Local History: Chapter VI & VII: THE MEDICAL PROFESSION - THE PRESS: Bell's History of Northumberland Co PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Tony Rebuck Tar2@psu.edu USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file 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. Transcribed from Bell's History of Northumberland County Pennsylvania CHAPTER VI. Pages 261 - 296 THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. LIST OF SUNBURY PHYSICIANS, BY DR. R. H. AWL - AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES Of PHYSICIANS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY - MEDICAL SOCIETIES - ROSTER OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. THE following is a list of Sunbury physicians, furnished by Dr. R. H. Awl and arranged as nearly as possible in the order in which they began to practice in this community: William Plunket, Francis Allison, James Davidson, Solomon Markley, Joseph Thomson, Peter Kraut, William Westhoven, John Philip Jacob Becker, C. K. Bailey, Isaac Cushman, George Slough, John Y. Kennedy, Peter Gram, William T. Morris, John B. Price, William A. Robins, Joseph Robins, Edmund O'Neill, Bonham R. Gearhart, James Teas, Doctor Robinson, M. A. Rodrigue, John W. Peale, Doctor Johnson, David T. Trites, Landis Price, Robert K. Awl, Jacob B. Masser, D. W. Shindel, George B. Weiser, Charles Weise; Doctor Hughes, Doctor Dodge, Doctor Arthur, Doctor Sechler, Doctor Cameron, Hiram Long, John G. Markle, Joseph Eyster, John S. Angle, John Updegraff, John F. Caslow, A. C. Wheat, H. M. Essick, William P. Smith, F. L. Haupt, A. C. Clark, H. H. Malick, A. K. Savidge, W. W. Moody, Charles M. Martin, G. W. Furey, F. B. Masser, Albert S. Cummings, P. H. Renn, D. E. Lenker, F. B. Richtstine, F. E. Drumheller, Elijah Orser, and Doctor Walters. Much of the information embodied in the following sketches of Sunbury physicians has also been obtained, directly or indirectly, through Doctor Awl. William Plunket, the first resident doctor of Northumberland county,* was a native of Ireland. In personal appearance he is described as a man of large stature, great muscular development, and powerful strength, while an imperious disposition was among his distinguishing mental traits. This is attested by several occurrences in his career which yet retain a place in the traditions of this locality. On one occasion, with several boon companions, he was engaged in some hilarious proceedings at an Irish inn; the adjoining room was occupied by an English nobleman, who had a curious and valuable watch, which he sent to Plunket with a wager that he could not tell the time by it; that gentleman coolly put it in his pocket, and sent a ________________________________________________________________________ *This statement is, perhaps, susceptible of some modification, as Doctors John Morgan, John Bond, and Thomas Wiggins were successively stationed at Fort Augusta as surgeons to the garrison. Plunket was an officer in the Augusta regiment and probably arrived at Shamokin as early as Doctor Morgan; although it does not appear that he was employed in a professional capacity. END OF PAGE 261 message to the Englishman to the effect that he should call upon him in person if he wished to know the time. This he never did, evidently out of respect to Plunket's well known physical prowess, and the latter, it is said, retained the watch to the end of his life. At a later date he became involved in an assault upon an English officer, in which the latter sustained severe bodily injuries; although disguised, Plunket was recognized by his stature, and, in imminent danger of arrest, was smuggled on board a vessel in a barrel or hogshead. Thus he came to America, and located at Carlisle, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, then the western limit of civilization. There he resided during the French and Indian war, in which he served as lieutenant and surgeon, receiving for his services a grant of several hundred acres on the West Branch of the Susquehanna, to which he gave the name of "Soldier's Retreat;" it was situated along the river above Chillisquaque creek; he was residing thereon as early as 1772, as evidenced by the fact that his improvements are mentioned in the return of a road in that year. He was commissioned a justice for Northumberland county on the 24th of March, 1772, and officiated as presiding justice throughout the colonial period. In January, 1775, he was a representative from Northumberland county in the Provincial Convention at Philadelphia, and in December of that year he led an expedition to Wyoming. During the struggle for American independence he remained neutral (through fear of forfeiting his title to Irish estates, it is said), and does not thereafter appear in the public affairs of the county. While a resident of Carlisle Doctor Plunket married Esther, daughter of John Harris, of Harris's Ferry, father of John Harris, the founder of Harrisburg. They were the parents of four daughters, of whom Elizabeth, born in 1755, married Samuel Maclay, associate judge of Northumberland county and United States Senator; Isabella, born in 1760, married William Bell, of Elizabethtown, New Jersey; Margaret, who became the wife of Isaac Richardson, removed to Wayne county, New York; and Esther, who married Colonel Robert Baxter, a British officer, died about a year after marriage. The Doctor resided for some years in the Maclay house at Sunbury, where, after the death of his wife, Betty Wiley was his housekeeper. His office, subsequently occupied by E. Greenough and David Rockefeller, occupied the site of E. W. Greenough's residence on Front street, Sunbury. He became totally blind in the later years of his life, when a rope was stretched from his residence to his office so that he could still go back and forth without aid. As shown by his will, which is dated, January 3, 1791, and proved, May 25, 1791, he died in the spring of that year, and is buried in an unmarked grave in the Sunbury cemetery. Dr. R. H. Awl is in possession of one of his medical works, "Synopsis Medicinae or a Summary View of the whole Practice of Physick," by John Allen, M. D., F. R. S., printed at London in 1749. Solomon Markley was born at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he obtained a limited literary education and read medicine with Doctor Luther. His END OF PAGE 262 further professional studies were pursued at Philadelphia, and his practice was begun at Sunbury, where he resided at the brick house on Front street now occupied by Miss Kate Black; as early as 1795 he started a drug store in the hallway of this building. In 1801 he was appointed county commissioner to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Abraham McKinney; he was elected to this office in 1802, and served three years. He remained at Sunbury until his death, January 1, 1813, in the forty-third year of his age, and is buried in the old Northumberland cemetery. Doctor Markley married Margaret Hinderliter, of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and they were the parents of six children. John Philip Jacob Becker was born at Bornich, (Rheinfels), Germany. By the financial assistance of his oldest brother he was enabled to obtain a thorough medical education, and after completing his professional preparation he entered the German army as field surgeon under General Munchausen, from whom he received an honorable discharge at the expiration of seven years and six months' continuous service. Subsequently he sailed for America, landing at Brooklyn, New York, in 1783. He practiced at Allentown, Lehigh county, and Kutztown, Berks county, Pennsylvania, until May, 1807, when he removed to Upper Augusta township, Northumberland county, and located on the farm now (1890) occupied by Alfred Beckley, two miles east of Sunbury. Here he resumed the practice of his profession, and is remembered as a successful physician, widely known and well liked. He died on the 30th of April, 1813, at the age of sixty-four years, and was buried with Masonic honors in the old Sunbury cemetery. He married Elizabeth Dimmick of the vicinity of Philadelphia in 1795 and they were the parents of eight children, three sons and five daughters; two of the latter still survive: Mrs. Harriet Martin, one of the oldest residents of Sunbury, and Miss Louisa Becker, of Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania. C. H. Bailey was a Virginian by birth, highly educated and considered a first-class physician. He located at Sunbury early in his professional career, but the length of his stay is not known. Thence he removed successively to Troy, Lincoln county, Missouri, and Smithland, Kentucky, after which he entered the United States Army as surgeon, and was stationed at Pensacola, Florida, in 1852; nothing is known regarding his personal history after that date. John Kennedy was born at Northumberland, Pennsylvania, and practiced at Sunbury until 1823, when he removed to Shelbyville, Shelby county, Indiana, where he resided the remainder of his life. William Thomas Morris practiced at Sunbury many years. He had previously served as surgeon in the United States Navy, and was a physician of experience and ability. Doctor Morris was born at Frederick, Maryland, January 8, 1783, and died at that place in December, 1834. He married Mary, daughter of Thomas and Deborah Grant, of Sunbury; she died END OF PAGE 263 on the 2d of April, 1842, leaving two children: Ann C., who was born at Sunbury, January 14, 1810, married Albert G. Bradford, of Elmira, New York, and died at Philadelphia, September 24, 1886; and Dr. Thomas G., who was born on the 11th of January, 1818, practiced medicine at Liverpool, Perry county, Pennsylvania, many years, and died at that place, March 28, 1887. As Doctor Morris's marriage occurred at Sunbury on the 27th of November, 1807, it is evident that his practice began at that place early in the present century. John Beatty Price was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, in 1801, and died in 1843. He was educated at Princeton College, read medicine with Doctor Johnston at Whitehouse, New Jersey, and began practice at Pepack, a small village in his native county, having attended a course of lectures at the University of Pennsylvania and obtained a diploma from the New Jersey board of medical examiners. In 1824 he removed to Sunbury, where he was in active practice until his death. Doctor Price married Rebecca, daughter of Reuben Guild, who was murdered near Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, and was the father of five children, one of whom is Nathan Leander Price, M. D., of Port Carbon, Pennsylvania. William Robins was born at Sunbury in 1804, eldest son of Aaron and Rebecca (Richardson) Robins, and received an academic education at Northumberland under Robert Cooper Grier. At the age of eighteen years he began the study of medicine with Dr. John Kennedy, and subsequently attended the University of Pennsylvania. He began practice at Sunbury shortly after attaining his majority, and continued in successful practice at that place eighteen years. The remainder of his life was passed at Minersville, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, where he died in December, 1863. Doctor Robins was three times married, and was the father of seven children. Bonham R. Gearhart was born in Rush township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, March 18, 1811, son of George and Achsah (Runyan) Gearhart. He was educated at an academy at Danville, read medicine with Dr. Harmon Gearhart, of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 1834, and began practice at Sunbury immediately thereafter, remaining two years. After this he was successively located at several points in Montour and Columbia counties, and was at Turbutville, Northumberland county, from 1839 to 1844, when he removed to Danville; there he was a leading physician until his death, May 9, 1855. His widow and six sons survive him and reside at Danville. David Tranor Trites was born in Ridley township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1812. In his early manhood he taught school at Sunbury, where he began the study of medicine with Dr. J. W. Peale in 1839, graduating from Jefferson Medical College in 1842. He returned to Sunbury and began the practice of his profession, but remained only a few years. Subsequently he was located at Georgetown, Northumberland county, END OF PAGE 264 Pennsylvania, Chesapeake City, Cecil county, Maryland, Surrey county, Virginia, Philadelphia, and Manayunk, Pennsylvania, dying at the latter place in 1887. Two children survived him, one of whom was the late W. B. Trites, M. D., of Manayunk. Robert Harris Awl was born in Augusta township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, December 27, 1819, son of Samuel and Mary (Maclay) Awl. He was educated at the common schools, read medicine with Dr. J. W. Peale, graduated from Pennsylvania Medical College in 1842, and immediately entered upon the practice of his profession. He was located at Gratztown and Halifax, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, until 1845, when he removed to Columbus, Ohio; there he was soon afterward appointed assistant physician to the State lunatic asylum and retained that position three years, resigning on account of ill health. He located at Sunbury in 1849, and continued in the steady enjoyment of a lucrative practice until his retirement from the active duties of the profession. Between 1855 and 1888 inclusive he was for fourteen years the regular physician to the Northumberland county prison. Jacob B. Masser was born at Sunbury, July 17, 1820, son of Henry Masser. He obtained his literary education under private tuition, graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 1841, and at once began practice at Sunbury, where he was one of its most prominent and worthy physicians until his death, September 10, 1870. George B. Weiser was born at Sunbury in 1820, a son of Judge George Weiser and a descendant of Conrad Weiser, the famous Indian agent and interpreter. He read medicine with Dr. William H. Magill, of Danville, and graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 1842 with high honors. He practiced at Spring Mills, Georgetown, Selinsgrove, Sunbury, and Millersburg, Pennsylvania, successively, and died at Millersburg on the 7th of October, 1887. Several doctors are mentioned in Fithian's journal of 1775. At Warrior run was "Doctor Sprigg, a gentleman in the practice who is settling in this neighborhood," and at Northumberland he met Doctors Kearsley and Francis Allison. The latter was subsequently surgeon to the Twelfth Pennsylvania regiment. Benjamin F. Young was one of the first physicians at Northumberland after the Revolution. He resided there as early as 1794, and died on the 23d of March, 1808, in the thirty-fourth year of his age. "In life universally beloved - in death universally lamented. The suavity of his temper, the urbanity of his manners, the perfection of his professional skill, and the liberality of his professional assistance have insured to him (what few can aspire to) the lasting regret of all who knew him." - Kennedy's Gazette. Dr. William Kent Lathey probably succeeded Young, or may have been contemporaneous with him. He died on the 28th of July, 1809, and is bur- END OF PAGE 265 ied in the old Presbyterian cemetery; the inscription on his tombstone states that he was born at Exeter, England, January 29, 1772. Samuel Jackson and M. Aristide Rodrigue were among the leading physicians at a later date. Doctor Jackson built the brick house at the north-west corner of Market square now owned by Henry L. Cake; he afterward removed to Philadelphia, where he became prominent in the profession. Doctor Rodrigue resided in a brick house on North Way between Queen and Market; on the 4th of February, 1835, he married Ann Caroline, daughter of Hugh Bellas, and afterward located for a time at Sunbury. Joseph Priestley was born in Point township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, September 22, 1819; he was a great-grandson of the Rev. Joseph Priestley, the eminent philosopher and theologian. After receiving suitable preparatory education under the Rev. David Kirkpatrick at Milton, he read medicine with Dr. James Dougal of that place and entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, graduating from that institution in March, 1844. He immediately located at Northumberland, where he continued in active practice until his death, March 10, 1883. He served as president of the county medical society, and was a member of the State and national medical associations. In politics he was an ardent Republican from the organization of that party until his death. In the community where his professional work of nearly forty years was done he was universally respected and beloved. James Teas was a son of Samuel Teas, a prominent resident of Milton. He married Jane, daughter of Ellis Walton, the second prothonotary of Lycoming county; she was a niece of Justice Charles Huston, of the Supreme court of Pennsylvania. Doctor Teas was in active practice at Northumberland at the time of his death. William S. Bright was born at Sunbury in 1812, son of Jacob Bright, and read medicine with Doctor Rush, of Philadelphia, graduating from Jefferson Medical College in 1842. He began the practice of medicine at Northumberland, where he remained until 1849; he was then successively located at Philadelphia, at Jackson, Mississippi, at New Orleans, and at Galveston, Texas, where he died, August 2, 1890. James Faulkner, the first resident physician at Milton, was from New Jersey. He began his practice at Milton in 1794, and, it is said, afterward removed to Erie, Pennsylvania. James Dougal, the first physician who located permanently at Milton, was born at Londonderry, Ireland, June 4, 1769. He first came to America to look after the landed interests of his father in Pennsylvania, but his ship was wrecked on the coast of New Jersey, and after spending some time as tutor in a private family, he returned to Ireland. His literary and professional education was obtained at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland; he began the practice of medicine at Coxtown, Ireland, but became prominent in the patriotic END OF PAGE 266 uprising of 1798 under Robert Emmet, the leader of the United Irishmen, and again came to America, locating at Milton, where he built the substantial stone residence at the corner of Front and Mahoning streets in 1803. His practice extended over a large part of the territory now embraced in Northumberland, Montour, Columbia, Lycoming, Union, and Clinton counties. He died on the 18th of July, 1818, from injuries sustained by a fall from his horse. James S. Dougal was born at Coxtown, Ireland, October 7, 1794, son of James Dougal. He was educated at the schools of Milton and under the private tuition of the Rev. Thomas Hood, read medicine with his father, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1817. He at once located at Milton, where he succeeded to the extensive practice of his father, and continued in the active discharge of professional duties until his death, May 23, 1878. Two sons, James S. and Charles H., also became doctors; the former died at Milton, February 20, 1847, and the latter is now a leading physician of that borough. William McCleery was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, July 31, 1803. He was educated at Washington College, Washington, Pennsylvania, and at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, graduating from the latter in 1827. His preceptor was Dr. James S. Dougal, of Milton, with whom he was associated several years after graduation. He continued in active and successful practice until his retirement in 1857, and died on the 4th of December, 1867. His son, Dr. J. P. McCleery, is one of the leading physicians of Milton. John Meekly was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, March 16, 1807. He received the degree of M. D. from the University of Pennsylvania, and about the year 1835 located at Milton, where he was in continuous practice until his death, April 3, 1871. David Waldron was born in Turbut township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1820. He ranked high in his profession and enjoyed a large practice, although somewhat erratic. He was a Democrat in politics, and served as sheriff from 1860 to 1863. He resided at Milton from the commencement of his practice until within a few years of his death, and died in Turbut township, April 22, 1885. U. Q. Davis was born at Limestoneville, Montour county, Pennsylvania, July 16, 1821, read medicine with Doctor Ludwig of that place, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1848. His practice was begun at Lewisburg, Union county, Pennsylvania, whence, in 1856, he removed to Milton, where he resided until his death, October 5, 1887. During the civil war he served as surgeon to the One Hundred and Forty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers. His son, Sidney Davis, has succeeded to the practice of his father. Tobias Piper was born near Philadelphia and located in Lewis township in 1820. He resided at Turbutville and upon a farm in the vicinity until END OF PAGE 267 1856, when he located at McEwensville, and continued the practice of his profession until his retirement in 1867. His death occurred on the 20th of February, 1873. Joseph C. Robins, the first physician to locate permanently at Elysburg, was born at Sunbury, Pennsylvania, June 1, 1806. He attended the common schools of his native town and the academy at Northumberland, then in charge of Robert C. Grier, read medicine with his brother, Dr. William Robins, of Sunbury, and completed his professional studies at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1828 he began the practice of medicine at Sunbury, whence he removed to Elysburg in the following year, and was actively engaged in professional work at that place forty-two years. His practice extended over the entire eastern part of Northumberland county and into the adjoining portions of Montour, Columbia, and Schuylkill. Three of his sons became physicians: Galen S., who practiced at Elysburg one year and at Shamokin four years, dying in 1856 at the age of twenty-six; Edwin S., who read medicine with his father, graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 1854, and has been in continuous practice at Shamokin longer than any other of its present physicians; and Lorenzo D., who began practice with his father at Elysburg, served as surgeon during the civil war, returned to Elysburg at its close, and resided there until his death in 1875. The senior Doctor Robins is still living at an advanced age, and is the last survivor of the profession in Northumberland county at the time his practice began. Robert Phillips was the first doctor at Shamokin. He resided "at the Gap" about the time the town was laid out, but was employed in a business rather than a professional capacity. Nothing has been learned regarding his personal history. John K. Robins, the first resident physician at Shamokin after that place had assumed the proportions of a village, was born at Sunbury, Pennsylvania, April 14, 1820. At the age of twenty years he began the study of medicine, graduating from Jefferson Medical College in 1842, and in April of the same year began his professional career at Shamokin; there he remained nearly four years, removing to Catawissa, Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in January, 1846. There he has since resided, and is one of the oldest physicians of his adopted county. Galen S. Robins was born on the 4th of October, 1830, son of Dr. Joseph C. Robins. He read medicine with his father, attended the Pennsylvania College of Medicine and graduated from that institution, practiced at Elysburg one year, and located at Shamokin in 1852. Here he was in active and successful practice until his death, October 9, 1856. Dr. J. J. John was associated with him in practice for a time, and afterward Dr. E. S. Robins, his brother, who is now the senior member of the profession at Shamokin. END OF PAGE 268 MEDICAL SOCIETIES Pursuant to a call, a number of the physicians of Northumberland county met in Sunbury, July 10, 1869, for the purpose of forming a medical association. A temporary organization was effected by the election of Dr. Joseph Priestley, of Northumberland, president, and Dr. John S. Angle, of Sunbury, secretary. After the object of the meeting had been fully stated and discussed, Dr. D. W. Shindel, of Sunbury, moved the appointment of a committee for the purpose of drafting a constitution and by-laws, which resolution was unanimously adopted. The committee was constituted as follows: Dr. D. W. Shindel, chairman; Dr. J. B. Newbaker, of Trevorton; Dr. J. P. McCleery, of Milton; Doctor McCay, of Northumberland; Doctors Robins and Weaver, of Shamokin; Doctor Hunter, of Watsontown; Dr. W. W. Robins, of Hickory Corners; Doctors Haupt and Angle, of Sunbury; and on motion Doctor Priestley was added to this number. The committee was requested to meet at Sunbury on the first Monday in August, and to appoint a time for the next meeting of the association. After an interchange of professional views and experiences, formal and informal, the meeting adjourned. How long this association existed has not been ascertained. The Northumberland County Medical Society was organized at Northumberland, April 18, 1876, with Joseph Priestley, president; U. Q. Davis and Jacob Rhoads, vice-presidents; J. J. Leiser, recording secretary; E. H. Horner, corresponding secretary; F. L. Haupt, treasurer, and a board of censors composed of Doctors Robins, Newbaker, Priestley, Miles, and Life. The society sustained an intermittent existence of about five years. It was reorganized at Milton, July 12,1886, with A. S. Cummings, president; J. Hunter Miles, secretary; Hiram Long and E. H. Horner, vice-presidents; F. L. Haupt, J. W. Sheets, and G. W. Furey, censors, but again disbanded after some two years of active existence. The Sunbury Medical Association was organized, October 18, 1888, with Hiram Long, president, P. H. Renn, secretary, and A. C. Clark, treasurer. Doctors at Sunbury and Northumberland are included in its membership. The Northumberland County Medical Society was organized at the court house in Sunbury on the 2d of December, 1890, with the following officers: President, C. W. Weaver, of Shamokin; vice-president, Charles M. Martin, of Sunbury; recording secretary, G. W. Furey, of Sunbury; corresponding secretary, J. M. Maurer, of Shamokin; treasurer, E. H. Horner, of Turbutville; censors: Hiram Long, of Sunbury, F. L. Haupt, of Sunbury, and R. A. Kennedy, of Shamokin, elected for one, two, and three years, respectively. ROSTER OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. The following is a list of physicians who registered in the office of the prothonotary of Northumberland county in compliance with the law from END OF PAGE 269 June, 1881, to February, 1891 (the names are given in the order of registration: George W. Furey, William P. Smith, Joseph Eyster, John H. Harley, Alfred C. Clark, Elijah F. Orser, Jacob Ritter, Frederick L. Haupt, John F. McClure, Henry Life, Joseph Priestley, Edwin S. Robins, Charles W. Weaver, Robert A. Kennedy, Hiram Long, Frank B. Masser, Frank A. Clark, Oscar M. Robins, William W. Moody, Samuel G. Mengle, Henry M. Emerick, Charles M. Martin, Philip H. Renn, Rufus Thayer, Jacob S. Hollenback, Albert S. Cummings, Frank B. Richtstine, Albert D. Thomas, William B. Stoner, Walter Van Fleet, Richard L. Wright, Marcus H. Harpel, George W. Winterstein, Shepherd L. Van Valzah, Robert H. Awl, Ralph W. Montelius, Edmund W. Samuel, William J. Haas, Daniel W. Shindel, John F. Bigler, Howard M. Essick, John W. Bealor, David S. Hollenback, John B. Newbaker, Joseph Hunter, Benjamin L. Kerchner, Nathaniel C. Purdy, Abraham T. Dewitt, Charles Schneider, Reuben H. Muth, Henry M. Raker, John H. Heinsling, Uriah Q. Davis, Joseph Haas, George Treon, Nathaniel C. Giddings, John A. Elliott, Charles H. Dougal, James P. McCleery, James A. Osborn, John Walsh, Sanderson Lazarus, Thomas J. Ritter, J. Hunter Miles, Hiram H. Malick, Horace W. Burg, Thomas R. Hull, David F. Engle, William T. Williams, Richard R. Breisch, Andrew Tenbrook, Edward H. Horner, Edwin M. Emerick, Samuel F. Gilbert, William G. Marsh, Jacob Rhoads, James A. Hoffman, John S. Follmer, Horatio T. Seasholtz, David G. Schive, Isaac Huff, Henry B. Woodside, James F. Adams, Rufus Thayer, Frederick D. Raker, Jeremiah K. Bowers, John W. Fritz, Daniel H. Dornsife, Joel Whary, Irvin Seitz, Henry P. Lorman, William H. Follmer, Nelson M. Smith, David J. Reese, Daniel McDonnell, John R. Duffield, Joseph E. Robins, Frank W. Johnson, Albert Russell, Annis H. Crawford, Lewis Wolverton, B. P. Backus, Samuel L. Schreiber, Henry J. Smith, William M. Robins, James L. Lowrie, Michael B. Garman, John W. Sheets, Monroe D. Lehr, Evan J. Longshore, Joel G. Ressler, Charles H. Lane, Wiadyslauw Dangielawicz, Fuller S. Derr, Kimber C. McWilliams, Sherman E. Ayars, Jacob S. Krebs, Jacob K. Bricker, James M. Peebles, Robert G. Van Valzah, Peter N. K. Schwenk, Simon Hubler, Joseph L. Bauer, William J. McDowell, Peter S. Wykoff, David T. Krebs, Philip R. Palm, Frederick M. Strouse, William Darman, Edwin Heiser, Oscar L. Muffly, Francis E. Drumheller, Joseph B. Morris, Tobias Campbell, E. H. S. Hutchinson, Hugh G. Turley, George W. Dreher, Lewis W. Hensyl, Robert H. Blakslee, Mary A. McCay, Benjamin F. Bartho, Henry R. Hummel, James M. Maurer, Samuel A. Gibson, Robert A. Simpson, Abraham K. Ackerman, William H. Purman, George W. McNamara, Joseph G. Church, Charles M. Blakeslee, Augustus A. Bancroft, Marks P. Hine, William S. Ruch, George W. Harpel, John S. Mengel, Charles D. Shumway, Calvin L. Johnstonbaugh, Sidney Davis, Tolbert W. Blakeslee, Martin L. Emrick, Wilson S. Groninger, Alfred G. Shissler, David D. Davis, Will- END OF PAGE 270 Page 271 contains a portrait of R. H. Awl Page 272 is blank. iam H. Lewis, Henry S. George, David H. Coover, John N. Lenker, John J. Keller, Emanuel A. Alleman, William D. Karterman, J. C. Reifsnyder. In this chapter biographical mention has been appropriately made of those physicians only whom death, retirement, or other circumstance has removed from the active duties of the profession. Sketches of many of the present doctors of the county appear in the biographical department of this work. CHAPTER VII. THE PRESS. JOURNALISM AT NORTHUMBERLAND - SUNBURY PAPERS - THE PRESS OF MILTON - SHAMOKIN NEWSPAPERS - JOURNALS OF MT. CARMEL, McEWENSVILLE AND LOCUST GAP PAPERS. THE newspapers of Philadelphia were the first to circulate in central Pennsylvania; and, although a score of years elapsed after the organization of Northumberland county before a paper was published within its limits, this first journalistic effort was one of the earliest in the interior of the State. Nearly a century has since passed away, and during this period the public press has been an important agency in the social, political, and material development of the county. JOURNALISM AT NORTHUMBERLAND. The Sunbury and Northumberland Gazette, the pioneer newspaper of Northumberland county, was established in 1792 by Andrew Kennedy. The earliest issue examined by the writer is that of Wednesday, October 9, 1793, (Volume II, No. 71). This number is a three-column folio, eighteen inches long and eleven inches wide; the contents consist principally of foreign news, including advices from London, Brussels, Turin, Florence, and Metz, and intelligence from New England and the South. Editorials and local matter are confined to a column, the only item of special interest being an account of a "fiery ball" which appeared in the heavens to the west of Northumberland on the night of September 22, 1792. The publisher of the Gazette in 1801 was John Schusler; at that date it was a four-column paper, several inches longer and wider than in 1793, and was printed "at the moderate price of two dollars per annum." Andrew Kennedy resumed control of the establishment on the 20th of June, 1801, and about that time the title became "Kennedy's Sunbury and Northumberland Gazette." The publishers in 1805 were Andrew and James Kennedy; James was the nephew of Andrew, END OF PAGE 273 but the length of time they continued in partnership is not known. In 1813 the paper, of which the full title was "The Sunbury and Northumberland Gazette and Republican Advertise," was published by Andrew Kennedy and G. Sweney, as evidenced by the issue of Tuesday, February 9,1813 (Volume XXI, No. 30), a folio seventeen and one half inches long and eleven inches wide. The office of publication in 1793 is described as "opposite Messrs. Hepburn & Cowden's store, Northumberland-Town;" in the issue of June 26, 1802, it is given for the first time as "Franklin's Head, Queen street," but whether this implies a change in the location can not be definitely ascertained. Local tradition asserts that Kennedy resided at a frame house still standing on Duke street near its intersection with Front in the borough of Northumberland, and that the Gazette was conducted at the corner of Front and Queen in the building now occupied by Wenck's pharmacy. A notice in the issue of April 30, 1794, requesting delinquent subscribers to make payment, states that the second year of the Gazette would close on the 28th of May, 1794, from which it is evident that the paper was established, May 28, 1792. The date of its final discontinuance can not be so satisfactorily determined. Kennedy was an ardent Federalist, and was obliged to suspend temporarily during the war of 1812; but he was engaged in the printing business at Northumberland as late as 1816, when Simon Cameron was indentured to him as an apprentice. The original article is in the possession of John B. Packer, of Sunbury, and reads as follows:- This indenture witnesseth that Simon Cameron, the son of Charles Cameron, deceased, of Pennsylvania, (by and with the advice and consent of his guardian, John Cameron, testified by his signing as a witness hereto,) hath bound and put himself, and by these presents doth bind and put himself, apprentice to Andrew Kennedy, printer, of the town of Northumberland, after the manner of an apprentice, to dwell with and serve the Bald Andrew Kennedy, his executors, administrators, and assigns, from the day of the date hereof, for and during and until the full end and term of three years and ten months thence next ensuing, and fully to be complete and ended; during all which term the said apprentice his said master faithfully shall serve, and that honestly and obediently in all things, as a dutiful apprentice ought to do: and the said Andrew Kennedy, his executors, administrators, or assigns, shall teach, or cause to be taught and instructed, the said apprentice in the art, trade, and mystery of a printer; and shall find and provide for the said apprentice sufficient meat, drink, washing, and lodging during the said term; and at the expiration of every year shall and will give his said apprentice twenty dollars to provide said apprentice with clothing. SIMON CAMERON, Seal. COLIN CAMERON, Seal. ANDREW KENNEDY, Seal. Bound before me, one of the Justices for the county of Northumberland. May 14, 1816. JNO. LEIGHOU. END OF PAGE 274 Republican Argus was the title of the second paper at Northumberland. It was founded by John Binns, who was born at Dublin, Ireland, December 22, 1772, and, after experiencing confinement in the Tower of London, came to America to escape further undesirable consequences of his connection with political disturbances. In his autobiography (pp. 176-177) he gives the following interesting account of the inception of the Argus:- On the 4th of July, 1802, a number of the inhabitants of Northumberland agreed to dine together in the large room over the market house. At the request of a committee of that company I agreed to deliver, and did deliver, an oration. That was the first time I addressed a public meeting in the United States. The room was crowded, and I had the gratification to hear the discourse favorably spoken of by many whose good opinion was valued and valuable. The only newspaper at that time published in the county of Northumberland was called the Northumberland Gazette; of that paper Mr. Andrew Kennedy was the proprietor and publisher. At his request I wrote occasional articles for it. Political parties were then and long after known as Republicans and Federalists. The politics of the Gazette were those of the Federal party, of which party there were many bitter partisans in the towns of Sunbury and Northumberland and throughout the county. He (Mr. Kennedy) called on me, and said that if I would occasionally write for his paper my contributions should be published without any alteration. I did as he requested; and on this same 4th of July, 1802, a long and what I thought an appropriate address for the birthday of Independence was written by me and published in the Gazette. In the next week's Gazette were published some angry animadversions on my article, to which, in the next Gazette, I made answer. This controversy continued for some weeks, when the editor of the Gazette told me that what I had written had given offense to his political friends, and that he could not publish any more of my writings on politics. I thought this unfair and unjust, and soon after issued proposals to print in Northumberland a weekly paper under the title of the Republican Argus with the motto, "Equal and exact justice to all men of whatever sect or persuasion, religious or political." The proposals were circulated and the establishment of the paper advocated by the most influential Republicans in the county. The subscription and general patronage extended to the Argus were beyond my expectation. I soon got types and printing material, and issued the first number of the paper early in 1803.* In a short time I acquired the confidence of the Republican party, not only of Northumberland, but of the neighboring counties. Binns also states in his autobiography that the paper upon which the Argus was printed was obtained at Beaver Dam, Pennsylvania, and in ordering his supplies he was obliged to make a journey of sixty miles. In 1807 he removed to Philadelphia, and on the 27th of March in that year established The Democratic Press, for many years the leading organ of its party in the city and State. The word "Democratic" as applied to a political party first appeared in the title of this paper, and it has been claimed with some plausibility that one of the great political organizations of the nation received its name in this manner. In 1822 Binns was appointed an alderman of Philadelphia by Governor Hiester, and was the incumbent of this position some years. He wrote a book popularly known as "Binn's Justice," widely used ________________________________________________________________________ *This date is not strictly accurate, as the first issue of the Argus appeared on the 15th of December, 1802. This part of Binns's autobiography was evidently based entirety upon his recollection, which was doubtless correct as to the general current of events. END OF PAGE 275 by justices of the peace throughout the State at one time, and was perhaps as well known as the author of this work as from his connection with journalism. He died in Philadelphia at an advanced age. Matthew Huston became proprietor of the Argus in 1807 and published it until his death, August 10, 1809. The paper was continued after that date by his son, Andrew C. Huston, and when it was finally discontinued is not known; but, as Republican Advertiser appears as part of the caption of the Gazette, it is highly probable that the Republican Argus was ultimately merged into Kennedy's paper, although such a conclusion is only matter of inference. The issue of Wednesday, April 24, 1811, the latest copy examined by the writer, is a four-column folio, seventeen inches long and eleven inches wide, and bears intrinsic evidence of having been "printed and published by Andrew C. Huston at the book and stationery store in Queen street opposite Mr. Taggart's inn." Andrew C. Huston was born in Woolwich township, Gloucester county, New Jersey, March 27, 1787, and died at Northumberland on the 10th of January, 1876, one of the oldest printers in Pennsylvania at the time of his death. The Columbia Gazette was published by George Sweney, a former partner of Andrew Kennedy, and supported the national administration in the war of 1812. The first number was issued on the 2d of November, 1813, but the length of time it continued is not known. The Religious Museum, edited by Rev. Robert F. N. Smith, of Northumberland, and devoted to general missionary and religious intelligence, was published in 1818. The writer has examined the issue of August 5,1818 (Volume I, No. 4), a three-column folio ten by thirteen inches in dimensions; the only contents of local interest is a notice of the Susquehanna Bible Society. The Northumberland Union was published by Alexander Hughes about five years, beginning, it is supposed, in 1832. It was a Democratic organ. The proprietor married Miss M. E. Burkenbine, daughter of Frederick Burkenbine, of Northumberland, October 22, 1833. Public Press, a seven-column folio, was established in 1872 by C. W. Gutelius and W. E. Taylor; the latter subsequently retired, and Mr. Gutelius has since conducted the paper individually. SUNBURY PAPERS. Der Freiheitsvogel was the first newspaper published at Sunbury. From a comparison of the best evidence it is believed that it was established in 1800 and continued several years. Jacob D. Breyvogel was proprietor, editor, and publisher; nothing is known regarding his personal history beyond the fact that he married Miss Susanna, daughter of Colonel Christopher Baldy, of Buffalo valley (Union county), Pennsylvania, on Sunday, September 27, 1801. The ceremony was performed by William Irwin, justice of the peace. In the END OF PAGE 276 notice of this occurrence in Kennedy's Gazette, Breyvogel is referred to as the "printer at Sunbury." As indicated by the title, Der Freiheitsvogel was a German paper. The Times was established in 1812 by William F. Buyers, and was the second paper at Sunbury. Mr. Buyers was born at that town, January 12, 1782, son of John Buyers, a prominent merchant and early resident of the county seat. He learned the printing business with Breyvogel; in Kennedy's Gazette of October 26, 1801, the statement is made that "William Buyers has now established a printing office at Williamsport," from which it is evident that he entered upon his career as a newspaper publisher immediately after completing his apprenticeship. This was the Williamsport Gazette, the pioneer journal of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania; he published it, under many difficulties and often irregularly, until 1808. Returning to Sunbury, which had been without a local paper since the suspension of Der Freiheitsvogel, he began the publication of the Times in the summer of 1812. The statement has been made that he retired at the expiration of three years. but this seems improbable, as the paper was certainly published by him in 1816 and 1817. He commanded a company in the Seventy-seventh regiment of Pennsylvania militia in the war of 1812; on the 13th of December, 1815, he married Miss Martha, daughter of Alexander Hunter, of Sunbury; in 1815-18 he served as commissioner of Northumberland county; and on the 27th of June, 1821, he died at the age of thirty-nine. In 1816 he was a Federal Republican candidate for Congress, but was defeated. The issue of the Times for September 26, 1816 (Volume V, No. 13), is a four-column folio, eighteen inches long and eleven inches wide; the congressional election occurred in the following month, and this number is correspondingly replete with political articles. It is probable that Captain Buyers published the Times throughout its continuance under that name. His printing office was in the second story of the "state house," which occupied the site of the present court house, and at a small frame building on the west side of Second street at the corner of Barberry alley, where the Neff House stable now stands. Publick Inquirer was the caption of a paper started in January, 1820, by Samuel J. Packer. He acquired his knowledge of the "art preservative" at Bellefonte, whence he came to Sunbury and purchased the plant of the Times, of which the Inquirer was virtually a continuation. It was established with the immediate object of advocating the re- election of Governor Findlay, and the issue of October 5, 1820 (Volume I, No. 39), a four-column folio perhaps twenty inches in length and the only one that has been examined by the writer, is devoted almost entirely to reports from various parts of the State regarding the progress and prospects of the campaign. Among the apprentices in the office was William F. Packer, a kinsman of the proprietor, then in his thirteenth year and subsequently member of the board of canal END OF PAGE 277 commissioners and of both branches of the legislature, auditor general, and Governor of Pennsylvania, 1858-6l. During Mr. Packer's ownership the Inquirer was published at a two-story frame building which formerly stood at the southeast corner of Chestnut street and Center alley. It is supposed that it was subsequently published by Jacob W. Seitzinger, a Mr. Vanderslice, and Francis P. Schwartz, all of whom are known to have been connected with newspapers at Sunbury. Seitzinger was a man of much native ability but little education; he subsequently removed to Schuylkill county and became wealthy through fortunate investments in coal lands. Vanderslice was a member of the family of that name which was prominent at Sunbury at the beginning of this century. Schwartz had been employed in one of the departments at Washington when a young man; in the war of 1812 he served as ensign in Captain Jacob Hummel's company from Northumberland county; he taught school at Sunbury and in the vicinity, and served as town clerk at an early date in the history of the borough. He was the father of John J. W. Schwartz. of the Shamokin Herald, ex-treasurer of Northumberland county. Of Samuel J. Packer, the founder of the Inquirer, extended mention is made in this work in the chapter on the Bench and Bar. The Gazetteer was the third and last paper in the line of direct succession from the Times. The earliest number examined by the writer is the issue of March 24, 1825 (Volume I, No. 21), a five-column folio. It contains a notice from Peter Martz, dated February 24, 1825, stating that he had "sold the establishment of the Gazetteer to James B. Shannon;" it is quits evident, therefore, that the paper was established by Martz. He was a mill-wright by occupation, but attained some prominence in local political affairs as member of Assembly and associate judge. It is thought that William Shannon also published the Gazetteer; he kept a hotel in the old jail building at the southeast corner of Market street and Center alley, and the Gazetteer was printed in a large room on the second floor in the rear end of this building. His son, James R. Shannon, was the publisher in 1832, and the issue of Saturday, February 25th of that year (Volume II, No. 28, New Series), is the latest that has been examined by the writer. This number is a five- column folio, twenty-one inches long and fourteen inches wide, printed on quite heavy paper. The only matter of local interest it contains is an account of a celebration at Sunbury on the 22d of February, 1832, in honor of the centennial anniversary of the birth of Washington. The day was ushered in with the firing of guns and ringing of bells, and, after a parade, the Sunbury Grays and many leading citizens sat down to a sumptuous repast at one of the leading hotels. Peter Lazarus was chosen chairman and H. B. Masser, secretary; thirteen regular and many volunteer toasts were responded to. The town was illuminated in the evening and a large concourse of people moved in procession through the streets, preceded by a splendid transparency of Washington. As a whole it was not, the paper END OF PAGE 278 states, surpassed by any similar demonstration since the celebration of the peace in 1815. It is not probable that the publication of the Gazetteer was continued more than a year after this date. William Shannon was sheriff of Northumberland county, 1818-21, and James B. Shannon, 1821-24. Der Northumberland Republikaner was issued for the first time on the 12th of August, 1812, and was the third paper at Sunbury. It was founded by John G. Youngman, and, as indicated by the name, was a German paper. Mr. Youngman was born near Hummelstown, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, January 6, 1788, and was descended from a Moravian family that emigrated from Lusatia, Prussia, to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in 1740. His father, Jacob Youngman, was a blacksmith and farmer, and his grandfather, Rev. John George Youngman, who died at Bethlehem in 1808 at the age of eighty-eight, was a Moravian missionary to the Indians. At the age of eight years he was adopted by his uncle, Gottlieb Youngman, a soldier of the Revolution, who established the first German paper in Berks county, Pennsylvania, "The impartial Reading Newspaper," on the 18th of February, 1789, continued its publication until 1816, and died at Louisville, Kentucky, June 10, 1833, at the age of seventy-six. Under his tuition he acquired a thorough knowledge of the printing business. In 1802 he left his uncle on account of some misunderstanding, walked to Somerset county, and was employed at his trade by a Mr. Ogle. Four years later he secured employment on the Hornet at Frederick, Maryland; in 1807 he was connected with the Times, one of the first daily papers of Baltimore, and from that city be went to Hagerstown, Maryland, where he secured a situation under John Gruber, the well known almanac publisher. In 1812 he returned to Reading, procured the necessary materials from his uncle, and forthwith established the Amerikaner at Sunbury. The files of this paper are still extant for 1815-18, beginning with the issue of August 11th of the former year and ending with January of the latter. It is a three-column folio, fourteen inches long and nine inches wide, and creditable in typography and composition. In 1818 the name was changed to Nordwestliche Post, which espoused the cause of Findlay in the gubernatorial contest of 1820, thereby alienating the large body of the German population among whom it circulated, who were almost a unit in support of Hiester. In consequence of this disaffection among his subscribers Mr. Youngman suspended the publication of the paper (subsequent to July, 1827, however), and for several years devoted his attention to the printing of books and pamphlets. Shamokin Canalboot was the caption of Mr. Youngman's next venture. A great popular agitation in favor of internal improvements was in progress throughout the State, and it was with the idea of promoting local enterprises of this nature that the paper was established and supported. The only copy examined by the writer is the issue of Saturday, March 5, 1831 (No. 162); this is a folio fifteen and one half inches long and eleven inches wide, embel- END OF PAGE 279 lished with the representation of a canal boat on the head-line of the first page. The paper was published under this name until 1833. The workingmen's Advocate, a four-column folio eleven by sixteen inches in dimensions, was first issued by John G. Youngman on Monday, April 29, 1833; it was the first English paper published by him, and was the immediate chronological successor of the Canalboot. In his salutatory the editor stated that his paper would be Democratic in politics, reserving to himself, however, the right of differing from party conventions as to what platforms or candidates were really Democratic should occasion require. The Advocate was continued with success and profit until 1838, and the popularity of the editor is shown by the fact that several rival papers at Sunbury and Northumberland suspended during that period. The Sunbury Gazette was established in 1838. The earliest issue examined by the writer is that of Saturday, January 7, 1843 (Volume V - No. 240), which is a five-column folio twenty-one and one half by thirteen inches; the full title at that time was "The Sunbury Gazette and Miners' Register." The publishers were John G. Youngman & Son. The senior member of this firm was actively connected with the press of Sunbury almost continuously from the time he established the Amerikaner in 1812 until his retirement from the Gazette in 1867, a period of fifty-five years. He was also prominent in the public affairs of the county, and was the incumbent of several important public offices. In 1814 he served as county treasurer, and in 1818-21 as county commissioner; on the 5th of February, 1839, he was commissioned as register and recorder, and in the autumn of that year he was elected to those offices, to which he was thus the last person appointed and the first person elected in this county. He took great delight in type- setting, and worked at this in the composing room of the Gazette until within a few months of his death, which occurred on the 13th of September, 1871. The Gazette was published by John G. Youngman & Son from its inception in 1838 until 1867. George B. Youngman was the junior member of this firm from 1838 until 1855. He learned the printing trade with his father, and it was principally through his influence that the Gazette was started. In 1850-51 he served as treasurer of Northumberland county. After his retirement from the paper he engaged in fruit and grape culture on a farm several miles east of Sunbury, and continued this business successfully until his death, April 9, 1880, at the age of sixty-six years. He was succeeded as junior member of the firm in 1855 by his brother, Andrew A. Youngman, upon whom much of the responsibility in connection with the paper devolved until the retirement of his father in 1868. The style of the firm then became A. A. & John Youngman, by whom the paper was continued until the 11th of April, 1879, when it was consolidated with the American under the name of the Gazette-American. A year later the publication of the Gazette individually was resumed by A. A. & John Youngman and END OF PAGE 280 continued until March 16, 1883, when it was issued for the last time after forty-five years continuous publication. The last number gives a review of the political policy of the paper, in which it is stated that the Gazette was one of the four Democratic organs in Pennsylvania "that came out boldly in favor of the national administration as against the rebel cause" in 1861, and although it was constrained "to protest against certain tendencies and methods in the management of the Republican party" on several occasions, it could not be said "that the Gazette ever went back on the principles of that great political organization." Andrew A. Youngman still resides at Sunbury, at the former residence of his father on the southwest corner of Third and Arch streets. John Youngman, who was editor of the Gazette from 1855 until its final suspension, now fills a similar position upon the staff of the Bellefonte (Pennsylvania) Watchman. The Amerikaner was originally established at a small frame building on the north side of Market street at the present site of Rippel's photograph gallery. When the elder Youngman purchased the property at Third and Arch he removed the printing office to a frame structure adjoining his residence and fronting Arch street. The next location was a wooden building at the site of the Dewart block, corner of Market and Third, occupied in 1847-50, when the office was removed to the north side of Market street nearly opposite the City Hotel; the Gazette was published there at the time of its suspension in 1883, but had occupied several different places in the meantime. the principal of which was the second story of the Geyer block, northeast corner of Market square, to which it was removed in 1868. Susquehanna Emporium was the caption of a paper established at Sunbury by Ezra Grossman, a native of New Berlin, Pennsylvania, who married Eleanor M., daughter of Samuel Awl and sister to Dr. R. H. Awl, of Sunbury. He published the paper about a year and a half and then disposed of it to Hamlet A. Kerr; the only copy examined by the writer is the issue of Monday, August 10, 1829 (New Series, Volume I, No. 10 - Whole No. 88), a five column folio about as large as its contemporary, the Gazetteer. If published without interruption, it is evident that the paper first appeared in December, 1827. It was first published at a small frame building which occupied the site of P. P. Smith's store on the south side of Market street between Front and Second; after his marriage Grossman resided at a house that stood upon the present site of Dr. R. H. Awl's, and printed his paper in an adjoining building at the quarters subsequently occupied by the Youngmans. He was afterward engaged in the publishing business at New York on an extensive scale. Mr. Kerr continued the Emporium a few years, and afterward established a paper at Milton. Der General Staats Zeitung was originally established at Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania. The discontinuance of the Canalboot in 1833 left Sunbury without a German newspaper, and the favorable opening thus presented was END OF PAGE 281 embraced by the proprietors of the Zeitung; the materials of their establishment arrived at Sunbury on the 17th of February, 1835, and the office was opened on Market street next door to the Jackson Inn. On the 13th of April following Bartholomew Hauck retired from the Zeitung, which thus became the property of his former partner, Henry Zuppinger. The paper supported Van Buren for President and Muhlenberg for Governor, but it is not known how long it was continued. The Sunbury American was established by Henry B. Masser in 1840, and has now been continuously published longer than any other paper at Sunbury. Its inception was, however, the outgrowth of unexpected political developments rather than the result of deliberate purpose. At that time Northumberland county was overwhelmingly Democratic, and a nomination by the dominant party was virtually equivalent to an election; it was in the nominating convention, therefore, that the principal battles of the local campaign were fought. In 1838 and 1839 Charles W. Hegins was elected to the legislature from this county, but when he appeared for re-nomination in 1840 the candidate from the northern part of the county, Jesse C. Horton, defeated him; the methods employed by Horton's supporters were regarded as irregular, by the friends of Hegins, who thereupon withdrew in a body and organized another convention, which placed Hegins in nomination. The Democratic papers in the county at that time were the Sunbury Gazette and Milton Ledger; the latter naturally supported Horton, but when the Gazette also recognized him as the regular Democratic candidate it was a great surprise to the friends of Hegins, whose cause was thus left without an organ. In this emergency Henry B. Masser, Charles G. Donnel, and others resolved upon the establishment of a new paper; the execution of the project was intrusted to Mr. Masser, and within ten days after the convention the first number of the American was printed at Sunbury, September 12, 1840. Its publication was begun without a subscription list, but large editions were distributed gratuitously, notwithstanding which Horton was elected by a small popular majority. Although the immediate purpose of its inception was thus defeated, the American early became one of the most influential journals in central Pennsylvania. In politics it was Democratic, although its support was not infrequently given to the opposition candidates, and under Mr. Masser's editorship it was particularly active in its advocacy of a protective tariff and the internal development of the State. Early in Buchanan's administration it became identified with the "free soil" movement in the Democratic party; its support was transferred to President Lincoln shortly after his election in 1860, and from that time it has been a stanch Republican paper. The American was published by Masser & Eisely from September, 1840, until April, 1848, when Joseph Eisely, who had had charge of the mechanical department but no proprietary interest, retired. Henry B. Masser then con- END OF PAGE 282 ducted the paper individually until September 19, 1864, when Emanuel Wilvert secured an interest. N. S. Engle became a member of the firm on the 1st of April, 1866, but his interest was acquired on the 1st of January, 1869, by Mr. Wilvert, who became sole proprietor on the 28th of April in the same year by the retirement of Mr. Masser. Wilvert continued the publication individually until April 11, 1879, when the Gazette and American were merged into the Gazette-American, in which the former proprietors of both were jointly interested. One year later this connection was dissolved, and the American reappeared on the 9th of April, 1880, with Emanuel Wilvert & Son as publishers. Austin Wilvert, the junior member, retired several months later, after which Emanuel Wilvert was individual proprietor until August 15, 1887. Hudson Withington and Thomas J. Silvius next published the paper under the firm name of Withington & Silvius; the former withdrew on the 5th of December, 1889, and the present (1890) editor and publisher is Thomas J. Silvius. The American was originally a six-column folio twenty-two inches long and sixteen inches wide; it is now an eight-column folio. Der Deutsche Amerikaner was published from 1843 to 1864, and was identical in ownership and management with the Sunbury American, of which it was virtually the German edition. It was a five-column folio, fourteen by twenty-one inches, and circulated extensively in the southern part of the county. The Daily American was established by Emanuel Wilvert on the 30th of November, 1877, and continued thirteen months. It was a five-column folio, seventeen inches long and eleven inches wide, and appeared as an evening paper. Der Deutsche Demokrat was first issued on the 1st of January, 1856, by Cyrus O. Bachman. In 1861 it became an adjunct of the Northumberland County Democrat, and was discontinued several years later. The Northumberland County Democrat was established in 1861. The first movement in this direction was made in 1859, when a coterie of local party leaders, prominent among whom were Dr. R. H. Awl, William H. Kase, Dr. David Waldron (then sheriff of the county), Colonel Wright, and others, jointly raised a fund for the purpose of enlarging the plant of the Milton Democrat and removing it to Sunbury; although the idea was never consummated under these auspices, Doctor Awl subsequently purchased the materials of the Democrat at sheriff's sale, removed them to Sunbury, and permitted Cyrus O. Bachman to use the press, type, etc. in the publication of his German paper gratis, thereby materially strengthening that journal. Theretofore both the Gazette and American had been Democratic, but both adopted the principles of the Republican party after the election of Lincoln in 1860, thus leaving the Deutsche Demokrat the only organ of its party in this county. It soon became apparent that an English paper was necessary END OF PAGE 283 for the support of party interests, and, upon the representations of prominent Democratic leaders, Truman H. Purdy, formerly editor of the Argus at Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, agreed to take charge of the journal it was proposed to establish, if preliminary support to the extent of eight-hundred subscribers should be obtained. Measures were accordingly inaugurated to meet this requirement, principally through the efforts of Dr. R. H. Awl and Jesse Simpson, who made a thorough canvass of the county, and with the assurance of sufficient support Mr. Purdy was induced to begin; in addition to the materials that then constituted the Demokrat office he purchased new type, press, etc., and on the 8th of March, 1861, the first number of "The Northumberland County Democrat" was issued by Truman H. Purdy and Cyrus O. Bachman. For some time the publication of the paper was attended with many difficulties, owing to the violent partisan feeling which pervaded political discussion at that period. An extreme instance of the hostility with which it was regarded occurred on the night of January 18, 1864, when the office (which then occupied the third story of a brick building on the south side of Market street between Third and Center alley) was mobbed by the Ninth New York Volunteers while passing through Sunbury en route to their homes. An outrage such as this strengthened the paper with its party in this county, however, and within a few years the Democrat became an influential and lucrative journal. The partnership of Messrs. Purdy and Bachman was dissolved several years later; after its dissolution Mr. Purdy continued the paper individually until January 1, 1867, when the establishment was leased by J. E. Eichholtz and John J. Auten. The latter retired several months later, and on the 1st of July, 1868. the paper was purchased by J. E. Eichholtz and Alvin E. Day. In June, 1871, Mr. Eichholtz bought Mr. Day's interest, and thus acquired individual ownership. D. L. Sollenberger secured a proprietary interest, July 1, 1877, when the style of the firm became Eichholtz & Company. Mr. Eichholtz again conducted the paper individually in 1879; on the 1st of January, 1880, W. L. Dewart and George C. Frysinger acquired proprietary interests, and since that date the style of the firm has been Eichholtz & Company. Mr. Frysinger retired on the 1st of January, 1881, and from that time to the present Messrs. Eichholtz and Dewart have constituted the firm. The Sunbury Daily was first issued on the 7th of December, 1872, by J. E. Eichholtz. The original size was a four-column folio ten by fourteen inches in dimensions. From the autumn of 1875 until the latter part of March, 1876, the paper was published by Walsmith & Silvius. It was afterward discontinued for some time; the publication was resumed in 1879, and since that date the paper has been under the same ownership and management as the Democrat. The Sunbury Independent was established by John J. Auten, February 27, 1868. In the following December it was purchased by Cornelius A. END OF PAGE 284 Reimensnyder, who changed the name to Democratic Guard. After experiencing various vicissitudes the paper was finally discontinued some two years later. A German edition was also published for a time. The Sunbury Enterprise was first issued on the 25th of May, 1870, by J. K. Keefer, and probably published until the following year. The Weekly Independent, J. A. Cake and Thomas J. Silvius, proprietors, Thomas J. Silvius, editor, made its debut, April 26, 1875, and was published about four months. It was a six-column folio. Mr. Cake also published the Morning Express. The Sunbury Weekly News was established on the 17th of June, 1881, by A. N. Brice, at the west side of Third street between Market and Chestnut. It was originally a five-column folio, and has been successively enlarged to a five-column quarto, a nine-column folio twenty-nine by forty-two inches, and a nine-column folio thirty-one by forty-four inches, the present size. The Sunbury Gazette was absorbed in 1888. The present office of publication, a three-story brick building on Chestnut street, was first occupied in 1888. The News is a stanch Republican paper, one of the largest in size and circulation in the county. The Evening News was stated on the 1st of April, 1890, and is published by A. N. Brice & Son, with Max Kauffman as reporter. Prior to the removal of the establishment to its present quarters the Daily News was published on Third street about six months. The Northumberland County Legal News, "a weekly publication devoted to legal news in county and State," was first issued on the 25th of August, 1888, by A. N. Brice & Sons. The late John F. Wolfinger's "Recollections of the Bar of the Counties of Northumberland, Lycoming, Union, and Columbia," reports of cases, and opinions and decisions of the court in Northumberland and the surrounding counties constitute the principal features of this publication. THE PRESS OF MILTON. The Miltonian has been continuously published longer than any other newspaper of Northumberland county. It was the first newspaper at Milton, and its founder, Henry Frick, was one of the first natives of the county to engage in the printing business within its limits. His honorable connection with the press, and the high positions in public life to which he subsequently attained, entitle Mr. Frick to a more than passing notice. Henry Frick was born at Northumberland, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1795, son of John Frick, a prominent figure in the political history of the county at that period. As evidenced by the original indenture, now in the possession of his son, R. M. Frick, cashier of the Milton National Bank, he was apprenticed to John Binns on the 27th of January, 1806, for the term of ten years, one month, and - days. The following were among the stipulations of this indenture:- END OF PAGE 285 He [Henry Frick] shall not play at cards, dice, or any other unlawful game whereby his said master may have damage; with his own goods or the goods of others without license from his said master he shall neither buy nor sell; he shall not absent himself day nor night from his said master's service without leave; he shall regularly attend every Sunday at some place of divine worship; he shall not haunt ale houses or taverns, but in all things behave himself as a faithful and diligent apprentice ought to do during the said term. And the said John Binns, his heirs, executors, or administrators, shall teach or cause to be instructed the said apprentice in the art, trade, or mystery of a printer, and shall, during the said term, give to the said apprentice two quarters' night schooling (one quarter's day schooling to count and be equal to two quarters' night schooling), and shall find and provide for the said apprentice sufficient meat, drink, apparel, washing, and lodging during the said term, and at the expiration thereof shall and will give his said apprentice the sum of fifty dollars, good and lawful money of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The apprenticeship was accordingly begun at Northumberland, but within a few years Binns removed to Philadelphia; his young assistant accompanied him and completed the period of his indenture in that city. The "art, trade, or mystery of a printer" was thoroughly mastered by him, and in after years he sustained in his own office a high reputation for rapid and accurate composition. While yet in his minority he joined a company at Philadelphia for service in the war of 1812, participating in the movements about Marcus Hook. His apprenticeship expired, March 18, 1816; returning to Northumberland county, he was attracted to the growing town of Milton, and issued the first number of The Miltonian on Saturday, the 21st of September, 1816. For more than ten years he conducted the paper individually, and then for thirteen years he continued its publication in partnership with others. In 1828 he was elected to the Pennsylvania legislature, and re-elected in 1829 and 1830. After his retirement from the Miltonian he acted as justice of the peace, and at the time of his death, March 1, 1844, he was a member of Congress from the Thirteenth Pennsylvania district. Eloquent eulogies were delivered, in the Senate by James Buchanan, and in the House by J. R. Ingersoll. In the language of Mr. Buchanan: "It is the history of a man (fortunately so common in this country), who, from a humble beginning, has, by industry, ability, and perseverance, gradually surmounted every intervening obstacle, and at last attained the high distinction of a seat in Congress, under circumstances which clearly evince that he enjoyed uncommon personal popularity among those who knew him best." Henry Frick published the Miltonian individually from September 21, 1816, to April 21, 1827; it was continued by Henry Frick and Montgomery Sweney from April 21, 1827, to April 16, 1831; by Henry Frick, Robert Bennett, and John W. Correy, from April 16, 1831, to April 20, 1833; by Henry Frick and Robert Bennett, from, April 20, 1833, to October 18, 1834; by Henry Frick, individually, from October 18,1834, to June 3, 1837; by Henry Frick and John H. Brown, from June 3, 1837, to June 3, 1840; by END OF PAGE 286 John H. Brown, individually, from June 3, 1840, to January 1, 1842; by John Frick and Edward B. Hunter, from January 1, 1842, to May 5,1843; by John Frick, individually, from May 12, 1843, to July 14, 1843; by John and Robert M. Frick, from July 14, 1843, to December 31, 1852; by Robert M. and Henry Frick, Jr., from January 7, 1853, to August 26, 1853; by Henry Frick, Jr., individually, from September 2, 1853, to January 1, 1854; by John Robins, from January 1, 1854, to January 1, 1857; by L. H. Funk, from 1858 to 1863; by L. H. Funk and Lee M. Morton, from 1863 to 1867; by Lee M. Morton and Frank Bound, from 1867 to 1869; by Lee M. Morton and William M. Mervine, in 1869; by Lee M. Morton, William M. Mervine, and D. C. John, from 1870 to 1875; by P. L. Hackenberg, individually, in 1875; by Lee M. Morton, individually, from 1875 to 1877; by Lee M. Morton and L. V. Housel, from the spring of 1877 to the autumn of 1878; by L. V. Housel, individually, from the autumn of 1878 to October, 1880; by Thomas Strine and Joe A. Logan, from October, 1880, to August, 1883, and from that time by Joe A. Logan, individually. The paper is a stanch Republican organ, and is justly regarded as one of the leading journals of that party in the county. A daily edition, the first in the borough, was started, October 26, 1877, and has since been published on several occasions for a brief period. The office files of the weekly edition, unfortunately for the interests of local historical research, were entirely destroyed in the fire of May 14, 1880. The States Advocate, the second newspaper published at Milton, first appeared, February 26, 1826. From that date until August 13, 1829, the proprietors were William Tweed and Elim H. Kincaid, followed by William Tweed, individually, until August 15, 1833; William Tweed and Jonas Kelchner, from August 15, 1833, to November 13,1834, and Jonas Kelchner, individually, from November 13, 1834, to November, 1838, when he removed the plant to Lewisburg. This paper advocated the principles and policy of the Whig party. The West Branch Farmer and True Democrat was established, September 3, 1834, by Montgomery Sweney. At that time the Miltonian was also avowedly Democratic, but not sufficiently active in the party interest to meet the approval of Mr. Sweney, hence the emphatic adjective in the caption of his paper, which was meant to distinguish the Democracy it supported from that advocated by its contemporary. The venture was not a success, however, and in 1837 the editor removed to the Spoon river, Illinois, when he engaged in farming and passed the remainder of his life. The Northumberland first appeared on the 20th of November, 1837, under the proprietorship of Hamlet A. Kerr, a man of fine intellectual capacity and an exceptionally competent printer. In its typographical appearance it was superior to any paper theretofore published at Milton, while the character of its contents and the style of its editorials also evinced ability and discrimina- END OF PAGE 287 tion. It expired within a few years; Mr. Kerr continued to reside at Milton until his death. The Milton Ledger was established in 1888 by John McGee and Stephen Wilson; it was successively published by McGee & Collins, Henry L. Dieffenbach, John Porter, Brewer & Armstrong, and L. F. Frank, and finally suspended in 1844 from lack of patronage. It was strongly Democratic in its editorial utterances. The Advocate and Day-Spring, a temperance paper, first appeared in December, 1844. The publisher and editor was Rev. W. H. T. Barnes, a young clergyman of fine oratorical ability, but not specially adapted to the work of conducting a country newspaper. He also engaged in merchandising, but his enterprises were not successful, and the plant of the Advocate was seized by his creditors. Barnes enlisted for service in the Mexican war, and was killed in the operations against Vera Cruz. The Milton Democrat made its debut, April 17, 1852, with John R. Eck as editor and publisher. He was a good practical printer, a man of fine social qualities, and possessed more talent as a writer than is ordinarily bestowed upon a country newspaper. In 1859 the paper shared in the waning fortunes of its party in this State, and after disposing of the plant Eck went to Philadelphia, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. He died in that city, July 30, 1880, in the seventieth year of his age. The Northumberland County Herald, a temperance paper, was started in 1868 by Rev. E. W. Kirby and J. W. Speddy. Their partnership terminated in the following year, when Speddy removed the outfit to Mifflintown, Juniata county, Pennsylvania. The Herald was neutral in politics. The Milton Record was first published under its present name, March 23, 1889, and is the result of a consolidation of the Argus and Economist. In 1872 W. H Smith established the Independent Weekly at Benton, Columbia county, Pennsylvania; it was removed to Milton in 1876, became the Argus, and was first issued under that name, September 15, 1878. In 1880 the office was entirely destroyed by fire, and with no part of the former outfit except the subscription list, publication was resumed, May 21, 1880, in two boxcars at the corner of Broadway and Filbert streets. These quarters were occupied four months. The establishment was then removed to Buoy's block on Broadway, the first brick building completed after the fire, where it remained until the spring of 1883, when a frame building at the site of the present publishing office was occupied. In 1884 the Economist was started by Schuyler & Keister; its successive proprietors were Schuyler Brothers, A. S. Hottenstein, The Economist Publishing Company, and W. P. Hastings. Like the Argus, it was Democratic in polities. On the 23d of March, 1889, both papers were transferred to The Record Publishing Company, of which J. Woods Brown is president and W. H Smith, treasurer and general manager. Ground was broken for the present three-story brick publishing house END OF PAGE 288 Page 289 contains a portrait of Andrew N. Brice Page 290 is blank on Broadway, September 3, 1889. With the exception of four months in 1881-82, Mr. Smith has been the editor of the Argus and the Record since their first inception; he continues to fill that position, and the present prosperity of the paper is principally due to his individual efforts. The Record is Democratic in politics, and is a valuable adjunct to the party organization in Northumberland county. A flourishing daily was published in connection with the weekly Argus at the time of the fire. It has since been twice resuscitated, but without permanent results on either occasion. The Standard was started, February 7, 1890, by W. P. Hastings. Two months later it became a tri-weekly, and is so continued. It is a Prohibition organ. SHAMOKIN NEWSPAPERS. The first effort to establish a paper at Shamokin was made in 1853. At that period the town received an impetus from railroad improvement, and it was thought by the more enterprising members of the community that a local journal could be supported with profit to the publisher and advantage to the place. The movement was without direct results, however. To John Robins belongs the honor of starting the first paper at Shamokin. He gave to the new venture the name of Shamokin Journal and Farmers' and Miners' Advocate, the first number of which appeared on Saturday, May 1, 1858. It was a six-column folio, with a variety of miscellaneous matter, several columns of local news, and an elaborate prospectus, in which the projector expressed his intention to publish a paper independent in politics, moral in sentiment, and devoted to the interests of its constituency. The office of publication was "the red house," a landmark of the town, the site of which is now occupied by the Reading railroad. But the venture was premature; the business of the place was in the midst of a period of financial stringency, and the Journal expired from lack of pecuniary support before the completion of its first volume. The materials of the Journal office were purchased by Samuel John, but for more than a year the town was without a local paper. On the 8th of March, 1860, the Shamokin Register made its debut under Mr. John's proprietorship and editorial management. He announced that the paper would be independent in politics, but favorable to a protective tariff, and promised an agricultural department "of vast interest to every one who cultivates the soil, from a garden patch to a five-hundred-acre farm, as the editor has been for thirty years a practical and scientific farmer." Beginning as a six-column page, the Register was enlarged with the nineteenth number, July 19, 1860, and in the following campaign entered vigorously into the support of the Republican party. On the 28th of March, 1861, Mr. John published a valedictory, having had "glory enough for one campaign," but two weeks later, not having been successful in finding a competent person to whom he END OF PAGE 291 might intrust the paper, he resumed the publication, which was again discontinued after the appearance of a single number. The paper next appeared on the 6th of June, 1861, with Daniel Bower as editor. Mr. Bower had previously been connected with the Williamsport Times; he brought to the enterprise considerable experience and ability, but for some reason the paper did not prosper, and on the 6th of April, 1862, it was finally discontinued. The plant reverted to Mr. John; it was subsequently removed to Sunbury and used in the publication of the Democratic Guard at that place. After severing his connection with the Register, Mr. Bower proceeded to enlist the efforts and means of various citizens in the establishment of a new paper, which made its first appearance, June 10, 1862, under the name of the Shamokin Herald, edited by Daniel Bower and Dr. J. J. John. Twelve numbers were issued under this regime, when Mr. Bower entered the military as recruiting officer at Camp Curtin. Subsequently he became lieutenant in a company of volunteers, and died from wounds received at Chancellorsville. The first number of a new series of the Herald was issued on Thursday, December 25, 1862, by J. Stewart McEwen, who continued the paper until July 2d of the following year. The foreman of the office, Samuel B. Sisty, then took charge, and published one number, when his administration was peremptorily suspended by the stockholders. During McEwen's incumbency, while professedly independent in polities, the editorial utterances of the paper had been uniformly favorable to the Republican national and State authorities; the one number issued by Mr. Sisty was Democratic in a corresponding degree, which at once aroused the opposition of the stockholders, and hence his untimely withdrawal. Hitherto the efforts made to establish a paper at Shamokin had not been crowned with the most gratifying success. While this was largely attributable to lack of encouragement, it was also doubtless due to the absence of those qualities of patience, persistence, and energy so necessary in the projectors of journalistic ventures. But with the next change of proprietorship the Herald passed into the hands of Owen M. Fowler, and he took charge of it with the determination and the ability to make it a success. Born at Brier Creek, Columbia county, Pennsylvania, July 18, 1842, he obtained his education at the common schools, and, having indicated a preference for the printing business at an early age, was apprenticed to his uncle, Levi L. Tate, editor of a Bloomsburg paper. After completing his trade he went to Philadelphia in 1861 and secured employment upon the Ladies' Monthly Magazine. There he enlisted in a three months' regiment, and after a brief military experience came to Shamokin with the object of starting a paper. Failing to make satisfactory arrangements he again enlisted, in Company C, One Hundred and Thirty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers, holding the rank of sergeant. For valorous conduct at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville he END OF PAGE 292 was promoted to the second lieutenancy of his company. Returning to Shamokin at the expiration of his term of enlistment, he took charge of the Herald on the 23d of July, 1863. With this journal he was connected without intermission until his death, excepting a few months (March to July, 1865,) when he was again in the service as second lieutenant of a company in the One Hundred and Third regiment. Others had failed, but he assumed control of the Herald with the firm purpose and undaunted resolution that overcome all difficulties, and in the course of a few years it had become one of the leading papers of the county, an established institution at Shamokin, and a potent influence in promoting the growth of that borough. A department of the paper was devoted especially to intelligence relating to the coal trade; this was under the able management of Dr. J. J. John, and constituted an interesting and valuable feature. The paper was Republican in politics, but confined its attention more particularly to local affairs. Mr. Fowler's journalistic career, honorable to himself and valuable to the community, was terminated by his death, May 9, 1874. From the latter date until July 1, 1874, the Herald was conducted by Dr. J. J. John; it was then purchased by Heffelfinger & Coder. Both of the constituent members of this firm had previously been in Mr. Fowler's employ, and they were therefore well qualified by an acquaintance with the community to continue the paper in its former usefulness. Its appearance was improved, its circulation extended, and from the fullness and reliability of its coal reports it became the recognized organ of the coal trade in Northumberland county. After a time Mr. Coder retired, and Mr. Heffelfinger continued the publication individually until February 9, 1889, when the paper was transferred to the present proprietors, John J. W. Schwartz and B. F. Howard. The Daily Herald was started by Elmer Heffelfinger, October 22, 1888, and passed to Schwartz & Howard at the same time as the weekly. It was originally a six-column page, but was enlarged in November, 1889, when the name was changed to its present style by the substitution of "Daily" for "Evening" in the caption. The Shamokin Times had its inception in the Advertiser, a folio of diminutive proportions published in January, 1872, by J. A. Gilger, and distributed gratuitously. It was gradually enlarged, and on the 13th of July, 1872, became a regular newspaper under the name of the Times with J. L. Gilger & Son, proprietors, and J. A. Gilger, local editor. J. L. Gilger withdrew in 1874, and for several months in that year the paper was published by Gilger & Fagely. Upon the retirement of Mr. Fagely the Shamokin Times Company was formed, and from the 1st of January, 1875, the paper was edited by D. D. Domer. In November, 1879, D. L. Sollenberger & Company succeeded the Shamokin Times Company, and have since been the proprietors of the Times. D. D. Domer was associated in the publication END OF PAGE 293 until April, 1881; R. F. Howard and W. S. Guiterman became members of the company in 1886, and the latter continues to retain a proprietary interest. The Daily Times, the first daily paper in the Northumberland county coal regions, was first issued, October 17, 1883. It was at first printed on a hand press, but this having been found too tedious and laborious, the publication was suspended for several weeks until better facilities could be provided. The active existence of the paper was then resumed, but it was finally discontinued on the 14th of October, 1884. The Daily Dispatch was first issued, November 21, 1886, and from a comparatively modest beginning it has become one of the leading journals in this part of the anthracite coal region. This is under the same proprietorship and editorial management as the Times. The National Greenback was started in May, 1877, by John J. Auten, who was succeeded in the following October by Samuel Martin. The publication was finally discontinued in 1878. The Shamokin Sentinel made its first appearance on the 6th of May, 1882, under the proprietorship of C. L. Gilger & Company. It was published for advertising purposes and distributed gratuitously for a time, but eventually developed into a regular weekly newspaper with C. L. Gilger and W. S. Guiterman as editors and publishers. Mr. Gilger was succeeded by A. D. B. McKenzie and Mr. Guiterman retired; the paper was finally absorbed by the Herald. Talk of the Day, H. M. Kurtz & Brother, publishers, J. C. J. Kurtz, editor, was established in 1878 and published several years. Local news and advertising were the principal features. NEWSPAPERS OF MT. CARMEL. The Mt. Carmel Progress, the pioneer newspaper of that borough, was established in December, 1877, by Owen Fowler. It was printed on a Columbia lever press, and was in form a folio an eighth-sheet in size, making its appearance semi-monthly. In March, 1878, the name became Home News, and the paper was published weekly. In 1879 M. K. Watkins became proprietor; he changed the name to Mt. Carmel News, and enlarged the dimensions of the sheet. E. E. White became editor in 1881, when the size was further increased. In the following year the entire outfit of the Gloucester City Tribune was removed from Gloucester, New Jersey, by Mr. Watkins, thus increasing the facilities of the office to an appreciable extent. Mr. White acquired a proprietary interest in 1883, and during the following four years the paper was published by the firm of Watkins & White. In April, 1887, Mr. Watkins retired in favor of R. J. Wilson, and the paper was published by White & Wilson until February 1, 1891, when Professor White disposed of his interest to Mr. Wilson, who has since continued the publication indi- END OF PAGE 294 vidually. The News is now an eight-column folio, and has been published semi-weekly since August, 1889. It is Republican in politics. The Weekly Item, an advertising medium for gratuitous distribution, was first issued on the 7th of January, 1888, by L. W. Gheen, who was succeeded on the 7th of December, 1889, by Will B. Wilson, the present proprietor. It is a five-column folio, and is published weekly. The Mt. Carmel American made its first appearance on the 30th of August, 1890, as a five-column folio for gratuitous distribution. On the 1st of January, 1891, "Mt. Carmel" was substituted for "Weekly" in the caption, the paper was enlarged to its present size (a seven-column folio), and brought to a subscription basis. Burke & Sterner established the paper, but Sterner withdrew after the issue of the second number; Thomas N. Burke then continued the paper individually until January 1, 1891, when William J. Thomas became associated with him, and the present publishers are Burke & Thomas. The American is independent in politics with Democratic proclivities. The Tri-Weekly American, first issued on the 2d of January, 1891, by Curtis Sterner, suspended three weeks later. PAPERS OF WATSONTOWN. The Watsontown Record was founded in 1870 by a local company known as the Watsontown Printing Association, of which A. J. Guffy, Joseph Hollopeter, and Oscar Foust were the leading members. The par value of the shares was ten dollars and a sufficient amount was realized from their sale and by subscriptions from public spirited citizens to secure a printing outfit. P. H Coup, now a clergyman, was the first editor and manager. In this position he evinced considerable ability, but, like many other enterprises in the incipient stage, the paper was not a financial success. The plant was sold at judicial foreclosure and purchased by John J. Auten, under whose administration a fair degree of prosperity was attained. April 1, 1877, he was succeeded by D. L. Sollenberger, now of the Shamokin Dispatch. On the 1st of February, 1878, he disposed of the plant to the Record publishing Company, of which G. W. Hess was president, with Oscar Foust and S. M. Miller as constituent members. The editorial and business management was intrusted to L. C. Fosnot, who had been an attaché of the office since Mr. Sollenberger took charge. In 1881 J. A. Everitt succeeded the Record Publishing Company; during the following three years the publication was successively conducted by no less than thirteen different individuals or firms, each change resulting in a less degree of prosperity, and the paper was finally consolidated with the Star, in January, 1884. The West Branch Star made its debut, April 1, 1882, as a five- column quarto, under the proprietorship of L. C. Fosnot and W. W. Fisher. The latter retired in October, 1883, in favor of Theodore Burr, whose interest was acquired by Mr. Fosnot in March, 1890. In January, 1884, a consolidation END OF PAGE 295 was effected under the name of the Record and Star, when the page was enlarged to six columns. The present form, that of a seven-column quarto, was adopted in April, 1888. The Star was originally Democratic in politics, but the paper is now independent. Mr. Fosnot is the editor and publisher. The Agricultural Epitomist was established as a semi-monthly in 1882 by J. A. Everitt, an extensive seedsman, and the paper was a useful advertising adjunct to his business, although considerable attention was also devoted to general agricultural topics. John A. Woodward was editor until 1884, when the paper became a monthly, and since that date it has been edited by J. A. Everitt, who was succeeded in 1889 by the Epitomist Publishing Company. The size of the sheet is twenty-four by thirty-four inches, folded to sixteen pages. The highest circulation of any single number was two hundred thousand copies; the present average circulation is seventy-five thousand copies. In 1886 the Epitomist was removed to Indianapolis, Indiana. It has a larger circulation than any other paper published in that State, and, according to Powell's Directory, is one of twenty-four papers in the United States that regularly issue over fifty thousand copies. The Blade was established by J. Ward Diehl, May 13, 1889, and is one of the most recent as well as one of the most sprightly journals started in the county. It is a six- column quarto, and is independent in politics. MCEWENSVILLE AND LOCUST GAP PAPERS. "About 1849 or 1850 a paper called the West Branch Intelligencer was started in McEwensville by a gentleman named Case. It lived about eighteen months, and then expired." - History of the west Branch Valley. The Locust Gap Local, the initial journalistic venture at that point, is a five-column folio, independent in politics, and was established on the 6th of December, 1890, by Frederick W. Magrady, the present editor and proprietor. END OF PAGE 296 and chapter VII.