regenerating war, is most striking. It is looked to now by the men of public spirit to take then lead in the career of improvement upon which the city is entering." This was a high tribute, and spoke volumes in favor off the prosperity of the city. Mr. Parton was deeply impressed with the conditions of the Press, and declared it "astonishingly rich," "Think of an editor." he exclaims, "having the impudence to return the value of his estate at five millions of dollars " And that, too, in the Queen City of the West. But the conditions have greatly improved since Parton wrote in 1807, and the growth of newspaper property has kept pace with other great interests, and its value to-day is far in advance of what it was at that time.

The Times-Star, the leading evening Republican paper, takes its name from the consolidation of two evening papers. The Tine's was founded in 1821 by Calvin W. Starbuck, as a weekly. when he was but nineteen years of age. He was the fastest type-setter in the West at that time, and being desirous to economise his funds until his enterprise proved self-supporting, he for years set up a great portion of the paper himself, and also assisted in its delivery to subscribers. He was eminently successful as a publisher and business man, and, to use the words of a modern writer, "was great in goodness." The Star was started February 2, 1872, by the "Star Publishing Company." After the death of Mr. Starbuck. which occurred November 15, 1870, his paper was purchased by Benjamin Egleston, Alexander Sands, Calvin W. Thomas and others, the proprietors of the Daily Chronicle, which had become a daily in 1839. The Times was for some time called the Times-Chronicle, but soon afterward returned to its original title. The paper was then resold to David Sinton, Charles P. Taft and H. P. Boyden, and it was consolidated with the Star in June, 1880. The paper now occupies a magnificent building, specially erected for it, and its appointments in every respect, are first-class. It has no Sunday edition.

Another literary publication, first known as the Fat Contributor's Saturday Night, and afterward as the Cincinnati Saturday Night, attracted wide attention for a few years. It was started July 20, 1872, by Capt. L. Barney and A. Minor Griswold. Under the first title it ran until 1873, when it was changed to Cincinnati Saturday Night, and the following April Griswold became sole owner. He was a well-known humorous writer of his day. In 1880 J. C. Getzendanner became associate editor, and remained as such until 1883, when Mr. Griswold went to Europe. He then took entire charge of the paper as editor and publisher, and kept it up to the high standard it had reached. Mr. Griswold returned in September. 1884, and finding business very much depressed, the result of the riots in March of that year. he offered the paper and outfit for sale, but. failing to find a purchaser for the entire concern, he disposed of the plant by piecemeal, and the publication was suspended.

The Cincinnati Post, established January 3, 1881, is a four and six-paged evening paper. It is noted for its industry and activity in gathering the news and laying it promptly before the public. It is independent in politics, and publishes several editions during the day and evening. Being sold for a penny it has a large circulation. No Sunday edition is issued. It is published by an incorporated company, of which Edward W. Scripps is president, and Milton A. McRae, secretary and treasurer. The office of publication is on Longworth street, and the mechanical equipment is first-class,

The Cincinnati Tribune, a now morning Republican paper, was founded January 4, 1893, by a company. It contains from four to eight and ten pages, and is sold at two cents in the city. It has a Sunday edition. The office of publication is in a magnificent building on Main street, opposite the government building and post office.

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Without any further attempt to particularize the various publications of Cincinnati, by giving the dates and the names of the founders of all papers and magazines started within the last quarter of a century, it may, however, for the benefit of the reader and future historians, be proper to give the titles of all, properly classified, as they appeared in Williams' Directory for June, 1893. They were as follows:

Newspapers, Daily, English:--Price Current, Tribune, Enquirer, Post, Stock Exchange. Times-Star, Commercial Gazette, Court Index, Kentucky Post, New York Stock Market.

Daily, German:-Anzeiger, Freie Presse, Volksblatt, Volksfreund, Zeitung, Taegliche, Abend Presse.

Daily Italian:-Il Progresso Italo-Americana, L'Eco D'Italia.

Weekly. English :-American Cabinet Maker and Upholsterer, American Catholic Tribune, American Grange Bulletin, American Israelite, Buds of Hope, Business and Pharmaceutical Record, Catholic Telegraph. The Chic, Christian Leader, Christian Standard. Bulletin of Prices Current, The Enquirer, Golden Rule, Item, Lancet Clinic, Live Stuck Review, Price Current, Railway Guide, Record, Suburban News, Weekly Gazette, Weekly Times, Columbia Times, Crockery and Glassware Journal, Family Herald, Farm Implement News, Herald and Presbyter, Iron Age, Iron Trade Review of Cleveland, Journal and Messenger, Light of Truth, Lutheran World, Merchant and Manufacturer, Merchant, Sentinel, Merchant Traveler, Metal Worker, Once a Week, Pharmaceutical Record, Primary Lesson Paper, Produce Trade Reporter, Pure Words, Sabbath Visitor, Shopping, The Southwest, Standard Lesson Leaf, Suburban Enterprise, Tonsorial Advocate, Sunday-School Advocate, Trade Bureau, Trade Bureau of New York, Transcript, Western Christian Advocate, Western Tobacco Journal, Williams' Weekly Courier, Young Men's Institute Weekly Record, Young People's Standard, The Anti-Boodler.

Weekly, German:-Christliche Apologete, Christliche Jugendfreund, Anzeiger, Freie Presse, Volksblatt, Volksfreund, Die Deborah, Die Glocke, Evangelisches Gemeindeblatt, Familien Journal, Protestantischer Hausfreund, Sonntag Morgen, The South \Vest, Wahrheitsfreund. Westliche Blaetter.

Semi-Weekly:--Cincinnati Gazette.

Monthly: -American Ecclesiastical Review, American Furniture Gazette, American Industrial World, American Rural Criterion, The Artizan, The Auxiliary, Beta Theta Pi Magazine, Carpenter and Builder, The Carriage World, Children's Home Monthly Record, Chips, Christian Press, Church Bulletin, Church Chronicle, The Cigar Trade Magazine, Cincinnati Medical Journal, Club and Society News, The Courier, The Dental Register, Eclectic Medical Journal, The Elks, Express Gazette, Family Herald, Farm Implement News of Chicago, Financial Review and American Building Association News, Fliegende Blaetter, The Harness World, Haus und Herd, Indiana Standard, The Informer, The International Detective, Iron Molders' Monthly Journal, Knights' Journal, Lehrer Zeitung, The Lumber Worker, Masonic Review, Medical Cleaner, The Merchant, Merchant and Manufacturer, Merchants Magazine, Monthly Caller, Musical Messenger, Musical Visitor, The New Age, Ohio Builder, Ohio Dental Register, Ohio Medical Journal, Ohio Propaganda, Ohio Standard, People's Aid, Picture Lesson Paper, Public School Bulletin, Sabbath Papers, The Sabbath Visitor, Saloon Trade Magazine, Saxby's Magazine, St. Francisci Gloecklein, Der Sendbote, Shoe and Leather Age, The Sokesman, Squire's Musical Advertiser, Sunday-School Journal, The Tonserial Trade Magazine, The Watch Dial, The Western Architect and Builder, The World's Progress, Young Men's Christian Monthly Bulletin, Y. M. I. Journal.

Semi-Monthly.-Bonfort's Wine and Spirit Circular of New York, Classmate, Co-Operative News, Deutscher Hauschatz, Furniture Worker, Die Glocke, The Iron Age, Pharmaceutical Record, Sunday-School Classmate.

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Quarterly:-Beginner's Quarterly, Berean Beginners' Lesson, Berean Intermediate Lesson, Berean Senior Lesson Leaf, Bibelforscher, Bible Lessons, Der Bilderaal, Christian Educator, Intermediate Quarterly, Loaf Cluster, Senior Quarterly, Sloan's Legal and Financial Register, Standard Bible Lesson, Standard Lesson Leaf.

Annual:-American Jews' Annual, Cincinnati Hinkende Bote, Deutsch Amerikanischer Familien Kalender, Parvin's Newspaper Directory, Stadt and Land Kalender, Standard Eclectic Commentary, Williams' Cincinnati Directory.

Semi-Annual:-Blue Book of the Furniture Trade.

SUMMARY.

The foregoing classifications may be summarized as follows: English dailies, 10; German dailies, Ii; Italian dailies, 2; English weeklies, 57; German weeklies, 15; semi-weekly, 1; monthly, 68; semimonthly, 9; Quarterly, 14; annual, 7; semiannual, 1-making a grand total of 210 publications of all kinds.

Looking back over the past hundred years we are impressed with the great number of publications that have appeared since Maxwell's Centinel in November, 1793, and the Anti-Boodler, by Charles H. Scott, September, 23, 1893, that have arisen, sought fame for a short time and then passed away. Whilst the foregoing review of the journalism of Cincinnati is more exhaustive, perhaps, than any that has yet appeared, it is not claimed to be perfect. In the span of a century it is very easy to overlook ephemeral publications, especially when no record of their existence has been preserved; and the wave of oblivion has long since swept over their graves. Neither has it been possible within the scope of this chapter to notice all as fully as they deserved, or to speak of the traits, characteristics and history of the many eminent writers and journalists that have been connected with them.

For a city of less than four hundred thousand inhabitants, the foregoing final summary of its publications must be accepted as a very creditable record. They cover every subject-politics, religion, education. trade, commerce, manufactures, science, medicine, literature, society, and sports. The great dailies are unsurpassed in enterprise, ability and industry. Many of the magazines and literary publications are conducted by editors of high standing, experience and ability, and their writings and opinions have a powerful influence in molding public sentiment, and in advancing education, religion and civilization.