Howard County IN Archives History - Books .....Newspapers 1909
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Book Title: History Of Howard County Indiana

NEWSPAPERS.
BY OTIS C. POLLARD. 

THE HOWARD TRIBUNE.

   The outfit of the Pioneer office (the Pioneer was the first paper published
in the history of the county) was brought from New London to Kokomo early in the
fifties. The equipment was installed in the west side of a double frame
building, on the north side of High street, just east of Main street. The name
of the paper was changed to that of The Howard Tribune, with C. D. Murray as
editor. On the east side of the building occupied by the Tribune office lived
the parents of Daniel G. Wilkins. "Uncle" Dan, as Mr. Wilkins has been known for
years, became a printer by natural associations. He frequented the Tribune
office just across the hallway from his home, and soon picked up a knowledge of
the business. James Beard, the real owner of the printing equipment, and who had
come with it from New London, pulled the press—a Washington hand press—and
"Uncle" Dan ran the roller. Mr. Wilkins was also given the employment of passing
the papers, the circulation of the Tribune being at that time about three
hundred. "Uncle" Dan, who, as a boy, had carried the mail from Delphi to Marion,
relinquished this employment. Such trips made upon horseback consumed four days
in going and coming. "Uncle" Dan settled down in earnest to learn the printer's
trade, and soon had mastered the boxes.

   In those days type was set by hand instead of by machinery, and each type was
picked from a box and placed in a composing stick. "Uncle" Dan soon learned all
the technicalities of the office and was not long in mastering the names of the
type used, as the office was possessed of but few fonts of type at best. Mr.
Beard was a very agreeable man under whom to work and took a great fancy to Mr.
Wilkins, who acquired from him the thorough mastery of the printer's art, which
distinguished him throughout life. Mr. Wilkins became an expert and passed
almost half a century in the practice of his craft, a certain testimonial to his
efficiency, the entire time being with the office with which he had started, he
remaining in its service throughout successive ownerships. The Tribune office
was finally moved from High street to the north side of the public square,
occupying the second story of the building in which was situated below the
Robert Birt tin shop, later owned by G. W. Hocker. Mr. Murray retired as editor
of the paper, which was purchased by Clinton Boliver Hensley, of Logansport. Mr.
Hensley was an unique newspaper men, but preferred the pleasure of hunting- to
the drudgery of the office much of the time. But the interests of the paper did
not suffer. An unknown but brainy contributor was Dr. L. D. Waterman, who later
moved to Indianapolis. T. C. Phillips purchased the paper of. Mr. Hensley and
changed the name to The Kokomo Tribune, dropping the word Howard. Mr. Phillips
was a notable editor of Indiana, and his fame extended even into other states.
He was an able, trenchant editorial writer, absolutely fearless and aggressive.
He was equally devoid of physical fear, and the indignant man who came around to
settle scores for an article to which he objected usually decided to abandon the
attack. Mr. Phillips was a strictly party man, being an uncompromising
Republican, the only tangent upon which he ever left his strictly orthodox
Republicanism being when he, with Judge Linsday and a number of other leading
Republicans, "swung around the circle" with President Andrew Johnson. But it was
not long until he had returned to his party fold and his paper and personality
were a tower of strength for the political cause which he espoused. His
editorials were widely quoted and he expended his best energies in making his
paper the leading one of Indiana.

   The office was gradually improved and finally moved to the east side of the
court house square, occupying two different locations in that district. It was
while the office was in this part of the city that a cyclone blew down the
building in which the office was situated. Mr. Philips declined to accept
contributions to make good his losses, but consented to re-establish his paper
upon condition that a certain number of citizens would take his paper for a
year. With these subscriptions, and with borrowed money, he erected the Tribune
building, at the corner of Buckeye and Mulberry streets., and equipped the
office with a cylinder press and a first-class typographical equipment,
including a job office. A tireless worker, he soon made the paper a distinctive
one in surrounding states. All this time he clung by "Uncle" Dan Wilkins, in
whose untiring labors for the success of the paper and excellent judgment he had
implicit reliance and faith. Mr. Wilkins's service was interrupted long enough
for a service in the Civil war, and a few months' application to house painting,
but when- he returned to the office at the earnest solicitation of Mr. Philips
it was to remain through' the ownership of Mr. Philips's sons, and that of
strangers as well, and terminating from the disabilities of old age in 1904.

   At the death of T. C. Philips, The Tribune was taken in charge by his sons,
Charles Philips and A. F. Philips. Charles Philips was possessed of fine
literary ability and is spoken of by those who knew him best to have been the
real one of the family gifted as a writer. The paper was now converted into a
literary publication, all but losing its character as a newspaper. It invited
and paid well for contributions from the noted writers of the day, containing
contributions from Riley, Nye, Brady and others of great note. But as a
financial undertaking this publication did not pay, the proprietors being unable
to secure a wide enough circulation. Upon the death of Charles Philips, and
under the management of A. F. Philips, The Tribune resumed its individuality as
a newspaper and dropped much of its foreign contributions. Seymour T. Montgomery
was prominently connected with The Tribune, and for the time that Philips was a
"political heretic" essayed the editorial management and responsibility.
Montgomery finally ran off, leaving the city mysteriously and suddenly.

THE KOKOMO INDEPENDENT.

   Dan H. Bennett established in 1869 the Kokomo Independent. It was a paper
which reflected the brilliancy of his intellect and power of brain. It was not,
however, long lived. During the period of its establishment and for several
years succeeding Mr. Bennett engaged in the active practice of the law, and with
success. It was not until 1872 that Mr. Bennett engaged in newspaper work on an
elaborate scale. In that year a joint stock company was formed and a printing
outfit purchased. The Howard County Republican was launched. While The
Independent, Mr. Bennett's first paper, was printed from The Tribune office, The
Republican had an equipment of its own, and asked favors of no one. Mr. Bennett
was a tower of intellectual strength, and his paper reflected his personality.
He was the only man feared by T. C. Philips, and he gave blow for blow-in a
manner which counted. Bennett had both the ability and the courage, and he
feared neither man nor devil. The publisher of the paper was Will Siddall. When
Mr. Bennett left Kokomo it was to go to Logansport, where he took charge of The
Logansport Sun. This paper attracted wide attention, as did any paper of which
Dan Bennett was the head. But while at Logansport Mr. Bennett fell a victim of
an apoplectic stroke and died afterwards from its effects. The Kokomo Democrat
once said of Mr. Bennett: "We have met no cleverer gentleman than D. H. Bennett.
He has figured largely in the politics of the county and the district. When he
said that he would speak out his sentiments, boldly and unflinchingly, in
matters of politics, we did not say it unwisely, as we have since learned. In
the congressional canvass he was the friend of Dr. Henderson. Dr. Henderson has
run up between five hundred and a thousand in advance of his ticket in the
district, and it is due to the brave, bold, outspoken words of such men as
Bennett that he has done so." The Republican, while in the hands of Mr. Siddall,
sustained a misfortune from which it never recovered. A fire started in the
office and was subdued with difficulty. The flames suppressed, it was found that
material damage had been done. Mr. Siddall was not enamored of Kokomo newspaper
work and left soon after for Indianapolis, making the best disposition possible
of the printing outfit of The Republican.

   The Kokomo Journal—first of that name in Kokomo—expired in 1871, while under
the ownership of L. J. Templin. In the conduct of this paper M. W. Pershing- and
S. T. Montgomery had been identified. Mr. Templin met every obligation, making
arrangements with the Kokomo Democrat to care for subscriptions he had received
since the Journal had been revived. He said that in doing this he did not
endorse the policies of the Democratic party, but desired merely to furnish his
patrons with a g-ood country newspaper. Mr. Templin returned to the conduct of a
nursery which he had owned upon assuming the direction of The Journal. The
Journal started in 1870, ended its existence in February, 1871.

THE RADICAL DEMOCRAT.

   The first issue of The Radical Democrat, of Kokomo, appeared Wednesday, May
18, 1870. The editor was W. J. Turpin. "Jap." Mr. Turpin was known as the
"Tipton Slasher." and was a man of exceptional newspaper ability. After his work
in Kokomo he did valuable feature work for the Indianapolis newspapers. "Jap"
Turpin is a familiar name in Kokomo newspaperdom, and he created an impression
not soon to be forgotten by the older residents. His office was situated in the
upstairs of the Dennison building, corner of Walnut and Buckeye streets. The
furniture consisted of two chairs, and two tables. A board reached from the head
of a flour barrel to the top of a bottomless chair, and upon this board C. H.
Havens folded the first issues of the paper. He was the newsboy, having what was
known as the public square route. The Radical Democrat was published from the
Tribune office. It was but a short time until the word "Radical" was dropped
from the title page of the publication. While Mr. Turpin was yet in control of
the paper John W. Kern was a contributor to its columns. J. M. Goar succeeded
Mr. Turpin as editor of the Democrat. In October, 1870, Dr. John F. Henderson
was a candidate for congress, and in this aspiration the Democrat supported him
loyally. The fierceness with which the opposition of newspapers was conducted in
that day is illustrated in an editorial appearing in the Democrat of the issue
of Thursday, October 20, 1870. For instance, the Journal says: "Philips is a
malicious liar and an unmitigated scoundrel, and a bald-headed old gambler."
Whereupon Philips reminds them that the Journal is a "bastard sheet, with
neither paternity nor maternity, and that the editors thereof are thieves,
murderers and scoundrels." R. G. Smith, a prominent contributor to the Democrat,
said in the issue of that paper November 10, 1870.: "Mr. Turpin started a
Democratic paper in Kokomo, having neither press nor type, and I know it was
often said, by both Democrats and Republicans, that the paper would soon play
out, but Mr. Turpin kept the paper a running, and finally sold his interest to
Mr. John M. Goar, whom our citizens soon knew as a sharp writer, and who made
the Democrat as sharp as lightning." The Democrat in its issue of November 17,
1870, says: "Dr. Henderson, the founder of two hotels at Kokomo, and whose
native modesty would not permit him to name one after himself, has assumed the
heavy responsibility of the editor of the Kokomo Democrat. The doctor is a
robustly constructed, smug and compact chap of the best possible inclinations.
Dan Bennet has been engaged and will sling ink in his best style and do up the
fashion dispatches. Ed Freeman will contribute half a neck of items a week if
necessary. and Wralker will attend to the heavy market and banking conditions.
and occasionally give his views upon hog cholera." John W. Kern did work on The
Democrat. In the issue of March 2, 1871, the announcement appears: "Dr.
Henderson went to Baltimore and Philadelphia this week, leaving The Democrat to
my care. Inexperience and greenness in the business will account for the many
inaccuracies and blunders."

   Dr. Henderson was an able and courageous writer, and he made a formidable
competitor of The Tribune in the Democrat. In time he was assisted by his sons,
J. O. and H. E. Henderson, and later turned the property over to them absolutely
upon their return from college. They are today the proprietors of the paper. C.
H. Havens, who occupies the editorial desk of the Kokomo Daily Dispatch. by
which the paper became known years ago, is the dean of the Kokomo newspaper
circles. He worked for a time with Dan Bennett as roller boy, and then entered
into the employment of Dr. Henderson. Mr. Havens left Kokomo in 1874, returning
in 1882 and taking a place at the typographical case. Here he revealed the
peculiar ability of which he is possessed. His contributions to the columns of
the paper under a nom de plume excited a state reading, being quoted throughout
the exchanges of the commonwealth, and were notable for a philosophy and a
pathos that created a deep impression in the mind of the reading public. Mr.
Havens used no manuscript, "setting the matter out of his head as well as his
case." His ability demonstrated, he took editorial charge upon Mr. J. O.
Henderson being appointed to fill the office of revenue collector in this
district in 1884, and has been in charge since that time. His forceful
personality, aggressiveness and brilliancy as a special writer and sound
appreciation of news values have given the paper an individual standing among
its contemporaries. Yet in the harness, Mr. Havens is desirous of no eulogy, and
that will be a topic for the future writer after Mr. Havens shall have closed
his newspaper days, but when that time comes his relation to Kokomo newspaperdom
will be found to have been one of unusual importance.

THE KOKOMO GAZETTE.

   The Kokomo Gazette was founded by E. E. Russell and William Gause, the office
being located upon the West side of the court house square. The office was
little more than a job outfit, although provided with an army proof press, upon
which the publication was printed. The partnership did not long continue and in
a comparatively short space of time the paper became the property of Omer Maris,
then of Russiaville, a brilliant writer, who afterwards achieved fame as a
contributor to the Chicago Record, while prospecting in the Klondike. Mr. Maris
eventually entered into a partnership with Ed Pritchard, subsequently retiring,
Mr. L. C. Hoss taking an interest in the paper, and being for a time a partner
of Mr. Pritchard. Upon the latter disposing of his partnership holding to John
M. Runk, the firm continued as Hoss & Runk, the former finally securing entire
control and ownership of the paper. Mr. Hoss engaged A. B. Kirkpatrick as
editorial writer, and they conducted an aggressive, bold, independent Republican
paper, its circulation soon assuming formidable and somewhat amazing
proportions. Mr. Hoss utilized a steam press and greatly added to the
typographical equipment of the office. In September, 1883, he established the
Daily Gazette. While the Kokomo Herald was the first daily appearing on the
streets of Kokomo, many years preceding the Gazette, the later paper was the
first daily to stick, and never missed an issue from the first day it was
offered to the public. In the spring of 1884 the Gazette and the Kokomo Tribune
affected a consolidation, under the name of the Kokomo Gazette-Tribune, L. C.
Hoss and A. F. Philips being the editors and proprietors. The name Gazette was
carried several years and finally dropped. The daily issue continued under the
new ownership and is known today as the Kokomo Daily Tribune. F. M. Gideon was
in an early day editor and part owner of the Gazette.

   At the time of the consolidation of the Gazette and Tribune William H. Turpin
entered upon the scene of newspaper activity in Kokomo, he being one of the most
picturesque and striking personalities known in the circles of Kokomo
newspaperdom. A correspondent at New London, his humor and quaint style
attracted a wide reading and favorable attention. He was offered a position SUB
reporter upon the new daily, and as he once said himself, was appalled with the
weight of the new responsibility and was doubtful if he could give satisfaction.
But as a news gatherer he had few equals. He had a mysterious way of "getting
next" to the most carefully guarded secrets which he gave to the public which
made him dreaded. He was skillful and shrewd in building up a large circle of
loyal friends, who aided him in many directions. It became a maxim that "Turpin
is always next." At an advanced age he was active, alert and divining, so much
so that no new men in the field constituted formidable competition. They came
and went, but he remained at his post without fear of displacement. His style
was not of classical cast, but bubbled over with good humor, and he delighted to
"touch them up," as he put it. No man in the Kokomo field could produce the
number of personals that he did. They seemed to pour in a stream from his pencil
point, and few were able to escape his observation, if desirous of slipping
quietly out of the city. With those he knew liked a special mention he gave a
special treatment and made many friends among those fond of newspaper mention.
When George Gibbs and a party of friends made a trip from the city Turpin wrote:
"The special mission of George Gibbs will be to eat two-thirds of the dumplings
and all the chicken gizzards, together with the gobble of the rooster, if it is
possible to get at it. The proverbial part that gets through the fence last is
also a choice morsel that George sets great store upon. It is his purpose to
beat a lively tattoo with the drum sticks, and also to try his fortune by
yanking the pulley bone." Turpin was an indefatigable worker, arising at five
o'clock in the morning, and was soon thereafter at his desk. He worked through
the day, and then long after the supper hour. He wrote all his matter with a
pencil, and the enormous amount of copy he produced was a marvel to his younger
associates. Had he had an early education he would have made his mark in the
higher fields of journalism.

   One of the humorous personals he published in The Tribune was copied in The
New York Sun because of its rich flavor of humor. Turpin's early life had been
that of an orphan, he finally being cared for by the Shakers, of Ohio, and
learned the trade of a broom maker. He naturally held many of the beliefs of the
people by whom he was raised, but never gave expression of his heartfelt
sentiments save to intimate friends. While with this people he learned much
about herbs and flowers and their medicinal values. This knowledge helped him
greatly in his newspaper work. Turpin was an optimist of the first order. The
financial side of his life was filled with discouragements and trials, but he
educated his family and lived well. Regardless if half an hour before he had met
with a serious reverse his whistle resounded through the corridors of the court
house as he went in quest of news and in the streets as he passed along them.
Asked once how he could be so jolly in the midst of what would depress other men
he said: "Well, it can't be helped, and what is the use to be thinking about it
all the time? There will be another day dawn." An enthusiastic baseball fan, and
a polo enthusiast, his enjoyment of a game coming his way was a sight worth
while to see, but his disgust was savage if the home team played "rotten." His
reports' of sporting events were characteristic of his unique personality. His
friends were legion, he was "foxy," and few men have been more keenly missed
than he from his paper and his old haunts, where his friends saved him choice
tips and good jokes. Turpin, after having worked twenty-two years as a broom
maker in all the principal cities of the west, settled in New London, Howard
county, in 1868, where he married. He was coroner of Howard county six years,
street commissioner of Kokomo nine years, and engrossing clerk of the lower
house of the Legislature in 1887. His service with The Gazette began in 1883,
and terminated with the consolidation in 1884, when he went to Richmond to
become writer on The Richmond Palladium. He was well known over the state as a
local writer, and was connected with the Chicago Tribune and Inter-Ocean and
other city newspapers as correspondent. Turpin was also engaged in newspaper
work at Tipton and Elwood,- and returning to Kokomo worked on the Kokomo
News-Dispatch, and lastly Tribune, in which later service he was employed when
his death occurred in 1907.

   Mr. L. C. Hoss was finally associated with his father, P. E. Hoss, in the
ownership and control of The Tribune, the elder Hoss purchasing the interest of
A. F. Philips, who left the city to engage in newspaper labors in foreign
fields. In the departure of Mr. Philips, the last of the noted pioneer family
departed, and the name was henceforth known historically only. The Hosses sold
the paper to Mr. B. B. Johnson, once county treasurer, and later of the Richmond
Item. He operated the paper for several months, selling to J. A. Kautz and H. E.
McMonigal, of Wabash. Mr. McMonigal retired and the Tribune has become one of
the most valuable plants of its size in the state under the management of Mr.
Kautz, and has reached a wide influence.

THE KOKOMO MORNING TIMES.

   In 1893 S. E. Nicholson, who had been editor and owner of the Russiaville
Observer, came to Kokomo and established The Kokomo Morning Times, a daily
paper. The outfit of the Industrial Union was purchased and installed in the
Sharp room, south side of the court house square. In a few months the paper
reached a high water mark in subscriptions, and, encouraged by this properity,
the owner moved the plant into the old Tribune corner. The paper assumed an
important place in the municipal election, and its influence did a great deal
for the election of A. B. Kirkpatrick as mayor and Harry Bennett for marshal,
upon a strict law enforcement platform. Mr. Nicholson was an ardent temperance
man and the town was soon "tight," as the word is used in liberal circles. The
ambition to become a member of the general assembly of Indiana soon seized Mr.
Nicholson, and this ambition was realized, he working for the temperance
enactment bearing his name. The actual life of his paper was little short of a
year. He struggled bravely against the panic of 1893 and was reduced to pathetic
and sore straits in the hope of weathering the storm, but was finally forced to
give up the struggle.

THE GREENTOWN GEM.

   The Russiaville Observer was founded a number of years ago, and is a
permanent addition to the county newspapers, to all appearances. The Greentown
Gem is a bright and prosperous publication representing the interests of eastern
Howard county, being published at Greentown.

THE WATER CURE ERA.

   One of the earliest of magazine publications devoted to special interests was
The Water Cure Era, published at New London in the forties. It was a monthly
paper of sixteen pages, devoted to an explanation of the doctrines of the water
cure, being edited by Drs. T. P, Albertson and A. V. Talbert, and was issued
from the Pioneer office. A similar publication was, for several years, published
in Kokomo at the Invalids' Home by Dr. T. V. Gifford. Aaron Walker published the
Christian Foundation, devoted to the doctrines of the Disciples' church.

THE VOLAPUCK.

   A newspaper intentionally short lived was that published by W. S. Armstrong.,
called The Volapuck, appealing to the Kokomo public against the Indiana Natural
Gas and Oil Company, and for the municipal ownership of a water works plant.
During the Roosevelt campaign Mr. Armstrong published The Protest, in which he
urged the defeat of Judge Parker for the presidency.

THE KOKOMO NEWS.

   The Kokomo News, a daily publication, was established in 1896, occupying the
old Tribune corner, at the intersection of Mulberry and Buckeye streets. The
proprietors and editors of this paper were W. H. Staley and son, E. T. Staley,
who came here from Frankfort. The property finally fell in to the hands of W. J.
Spruce, and later into the ownership of a syndicate of which R. L. Williamson
was the responsible head. The Kokomo News company was finally formed, an
organization composed chiefly of Kokomo capital, and the property was taken over
by the new organization. L. R. Naftzger was placed in editorial charge, and The
News took on an extensive growth and a wide importance. W. L. Austell was
business manager. In time the company passed into a receivership, the management
falling to W. B. Westlake, of Marion, Ind. When the paper was legally sold it
came into the management of Trowbridge & Harris, Mr. Trowbridge finally
succeeding to sole direction and ostensible ownership. He ran the paper for
several months, finally disposing of it to The Kokomo Dispatch. In the death of
The News, 1908, perished the last of the third paper enterprises of Kokomo. Many
have floated upon the sea of newspaperdom and all failed in turn.

   Freeman Cooper, who had published a paper at Russiaville, founded The Kokomo
journal, and, after he relinquished that publication, Milton Garrigus took
charge of it. The plant was well equipped typographically, but the actual
printing was done at The Dispatch office. Mr. Garrigus sold the plant to a
company interested in propagating the Populist doctrines. The paper was called
the Industrial Union. In the end the paper ceased publication and the outfit was
bought by S. E. Nicholsan, who had conducted the Russiaville Observer, and who
decided to establish a daily paper in Kokomo.



Additional Comments:
From:

HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY INDIANA
BY
JACKSON MORROW, B. A.
ILLUSTRATED
VOL. I
B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

(circa 1909)

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