HISTORY: Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, PA, Roland D. Swoope, 1911, Chapter 10 Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja and Sally Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/ NOTE: Use this web address to access other chapters: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/1picts/swoope/swoope.htm ________________________________________________ TWENTIETH CENTURY HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS BY ROLAND D. SWOOPE, JR. PUBLISHED BY RICHMOND-ARNOLD PUBLISHING CO. F. J. Richmond, President C. R. Arnold, Secretary and Treasurer CHICAGO, ILL. CHAPTER X THE PRESS HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY 174 A Sketch of Journalism in Clearfield County - The First County Paper - A Home- made Press - The "Banner" - Clearfield Republican - Clearfield Whig - Raftsman's Journal - Clearfield Citizen - The Times-Monitor - Evening Herald - Clearfield County Times - Curwensville Herald - County Review - The Mountaineer - DuBois Morning Courier - DuBois Espress - The Enterprise - DuBois Morning Journal - Houtzdale Citizen - Osceola Reveille - The Leader-Courier - Coalport Standard - The Hustler, and Other Newspapers. It has been said that "the press is the voice of the people," defending their causes, crying their needs and binding them together. So in tracing the development, both material and intellectual, of our county, we find no greater factor than the county press. During the first twenty-three years of our county's history, not one county paper was issued. As for other publications, they were often days old before they reached their destination in this part of the country. It can be understood, then, with what enthusiasm and interest the establishing of the first county paper was greeted, in the year 1827. Its founders were Christopher Kratzer and George S. Irvin, both residents of Philipsburg. Mr. Kratzer, a cabinet-maker by trade, built the press, while Mr. Irvin, who had some experience as a printer, furnished the type. The first issue of this paper was published at Clearfield about 1827, under the name of the "Pennsylvania Banner." It is said that the original "Banner" was not of attractive appearance, indeed being only a slight improvement over the first newspaper of the world, printed four hundred years before! The original partnership was of short duration, Mr. Kratzer selling his share to Mr. Irvin after a few years. This was the first of a long list of changes in ownership, title and political adherence, for the first county paper. In all it has had nineteen owners, five titles and has changed its politics four times. This pioneer paper is now in its 83rd year, and is published in Clearfield by John F. Short, under the name of the Clearfield "Republican," in spite of the fact that it is radically Democratic. The second county newspaper also made its first appearance in the county seat, about 1834. Ex-Governor Bigler edited this paper for about two years, but soon found that with his many other activities, it was not possible to continue this new undertaking. The "Democrat," therefore, was discontinued, after its very brief existence. Next came the "Clearfield Whig," AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 175 founded by John R. Edie, who was succeeded by Samuel H. Tyson and Samuel T. Williams. This paper, also, was of about two years duration, being discontinued in 1838. For the next twenty years the "Republican" enjoyed an unrivaled existence, then, in 1854, "The Raftsman's Journal" was founded by Hon. H. Bucher Swoope. This was at the time of the dissolution of the Whig party, and Mr. Swoope was a strong advocate of the new American party during the two years in which he so ably edited this paper. In 1856, S. B. Row took charge of the "Journal," and with the organization of the Republican party, the "Journal" became a Republican paper. Since then it has changed hands several times, but never its political complexion and to-day is a Republican paper of wide circulation, under the management of M. L. McQuown. The "Clearfield Citizen" was started in 1878 by John R. Bixler, a strong advocate of the Greenback party. Later Mr. Bixler saw fit to sever his connection with that party, and became just as ardent a Democrat. Still later the name of the paper was changed to the Clearfield Democrat." Soon after, Matthew Savage acquired its ownership, and renamed it "the Public Spirit." Under this name and management it has been continued, and is to-day one of the leading papers of the county, published both daily and weekly. About 1889, S. C. and J. P. Watts established a Prohibition paper at Clearfield, under the name of "The Monitor." In 1905 this paper was purchased by R. M. Butler, formerly the local editor of the Curwensville "Mountaineer." Subsequently, the "Karthaus Times," which had been started by Dr. Neveling a few years before, was consolidated with the "Monitor," and these papers are now known as the "Times-Monitor." In 1905 Mr. Butler started a daily paper called "The Evening Herald." Both papers are now published by S. V. Border and are independent in politics. In closing this list of papers published at the county seat some mention must be made of the "Multum in Parvo," a most eccentric little paper published by Dr. Sweeney about 1883. After a stormy, if brief career, during which time its editor was sued for libel, this paper ceased to appear. Previous to 1872 the county seat enjoyed the honor of publishing the only newspapers in this county. But during the summer of that year a stock company, the members of which were W. and Z. McNaul, E. A. Irvin, Samuel Arnold, A. H. Irvin, W. C. Arnold, Faust & Goodwin, John P. Irvin, John Patton, T. W. Fleming, N. E. Arnold, J. R. Jenkons, Edward Livingston, J. F. Irwin and L. B. V. Soper, was formed for the purpose of founding a weekly newspaper, in Curwensville. This paper was called the "Clearfield County Times," and was published by Tolbert J. Robison. Daniel Faust, W. C. Arnold, J. P. Irvin, John Patton, Jr., and Edward Livingston comprised the editorial committee. The "Times" proved a great success as a strong Republican paper during the Grant-Greeley campaign. The next year R. H. Brainard bought the "Times" and became its editor. He continued as such for the next nine years. Whitaker and Fee were the next publishers, and on account of political differences HISTORY OF CLEARFIELD COUNTY 176 edited a paper neutral as to party. After several changes in its ownership John P. Bard purchased the "Times" in 1885, and renamed it "The Curwensville Herald." It now became a successful Republican paper once more, but this success soon failed, for in a year's time the "Herald" passed into other hands and abruptly ceased to be published. Curwensville's second attempt at a paper was a musical publication, called "The Ancillia" established and edited by Professor C. C. McDonald, in 1881. A year later Professor McDonald changed the "Ancillia" to a sixteen page monthly, under the name of "The County Review." This paper was bought in 1884, by R. H. Brainard, who became its editor, and continued as such until the time of his death in 1905. The paper was then purchased by V. King Pifer, who published it several years, after which it ceased to exist. On April 28, 1903, a four page weekly newspaper under the title of "The Mountaineer" was established in Curwensville by Roland D. Swoope, Esq. And S. Arnold Helmbold. Five years later Mr. Helmbold sold his interest in this paper to Roland D. Swoope, Jr., who has since been its editor and publisher. Since its beginning the "Mountaineer" has been devoted to the cause of Republicanism, and is recognized as one of the foremost county papers in the state. "The DuBois Courier" first appeared in 1879, under the management of Butler and Horton. Three years later J. A. Johnston became its manager, enlarging and improving it so that it became one of the leading papers in the county. In 1884 E. W. Gray became a partner of Mr. Johnston, and two years after, the "Courier" was sold to R. L. Earle, who conducted it as a radical Republican paper. Later the paper was again acquired by E. S. and E. W. Gray, who have since published it as a Republican daily paper, under the name of "The DuBois Morning Courier." For several years a weekly edition of the "Courier" was published, but this has been discontinued. In 1883, H. C. Wilson, B. S. Hoag and Frank McMichael started an independent paper under the name of the "DuBois Express." Later the members of the company were J. P. Wilson, C. A. Read, H. C. Wilson and Frank McMichael. This firm was called the "Express Publishing Company." Still later, David Reams became the proprietor, but in a few years was succeeded by D. C. Whitehill, who remained its publisher until 1909. Next A. E. Hasbrook assumed its control, and it is now published as an evening paper, ranking high among the independent papers of the state. Though scarcely a newspaper "The Enterprise" published in DuBois about 1875 by P. S. Weber, is of interest in discussing the press of the county. This unique publication consisted mainly of advertisements, and was issued gratis. Needless to say, this experiment did not last long, and was abandoned after three or four issues. The year 1904 marked the birth of another daily paper in the Metropolis of Clearfield county. "The DuBois Morning Journal" made its first appearance at that time, under the supervision of W. J. and N. D. Hines. They are still its publishers, under the firm name of "The DuBois Printing and Publishing Company." The "Jour- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 177 nal" has also a Sunday edition. This paper owes its allegiance to the Republican party. In 1881 in the enterprising town of Houtzdale a weekly newspaper was started by the "Observer Publishing Company," under the name of the "Houtzdale Observer." After many changes in its management this paper was absorbed by the "Houtzdale Citizen," which is now owned and published by Hon. Harry Boulton and Ralph Richards. The "Citizen" is recognized as a loyal Republican weekly. In 1873 a newspaper was started in Osceola by George M. Brisbin and his two brothers. This paper was called the "Osceola Reveille," and was strictly independent regarding politics. After three years the Brisbin brothers retired, and the "Reveille" became "The Independent World," managed by O. E. McFadden. Less than a year later its name was changed to the "Campaign World," and then again to the original title - "Reveille," by J. B. McFadden, who was manager until 1880, when it was discontinued. In 1888 J. B. McFadden established the "Leader," and, purchasing the "Courier" three years later, he gave the paper the name of the "Leader-Courier,' which it still retains. Strictly neutral in politics this paper under Mr. McFadden's editorship has come to fill an indispensable place in the homes of the thrifty and industrious people of the Osceola section. Coalport was the fourth town to attempt a county publication. In 1885 G. P. Penneaker started a small paper, which he called "Coalport Siftings." This proved such a success that Mr. Pennebaker enlarged the paper, changed its name to the "Coalport Standard" and started to publish a first-class weekly. The present publisher of this independent Republican weekly is Ezra Westover, who issues a clean and newsy four-page sheet. Synonymous with the progressive town of Madera is its recently established weekly publication, known as "The Hustler." This paper was founded in 1909 by B. F. Rhinehart and promises to advance with the steady growth of that busy region. The "Hustler" is classed as a Republican paper. This completes our list of the newspapers of Clearfield county, of which there are now fourteen. Five of these are published daily, and the remainder weekly. Of the total number, seven are Republican, three Democratic and four Independent.