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PART FIRST.
HISTORICAL GAZETTEER 
OF STEUBEN COUNTY, NEW YORK 
WITH MEMOIRS AND ILLUSTRATIONS.
Compiled and Edited By Millard F. Roberts,

Publisher, SYRACUSE, N. Y. 1891.
*Transcribed by Jennifer Morse,  2008*

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CHAPTER VI.

THE COUNTY PRESS - EARLY NEWSPAPERS - NEWSPAPERS OF BATH - OF ADDISON - OF AVOCA - OF CANISTEO - OF COHOCTON - OF CORNING - OF HORNELLSVILLE - OF PRATTSBURGH - OF URBANA.

       Nearly simultaneous with the erection of Steuben county, its first newspaper made its appearance at Bath - a mark of enterprise and progress in any community. There was then no paper published west of Utica where the "Gazette" had been established in 1793, and where it is still issued at the "Morning Herald and Daily Gazette."
     Captain Williamson procured from Northumberland or Sunbury, Pa., the outfit required for a newspaper office. We give below an account of the newspapers of Bath, prepared by George B. Richardson of that place, one of th oldest printers in Steuben county.
     Bath. - "The Gazette and Genesee Advertiser" was unquestionably the first newspaper printed in Steuben county. It was published by William Kersey and James Edie; the first number of which was issued near the first of October 1796. In 1798 Colonel Williamson said: - "The printer of 'The Ontario Gazette' dispenses weekly not less than one thousand papers and the printer of the 'Bath Gazette' from four hundred to five hundred." As near as can be ascertained at this late date the "Bath Gazette" lived some four years.
     "The Western Republican" was commenced at Bath in September 1819 by Erastus Shepherd. In November 1822, the name was changed to the "Steuben Republican," and in February 1823, its publication was suspended.
     "The Steuben Whig" was published at Bath during the political campaign of 1828 by Wm. M. Swaine, the founder of the "Philadelphia Ledger." A file of the paper can be seen in the village of Bath.
     "The Steuben Allegany Patriot," the second newspaper printed in Bath was issued by Benjamin Smead, the first number of which made its appearance on or about the first of December, 1816. The "Patriot" under different names remained in the Smead family up to the fourth of April, 1849, when it passed into the hands of William C. Rhodes who continued its publication as the "Steuben Farmers' Advocate" up to January 30th, 1857, when the office took fire and the establishment was entirely consumed. Mr. Rhodes sold the good will of the concern to P. S. Donahe who, on the 31st of May, 1857, resumed the publication of the "Steuben Farmers Advocate," A. J. McCall, editor. In the summer of 1860 Mr. Donahe sold out to A. L. Underhill, the present owner.
     "The Steuben American" was started in Bath January 1st, 1856, by

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A. L. Underhill and published until the summer of 1857, when it was sold to P. S. Donahe. The printing office was used thereafter to publish the "Steuben Farmers' Advocate" which had a few weeks before been destroyed by fire.
     "The Steuben Messenger" was commenced in Bath by David Rumsey, the first number of which was issued on the 17th day of April, 1828. On the second day of December, 1830, Mr. Rumsey sold out to S. M. Eddy who continued its publication for a time and sold out to W. P. Angel. When Mr. Angel got control of the paper he changed the name to "The Constitutionalist," and continued its publication till some time in 1834, when it passed into the hands of Charles Adams. On the 10th day of February, 1841, Mr. Adams sold to R. L. Underhill and the paper was continued in the name of M. F. Whittemore & Co., till the spring of 1843 when it passed into the hands of George B. Richardson and John Dowe who continued it as the "Steuben Democrat" till sometime in 1844 when its publication was suspended. In 1848 the "Democrat" was revived by L. J. Bush, and in 1849 it passed into the hands of George H. Bidwell by whom it was continued till 1852.
     "The Primitive Christian" was printed in the office of Richardson & Dowe in 1844. Rev. Jabez Chadwick was the editor and publisher. It was an octavo and issued monthly. It lived less than two years.
     "The Temperance Gem" was printed in the Advocate office for Jennie and Caroline Rumsey in 1854. It was afterward printed in Elmira.
     "The Rose" a literary monthly was published in the office of Richardson and Dowe for J. C. Vincent in 1844 and was discontinued when the editor enlisted as a soldier in the Mexican war.
     "The Steuben Courier" was established in 1843 by Henry H. Hull who for a time had associated with him M. F. Whittemore. The "Courier" was at first a six column paper 21x31 inches and was the only Whig organ in the county. Mr. Whittemore retired in two years and Mr. Hull conducted it alone until 1856, when Charles G. Fairman of Elmira was taken into partnership for nine months. In 1854, upon the formation of the Republican party the "Courier" became as it is today an exponent of Republican principles. In 1864 Mr. Hull formed a partnership with Enos W. Barnes and the firm of Hull and Barnes existed with the exception of six months in 1868 until July 1st, 1875, when Mr. Barnes retired and Harry S. Hull son of the senior partner took his place and the firm name was H. H. Hull and Son for a year, when the partnership ended by the death of the senior member. Harry S. Hull conducted the paper alone till his death, July 11th, 1890. Some months after, the "Courier" was bought by the Courier Company, Limited, which is now conducting the business. It is now a nineteen column paper 28x44 inches.

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     "The Saturday News" was established by Enos. W. Barnes who issued the first number on April 25, 1868. It only lived some five or six months.
     "The Tri-Weekly Conservative." Charles Clute commenced the publication of this paper in August, 1868 and continued it for about six months. It was a spicey little sheet.
     "The Bath Echo" was published by Clute and McCall for four or five months in 1874.
     "The Bath Sunday News" was published about six months by L. R. Smith and Co., - A. E. McCall editor - in the year 1881.
     "The Bath Plaindealer" was started May 5th 1883 by A. Ellas McCall, Orson L. Drew and William Black, with office in the basement of the Opera House Block. It was afterward moved up stairs, and now occupies a store in the Ives Block. Mr. Drew retired in May 1884 and Mr. Black in December the same year. It has since been run by Mr. McCall alone. It is an eight page paper containing forty-eight columns.
     "The Savona Rustler," issued weekly, was established May 19, 1888, by T. L. Ward. It is independent in politics. 
     Addison. - "Addison Advertiser." Many attempts had been made to establish a paper at Addison prior to the publishing of the "Advertiser." It was first issued in March, 1858, as a four-paged paper, six columns to the page, and "independent on all subjects."
     Hon. Henry M. Johnson was the founder. Col. Henry Baldwin, of Addison, was active in establishing this paper and was a partner in its publication for several months. In the summer of 1858, Colonel Baldwin retired, leaving Mr. Johnson sole proprietor.
     At the time the paper was started the material used was mostly second-hand and small in quantity. Its first press was a Washington hand-press. Before it had attained the age of one year, it dropped its independent principles and avowed itself "Democratic on all subjects." Later it espoused the republican cause and continued a Republican paper until the presidential campaign of 1872, when it advocated the election of Horace Greeley and remained a Liberal Republican until the following January.
     From July, 1865, to January 1, 1866, the paper was conducted by Johnson, Dow & Bates, H. S. Dow and W. R. Bates having entered into partnership with Mr. Johnson. September 4, 1867, Amos Roberts purchased a half interest in the "Advertiser," and its publication was continued under the firm name of Johnson & Roberts. George H. Hollis purchased the office January 30, 1873, and published the paper as an independent journal until the nomination of S. J. Tilden for president in 1876, when it supported Tilden and Hendricks, continuing Democratic in politics until about 1881. Amos Roberts then became

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sole proprietor and has since conducted it as a Republican paper. It has been enlarged, new material and a power press added. The paper has gained largely in circulation and influence, and has long since been established on a firm and paying basis.
     "The Addison Record" was established by O. B. Ireland, December 3, 1881. Mr. Ireland was succeded by F. B. Orser and George Jones, who on March 25, 1882, were succeeded by M. Kinne. The paper has been conducted by the present proprietor, C. B. Mowers, since June 11, 1886. It is Democratic in politics.
     Avoca. - "The Avoca Advance." - In the fall of 1878 W. E. Churchill opened a job printing office in the village of Avoca. In May, 1879, he sold the office to W. T. Coggeshall, who issued Vol. 1, No. 1 of "The Avoca Advance," a weekly paper, on the 17th day of May, 1879. Martin A. Hoadly purchased the "Advance" in 1883, and was the editor and proprietor until April, 1884, when he sold to Alvin Wood, who issued it until August, 1887, when the plant was sold to Fred C. Dean, who, on account of sickness, was unable to assume the duties and control and at once sold to W. T. Coggeshall and George C. Silsbee. In March, 1888, the co-partnership was dissolved, Mr. Coggeshall retiring. The paper has always been independent in politics. Since Mr. Silsbee has had control of the paper  it has been enlarged. A new Howe cylinder press has taken the place of the hand-press and the office where the plant is now located has been built. It now has a circulation of nearly fifteen hundred.
     Canisteo. - "The Canisteo Times" is a weekly newspaper started in the village of Canisteo January 25, 1877, by S. H. Jennings. F. B. Smith, the present editor and proprietor, assumed control of the paper on April 1, 1886, and soon after enlarged it to an eight page paper. It is an enterprising sheet and has a circulation of from fifteen hundred to two thousand copies.
     Cohocton. - The first newspaper established in Cohocton was in 1859, by William Waite WArner, and was called the "Cohocton Journal." It was only issued about two years when Mr. Warner moved west. The next paper was a weekly published by H. B. Newell in 1872, called the "Cohocton Herald," and shortly afterward purchased by James C. Carpenter became the proprietor and changed the name to the "Cohocton Valley Times," which name it still retains. Edgar A. Higgins succeeded Mr. Carpenter in 1878, who continued to own the paper until November, 1889, when he sold out his interest. Since that time S. D. Shattuck has been the editor. The "Times" is non-partisan in politics.
     Corning. - "The Corning Journal," a weekly Republican newspaper,

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is the oldest newspaper in the city of Corning. It was established by Thomas Messenger, in May 1847, who remained editor and proprietor until July 1851, at which date the establishment was purchased by A. W. McDowell and Dr. George W. Pratt. The latter became the editor, and in April, 1853, purchased Mr. McDowell's interest, and remained sole editor and proprietor until July 1869, when he sold one-half interest to T. S. DeWolf. On November 1, 1874, Dr. Pratt again became sole properietor and has conducted the paper since. His son, Harry H. Pratt is the associate editor.
     The present "Daily and Weekly Democrat" was first published as the "Corning Sem-Weekly Sun" in 1853 by M. M. (Brick) Pomeroy and VanGelder. Rev. Ira Brown bought the paper in 1854. He published it weekly and changed the name to: "The Southern Tier Farmer." From April to November 1857 this paper was published by C. T. Huson and Frank B. Brown as the "Corning Democrat."
     From November 1859 until June 1885 F. B. Brown was sole proprietor of the Democrat. Since the latter year, this office has published both a daily and weekly edition under the firm name of F. B. Brown and Son.
     "The Corning Independent" was first issued December 1874 by P. S. DeWolf. DeWolf sold it to Dr. A. J. Ingersoll about two years afterward. While Dr. Ingersoll owned that office the paper was published as a Green Back organ by Uri Mulford. The paper was discontinued in 1879.
     "The Evening Chronicle" a daily newspaper neutral in politics, was started by Mr. Ed. Mott, May 4, 1891.

*NEWSPAPERS IN HORNELLSVILLE.

     "The Hornellsville Tribune" was established November 3, 1851, by Edwin Hough, who brought to Hornellsville its firs printing office. That was about a year after the completion of the New York and Erie Railroad to this point, a period of marked growth and prosperity for Hornellsville. The newspapers of that day did not pay the attention which is now given to local news, but the "Tribune" of those years was a faithful chronicler of the progress of its vicinity. At first an independent newspaper, it became Democratic for about two years, but espoused the Republican cause with the organization of that party and remained so until its sale in 1869 to D. R. Shafer. Since that time it has been Democratic. Its founder, Edwin Hough, was a publisher of the old
     *Furnished by Hon. R. M. Tuttle, of Hornellsville.

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school, conscientious and candid, as an editor, painsaking and thorough, as a printer. He died in Hornellsville May 3, 1870 at the age of seventy-two. Connected with this paper, the names of Charles A. Kinney, Arthur S. Baker and Charles M. Beecher should also be mentioned for good work done, at different periods, in loal journalism. The Tribune has been published, successively, by Edwin Hough, Hough and Kinney, Hough and Baker, E. Hough and Son, Hough and Beecher, E. H. Hough, D. R. Shafer, Greenhow and Son and W. H. Greenhow, its present proprietor. For a few weeks in 1873, the Tribune published a tri-weekly edition. The daily Tribune was first issued February 4, 1878, as an afternoon paper and has continued under the same management as the weekly.
     "The National American" was established February 13th, 1856, by D. C. Pruner and C. M. Harmon. Under Mr. Harmon's editorship it was an ably conducted paper, American in politics. He was assisted in literary work by Willie E. Pabor, of Brooklyn. Mr. Harmon subsequently conducted a newspaper at Ravenswood, West Va., and his office was destroyed by a rebel mob in 1862. He died at Hornellsville July 22, 1868. "The American" became the property of Charles A. Kinney in September 1858. He soon changed its name to "The Canisteo Valley Journal" and made of it a newsy local newspaper, independent in politics. Mr. Kinney was a ready writer and an enterprising publisher. He relinquished journalism to enter the service of his country as a member of the 130th regiment N. Y. volunteers. He died of yellow fever at Newberne, N.C., September 1864, in the fortieth year of his age. He had sold the "Journal," in January 1861, to R. S. Lewis, an editor of ability and experience who is now the successful publisher of the "Batavian," at Batavia, N.Y. The "Journal" was continued by Mr. Lewis as a Republican newspaper until August 1862, when it was discontinued. 
     "The Democratic Vidette" was established September 28, 1865, by Burdick Bros., and was published successfully by Burdick & Cooper, John M. Riley & Co., A. J. Riley & Co. and Wm H. Baldwin. It was democratic in politics. O. R. Burdick was one of the most briliant writers of the local press. He wrote over the pseudonym of "Sparks." He was killed by the cars October 28, 1865. Mr. Baldwin has since achieved success in the publication of the "Democrat," at Watkins, N.Y. He sold the Vidette office to Thacher & Tuttle, who changed its name to "The Canisteo Valley Times," and made it a Republican in politics, beginning with its publication Januray 10, 1867. Mr. Thacher had had experience in journalism, in Kansas, and his forcible and felicitous writing did much in placing the "Times" at the front rank of that day. Others, connected with the editorial management of the

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"Times" were Johnson Brigham, a brilliant and effective journalist now in charge of the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, "Republican;" H. S. Tomer, who is now doing good work on the Rochester "Herald" and John W. Mack now of New York city. Following the retirement of Mr. Thacher, in 1877, the "Times" has been published, in turn, by R. M. Tuttle, Tuttle & Brigham, Johnson Brigham, Tomer, Dolson & Jackman, Dolson & Mack, J. S. Dolson and "The Times Association," who now conduct it, with R. M. Tuttle as editor and A. H. Bunnell as business manager. The Daily edition of the "Times" began with the "Daily News" - Hornellsville's first daily newspaper - a little two-column folio established by Benzinger & Osincup, October 22, 1877. They sold it to Tuttle & Brigham February 25, 1878, who enlarged it and continued its publication as the "Daily Times." The "Daily Times" was changed from an evening to a morning paper in September, 1883.
     "The Economist," the first number of which was issued March 8, 1872, was started as an advertising sheet published weekly, in the interest of M. A. Tuttle and other merchants. After running a year it was sold to Graham & Dawson and issued as the "Hornellsville Herald." It soon espoused the Prohibition cause, which it ably maintained for some time. Its editor, Miles G. Graham was a vigorous writer and enthusiastic in the cause he advocated. He subsequently published a paper at Cobleskill, N.Y. In 1876 Mr. E. H. Hough purchased the "Herald and still conducts it.
     The first paper in this city in the interest of the Greenback party was started by J. Willett Smith January 19, 1878. It was named "The Reveille," and was printed at the "Tribune" office. After two weeks publication it was sold to James D. Adams, who brought a printing office from Andover, and continued the paper as "The Greenback Champion." Adams published the paper one year, when it was discontinued for want of sufficient support. About three months after the suspension of the "Champion," David Healey purchased the material and revived the paper under the name of "The Invincible." He formed a partnership with Martin Battle, of Montreal, Canada, and for a few months the paper was run by Healy & Battle. The latter soon retired and Healey ran the paper alone until January, 1880, when it was sold to John Tolan. It was subsequently run by Tolan & Osincup, and by Tolan Brothers (John and Mark H.) In June, 1881, the "Invincible" gave place to "The Daily Independent," an evening paper, independent in politics. In October, 1881, the "Independent" was changed to a morning paper and published by Tolan Bros. & Shattuck. Its publication was suspended December 25, 1881.
     "The Steuben Signal," a prohibition newspaper, was established

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April 4, 1883, though four numbers had been issued as a campaign sheet in the autumn before. It was published for "The Signal Publishing Co.;" and was continued five years. Be extensive canvassing it had for its first year a circulation of ten thousand copies, and maintained a large circulation so long as it was published.
     "The Era" was established in 1887 by S. H. Jennings, in the interest of the Labor party. After running about a year it was removed to Almond.
     "The Daily Press" was established March 9, 1889, by the "Press Publishing Co.," consisting of John Tolan and Leon Hough, and published from the "Herald" office. In February, 1890, Mr. Tolan secured an independent office from which he has since published the "Press" as sole proprietory. It is an evening paper, independent in politics.
     Prattsburgh. - "The Prattsburgh News" was established by P. C. Howe & Sons, December 12, 1872. It is a successor to the Prattsburgh Advertiser," published by Caleb B. Hoke. It is now conducted by P. C. Howe's Sons.
     Urbana. - The "Hammondsport Herald" was established May 1, 1874, by Mrs. B. Bennitt and Mrs. E. R. Fairchild. It is issued weekly. May 1, 1875, the half interest owned by Mrs. Bennitt was sold to Mrs. Fairchild, the latter having charge of the paper until the fall of 1876, when Mr. L. H. Brown bought a half interest. The partnership existed for one year when Mr. Brown became sole proprietor and still continues to edit and publish the paper.
     Wayland. - "The Union Advertiser" was established by H. B. Newell in the fall of 1863. It is a weekly paper, neutral in politics, and devoted to general news and literature. About 1889 C. F. Newell was admitted and the firm name changed to Newell Brothers.
     "The Wayland Register" was started at Wayland, N.Y., May 1, 1889, by C. F. Dean, its present proprietor. It is published weekly and is non-partisan. It is an eight-page, five-column newspaper, 26x40 inches.
     Woodhull. - "The Steuben Sentinel," the newspaper published at Woodhull, N.Y., was founded in 1879 by R. C. Park, the present editor and publisher, and commenced publication at Troupsburg, N.Y., and continued the same for a period of one year, after which it was removed to Woodhull and took up quarters in a small room in the Hopkins brick block, soon after removing to more commodious quarters in the same building. It has been very successful from the time of its removal to this town. About four years ago Mr. Park purchased the building in which the office is now located and is doing an extensive business in the way of job work and book-binding aside from the regu-

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lar newspaper work. The paper has proved a success and maintains a steady growth. It is independent in politics.

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