of
Muscatine County Iowa
1879
| History of Muscatine County Iowa 1879 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Historical Section, 1879, pages 493-498
THE NEWSPAPERS.
THE MUSCATINE JOURNAL. The press of Muscatine ranks high among the papers of the State. The large and constantly increasing editions of the several publications, as well as the number of miscellaneous magazines and periodicals of all sorts taken here, proves conclusively that Muscatine is a county of readers. That being the fact, it is not surprising to find two daily newspapers in a city of from ten to twelve thousand. Each of the dailies has a weekly edition, and the Journal issues a tri-weekly, also. These several publications each reach a different class of readers, making the aggregate percentage of subscribers a large one for a county having 25,000 inhabitants.
The germ from which the papers of Muscatine sprang was called, the Iowa Standard, a weekly paper, issued by Cram & Bailey, October 23, 1840. The prosperity of the institution could not have been marked, since the excitement arising over the location of the capital at Iowa City soon weaned the publishers from their purpose here.
In the spring of 1841, the Standard was borne to the new field of ambition and speculation. There it reared its head for a time, but soon grew weak from transplanting, and died.
The removal of the Standard did not deprive Bloomington of a paper, however, for the issuance of a sheet in those days acted like an infection, in many instances. So it was here. One week after the pioneer journal ventured into the world, another aspirant for favor appeared. The appearance of the rival organs of public sentiment was not consonant with their titles, as the second was called the Bloomington Herald. Usually the herald precedes the standard-bearer, but in this instance the order was disregarded. At all events, the Herald came out October 27, 1840, under the direction of Hughes & Russell.
The controlling spirit of the Herald was John Russell. He was a jolly, good-natured man, caring for scarcely anything but a living support for his paper and the enjoyment of the few personal pleasures available in the new town he had chosen as his home.
The methods of conducting a paper in those days are not comparable to those in vogue now, for the early papers were made up mostly of selected miscellany. A few editorials, on general topics, and occasionally a brief mention of home politics, were given; but no such department as the "local" of to-day was then understood. Nor, indeed, would it have been possible to maintain a paper dependent for news upon so uneventful localities as most Western places were then.
The Herald was a good paper, however, judged by the standard of excellence which obtained in 1840. The most absorbing theme of local interest which the editor was called upon to elaborate was a social party or a sleigh- ride. When election-time approached, there was always something to write about; but, locally, elections were governed by the better spirit of general good, and politics was rather one-sided during the early years. The paper did not seek to provoke political discussions, any more than it did to call Eastern attention to the new town. It appears to have been rather indifferent to the advancement of this region. It was published in the days of small things, and is not to be spoken of lightly now. It performed its mission, and gave more or less publicity to the fact that Bloomington was a most desirable place to settle in.
Of Mr. Hughes, the senior partner, little is said by the older settlers of to-day. He was of a retiring disposition, and filled his place honorably, but without creating any marked impression on the paper or town.
In 1845, Mr. Russell disposed of his interest in the Herald to Dr. Charles 0. Waters, who became editor, and held that position until in 1846. The tone of the paper was decidedly improved under Dr. Waters' management, as he was both a scholarly and a forcible writer.
The next change occurred in 1846, when Mr. M. T. Emerson became the successor of Dr. Waters. Being a Whig in politics, Mr. Emerson changed the character of the journal to conform to his ideas of right, and threw into the labor of improving the paper his whole energies. He was a printer as well as writer, and made many noticeable alterations in the mechanical as well as editorial departments. The career which opened up so brightly was soon ended by the hand of death.
In 1846, the paper became the property of N. L. Stout and William P. Israel, the former assuming editorial charge. Mr. Stout was a strong partisan, and, during his regime, the columns abounded in vrgorous denunciations of that great system which made the South the theater of civil war in later years. It required no slight courage to announce one's self as an Abolitionist in 1846, especially in a region bordering on the great thoroughfare which floated the commerce of the South. However, a fear of results did not deter the editor of the Herald from expressing his views on the subject of slavery, and the Herald became a noted sheet throughout the Northwest.
In November, 1847, John Mahin entered the office as an apprentice, at the age of thirteen years.
In the winter of 1848-49, F. A. C. Foreman came from New Boston, Ill., where he had published a paper with the singular name of The Broadhorn, and took possession of the Herald. Mr. Foreman was a man of evil habits. His appetite for drink not only ruined his business prospects, but also brought deep affliction upon his uncomplaining wife, who, day after day, would work faithfully at the case, setting type, and meanwhile rocking her infant's cradle which was, at such times placed beneath the rack on which the cases rested. Her husband was indifferent to this spectacle of heroic endeavor. After some four months of mismanagement, Foreman was obliged to succumb to financial pressure.
The Herald was then suspended for about six months, when Noah M. McCormick came from St. Louis, revived the paper and called it the Muscatine Journal. Although Mr. McCormick did not display much ability as a writer, he was, nevertheless, a good business manager, and succeeded in making a longer struggle than his predecessor was capable of.
In July, 1852, the Journal was sold to Jacob and John Mahin, father and son respectively. These gentlemen conducted the paper jointly until September, 1853, when they associated with them Mr. Orion Clemens, a brother of "Mark Twain." Mr. Clemens was a good printer, a sensible writer and an upright man. He maintained a high and dignified tone, while, at the same time, he infused a lively degree of spirit into the columns of the paper. In June, 1854 the tri-weekly edition of the Journal was established.
In January, 1855, J. Mahin & Son sold out the concern to Charles H. Wilson and Orion Clemens, who instituted the Daily Journal in June of that year. Mr. Clemens disposed of his interest, sOon after that, to James W. Logan, and the firm of Logan & Wilson was continued until January, 1856, when D. S. Early bought out Mr. Wilson. The same year, Mr. Early's interest was purchased by John Mahin and F. B. McGill. Messrs. Logan, Mahin & McGill conducted the paper until August, 1857. At that date, John Mahin assumed sole charge of it, and continued as manager without change of proprietors until January, 1866, when L. D. Ingersoll purchased a half interest and became editor. Mr. Ingersoll's connection lasted just two years, when John and James Mahin became owners of the Journal, under the firm name of Mahin Brothers. The death of the junior member of the firm, James Mahin, which occurred December 9, 1877, necessitated a change in the management. January 1, 1879, the name and style of the "Journal Printing Company" was adopted, with John Mahin, President; J. B. Lee, Treasurer, and A. W. Lee, Secretary. Incorporation is soon to be effected.
Of those who have been mentioned in connection with the Journal and its predecessor, the Herald, the following brief notice is preserved: John Russell died of cholera in Keokuk, during the visitation of the plague in 1850. Thomas Hughes removed to Iowa City. Dr. Waters removed to Chicago. N. L. Stout died in Kansas. William P. Israel died in Muscatine. Mr. Foreman removed to the Western part of the State, where he died. N, M. McCormick removed to California. Jacob Mahin died in MissOuri in 1873. Orion Clemens removed to Lee County. Charles H. Wilson to Washington, in this State. J. W. Logan, to Waterloo. D. S. Early, to Pennsylvania, and L. D. Inger- soll, to Washington, D. C.
Several persons have been engaged as writers for the Journal whose names do not appear in the foregoing sketch. One of these was Mr. Hugh J. Campbell, who became a prominent politician in New Orleans. He contributed largely to its columns in 1860-61. W. F. Davis, now dead, wrote during the campaign of 1864. Both of these men were forcible writers and displayed decided ability. John Van Horne, now editor of the Tribune, was engaged a short time during 1860, and also in 1868. Mr. Van Horne is one of the best writers, who has ever been connected with Iowa journalism, being not only scholarly and well informed, but also graceful, easy of expression and agreeable in style. Judge J. Scott Richman was an occasional contributor to the paper. Mr. L. D. Ingersoll, the "Linkensale" of the Iowa press, is now well known by all newspaper readers as a trenchant writer. Among the local editors of the Journal, F. B. McGill, E. 0. Upham, Frank Eichelberger, T. W. Eichelberger, D. A. Prosser, E. F. Richman, 0. G. Jack and Frank Mahin are all remembered by those whose acquaintance with the paper extends back twenty years.
Mr. John Mahin, whose apprenticeship began in 1847, and whose life has been spent in the office of the Journal, is the oldest newspaper man, in point of service, in Iowa. There is but one who can claim a longer continuous term, but his does not begin until one year later than Mr. Mahin's. We refer to Mr. W. W. Junkin, of the Fairfield Ledger. Mr. Mahin was out of the office for one year, and, with that brief intermission, has been there since September, 1847. This is a rare and most remarkable record.
The Journal now publishes three regular editions, viz., daily, tri-weekly and weekly. The paper is conducted with marked ability and is a power in the ranks of Republican journalism.
THE MUSCATINE TRIBUNE. In 1848, H. D. La Cossitt established the Democratic Enquirer and remained as its head until 1853, when, for six months, W. B. Langridge administered its affairs. Mr. La Cossitt returned, and, in 1854, sold to Jerome Carskadden and T. Meason Williams. In 1855, the paper became the property of Williams, Gibson & Co., with Judge Robert Williams as editor. The paper was conducted with vigor, and became an influential advocate of the principles of the Democratic party. Judge Williams informs the writer that he was the first editor in Iowa to advance the name of James Buchanan for the Presidency, in opposition to the Western idea of presenting Stephen A. Douglas. During his residence in Pennsylvania. his native State, the editor had formed a personal friendship for Mr. Buchanan, and his advocacy of that gentleman was upon personal grounds.
In January, 1856, the Enquirer passed into the hands of Daniel S. BileS and E. W. Clark; but the latter retired, after a few months, and was succeeded by Samuel McNutt, who became editor and half proprietor of the paper. This arrangement lasted but a short time and Mr. Biles took charge of the office, continuing as its head until 1860. The paper was then suspended.
John Trainor King, bought the office, and established the Review, which was published as a daily. In 1861, Edward H. Thayer succeeded Mr, King, and changed the name of the paper to the Courier. In 1864, Barnhart Brothers purchased the office, and subsequently associated with them W. W. Witmer. Under this arrangement, the Courier continued until 1872.
In 1870, the Telegraph was established, by E. 0. Upham and Charles Sibley. This paper continued for about six months, when the name was changed to the Weekly Tribune, under the management of George W. Van Horne. In 1872, Mr. Van Horne purchased the Courier, and merged it into the Tribune. In 1873, Mr. Van Horne became associated with E. H. and William Betts, and in April, 1874, began the publication of the Daily Tribune, with a weekly edition. In April, 1877, Mr. Van Horne retired from the office, and the business is now under the sole management of the Betts Brothers.
The Tribune is one of the most enterprising and readable papers in the State. Its daily edition appears in the morning, and contains a record of the events of the times, given in entertaining form. Its local, as well as its editorial columns, are fresh and readable, and the paper is manifestly conducted by gentlemen of ability and of devotion to the profession of their choice.
OTHER PAPERS. In 1860, a campaign paper, called the Messenger, in support of Bell and Everett as Presidential candidates, was published by Samuel C. Dunn. Since then, several other publications have appeared, such as the Roarin' Rag, by B. Neidig, an advertising sheet for his job office, but a spicy paper withal; the New Era, by Washburn & Whicher, real estate dealers; the Humming Bird, by 0. G. Jack; and a brief-lived paper called the Democrat.
The German press was represented by the Zeitung, established in 1857, by Charles Rotteck. This venture proved unprofitable, and the office was removed to Keokuk the following year.
The Deutsche-Zeitung was established in 1874, by J. W, Weippiert, and was continued with success. This spring, G. W. Weippiert succeeded his father in the proprietorship of the paper.
WILTON PRESS. The Wilton Chronicle was the first paper published at Wilton, and was established in October, 1867, by Charles Baker and M. H. Thompson, editors and proprietors, It was a seven-column paper published entirely at home. In appearance it was very creditable, and the matter it contained was prepared with care, having reference chiefly to the affairs of the town. This first number contained an interesting description of the business enterprises of the town, and a history of the business men and their establishments. Of the first number there were 1,000 copies printed, and yet the demand exceeded the supply. Among the most extensive advertisers were Frank Bacon, E. E. Bacon, A.C. Blizzard, C. B. Strong, and Addis & Strickland. The Chronicle was neutral in politics, but was well edited and newsy, and was attended with as good a degree of prosperity as usually falls to the lot of embryo country journals. In March, 1868, the name of C. D. Eaton appeared as associate editor. At this time there were employed in the office S. J. Mathis, Giles O. Pearce, and Jesse Markee. During the ensuing season the paper was conducted with great vigor-- The Presidential canvas between Grant and Colfax, and Seymour and Blair. The billows of party politics ran high, and the publishers of the Chronicle, desiring to soar above a neutral position, communicated their intention to make their paper "fearlessly and implacably Republican," Accordingly, about the 1st of June, it took the position indicated, and, amid varied vicissitudes and changes, maintained it to the close of its career. In the autumn of that year, after election, Mr. Thompson withdrew from the firm; and the firm of Baker and Eaton continued the publication of the Chronicle until the spring of 1869, in the meantime starting the West Liberty Enterprise. In May of this year, while the firm remained the same, the two members divided their labors; Mr. Baker remaining with the Chronicle, while Mr. Eaton gave his time to the Enterprise. In September 1869, the firm of Baker and Eaton was dissolved; Mr. Baker being left sole editor and proprietor. Early in the winter Mr. Baker sold the office to Henry C. Ashbaugh, who conducted the Chronicle as editor and publisher for nearly a year. In the meantime, June, 1870, Mr. Eaton returned, and commenced the publication of a second paper, which he called The True Republican. Mr. Eaton succeeded tolerably well in this enterprise, and in January, 1871, he purchased of Mr. Ashbaugh the subscription-list and good-will of the Chronicle. The two papers were consolidated by Mr. Eaton as, the Republican And Chronicle, until May of that year, when he sold the entire establishment to C. E. Cheesbro, who reduced the size of the paper, and re-christened it the Wilton Chronicle. Early in the fall of that year the paper was again sold to Mr. Baker, and in the following winter Mr. Baker took as a partner H. J. Vail, who continued about a year when he withdrew, and Mr. Baker was sole owner again until August, 1873, when he leased the office to Messrs. G. O. and G. B. Pearce for one year. In July 1874, they changed the name from Chronicle to Herald. During the administration of the Pearce Brothers, valuable additions were made to the material of the office--so much that when Mr. Baker took his away they had sufficient for every purpose. When their term of lease expired they purchased the subscription-list and good-will, and continued the publication until Nov. 23, 1874, when they sold to J. E. Stevenson. In the month of August, 1874, J. M. Rider & Co. established a second paper, called the Wilton Exponent, the first number of which appeared Friday, August 21, the next day after the great fire. Both papers continued publication until March 10, 1876, when they were consolidated and the names Herald and Exponent were merged into the Review, edited and published by Rider and Stevenson. March 10, 1877, Mr Stevenson retired, and the paper was published by J. M. Rider until April 20 of the same year; when Mr. William Lee, of Tipton, became a half-partner, and the firm was styled Rider and Lee. The paper has been continued under this management, with J. N. Rider as editor, since that date.
WEST LIBERTY ENTERPRISE. The Enterprise was established in April, 1868, by Mr. Baker, of Wilton, Iowa, and edited by Exune Saint, of West Liberty. In the fall of the same year, the paper was sold to C. D. Eaton and George Trumbo. The following year, 1869, Mr. Trumbo became sole proprietor; subsbquently, he formed a partnership, in 1873, with A. R. Fuller; but in January, 1874, again the same was dissolved, and, in February of that year, the material and good will were sold to J. W. McElravy, who is the present owner and editor of the paper, which, under his management, has been made a success. He has changed and enlarged it to a six-column quarto, and reduced its price. The circulation of the Enterprise has been at least doubled since McElravy purchased the same. Having taken hold of the paper without any previous experience in journalism, he is all the more deserving of credit for the results achieved.
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