Clinton County IN Archives History - Books .....The Press 1886 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 June 2, 2011, 9:20 pm Book Title: History Of Clinton County CHAPTER X. THE PRESS. A NECESSITY TO OUR AGE.— RECENT IMPROVEMENTS.— HISTORY OP CLINTON COUNTY JOURNALISM.—FRANKFORT ARGUS.—OBSERVER.— CLINTONIAN.— CLINTON NEWS.— COMPILER.— FRANKFORT CRESCENT.—"AIR LINE PAPERS."—CLINTON COUNTY REPUBLICAN.—CLINTON REPUBLICAN BANNER.—FRANKFORT "WEEKLY UNION.-CLINTON UNION BANNER.—FRANKFORT BANNER.— FRANKFORT TIMES.—FRANKFORT DEMOCRAT.—FRANKFORT INDIANIAN.—COLFAX COURIER.—OTHER PAPERS. "The pen is mightier than the sword" is a saying that is so trite that one is almost ashamed to quote it, yet it is worth urging upon the attention of unobservant people that the rapid progress of humanity in the nineteenth century is due, more than to any other one agency, to improved facilities of travel and communication. Railroads, mails and newspapers have become necessities to mankind, though many are now living who are older than the oldest railroad, and to whom a daily paper once seemed a useless extravagance. Even now changes are made yearly, and improvements discovered of such moment that the future value and function of the newspaper cannot yet be estimated. Types were first used to reproduce only the Bible, and such books as were demanded in large numbers. Then came the periodical and pamphlet The reviews and magazines increased in number and frequency of publication, and then the weekly newspaper was established, to be supplemented in time by the daily journals. At first only large cities could support papers; now it is a poor village that cannot have one or more, and a small county that has not its half dozen. One of the most important changes in the development of the country newspaper occurred from 1860 to 1870. Before the former date, home news, locals and correspondence were not considered worth printing, but the reading matter was composed of reprints from the great journals, news from Europe, proceedings of Congress, and heavy editorials on national politics. Now these are supplied by the large city papers, which are brought to every village by those annihilators of distance, the railroads, and the home paper is largely filled with home news. The best county paper now is the one which gives the most space to town and county news, correspondence from every postoffice, and the proceedings of local organizations. In Clinton County, to-day, are published eight newspapers, while as many more have been issued that are now defunct, by change of name or suspension. Generally speaking, the editors have been men of intelligence and enterprise, while to-day the members of the press are considered to be far above the average in ability and scholarship. FRANKFORT ARGUS. Among the many newspaper enterprises attempted in this county, we find that the Frankfort Argus was the pioneer. This paper was established in January, 1889, and was published by Noah T. Catterlin and James R. Pile. It continued under this management until August of the same year, at which time Mr. Pile retired. The enterprise was then conducted by N. T. Catterlin and John Catterlin until about April, 1840, when the management again changed, and the business conducted by N. T. Catterlin alone until sometime in 1842, when the paper was discontinued. The Argus, during its publication, advocated the political doctrines of the Democracy as promulgated by that party at that time. OBSERVER. The next newspaper enterprise was started in the summer of 1843, by G. Weaver Snyder. This gentleman came from Crawfordsville, set up a printing office, and started a newspaper, calling it the Frankfort Observer. The paper was printed in the building known as the "Wilson House." It was carried on about one year, but not receiving sufficient patronage, it, too, succumbed to the force of unfavorable circa instances, and was discontinued just before the election of James K. Polk to the Presidency in 1844, of whom it was a warm advocate. CLINTONIAN. In the autumn of 1847, T. J. Taylor made the third effort at publishing a newspaper in the county, and set up a paper called the Clintonian. It also advocated the policy of the Democratic party. It was continued under this proprietary until the summer of 1848, when its publication was terminated. CLINTON NEWS. About the first of June, 1849, Joseph R. Horsley, of Delphi, purchased the office of the Clintonian, set up another printing office and commenced the publication of a newspaper styled the Clinton News, and advocated the Democratic policy. The paper continued under this management about one year, when Mr. Horsley's connection with the office ceased. COMPILER. In the autumn of 1850 John Gamble and Hugh B. McCain purchased the new printing office of Mr. Horsley and commenced the publication of a newspaper in the same building where the Clintonian had flourished a while and then met its fate. It was afterward removed to the " Eye-Tooth" at the northwest corner of the public square. This paper was entitled the Compiler. The paper was Democratic in its politics and continued under this management about one year, when Mr. McCain retired. The paper was continued a short time by the other partner under the same title. About the first of October, 1851, Mr. Gamble purchased new type, press, and fixtures, and enlarged from a five to a six column paper and gave it the title of the FRANKFORT CRESCENT, which name it has retained to the present day, devoted to the interests of the Democratic organization, notwithstanding the many different hands through which it had passed. In April, 1854, Leander McClurg and Joseph T. Pressly, two young attorneys of Frankfort, purchased the office of Mr. Gamble and assumed the editorial department of the paper until 1855, at which time James B. Newton, of Delphi, purchased the interest of Mr. Pressly. The paper was then conducted by McClurg and Newton until the winter of 1857. At this time William H. Ghere purchased the interest of Mr. McClurg, and the paper was conducted by Newton and Ghere about one year. At this time the interest of Mr. Ghere was sold to James B. Newton, who conducted the paper one year in his own name. At this time McClurg again purchased one-half of the office and his name became again associated with the publication of the Crescent. The business was conducted by McClurg & Newton, who removed the office into the third story of the building formerly known as the "Douglas Corner," where they continued the publication of the paper about four years, or until the 20th day of March, 1862. At this time they sold the office to Frank D. Caldwell, of Kilmore, in this county. Mr. C. carried on the publication of the paper in the same rooms for one year, or until the 21st of March, 1863. He then sold the office and fixtures to Joshua N. Armantrout, of Frankfort. He continued the publication of the Crescent at the same place for four years, until the 19th day of April, 1867. At this time he sold the office to a joint stock company, who placed Thurman H. Palmer in charge as editor, and John C Taylor as publisher. This management continued until about the 1st of July of the same year. At this time Allen E. Paige, of Frankfort, having purchased a number of shares in the stock company, assumed the editorial management, with Mr. Taylor retiring as publisher. Mr. Paige continued the entire management until the 1st of October, 1869. At this time Mr. Paige sold one-half of the office to Jabez T. Cox, of Tipton. The business was then under the management of Paige & Cox. This management continued until the 21st day of January, 1870, when Mr. Cox bought out his partner's interest and continued the business in the name of Jabez T. Cox, who was proprietor of the paper until February, 1872, when a joint stock company was formed, to whom he sold out, and from the 1st day of February till June, the paper was nominally published and edited by the Crescent Company, though practically W. H. Ghere and T. H. Palmer were really conducting it. On the 15th day of June, 1872, E. H. Staley assumed the editorial control and the business management of the Crescent. He was first employed at a salary, but in less than two months W. H. Ghere was taken sick, with a premonition that he would not survive. Hence he insisted on selling out his, the controlling, interest to E. H. Staley, who purchased the same for $1,820, and thus became a principal stockholder in the concern. In February the company purchased new material, type, fixtures and a $1,400 Taylor cylinder press. The paper was enlarged to a wide eight-column sheet 27 x 42 inches, and printed on brevier type. The enlargement and other improvements made on the Crescent worked a new era in the history of journalism in Frankfort. Whatever difference existed between the newspapers in Clinton County at that time and the same papers now, in mechanical appearance, size and management, is due to the new departure taken by the Crescent in 1872. Since then numerous additions have been made to the office, both in the news and job department Three new job presses have been added, one a large quarto jobber. The motive power for the presses now consists of a live-horse power engine and other accessories of a well-conducted printing office. Mr. Staley purchased a lot twenty-two and one-half feet front, on the north side of the public square, and has constructed thereon a two-story building extending 182 feet, back to the alley, which building was especially arranged with reference to the future wants of a daily and weekly newspaper. He has a large, well-lighted business room in front, a press and job room of ample size next, and a news composing room, one of the largest and best ventilated news composing rooms in the State. In this room each compositor has a large window to himself. The present proprietor has invested in the office, fixtures, presses, material and building of the Crescent office more than $15,000. At this time the Frankfort Daily News, in which the proprietor of the Crescent has a leading interest, is published from the Crescent office. This new daily is one of the permanent institutions of the growing city of Frankfort. The aim of the proprietor of the Crescent is to make the paper a live local and general newspaper devoted to the interests of Frankfort and of Clinton County. He aims to so conduct the paper as to make it read by all classes. Recently he adopted the plan of issuing two editions of his paper a week, the paper on Wednesday as heretofore, and a Saturday edition, thus giving a greatly increased amount of reading matter. ERASTUS H. STALEY, proprietor of the Wednesday and Saturday Crescent, was born in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, February 6, 1830. He was the eldest child of Aaron and Catharine (Parsons) Staley, the former a native of North Carolina, and of German ancestry, and remotely related to the Tyler family of Virginia, the latter, a native of New York, and of German-Welsh ancestry. Owing to the poor condition of the public schools, his early educational advantages were limited; but by private study he qualified himself to teach, working on the farm his father had rented during the summer and teaching school during the winter. In the spring of 1853 he entered Asbury University with but a few dollars to take him through his course; but by teaching during vacations, doing chores, and acting as janitor of the school building, he graduated in 1858, taking the first and highest honors of his class. For four years he was principal of the Battle Ground Collegiate Institute, and for three years president of the Valparaiso College. Haying been admitted as a member of the Northwest Indiana M. E. Conference, the summer of 1864 was spent by Mr. Staley in the United States Christian Commission, in Sherman's army, working with and for the boys in blue from Nashville to Atlanta. He spent one year in the pastorate; but feeling that he had no qualifications for this work, he resumed his favorite occupation of teaching. He was made principal of the Frankfort schools, and had daily under his immediate instruction from seventy-five to one hundred young men and young women, gathered in from Clinton and surrounding counties. Commencing to teach under the old Constitution in 1848, Mr. Staley has spent nearly twenty years of his life in this work. In 1872 he became editor of the Frankfort Crescent, purchased the stock until he owned all the valuable property—the ground upon which it stands, and the large two-story brick building erected for that purpose, which contains the steam presses, etc., etc. In 1885 he commenced the publication of the Saturday Crescent, furnishing both the Wednesday and Saturday edition to all subscribers. November 14, 1862, he was married to Miss Salome, daughter of Abraham and Catharine Barr, of Tippecanoe County. Their two children are Kate B. and James H. While a teacher Mr. Staley served a term each as school examiner and superintendent in the counties of Tippecanoe, Porter and Clinton. He still retains his ministerial relation of local elder in the M. E. church, officiating at funerals and weddings. He is an earnest, life-long friend of education, taking a just pride in all our educational institutions, especially our common-school system. He is an active, enterprising citizen, ever ready to build up and promote the interests of his native State, and especially of Clinton County. He ever stands ready to farther the material interests of Frankfort, the thriving city in which is situated his beautiful and tasteful home, to which he is strongly attached. In politics Mr. Staley is a Democrat, though not at all a bitter partisan. In 1884 he was nominated, without opposition, by the Democratic party of Clinton County, for representative in the Fifty-fourth General Assembly, and was chosen chairman of the Committee on Reformatory Institutions; was also a member of the Committees on Printing and Engrossed Bills. As a member of the Committee on Education, he introduced and carried through the House the bill requiring a knowledge of the effects of alcoholic drinks upon the human system to be taught in the public schools of the State. The bill failed in its passage through the Senate, though Mr. Staley has seen the same bill enacted by Congress, and receive the approval of the executive; and it is now the law of the land, in the District of Columbia, and in all the Territories of the United States. He was also the author of the bill, which became a law, by which universities and colleges of the state could acquire, by bequest or purchase, real estate of any desired value. His voice is always raised in behalf of temperance, education and morality. Mr. Staley is a large-hearted, generous-minded man, of noble principles and clear perception, devoted to duty and the accomplishment of good. In his every-day work he is earnest, painstaking and industrious. In manner he is sometimes vehement and warm, and in intercourse with his fellow-man, is frank, outspoken and independent His life has been one of unremitting toil. He has never sought easy business places nor official position. As long as be lives he expects to labor, and hopes to die in the harness. THE AIR LINE PAPERS. The " Air Line Papers," is a series of newspapers at points between Frankfort and Indianapolis, along the "Airline" Division of the L., N. A. & C. Railway, and consists of the Air Line News, at Kirklin; Sheridan Enterprise, at Sheridan; Westfield Gazette, at Westfield; Carmel Citizen, at Carmel; and Broad Ripple Beacon, at Broad Ripple, Indiana. The entire series of papers is the outgrowth of the Kirklin News, founded at Kirklin by J. Manlove, present proprietor of the papers, in September, 1882. This paper, though started under difficulties, received a liberal patronage from both subscribers and advertisers, and was a success, up to March 24, 1885, when a fire of unknown origin, in the small hours of the morning, consumed the building in which the office was located, including press, types, books, papers and accounts. Not even a leaf of the subscription books was left; all was a complete loss, and without insurance. The editor, who was absent at the time, learning of the loss on his way home, changed his destination, and for two days gave the ashes time to cool while he was making arrangements, though unaided except by courtesies of brother printers, not only to continue his publication but to greatly extend the field of usefulness. The Kirklin News appeared as promptly the week of the fire as if the office had not been utterly consumed, the readers not being delayed an hour in the receipt of their papers, and its publication was continued without interruption until the 13th of June, 1885, when, all arrangements having been completed, the Kirklin News was merged into the Air Line Papers, and its name changed to the Air Line News. The Air Line Papers are published simultaneously at Kirklin, Sheridan, Westfield, Carmel and Broad Ripple, being also the local papers for the intervening towns of Cyclone, Terhune, Horton and Nora, making them the means of communication, not only with the people of these towns but also with the wealthy and prosperous farming communities for fifty miles along the Air Line Division of the L., N. A. & C. Railroad, between Frankfort and Indianapolis, and Lebanon and Noblesville. These papers, under one management, contain a great amount of both general and local news, as well as the most important and desirable current literary matter, from the finest talent in the land, and handsomely illustrated. They contain also illustrated humorous, agricultural, fashion and other department matter. The weekly publication of Talmage's sermons is a feature highly appreciated by the readers. The high merit of these papers is their best commendation. The editor of these papers, JASPER MANLOVE, first saw the light on the site of the old Shneetown, on the Longloy Indian Reservation, lying near Shawnee Mound, in the southwest part of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, in the year 1836. His parents, Mark Manlove and Jane Hodson Manlove, were both from near Guilford Court-House, North Carolina. They were married in Highland County, Ohio, where they lived for a number of years. In the year 1834, having bought the Indian reservation directly from the half-breed owners, they moved to what is now the garden of the earth, though it was then almost a wilderness. Though born among pioneers, Mr. Manlove received a liberal education, even though much of it was gained in the "chimney corner college." Many years of his life were spent in teaching. From 1874 to 1878 was passed in various parts of the State of Illinois, Kansas and Texas. In the latter State he was for a time actively engaged as a surveyor, and in the location of lands, in one of the frontier land districts of the State, his jurisdiction extending to New Mexico. He was also commissioned by the State to assist in the encouragement of immigration. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and takes an active interest in the welfare of his fellowmen. He is materially aided in his newspaper work by his wife, an educated German lady from Rhenish Bavaria, where her father still resides. Their family consists of Olivia C. Manlove, now a young lady, Elton Worth, a boy of seventeen, with Cliffie B., and Jessie M., of ten and six years respectively. For several years Worth Manlove has been foreman in the type-room, while most of the family can lend a hand in pushing along the interests of the Air Line papers. By this novel plan of combining several papers under one management, there is not only a material saving of expense but a greatly extended advantage to advertisers, and subscribers are enabled to receive a very superior paper at a moderate cost. CLINTON COUNTY REPUBLICAN. The first number of this paper appeared September 4, 1856, with T. T. Scott and Alanson P. Tyler, proprietors, and A. P. Tyler as editor. On the morning of the 17th of January, 1857, it was destroyed by fire, by the burning of the building on the west side of the square, known as the "Mammoth Brick." Number 19 was the last issue before the fire. Scott and Taylor re-established it, and issued Number 31 on April 30, 1857. July 16 Mr. Tyler retired from the management, and it went into the hands of a committee, composed of J. N. Sims, John M. Cowan, Samuel Black, Eli Armantrout and William Mitten, with Mr. Scott as publisher. With Number 4, second volume, October 7, it passed into the hands of Mr. Scott, who issued three numbers, when it again passed under the control of a committee, composed of Dr. W. P. Dunn .Samuel Black, George Major, Adam Blinn, James Gaster and James H. Paris. This was known as the "Clinton County Republican Publishing Company." Dr. Meredith was made business manager and local editor. It continued under this management until Number 32, Volume 2, when it was sold to Mr. Jesse Miner, who issued eight numbers, the last of which appeared on October 14, 1858. In December of 1863 James Beard commenced the publication of the CLINTON REPUBLICAN BANNER. This was continued until the 25th day of January, 1866, at which time it passed into the hands of P. W. Gard, who changed the name to FRANKFORT WEEKLY UNION. He continued its publication for one year, when Jasper H. Keys took charge of it for a few months, after which it again fell into the care of Mr. Beard, who changed its name to CLINTON UNION BANNER. Mr. Beard published it regularly until March of 1872, when he sold out to Fletcher Meridith, who changed the name to the FRANKFORT BANNER. Mr. Meredith continued proprietor and editor until August 12, 1874, at which time W. H. Hart became its owner and editor, remaining so until March, 1876, at which time Joseph B. Cheadle took possession, commencing with Number 1, of Volume 13. The Banner office is now provided with a fine cylinder press, new fixtures and type, and the paper itself has been enlarged. The Banner has a large circulation and is one of the influential Republican papers of Central Indiana. THE FRANKFORT TIMES was originally published at Colfax as the Colfax Chronicle, being established there in 1877, and was five-column quarto in size. The paper was a success from the start; though under no less than a dozen wavering proprietorships in the first four years it was never operated to its fullest capacity. In May, 1881, G. H. Hamilton became the proprietor, and enjoyed a most liberal patronage, and the paper was carried with a boom for three years, when, owing to the severe healthy growth of near neighboring cities, Colfax declined considerably in mercantile interests and advertising patronage was withdrawn in such a measure as to render the running of the paper unprofitable, when on August 1, 1885, Mr. G. Y. Fowler, of Frankfort, was admitted to an equal partnership, and the material and subscription list was removed to the county seat and the entire venture merged into the Frankfort Times, and enlarged to a six-column quarto. The field was ripe for a live, wide-awake local paper, and with the very thorough list of the western half of the county as a starter, and its newsy ring, the list was magically largely increased, making it a leading and most prosperous enterprise. A first-class job printing department is connected with the paper, with artistic workmen, and altogether it ranks among the the popularly received papers of Northern Indiana. Gus. Y. FOWLER, at present assisting in the publication of the Times, was born in Clinton County, March 11, 1860, the son of William A. and Sarah Fowler, natives respectively of Kentucky and Virginia. He was left without a mother's care at the age of seven years and was fatherless at twelve. His lot was that common to many children, not protected by the loving guidance of parents. At the age of fourteen, while yet on the farm, a liner, "Boy Wanted at the Crescent office," turned his future course in life as he answered it in person and was successful in securing the coveted position as an apprentice where he remained for twelve years, the last seven in the capacity of foreman, and was instrumental as an attache in securing to that paper much of the prestige and favor it once held. He left that paper August 1, 1885, and accepted an interest in the Times where he now is. His adaptability for the profession is but the result of his own efforts to make himself such, as all that he is he owes to himself, receiving no school education after the death of his parents. He was married in Frankfort, October 11, 1882, to Christina Kramer, daughter of Edward and Mary Kramer. Mrs. Fowler was born in Frankfort, November 3, 1863. They are the parents of one son—Raymond, born November 30, 1884. G. H. HAMILTON was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, February 9, 1860, the son of John and Sarah Hamilton, natives respectively of Ohio and Indiana. His first seventeen years was spent in the routine of farm life and attending the district school. He then began teaching and taught four years consecutively, when he abandoned the school-room for the profession of journalism. He began his work in assuming the full proprietorship and editorial management of the Colfax Chronicle, which he conducted very successfully until August 1,1886, when he formed a partnership with Mr. Fowler, removed the office and material to Frankfort and began the publication of the Frankfort Times, at which occupation he is now successfully engaged. He was married November 24, 1881, to Miss Florence E. Miller, daughter of Robert E. and Almira Miller. Mrs. Hamilton was born in Philadelphia, July 24, 1864. Their only daughter was born March 17, 1883, and died August 7,1883. FRANKFORT DEMOCRAT. This paper was established August 15, 1885, by B. F. Palmer, as a local Democratic newspaper. It is accordingly the youngest journal in Clinton County. It is a six-column quarto, published on Saturday, at $1.50 per year. It has already become a gratifying success, and is a permanent institution. THE FRANKFORT INDIANIAN was established in October, 1883, by Charles Hazelrigg. It was then and for four months after a local newspaper, but early in 1884 it became the organ of the State Grange. This is its present capacity. In April, 1884, the paper became the property of B. F. Palmer, who afterward started the Democrat, as above related. The Indianian is circulated all over the State, and is published on Fridays, at $1.00 per year. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PALMER, editor and proprietor of the Frankfort Democrat and Frankfort Indianian, is a son of William and Cornelia (Higgs) Palmer, natives respectively of Virginia and Kentucky. The family came to Indiana in 1830, settling first in Montgomery County. In 1843 they came to Clinton County and purchased a farm, on which they lived until the death of both parents, in 1872. Of ten children Benjamin was the youngest He was born January 22, 1847, in Jackson Township, and lived on the home farm until thirty-four years of age. He had charge of the farm for several years before the decease of his father, who was in his latter years not robust, and he continued to run the farm for nine years after his father's death. In 1881 he removed to Frankfort, where for three years he sold sewing machines for the Singer Sewing Machine Company. In the spring of 1884 he bought the Frankfort Indianian, and the year following he established the Democrat. He now gives his whole attention to journalism, having rented the farm. Mr. Palmer was married December 6,1871, to Miss Mary Catherine Crose, of Jackson Township, this county, daughter of Covington and Nancy Crose. Mrs. Palmer died May 26,1886, having been the mother of six children, all living now but one—Violet, Victor and Valley (twins), Fred, John, and Daisy Ann (deceased). Mr. Palmer is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, Knights of Labor and Star of Bethlehem, and is politically a Democrat. COLFAX COURIER. This paper, the local successor of the Times (removed to Frankfort), was established in September, 1885, and is published every Saturday, at $1.50 per year. It is a five-column quarto, independent in politics. OTHER PAPERS. The Mulberry Enterprise was published for a few months in 1885 by E. M. Frenck. It was neutral in politics, in size a seven-column, folio, and was to be furnished at $1.00 per year. It had a circulation of about 200, at largest, and died a natural death. A paper was printed at Rossville a few months in 1881, by James Pinkerton. The outfit was then moved to Galveston, Cass County, and later to Greentown, Howard County. Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY, INDIANA, TOGETHER WITH SKETCHES OF ITS CITIES, VILLAGES AND TOWNS, EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, CIVIL, MILITARY, AND POLITICAL HISTORY, PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT PERSONS, AND BIOGRAPHIES OF REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS. ILLUSTRATED. CHICAGO: INTER-STATE PUBLISHING CO. 1886. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/clinton/history/1886/historyo/press580gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/infiles/ File size: 29.5 Kb