418 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE PRESS OF CLINTON COUNTY.
IN Clinton County lives a man who has for a number of years taken great pains to gather into his possession copies of old newspapers and various other articles, and we believe he succeeded in mustering at least one number of every paper ever published in Wilmington, which has been the birthplace and the burial-place of many an aspiring sheet. This gentleman is Samuel Walker, who resides in the township of Union; and to him Ave are indebted for a nearly complete list of the papers of Wilmington, with the names of their publishers, taken from the papers themselves and given in the order in which their existence dawned on a waiting world. The items which appear under them have, with some exceptions, been taken by the writer from the numbers placed at his disposal by Mr. Walker.
The first paper established in the county was started at Wilmington, possibly in the winter of 1814-15, by Gaddis & Abrams, and was known as the True American. Mr. Gaddis is said by some to have removed to Wilmington in the spring* of 1814, and his press was shipped by way of the Ohio River, being a long time in reaching its destination. William Hale, who was keeping store for his brother Samuel, judged from recollection that the paper was started in the winter, and, as Mr. Walker found remnants of this paper bearing date of 1815, it is quite conclusive that if it began in the winter, it must have been established at the date first given. In one piece unearthed by Mr. Walker was found news from France to June 4, 1815, which stated that Bonaparte was still at Paris, and active hostilities were daily expected. This was a few days before the memorable battle of Waterloo. Another number contained news of the arrival of Bonaparte at St. Helena. Just how long this paper was published is not known .(t)
* Other authority places the date of the arrival of the family of Col. Thomas Gaddis, of which Rice Gaddie wm a member, in September, 1814. They came down the Ohio in boats, the latter having his press and types along, and those materials were left at Manchester until the family had become batted in a house belonging to Henry Babb. at Wilmington, when Col. Gaddis took his fecal and brought them faille latter place. There is an opinion existing the, the True American was not established before March, 1815, and possibly later. The proceedings of the County Commissioners show that very soon subsequent to the first of June, 1815, the receipt, and expenditures of tits county were inserted in hit, paper and continued three weeks, and allowance No. 941 fur $8 at the October term, 1815, wait its payment forth( use of said paper for the publication thereof. Lettle Seaman related, some years since, that her husband, Ebenezer Seaman, sprinter by trade, assisted in getting out the first number of the paper, which she thought must have been issued in March, 1815, fixing the date from the birth of her eon, which occurred in that month. The Commissioners, on the 8d of May, 1817, rented of Henry Babb, for an office, at $2.50 per month, the train(, house on main street, "formerly occupied by Rice Gaddis, as a printing office." Mr. G was born August 28, 1789, and riled February 11, 1855. His partner, Israel Abrams, it is said, married a daughter of William Biggs, an early tavern keeper and Justice. Abrams was connected with the pap paper until some time in 1816.
Since the above, with the accompanying vying note, was written, we have seen a perfect copy of the True American, bearing date August 15, 1816, and being the sixty-sixth issue of Paid public publication. Figuring backward from this date would fix the time of the first issue at about the 29th of Roy, 1816, providing a paper woe published each week. This is the best evidence now obtainable regarding the time at which this paper was established. At the date of said paper, Rice Gaddie was editing and publishing it alone. Front this number we gather the following items: Michael Toderaw, living on Cowan's Creek, offered a lot of property at auction; Gideon Edwards, of Union Tow Township, had taken up a strawberry roan horse; John Unthank offered lots for sale In the village of West Liberty, which he had laid out on Anderson a Fork, thirteen miles from Xenia, and eight tram Wilmington, in Clinton County, on the road leading from Wilmington to Urbane, and on the road from Waynesville to Chillicothe. There fit a good grist and saw mill a adjoining the town, atone slid timber fu abundance, a high and healthy situ situation, a rich and flourishing settlement around it." Andrew Christy published a notice as administrator of the estate of Peter Peyton (colored), de ceased. Peter Burr, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, had died August 8, 1816, aged forty-nine. years. Thomas McCoy, living near Wilmington, wanted to purchase a good milch cow. Ferguson R Morris advertised new goods just received at the store in Wilmington. Eli Gaskill, J. P., on the 15th of August, 1816, had married Samuel Spray and Elizabeth Haworth, daughter of Absalom Haworth. The motto of the paper, which was issued every Thursday, at $2 a year in advance, was: "Where Liberty dwells, there is my country.- Franklin."
(T) It is maid that after this paper was discontinued, Mr. Gaddie removed the press to his home on Todd's Fork, where be did job work, and published a few original essays. In one scrap in Mr. Walker's possession, issued probably in December, 1815, is sorrel part of notice, as follows: "Taken up by Christopher Hiatt, a resident of Clinton county, Vernon Township, a sorrel horse --."
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY. - 419
The Galaxy* was the second paper to make its appearance, the first number being issued October 29, 1821, by George Denny (father of W. H P. Denny, who was afterward a publisher in Wilmington). The paper was issued weekly, at the rate of $2 per annum, and its publication was continued until some time in 1823. The first number contains information respecting the young Bonaparte, giving a description of his equipage. In the twelfth number, of date January 14, 1822; a notice is given of a meeting at the "schoolhouse of Mr. Arnold Treusdell," for the purpose of taking steps to build a permanent schoolhouse on the Lancasterian plan. Eli Gaskill was chosen President of the meeting, and S. H. Hale, Secretary, and Messrs. Hibben, Morris and Rigdon were appointed a Committee to estimate on size and expense of such a building. In the same paper was a notice of the dissolution of the firm of Gaskill & Smart, and the marriage of John Perkins and Julia Ann Eachus, at Center Meeting-House. Pork was then selling at Cincinnati at $1.75 to $2, and was expected to rise. In one number which we examined, was an advertisement dated " Clinton County, Chester Township, September 25, 1821," stating that James Brown had commenced the business of " fulling and dying" at his mill on a branch of Caesar's Creek, where he was prepared to do work with neatness and dispatch. He said, also, that his mill was so fixed that he had at any time water enough, even in the driest seasons or in hard freezes, closing thus: "Cloth will be received by David Smart or James Fife, in Wilmington, and returned to the place it was received at, when dressed." The proprietor offered to take pay either in cash or in wheat, tallow, beeswax, sugar, feathers, flax, or tow linens, which articles appear to have been legal tender at that time for all debts. James W. Magee was then Postmaster at Wilmington, and had a long list of unclaimed letters advertised January 1, 1822. In the same number of the paper (January 14, 1822), David H. Bird. Ball offered to accept "good merchantable pork" in settlement of accounts with himself. William Munjar advertised that he had opened a shoe-shop in the house of Mr. Seaman, and Dr. Loammi Rigdon was seeking earnestly for money on account of services he had performed for suffering humanity. In the issue of this paper for June 24, 1822, appears the following:
ONE CENT REWARD.-Ran away from the subscriber on the 11th inst., an indented girl named Matilda Hindman, about fourteen years of age, small of her age, hair and complexion light. Had on when she went away a striped linen dress, and had several other articles of clothing with her. All persons tire cautioned against trusting or harboring her on my account, as I will pay no debts of her contracting. Whosoever will return said girl shall have the above reward, but no charges. LOAMMI RIGDON.
WILMINGTON, June 17, 1822.
In October, 1822, it was advertised in the Galaxy that "Anna Anderson, late from Cincinnati," had opened the milliner's business in the front part of Mr. Thomas Hibben's house, while John Casada invited the attention of the public to his new grocery in the town of Wilmington, next door to the store of Samuel H. Hale. He promised to keep an orderly house and sell his goods cheap, and didn't want any disorderly persons around his establishment. Samuel H. Hale wanted 2,000 head of fat hogs, and 500 bushels of wheat, promising to pay the highest market price for pork, and 30 cents a bushel for wheat, if delivered at John Hadley's mill.
The Wilmington Spectator was the third paper in the village, commenced in December, 1823, by Jeremiah N. Reynolds, and conducted by him about eleven months, when its publication was suspended. Although not saying so directly, it is believed from the tone of Mr. Reynolds' paper that he was in favor of Henry Clay for President in 1824: Number 18, Volume I, of the Spectator, dated April 29, 1824, contains a notice that P. P. Price, a clock and
* This was an Anti-slavery paper, judging from the contents of a part of the first issue.
420 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
watch-maker, late from Cincinnati, had commenced business in Wilmington. George Bruce was then Postmaster.
The Western Argus - The first number of this paper was issued November 11, 1824, by B. Hinkson and J. McManis, who continued to publish it until November 17, 1825, when they sold the press to John B. Seamans. That gentleman continued the paper uninterruptedly lender the original title until some time in 1828, when he changed the name to the Wilmington Argus. . Circumstances at length became so weighty that, after a hard struggle for existence, the Argus peacefully closed its eyes and gave up the ghost on the 26th of June, 1829.
From the files of this paper, we have made the following notes concerning Wilmington: The Fourth District Medical Society met in Wilmington on Tuesday, November 30, 1824, and Dr. Isaac Telfair was admitted to membership. Samuel Price, L. Rigdon and -- Telfair were appointed a committee to revise the by-laws, and Jacob Kirby, M. D., was appointed to "read to the Society at its next meeting a dissertation on some medical subject." That word probably demoralized the poor doctor, for we find nothing further about the article. Under date of December 16, 1824, the Wilmington Thespian Society advertised to give, on the 21st of that month, "the much-admired comedy, She Stoops to Conquer; or, the Mistakes of a Night." Admission, 12 1/2 cents; children half price. December 23, 1824, Jones & Dinsmore announced that they had commenced the chair and wheel business iii the shop formerly occupied by G. B. Moore, on South street. April 14, 1825, the account of the death of a child of James Reeves, of this county, was given. It occurred April 3, 1825, the little one, only two or three years old, being " killed by the fall of a gum full of ashes which had been placed upon a rail a short distance above ground, in Mr. Reeves' yard." In the same paper notice was given of the death of Hon. Return J. Meigs, late United States Postmaster General, and former Governor of Ohio. In the issue of May 26, 1825, over the signature " S.," was an article on card-playing, in which the writer asserted that several young gentlemen in Wilmington had become so infatuated with gambling that they were in the habit of resorting to the woods near by every Sunday for the purpose of indulging in their favorite pastime.
June 30, 1825, Andrew Welch announced that he had opened a tailor shop in the house opposite the court house, where William Millikan, Esq., had his office. The issue of July 14, 1825, contained an account of the Fourth of July celebration on the premises of Abraham How, in Richland Township. A considerable company was present, a bountiful dinner was partaken of, and numerous toasts were drank. October 13, 1825, Abel Martin, Captain of the " Wilmington Guards," ordered the company to parade at Wilmington on " Saturday, the 22d inst., to perform military duty according to law." A meeting was held December 29, 1825, to consider the project of building a steam gristmill in Wilmington, such an institution being considered necessary. November 25, 1826, Charles Russell advertised a new machine for shelling corn, to be seen at his fueling-mill in Wilmington. This was undoubtedly a great novelty. It would, he said. shell a barrel of corn in four or five minutes, and a person could see at first sight that there was " no deception belonging to it." In the paper of the same date is this item: "An apple was lately picked from the orchard of Nathan Linton, of this vicinity, weighing twenty-nine ounces, and a pear weighing twenty-six ounces. A turnip was recently taken from the patch of Moses Hoskin, of this county, which weighed twelve pounds." June 16, 1827, the following was published, showing the number of white male inhabitants in Clinton County, over the age of twenty-one years: Union
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY. - 421.
Township, 458; Chester, 324; Greens. 214; Richland, 229; Liberty, 1'37; Ver non, 309; Clark, :3112; total, 1,963.
The 4th of July, 1827, was duly celebrated at Wilmington. On the 30th of the previous June, a large meeting had been held in the place, at the court house, for the purpose of making arrangements to act with parties a Chillicothe, where a meeting had already been held, to induce the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company to extend its road west of the Ohio River as far at some suitable point on the Great Miami River. Resolutions were adopted to be forwarded, and a Corresponding Committee was chosen, consisting of John McManis, Eli Gaskill, Isaiah Morris, William Hibben and Benjamin Hinkson September 22, 1827, Joseph Farquhar advertised that he would have for sale on the 20th of the next month "thirty-five or forty Merino sheep." December 12, 1827, William Smalley, one of the early settlers in Warren County, offered for sale his farm and plantation of 6-10 acres, lying on Todd's Fork. near the line between Clinton and Warren Counties. He then bad 150 acres cleared, a good brick house and kitchen, a grist-mill, a saw-mill, 150 acres of good bottom land, and two orchards on the premises. On the evening of March 4, 1829, the house of Samuel H. Hale, Esq., in Wilmington, was burned, entailing a loss of about $2,500. The fire originated in the kitchen, and spread n from that to the dwelling, consuming both.
"The next paper published," says Mr. Walker, "was the Clintonian." ' Under this caption a newspaper was started at Wilmington in November, 1829, '. by W. H. P. Denny. April 4, 1830, he changed the name to the Clintonian and Farmers' Repository. In 183.1, the title was changed again, and the paper was called the Clintonian and Farmers' and Mechanics' Journal. In January, 1831, Mr. Denny offered his establishment for sale, as he wished to engage in other business; and, during that year, the publication of the paper was suspended.
The Constitutional Republican was established in May, 1831, by John Crihfield, and continued six months. In July, 1832, Samuel Pike and Thomas B. Palmer began the publication `r of a paper known as the Democrat and Railroad Advocate, which was continued about one year, when the career of the sheet closed.
The Democrat and Herald.-At this time there is no positive evidence who founded this paper. Its publication began in July, 1832. The oldest copy which has been found, bearing date April 19, 1833, was published by Pike & Camron. May 10, in the same year, Pike & McKibbin were the publishers, and June 7, following, William A. Camron had become editor and publisher. He continued until January 2, 1835, when it passed into the hands of J. & T. McKibbin. In 184.1, this paper joined those which had gone before; the Harrison campaign had been too much for it, perhaps. The last issue was dated. January 8, 1841.
In the issue of this paper for June 7, 1833, there was notice of an order by the Commissioners for a meeting to be held on the last Friday in June, for the purpose of organizing an agricultural society, in accordance with an act passed by the Legislature February 25, 1833. June 14, 1833, a village ordinance was published warning persons not to ring the market bell, either in case of fire or on occasions of meetings of any kind, without first obtaining permission from the market clerk. Under date of June 6, 1833, is an advertisement of Doup & Grover, who had associated together in the drug and medicine business,* their store being on "Main Cross street, between Mr. Strat ton's and Antrim's stores, and nearly opposite the market house." Dr. A Grover, of this firm, was a practicing physician.
* This store had been established in December, 1882, as shown by the files of the paper here named.
422 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
In the issue of the Democrat and Herald for May 23, 1834, is given all account of a squirrel hunt. which took place on the Friday previous. Forty men took part in this hunt the two parties being captained by J. B. Posey and Charles Hughes. Upon their return in the evening, the scalps of theslain animals were counted, when it was founts that Capt. Pose y's company had brought in 1. 119, and Capt. Hughes' 1,100. Supper was eaten by tile men at the hotel of E. S. Quinby. and the occasion appears to have been greatly enjoyed. Seven years before this (April 20 and 21, 1821). a squirrel hunt had taken place, the rendezvous being the residence of Jonathan Seaman, and, on that occasion, 1,333 squirrels bit the dust. Men knew the use of the rifle in those days, and the abundance of at least one kind of name is shown by the foregoing figures.
The paper for July 11, 1834, gave an account of the Fourth of July proceedings at Wilmington. The ceremonies commenced at the Methodist Church, from which an adjournment was had to the hotel of Richard Peirce, where the company ate a big dinner, drank numerous toasts, and felt patriotism's thrill in every nerve. In the same issue were published the Constitution and bylaws of the Wilmington Temperance Society, which had been organized February 3, 1834, and lead, on the 29th of the following June, 137 members. The same paper also had a report of a meeting of the Clinton County Colonization Society, organized for the purpose of aiding in sending the negroes from the United States to colonies in Liberia, Africa. At this date, Isaiah Morris was President of the society; Jesse Hughes, Sr., Vice President; Amos T. Sewell, Treasurer; A. E. Strickle, Secretary; John Taaffe, Lewis Wright James McElroy, John A. Holly, R. B. Harlan, Isaac Shepherd, C. B. Harlan, Alexander Roberts, John Carman and Dr. J. K. Sparks, Directors. At the meeting mentioned (held July 4, 1831), a number of ladies and gentlemen became members, and a series of resolutions was adopted, lauding the objects of the society, and thanking Dr. Sparks, Isaac Shepherd and R. B. Harlan for addresses delivered before the society that day.
October 3, 1834, an account was given of a slight fire which broke out on Sunday night previous, in the kitchen of D. C. Hinman, Esq., but which was extinguished after causing small damage. Exertions were then being made to organize a fire company in the village, and purchase an engine. November 6, 1835, M. Rombach and R. B. Harlan announced that they had purchased and brought from Kentucky, a fine Durham bull, known as " Comet" May 13, 1836, came an account of a death in the jail, and of two runaways of teams, all occurring in Wilmington on Sunday, May 8, 1836. Several persons were injured by the runaways. In this number was the advertisement of the Wilmington Academy, W. H. Ropers, Principal, and an announcement that the Clinton County Teachers' Institute would hold its first regular meeting in the Christian Church, at Wilmington, on Saturday, May 11, 1836, W. H. Ropers, Secretary. The Institute met and elected Dr. T. Welch, President; Dr. A. Jones, Vice President. W. H. Ropers, Secretary; R. B. Harlan, Treasurer. It was resolved to ask teachers throughout the county to discontinue corporal punishment. April 7, 1837, a notice appeared of a meeting to be held April 20, of the Goshen, Wilmington & Columbus Turnpike Company. This company was incorporated by act of the Legislature March 22, 1837. The Clinton County members were Eli Hale, John Hadley. William Hadley, Nathan Linton, Isaiah Morris, David Strattan, Lawrence Fitzhugh and Josephus Reed. The road had been commenced years before, and completed from Cincinnati to Goshen. The work was under contract as far as Wilmington in the spring of 1838, mostly to Wilmington parties, but the pike was not completed to the latter place until 1810. Its cost was about $4,000 per mile. The Clinton
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY. - 423
County Anti-slavery Society had an existence in 18:39, and an account was published in the Democrat and Herald of a meeting held by it on the 22d of November, in that year.
In December, 1832, the first number of a paper called the Farmers' Herald was issued by Truesdell & McKibben; but Mr. Walker, after investigation, could not learn that more than three numbers were ever published.
The Western Whig. -It is not positively known by whom this paper was established, and there is a dispute upon the point. In the Clinton Republican of March 15, 1850, it is stated that the Western Whig was commenced in 18'38 by Truesdell & Drake, and that R. B. Harlan subsequently took an interest and became the editor of the paper, which was continued under that name but one year. The paper was first issued in October, .18:38, and Samuel P. Drake, in a letter to Samuel Walker, says his brother, Stephen P. Drake, was the founder and proprietor. Other authority states that Stephen P. Drake and John O. Truesdell first published it, and that Truesdell's name appeared as one of the proprietors, although he probably had no interest in the materials. He was a printer by trade. Dr. A. Jones, of Wilmington, states that Drake certainly started it, but became embarrassed, and could not pay for the press and materials, and R. B. Harlan, attorney for the creditors, purchased the office in his own name, and for a short time published and edited the paper, disposing of it soon to R. R. Lindsey, who purchased it with capital furnished by Dr. Jones, the latter stating that for a time he assisted Mr. Lindsey, who was his brother-in-law, in editing it. Parker B. Osborn, who came to Wilmington in the fall of 1839, recollects that Mr. Drake was then editing this paper, and thinks he was its founder. John F. McGregor's recollection is that Drake & Truesdell established the paper at the date given (October, 1838), and that Truesdell's name appeared but a short time as a member of the firm. He thinks that R. B. Harlan, who had probably become responsible for the press, etc., finally took charge, issued three or four numbers in his own name, and then disposed of the establishment to R. R. L Lindsey. Mr. McGregor worked in the cabinet-shop of his father, Eli McGregor, in the fall of 18:38; and in his possession at present are his father's old books. Considerable work was done for the printing-office, and for the greater part of the year succeeding the establishment of the paper, charges are found against Drake for materials furnished, among other things being a type-case. Succeeding Drake, the charges are made against Lindsey. Mrs. Harlan is of the opinion that her ` husband, Robert Barclay Harlan, established this paper himself, and states that he had told her he did do so. It is very evident that he at one time conceived the idea of starting a Whig paper in Wilmington, for we have seen a time-worn piece of manuscript in his handwriting which was evidently intended as a prospectus to the paper he should found. (t) He said his paper should be different in politics from others before published, or those then in existence. In a word," wrote he. " my paper will he Whig." He closes his prospectus thus: " With a full reliance on the lil;erality of the citizens of Clinton County, among whom I have lived the greater part of my life, I offer my proposals to the public, conscious that patronage will be extended in aid of my undertaking, if approved." Mrs. Harlan has also in her possession a note reading as follows: "For value received, we, or either of us, promise to pay W. Humphrey, or order, twelve months after date, $125. Witness our hands this 8th day of September, 1838." This note is signed by R. B. Har-
* Charles N. Osborn. who came to Wilmington in June, 1838, is positive that the paper was established by Drake alone., and that Truesdell was not then in the place, not coming until Lindsey had purchased the paper. Truesdell is laid to have been nothing more than a vagabond printer, with no capital whatever; and, upon this point at least, 011 agree.
(T) There is no date upon this manuscript to show when it was written.
424 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
lan and Michael H. Johnson, and on the back are the following endorsements: " R. B. Harlan, M. H. Johnson, notes for press." " I assign the within to G. W. King, without recourse:. William Humphrey." "Received pay of R. B. Harlan, September 27, 1839. J. W. King, for G. W. King." In a scrapbook filled by Judge Harlan's own hands, is an item cut from it newspapers * to the effect that the Western Whig was started by himself. Aside from Mrs. Harlan and her family, it is the opinion of most people who remember the paper in its infancy, that it was started by Drake & Truesdell; but their opinions tire not more positive than are those of Mrs. Harlan and the supporters of the idea that Judge Harlan wits the original proprietor. In the absence of conclusive evidence, the points bearing on the case from both directions are here given as found, and the writer's opinion or belief in the matter will have no weight perhaps either way; therefore, it is not expressed. It is known positively that R. R. Lindsey soon became proprietor, and since that time there is no obscurity to puzzle the seeker after historical facts, and the succeeding changes are now given. At some time between September 18 and December 13, 1839, Mr. Lindsey changed the name of the paper to the Clinton Republican. It was a stanch Whig journal, and, in the exciting campaign of 18411, ardently supported "Old Tippecanoe and Tyler too." In 1846, David Fisher (t) succeeded R. R. Lindsey, and continued the publication of the paper until 1850, when William B. Fisher and Franklin Corwin became proprietors. August 6, 1852' Corwin sold his interest to Hon. A. P. Russell, and the firm of Russell & Fisher managed affairs until February 10, 1860, when Mr. Russell disposed of his interest. Mr. Fisher conducted it alone until Julv 151, 1866, when David L. Way became his partner. November 10, 1870, Fisher sold his share to Frank Browning, the new firm being known as Browning & Way. November 18, 1875, the establishment became the property of Browning Bros., who were also interested in the publishing business at Batavia, Clermont County. In August, 1878, Frank Browning died very suddenly, and his brother, C. N. Browning, then holding a clerkship at Washington, D. C., came on at once and took charge of affairs. In settling up matters, he disposed of the office at Batavia, and gave his whole attention to the one at Wilmington, of which he has since been the head. The Clinton Republican is now published by C. N. Browning & Co., Mr. B.'s sister being associated with him. The paper is ably conducted and prosperous.
The Democratic Star was a paper established at Wilmington in May, 1844, by J. & T. McKibbin. and was a campaign sheet, advocating the election of James K. Polk. It was continued only until the close of that year.
In May, 1847, about a year after he bad disposed of the Clinton Republican, R. R. Lindsey began publishing a paper called the People's Press. It was neutral in politics and religion, and was continued but a short time.
The Wilmington Banner was commenced in August, 1818, by John W. Kees, with W. Fuller and J. W. Kees as editors. March 1, 1849, it appears from an old scrap that W. Fuller and W. Tillinghast were editors and proprietors. (2t) The paper was only published about one year. It was in favor of Lewis Cass for President, in 1848.
January 2, 1850, W. T. Tillinghast began the publication of the Empyrean, and discontinued it September 13, 1851. Politically, this paper was radically Democratic; but it opposed the extension of slavery, and urged its aboli-
* Clinton Republican of November 14, 1887.
(1t) David Fisher was elected to Congress from this district, and was a member of that body In 1848, at the time of the death of John Quincy Adams.
(2t) Issue of this paper, dated Thursday, March 22, 1849, has the names of John W. Kees, publisher, and W. Fuller and J. W. Hess, editors. July 18, 1849, William Tillinghast was publisher and editor. It seems the paper changed hands quite often.
PAGE 425 - PICTURE OF WILLIAM HOBLIT (DECEASED)
PAGE 426 - BLANK
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY. - 427
tion in the District of Columbia. Mr. Tillinghast had not long previously pub' lished a paper called the Reveille (or. as we have seen it spelled, Revillee), but we have failed to learn its exact time.
A new paper appeared in Wilmington October 31, 1851, published by J. W. Chaffin, and called the Herald of Freedom. August 5, 1853, J. Gibson and J. B. Dunn became its editors; continuing until February 24, 1854, at which time Gibson sold out, and Dunn continued until January 26, 1855. The following week no paper was issued, but on the 9th of February following, it appeared under the name of the Wilmington Independent, with J. W. Chaffrn as publisher. November 16, 1855, its existence ended. It was a Free-Soil paper, having supported John P. Hale for President, and George W. Julian for Vice President, in 1852. under its original name.
In 1852, a paper was published in Wilmington for a short time by John Torry. It was known as the Democratic Advocate.
December 14, 1855, J. D. Thurston threw down his gauntlet in the publishers' field, and issued a paper which he called the Independent Citizen. The push was a bold one, but he backed water a little by announcing that he would not continue the paper until he could see prospects for its support. It is possible that the first number was the only one issued.
The publication of the Wilmington Watchman was begun January 26, 1856, by Bayham & Brodess. It was Republican in politics, and passed through many hands in its comparatively short career. February 20, 1857, Isaac S. Wright had it in charge. His successors were as follows: June 5, 1857, Tillinghast, October 16, 1857, R. E. & A. W. Doan; March 12, 1858, J. D. Hines and A. W. Doan; May 7, 1858, H. S. Doan & I. S. Whinery; August 27, 1858, H. S. Doan; April 23, 18551, W. H. Foos; January 5, 1860, C. B. Lindsey; October 14, 1860, H. S. Doan; January 2, 1862, W. P. Reid; May 1, 1862, James D. Thurston, which latter gentleman published it until September 24, 1863, when the last number was issued.
The Clinton Democrat- its politics apparent from its name-was published by B. F. Raleigh, twenty-four numbers being issued, the last under date of Apri1 1, 1864.
Some time in 1864, the Garvin Bros. began the publication of a paper in the interests of Christianity and education, naming it the Franklin College Monthly. Just how long it was continued, we are unable to state; but in February, 1868, the same gentlemen established a monthly pamphlet known as the Journal of Information. This was the direct forerunner of the Wilmington Journal, which the Messrs. Garvin began to publish, in newspaper form, at the close of the year 1868. Garvin & Lowery were its proprietors May 5, 1869, and on the 11th of May, 1870, A. H. McVey & Co. bad taken charge of it. October 20, 1871, W. H. P. Denny was editor and proprietor. April 12, 1877, John Tudor became proprietor, and James M. Vernon editor. February 15, 1880, Mr. Vernon purchased a half-interest, retaining the editorship. December 17, 1880, Mr. Tudor disposed of his remaining interest to Mr. Vernon, who continues the publication of the Journal, which is a neat, well-edited, and prosperous sheet. The office is, perhaps, the best fitted of all country offices in Southern Ohio. Steam power is used.
The Aid to Progress was commenced in 1868, by A. D. Rhonemus, and continued about three years. Mrs. Mary Jane Adams bad charge of it for a few months previous to its final closing up. Politically, it was Republican.
In the fall of 1868, a small Republican campaign sheet called Tanner and Typo was issued for a short time by Melville Hayes.
The first number of the Wilmington Weekly Gazette was published October 6, 1870, by A. E. Routh. May 25, 1871, the paper passed into the hands
428 - HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
of William C. & James T. Gould. In October of that year the publishers stated they must either discontinue or get what was due them. Whether they received their dues or not is not stated; but the paper was finally discontinued. It supported Allen G. Thurman for President in 187'3.
May 14, 1880, Thomas M. Proctor began at Wilmington the publication of the Clinton County Democrat, which he continued until September 6, 1881, when his wife. Mrs. Mary V. Proctor, became its editress and publisher, which position she continues to fill. The paper is Democratic in politics, has a good appearance, and appears to be receiving a fair share of patronage.
The journals mentioned in the foregoing pages have all been published at Wilmington, and the struggle to maintain a paper in the place was, for many years, attended with ill success, as seen from the many aspiring sheets which sprang into existence only to have their s ns set in a blaze of anything but glory, however worthy they may have been. But at last the day came when a paper could live, and those published in the county at the present time (1882) are excellent specimens of their kind, and creditable to proprietors and patrons. With the exception of the pamphlet which immediately preceded the Wilmington Journal, all the papers which are mentioned were issued in folio form-four pages. The dearth of local news in the publications of the earlier years is remarkable; and from them no possible idea of their abiding place could be obtained were it not for the few local advertisements they contained. The early merchants spent considerable money in advertising that they must have what was owing them, or leave their accounts in the hands of proper officers for collection. Goods were purchased mostly in the far Eastern cities, and announcements of departures for New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore are frequent in the columns of the old Wilmington papers. When the merchants could not get money, they seemed willing to accept of almost any kind of produce. It was many years after the newspaper made its debut in Wilmington before the idea gained a place that local happenings should be chronicled, and it was but slowly accepted. Could the historian read of the events which transpired here away back in the twenties and thirties, he would have a rich fund from which to draw; but it is impossible, as they were never recorded in print.
At New Vienna, in 1870, Daniel Hill and J. M. Hussey, who had been engaged in mercantile trade at that place, established a well- furnished printing office for publishing the periodicals of the Orthodox Friends. Two years later Mr. Hussey became sole manager, and continues the publication of three church papers, known as the Christian Worker, the Olive Leaf, and the Bible Lesson Leaf, besides a local paper known as the New Vienna Record. In addition to these, Mr. Hussey prints the Messenger of Peace, and a large amount of tract work for the " Peace Association of Friends," of which Daniel Hill is Secretary. The publishing-house is one of the best equipped in the region outside the large cities. The New Vienna Record is the successor of the New Vienna Register, which, in 1878-79, was published by James D. McClintock.
November 6, 1874, S. R. Nickerson, formerly proprietor of a paper at Blanchester, established at Sabina a sheet known as the Sabina Telegram, using the press and material he bad brought from Blanchester. April 8, 1876, he sold the Telegram to E. L. Mann, and on the 29th of March, 1877, its successor, the Sabina News, was established by Ely & Sanders, being a seven column folio. December 1, 1878, W. H. Sanders became sole proprietor, and in November, 1881, Z. R. Sanders became a member of the firm of Sanders & Son, now Z. R. & W. H. Sanders, who continue the publication of the paper, which has been enlarged to a seven-column quarto. The business of the office
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is extensive, and the firm has started offices in adjoining towns. The paper is cut and pasted before being mailed to its patrons.
At Blanchester, March 24, 1870, S. R. Nickerson established the Blanchester Herald, which he sold eighteen months later to James S. Turk, who soon changed the name to the Marion Independent. The publication of the paper ceased about October 1, 1872. The present paper published at Blanchester, called the Blanchester Star, was established in 1875, by W. Nickerson; is Republican in politics, has a good circulation, and is now published by Fred A. Goulding.