THE PRESS OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY, Maine. ........................................... BANGOR. BY HON. JOHN E. GODFREY. The site of Bangor was first visited by the French, under' DeMonts and Champlain, in 1605. It was first settled by the English in 1769. It was incorporated as a town in 1791; as a city, in 1834. The first issue of a newspaper in Bangor was on November 25,1815. It was styled the BANGOR WEEKLY REGISTER. The Register was published by Peter Edes. It was not parti- san in politics. It had no particular editor, consequently it had no soul. Newspaper publishers could not afford to pay for news- paper souls in that day; it was as much as they could do to keep the body alive, let alone "keeping soul and body together." The town of Bangor then contained about 1000 inhabitants, and it is not to be wondered at if the Register was not any better than other journals of its day. It was a medium, however, through which writers could communicate with the public ; and matters of State and National moment were discussed in its columns. A topic which occupied a large space in them, through many num- bers, was the separation of Maine from Massachusetts. The weight of the argument, and the vote of Bangor, was in favor of the separation. Mr. Edes continued his connection with the PENOBSCOT COUNTY. 129 Register until December 25, 1817, when be disposed of it to James Burton, Jr., who changed the name of the paper to BANGOR REGISTER. Mr. Burton continued to publish it alone until January 4,1826, when he associated with himself John S. Carter in its publication. That was the day when lotteries were favored in Maine; and, by uniting the sale of lottery tickets with the printing business, these gentlemen kept the Register at work. The paper advocated the National Republican cause, and the election of John Quincy Adams to the Presidency of' the United States. It was discontinued August 2, 1831, and was succeeded by the Penobscot Journal. Among the principal contributors to the Register, from time to time during its existence, were Samuel E. Dutton, Jacob McGaw, William D. Williamson, Jedediah Herrick, John Godfrey, Martin Kinsley, Enoch Brown, John Bennoch, Allen Gilman, Edward Kent, Joseph Whipple, (who commenced his History of Acadia in the Register), Samuel Call, Rev. Harvey Loomis, Henry Call, Thomas A. Hill,and many other prominent men of Bangor and the neighborhood. Mr. Samuel Call was understood to be the editor of the Register, at times. He was a cynical gen- tleman of considerable sharpness of intellect, and a caucus speaker of some ability. Mr. Kent, too, had the reputation of being its editor in its later years; but this was denied by the Register, al- though he wrote many able articles for it. From some cause, there was dissatisfaction with the Register among a portion of the citizens of Bangor, and they raised a fund for the establishment of another journal. This was commenced in 1824, under the charge of Ezra S. Brewster as publisher, and was styled PENOBSCOT GAZETTE. It was a weekly paper, edited by Daniel Pike, a promi- nent gentleman among the Orthodox Congregationalists. Mr. Pike was a grave man, a pure man, a religious man, a sensible man. The Register styled him a "demure " editor. The Gazette was respectably conducted, but was a great annoyance to the Register. In a notice by the Register of several new journals, 17 130 THE NEWS PRESS OF MAINE. on August 5, 1824, is the following reference to the Gazette: "But as this paper is our rival, and a competitor, we have too much feeling and too great an interest to pass it over slightly at: the end of a paragraph; and as we are just now deficient in time, and space, we must defer a further notice of it to a future oppor- tunity." The opportunity, however, did not occur until the 14th of February, 1827, (which was clearly a joyous day for the pub- lisher), when the Register had the satisfaction of announcing the demise of the Gazette "of an, atrophy," and gave it this parting salute - "She was a weakly child, of about two years old, of a very good disposition, being much attached to schools, conferences, missionary societies, etc. But, though well disposed, she had many errors, and sometimes spoke so thick as to be unintelligible. Candor, however, induces us to say, that her faults were more from carelessness and from want of capacity than from any evil intention." The Gazette was succeeded by the EASTERN REPUBLICAN. This paper was edited by Nathaniel Haynes, a gentleman of culture and literary taste. The Register styled him ,Attorney at Law, late of Orono." He possessed a different temper from that of the editor of the Gazette, and stirred up the bile of Mr. James Burton, Jr., of the Register, wonderfully, who took delight in call- ing it the "Genuine." After a few issues, Mr. Burton's delight as sumed a dismal cast, for he felt constrained to 'move on the, works" of his adversary in this style: "False charges, malicious, innuendoes, misrepresentations and circumstances with which we have not the slightest connexion, have been brought. in requisition against us; -in no instance where his evil genius could conceive he might injure our feelings or reputation has he neglected the at- tempt." The Republican was alive at the time of the demise of the Register, which journal in its valedictory gave its editor the following expiring kick - "Perchance, too, we have at times felt more pity than indignation at the puny and spiteful and exceed- ingly little spirts of the young man, and have made many apolo- gies for him similar to his own for his I mistake' in advocating duelling -that he is, constitutionally, altogether a mistake, and PENOBSCOT COUNTY. 131 Laboring tinder the influence of that malady that never permits him to be on the right side, or to feel at all amiable toward his species. In sober truth, we have felt more pity than anger, and more contempt than either." Mr. Haynes continued in charge of the Republican as long as his health would permit. On his resigning his position, his brother, Isaac C. Haynes, who had been in the office with him, succeeded him, and continued to control the columns of the Republican un- til December, 1837, when lie sold the establishment to Gen. Samuel Veazie and others. The Republican was a vigorous supporter of Andrew Jackson or the Presidency of the United States, and sustained the Dem- ocratic party in all its measures, until its sale to Veazie and Co., when it was conducted in the interest of the I Conservatives a fac- tion of the Democratic party who were opposed to President Jackson's measures in relation to the United States Bank. It was understood to be under the editorial control of John -Hodgdon until its final suspension in November, 1838, when its subscription list was transferred to the Frankfort Intelligencer. Mr. Hodgdon returned to his allegiance to the Democratic party, and afterward removed to Dubuque, Iowa, where be now resides. THE CLARION. This was a small quarto literary paper, established May 3, 1828, by Gilman Merrill, and published from the office of the Bangor Register. It was at first edited by Charles Gilman, son of Hon. Allen Gilman, first Mayor of Bangor. After a time the Clarion was enlarged from a sheet of four pages to one of eight pages, and was edited by B. B. Thatcher, the poet, conjointly with Mr. Gilman. These editors were liberally educated, and law- yers. The Clarion was very creditably edited by them. They were both young men when they left the paper. Mr. Gilman was afterward Law-reporter in Quincy, Illinois, where he died. Mr. Thatcher obtained distinction as an author in Massachusetts, where lie died. 132 THE NEWS PRESS 0F MAINE. The Bangor Register was succeeded by the PENOBSCOT JOURNA This paper was edited by the late lamented Phinebas Barnes, Esq., who had a short time previous to its establishment gradu- ated from College. It was, as may be supposed, ably conducted. It advocated the cause of the National Republican party from August, 1831, for about two years. In 1833 the Whig party was organized, and on September 22, 1833, the BANGOR COURIER Was established as an exponent of its principles, by William E. P. Rogers. As a partisan paper it was the lineal descendant of the Penobscot Journal. It came under the editorial supervision of Samuel Upton -a former unsuccessful merchant in Castine - and his son, Horace Upton. It was edited with considerable vigor and ability. On July 1, 1834, Mr. Rogers established in connec- tion with the Courier a daily paper, styled the BANGOR DAILY Whig. On Dec. 20,1834, the name was changed to BANGOR DAILY WHIG AND COURIER. This name it has borne until now, and bids fair to bear for a long time to come. It continued under the same proprietor and editor until Sept. 21, 1835, at which time the junior editor retired, because of failing eye-sight, and Mr. Rogers disposed of the estab- lishment to Gamaliel Marchant and Jacob A. Smith. Samuel Upton continued to edit the paper for a time, but at length re- tired, leaving the editorial labor in the bands of Mr. Marchant, who managed it creditably until his health failed., His lungs be- ing affected, in the fall of 1837 he made a voyage to the West Indies for relief, but on his return, in May, 1838, lie concluded to dispose of his interest in the paper, and, on June 8, sold it to John Edwards of Portland. The paper was carried on by Edwards and Smith until Aug. 2, 1841, when Mr. Edwards trans- ferred his interest to John S. Sayward, then late of the Mechanic and Farmer. The paper was in the hands of Smith and Sayward until May,1854-nearly thirteen years. Mr.Sayward had special charge of the editorial department, and Mr. Smith of the print- ing. The paper was ably and successfully managed by these gen- tlemen. On the first day of May, 1854, they sold the establish- ment to William H. Wheeler and John H. Lynde. Mr. Wheeler had recently been connected with the editorial department of the Kennebec Journal. In introducing these gentlemen, Mr. Sayward said of Mr. Wheeler, that through him "the political, social, in- tellectual and moral welfare of the people would be promoted;" and of Mr. Lynde, that he ,possessed energy, skill and business habits." The result has shown that Mr. Sayward was not in er- ror. Mr. Wheeler's management of the editorial department of the paper confirmed his opinion of him; and that Mr. Lynde has conducted the financial affairs of the establishment with skill, energy and success, there can be no question. Mr. Wheeler continued his connection with the paper until November, 1868, when he disposed of his interest to Mr. Lynde, and removed to Boston, where he died.* Mr. Lynde has since *WILLiAM H. WHEELER died in Boston, March 9, 1871. He was born in Worcester, Mass., February 13, 1817, but the, largest part of his life was spent in Augusta. He served a long and faithful apprenticeship as a printer in the office of the Kennebec Journal ; continued his connection with the office for many years as journeyman, and became one of the proprietors in 1850, when Luther Severance, whom fie succeeded as editor, retired from the paper to accept the mission to the Sand- wich Islands. In June, 1853, Mr. W. sold bis interest in the property to his partner, Wm. H. Simpson, but remained as editor until 1854, when he went into business in Bangor as partner of John H. Lynde, in the publication of the Daily Whig and Couri- er. Of this paper he was editor and joint proprietor from 1854, until the autumn of 1868, when he sold his interest to Mr. Lynde, and removed to Boston, where until re- ceritly he was employed as one of the editors of the New England Farmer. He left a wife and four children -two sons and two daughters. The Boston Journal speaks of Mr. Wheeler's character as a journalist as follows: "He displayed marked ability as a political writer, and gave promise of' attaining to the highest rank in his profession-apromise ill health alone prevented the complete fulfilment of. However, he held for a long time the strongest pen in the State of his nativity, and has left a record in journalism of which his family and many friends have a right to feel proud. His views with regard to the duties and obligations of journal- ism were pure and lofty, and were thoroughly carried out in the newspapers over which he exercised control. Thoroughly conscientious, yet unobtrusive ; gentle and amiable at all times, upright in his walk and catholic in thought, be had many friends who will hear of his demise with deep regret. He was modest and retiring to afault; otberwise be might have held high official position. Devoted to his profession he sought no honors outside of it." 134 THE NEWS PRESS OF MAINE. carried on the establishment in his own name. The paper has been under the editorial management of, first, Joseph W. Bartlett, (principal), and J. Swett Rowe, (local) editors, and now of Capt. C. A. Boutelle, (principal), and Edwin A. Perry and Alfred S. Meigs, (assistant local) editors. The Whig and Courier was an earnest supporter of the Whig party during its existence, and has been an unflinching advocate of the principles of the Republican party since the Whig party was dissolved. It now stands among the ablest papers in the State; its business has steadily increased from the commencement, and it may well be called 'a success. When Messrs. Smith and Say- ward left it, Mr. Sayward went into the Kennebec Journal, and has since left that paper with a competency, and is enjoying his otium cum dignitate upon his farm in Boxford, Mass. Mr. Smith is enjoying hi8 in an elegant residence upon "Thomas's-Hill," in Bangor. When the Anti-Masonic party deemed itself of sufficient im- portance to organize politically, its leaders thought it expedient to establish an organ in Bangor; and Anson Herrick removed tbith- er from Hallowell-where he had been associated with Richard D. Rice (afterward Judge Rice of the S. J. Court) in printing a paper-for the purpose. On the seventh day of August,1834, he published the first number of the PENOBSCOT FREEMAN. This paper was under the editorial charge of Asa Walker, a polished and vigorous writer. We believe it survived its party, but was not long-lived. Mr. Herrick's enterprising disposition -prompted him to greater things than the publishing of a weekly Anti-Masonic journal, and in August, 1835, he commenced the publication of a small daily paper, styled the DAILY COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER. This was a lively non-partisan journal, and Mr. Herrick made it quite taking for several months, until, in consequence of an un- ,fortunate non-financial operation, he suddenly (in May, 1836) came to the conclusion, that New York ideas would be more fa- vorable to his success than those of Bangor, and removed to that PENOBSCOT COUNTY. 135 city, where he established the Sunday Atlas. He was right in his conclusion. He was made an Alderman, and a Member of Con- gress (as his father, Ebenezer Herrick, had been before him) in New York, and when he died, a few years since, he left a fortune (we believe) and the Atlas in the full tide of prosperity. But notwithstanding Mr. Herrick left Bangor, the Advertiser went on. It fell into the editorial hands of John W. Frost, a young lawyer, who manipulated its enunciation with much bravery until Dec., 1836, when it was absorbed by the PEOPLES' PRESS. This was a daily and weekly democratic paper of a peculiar stamp, established by Thomas Bartlett, Jr., March 12, 1836. The paper was edited with some smartness for something more than two years. We believe it was suspended in Novem- ber, 1838. On Feb. 6, 1835, an association of gentlemen having at heart the welfare of the artisans and agriculturists, established a weekly journal, under the style of the MECHANIC AND FARMER. This association was composed of John Brown and Co. They employed John S. Sayward as its editor. In his Introductory, the editor announced it to be his intention "to assist and cheer man- kind in the various duties of the workshop, the field and the do- mestic circle; to urge forward correct feelings and action among the practical working-men of the country." The Mechanic and Farmer was an interesting and useful journal, and was in exis- tence four years. Its last number was published Feb. 21, 1839. Its publishers were successively, Cobb and Merrill, Charles Cobb, Benj. A. Burr and Wm. E. P. Rogers. In June, 1835, John Carter commenced a monthly publication, the EASTERN MAGAZINE. This was edited by Mrs. M. P. Carter, (the wife of the publish- er), who was a poet, and a writer of much merit. She continued in the editorial chair, until failing health compelled her to leave it, in December, 1835, when she was succeeded by Charles Gilman. 136 THE NEWS PRESS OF MAINE. Mr. Gilman continued in it during the remainder of the year, af- ter which he edited it as the MAINE MONTHLY MAGAZINE. This periodical was published by John S. Carter. Both these publications were handsomely printed,. and obtained considerable reputation for their literary merit. The patronage extended to them was not sufficient to keep them in existence. In January, 1836, Mr. Carter established a pleasant weekly, 'THE BANGOREAN. This was edited by Mr. Gilman also. It was handsomely printed, and edited with ability. It was not, however, a political paper, and there being no powerful company behind to sustain it, its fortunes were united with those of the Mechanic and Farmer in October, 1836. In 1837 Rev. Thomas Curtis, a Baptist clergyman of much learning and ability, came to Bangor from England and conceived the project of putting before the public a literary and religious pa- per worthy of the support of an intelligent community. It wag understood, that Professor Leonard Woods (afterward President Woods of Bowdoin College) was to assist in the editorship. A respectable subscription was raised, and the result was the BANGOR JOURNAL. The first number was issued June 1, 1837. The paper was continued just one year. It was printed by Samuel S. Smith. It was edited by Mr. Curtis and his son. It was a handsome paper in quarto form, and contained eight pages of reading matter. Al- though the articles were well written, yet they were not to the popular taste, and the subscriptions were not renewed. As the Democrats were a live party in Penobscot, and pro- fessed to have some political light, they did not choose to have that light bid under a bushel long at a time, therefore when the Eastern Republican fell into what they conceived to be Conserv- ative darkness, many of them "pooled" in ten dollars apiece, and PENOBSCOT COUNTY. 137 on the fifteenth day of February, 1836, started on its long and eventful career, the BANGOR DEMOCRAT. William R. Smith, and, we believe for a time, William T. Johnson, were its publishers. It at length came under the edito- rial charge of Isaac C. Haynes, formerly of the Republican, who was its editor for many years. Although strongly partisan, yet Mr. Haynes' editorials were usually dignified, quite free of person- alities, and perhaps as temperate and little objectionable as parti- san editorials could well be. On Nov. 22, 1838, the publication of the ]Democrat passed into the hands of John Pray and William Thompson. Mr. Thompson, at length, became the sole publisher, and so continued during Mr. Haynes's connection with it, until August 3, 1857. Marcellus Emery, a graduate of Bowdoin College, a lawyer, and a gentleman of ability, succeeded Mr. Haynes as editor of the Democrat. He for a time published in connection with the Democrat a daily paper, the BANGOR DAILY UNION. This paper took strong ground against the Republican party, Pres. Lincoln, and the war for the suppression of' the rebellion; and it was thought by the enemies of the rebellion that the editorials were rank with treason, and almost every issue provoked denun- ciation and threats against the editor. Hon. Isaiah Stetson was then mayor, and so open and violent were these threats, at last, that his attention was called to the excitement, and lie was very anxious to prevent an outbreak. But no vigilance of his could provide against the cool determination of a comumnity that felt itself outraged by what they conceived to be attacks upon the principles which they had been educated to believe sacred, and stabs at the heart of their country. On the 12th of Aug., 1861, while Mr. Emery and his assistants were at their dinner, the mob quietly entered his office and shied his presses, paper, types, cases, and apparatus of all sorts, from his fourth story windows into the is 138 THE NEWS PRESS OF MAINE. street, and afterward piled them up in the marketplace and burned them; and, when he appeared to remonstrate against this, unexpected disposition of his property, the indignation against him was so great that it was with difficulty be was protected from violence. But Mr. Emery was not to be suppressed. After the lapse of nearly a year and a half, when the public irritation had to some extent subsided, he made an appeal to his democratic friends in: the State, and was enabled to resuscitate the Democrat in Jan., 1863. This paper is still in existence, under his charge, and is the democratic organ of Penobscot county. After the war was closed, Mr. Emery, counting either 'Upon the imperfect memory or forgiving disposition of the people, sought to recover the value of his destroyed property, by a suit, in Waldo county, against certain individuals for trespass. These individuals, however, determined that a jury of Waldo county should render no verdict without a full understanding of Mr. Emery, and of the disloyal utterances of his journal and of the great injury they were doing to the cause of the country at the time of its suppression. And, in a protracted trial, they produced such testimony to the jury, (a portion of whom were democrats), that they returned a verdict that Mr. Emery's paper was a "pub- lic nuisance," -but giving some damages against two of the de- fendants, Tabor and Hopkins, who had made themselves conspic- uous in the mob, though, unfortunately for Mr. Emery, they were poor men, and not able to respond, and were quite indifferent in regard to the result of the suit. They bad both been to the war and done something for their country, and, as Mr. Emery had the privilege of living in it without contributing anything voluntarily for its salvation, they were quite willing his involuntary contri- bution should stand. The other defendants in the suit were de- clared not guilty; but a new trial was granted, which has not yet been had. It is but justice to Mr. Emery to say, that on the night of the arrival of the news of Lee's surrender, after being informed of it, and prompted by some enthusiastic war people, he left his bed in 'PENOBSCOT COUNTY. 139 'haste, and taking his stand upon the balcony of his hotel, pro- claimed that he was a friend of the Union, and waved the stars and stripes in a manner indicating to the spectators in the streets, that be loved the flag. The Democrat has now the support or countenance of such prominent democrats as MO. General James H. Butler, Chairman of the State Democratic Committee, Ex-Surveyor-General Gorham L. Boynton, Abraham Sanborn, Wm. H. McCrillis, James F. Rawson, Amos M. Roberts, Hastings Strickland, Isaac W. Patten, Joseph Chase, James Tobin, and Abner Knowles, Esquires,; General Chas. W. Roberts, Drs. Geo. W. Ladd and C. A. Jordan, ("Faust "), Hon. George P. Sewall, Benjamin Swett, Joshua W. Clarr, Wm. T. Hilliard, John Varney, and Simpson Rollins, Esquires. In the year 1842, the anti-slavery men of Bangor, having the year before organized a branch of the party known as the Liberty Party, felt the necessity of an organ, and on April 30, 1842, sent forth the first number of the BANGOR GAZETTE. This was a weekly paper. Its publisher, John Burrill; editor, Jo] in E. Godfrey. It was continued for a year as a weekly; after this, its publisher thinking the encouragement sufficient to war- rant it, issued a daily sheet. The design of the proprietors was to put before the people facts in regard to American Slavery, and to impress upon them the idea that, as that was a political institution, it was by political appliances that it must be abolished. That constituted as they were, it was impossible for either the Whig or the Democratic party to take action against it and maintain its integrity; therefore, that the only practicable way of operating ao,ainst the institution, politically, was by voting squarely against it. The effect of the argument was soon felt, and both the great parties were driven to concede, by resolves and editorial utter- ances, that political action was necessary, but their organs insisted that the action must be through the two great parties.. As the ,people preferred to remain -with their old parties so long as there was the least hope of accomplishing anything through them, ac- 140 THE NEWS PRESS OF MAINE. cessions to the Liberty party were gradual. In a vote of the city, the largest ever obtained by the Liberty party was between three hundred and four hundred, in an entire vote of the citizens of be- tween two thousand and three thousand. But the anti-slavery sentiment was strengthened throughout the community to a very much greater extent than the vote of the Liberty party indi- cated. That vote, however, and the agitation it occasioned, and the information promulgated by its journals, accomplished the end sought for much earlier than its friends expected. The Gazette performed its share of the labor. It was continued several years. In about two years after its establishment, Mr. Burrill disposed of his interest, and was succeeded by George W. Light as publisher. Mr. Light was succeeded by Seward P. Moore. Mr. Godfrey, after a time,, relinquished the editorial chair, and was succeeded by Asa Walker. When the Free-Soil party came into existence, in which the Liberty party was merged, Mr. Walker changed the name of the Gazette to THE PLATFORM, Under which name it was published, by Francis Shepherd and Son, during the Free-Soil campaign in which Mr. Van Buren was can- didate of that party for the Presidency. The prominent supporters of' the Gazette during its existence, were Adams 11. Merrill, Charles A. Stackpole, Jones P. Veazie, George A. Thatcher, James Allen, Asa Davis, Nathan B. Wiggin, Albert G. Wakefield, Llewellyn J. Morse, Joseph C. White, Albert Titcomb, Elijah Low, Charles Plummet-, Joel Hills, Joseph E. Littlefield, John S. Kimball, Timothy Crosby, John S. Johnston, Theodore S. Brown, Henry B. Farnham, Henry Gale, Charles Godfrey, Alexander Drummond, Joseph Brown, and others. During Mr. Godfrey's connection with the Gazette, lie collected the principal anti-slavery articles of tbat paper, and Mr. Burrill published them in a monthly journal called THE EXPOSITOR. This paper was in a quarto form, was furnished at a low price, and had quite an extensive circulation. The articles were tem- PENOBSCOT COUNTY. 141 perate, judicious, and free from bitterness, and produced a good effect. The history of the Free-soil party is not forgotten. It was the offspring of the Liberty party, as the Republican party was the offspring of the Free-soil party, before which the once glorious Whig party vanished like chaff before the wind, and the great Dem- ocratic party fell prone to struggle for long years against a desti- ny which, in the days of Andrew Jackson, no one could have dreamed awaited it, to wit - annihilation. BANGOR POST. This was a racy paper, established sometime before the year 1850, by Thomas Bartlett, formerly of the People's Press, to amuse the community and support himself. It was a jolly, read- able paper, and "took" while it was taken; but, unfortunately for want of material aid, it was not taken long. Mr. Bartlett had a brother, a printer by trade, a witty and en- terprising person, a victim of the cacoethes scribendi, who started a paper in the year 1844, to amuse, edify and provoke the com- munity. It was not particular what it said or whom it placed blushing before the public gaze, provided its treasury derived ben- efit from it. It bore the name of BANGOR DAILY MERCURY. It was the mouthpiece of all the wags, all the croakers, all the grumblers, all the envious, and all the jolly and dissatisfied per- sons who chose to send it their contributions. It was much dreaded by timid persons, but sometimes it stirred up the risibili- ties of the people wonderfully. It started the Antiquarian bur- lesque, which kept the community in a state of merry fermenta- tion for weeks. Those who recollect the excursion of the Mercury's antiquarians down the Penobscot river, their marvel- lous adventures with AboIjacknegus, Porkunsis and the Baskahe- gan giant- whiskey,- will not recall them without being inclined to renew their eachinnation of those merry times. But it was at last with the Mercury as it is with all similar guerilla journals; after the people had been pretty generally lam- pooned, they lost their relish for that kind of amusement, and be- 142 THE NEWS PRESS OF MAINE. -gan to withhold their patronage. The consequence of this was that Mr. Bartlett relinquished the editorship, saying, in his valedic- tory, that he had put nothing into the concern, and he left its cap- ital unimpaired. In 1850, the establishment passed into the hands ,of several Whig gentlemen, who greatly enlarged it and placed it under the charge of Samuel P. Dinsmore and Charles P. Roberts, two young lawyers of more than ordinary editorial ability. It was conducted, in connection with a weekly issue, in the interests of the Whig party, until the year 1854, when it stopped. The es- tablishment went into the hands of W. E. Hilton and Co., and was converted into a Straigbt wbig paper, and called BANGOR DAILY JOURNAL. ( please see below page 283) Mr. Roberts was sole editor of this paper for a time. At length, Daniel Sanborn became associated with him, and continued asso- ciate editor until some time before its discontinuance, in August, 1857. These editors used very sharp-nibbed pens, and set the community in an effervescence about three prominent Maine Law advocates, whom they denominated, "Dow, Peck, and Weaver," that did not subside until - the " Co. " was smashed, and Weaver, at least, in regard to his temperance pretensions, put hors du com- bat. After the discontinuance of the Journal, Adams Treat and others purchased some part of the establishment and connected it ,with the Democrat in the form of the Bangor Daily Union here- tofore noticed. Charles P. Roberts was associated in the editor- ,ship during the first months of its existence; then, as his and Mr. Emery's views did not accord, he gave up his connection with it altogether. After the Free-Soil campaign, the anti-slavery element became co strong in the Democratic party, that it was deenied advisable by -certain gentlemen of the party to establish in Bangor a journal that would advocate the principles of Jeffersonian Democracy; ac- cordingly, in March - 1849, Joseph Bartlett and Benjamin A. Burr established a weekly paper bearing the title of THE JEFFERSONIAN. Mr. Bartlett bad special charge of the editorial department, and Mr. Burr of the printing. In his Salutatory, Mr. Bartlett an- PENOBSCOT COUNTY. 143 nounced that the Jefrersonian would "be the advocate of Demo- cratic principles, and would support the Democratic party as the exponent of these principles," and that the principles of Jefferson were the Democratic principles. During his whole editorial career, Mr. Bartlett undeviatingly pursued the course he had in the outset marked out for himself. He was influenced by neither threats, promises or bribes; and be was subjected to such of these, at times, as would have influenced men of less firmness. But they only served to make him more earnest, if possible, in the expres- sion of the views he had adopted. It is needless to say, that after the Republican party was organ- ized, the Jeffersonian recognized its principles as those of Jeffer- sonian Democracy, and ever after was their firm and consistent advocate. It supported Gen. Fremont, Abraham Lincoln, and Gen. Grant, for the Presidency; and, during twenty long years, Mr. Bartlett gave all the influence of his ready pen in favor of the right. Oftentimes in advance of his contemporaries he expressed opinions, afterward adopted, with a positiveness not always agree- able, though, we apprehend, no one ever doubted his sincerity. At length, however, lie had to succumb to a mightier than any political foe. Consumption took him in its relentless grasp, and in the year 1870 he laid down his editorial pen never to resume it. In a few months Mr. Burr transferred the subscription list of the Jeffersonian to Mr. Lynde of the Whig and Courier. While publishing the Jeffersonian, in the second year of the war of the Rebellion, Messrs. Bartlett and Burr commenced the publication of a daily paper, in connection with the weekly Jeffer- sonian, called JEFFERSONIAN DAILY EVENING NEWS." The first number was issued June 28,1862. Before much pro- gress was made with it, the publishers found themselves disap- pointed in regard to their office arrangements, and concluded not to proceed with the enterprise after August 2, 1862. Mr. William Thompson, who had been the publisher of the Democrat, having encouragement that a daily evening journal 144 THE NEWS PRESS OF MAINE. would be supported in Bangor, on the 19th of June, 1858, estab- lished the BANGOR DAILY EVENING TIMES. This was a paper, liberal and independent in politics, except during the war, of the prosecution of which to a successful termi- nation it was an ardent advocate. As it was established by its publisher for his own emolument, it was fortunate for him that his inclination prompted him to make it a war paper, for its pa- tronage during that period was very extensive, it being always in possession of the war news, for which everybody was eager, up to the hour of its publication. It was at first under the edi- torial charge of Charles P. Roberts; afterward of A. C. Brock, who was succeeded by William E. Stevens. It was a sprightly and agreeable journal, and was well sustained. Mr. Thompson, having become wearied with the labor of newspaper publication - not because of want of support -suspended the publication of the Times on Sept. 10, 1867, and limited his business to job-print- ing, simply, until his death, in 1871. At a period when spiritualism was producing considerable ex- citement, George W. Brown established in Bangor a journal with the title of THE SPIRIT GUARDIAN. This was not a long-lived paper, and we axe not aware that it exercised any influence for good or evil. S. F. Whetmore published before 1850 a small daily paper called the DAILY BEE. It was an adventure of Mr; W. and several journeyman print- ers, was intended to be conducted to take the popular breeze, but it was short-lived. The last journal, but one, established in Bangor up to the pres- ent time, of which we have any knowledge, is BURRIS FIFTY CENT MONTHLY. This is an eight-page quarto paper published monthly by Ben- jamin A. Burr. It is a tastefully printed sheet, and is fall of un- exceptionable and interesting, miscellaneous reading for the fami- PENOBSCOT COUNTY. 145 ly. The first number was issued in April, 1870, and we believe the patronage it receives will justify the publisher in keeping it in existence during his pleasure. There have been attempts to establish other newspapers in Bangor, but we believe we have given the names of all that have seen the light; certainly all that have shed any light, except the BANGOR DAILY COMMERCIAL. This paper was established by Marcellus Emery, Esq., editor of the Democrat. Although under Democratic management, Yet it keeps pretty clear of partizan politics, it being the design and desire of the conductors to make it a popular business paper, and tomakemoney. The paper is a smart,newsy journal;has a good subscription list, and is popular with many of its patrons. It will not be for want of talent in the editor if he is not successful in obtaining for it an extensive circulation. The business interest of the community appears to be the prime object of his solicitude. The first number of the Commercial was issued on the first of January, 1872. DEXTER. DEXTER GAZETTE. Its character, independent; editor and proprietor, R. 0. Rob- bins; size, 32 by 22; published every Friday; circulation, 600. The advertising columns are well patronized. The printing busi- ness was commenced in this place by J. F. Witberell in 1853. He published several periodicals of different names, one of which once had a weekly list of 1700 subscribers. It was of a literary char- acter. He sold his interest in August, 1869, to Gallison and Robbins, who carried on the publication of the Gazette and job business until October, 1871, when Mr. Robbins purchased the in- terest of the senior partner. ] OLDTOWN. OLDTOWN INDEX. This was the only paper ever published in this place. It was issued occasionally, in 1848-1849,-had probably no circulation 19 146 THE NEWS PRESS OF MAINE. outside of the town, It was managed principally by one Charles H. De Wolfe, an Englishman by birth, a man of peculiar notions in vegetarianism, free-love, etc. Owing to his peculiar views, he did not find it convenient to tarry here a great while, and he soon left the State. The next heard of him he was under arrest in Oregon, on a criminal charge for his unlawful manner of taking a wife. Being a man of some ability, he defended his own case. During the trial the Judge asked - "Mr. De Wolfe, do, you pro- pose to show that you have been married to this woman?" "We were, your Honor, married according to the universal laws of God and the dictates of our own conscience." "Do you love this woman well enough to take her for your wife?" "Most certainly I do." "Madam, do you love this man well enough to take him for your husband?" "Yes." "Then,byvirtueofauthorityvested in me, I pronounce you to be husband and wife, duly married ac- cording to the laws of Oregon. Go, and sin no more." Next heard of him was his death in California. - J.A.B. ********** p 283 CORRECTIONS, BANGOR, JULY 18,1872. MR. EDITOR, BANGOR, 1872. Dear Sir, - Since my notice of' the Bangor Press was furnished you, I have discovered some trifling errors. . On page 142, there is a mistake in regard to the disposition of the Bangor Daily Mercury. It was published for some time after the Journal was established by A. E. Hilton and Co., and was never connected with that paper. 284 THE PRESS OF MAINE. The Jonrnal was merged with the Democrat under the style of the Bangor Daily Union in 1857, which paper was continued for some time afterward, but stopped be- fore the Democrat was destroyed in 1861. Courtesy of the New England Old Newspaper Index Project of Maine (R) and the Androscoggin Historical Society ] PO Box 152 Danville, Maine 04223 ************************************************* * * * * NOTICE: Printing the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. * * * * The USGenWeb Project makes no claims or estimates of the validity of the information submitted and reminds you that each new piece of information must be researched and proved or disproved by weight of evidence. 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