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CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES - 51 CHAPTER VIII NEWSPAPERS OF CARROLL COUNTY USEFULNESS OF THE NEWSPAPER PRESS-CARROLL COUNTY'S FIRST PAPER-THE CENTREVILLE RECORDER-EXTRACTS FROM ITS OLD FILES-THE FREE PRESS- STANDARD AND ITS GENEALOGY 1N JOURNALISM-EARLY MARKET QUOTATIONS- CARROLL REPUBLICAN- REPUBLICAN STANDARD- JEFFERSONIAN - DEMOCRATIC CRISIS - OHIO PICAYUNE-CARROLL DEMOCRAT—NEW ERA- CITIZEN DEMOCRAT-THE RURAL TIARA OF HARLEM SPRINGS-THE CHRONICLE-THE MINERVA NEWS. There scarcely need a word be said concerning the great importance of the local newspaper press of any community. The press wields a great power in all enlightened countries. Especially today its power, with that of the associated daily press, really marks the destiny of affairs among the children of men. It is the one great and universal medium by which the world's vast population is brought in touch with one another's affairs and common interests. With modern transmission so finely developed—with the wireless and the electric phone systems, the telephone and telegraph by land and the cable underneath the briny deep, there are but few spots on the globe' left where communication cannot be had almost instantly by some one of these methods. Hence the newspaper of our day has access to all sorts of news channels. But why dwell on a topic so well understood, but not always rightfully appreciated by the reading masses. Coming down to our own time and compiling a history of these two counties of the Buckeye State, it should be stated that Carroll County has never had many local newspapers, from the fact that her towns are small and many of them inland--off of iron highways and good roads. The county seat has been in the newspaper field here for many years, even prior to the county's real organization, for the Free Press appears to have been established in 1832, and has stood the storms of four score and ten years and is today vigorous and fully up-to-date in all of its departments. It was, however, not founded under its present name, but the genealogy of the Free Press-Standard of today runs back in newspaper line to the Centreville Recorder, Vol. I, No. 1 of which was dated September 8, 1832—the earliest publication in what was then in Columbiana County, now within Carroll County. The Centreville Recorder was published at Centreville, Columbiana County ; was a weekly paper having a subscription rate of $2.00 per year. It was a four page five column paper, without column rules. Joshua D. Patton was editor and proprietor. Advertisements of Dr. John S. Hunter ; Dr. J. B. Emery ; Alfred Dobbins' foundry—nearly opposite the E. R. Ecklev home on Liberty Street ; W. D. Jenkins' dry goods store ; the Ohio Foundry conducted by Peter Campbell, who made stoves, grates, saw mill and wagon-box irons ; also an advertise- 52 - CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES ment appeared for the D. Patton & Co. dry goods store ; W. D. Jenkins advertises a fresh supply of drugs and medicines ; J. Sinclair advertises his seasonable supply of store goods—naming them in detail—and states that he "will receive in payment wheat, pork, hides, feathers, flax, butter, tallow, beeswax, tow-thread, clover and timothy seeds, dried apples, rags, etc. Pork wanted in December." Local news was rarely if ever, printed in the Recorder and in fact, by many later publications in Carrollton. The Recorder, however, printed much advertising which makes interesting reading at this time. Volume I, No. -21 contains a page and a half "Extract of an Address Recently Delivered by William Johnston Esq. of this place, on the subject of Temperance." And marked "Continued in our next." On the third page appears this editorial: "Next Friday is the day on which our trouble commences ; the day on which the proud name of the United States is to be discarded. South Carolina yet appears determined to persist in her rebellion ; and the President seems quite as determined to preserve the Union of the States. He has sent a message to Congress instructing them to devise sufficient measures to ,maintain the dignity of the country and the supremacy of the law. Next week we will give the message." The following county ticket is -carried: Sheriff—David J. Levy ; Commissioners-William Hodge, Tames McLaughlin ; Treasurer—James Sinclair: Auditor-George Beatty ; Recorder—John McCormick ; Assessor-William Brown ; Surveyor—Van Brown ; Coroner—Dr. J. B. Emery. So many candidates haye announced their names that the editor was constrained to publish the following: "The election is now at hand, and we deem it due to the citizens of this county to state that no man's name shall be published is a candidate, unless he is a subscriber without being charged $1.00." Five hundred Jackson Democrats signed a resolution to support the President in his efforts to preserve South Carolina in the Union and thus frustrate the plans of John C. Calhoun, then vice president. This early paper in 1833, contained these market quotations : Bacon, hams, per pound, 7 cents ; shoulders and sides, 6 cents ; beans, per bushel, 62 cents ; butter, 8 cents ; coffee, in bags, 14 to 16 cents ; eggs, 6 cents per dozen ; flour, (fine) $3.25 ; superfine, $3.75 per barrel ; feathers, 30 cents per pound ; flax, scutched, per pound, 6 cents fish, per barrel, white, $8.00; pickerel, $6.00; mackeral, $12.75 ; cod fish, 6 cents ; wheat, per bushel, 62c ; rye, 37 cents ; oats, 20 cents ; corn, 36 cents ; buckwheat, 30 cents : potatoes, 18 cents ; Orleans sugar, per pound, 8 cents ; country, 6 cents ; salt, per barrel, $2.50 ; yellow wax, per pound, 25 cents ; whiskey, per gallon, 23 to 25 cents. In 1834 the first papers of this county were merged--the Recorder and the Gazette—and the name changed to the Free Press, which was published by Pearce & Christy. In 1845 this paper was edited by Van Brown and published by T. W. Collier, and they opposed stoutly all opposition to Henry Clay, believing greatly in that American statesman. They wanted him to be President. The Ohio Legislature passed a law in the winter of 1845-46, providing for the filing of the two newspapers of opposite politics within the county m the auditor's office within each county. This has given CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES - 53 Ohio a wonderful and interesting, as well as authentic history of her counties and her people. In 1856 the files show that the Free Press was still in charge of Tripp & McCoy, who supported Fremont and Dayton. In 1858 the names of Jacob Weyand and M. C. Baxter appear as proprietors. In 1859 this paper gave a graphic account of old John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry, and later an account of the surrender of Fort Sumter. Other owners of this newspaper were Robert Crozier in 1852-53, when it was badly run down and was sold for $1,000. It was sold to Allen Green, who was killed by a train at Altoona, Pennsylvania ; he sold the Free Press in January, 1854, to John H. Tripp and William McCoy. This continued until 1857 when McCoy sold his interest to M. C. Baxter. Tripp confinued with the paper until 1858 when he sold to Jacob Weyand. The next change was when it was sold to Robert McCarty, who came from Leavittsville. He sold in 1861 to R. E. Knight, who after being prosecuting attorney located in Cleveland, and later at Youngstown. In 1861 the paper was bought by Weyand and Edwin Ferrall, who changed the name to the Carroll County Union, with the motto: "We join ourselves to no party that does not carry the flag and keep step to the music of the Union." In 1862 Mr. Weyand left the office and formed a company, which became a part of the 126th Ohio Regiment of Volunteers. William McCoy bought his interest m the paper. Under the partnership of Ferrall & McCoy, the paper was known as the Carroll Union Press. This continued until Ferrall's interest was sold to George H. Teter, under the ownership of Teter & McCoy, the name was changed back to that of the Free Press. In 1869 the interest of McCoy was purchased by Samuel J. Cameron, and soon the firm became known as Tripp & Cameron, but they not agreeing, in 1881 Cameron sold to his partner, Mr. Tripp. The year last named Cameron established the Carroll Republican, the first issue appearing April 21. From that time on it was a factor in the press of this county. Bitter feelings were had between the two papers and even the party was disrupted to a certain extent. Mr. Cameron died in 1894, and three years later the paper was sold to the Kemerer brothers, who had been conducting the Standard at Sherrodsville. The name was then changed to the Republican Standard. Mr. Tripp continued the publication of the Free Press until January, 1903, when it was purchased by Floyd B. Chapman, the "Man of Mystery" who later made good in West Virginia press circles. Chapman placed the paper under the editorial management of David B. Kappes, who commenced February, 1903, and continued until February, 1906, when the paper was taken over by the two Kramerers, and merged with the Republican Standard, under the name of the Free Press- Standard, by which it is now known. The Free Press-Standard of today is one of the best equipped newspaper and job offices in eastern Ohio. Nothing is lacking in way of up-to-date appliances, in any of the departments required in a modern printery. 54 - CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES THE JEFFERSONIAN This was the first real Democratic paper of Carroll County.. It was established by Joseph Cable in July, 1837. In January, 1840 this paper contained the long message of President Martin Van Buren, covering almost three pages of the paper. THE DEMOCRATIC CRISIS This newspaper, edited by A. W. Morrison and published by I. B. Boyle, was issued in Carrollton April 12, 1844. This paper supported James K. Polk for President. During that campaign this paper has this to say : "On Friday last, the day of the coon fandago in this place, the fearless Democrats of Carroll, raised a towering hickory pole on the public square. It measured 148 feet and 6 inches, and is decorated with flags, streamers, and a splendid rooster, which revolves as a vane. The national flag is twenty-five feet long and nine feet wide. We had good music, too, none of the 'soft breathing of a lady's lute' but the shrill fife and drum. After our pole assumed an upright position, like a thing of life, three hearty cheers were given for Polk and Dallas, Tod and Victory." OHIO PICAYUNE This local paper was established July 16, 1846, by Fielding S. Cable. It contained in its first number the proclamation of old Zac Taylor in the army in Monterey, Mexico. Just when or how this paper winked out is not now known to the writer. THE CARROLL DEMOCRAT This publication was established June 3, 1843 and was published by John Hudson and edited by Alonzo L. Littell. The "Monroe Doctrine" was clearly set forth by this paper in glowing terms. The tariff was the great issue between the democratic and whig political parties. The Millerites about here were just then beginning to get ready for Christ's second coming. THE NEW FRA. This short-lived paper commenced its issue at Carrollton August 13, 1849, with Stuart G. McKee as editor. THE CITIZEN DEMOCRAT This organ of some local faction was launched in January, 1856, by Matthias Atkinson, and it supported Buchanan for President. In 1858 George W. Barlow assumed editorial control of this paper and in 1859 the name was changed to that of the Carroll County Democrat, with Barlow at the helm and assisted by A. W. Morrison. THE RURAL TIARA OF HARLEM SPRINGS This unique paper was established at Harlem Springs in 1845 by Fielding S. Cable, who after a few weeks turned the plant over to CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES - 55 Robert Craven and William Crow who run a $2,000 lottery along with their newspaper. So it will be seen that. Carroll County and its county seat has had numerous newspapers launched. These have served the purpose, possibly, for which they were established and then went down. With a few exceptions these journals have been creditable efforts and have been liberally patronized. THE CARROLL CHRONICLE This local newspaper was established in March, 1871, by twenty- five leading and wealthy democrats of Carroll County, There had been no democratic paper in the county for more than ten years. The equipment of the new publication was meagre in the extreme, a hand- press and a few pounds of type completing the equipment. The stockholders of the new enterprise invited J. V. Lawler, at that time employed on the Salem Republican, to confer with them upon the matter, the result being that ne was employed as publisher and Prof. D. J. McAdams, superintendent of the Carrollton schools, as editor. In a few months Professor McAdams retired from the editorial chair and was succeeded by Thomas Hays, who divided his time between his law practice and the paper. In about a year Mr. Hays retired and the paper not prospering the stockholders sold their stock to Mr. Lawler. He assumed the editorial management of the paper, stamped his individuality upon it. It survived the disastrous Greeley campaign panic of 1873. In 1914 he retired from the active newspaper duties and was appointed postmaster at Carrollton, a position he also had held under the administrations of Grover Cleveland. From 1882 to 1914 his brother James F. Lawler was associated with him in publishing and editing the paper. In 1877 the Chronicle was moved to the Huston building, a brick and stone, three story structure, just then erected, and it has occupied these quarters ever since. In 1898 the building was bought by Mr. Lawler. In 1892 a cylinder press and a steam engine were installed and the paper increased m size, it being the first newspaper in the county. Later a gas engine was installed. Radical improvements were made in 1916, practically new equipment being bought-a linotype, folder, automatic press, etc. With the advent of the "high tension" line gas was discarded as a motive power to propel the machinery of the plant. The present publishers—E. F. and J. V. Lawler, Jr., are making a fine local paper. The Chronicle prides itself upon its complete plant for printing newspapers and job work. In 1917 the paper was again enlarged, its present size being a paper of eight pages, each composed of seven 22-inch columns. THE MINERVA NEWS What is styled the Minerva News and Clay City Times, is published at the village of Minerva, a part of which village is within Carroll County while the other portion is in Stark County. This publication was founded about 1884, the outgrowth of probably five or six 56 - CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES other publications. It is impossible at this date to trace the various owners and editors. The last transfer was from H. D. Williams & Sons to the News Publishing Company, Incorporated, E. O. Sala, general manager, October, 1918. This is a 10-page, 7-column paper, printed every Thursday, at a subscription rate of $3.00 per year. It circulates mostly in a radius of fifteen miles of Minerva. Politically, the News is independent. The paper is published in a leased building and has a complete job department. The village of Malvern, near by, is supplied with a section of the Minerva News, known as the "Clay City Times," which furnishes all important news for that portion of northern Carroll County. From the files of the Carrollton Free Press in 1840 the following "locals" are found, and as they have a strange meaning now after eighty years have gone by, they.are here inserted as a part of the annals of the county: "The abolition vote cast in this county, on Tuesday last amounted to about twenty, net one of which was polled for us. We hope the abolitionists will now see they follow a separate organization on their part for political purposes, unless, indeed, whig abolitionists are determined to play into the hands of the Locofocas." The whig majority in 1840 in Carroll County was eleven. Among the advertisements in the file in 1840 were these—"25,000 hides wanted by Beatty & Young." General assortment of merchandise, Cash paid for wheat by W. D. Jenkins. Silversmith & Clock-making by Frederick Gimbel. Cash paid for flax seed delivered at the Carrollton steam mill, by Isaac Atkinson. Matthew Atkinson & Son had a double column ad of merchandise. Law cards of Van Brown, Attorney; Pearce, Starkweather and Jarvis, Attorneys-at-law. Eckley & Coffin, Attorneys. Bolivar Hotel by W. Hodge, opposite the Sandy & Beaver Canal. Chair and Cabinet-making, by George Arbuckle. November 10, 1842—President John Tyler issues a proclamation, signed by Daniel Webster, secretary of state. Joseph McCorkel, of Lee Township, offers a reward for a runaway apprentice and everybody is cautioned not to harbor him. A camp-meeting will be held by the Methodist Episcopal Church on the land of Mr. Gregg in Perry Township, commencing August 18, 1842. April 7, 1843, the Eagle House in the north end of New Harrisburg, Carroll County. It was formerly the tavern stand owned by Col. Matron Ayers. Has a bar and keeps the choicest of liquors. May 21, 1847-The citizens are called to meet at the courthouse to discuss the building of a railroad from Carrollton to the Sandy & Beaver Canal. The first agricultural fair of Carroll County, held at the courthouse in Carrollton was in October, 1849, George F. Kennedy, secretary. CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES- 57 For Sale-A Book for the times—"Uncle Tom's Cabin, or Life Among the Lowly." In July, 1852, the Free Press was mourning over the death of Henry Clay, the great southern statesman. A double-column notice of a Whig mass meeting—old fashioned, was in the Free Press m 1852. The same year the column rules of the paper were turned as a sign of deep mourning over the death of Daniel Webster. |