HISTORY: Warner Beers, 1886, Part 2, Chapter 10, Cumberland County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/ ______________________________________________________________________ History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania. Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc. Illustrated. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm ______________________________________________________________________ PART II. HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA. CHAPTER X. THE PRESS - OF CARLISLE - OF SHIPPENSBURG - OF MECHANICSBURG - OF NEWVILLE - OF MOUNT HOLLY. THE corner-stones of modern civilization are the family, the school, the church and the State. Each of these has its functions to perform and its mission to fill in the world's progress. In proportion as each one accomplishes its work successfully, will the succeeding organization be better supplied with competent agents and preparation to move forward to the accomplishment of its destined mission. If the preparation - the preparatory training - in each be made satisfactory, a race of men and women will ultimately be developed that will meet the demands of Holland's "Men for the Hour:" "God give us men! A time like this demands Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands; Men whom the lust of office does not kill; Men whom the spoils of office can not buy; Men who possess opinions and a will; Men who have honor - men who will not lie; Men who can stand before a demagogue And damn his treacherous flatteries without winking; Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog In public duty and in private thinking." The public press supplies the mental and moral pabulum for these four cardinal organizations. It is a sort of general text-book for this educational quartet - an omnium gatherum of this world's sayings and doings - a witches' kettle into which are thrown more heterogeneous elements than Shakespeare ever dreamed of - a sheet, not always let down from heaven, but containing all manner of beasts and birds and creeping things, clean and unclean. Such is the modern newspaper - the power greater than the throne. Formerly, the public speaker enlightened the people upon the great political and other questions of the day. Now he finds that the press has preceded him, and has found an audience in every household of the land. It is the source of information - the means of forming public sentiment. He can arouse enthusiasm, perhaps, and direct forces, but he can not enlighten as before. The press of Cumberland County has exerted an important influence in its development. Regret is to be expressed that more complete files have not been preserved of the various papers issued, for they afford, when perfect, the fullest local history of a people to be had. From Dr. Wing's excellent history, as well as from a variety of other sources, the following facts are gleaned: THE PRESS OF CARLISLE. The Carlisle Weekly Gazette, a small four-paged sheet issued in July, 1785, on blue paper, by Kline and Reynolds, was the first publication of the kind in the county, and probably the first west of the Susquehanna. It continued till 1815, and files of it, more or less perfect, are still preserved. Its subscription price was 15 shillings ($2) per annum, or 6 cents per single copy. It advocated the doctrines of the Federalists. The Carlisle Eagle, according to one account, began in October, 1799, and was published by John P. Thompson, deputy postmaster, until 1802, when he 189 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. was succeeded by Archibald Loudon, who continued in that capacity for about two years, George Phillips acting as editor. In 1804, Capt. Wm. Alexander, afterward an officer in the war of 1812, assumed editorial management under the ownership of Mrs. Ann C. Phillips, and continued the same till about 1823-24, when the paper passed into the hands of Gen. E. M. Biddle and Geo. W. Hitner who changed the name to Carlisle Herald and Expositor. George Fleming, George M. Phillips, son of George Phillips, and Robert M. Middleton were successively its editors. Middleton, who was an able newspaperman, was succeeded by Capt. E. Beatty, who edited the sheet from 1843 to 1857. After this period its name was changed again to Carlisle Herald, and it was edited successively by A. R. Rheem and James Dunbar. By process of time it passed into the hands of Weakley & Wallace; and subsequently was published by a regular organization known as the "Carlisle Herald Publishing Company." In March, 1881, a paper known as the Mirror was merged into it; and for a time the Herald was issued semi-weekly under the name of Herald and Mirror. The editors under the company have been J. Marion Weakley, Esq., O. Haddock, Alfred H. Adams, William E. Trickell, Esq., and John Hays, Esq., present editor. It has been rigidly consistent in its political principles, being first Federal, then Whig, and ever since Republican. The Cumberland Register was a small paper published by Archibald Loudon. The number dated June 22, 1814, is numbered No. 40, Vol. IX., showing that the paper must have been begun about 1804. The American Volunteer was started in 1814, during the progress of the war with Great Britain, by Wm. B. and James Underwood, brothers, by whom it was conducted conjointly till one of them died and the other conducted it until 1836, when George Sanderson bought it for about $300. By Sanderson it was carried on till 1845, when Messrs. Bratton & Boyer purchased it. Boyer after a time withdrew and established a new paper, called The American Democrat, rival, J. B. Bratton continuing the Volunteer. He edited it in connection with his duties as postmaster during the administrations of Pierce and Buchanan, and up to 1865, when he associated Wm. B. Kennedy with him in the enterprise. Kennedy continued it till 1871, when he sold back to Bratton, who conducted the paper alone from 1871 to 1877. At that time (April, 1877) Mr. Bratton sold it to Hon. S. M. Wherry, a farmer in Southampton Township, near Shippensburg, and an intelligent citizen, graduate of Princeton, who owned it twenty months and then sold it (December, 1878) to Jacob Zeamer, the present manager. The paper has been Democratic from its origin, and still maintains its position. In 1822, a paper known as the Carlisle Gazette was started by John McCartney. He continued it for three years when John Wightman seized the editorial quill, and ran it for a time. Its subsequent career is wrapped in mystery. About the same time, religious journalism was represented by a weekly known as The Religious Miscellany. It was published on the press of Fleming & Geddes, and was announced as "containing information relative to the Church of Christ, together with interesting literary and political notices of events, which occur in the world." After struggling "with its evil star" for several years, it peacefully departed for the "sweet by and by." In August, 1830, the Messenger of Useful Knowledge was issued from the same press, in pamphlet form, under the editorial control of Prof. Rogers, of Dickinson College. After one year's existence, it, too, quietly breathed its last and slept with its ancestors. 190 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. The Valley Sentinel (daily and weekly) was started April 22, 1861 in Shippensburg. The gathering clouds of the great civil war, the mustering squadrons, the response to the country's call to arms of the fathers and sons of the country were taking away from home so many of our people, that the citizens of this rich and beautiful valley felt that they must have a newspaper to bring them frequent and correct reports from the army of those who had gone away and left at home so many aching hearts. A meeting of prominent citizens was had, and a stock company organized, and twenty-eight subscribers to the stock secured $1,100 to purchase the material for the office. The material secured, William Kennedy, of Chambersburg, was placed in charge. The first issue was April 22, 1861, published weekly, Democratic in politics; and in this style was published until 1865, nearly 1,000 subscribers on its books. In 1865 Mr. Kennedy retired from the Sentinel, and in partnership with Mr. J. B. Bratton commenced the publication of the American Volunteer, in Carlisle, and the Valley Sentinel was put in charge of Joseph T. Rippey, a young man, a practical printer from Baltimore. Mr. Rippey, tired of the enterprise, left it November 3, 1866, closing the office and stopping the publication. November 26, 1866, a meeting of the stockholders tendered the editorial charge to R. J. Coffey, of Cleversburg, who was then teaching school in Sidetown. After a suspension of one month Mr. Coffey revived the publication December 5, 1866. Within the next year it was twice enlarged, the old Washington hand-press replaced by a Cotterell & Babcock power-press, and steam-power introduced, new type, and it became a thirty-two column paper and flourished greatly. Mr. Coffey had in the meantime become chief owner of the stock, so that on and after July 4, 1869, he became sole proprietor and editor. President Johnson appointed Mr. Coffey United States revenue assessor. In April, 1869, the greater portion of the Sentinel office was destroyed by fire, and again in 1870 it had another fire visitation, but, phoenix-like, it quickly arose from the ashes, each time with equal or greater facilities added. In 1871 Mr. Coffey sold the office and good-will of the Valley Sentinel to Mr. T. F. Singiser, of Mechanicsburg, for the sum of $4,372, reserving the collection of all outstanding dues to the office. At this time the circulation had reached 1,538 copies. Six months after the sale Mr. Coffey purchased back the paper, and published it until March 10, 1872, when the concern was forced into the bankrupt courts, and Mr. Coffey's connection with the paper ceased. By order of the United States Court it was sold in May, 1872, and George Bobb, A. H. Brinks, H. Manning and H. K. Peffer became the purchasers. Under the new management the publication was resumed May 30, 1872, Mr. Peffer in editorial charge. January 16, 1873, the firm became Peffer, Brinks & Co., Mr. Manning retiring. In January, 1873, the Sentinel proprietors purchased the entire material of the Democratic Safeguard, a defunct newspaper that had a brief and troubled career in Shippensburg. May 22, 1874, the office of the Valley Sentinel passed to the hands of the present owner, H. K. Peffer, and the office at once removed to its present home - Carlisle. Only missing one issue it appeared as an eight-page, forty-eight columns, and much improved every way. Sparkling, bright and newsy it then started upon a new career. Its prosperity was unexampled; in the spring of 1881 Rheem's Hall was purchased, and at once converted into a most commodious and elegant home for the newly arrived paper, where it now issues daily and weekly editions to its constituency of eager readers. 191 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. December 13, 1881, the proprietors made the bold venture of issuing a daily paper, commencing as a five-column folio. It was welcomed by many friends, but some feared it could not sustain itself. It has, though. Indeed, so popular and prosperous was the daily that it has not only sustained itself, but has been enlarged three times, the last improvement occurring August 17, 1886. It commenced a modest five column paper, and now it is a seven column, every inch of its space crowded with the latest news, vigorous editorials, choice literary and miscellaneous matter and paying advertisements. It must not be supposed that the foregoing list exhausts the products of the Carlisle press. In both the temporary and permanent form, publications have issued "thick as autumnal leaves in the valley of Vallambrosa." Some of the books issued were works of considerable merit. THE PRESS OF SHIPPENSBURG. For a brief period, during the early part of the present century, John McFarland, a politician of the Jacksonian school, published at Shippensburg a small paper, the name of which is not recalled. April 10, 1833, the Shippensburg Free Press made its appearance under the watchful care of Augustus Fromm. On the 19th of the ensuing September David D. Clark and James Culbertson commenced the publication of a rival paper called The Intelligencer. November 14, of the same year, the two papers were consolidated under the title of Free Press, Fromm having sold his establishment to his rivals. After a brief existence the Free Press was permitted to die for the want of "the sinews of war." In May, 1837, the first number of the Shippensburg Herald was launched by John F. Weishampel, and its existence guaranteed for about two years. After Weishampel's exit from the editorial tripod, Henry Claridge revived the Herald for a few weeks, and then allowed it "to sleep the sleep that knows no waking." On the 1st of April, 1840, the Cumberland and Franklin Gazette, under the supervision of William M. Baxter, did obeisance to a patronizing public, and continued on the stage for more than a year, and then took an affectionate but final farewell. Toward the close of 1841 The Cumberland Valley, directed by William A. Kinsloe, made its bid for public favor. On the 2d of November, 1842, its ownership was transferred by sale to Robert Koontz and John McCurdy. After about six months Mr. Koontz became sole owner. This relation continued for a short time, when Mr. Kinsloe secured the paper a second time. By him it was permitted to "depart in peace." The Weekly News was born April 26, 1844, under the parentage of John L. Baker, by whom it was sold, in a few years, to Jacob Bomberger. In 1851 D. K. Wagner formed a partnership with Mr. Bomberger, and in 1856 sold out his interest. Mr. Bomberger sold his interest to Edward W. Curriden, who published it till 1863, when he disposed of it to Daniel W. Thrush, Esq. In 1867 it passed into the hands of D. K. and J. G. Wagner, its present owners. In 1845 - 46 Messrs. Cooper & Dechert established a Democratic paper called The Valley Spirit, which they removed, in a year or two, to Chambersburg. It is now the Democratic organ of Franklin County. The Shippensburg Chronicle was established on the 4th of February, 1875, by B. K. Goodyear and Samuel R. Murray; and was conducted by them until January, 1879, when Mr. D. A. Orr, now of the Chambersburg Valley Spirit became editor and proprietor. It remained in his possession until August 15, 1879, when Messrs. Sanderson & Bro. Became proprietors. These 192 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. gentlemen conducted it until May 9, 1882, when it passed into the hands of Wolfe & McClelland, the former assuming editorial charge. Prof. Wolfe had been a teacher for several years, and resigned his position in the Cumberland Valley State Normal School to take full charge of the Chronicle. It is ably managed and circulates among a good thrifty class of people. Valley Sentinel. - [See account of this newspaper under "Press of Carlisle."] THE PRESS OF MECHANICSBURG. The first newspaper published in Mechanicsburg was called The Microcosm. It began in 1835 under the foster-care of Dr. Jacob Weaver, but yielded up its small-world spirit in a short time. The School Visitor, published a short time afterward by A. F. Cox, soon shared a similar fate. In due course of time (1843 or 1844) The Independent Press appeared under the direction of Mr. Sprigman. Its spirit was independent but its body was dependent on bread and butter, and hence its early decease. In 1853 or 1854 the Mechanicsburg Gleaner was founded by John B. Flynn. It was issued with considerable regularity till 1856, when it was sold to Samuel Fernall, who, in turn, disposed of it, in 1858, to W. E. McLaughlin. He changed the name of the paper to Weekly Gazette. After a time he sold his interest to David J. Carmany, foreman of the office, who made some marked improvements, and changed the title to The Cumberland Valley Journal. He conducted it in the interest of the g. o. p. till January, 1871, when, owing to ill health, he sold the establishment to Joseph Ritner, grandson of the old governor of like name. In March, 1868, a paper was started by a joint-stock company, and called The Valley Democrat. Capt. T. F. Singiser was chosen editor and publisher. In December, 1870, the Democrat was purchased by R. H. Thomas and E. C. Gardner, the latter having a third interest and acting as local editor. By them the name was changed to The Valley Independent. In September, 1872, Mr. Thomas purchased the Cumberland Valley Journal and consolidated it with his paper, naming the product The Independent Journal, by which title it is still known, and under which it advocates non-partisan, independent sentiments. In 1873 Mr. Thomas purchased of Mr. Gardner his interest in the newspaper business, and then sold an interest to Maj. H. C. Deming, of Harrisburg. In January, 1874, Messrs. Thomas and Deming established The Farmer's Friend and Grange Advocate, a paper devoted to the interests of the Patrons of Husbandry in the Middle States. It soon secured a large circulation, and is now the oldest grange paper in the United States. In 1878 Mr. Deming sold his interest to Mr. Thomas, who continued to be its editor and publisher. The Saturday Journal was established in October, 1878, by R. H. Thomas, Jr. It began and has continued as a Republican paper during political campaigns, but ordinarily is a newsy society paper. Journalism in Mechanicsburg has suffered many reverses, newspaper men having suffered the following losses, as shown by the books: Mr. Flynn, $3,000; Messrs. Fernall and McLaughlin, $2,000; Mr. Singiser, $5,000; Mr. Carmany, $4,500; Mr. Ritner, $3,500; R. H. Thomas, before securing a good foothold $8,000. About 1873, a paper called The Republican was started, but six months' terrestrial existence satisfied its desire for life. In June, 1877, J. J. Miller and J. N. Young, started the Semi-Weekly Ledger, a Republican journal. After the first year A. J. Houck was received as a partner, vice Young retired. The paper was changed to a weekly, but finally disappeared from the scene of earthly conflict. 193 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. Portrait of J. A. Moore 194 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. Blank Page 195 HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. Other ephemeral publications have issued from Mechanicsburg, but their names being legion, can not be recalled. At present the entire field is held by R. H. Thomas, proprietor of a mammoth publishing house, which has been developed by pluck and perseverance. THE PRESS OF NEWVILLE. The first effort to establish a newspaper in Newville, was made by a Mr. Baxter in 1843, by the transfer of The Central Engine from Newburg. The experiment proving unsuccessful, the enterprise continued but a few months. The next effort was made in 1858, when J. M. Miller began, in company with John C. Wagner, the publication of The Star of the Valley, a non-partisan weekly, which January 1, 1885, J. C. Fosnot bought, his son, George B. McC., conducting same for one year, when Mr. Fosnot united it with the Enterprise, under name of Star and Enterprise, the double paper achieving a rare success. In December, 1874, the Fosnot Bros. Brought from Oakville, where it had been established in May, 1871, a paper known as The Enterprise, commenced by J. C. Fosnot, which was amalgamated with The Star of the Valley. About 1858, The Weekly Native was started by J. J. Herron; but its failure to secure a proper patronage gave it a permanent leave of absence from the field journalism. In May, 1882, John W. Strohm began the publication of the Plainfield Times, at Plainfield, this county, which, in November, 1885, he removed to Newville, and called The Newville Times, having a large circulation. In August 1883, Mr. Strohm started a matrimonial paper, called Cupid's Corner, which has proved a profitable venture. THE PRESS OF MOUNT HOLLY. Mount Holly has a paper known as the Mountain Echo, R. M. Earley, editor, publisher and proprietor.