NEWSPAPERS OF MASON COUNTY
Page 234
NEWSPAPERS OF MASON COUNTY
Page 234
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To give a sketch, historically, of the different newspapers published at various times in Mason county is at this time an impossibility. Perpetuity has not been a characteristic of that important industry, "that art preservative of all arts" that is so much the pride, and so very justly the boast of our age and country. The art of printing is second to no other. Of its first origin, histories differ, but enough is known to place beyond a doubt that it was practiced in Asia before its discovery in Europe. But it has fallen to the lot of our own country to render it a popular institution, and so cheaply executed that the poorest of the people of this country are abundantly supplied with reading matter of the latest date at a mere nominal rate. The mechanic and laborer, as well as the man of leisure and the professional man, can this morning read in his daily, the yesterday's proceedings of our congress, the British Parliament, the French Congress, the doings of the city of Rome and Constantinople, and in Egypt.
To the printing press of our country, and largely to the local press, is due that general diffusion of intelligence so characteristic of the American people. This enterprise and intelligence has carried the press and the English language and the newspaper to every country on the globe. Our American-English language is thus diffused, American enterprise made notorious, till Americans officer the armies of Egypt, and hold high positions in its government. Americans are the civil engineers of Russia and Turkey, and many in China are teaching our language and arts, while Japan has a head to her department of agriculture from our neighboring county, and a postmaster general from a neighboring State. Nor is this all: China looks out from all "Her mystic past,
And an American built railroad has invaded her long-secluded domain. The railroad engineers of the United States have overrun South America in all her fastnesses, probed the Andes, and traversed the plains of Columbia and Brazil, "And where the Amazon's deep tide The American engineer, stimulated by his characteristic enterprise, and guided by that intelligence that ever in human history has followed in the wake of the printing press, is marking his lines of railroad, and directing the nominally-priced labor of the country in its construction. Eight years only were allowed to elapse after the organization of Mason county before the local newspaper was established in our midst. In 1849 Messrs. McKenzi & Roberts established the first newspaper in Mason county, called the "Mason County Herald." In 1851 we find O. H. Wright, Esq., of Havana, editor and proprietor. He was succeeded by E. L. Grubb, who also published a paper under the same title. Then Stout & Wheaden published a county paper under the same title. This was in 1853. Stout & Wheaden were succeeded by W. W. Stout; Wheaden retiring, and under his management the "Herald" became a paper of much influence and ability.
From this time on we are unable to give dates of the "Arrivals and Departures" of the local papers, that in most cases were very short lived, but the following are their names and their editors. We cannot even give them ad seriatim-so ephemeral were the existence of some: If there are others we have been unable to get data of them, and can only use such material as is within our reach. We will in the following pages give brief extracts from some of the earliest publications in the county, and such other interesting references as are obtainable.
From Herald, April, 1857. COURT. The next term of the Mason Circuit Court will be holden in Havana, on the third Monday in April next. The following persons have been subpoenaed to attend as jurors:
GRAND JURY.
PETIT JURY.
DEMOCRATIC COUNTY CONVENTION. The undersigned, Democratic Central Committee, give notice that there will be a democratic convention held at the court house in Havana, on Saturday, the 12th of September next, at 1 o'clock, P. M. for the purpose of nominating candidates to be supported at the November election, 1857. The primary meetings in each precinct, for the purpose of choosing delegates, will be held at the usual place of holding elections in each precinct, on Saturday, September 5th, 1857, at 1 o'clock, P. M.
Each precinct will be entitled to five delegates, to represent them in said convention.
MAIL ROUTE. Some time ago, we noticed in some of our exchanges, a statement to the effect that a new mail route, from Havana to Lincoln via Mason City had been created, and that the same would soon be placed under contract. But we suppose the announcement was all humbug, as we have heard no more in reference to it for some months. Such a route is very much needed, and it is greatly to be desired that it be obtained, as there is a very large extent of territory, with many inhabitants, who are almost without and mail facilities whatever.
EGYPT STATION. Our readers should by no means forget the fact, that on Saturday, the 27th inst., there will be a great sale of town lots in Egypt station. This town, as all are well aware, is beautifully located, being situated on the Illinois River Railroad, and in the heart of the most productive portion of Mason county. A better location could not possible have been selected than the one on which it is situated. It is quite apparent to all, that in a few years hence there must be quite a flourishing town at some point in that neighborhood, and it will, in all probability, be at Egypt station, as that place has every advantage required for its support. Persons who wish to invest money in a paying speculation would do well to attend the sale, as no loss can be sustained in making purchases at that point. The terms of sale are extremely reasonable, only ten per cent, to be paid at the time of purchase.
MARCH 19, 1858. Improvements are rapidly going forward in our town. Many new and substantial buildings are in course of erection; new business houses are being opened, all of which goes to show that our town is in a prosperous and flourishing condition.
Messrs. Stewart & Reichman will open a drug store in the course of a few days, in the building formerly occupied by John Close. They are at present in St. Louis making their purchases. Messrs. Otto & Thee inform us that they intend opening a family grocery in the building formerly occupied as a store by Adolph Krebaum, Esq.
Mr. James C. Kemp, who recently made an assessment of the real estate and personal property of the town of Havana, subject to taxation, has kindly furnished us with the following statement: Amount of personal property .$134,957 Amount of real estate . 156,800 Total ...$291,757 Of course due allowance must be made for the fact that it was generally understood that the assessment was made for the purpose of levying a tax, consequently the estimate of property would be put at considerably lower figures that its real value.
THE THIRTEENTH.
MASON HERALD.-W. W. STOUT, EDITOR. Havana, June 4, 1858
DELTA.
OCEAN SPRAY VICTIM (?). A passenger on board the Sam Gaty, on her last trip up the river, informed us that he saw the body of a man floating in the Illinois River, near Harris' Landing. As every person found drowned at the present time is set down as "a victim of the Ocean Spray disaster," we suppose this is another person who was lost by the burning of the ill-fated steamer! St. Louis papers please copy.
As we are now in daily communication with Peoria, perhaps some of our citizens would like to subscribe for some of the daily papers published in that city. If such is the case, we can recommend to the republicans the Peoria Transcript as being a very good paper, both for news and commercial matter. The paper is neat in its mechanical execution, and its proprietors are gentlemen. Should any of our citizens visit Peoria-which they do every day-they should call and see the Transcript office, as it has recently been adorned by a new steam press.
THE HERALD.-W. W. STOUT, EDITOR. Havana, October 2d, 1857.
CANDIDATES. I. A. Hurd announces himself as an independent candidate for county clerk, at the ensuing election. We are authorized to announce Fletcher Coppel as a candidate for clerk, at the ensuing election. We are authorized to announce Selah Wheadon as a candidate for school commissioner of Mason county. Editor of the Herald: Please announce J. B. Paul as a candidate for school commissioner, at the ensuing election, and oblige
.MANY VOTERS. Mr. Editor: Please announce N. Powell, Esq., as a candidate for the office of county judge, at the ensuing election, and oblige
MANY VOTERS
THE AGRICULTURAL FAIR. Are our readers aware that our county fair is to be held in this place during the ensuing week. We have heard so little said in regard to it that we fear many of the citizens of the county have forgotten that we are to have an exhibition of articles during the present year. There are but a few more days to elapse before the appointed time will have arrived and the short interval should be employed in making preparations to be present on the occasion. Our citizens do not manifest as much interest in such exhibitions as they should. There are many articles raised and manufactured in the county well worthy to be exhibited, and our citizens should not be backward in bringing them forward and placing them on exhibition. The articles exhibited at the last fair, were very creditable to the county, when compared with what we saw on exhibition. The articles exhibited at the last fair, were very creditable to the county, when compared with what we saw on exhibition at the State fair. Some of the needlework exhibited here last year was almost equal to anything we saw at Peoria.
MASON CITY. We were informed that there were a very large number of people present at the sale of town lots in Mason City, which took place on Wednesday last. It is supposed that the number of persons present much exceeded 1,000. Lots sold very high, we are informed at from $75 to $300! This may be considered rather extravagant figures by some, when they take into consideration the fact that there are not at present half a dozen houses within two miles of the location. We are informed that there is a very beautiful and fertile country in the neighborhood of the projected town, as fine a country as any town could desire to have for its support; and we presume, should the railroad be completed through that section of country and a depot located at Mason City, it will stand a very fair chance of making a considerable town, and of transacting a very respectable business. But we are very much inclined to doubt whether in twenty years from the present time it will have become as large and important a place as some of the most sanguine friends of the undertaking expect it to become in the next three or four years. We are informed that some of its friends entertain the opinion that the county seat will be removed to that point at an early day. Well, perhaps such may be the case; though we are seriously inclined to doubt it; but we presume when it does occur, the event will very shortly after be followed by the removal of the capitol of the United States to the same important point! One event will certainly follow the other, and perhaps we may as well at once commence to congratulate the citizens of that portion of the county on their favorable location, in such near proximity to the Federal Capitol. We are prevented from offering our congratulations to the citizens of Mason City, from the fact that there are no inhabitants there-but we promise to do so as soon as some move in.
We are convinced since our attending the State Fair, that Mason county is the equal of almost any county in the State for the raising of almost every kind of vegetables, and as for watermelons we can safely challenge and defy the competition of the entire State. There has been many larger melons sold in Havana during the present summer than any we saw at Peoria during the Fair.
Some one presented the editor of the Cass County Times with a melon weighing 38 pounds, and he takes on considerably about the size on't. We saw a load of melons sold in this town a few days ago, several of which were weighed and found to exceed 38 pounds in weight. A thirty-eight pound melon may be considered decidedly "some" in your diggings, neighbor, but up here it is considered rather "small pertaters," and hardly worth the gathering. The largest melon ever presented to the Herald office, weighed fifty-nine pounds, and was not considered worth bragging about! It was raised by J. D. W. Bowman. It was only twenty-one pounds heavier than yours, neighbor! 'Twarn't as big agin, was it? Some consolation, anyhow.
From the Mason County Herald, Nov. 24, 1853.
PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY, BY T. C. WHEADEN & W. W. STOUT. Business is legible written on every countenance. Some will be happier and some sadder at the week's close than at its commencement. On Monday evening, the citizens were called together, at the court house, to listen to one of the most important discussions of the day, and the most so of any ever presented to the people of Mason county. Though a fifty cent show would have collected a more numerous audience, yet there was a large and deeply interested audience listening to the matter-of-fact statements, and weighty and conclusive arguments of Major Harris, in reference to the importance and feasibility of the construction of the Springfield & Petersburg Railroad, and the necessity, almost, of the citizens of Mason county voting for the corporate subscription to that object, to the amount mentioned by the county court, viz: twenty-five thousand dollars. The Major showed, conclusively, that if constructed it would be a largely paying road, because of the connections it would have with the roads running north to Chicago, and south to St. Louis, and the very direct communication it would open up with the towns and country on the line of our road, and the great eastern commercial centres, New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore, by the connection it would form with the numerous lines of roads running eastward, thus giving farmers the most ample facilities for disposing of their produce at the very best markets. Judge Kellogg, of Canton, was afterwards called to the stand, and presented additional arguments, in an able and eloquent style, on the same subject. It was a masterly effort, showing that railroad communications such as this road would give us, are absolutely indispensable to develop the resources of the State. We regret that a larger number of our citizens of the county were not present to be convinced by these addresses, if they ever had any doubt, that nothing will so much advance the interests of Mason county as railroad communication with the great northern, eastern and southern markets, and that there is nothing the people can so easily do as to vote at the coming election for county subscription.
The election for county and precinct officers will take place on Tuesday, the 8th inst. It is very much wished that every voter should be present at the polls, prepared to deposit an intelligent vote for the question of the county subscription of $25,000 to the capital stock of the Springfield and Petersburg Railroad Company, which is on that day to be decided; and certainly a question of more interest has never yet been before the citizens of Mason county for decision. The future prosperity of the county will be very materially affected by the decision of the voters on that question next Tuesday.
RATHER SINGULAR. We hear it said that the association of "Secret and obscure Know-Nothings," which is said to exist in this community, have been in the habit heretofore of holding their meetings in the German church, but that refusing to pay a certain amount of rent, they were ejected, and compelled to use Cotilion Hall as their lodge room. Of course this statement is incorrect. A German church would be a strange place for a Know-Nothing meeting. The number of persons who attended the mysterious meeting at the Hall, we first heard was 25, but according to the latest census it has increased to between 60 and 70.
In grading the street leading past the Mason Hotel to the river, quite a number of skulls were found, also other bones. A portion of them were in an excellent state of preservation. From the number of bones found at this and other times, we incline to the opinion that anciently that part of Havana that fronts on the river was used as an Indian burying ground.
Feb. 10, 1854. Our townsmen, James Mallory and Pike C. Ross, left this place on Monday last for a tour of observation in Texas, and should that country meet their expectations, they design removing there. They go via. Orleans and Shreveport.
From the Mason County Herald, February 17, 1854. The county subscription is aid of the Springfield and Petersburg Railroad is a subject of considerable interest to the people of Mason county at this time. The hopes that have been revived concerning the early construction of that road are not a little mixed with apprehension in the minds of many of our citizens. The road, it seems, was chartered from Springfield to Petersburg, and the entension of it to this place was left optional with the company. The county vote of twenty-five thousand dollars was unconditional, but assurances were given in public addresses to the citizens, previous to the election, that an estimate had been made of the cost of grading and tieing in each county, and that the subscriptions were proportioned to the estimate, so that, if the road should be built, each county would, in fact, have its own money expended within its limits. The people made the vote, of course, in good faith that the county would have the advantages of a railroad. We all know the road ought to be built; but will it? That is the question. Can we have satisfactory assurances that such will be the case, or is it taken for granted that the money of Mason county will be faithfully expended in building the road, and that she shall make her subscription, not absolutely knowing whether she is building the road from Havana to Petersburg or from Petersburg to Springfield? We commend cautiousness to our court.
From Herald, March 29, 1855. The election for town officers took place on Monday last, and resulted in the choice of John H. West, James Boggs, N. Waggenseller, J. D. Hays and Silas Cheek, as board of trustees for the town of Havana for the ensuing year. R. H. Walker was elected police magistrate. The election for associate justice and constable passed off quietly. But few people were in attendance on account of pressing business at home in the agricultural line. The following is the vote of this precinct:
FOR ASSOCIATE JUSTICE.
FOR CONSTABLE. We have no reliable returns from other precincts except Salt Creek, which gives Burnham eighty-six, Baxter seven, and Pemberton one. There is little doubt of Burnham's election by a large marjority.
Herald, September 21, 1855. We suppose our readers are aware that on the 4th and 5th of next month our county fair will be held. We feel considerable interest in the result, it being the first attempt that we have made in this county to hold a fair. The executive committee have bought grounds and provided for fencing the same, so we shall commence our first fair upon grounds owned by the society. Every person who is a member is entitled to the privilege of entering any article in the advertised list, and any person may become a member for the trifling sum of fifty cents. Then we again say, come, from the fertile forks of the Sangamon, the rich bottoms of Crane Creek, the verdant banks of Salt Creek, and the blooming prairies of Egypt, and everybody bring his wife and children.
From Herald, August 23, 1855. Ninian W. Edwards, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, will deliver an address on the subject of Education, at the court house, on Thursday, the 30th of August, at seven, P. M. All should made it convenient to be present on that occasion.
SAMUEL HURD. We are authorized to announce the name of Samuel Hurd as a candidate for Constable at the ensuing election, to fill the vacancy made by the resignation of John Falkner.
The number of bushels of corn raised in Mason County in 1853 was 1,158,400, and 187,648 bushels of wheat.
Twenty years ago-1833-the region of country now known as Mason county, was one unbroken wilderness. Here and there in some point of timber, or near the bank of some creek or river, the log cabin of the pioneer, with a few acres of land beginning to be cultivated, was the only indication of civilization. The Government owned the land, and $1.25 per acre was no inducement to settlers, when any quantity of what was considered better soil could be purchased for the same price. Emigrants avoided these plains and sand ridges as unworthy of their notice. The productive qualities of the soil had not been tested, and very few were willing to run the risk and make the experiment. It was not until land for entry was growing scarce, in what was considered more favored localities, that purchases began to be made here. The settler very soon found, however, that his prejudices were unfounded, that the forbidding appearance of the surface was a false indication; that an exuberance of productive power was here disguised under the exterior show of poverty. The facts becoming known, the settlers flocked in, and have continued to come until now there is scarcely any unentered land to be found in the county.
The Herald, of April 19, 1855, says in the local news column, "the town is crowded with business. Walker & Hancock are receiving large supplies of goods." C. W. Andrus is receiving his spring stock. J. H. & D. P. Hole are also receiving large consignments of new and desirable articles. Steiner & Sterns are daily making heavy sales. Richard Ritter is receiving from the east a large stock of fancy goods. N. Waggenseller has had new goods for some days, and making heavy sales: H. R. Cleaner has just returned from St. Louis with a new stock. R. H. Walker has opened a new establishment, located at the heart of the city. J. C. Kemp has also returned from the city with new goods. Kemp & Simpson are receiving heavy stocks of stoves, etc. Under date of July 4, 1855, the Herald says: "The warehouse of R. S. Moore & Co., will be ready to receive grain in a few days. This warehouse will be the largest on the Illinois river." "N. J. Rockkwell will soon have his flouring mill done." June 27, 1855, "O. H. Shearer will remain in Havana a few days longer and take daguerratypes." Also, the cards of Thomas Covington and J. D. Hays, furniture dealers.
Population of Havana in 1837 932 No. of males 495 No. of females 437 No. of mechanics 110
TRADE OF 1856. From January 1, 1856, to January 1, 1857. From the Herald.
SALES OF GOODS REPORTED SAME YEAR. Walker & Hancock .$100,000 Wagenseller & Jones . 43,000 J. H. & D. P. Hole ...30,000 Otto & Krebaum 8,500 John Close 10,550 H. R. Cleaver 20,000 Stuart & Bro . . .6,130 R. H. Walker . 26,000 Steiner, Sterns & Co .26,270 C. W. Andrus 21,000 J. A. Hurd ..20,850 J. C. Kemp .17,000
DRUG STORES.
HARDWARE
GROCERIES
LUMBER YARDS
From the "Mason City Times," No. 1, volume 1, the first paper in Mason City, Dec. 25, 1866, we quote the following:
MERRY CHRISTMAS To those who have aided us by kind words, advertisements and subscriptions, we return our thanks. As for those who have not aided us, we hope to merit their patronage, if we do not receive it.
BUSINESS HOUSES OF MASON CITY
We make the following reference to the four papers published in Mason county at the present time:
THE MASON CITY INDEPENDENT
MASON CITY JOURNAL The Journal, is always a welcome visitor, and is second to none in matters of interest in this region of Illinois. It is not the province of a weekly paper to assume to furnish the latest news that is in this fast age supplied at lightning speed by the city dailies, but it is their duty to give home locals and matters of interest not governed by the question of time, so important to the daily. It is here that the Journal succeeds.
DEMOCRATIC CLARION The Clarion is in its sixth volume; a folio of eight columns to the page, conducted by S. Wheadon, and E. O. Wheadon, local editor. The Clarion is rigidly democratic, and is conducted with ability. Mr. Wheadon is a writer of more than ordinary talent, and his political abilities are of a high order, and worthy of a wider field. We quote the following, which now is for the first time in type: "Ah, what can cheer the lonely breast,
DEMOCRATIC BUGLE The Democratic Bugle, published by Robert L. Durdy, is a campaign paper, intended to serve the interests of the political crisis the present fall, and as its name indicates, is on the democratic faith. Mr. Durdy is not a new man in the newspaper business of Mason county, but has been engaged in publishing and in the employment of others in that business for many years. He is a fine mechanic in that line of business, as well as an able writer. The "Bugle" is issued from the office of the Democratic Clarion, has had a good circulation and is liberally patronized as an advertising medium. The Bugle is the last born of the twenty-five papers that have entered their appearance in Mason county since McKinzi & Roberts began in 1849 the issue of the Mason County Herald. |