378 - HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

CHAPTER IX.

THE PRESS.

THE WYANDOTT TELEGRAPH-EXTRACTS FROM ITS COLUMNS-THE PIONEER VARIOUS COMMENTS AND EXTRACTS-THE TRIBUNE---THE VINDICATOR

THE HERALD-THE PIONEER CHANGED TO THE REPUBLICAN - THE CHIEF BIOGRAPHICAL-SKETCHES OF WILLIAM T; GILES, ROBERT D. DUMM, LOUIS

A BRUNNER, PIETRO CUNEO, HENRY A. TRACHT, FRANK T. TRIPP-CAREY PUBLICATIONS-THE NEVADA ENTERPRISE-THE SYCAMORE NEWS.

UPPER SANDUSKY'S JOURNALS AND JOURNALISTS.

1THE following historical account of the newspapers of Upper Sandusky to 1871, are copied almost verbatim from a series of articles which, prepared by Hon. John D. Sears, of Upper Sandusky, were published in The Wyandot Democratic Union during the spring of the year above indicated:

It is not designed to make an apology for the order or want of order in these notes; yet, if an excuse is needed for giving precedence to the subject of this chapter, it may be found in the well-known fact that one of the principal objects of the division of the State into counties is to afford an adequate supply of county printing. Our laws have in effect taken care that there shall be no county without its newspaper.

The Act creating the county of Wyandot was passed February 3, 1845 , and within two weeks thereafter the Wyandott Telegraph, our first newspaper, was established at Upper Sandusky, the new county seat. The date of its first issue is not known to the writer, as his earliest copy is No. 4, Vol. I, dated March 8, 1845. The editor and proprietor was John Shrenk, who had previously published a paper at Bucyrus, and more recently at Kenton, from which latter place he removed to Upper Sandusky.

The politics of this first publication were Whig. "Terms of subscription, one dollar and fifty cents per annum, if paid in four weeks from the time of subscription; otherwise, two dollars will be charged." "Advertisements will be inserted at the following rates: One dollar for three inser. tions of each square, of twelve lines or less, and twenty-five cents for each subsequent insertion." It was a five-column folio, size, 20 3/4 x27 3/4 inches, and pretty well printed.

Our earliest number of the Telegraph contains the proceedings of the first Whig county convention, held at Upper Sandusky on the 5th of March, 1845, and a call signed " Many Democrats," for a meeting of the Democracy on the 15th of March, to make nominations for county officers. There was also an announcement of Maj. Anthony Bowsher as an Independent candidate for Sheriff, and a communication from "A True Democrat," with Some unfavorable criticisms of the Major's qualifications for the office, in the course of which the indignant writer says: " When such persons become fit for office, we may look for the end of time." Doubtless we may look for it, but we have elected many worse men, and still Gabriel forbears to blow.

In the editorial columns appeared the following: "We have just received the important news from Washington that Congress has passed a lawmaking

HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.- 379

a donation of town lots to the county of Wyandot. It donates one third of the inlots And one-third of the outlots to the county of Wyandot, prov ided the county seat is established here, for the purpose of putting up public buildings, and improving the streets, public squares and public grounds. * * * * The donation is a noble one, and, if rightly managed and justly appropriated, our citizens will never be subjected to an onerous tax for public buildings. Few now counties have been so highly favored-as Wyandot, and we predict for her an unexampled tide of pros perity. * * * * The number of lots which the county will Lot by the provisions of this law will be 126 inlots and 72 outlots. The outlots contain two acres each. * **"

The only thing in this number of the Telegraph which looks like a local item, is a line at the foot of a column in which it is said, " The Sandusky River is still raising " and that was not true according to our recollection.

The advertising portion fills a little more than half a column, and is made up of a notice by Moses Dudley & William W. Norton, warning the public against purchasing certain notes made by them, payable to Thomas C. Theaker, and which they say they are determined never to pay, as they were obtained by deception and fraud; the professional card of Benjamin M. Penn, attorney at law, Kenton, Ohio; M. H. Kirby, attorney at law, Upper Sandusky, Ohio: Chester R. Mott attorney at law, Upper Sandusky, Ohio; J. Lawrence & William K. Wear, attorneys at law, Kenton and Upper Sandusky; Scott (Josiah) & Sears (John D.), attorneys at law, Bucyrus and Upper Sandusky, and Thomas Spybey's advertisement of "Tailoring at Kirby's Hotel, shop upstairs." There were, besides, several prospectuses and a complimentary notice of Wistar's Balsam of Wild Cherry, which in the dearth of other matter, was duplicated and appears on both outside and inside of the paper.

Among the news is an abstract of legislative proceedings as late as March 1, and a statement of the manner in which the new cabinet was to be composed, information of which was said to have been received by the Baltimore American, through the magnetic telegraph.

There is also the following credited to the Urbana Citizen: " The way hungry expectants are crowding into Washington is a caution to honest people. On Wednesday morning last, sixteen stages, averaging nine passengers ,each, left Wheeling for the East, and the Times says that the number leaving daily for some time past, has varied from five to fifteen, all bound for Washington to see Polk inaugurated and gather up the crumbs that fall from his table."

That would not be thought much of a shower in these modern days, when our great railroad facilities are scarce sufficient to accommodate the crusade of patriots seeking to serve the country for pay.

The Telegraph was published in the Indian Council House until that building was taken possession of for county purposes, at which time Shrenk moved to the lot now occupied by the Methodist Church, and while his new office was getting ready for occupation worked off one number of his paper in the open air under an apple tree.

Besides the number already described, our files contain No. 11, for May 10, No. 12, May 17, No. 16, June 14, No. 23, August 9, and No. 29, for October 10, 1845. The missing numbers will probably never be found.

Numbers 11 and 16 do not contain a paragraph of local news or a scrap of editorial. There is very little original matter in either of the other numbers; the last being pretty well filled with that choice literature supposed to

380 - HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

be so effective upon a pending election, and which is intended to remedy all deficiencies in the voter's qualifications to exercise the elective franchise. No. 23 contains an original poem, written for the Telegraph, by A. W. B. However, excepting of course the poetry, the most interesting and valuable portions of these old papers are the advertising columns

On the 10th of May, there are two road notices, an administrator's notice, a Sheriffs sale, on an execution from Marion County. Harvey & Fouke's advertisement of wool-carding at Little Sandusky, the card of David Watson, physician and surgeon, and timely warning by Samuel M. Worth, Auditor, of the action taken by the County Commissioners in reference to the act to improve the breed of sheep. On the 17th of May, there is a notice in chancery, by Robert McKelly, solicitor for the petitioner. On the 14th of June, Alexander Valentine calls attention to his new establishment for the. manufacture of coffins and other cabinet ware; Joseph McCutchen announces that his new store is now opening in Upper Sandusky; Dr. A. W. Munson gives notice of his permanent location at Wyandot, for the purpose of at. tending all calls in the line of his profession; and Rowe & Tyler (Peter.A..) attorneys at law. Marion and McCutchenville, advertise their readiness to attend to business in Wyandot and surrounding counties.

On the 9th of August, John Rummell advertises his fulling mill, in Tymochtee Township, operated by steam and water Power. There is an estray notice from the estray book of Abraham Myers, J. P. of Crawford Township; an attachment notice from Richland Township; a tax notice by Abner Jurey, County Treasurer, giving the levy for 1845, in which the highest rate in any township is 19 mills on the dollar valuation, and a special notice in reference to road taxes, from Samuel M. Worth, County Auditor. This number of the Telegraph also contains a notice by Stephen Fowler, William Griffith and Ethan Terry, County Commissioners of a public sale of town lots at Upper Sandusky, on the 20th, 21st and 22d days of August, 1845, at which time they will offer the in and outlots in said town, vested in the said Commissioners by Act of Congress approved February 26, 1845, being every third of the in and outlots selected by alternate and progressive numbers, amounting to 126 inlots, and 72 outlots. Terms of sale, one-fourth of the purchase money required in hand, the balance in three annual installments, secured by notes bearing interest. Daniel Walker also announces to the public that he has commenced the tailoring business in Upper Sandusky, at the hotel of Col. A. McElvain.

The last number of the Telegraph contains another Sheriff's sale; the Sheriff's proclamation of the forthcoming election; J. Duly's offer of 23 cents, and no thanks, for the return of a runaway apprentice; a notice signed " Many Carpenters," requesting the carpenters and joiners of Upper Sandusky and vicinity to meet at the court house, to consult on matters of importance to the trade, and a notice from Samuel M. Worth, Auditor, that sealed proposals will be received until the 30th of October, for the erection of a jail in Upper Sandusky. The latter announcement affords indisputable evidence of our rapid advance and great progress in civilization.

We linger lovingly over this number, and part from it with regret, for it was the last issue of the Wyandott Telegraph which ever saw the light. Without warning, it was cut off in the flower of its youth. The Whigs didn't rally strong enough; the Democrats elected their entire county ticket, except one County Commissioner, in the autumn of 1845, and there was no hope of sustenance from the county printing. These misfortunes and the effort of spelling Wyandot with two t's were too much for it, and it went out.

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Shrenk, the publisher and editor, was an industrious, energetic man, who did most of his own work. The mental labor, however, of getting up the paper was not excessive.

In the Democratic Pioneer of November 7, 1845, we find this paragraph, which, with a courtesy belonging to the country editor of the old school, refers to its lately defunct contemporary, and. which we insert as the obituary notice and epitaph of the Wyandott Telegraph:

"The thing that decamped from this place, and took up his abode in Napoleon, Henry County, and is issuing a little filthy sheet, is said to be doing great service to the Democracy of that county, and the Democrats are returning their thanks to him. Good. We hope our friends in those regions will give him plenty of rope, and the consequence will be seen."

The successful rival of the Telegraph was the Democratic Pioneer, the publication of which was commenced by William T, Giles on the 29th of August, 1845. This was a six-column folio, substantially of the same size as the Telegraph, but with narrower columns and less margin, printed on type that had seen much service, and edited by its publisher, a journeyman printer recently out of his apprinticeship. Giles was a young man of excellent habits, industrious, persevering and frugal; in fact, very much like the late Benjamin Franklin, who made himself famous a hundred years ago by the exercise of qualities which, however common they have since become, were then something of a rarity.

In mechanical execution the Pioneer suffered by contrast with its predecessor, and in literary excellence it had nothing to boast of; yet its editorial columns, filled with awkward English and bad grammar, were launched against the enormities of Whiggery with the courage if riot the skill of veterans. There was, withal, a spice of independence of party dictation, as well as the rules of grammar, both of which find illustration in a single paragraph which we quote literally from the prospectus for the Pioneer:

"It is the intention of the editor to be perfectly free and uncontrolled by any man or set of men, and always willing to receive the counsel of such as are desirous of promoting the good cause, for which it is published to vindicate, as the advice of many is likely to be more correct than the few."

We wish also to copy another short article which is not only a fair specimen of the editorial style of the early Pioneer, but will recall to our older readers a state of things very characteristic of Upper Sandusky in the fall of 1845.

"REMOVING OUR OFFICE,

While our office is rolling along the streets in Upper Sandusky to its future place of destination, we are sticking up these lines. Hereafter We may be found a little west of Mr. McCutchen's store, occupying a spot in the orchard, where at all times we will be happy to see and accommodate our friends. Our situation will be on the Wyandot avenue, in our opinion a very beautiful spot.

"We can, with much truth, say. Democracy is progressing, for we are now progressing up street at a pretty fair rate. We would be glad to have all the coons in Christendom here who deny that Democracy is progressing, for certainly when they would see us progressing they would have to admit the fact."

In the first number of the Pioneer, Robert McKelly announces himself as an attorney at law and solicitor in chancery, and D. Ayres & Co. advertise their now store, new goods and now price;, and inform the public that " their store may be found obliquely opposite 'Mr. Kirby's hotel." On the

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12th of September, John Sell notifies the public of his location in Upper Sandusky, where he will hereafter practice as an attorney at law and solicitor in chancery, and J. & J. Myers announce the opening of a new grocery and bakery.

The Pioneer continued under the management of its original proprietor until February, 1849. On the 16th of that month, the publisher announced the prospective winding up of his connection with the paper, and on the 23d he published his valedictory, and announced the sale of the establishment to Josiah Smith and Elijah Giles. William T. Giles soon afterward started for California, and the Pioneer was conducted by the now publishers, under the name of J. Smith & E. Giles, and with no other very obvious change. Some time in 1850, Mr. Smith withdrew from the editorial chair, and the paper remained under the sole control of Elijah Giles, until the return of William T. Giles from California in 1853.

It was during the eventful railroad campaign in the fall of 1850 that the memorable attack upon the liberty of the press in the person of the then editor of the Pioneer occurred. This event, though discreditable to the county, ought to be held in remembrance as a warning to all who may be disposed to imitate the outrage. For that purpose we reproduce, from per. haps the only copy in existence, Mr. Giles' own account of the transaction:

AN ATTEMPT TO MOB US.

On the second Tuesday of October, that ever-memorable day. when Ohioans exercise the rights of suffrage-the first and best of all blessings that freemen are endowed with-gained and given to us by our worthy and patriotic forefathers, whose names have been signed to the Declaration of Independence- thus preserving to us our liberties and the privileges that the God of Nature intended for us. On this great day, many of our fellow. citizens went to the different polls in the county ; and we among the rest, not dreaming that our country was infested with a cowardly mob of villains, went to Jackson Township. While there, six or seven bullies from Marseilles came for the purpose above named. One of them was sent into the house to meet and greet us as a friend, while the others were kept out, fearing mistrust of what was going on; and he had the audacity to carry it out with the impudence of old Satan. He approached us and spoke in the most friendly terms 'How do you do, friend Giles?' We spoke in return. He then said be wanted to talk privately, and asked us to walk out with him, which we unhesitatingly did.

"Before getting off the porch, he said he had 'a crow to pick with us, to walk some distance with him;' all understood by his companions, that after getting us out from the house, they would surround us, so that we could not get to the house in such an emergency as this. When we were led to the spot selected--distant from the house, so that our friends could not hear us in the hour of distress, or come to our relief-they all jumped around us, as if to say - 'We've got you now.'

"Their countenances bore the most corrupt design; their fiendish eyes gave expression that led us to believe that their hearts were so tickled with the 'old boy' as to place our life in their brutal hands. At this moment our heart was full of agony, and almost bleeding to think there were men in the country who would thus take a lone stranger, and use him thus barbarously.

"Directly after we were surrounded, the big little bully, McGavern, throw off his coat and declared he would whip us. What a great little brave fel-

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low he was, when he had five or six bullies to back him-swearing they would have a kick at us as we would fall! McGavern struck us several blows in the breast, swearing by all that was good and bad we had weapons, for he was told so at Brownstown. Did he suppose, if we had, that we would have stood and let such insults be heaped upon us? If we would have had weapons he would not have struck us so often, for if we ever in our life could have been or was aggravated to use anything of the kind, it was at that time.

"While we were in this position, asking for quarter, one of our very special friends in the house heard us, and ran to our rescue. When be found we were being abused, he stepped between us and the man that was striking us, and told us to go to the house. When we started, up stepped Mr. Lewis Merriman (a man of notoriety, by the way), begging of our friend to lot us be whipped, as, he said, we so richly deserved it. But our friend, a true-hearted man, would not swerve from the integrity and friendship existing between us, but said: 'Never shall he be hurt as long as I am here.' A true friend in the time of need is really a true one; and his name and the names of those that befriended us in that hour shall be sacred in our bosom the longest day we live.

"Had we been surrounded by Indians of the most savage character, and made the appeals that we did to those white savages, they would have shrunk from the scene, and not treated us half so bad. Could we tell our feelings, or describe the scene as it actually took place, it would be as an imaginary picture, untold of in the history of mankind.

"It is not necessary for us to make a long preface to this story at this time, as we expect to be called upon to notice it again, and make the names and characters of the individuals conspicuous."

It need not be said that the sympathies of the entire press of the country were aroused concerning this outrage, or that the expression of them was loud, frequent, and finally overpowering.

In the spring of 1853, William T. Giles, having returned from California, resumed the control of the Democratic Pioneer, and soon after changed its name to the Wyandot Pioneer.

Having thus hastily sketched the fortunes of the Democratic Pioneer, until the return of its founder and its change of name, we must now retrace our steps to notice other luminaries which from time to time arose and shone and went out.

On the 18th of July, 1848, at Upper Sandusky, James S. Fouke & Co.* issued the first number of the Wyandot Tribune, a sheet of the same size as that on which the Pioneer was printed, but with only five columns to the page. The Tribune was like all other tribunes in those days a Whig paper. It was well printed, was conducted with moderate ability, and assisted materially in the election of Taylor and Fillmore.

However, on the 17th of February, 1849, Fouke published his valedictory, in which, while declining-to enumerate the reasons for his withdrawal, he gives one which is tolerably satisfactory, for he says: " The patronage of the office is not sufficient to meet our engagements, and hence the necessity of our leaving." At the same time, he announces the transfer of the paper to Mr. A. C. Hulburd, who is introduced as " a young man deserving the encouragement and patronage of the Whig party."

On the 1st of December, 1840, Hulburd formed a partnership with M. R.

*G. L. Wharton was Fouke's partner when the Tribune was established. He sold out to the latter in December, 1848.

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Gould, and the Tribune was thenceforward conducted by Hulburd & Gould, until January 25, 1851, when it had reached the twenty-eighth number of the second volume. At the date last named, the publishers announced that they had found it necessary to suspend the publication of their paper for a time, in order to collect their outstanding accounts. As might have been inferred, this was the last appearance of the Wyandot Tribune,

As before stated, William T. Giles, having assumed the publication of the Democratic Pioneer, changed its name to the Wyandot Pioneer, which was issued on the 23d of June, 1853, on an enlarged sheet, as a seven-column paper, and printed on now type. With his increased experience, Giles pro duced a paper which hold a very respectable rank among the country press, and which, although Democratic, was at the same time liberal and concilia. tory. He continued to publish it until September 2, 1854, when he sold out the establishment to one William Appleton, who ran it about a year. Under Appleton's management the paper was frequently referred to as a Know-Nothing organ.

In January, 1855, Giles brought suit for an unpaid balance of the pur. chase money due for the newspaper, and swore out an attachment against Appleton as a non-resident. The press, types and fixtures were attached and appraised at $800. Shortly afterward, some gentlemen of this place (Upper Sandusky) paid off Giles' judgment, and the Pioneer passed under the editorial control of Col. William T. Wilson, and became an exponent of the principles of the then new Republican party.

The next change was in July, 1856, when the Pioneer was sold to George W. Keen and Horatio N. Lewis,* who, the next year, July 2, 1857, transferred the establishment to Charles G. Mugg, who, to use the language of his salutatory in the number for July 9, 1857, thenceforth became " editor, publisher and proprietor in his propria persona. "

On the 29th of October, 1857, Mugg reduced the size of the Pioneer, making it once more a six-column paper, and on the 11th of February, 1858, having sold out to Col. Wilson, he retired from the "tripod" with something of a flourish. It may be said that nothing in his editorial career became him like the leaving it, as witness this specimen brick from his valedictory:

"Since we have been in the business, we have filled all sorts of positions -we have at the same time been editor, foreman, pressman, jour, and devil (by the way, the devilship suited tolerably well, as we were somewhat devilishly inclined before we went into the business), and have boon compelled to labor day and night to get out our paper, and if any of our patrons think they could have done better than we have done, just lot them invest $800 in a 'one-horse ' printing office, and try the experiment There are various reasons why we have not succeeded any better as a newspaper political editor; we were too honest to be a politician-too poor to be independent oo proud to beg-worth too much property to get our work done for nothing drank too much lager for a temperance man-too little 'rotgut' for the 'rummies' too much of a moral man for the b'hoys - too much of a rowdy for the pharisaical part of the community-in fine, we had all the disadvantages, and but few of the advantages of our exalted position."

Again we must go back to gather up the broken threads of our narrative.

* Horatio N. Lewis, then twenty-five years of age, died at Chicago III In September, 1857, from injuries received on the cars of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad, near Alliance, Ohio, in July 1857.

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By the transfer of the Pioneer to William Appleton in 1854, the Democratic party was left without an organ, a tolerable state of affairs, though not to be of long continuance, for on the 3d of November, 1854, Robert D. Dumm. commenced the publication of the Democratic Vindicator, a band. somely printed seven-column folio, of the same sized sheet then used by the Pioneer. About the close of the first volume, the new paper passed under the editorial control of N. W. Dennison, who conducted it until July 3, 1857, at which date he bade the public farewell, and informed them that he was about to pitch his tent in the West. He soon after went to Boonsboro, Iowa, taking press and types with him, and thus did the Vindicator cease to vindicate.

The gap was soon filled, however, for there was no lack of valiant men ready to spread buckets full of printer's ink on the least provocation or smallest chances of remuneration, and on the 20th of August, 1857, Nathan Jones and J. W. Wheaton issued the first number of the Democratic Union. As early as December 24, following, Mr. Jones had become sole editor and publisher, and on the 18th of February, 1858, he published to the world his farewell address, and Robert D. Dumm took control of the Union. As first issued by Jones & Wheaton it was a six-column folio. The office was partially destroyed by fire just before it passed into the hands of Jones.

When Col. Wilson took charge of the Pioneer the second time, it was conducted for awhile as a neutral paper. It soon manifested Republican proclivities, and erelong became a decided political and party organ.

NOTE.-With the most scrupulous investigation into the lives and deaths of the ephemeral newspapers of Wyandot County, we have omitted in its proper place to mention the short-lived Wyandot Herald. This paper was started after Elijah Giles had ceased to publish the Pioneer. It was conducted by "Charles Warner, editor and publisher," and its first number was issued April 19, 1853. It survived long enough to reach its sixth number, when it passed into the hands of William T. Giles, and No. 7 was issued ,by him on the 23d of June, 1853, as the Wyandot Pioneer. It was Demo. cratic in politics, and not otherwise remarkable.

The Democratic Union, under the control of Robert D. Dumm, * and the Wyandot Pioneer, in charge of Col. William T. Wilson, were respectively the organs of the Democratic and Republican parties for a number of years, following the party banners and playing the party tunes with a faithfulness and devotion which, however undesirable in a newspaper, are indispensable qualifications for a party organ.

On the 3d of May, 1861, Colonel, then Capt. William T. Wilson, left for the seat of war in Western Virginia, in command of a company of Wyandot County volunteers, then known as the " Wyandot Guards," and his estimable wife, Mrs. L. A. Wilson, was left in charge of the Pioneer. The newly-installed lady editor published three numbers, which were fully ally equal to those which preceeded and followed them under other management. The Pioneer then passed into the hands of Louis A. Brunner, a former resident of Maryland. On the 16th of September, 1864, Otho J. Powell became a joint proprietor of the paper, and the Pioneer was published by Brunner & Powell until August 23, 1865, when Mr. Brunner again became sole proprietor. A few months later, however, or on the 31st of January, 1866, the Pioneer again passed under the control of Col. Wilson, who on the 27th of September, 1866, was succeeded by Pietro Cuneo,

* In 1865, Mr. Dumm introduced the first cylinder press run In this part of Ohio; several years, Indeed, before such a press was used in Tiffin, Lima or Mansfield..

386 - HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

the present editor and proprietor of that paper. On the 7th of January, 1869, Mr. Cuneo changed the name of the Wyandot Pioneer, which since that time has been known as the "Wyandot County Republican." He was the first Upper Sandusky publisher to introduce steam power.

On the 12th of November, 1868, Robert D. Dumm took leave of the Union, and was succeeded by E, Zimmerman, who on the 1st of November, 1870, was in turn succeeded by Louis A. Brunner. The latter continued as sole editor and proprietor of the paper until during the mouth of Aug. ust, 1873, when Mr. Dumm (who, as the senior member of the firm of R. D. Dumm & Co., had been editing and publishing the Ft. Wayne, Ind., Sentinel, a daily and weekly newspaper, from November, 1868). returned and purchased a one-half interest in the Union. The firm of Dumm & Brunner then continued until October, 1874, when they sold out to Charles L. Zahm. The last named individual continued in control until about the let of November, 1877, when he transferred his interests to D. J. Stalter and R. D. Webster. The firm of Stalter & Webster only continued some six or eight months, when the junior member retired, leaving Mr. Stalter in sole control until November 27, 1879, when the Union again passed into the hands of Messrs. Dumm & Brunner, its present editors and proprietors, who erected for it the building on the corner of Main and Railroad streets, and put in steam power to ran its presses.

The old, and it may be added trite saying, that "tall oaks from little acorns grow," is quite applicable when reference is made to The Weekly Chief, Upper Sandusky's latest acquisition in the journalistic field. It appears that in August, 1876, H. A. Tracht, then a youth of but fourteen years of age, purchased $6 worth of material and began printing cards. As his business increased he added more stock to his office, which was then located in the back part of his father's shoe store, and in May, 1878, began the publication of a small monthly shoot, styled the. Wyandot Chief, which was continued for one year. After the discontinuance of this paper, the youthful editor again increased his facilities for doing job work and secured the assistance of practical mechanics.

On the 16th of August, 1879, he issued the first number of The Weekly Chief, which in size was a folio of 13x20 inches. In, January, 1880, it was made a six-column folio. Prosperity rendered another enlargement necessary, and on the 21st of May, 1881, it appeared as a sevencolumn folio, and in April, 1882, as an eight-column folio. In September, 1883, it was changed to its present dimensions and style-a well-printed six-column quarto.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

It is a pleasing task to write of those connected with the early history of Wyandot, and certainly no one occupies a more prominent place in the recollection of our people than William T. Giles, our first Democratic editor.

The subject of this sketch was born in New Lisbon, Columbiana County, Ohio, July 18, 1823. He attended the schools of that then quaint old town until he was about fifteen years old, when he went into the printing office of the Ohio Patriot to learn the business. The Patriot was then owned by Hetzell & Gregg, and young Giles remained with them until the office was sold to William Duane Morgan, brother of Gen. Morgan, and the last Democratic Auditor of State, prior to the election of Mr. Kisse. witter last October. He continued in the office with Mr. Morgan until 1843,

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when he went to Bucyrus, holding a position on the Crawford County Democrat, then published and edited by T. J. Orr. Printing offices in Bucyrus those days were not the bonanzas they are now, and Giles could not got enough money from handsome Tom Orr to pay his board, which was $1.25 per week. Mr. Orr would rather sit on a store box all day than dun a subscriber, and consequently Tom's bank book was always a few loads of wood behind. Tom was an able writer, but could do nothing, with more ease than any other man in America. The Crawford County Democrat was started some time early in 1845, but in Orr's hands it was a failure, the paper collapsed, and he urged Giles, his only employe, to buy the material and remove it to Upper Sandusky and commence the publication of a Democratic paper. Giles insisted that he neither had money nor experience as a writer, and did not feel like embarking in the enterprise. Orr, however, insisted, giving Giles to understand that unless some arrangement could be made, he could not pay him for labor clue, and that he might be compelled to count imaginary railway ties on his way back to New Lisbon. After a good deal of persuasion, Giles, in company with a personal friend, the late lamented William M. Scroggs, visited Upper Sandusky, which at that time was a very small place. The Democrats, Capt. S. M. Worth, R. McKelly, Col. A. McElvain, Col. Joseph McCutchen, Peter B. Beidler, C. R. Mott, George Harper, and in fact, all the Democrats urged the establishment of .a Democratic paper, while the Whigs put in their words of discouragement, saying it could not live in so new a county; but Giles thought it was a case of necessity; he was like the fellow after the ground hog-he must have meat-and there was mighty little prospect of getting any out of Tom Orr; so he said, " Sink or swim, survive or perish, here goes." He returned to Bucyrus, informed Orr of his decision, in case they could agree upon terms. Orr wanted to know what proposition Giles had to make. Giles said, " If you sell me the material on eight months' time, taking a note for the amount over what is due me, and agree to take the material back in case payment is not made when due, and will then agree to pay me my wages, deducting ten per cent for use of materials, it is a go otherwise not." Orr agreed to the proposition. Col. Scott, a very fine lawyer, drew up the contract and note, which were properly signed.

Giles then returned to Upper Sandusky to seek shelter for his press and material, but could not secure a place, without buying a building-a small chair shop-that stood in the middle of Fourth street, in the vicinity of the present African Church. Now came the question, " How can I buy?" Giles related the condition of things to some Democratic friends, and the result was, the money was raised, the house bought and held for payment. The next move was to get the-material from Bucyrus to Upper Sandusky. Giles borrowed Col. McKelly's horse, took an early morning start, rode over to Bucyrus, employed Frederick Fireing, loaded his wagon, and returned to Upper Sandusky the same day, without eating a bite until arriving at McElvain's old log hotel, located where the brewery now stands.

The publication of the Democratic Pioneer was begun under these embarrassing circumstances, and all the difficulties did not stop here. Giles had to buy a lot to put his building on, as there was some law or restriction compelling the removal of all houses from the streets. At the time of the removal of the building by Mr. Russel, Giles stood at the case, set up the notice of the removal, and headed it " Progressive Democracy," as can be seen by reference to the old files of the Pioneer, which have only been fully preserved in the county by Hon. J. D. Sears.

390 - HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

Pay day came, and Giles owed more than he did at the start, so he at once wrote T. J. Orr the following lines:

UPPER SANDUSKY, -, 1846.

T. J. Orr, Esq., Bucyrus, Ohio:

DEAR SIR-Unable to make the payment-ready to comply with the article.

Respectfully yours,

W. T. GILES.

Mr. Orr was in the same condition-be could not pay and in a long letter urged Giles to go on and pay when and as he could. Giles took his advice and worked away. One evening, as Giles was passing Col. McCutchen's store, he heard his name mentioned, and naturally felt inclined to hear what was being said, and to see who were in the store. He quietly approached the door, and in the dim candle light, saw Cols. Chaffee, Me. Cutchen and others, and heard them lamenting the condition of the young editor. They were " really sorry that the country was so thinly settled and the town so Small, that the Pioneer could not survive; that Giles was industrious, energetic, etc., but the fates were against him." After hearing their remarks, Giles said, "By the Eternal, if I burst it will not be my fault." He went home but did not sleep much that night. In the morning, he rose and resolved to board himself, and did for about sixteen months, on an average cost of 48 cents per week, earning and saving sufficient to pay all his debts. After free from debt, he boarded at Zimmerman's Blue Ball Hotel till 1849.

During his struggle for existence, Giles was urged to " take the post office as it would help him to stem the tide." He refused for along while, but finally consented. A petition was put in circulation, and Col. McElvain, who was then Postmaster, and had urged Giles to take the office, refused to sign the petition, remarking that " Giles could not get the office without he had other signers." This raised the Irish in Giles, and he "made a vow that he would have the office with just those names and none other, or not have it at all." He then wrote to the Hon. Henry St. John, who was then the Member of Congress from this district, giving a statement of facts, and sent forward the petition. Col. McElvain called upon Giles and wanted him to call a meeting, and let the meeting decide between them. Giles said: "No, I have done everything I am going to do in this matter, and you may call all the meetings you want." No meeting was called, but Giles became Postmaster, but only held the office long enough to see that it would not pay him, when he resigned, and had John A. Morrison appointed before any one knew of his resignation, excepting Mr. Morrison and a few friends.

During the time Giles held the office, some malicious party sent a report to Washington that the mail matter was turned upon the counter and every one who came in was Postmaster. This was false, as Giles never had a counter in his office, and would not lot people in while changing the mail. A secret agent came along one cool morning, jumped from the coach (for this was the time of old stage coaches),. and was going to rush into the office, when he was informed by Giles " that he couldn't come in," but that he could go into the printing-office,

The agent did as ordered, and when the mail was overhauled, reported to Giles his mission, and said, "I am glad to find the report about your office false. I will report you all right when I return." Giles said," So far as the report goes, it is all false, but when you get back to Washington, you can tell them if they do not like the way this office is managed, they can take it and go to the devil with it." What report was made is not known, but Mr. Giles kept the office till he resigned.

Giles often relates his mode of living, and' laughs over early days at

HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY. - 391

Upper Sandusky, and tells of the time several parties procured a license for an old couple, on conditions that they would mount some boxes in front of a store, and got married. Col. Kirby was then Justice of the Peace, and tied the knot.

The Democratic Pioneer, in the face of all trials and tribulations, prospered in the hands of W. T. Giles- up and until the spring of 1849, when he sold a part of the office to Josiah Smith, and gave the other half to Elijah Giles, his brother. Mr. Smith paid but a small amount down, and W. T. Giles gave the notes to Elijah, who bought Smith's interest, paying him with his own notes. When Giles started for California with Col. Lyle, one of God's own noblemen, Col. A. McElvain, his sons William and Purdy, Messrs. Jones and Walker, he left the Pioneer well supplied with ink, paper, etc At the time of the departure, Col. Lyle and Giles were in poor health, and it was not supposed that either would live to get to St. Joseph, Mo. Their friends tried to persuade them to give tip the trip, but it was a useless effort. We well remember the morning they took teams and started for Carey, no railway running to Upper Sandusky at that time. At Carey they took the cars for Cincinnati, and a steamer thence to St. Louis, where a change of steamers had to be made for St. Joseph. Col. McElvain and his son, Purdy, took horses and money and went overland to St. Joseph to buy up cattle, with which to cross the plains. They bought seven yokes, or two teams. Giles, having some ready money, got more than his share in this purchase, but never got it out of the teams, for all the cattle died. On the way up the Missouri River, Mr. Walker, father-in-law of Henry Miller, took the cholera and died at St. Joseph, destitute, excepting what he received from Giles. Buck Kirby, a colored man, whom all the old settlers well remember, concluded to go to California with this party. Mr. Giles provided him with boots and some clothing for the trip, and paid his bills at St. Joseph for some weeks till the teams arrived, and just before starting oat of this city Giles was seized with cholera, and had to be taken from his horse and placed in a wagon. His recovery was very doubtful, but having lots of determination, had his party hitch up the cattle and drive on, saying, "If I die, I will die as far out as I can get." The result was Giles got well, and soon Col. McElvain was taken with the same disease, and all thought would die, but he also recovered.

In crossing the plains at that time it was necessary to go in large bodies, and a train of about thirty or forty teams formed a company and elected Col. McElwain Captain. The front team had to take the rear the following day. One day Buck Kirby, as he was called, was driving one of the teams, the last team in the train. Buck crawled into the wagon and went to sleep. One of the oxen became unyoked and strayed off, and the train traveled two or more miles before the discovery was made, and when Capt. McElvain heard of the lost ox, it is unnecessary to tell those who knew him, that he swore a blue streak. He threatened to shoot Buck if he should ever do such a trick again. The ox was found grazing, drove up, put in place, and the train moved on. Giles had been out hunting, and when he returned to the train he found Back greatly alarmed, wanting to leave and go into a train, mostly from Marion, Ohio. Giles tried to persuade him out of the notion, but Buck insisted on going for fear that McElvain might shoot him in the absence of Giles. It was agreed that Back might take the boots and clothes bought for him and go, which he did, and it was reported got through to California and died. No member of the party ever saw Buck after he went into the Marion train.

392 - HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

A sad event took place at Fort Laramie to the party from Upper San. dusky. They arrived there and concluded to rest the teams and sun their clothes. Here they found Maj. Sanderson, of the regular army, in com. mand. Major was an " Ohio man," and acquainted with Capt. McElvain, who had boarded with him in Columbus, so he invited McElvain and his friends to dinner. Col. Aaron Lyle and Giles were great friends-always together at home, and never broke friendship on the plains. They slept together in a wagon. While lying at the fort they sunned their clothes, and that evening Colonel said he was very hungry, and Giles said, "Buck, Col. Lyle is hungry; got up a good supper." Colonel ate heartily, but he coughed severely. At night Giles had to go out on guard duty till 1 o'clock, and did so, riding about two or three miles. When he returned to camp he was surprised to find Col. Lyle sitting up in the wagon. Colonel said, "Giles, will you bring me a canteen of water?" The reply was "Yes." Giles went to the Laramie River, brought the water; Colonel drank and lay down; Giles got into the wagon-put down the curtains, when Colonel remarked, " Please put it up, it seems so close." In the morning when Giles was called, he found the Colonel lying by his side dead! The shook given Giles can better be imagined than expressed fact, although the death was daily expected, yet all were surprised. He passed away easily, for his arms were resting across his breast as if he passed from earth without a struggle. After making a coffin, and burying Col. Lyle in the burying-ground belonging to the fort, the party left for California. They took in Salt Lake; heard Brigham Young preach three sermons. Here Giles, McElvain and one or two others boarded for several days with a prophet who had two wives. One of the wives wanted to go with the - train to California, but it was not a safe thing at that time to meddle with the wives of Mormons. While at this city, Giles traded horses and bought one, and in company with seven other men, packed through to California, leaving the teams with McElvain and son and a Mr. Jones, whom they were taking through. Jones was a merchant in Upper San. dusky at an early day. What became of him after arriving in California, the writer does not know. Giles, on horse, and with his pack animal, arrived in California several weeks before McElvain and son, for it will be remembered William McElvain died at Independence, Mo., before going on the plains. Giles and his comrades who packed through bought a rocker, and made several hundred dollars each in the mines, in that many weeks. They sold their claim for a mule, for which Giles paid $85. This claim panned out about $100,000. Giles bought a few more animals at Sacramento City, packed them with provisions, and went up the Sacramento Valley to Lawson's ranch, where he found McElvain and son, nearly destitute. After some days' rest, Giles got some cattle, and the party hitched to a wagon and worked their way to Yuba City, where they opened a trading post, and soon another at Shasta City. Shortly after Giles returned from Shasta City he was taken sick; and just at a time it was not certain whether he would five or die, McElvain took the money on hand and left for Ohio. Giles recovered, went to work, put up a large amount of hay, several thou. sand dollars' worth, and most of this was set on fire and burned. Then he had two teams and about $300 in money left. What was to be done he did not know, but it would not do to sit down and waste what little he had, so he loaned a mule to a. friend who had also been a sufferer by fire, and the two went to the mountains to seek fortunes, but found nothing to suit them, and after spending some weeks in the mountains, returned to Yuba

HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.- 393

City, and Giles went over to Marysville, and here he found his friend, Hon. J. W. McCorkle, the Member of Congress from that district, and also an "Ohio man."Mae said to Giles," Where have you been? 1 sent over to your town for you, but got no information of your whereabouts. Col. Rust was here-wants a partner to start a Democratic paper, and I referred him to you," Giles said, " Send Rust word I am here; come to Marysville, and I will meet him." Mae did a's requested, and in a few days Rust came to Marysville, and arrangements were made to start the paper. Giles borrowed some money on his teams, and with Rust went to San Francisco, where they found a Mr. Gee, got him interested in the paper, and in a few weeks their presses and types were packed and shipped to Marysville, where on November 3, 1851, the California Express came out, published by Gee, Giles & Co., and edited by Col. Richard Rust. It was not long till Gee became discontented, and sold his third of the office to W. T. Giles, and the paper ran in the firm name of W illiam T. Giles & Co. until about the 15th of July, 1852, when, through Col. Rust, Giles consented to take in other partners, and sold a portion of his interest, retaining onefourth. Soon Giles found his mistake, hired John L. Mitchell to run his interest and went to San Francisco, bought presses and types, and went to Downieville, Sierra County, Cal., where on the 10th day of Jane, 1852, he put out the first issue of the Mountain Echo. He sold this paper after publishing it for some time, went back to Marysville, and ran his own interest for a short time in the California Express, and in the spring of 1853, sold the entire interest in the establishment and returned to Ohio.

After looking about and visiting for some time, Giles settled down, and resumed publication of the Wyandot County Pioneer. Soon after taking hold of the paper be went to Cincinnati, bought new types, press, etc.. enlarged the paper, and made it one of the neatest as well as one of the best country papers in the state. Mr. Giles felt disappointed after he started this paper, for the promises made to him were not fulfilled as he thought, and he sold out, and in company with Irey Quaintance, went to Iowa, bought land and lots, returned here and wintered over 1854, and in the spring of 1855 he bought some teams, took Elijah Giles and family, Henry Giles and another young man to Newtown, Jasper County, Iowa. In the fall of 1855 Irey Quaintance and W. T. Giles returned to Upper Sandusky and wintered. In the spring both married, Mr. Giles taking Miss Mary E. Scroggs, and Mr. Quaintance Livonia Trager. In the spring of 1856, the four returned together to Newton, Iowa, but W. T. Giles could not remain long out of the editorial harness. He sold out in Iowa; went to Freeport, Ill., bought the Bulletin-and published it for many years. He sold the Bulletin to his brother-in-law( J. R. Scroggs, in 1864, and in that spring went by team to Virginia City, Montana. Territory. Here he broke a leg, and spent two years and some money, and returned to Illinois; sold out there and removed bit; family to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where be owned and published the Bugle, and a German paper for a time. During the time

Giles was in Council Bluffs, J. R. Scroggs died at Freeport, Ill., and this left the Bulletin without an editor, and Giles returned and resumed charge of the paper. In a short time after this, he started the Lee County Democrat at Dixon, Ill., but soon sold that paper, and continued in the Bulletin for a long time, and sold it. Since then he started the Illinois Monitor, in Freeport, and published it over three years. He edited the Dakota Herald, tit Yankton, Dakota Territory, for several months, and is now publishing the Freeport Democrat.

394 - HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

During Giles' early days in Upper Sandusky, we remember one incident that occurred to him and our friend J. G. Roberts. It was when Giles was keeping bachelor's hall. A show came along, and Giles being the only editor in this section, got a family ticket, so Roberts and Giles agreed to go, and each take two ladies. This was done; Giles sending till the family in first, and then passing the ticket, followed. The doorkeeper surprised, muttered out, "That fellow has a h-l of a family to keep bachelor's hall."*

Robert D. Dumm, the senior member of the firm of Dumm & Brunner, editors and proprietors of The Wyandot Union, was born in the city of Pittsburgh, Penn., July 3, 1835, being the fourth son of Andrew and Mary (Shall) Dumm. His father served in the American Army during the war of 1812-15, and his paternal grandfather, who was a native of Baden, Germany, served as a soldier during the Revolutionary straggle. His grand. parents upon his mother's side were of English origin. In 1842, with his parents, he came to this part of Ohio, and settled at McCutchenville. Three years later he became a resident of the town of Upper Sandusky, and at the age of ten years entered the Pioneer printing-office as an apprentice under William T. Giles. He served with Mr. Giles four years, receiving during that time six months' schooling as per contract. During, the year 1849, in connection with J. Zimmerman, he published the Pioneer, with Elijah Giles as editor. In 1852, he published the paper alone, Elijah Giles still remaining as editor, and continued to be employed in that capa. city until 1853, when he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University as a student. In 1854, however, he was induced to leave school and start a new Democratic newspaper at Upper Sandusky, termed the Vindicator, of which he was editor and publisher. This proceding, was deemed necessary on the part of the Democratic leaders of the county, by reason of the fact that the old Pioneer had degenerated into a Know-Nothing organ. Mr. Datum continued to publish the Vindicator about eighteen months, when he sold out to N. W. Dennison, and began the study of law with Hon. Chester R. Mott. In the winter of 1856-57, he attended the Cincinnati Law School, where he graduated with honor and was admitted to the bar. Soon after he located at Freeport, Ill., where he remained nearly one year. He then returned to Upper Sandusky, married, and in February, 1858, purchased the then recently established Union, a journal which he conducted in a very successful manner for a period of eleven years. Having sold out the Union to E. Zimmerman, he removed to Fort Wayne, Ind., in November, 1868, and during the succeeding five years edited and published the Fort Wayne Sentinel,-a daily and weekly newspaper-with unwearied and, we may add, marked ability. In August, 1873, he again returned to Upper Sandusky, purchased a one-half interest in his old paper, the Union (yet still retaining his share in the Sentinel), and with, L. A. Brunner as his partner, pub. lished the Union for a little more than one year, when Charles L. Zahm, by purchase, became the owner of the Union office. Subsequently Mr. Dumm disposed of his disastrous investment at Fort Wayne, and in the fall of 1875 was elected by a very flattering majority to the office of Clerk of Wyandot County. In 1878, be was re-elected to the same position, and thus served for a continuous period of six years. On the 27th of November, 1879, the Union again passed into the hands of its present proprietors-Messra. Dumm & Brannon On the 1st of September, 1882, this firm purchased one-half of the Marion Mirror office, and during the political

*Copied from an article which was published in the Wyandot Union in December, 1883.

HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY. - 395

campaign of 1883 Mr. Dumm edited that paper with a vigor and ability not easily surpassed.

We have thus briefly outlined the active business career of a gentleman who has been closely identified with the interests of Wyandot County since its establishment. One who, although a strict party man, and a zealous worker for the success of the Democratic party, has ever bean consistent, and has so demeaned himself as to challenge the admiration of even the most bitter of his political opponents. His untiring efforts for the promotion of the material interests, and the general prosperity of his town and county, have also secured for him the gratitude and respect of Wyandot County residents in general, and to-day none stand higher in their estimate of character and true worth than Robert D. Dumm. As already shown, he has grown up, and has been educated in the printing office, and, probably, has done more to bring Wyandot County journalism up to its present proud position than all others combined. As an editorial writer he has acquired a reputation truly enviable, and which, indeed, is not confined by State limits. Ever careful, vigorous, versatile, brilliant and facetious, his readers are never disappointed in the perusal of an article prepared by him.

He was married on the 29th day of December, 1857, to Miss Sarah J., only daughter of Dr. R. A. Henderson, of Upper Sandusky. The results of this union are two sons, both of whom are young gentlemen of notable qualifications -William G., the present efficient Deputy County Clerk, and Frank E., who is now employed in the Union office.

Hon. Louis A. Brunner is of German ancestry, and was born in Frederick City, Frederick Co., Md. He fully availed himself of the advantages of an elementary and classical education, and after a thorough course of theological study was licensed, in the summer of 1846, to preach at Columbus, Ohio. Subsequently, be entered upon the duties of the ministry, and served several Presbyterian congregations. In the spring of 1852, he was elected by the Presbytery of Marion, Ohio, Commissioner to the General Assembly, and attended the sittings of that body in Philadelphia, Penn., in May following. In 1860, his nervous centers gave way, prostrating him to such an extent as to force him to relinquish his chosen profession. However, having from a young boy dabbled in printer's ink, and being compelled to labor for a livelihood, he purchased a printing office. and took charge of the editorial department, and, while not engaged in the duties of the tripod, worked at the case sticking type. He has performed editorial work on the Odd Fellow, published at Boonsboro, Washington Co., Md.; the Pioneer and the Union of Upper Sandusky, and the Ft. Wayne Daily .Sentinel, an interest of which he owned in 1868 and 1869. He has resided in Wyandot County since 1849, excepting four years passed in Maryland, from 1856 to 1861. He has served on the Board of School Examiners of Wyandot County, as a member of the Village Council, and was elected a member of the Sixty-first, Sixtysecond, Sixty-fifth and Sixty-sixth General Assemblies of the State of Ohio, occupying, during the session of 1883-84, the honored position of Speaker pro tem. In the Sixty-fourth General Assembly, he served as Clerk of the House, and his large experiences as a law-maker, and his peculiar fitness for clerical duties-the result of early training-made him one of the best clerks the Assembly ever had, and it was so acknowledged by the members of both parties. Hence, as a mark of recognition, embodying the admiration of members, he was presented at the close of the session with a costly gold watch and chain, which he still carries with pardonable pride. Mr. Brunner's first year in the General

396 - HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

Assembly was marked with ability and true statesmanship, and although it is seldom the lot of a new member to take prominence at the beginning, his experience was an exception, for before the close of the session he was the recognized leader of his side of the House, and th is position he has ably and gracefully maintained during every term of his legislative career. His superior qualifications as a presiding officer attracted attention from all parts of the State, and in the Sixty-sixth General Assembly he was the almost unanimous choice of his party for Speaker, yet his usefulness upon the floor, and his own inclinations for activity amid conflict, induced him to decline the honor, and to accept at the demands of his party the position of Speaker pro tem. He is perhaps the finest parliamentarian in the State, and we cannot better express this opinion than to give an extract from a letter written by a newspaper correspondent during the session of 1883-84: "The Wyandot Sachem, Brunner, as speaker pro tem., has demonstrated himself to be a superior presiding officer, fit to have held the gavel of the Long Parliament of Cromwell's days, and whose legislative career has given his solid little Gibraltar (Wyandot County) a cameo-like prominence in the State's councils."

In 1879, Mr. Brunner, in connection with Robert D. Dumm, purchased the Wyandot Union of D. J. Stalter, and by their united labors again made the old Union one of the best county newspapers in the State. It now enjoys a large circulation, and an enviable, widespread reputation. As an editor, Mr. Brunner has few superiors. He is logical, clear and very effective, and has gained many admirers from his humorous touches of local incidents; but his great force and efficiency is as a campaigner, filling his wellrounded and emphatic periods in that direct and forcible manner, which leaves no room for effective reply. While a ready, spicy and able writer, he is equally as ready and effective as a speaker, which his prominence in the House, on all the important questions of state policy, has fully made clear. His polish as a gentleman, and his great tact in winning and retaining the admiration and esteem of his follow-citizens is due to some extent to his genial nature, thorough education and wide range of informa. tion gained through the avenues of an extensive and careful study of books and men. In September, 1882, he, with his old partner, Mr. Dumm, bought a half interest in the Mirror, at Marion, Ohio, and although it proved to be a profitable investment, and their connection with the Democracy of Marion County highly acceptable and pleasant, after eighteen months they sold their interest to their partner, Col. J. H. Vaughan. A part of this time Mr. Brunner was editor of the paper, and in the memorable campaign of 1 88 gained a host of admirers for his efficient editorial work.

Since the close of the legislative session of 1883-84, he has assumed a controlling interest and editorial charge of the Seneca Advertiser, one of the oldest and best newspapers published in Ohio, and he has fully made up his mind to make that city his future home. He still holds his connection with the Wyandot Union with Mr. Dumm, but undoubtedly in the near future will sever that relation and give his whole. attention to the Advertiser, which will advance under his influence and enterprise, and rapidly become the leading county paper of the State.

He was married in 1850 to Miss Jane Sherman, of Delaware, Ohio, who was a native of Watertown, N. Y. Their three children are Mary, now the wife of John W. Geiger, of Tiffin, Ohio; Addie, now Mrs. B W. Holman, of Washington, D. C., and Grace.

Pietro Cuneo, the present editor and proprietor of the Wyandot County

HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY. - 397

Republican, is a native of Pian de Cuni (a small village in Italy, which is situated about twenty-five miles southeast of Genoa, and five miles east of Chiavari), where he was born September 29, 1837. His early life was passed amid scenes common to the peasant class of his native country, and which are vividly portrayed by himself in his highly interesting lecture entitled, "Recollections of Italy." On the 6th of March, 1849, accompanied by his father, he bade adieu to his mother, sisters and brother, and en route to America set out on foot for the seaport town of Genoa. About the 10th of March, the ship upon which the father and son had secured passage sailed and on the 10th of May, 1849, it safely landed its passengers at the city of New York.

"When I arrived in Now York," says Mr. Cuneo, " I could not understand a solitary word of the English language, had no trade, and could not read nor write my own name in any language. I was, therefore, compelled to labor for very low wages, and I soon abandoned the hope of amassing a fortune. In about two years, in consequence of sickness, my father was compelled to return to Italy, and left me alone, with the expectation that I would also return in about two years more." After various discouraging trials and vicissitudes, young Cuneo obtained employment in the fall of 1852* with Josiah Starn, a farmer, who lived three miles from Camden, N. J. At that time he purchased a spelling book and endeavored to master the English alphabet, but after a few evenings he became utterly discouraged and gave the book away. However, during the following winter he effected an arrangement with John Hinchman, who lived one mile east of Gloster, N. J., to work for his board and attend the district school. About the 1st of December, 1853, he started to school and took his first lesson in learning the alphabet. "I tried hard to learn," says he, "and the teacher and pupils took particular pains to assist me. By the 1st of March, when I again commenced to work, I had progressed so far as to be able to read and write a little."

The year 1854 found him in Chester County, Penn., where, after a long search for work, he met William Martin, who lived between Coatesville and Parkesburg, and who gave him employment through the winter of 1854-55, and an opportunity to attend the Rockdale School. The next winter he became an inmate of William Hamill's house, situated two miles south of Parkesburg, where he also worked for his board and attended the public school. In September, 1856, he arrived at Canton, Ohio, almost penniless, and after a vain attempt to find work among the farmers in that vicinity, by mere chance, C. Aultman, of the firm of Aultman & Co., hired him to work as a laborer at 77 cents per day, board not included. Subsequently he arranged to pass the winter with Christian Neisz, who resided near Canton, and there worked for his board and attended school. The following spring he returned to the shops of Messrs. Aultman & Co., where he remained the major portion of the time for nine years, being promoted from time to time until his wages rose to. $2.50 per day. He continued to study and work, frequently fourteen hours out of the twenty-four, and so improved that in the winter of 1858-59 he was able to teach school where he had formerly attended as a pupil.

In 1865, he purchased a half interest in the Medina (Ohio) Gazette, but at the expiration of nine months sold out. He then removed to his present home-Upper Sandusky where he purchased the Pioneer. He afterward

*In the spring of 1852, he began to work with John Cordray, near Milford, Del., at the rate of 83 per month and continued with the latter six months.

398 - HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

changed its name to the Republican, and is still its proprietor and editor. Appointed and re-appointed by his firm, personal friend, Gen. U. S. Grant,* he served as Postmaster at Upper Sandusky, from May 10. 1869, to July 1, 1877. As may be inferred, Mr. Cuneo is a stanch Republican, a Stalwart among Stalwarts, and a warm friend and admirer of Grant, Conkling, and their friends.

He was married, December 24,1861, to Misr, Myra V. Miller, of Canton, Ohio, who, born in Sandyville, Ohio, in March, 1842, died at Upper Sandusky December 27, 1883. Of ten children born to them, four of whom were twins, five are still living-Laura T., Sherman A., Edward Noyes, Eva and Roscoe Conkling.

Henry Albert Tracht, the founder and present editor and proprietor of the Weekly Chief, was born in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, August 26, 1862. His parents, Philip and Lucinda (Keil) Tracht, though of German descent, were both born in Crawford County, of this State. His education was acquired in the public schools of his native town, and at an early period in life too, for when only fourteen years of age he was compelled to give up his studies, by reason of an annoying and painful affection of his eyes. Some months later he established a small job printing-office, which proved to be a successful business venture, and from that modest beginning as grown up by degrees the present very creditable and successfully managed sheet, known throughout a wide region as the Chief. Mr. Tracht is still unmarried, and apparently has a bright future before him.

Frank T. Tripp, oldest son of Franklin and Elizabeth (Bowsher) Tripp, was born in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, September 26, 1850. HA ob. tained a common school education, and at the age of thirteen years began learning the printing business in the Wyandot Pioneer office, with Col. W. T. Wilson, who shortly after sold the paper to Pietro Cuneo. He remained with Mr. Cuneo six years, assisting him in the post office for the term of two years. He was married, October 26, 1871, to Miss Irene M. Stevenson, youngest daughter of James N, and Susanna Stevenson, now deceased. By this union four children were born, viz., Harry J., May 20, 1872; Susan Edith, April 12, 1874; Anna Grace, November 28, 1880, and Sarah Maria, August 2, 1882. The first-born, Harry, died April 30, 1879, and Anna Grace, August 26, 1881.

During the winter of 1872-73, he purchased a one-third interest in the Wyandot Democratic Union,. and was associated with L. A. Brunner and D. F. Druckemiller. He disposed of his interest three months later, and removing to Carey, Wyandot Co., Ohio, established the Carey Weekly Times. He conducted the business there for nearly four years, and then sold the same to Hon. L. A. Brunner. When he became a resident of Carey he was elected Corporation Clerk, and served in that capacity until his removal back to Upper Sandusky in the fall of 1876. He was then employed by Charles L. Zahm, who was then publishing the Union, as foreman and local editor.

Since that time, Mr. Tripp has been connected with the press of Upper Sandusky, more or less, as local editor. Since November 27, 1879, he as been with the Union, foreman of its job rooms and assistant editor. He is a brilliant young journalist, and has a bright future before him. As a local writer of incidents and happenings he has few superiors. His style is fine and effective, losing none of the little details around which throngs the in-

*Some two years ago, Gen. Grant sent a large photograph of himself to Mr. Cuneo, which Is probably one of the best pictures of the great General in existence.

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terest of a recital. He is always ready, and gifted with a literary turn of mind which frequently sparkles in his graceful and well-rounded periods. He is a young man, yet his care and faithfulness in his profession has all the marks of experience and native thought. He rarely takes to the humorous, but when he does his writings are sure to contain a dash of the irresistible. His social qualities, though never pretentious nor obtrusive, are none the less of a high order, and few in our midst have more or warmer friends. Mr. Tripp has been a correspondent for the Cincinnati and Eastern papers for several years, and his articles have attracted wide attention.

CAREY PUBLICATIONS.

The Carey Blade, Carey's first newspaper, was established by Franklin Dame, a young man only fifteen years of age, in December, 1872. It was a small four-column folio. After getting out four numbers, its publication was suspended, but young Dame conducted a job printing-office for several months thereafter.

The Carey Weekly Times was established by Frank T. Tripp, Jr., of Upper Sandusky, now foreman of the Wyandot Democratic Union office, on the 8th of May, 1873. He continued its publication until August. 1876, when it passed under the control of Louis A. Brunner, of Upper Sandusky. In 1878, Mr. Brunner transferred his interests to Samuel M. Gillingham, who conducted the paper until January 1, 1880. when it was purchased by its present editors and publishers, George H. Tallman & Co., consisting of George H. Tallman and A. H. Balsley, editor of the Jeffersonian, of Findlay, Ohio. This paper, known since it passed under the control of Gillingham as the Wyandot County Times, is a seven-column folio, has a circulation of 700 copies, and is neutral in political matters.

George H. Tallman, the present editor of the Wyandot County Times, was born at Canal Winchester, Ohio, May 2, 1851. His parents, Hinton and Amanda (Thompson) Tallman, were natives of the State of Virginia, and his maternal grandfather was born in Scotland. When he was ten years of age, the parents of George H. removed to Delaware, Ohio, where he remained ten years, meantime passing two years as a student of the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. In the spring of 1871, he proceeded to Fremont, Ohio, where he was engaged until 1873, as a salesman in a boot and shoo store. In July of that year he became a resident of Port Clinton, Ohio, where he remained until April, 1875, when he located at Findlay, Ohio, and soon after entered the office of A. H. Balsley, editor of the Findlay Jeffersonian, for the purpose of learning the printer's trade. There he remained until -January 1, 1880, when he entered into a partner ship with his former employer, Mr. Balsley, and with him purchased the Wyandot County Times, which paper he has since conducted in a very successful manner.

His wife, Molly, a daughter of A. H. Balsley, was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., October 10, 1853, and came to Ohio with her parents when two years of age. They have one daughter, named Neta. Mr. Tallman is a member of the organization known as the Knights of Honor.

THE NEVADA -ENTERPRISE.

This publication, issued by Rev. A. B. Kirtland, made its first appearance under date of January 1, 1872. Mr. Kirtland continued in control until May 1, 1876, when Messrs. T. H. & J. H. Harter became its owners On the 1st of January, 1879, J. H. Harter sold his interest to J. M. Wilcox

400 - HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

Harter (T. H.) & Wilcox then conducted the paper until November 1, 1882 when Mr. Wilcox purchased Harter's interest and remained sole editor and proprietor until November 1, 1883, when the present firm of Wilcox & Holmes was formed, by Frank Holmes purchasing a one-half interest. This paper is neutral in politics, has a circulation of eight hundred copies, and its annual gross receipts are from $2,500 to $3,000.

Joseph M. Wilcox, editor of the Nevada Enterprise, was born in Mifflin County, Penn., January 1, 1855. His parents were Christian and Sarah (Miller), Huffnagle, but his father dying when our subject was a ere child and his mother soon after marrying H. S. Wilcox, the latter name was adopted and has since been retained. His father was born in Pennsylvania and (lied in that State January 18, 1861. His mother was a daughter of Thomas and Susan (Dorman) Miller, and was born in Union County, Penn., in 1823. Being left a widow in 1861, she moved to Ohio the same year and located at Bellevue, where she was married to H. S. Wilcox in 1863, and where she resided about two and one-half years. She then moved with her husband to Tiffin, and one year later to Millmore; two years after this, they located at Benton, Crawford County, and five years later at the present point of residence, Nevada. Oar subject spent the first nineteen years of his life attending school, acquiring a good education. In 1874, he entered the Normal School at Ads, Ohio, and passed a thorough course in the art of book-keeping, After which he Spent one year in the wholesale millinery establishment of A. & E. Thompson, beginning January 1, 1875. May 1, 1876, he entered the office of the Nevada Enterprise to learn the trade of printing, and January 1, 1879, he purchased a half interest in the office, where he has Sines been engaged He is well versed in the "mysteries" of his calling, and publishes a spicy and newsy country paper. Mr. Wilcox was married, January 1, 1879, to Miss Celia Gillan, who was born in Petersburg, this county, December 23, 1856. Her parents are William K. and Eliza (Betzer) Gillan, and both reside in Nevada. Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox have one child, Harry, born October 8, 1879. Mr. Wilcox is a member of the F. & A. M., and favors Republicanism in things political. His work is performed with ability and in all respects he is highly esteemed in his community.

Frank Holmes, a son of Dr. Samuel W. and Sarah E. (Ensminger) Holmes, was born in the town of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, August 4, 1862. Until seventeen years of age he attended the public schools of his native town. He then worked one year in the Union office, and subsequently was engaged for six months in the office of the Marion Independent. On the 29th of May, 1880, he assisted in getting out the first number of the Sycamore Star, under the firm name of S. W. Holmes & Son. He continued to be interested as editor and proprietor of the Star until May 29, 1883, when it was sold to the News Publishing Company. a On the 1st of November, 1883, he purchased a one-half interest in the Nevada Enterprise, of which he still continues as part owner. He was married, December 25, 1883, to Ella, daughter of John and Ellen (McGlen) Turner, of Sycamore, Ohio. She was born in the city of Harrisburg, Penn., August 16, 1866.

THE SYCAMORE NEWS.

This weekly journal was founded as the Sycamore Star May 29, 1880, by S. W. Holmes & Son. It started as a five-column quarto, and was managed by its founders until May 29, 1883, when the News Publishing Company, consisting of William Corfman (who had been local editor from

HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY. - 401

October 1, 1882), C. C. Clark, R. J. Plummer and J. E. Goodrich (with C. C. Clark as manager, and Corfman and Plummer as editors) became its owners. On the lot of July, 1883, Corfman and I. E. Beery purchased the paper and managed it together until January 1, 1884, when Mr. Corfman retired, leaving Mr. Beery in sole control. On the 31st day of January, 1884, the latter changed the size of the paper to an eight-column folio. The present title was adopted on the 29th day of May, 1883. The News is an independent family newspaper, and has a wide circulation.