HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY

CHAPTER XXIV.

LANCASTER PRESS AND AUTHORSHIP.

DER OHIO ADLER.---The first weekly paper established in Lancas- ter was a small German sheet, with the title Der Ohio Adler, by Jacob D. Detrich. The first issues of the paper are extinct, and the exact date cannot be given by the oldest inhabitant here now. Some remem- ber the German paper during the war of 1812, and date its origin in 1809. Mr. Wetzler, present editor of the Eagle, is confident that Gen- eral Sanderson told him, at one time, that Mr. Detrich came to Lan- caster in 1807, and at once began the publication of Der Ohio Adler. This assertion is probably true, as General Sanderson was quite a large boy when he came into the Hocking valley with his father in 1799. We will copy a short extract from an old copy of DerAdler, also, give the translation: "AN EHEKREUTZ.---Ich warna hiermit yeder man miner frau, Margarette, nicht auf zu miner namen zu leihen, order zu bargen jevile ich mit entsclhossen habe kinen cent fur sie zu bozalen, von dieser data on." "RUSH TOWNSHIP, December 16, 1812. "A MARRIAGE CROSS.---I hereby forewarn every man not to trust my wife, Margaret, or lend to her on my account, because I have determined not to pay one cent for her after this date." From this we would infer that some time previous to 1812, Jacob D. Detrich emigrated from Staunton, Virginia, to Lancaster, Ohio, and began the publication of a German weekly paper, entitled Der Ohio Adler. The sheets were about sixteen by twenty inches in size, the paper of coarse texture, and dull white color, the mechanical execution good, the print remaining quite legible. An English issue of the same, bearing date of 1813, is numbered volume four, making 1809 the year of its origin. No dates have been found, showing when the paper passed into the hands of Edward Shafer, but supposed to be in 1813, at this time changing to the English print. It was issued, however, for some time in both languages, after the change, this as late as 1816. In the scrap of Der Adler, before referred to, is found Governor Meigs' proclamation, calling for volunteer troops to serve in the War of 1812. In the English edition is found the following advertisement: "ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS REWARD.---Run away from the sub- scriber, living in Moorfield, Hardin county, Virginia, on the twenty- ninth of April last, a negro man named Berry. He is about twenty years of age; height, five feet eight or nine inches, round shouldered, slender made. He is active and undaunted, but not viciously inclined; redish lips, stutters when closely examined. Whoever will secure said 168

slave in any jail of the United States, so that I can get him again, shall receive the above reward, and all reasonable charges paid, if brought home. July 15, 1815. WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM." After the advertisement; the following appeared: "To THE PUBLIC.---On Sunday last, the 20th inst., the following circumstance occurred at the great meeting, or love feast, held at the house of Casper Hufford, Raccoon Creek, three miles east of Lancaster. The subscriber, with his wife, attended said meeting. His wife, wish- ing to remain there till Monday following, turned the mare she had been riding into a large meadow, containing forty acres, in which about fifty or sixty other horse creatures were at the same time grazing. On the following Monday, his wife, intending to return home, missed the mare, and after the most diligent search, a dark brown mare, without a bridle or halter, was found loose in Mr. Hufford's stable. No person present owning said mare, or knowing the owner thereof, the subscriber took her into his possession. He cannot conceive whether his creature was taken out of mistake for the one left behind in the stable; whether rode off or wilfully stolen. The subscriber's mare is a bright bay, eight years old, fourteen hands high, shod before, strong built, a natural trot- ter, and has some saddle and harness marks. Should some person have rode her off, or out of mistake taken away said mare, and left his own in place thereof, he is hereby desired, in a friendly manner, to return the same immediately, as such incautious proceedings may bring on disagreeable consequences. August 24, 1815. GEORGE BRIGHT." The first copy of the Eagle that appears in the English language, bears date of 1813, with Edward Shafer as editor and manager. From 1812 to 1815 its pages contain news of the War of 1812. After Mr. Shaffer, the paper was edited by John Harmon, previous to 1820, as is supposed, the old issues of the paper having been destroyed, when the office burned in 1844. In 1828, Thomas U. White was editor of the Eagle. He was suc- ceeded by John Brough, who had charge in 1839, assisted by his brother Charles. In 1841, Samuel Pike succeeded the Broughs, remaining about one year, when Dr. Casper Theil took charge of the publication, and during his editorship the office was burned. From that time to 1881 the following editors have taken charge: H. H, Robinson, D. Robertson, F. M. Ellis, J. B. Dixon, Newton Schleich, Jackson Gruber, John L. Tuthill, John M. Connell, Charles Roland, William Baker, William L. Rigby, John C. Hite, Victor Zahm, and Thomas Wetzler, Of the above number, Mr. Wetzler has occupied the position the greater length of time, having taken charge in 1870. The Eagle, from its humble origin, during the seventy-two years of its existence, has successfully grown into one of the best, largest, and most creditably ex- ecuted weeklies of the State. Beyond current newspaper literature, it has been strictly a political partizan sheet. In 1828, under the editorial management of Thomas U. White, it supported the claims of Andrew Jackson for the Presidency against John Quincy Adams. After the National Convention of 1832, at which the supporters of Mr. Jackson 169

assumed the name of the "Democratic party," the Eagle continued to support the Jackson ticket, in 1836, the Van Buren ticket against William H. Harrison. It has so continued to be the Democratic organ for Fairfield county. It has a wide circulation, and a lucrative income. LANCASTER GAZETTE.---The first number of the Lancaster Gazette was issued on the fourth day of April, 1826, by George Sanderson and Benjamin Oswald. The publication continued under the title of San- derson & Oswald, until the beginning of 1830, when Mr. Sanderson, by purchase, became the sole proprietor. In 1832, Philadelph Van Trump, at that time publishing the Enquirer, became a partner in the Gazette, and the paper was called the Gazette and Enquirer. Two years afterward Enquirer was dropped, and the paper assumed the title of Lancaster Gazette, which still remains. In 1838, Benjamin Moeler purchased the establishment, and became sole proprietor and editor, until 1841, when he was bought out by Per- cival and Van Fossen, who published the Gazette until 1850, when they sold to George Weaver, who assumed the editorial control, with John Wright as publisher. This arrangement was continued until 1852, when the establishment was purchased by Thomas S. Slaughter, who published the paper one year, then selling to a company, and Geo. McElroy became editor of the Gazette, for one year. At this time, Joshua Clarke became editor and proprietor, with William Kooken as publisher. The Gazette was then issued under the firm name of Clarke and Kooken, until April 1st, 1860. In the preceding January, Dr. H. Scott purchased the American Democrat and Gazette establishments, and combined them on the first of January. He continued the publica- tion of the Gazette, as editor and proprietor. Before the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, he sold the paper to Robert M. Clarke, William H. Kooken and John M. Sutphen, constituting the firm of Clarke, Kooken and Sutphen. In 1863, A. P. Miller bought the interest of R. M. Clarke, and the name of the firm changed to Miller, Kooken and Sutphen. In February 23, 1866, S. A. Griswold became a member of the firm, by purchasing.Mr. Miller's share. In 1871, the establishment became the "Gazette Printing Company," by the admission of H. W. Griswold, J. E. Griswold and H. C. Drinkle. The senior proprietor, S. A. Gris- wold, has been the responsible editor from his first connection with the Gazette, February, 1866, to the present time. (1881.) During the greater part of that time, Samuel Griswold has been local editor, and still holds that position. Like the Eagle, the Gazette has been a partisan weekly. In the presidential campaign of 1828, it supported John Quincy Adams, and in 1832, as supporters of Andrew Jackson assumed the title of Demo- cratie Party, the friends of Mr. Adams, in their convention one month later, resolved that they were the descendants of the "Whigs of 1776." Hence the Whig party, the Gazette then becoming the organ of the Whig party for Fairfield county. In 1855, when the American "Know Nothing" party was organized all over the United States, absorbing not only the Whig party, but all small faction also a portion of the Democratic party, the Gazette 170

supported the American ticket. Two years later, upon the adoption of the Philadelphia platform, by the National Convention, assuming the title, Republican party, the Gazette took up the appellation, and from that time, has been a strong supporter of the Republican party. Dur- ing the Rebellion, the Gazette was the uncompromising advocate of the Union, as it was before the breaking out of the war, and of the replant- ing of the National flag all over the south; also standing by the gov- ernment in all its laudable efforts to suppress the Rebellion and restore the Union. The Gazette was of humble origin, its first issue being twenty years later than the Eagle. They were superior, in a mechanical sense, besides of an improved quality of paper. Its first issues were five columns, whilst the Eagle were four. There was also a notable im- provement in the typography. It grew from an insignificant to a large and popular sheet, now vying with any similar journal of the State or elsewhere, in appearance. It has a weekly circulation surpassed by but few county papers in Ohio, as well as a paying income. The party of the Gazette in this county has from the first been in the minority, hence has received but a small share of the official pa- tronage. To this rule, were two exceptions, viz., 1843 and 1854, by the triumph of the "Cork leg," and "Know Nothing" tickets. A single extract from an early number of the Gazette, will give an idea of the temper displayed by the editors in contingencies, fifty-five years ago. He thus gives freedom to his pen, in attempting to rebuke a political adversary for some indiscretion. "The subject of the above proceeding is an insult to the honor and intelligence of our country. The very man who is the instigator of this maneuver, and who professes to be a heroite of the first water, if he were opened, there could not be found in his liver, as much blood as would clog the foot of a flea." The Eagle and Gazette have been successful publications from the first, with very little interruption. Quite a number of weeklies have from time to time been projected in Lancaster, but lived a short period. General Sanderson commenced the publication of a four column sheet, in the summer of 1811, continuing about two years. The second number of volume second is in possession of a citizen, and bears date of November 21st, 1812. It contains President Madison's annual message. The title of the sheet is The Independent Press. About the year 1834, P. Van Trump began the publication of a weekly paper, which he named the Enquirer. It had but a brief existence, soon merging into the Gazette. April 23, 1850, William L. King and Jackson Gruber commenced issuing an independent weekly paper, entitled Lancaster Telegraph. This proved to be a handsome and neatly executed sheet, in a mechan- ical sense, and rapidly acquired a large circulation. In July, 1851, Mr. Gruber became sole proprietor, by the purchase of his partner's interest. He continued the publication until April 12, 1853, when it was connected with the Eagle, Mr. Gruber becoming partner in that paper. His death occurred in less than two years from this time. In 1848-49, W. S. Beaty published in Lancaster a neat weekly pa- 171

per, entitled The American Democrat, which was for a time suspended and again renewed, under the same title. In the winter of 1860, this paper was purchased by Dr. H. Scott, and April 1st, 1861. was consolidated with the Lancaster Gazette. In 1849-50 a small daily sheet was issued from the Gazette office, entitled the Daily Gazette. Its publication was continued about two years, and then suspended. A handsome and well-printed eight-page weekly, entitled The Fire- side, was issued by A. P. Miller, in 1861. Its pages were devoted to domestic affairs and select literature. After a few issues of The Fire- side, Kinnis Fritter went in as partner, with Mr. Miller, and the name of the paper was changed to The Union, continuing under this title for one year, and was then abandoned. The Lancaster Free Press was established by the firm of Adams, MacCracken & Co., on the first of March, 1879. At the close of the first year Mr. Adams assumed the full control of the paper, and still conducts it successfully. Its politics is Republican, and, while it is emphatically a "free press," its vocation would have been better expressed by the name of "regulator," as it attacks whatever it judges unfair or wrong. It has many readers, and well deserves its hearty patronage on account of its independent fearlessness. The Saturday Journal was published every Saturday morning, by John C. Hite. It was a neat, eight-page, six-column paper, of clear typography. It was an earnest Democratic publication, ably conducted, and popular. The Journal was first established in Basil, Liberty township, this county, by J. Evins, in 1875, under the title of Fairfield County News. It was then a four-page sheet, of seven columns to the page. In April, 1879, this establishment was removed into Lancaster, where it was un- der the editorial control of W. S. Beaty, until June 29th, 1879, when John C. Hite became editor and manager. The last issue of this popu- lar paper appeared December 2nd, 1882, the publisher having sold it to the Eagle, in which paper it is now merged. The Lithopolis Home News is a neat, eight-page weekly publica- tion, issued in Lithopolis by Cramer brothers. It is chiefly devoted to home news and general literature. This paper is ably conducted, and, as a family newspaper, is highly creditable to its proprietors, as well as the village of Lithopolis. The Rushville Times is a small sheet, published weekly at Rushville, in the eastern part of this county. The villagers are proud of their ''home journal." and well sustain it. Two or three campaign papers which have not been mentioned above, have also been in publication during elections, afterwards subsiding. Of these the principal one was the Log Cabin, published from the Gazette office, during the fall of 1840. LITERARY MEN AND WOMEN OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY.---Lancaster has contained a large number of literary characters, though none of them can claim a very extensive authorship. Honorable Thomas Ewing was the author of some very able state papers, which were printed in the journals. He also left some very meritorious letters; which may yet appear. 172

A. P. Miller, who resided in Lancaster, acquired a reputation for poetical genius, but he and his poems have disappeared from the galaxy. Judge Philadelph Van Trump was a fine writer, but left nothing but a few addresses in print. Mrs. A. H. Devoling in 1860 produced a neat little volume of poems, many of which, were considered beautiful. The little book was well received, and found ready sale. Besides this book, vari- ous New Year addresses, epitaphs, and obituary poems have been written by her, which displayed more than ordinary talent as an authoress. John Garaghty, a former member of the Lancaster bar, but now a resident of Iowa, wrote a number of poems that would have hon- ored men of world-wide fame, but he was unpretentious and neglec- ted his talent. Walter Applegate. a young surgeon, was said to be a natural poet. R. E. H. Levering, deceased, deserved better the reputation of a rhymster than poet. A few of his efforts were of sufficient merit to have at least entitled him to an humble place among the literati. Rev. Lowry, for eight years pastor of Lancaster Presbyterian Church, was a theological author of fine ability. He produced several volumes on various theological topics, that found ready sale. Judge Silas H. Wright, who has been on the Common Pleas bench fifteen years, possesses literary ability, although he has not yet acquit- ted himself in the work of authorship. His caste is decidedly political. His centennial oration, delivered July 4th, 1876, and afterwards published, was a master effort that commanded great praise both from the press and the public. John Wright, son of Judge Wright, as a journalist gives promise of fine literary ability. Dr. H. Scott, as a pioneer sketcher, has acquired merited notoriety, he having lived on the frontier during the pioneer age. His series of over one hundred numbers, entitled "Pioneer Life in the West Sixty Years Ago," were published in the Lancaster Gazette, a few years since, continuing through more than two years, and were much sought after. He is the author of a manuscript on pioneer history; also a three hundred page history of Fairfield county. William Duke was a Lancaster boy of unrecognized talent. He is now in the employ of the Government, at Washington, as a writer of agricultural history and its general literature. In this he has acquired considerable distinction. Horace P. Biddle, now known as Judge Biddle, of Logansport, Indiana, was formerly a citizen of Lancaster, where he studied the pro- fession of law, with Hocking H. Hunter. He possessed considerable poetical talent. His first published work was a small volume entitled "Poems;" his second, "Glories of the World;" his third, "American Boyhood;" his fourth, "Amatories," followed by "Elements of Know- edge." "Amatories" is a partial work gotten up especially for private distribution, there being not over one dozen copies published. It is a quarto volume, bound in most elaborate style in Turkey morocco. 173

Dr. John Williams, A. M., as an author stood almost unique. He was the author or but two published works, his first being " The Read- able Dictionary; or Topical and Synonymic Lexicon." This work was first published by M. C. Lilly, of Columbus Ohio, in 1860. This work was wholly original, both in design and general plan, containing a won- derful scope of subjects. Some idea of the work will be obtained from the following: The word "light," for instance, is given---then every word used in the English language, no matter what its derivation, that relates to the subject of light in even the most remote degree, follows, with its definition, until the theme is exhausted. This continues through many thousand subjects. There probably has never been a book published, in any language, that contained an equal or approximate amount of useful knowledge. His other production was the "Parser," a small work on grammar, which was claimed to be a valuable acquisition to school text-books. At his death he left an unfinished work on geometry, which has been pronounced by geometricians as far ahead of any work that has ever appeared, and doubts have been expressed as to whether a man could be found capable of carrying out the doctor's plans, judging from the axioms and principles laid down. Professor E. B. Andrews was the author of scientific works, partic- ularly on geology, minerology, archaeology, paleontology. He was for several years Assistant State Geologist for Ohio, and his works, found in the State Geological Reports, are regarded as very valuable. He also left at his death, in the fall of 1881, some unfinished works, one of which was in press at the time of his death. His manuscript will probably yet be published. General Sanderson prepared "Notes on the Early Settlement of Fair- field county," which was published in pamphlet form, in 1849-50 by Thomas Wetzler. The pamphlet was liberally distributed about the city and county thirty years ago, and now it has become of inestimable worth. James Towson, in 1850 or about that time, published a map of of Fairfield county by townships. Sixteen years later, 1866, Ezra Hannum, county surveyor, likewise published a map of the county by townships. In about 1845, W. S. Beaty published a volume on domestic animals and agriculture, chiefly a compilation. The Ewing Memorial, published in 1873, is a neat and handsome bound volume of two hundred and ninety pages, chiefly contributions by the family and friends. Miss Bina Pearce, as "Frank Briarwood," a native of Lancaster, as a writer of romance has shown fine ability. Her style is smooth, agreeable, and free from a redundancy of verbiage. Miss Pearce's first effort was an attractive little volume entitled "Mabel Clifton" published by a Philadelphia house. The work met with a flattering reception by the reading public. She has been a con- tributor to the Toledo Blade and Cincinnati Commercial. She is also the authoress of a farce in one act, that has been praised by the lovers of plays. The title of the piece is "Miss Louring's Holiday," or "The Wrong Man." Her last work, "Woodland Priory," is about to go to press. 174

Next Chapter