UNLIKE the experiences of the present day, the early periods of Muncie's history were not distinguished by the presence of a local newspaper within its limits. Journalism then had not acquired the distinction which characterizes the profession and practice of it accorded by the world of mind and of letters now. Half a cenury or more ago, it was the exception, rather than the rule, to find even in a county seat, in those early days, a printing office and newspaper. At that date there were scarcely a half-dozen such establishments within an area of fifty miles around Muncie as a central point. Indeed, a professor of the "art preservative," as practiced to-day, would scarcely recognize the relationship existing beween the make-up of a newspaper office then and now. The retrospect, however, would be valuable, since it would enable the reviewer to trace the upward movement of the profession through many stages of development, from a condition akin to starvation, when "ink-balls" occupied the place of "composition rollers," and the old "wooden hand-press" foreshadowed the presence of the "lightning ower-press" propelled by steam, from which the printed sheets come forth to-day at the rate of from 3,000 to 20,000 per hour, to the high position and mighty enginery co-operating to mold and control public opinion, as manifested now in the usages fo society at large. Muncie had passed over the first ten years of its existence as the county seat of Delaware County, when the first printing office was established within her limits.
THE "MUNCIETONIAN"
was the first candidate for public patronage and favor in this county. Some time during the year 1837, David Gharkey and Samuel White came here bringing with them a general office outfit of the class in use in those days, and located on the site now occupied by the "Hanking Brewery," on Ohio avenue near the cemetery. The first number was issued about the middle of May of that year, and made a very presentable appearance, judging from the editorial notice of it in the Richmond Jeffersonian of May 23, 1837: "The first number of the Muncietonian, the prospectus of which we some time ago noticed has come to hand. It is published at Munseytown, Delaware Col, Ind., by Messrs. Gharkey & White. It is, to use a common, but nevertheless a comprehensive expression, 'a good paper.' The publishers express a strong determination to persevere in their undertaking, but complain of the tardiness of their friends in coming to their support. The issuing of the next number is delayed a week or two in order to get in their subscription lists, and see if they are to be sustained. We hope they may be. The number issued contains a description and statistics of Munseytown. It tells us the whole story. Subsequent accounts show that thee anticipations of those primitive publishers were never realized. From all that we can learn of this enterprise, no more than two or three editions of the paper were ever published, the patronage accorded being inadequate to the maintenance of this exponent of the progress and enterprise of Delaware County. It is said, howewer, that the suspension was the outgrowth of a feud between the proprietors and a consequent dissoluion of business relations. Whether this statement is true or not, the presumption is still paramount that the failure is attributable to 'want of support.'
The building occupied by the office of this paper was a double two story log one, which, not being required to subserve the purposes of a printing office, in the course, of time yielded to the requirements of progress and improvement, and was finally demolished. The press, type, furniture and fixtures were eventually sold to a man named Jones, small in stature, but, an excellent writer and quite popular. He moved the entire office appurtnances from the old log building to a room in a frame one on the north side of Main street, east of Walnut, the present site of the "Globe Block."" This removal took place in the year 1842. Mr. Jones published a weekly paper, issued from the new office, for about six months, ending with the destruckion of the establishment on the 26th of November, 1842. The name of this paper we, have been unable to ascertain, but is understood to have been conducted in the interest of the Whig party.
After the fire the press was resurrected and taken to the blacksmithshop of Thomas S. Neely, who made some repairs. It was finally set up, and, with the addition of some new material, John S. Garver started the Muncie Telegraph, the first number of which appeared Monday, March 15, 1841. The office occupied the present site of the Little Block, on Main street, and the paper championed the Whig cause. Its last issue appeared on Saturday, March 19, 1842, and the Village Herald edited by Joseph G. Jones, appeared in May of the same year, and may be fairly regarded as the sucessor of the Telegraph as it advocated the same politicaI principals. The Herald had a brief career, ending on the 5th of November, 1842. The Muncietown Yoeman, was the next paper issued. Levi L. Hunter and Obediah Coffen were its editors and proprietors, and the paper had an existence of about two months--
its first number appearing on the 5th of August, 1843, and its last number on the 7th of October of the same year.
The Delaware County Democrat, edited by Isaac Norris, was started in 1843, the first number of this paper being issued on the 10th of October of that year. Mr. Norris continued as its editor until November 30, 1844, when the paper changed hands, and Joseph S. Buckles became, its editor. The last issue on file bears date Saturday, December 29, 1845, and it is probable that this was the last number of the Democrat ever issued.
On Saturday, January 10, 1846, appeared the first number of the Muncie Journal. At the head of the editorial column of this number its editor, Warren H. Withers, said: "We send this number of the Journal to some individuals who have not, as yet, subscribed. If the paper pleases them, and they wish to support us, they will keep it; if not, send it back no harm done." The Journal was a supporter of the Whig party, and its career like that of its predecessors, was not long. It continued, however, for over a year, and the last number of the paper was issued on Saturday, May 22. 1847. The Indiana Signal, which was also a Whig paper, was issued in the early part of 1848, with John C. Osburn as editor and proprietor. Its publication was continued under the same management for nearly two years, the last number appearing on Wednesday, January 2, 1850. On Saturday, February 2, 1850, Eskabrook & Jones issued the first number of the Muncietonian, this being the second paper published under that title at Muncie. In the first number its editor foreshadowed an independent course in politics, saying: "We have always advocated the 'freedom of the press;' but when it is bound in iron chains by political demagogues, compelled by its masters to stoop to the low business of promulgating falsehood, we look upon it, as being diverted from its original object--the dissemination of knowledge--and unworthy the name of a 'great luminary.' The real politics of the paper, however, seemed to be outlined in the closing paragraph of the address: "But as we have generally acted with the Democracy on questions of national policy, so far as we have been permitted to exercise our suffrage, it will be expected, we presume, by all, that such will be our course, but no further than adherance to truth and good conscience will allow." But the Muncietonian did not live to exercise a very protracted influence in the political affairs of its day, as its last number was issued on the 21st day December of the year in which it made its debut. Mr. Jones having retired from the firm in the meantime, leaving E. F. Estabrook as editor and proprietor.
In 1851, a paper called the Whig Banner was published here, as the exponent of Whig principles, and was probably continued during the exciting campaign of 1852, which resulted in the choice of Franklin Pierce, Democratic, in opposition to Gen. Scott, the Whig candidate for President of the United States.
The successor, so far as we are informed, of the Whig Banner was the Muncie Messenger, published and edited by Reg. J. B. Birt and his son, James H. Birt, for several years prior to the fall of 1856, when J. R. S. Bond--formerly of Clermont County, Ohio, who, for some years previously, had been the editor and publisher of the Clermont Courier at Batavin, in that county--became the proprietor and succeeded to its management. In June, 1857, Mr. Bond disposed of the office and paper, Joseph F. Duckwall, also of Clermont County, Ohio, becoming the purchaser. Under the management of the latter gentleman, the publication of the Messenger was continued until the fall of 1858, when it was suspended and the office and outfit removed to Anderson. this step was taken in consequence of the presence of the Delaware County Free Press, a strong opposition paper then recently started, but which proved to be a very successful competitor for the public patronage. The Press was owned and conducted by James H. Birt, H. H. Wachtell, and Enoch Davis, who continued its publication until about the beginning of the year 1860, when they sold out to Messrs. C. B. Smith and John Q. Thompson, who, with the idea of an extended paper, that should not be confined to Delaware County, changed the name to that of the Eastern Indiana Courant. In the fall of 1860, mr. Thompson's interest in the paper was purchased by Mr. J. F. Duckwall, formerly of the Messenger,who took charge of the editorial department. Subsequently, Mr. Duckwall purchased the interest of Mr. Smith, also, and then restored the original name of the paper--the Free Press. During the later part of the year 1861, and part of the year 1862, James W. Ruckman was associated with Mr. Duckwall in the publication of the Free Press, but, subsequently failing to pay for the interest he had purchased, he was closed out by Mr. Duckwall, who, in the meantime had found the sale to be a losing transaction. While the paper was managed and edited by Mr. Duckwall, it was radically Republican in principle, and strongly anti-slavery in its utterances. It was the organ of the Republican party in Delaware County, and the official paper of the county as well, being so conducted as to exert a commanding influence over the opinion and policy of the better class of minds in the community. He continued its publication until the later part of the year 1867, when he sold out to Alfred Kilgore. The name was then changed to the Guardian of Liberty, and the political status was changed also, the new paper championing the principles of the Democratic party and advocating the measures it recommended. Of this paper Mr. Kilgore was the nominal editor, but W. P. Dumble, a printer, who had been in the employ of Mr. Duckwall, was the real editor and publisher.
When Mr. Duckwall assumed the control of the public press in Muncie, the march of improvement had not made great progress, but new motives being continually developed foreshadowing a prosperous future, in the course of time a disposition to utilize all advantages which the period called forth was manifested, and the result of the policy thus inaugurated is visible to-day. True, during the time from 1857 forward, the growth of the place as town and city was not great, but the agencies that had been brought to bear had given an impetus to the work of reconstruction and improvement. In the beginning, business houses were few compared with the present, and hence the patronage accorded to the local press was small in comparison with what is now extended. Then few of the merchants and business men advertised; now the opposite is true. Before the commencement of this new era in the newspaper enterprise, the candidates for advertising favor eked ut a precarious existence, struggling hard to sustain life; the many papers that from time to time unfurled their banners to the breeze, frequently changing proprietors in consquence of procured impecuniosity. Time, however, has wrought a wonder change, not only in the relation of the press to the demands of the public, but in the number and quality of city improvements. Newspapers have grown with the growth of the city and strengthened with her strength, until they are indeed metropolitan in size, style and equipments. to-day the Muncie Times is among the largest and most enterprising papers in the State, and has two large cylinder presses with all the appurtenances of a first-class newspaper office.
At the time the publication of the Free Press was commenced, the office was located up-stairs over Ed Keasbey's hat store, then on the north side of Main street between Walnut and Mulberry, the present site of "Hick" Kirby's grocery. The office outfit was then entirely new and the paper presented a fine appearance typographically and otherwise. In a short time the office was moved to the west side of High street, west of the public square, over a dish store then kept by J. H. Birt immediately north of the present Masonic Hall. When the Press became Courant, the office was in the second story, over what is now Milligan's liquor store, on the corner of Main and High street.
THE "TIMES."
On the 1st day of January, 1860, the first number of the Delaware County Times, with N. F. Ethell as editor and proprietor, was issued from the office of that paper in a small building on the west side of the public square. This building continued to be used as a printing office for some time; at a later period, however, the office was removed to the brick building, near the corner of Main�and Walnut streets. The paper was regularly issued under the management of Mr. Ethell for a period of about seven years, when M. B. Helm became associated with him, and together they conducted the affairs of the paper until some time in the year 1869, when the establishment was sold to Thomas J. Brady. In October, 1870, Mr. A. C. Mellette was taken in as a partner, and from that time until October, 1878, the partnership continued and the business was satisfactorily and successfully�conducted. The office during this time was located in the third story of the Odd Fellows Block, on the north side of Main street. Shortly after Mr. Brady came into the possession of the office, he put in a new power press and dispensed with the old Washington press that had previously been used for printing the paper.
The following year a steam engine was added, at which time the office was moved to the quarters located in the Odd Fellows Block, and the office treated to an entirely new outfit and new dress. In 1872-73, Mr. Brady made still further improvements by the erection of a new building on the corner of Washington and Walnut streets. From the time the paper entered upon its era of improvement in 1869 and 1870, during a period of eight years or more, continued prosperity attended the efforts of editors and proprietors to make it worthy the patronage of an enlightened community. In the midst of this career of usefulness and appreciated effort, the office was destroyed by fire, an account of which we copy from the issue next following the conflagration: "All the type used in setting up the paper are melted and ruined; so is our fine collection of wood type. In short, the entire office is in ruins." The fire occurred on Sunday morning, October 20, 1878. The paper, however, was not discontinued, many of the number appearing on sheets that had the margin burned. The loss was very severe. A Cottrell & Babcock cylinder press, valued at $1, 450; three job pressess, valued respectively on at $650, and two at $250 each, with a paper cutter valued at $450--all ruined. The entire loss was estimated at about $6,00, the insurance amounting to about one-half that sum.
Shortly after the fire, Mr. Mellette retired from the partnership and sought new fields of labor. Immediately the remaining proprietor, Mr. Brady, with the energy that had previously characterized his efforts, set himself about the task of preparing and equipping a new office. The��
work was rapidly accomplished, and, in a brief period afterward, a new
office - outfit, new presses and machinery rose up out of the ruins of the
old. Now the Times establishment has one of the most complete printing offices in Indiana. It has two excellent power presses, and in addition various hand and foot machinery, a No. 1 steam engine, with
a fine selection of the most popular styles of type, figures, cuts, etc., and
is prepared to do all kinds of job work neatly and with the utmost dispatch. The office is well arranged, handsome and commodious, and is
connected with all parts of the city by telephone.
The following is furnished by J. W. Perkins, Esq., noting the
career of the above-named paper: It was in the year 1870 that S. W. Swiggett and
Son, of Cincinnati, conceived the idea of meeting a long-felt want in
newspaperdom in Muncie, and commenced the publication of the Muncie
Telegraph� A local family paper; a genial fire side companion and repository
of choice literature, romance, wit and sentiment, domestic,�economy, politics,
local and general news; the markets, and other things too numerous to
mention.
The Telegraph was a nine-column folio, all printed at home, and was intended
to take the lead as a family journal, and drive the other papers out of
existence. Swiggett and Son continued the publication of the paper until April
1871, when they disposed of it to William Chandler and J. W.Perkins, of
Indianapolis, who immediately took possession, and issued their first paper
April 8, 1871. The Telegraph was Republican in politics; being published in
one of the strongest Republican counties in the State, it never received the
support of its party that it deserved.� The new proprietors continued the
paper until August 1872, and then, by mutual consent, Mr. Chandler retired.
J. W. Perkins, with Mr. A. J. Wells, of Liberty Township, as associate editor,
continued the publication of the paper until January 1873, when it was
decided a financial failure, and so the Telegraph took the same trip that
many good papers have taken before.
The Republican was the original predecessor of the News, and resulted from the efforts of a joint-stock company to establish a campaign paper, issuing its
first number early in the notable canvass of 1872. The principal stockholders
were W. B.Kline, Walter March, H. C. Winans, George W. Stephenson and others.
The office was located on the north side of the public square, in a small
frame building adapted to its purpose. During the campaign which induced its
publication it was conducted with considerable ability. Having in a measure,
however, subserved the objects of its projectors, it was sold to Messrs.
Hamilton and Kingsberry, who changed the name of the paper to that of the Muncie
Liberal. Under this name its publication was continued until some time in the
following�year, 1873, when the office and paper were sold to N. F. Ethell,
who immediately changed its name to the Muncie News, and published it weekly
from that time forward. It is now a flourishing, nine-column paper, and enjoys
a large share of the public patronage. The daily began its career in 1878.
For a record of this spicy little sheet, we offer the following
from the humorous pen of its late editor, Charles Alf. Williams: A small
newspaper, a four-column folio, bearing the above expressive title, threw back
its folding ears to the breeze and turned its luminous orbs upon the aurora
borealis of coming day, in the latter part of the year 1875. It was published
by the "Muncie Mule Publishing Company," and from its masthead floated the
names of the firm, towit: Ed Smith, Charles Alf. Williams, D. J. Hathaway and
Will H. Williams. Mr.Smith had charge of the mechanical department, Charles
Alf. Williams assumed the editorship, and the business management was in the
hands of Messrs. Hathaway and Will H. Williams.
The venture was a success from the start, and the newsboy�s cry�s of Here�s
yer Mule�a regular high-kicker, and all for 2 cents, soon became one of the
familiar sounds on Saturday, its day of publication. Mr. Smith withdrew from
the publication after the second week, on account of removing from the city,
and the Mule was continued in its�briefly brilliant career by the
remaining members of the firm, until it was finally suspended, in 1876, after
a prosperous existence of six months, by the removal of the senior member of
the firm to Fort Wayne.� The Mule launched out upon its career with the motto,
"It is money that makes this Mule go," and received subscriptions for only
three months, reaching a circulation of 400 copies, weekly. But the
Mule expired peacefully, regretted by all who had perused its bright pages,
and its valedictory was plaintively sweet, and concluded with the following
beautiful and appropriate lines:
Lay his waxen~hooves together;
Fold his large and spreading ears;
He has gone to blend hi yee-haws
With the music of the spheres.
��������
And he blended. Several files are in existence�notably, one at the City
Library. The Mule was a phenomenon in journalism, and still holds a place in
the memory of many of Muncie�s citizens.
"WINKER"
��������
The first printing office exclusively for job printing at Muncie
was started in July 1880, by Mr. J. W. Perkins, a former employee in the Times
Office. It occupied a rear room in a small frame building on the south side of
Main Street, between Mulberry and Jefferson, owned by Mrs. Sample. Business
rapidly increasing, more commodious quarter were required. The Boyce Block,
which was then in process of completion, offering a suitable room on the
second floor, the same was secured, being the first apartment in the new block
occupied for business.� Successfully established at his newquarters, Mr.
Perkins consented to share office accommodations with Mr. A. C. Stouder, also
a former employee in the Times office, making interests largely mutual. Mr.
Stouder, who had previously conceived the idea, proposed the publication of
what he termed the Muncie Weekly Advertiser, the plan being free distribution,
the support to be derived solely from advertising. The reading matter of the
new paper is of a miscellaneous and original character, adapted to the wants
of an appreciating public. This reading matter appearing in alternation with
advertisements properly distributed among its columns was thought to be a
satisfactory arrangement and was adopted accordingly.� Subsequent success has
demonstrated the practicability of the design in consequence of which the
Advertiser is not only extensively circulated and liberally patronized but
very generally read.� As an advertising medium its efficiency is accepted by
our businessmen who give it a cordial and cheerful support.� The paper is a
five-column folio.
The Muncie Democrat has been one of the institutions of Muncie and Delaware County for the past ten year, having been established in 1870 by Mr. Samuel Shafer, a genial gentleman and gifted writer, well liked by all who knew him. The paper under the control of Mr. Shafer was placed on a solid foundation, and continued to prosper until, in 1771, he sold ut and left for Ohio, where he is now connected with the journalism of that State. The Democrat then passed through a fitful and flickering period of existence until 1872, when it was suspended, and the material fell into the hands of the Democratic Central Committee of the county, who, with that thoughtful care of novices in the "art preservation of all arts," poured the type into corn sacks, and carefully rented a room and stowed it away where only rats could corrupt and small boys couldn't carry it away. In December, 1873, Col. J. D. Williams moved to Muncie, from Hartsville, Tenn., and at once entered into negotiation for the purchase of the material of the old Democrat, and immediately took possession, and began the work of getting the office into order and "clearing away the pi." On the 15th of January, 1874, the Democrat, under the new management, was issued from its office on East Main street, known as the Odd Fellows Building, and at once became a popular favorite and an aggressive factor in the politics of the county, admired both by its friends and opponents for its bold, outspoken views upon all subjects coming before the people. The Democrat improved with the times, and continued to hold its own as one of the "leaders of thought" in the county, under the same proprietor ship, until August 1, 1877, when Mr. Walter L. Davis, then city editor of the Democrat, became associated as a partner in its publication, under the firmname of William & Davis. The new firm continued to carry on the business with greatest success, until January 1, 1879, when the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Davis retiring, and Mr. Charles Alf. Williams succeeding as the city editor. The Democrat again changed hands on March 1, 1879, Col. Williams retiring, and Mr. L. A. Kirkwood, then publisher of the Muncie Observer, becoming proprietor and assuming the editorship. Under the name of Democratic Observer, the paper continued to flourish and prosper until September of the same year, when Mr. Kirkwood withdrew. From this on, the career of the Democrat (the paper having again assumed that name) was changeful, its proprietors numerous, its fortunes varied and its stability fleeting, up to September, 1880 when the present proprietors took charge, under the firm name of Davis & Williams. The character of the paper and its editors since the last-named date is well known to all.
THE MUNCIE WEEKLY "OBSERVER."
This paper is the outgrowth of a consolidation of the advertising and subscription interests of the Muncie Democrat and Weekly Advertiser. The publishers of the Democrat, Walter L. Davis and Charles Alf. Williams, in their last issue, dated February, 1881, make the following announcement: "With their issue of the Muncie Democrat the present publishers sever their connection with the establishment, having disposed of the good will and business interests of the same to Messrs. A. C. Stouder and L. A. Kirkwood, who will continue the pubication under the name of Muncie Observer, and who will fill all subscription and advertising contracts from this date, and collect payment for the same, and all bills for subscription now due and unpaid."
The first number of the new paper made its appearance on Saturday, February 26, 1881, and was greeted with satisfaction by its numerous readers. In their announcement of that, date the proprietors say:
""The Observer will be independent in politics, and all things else whatsoever. We claim the right to support any candidate or none of any party without fear of molestation or being made afraid by any man, or set of men. The paper will take special pride in aiding and advancing the cause of education in Delaware County, and invites all persons engaged or interested in school work to contribute such matters as may be of general interest in that direction."
"It will be our earnest endeavor to support all measures tending to the elevation and better civilization of mankind."
"Every interest in behalf of the city of Muncie will receive our hearty support."
Mr. A. C. Stouder, of the Muncie Weekly Observer, withdrew from said paper March 19, 1881, to renew the publication of the Weekly Advertiser, thus leaving Mr. L. A. Kirkwood sole proprietor of the Observer. (Pages 189-192)
Mr. WALTER L. DAVIS, the senior member of the firm, was born in Youngsville, Warren County, Penn.,
and was reared on his father's farm in that county, continuing to make that his home until December 28, 1869, when he came to Muncie, and a short time thereafter accepted a position in the agricultural warehouse of Mr. P. F. Davis, in who employ he continued for three years, when the firm was
changed to Davis & Miller, Mr. Davis still remaining with the firm, having, in the meantime, by strict attention to business, arisen to the postion of book-keeper, which situation he held until the dissolution of the firm. Mr. Davis was not long out of business, and about March 28, 1877, he embarked upon the "tempestuous sea of journalism" as city editor of the Democrat, afterward succeeding to to the associate proprietorship, as mention above. After severing his connection with the Democrat, Mr. Davis accepted the city editorship of the Muncie Daily News, which position he filled with ability, giving perfect satisfaction to both the proprietor, and the readers of that paper until February 19, 1880. Mr. Davis' good natured disposition, uprightness of character and integrity of purpose have won for him hosts of warm friends in both city and county. Mr. Davis now occupies the position of business manager and city editor, and his success in both positions testify to his ample qualifications for anything he undertakes.
Mr. CHARLES ALF. WILLIAMS, the junior partner of the firm, is now in his twenty-fourth year, having first appeard upon "life's troubled ocean" on the 16th day of March, 1857, in the city of Rochester, N. Y. His parents afterward removed to Lexington, KY., and later to Columbus, Miss., where they lived during the war of the rebellion. At the conclusion of hostilities, the family took up their residence in Memphis, Tenn., and, in the 1868, they again removed, going to Kansas City, Mo. Leaving this latter place in 1872, they removed to Tennessee, and after the lapse of a year came to Muncie. During this time, and at the several places mentioned, Col. J. D. Williams was engaged in journalism. Mr. Charles Alf. Williams (son of Col. Williams) entered the business at Gainsboro, Tenn., going into the office of the Sentinel at that place, as "devil" working about one year, and completing his three years at the trade in Muncie, having arrived in the city March 12, 1874. He remained with the Democrat, acting in the various capacities of foreman, reporter, city editor and editor, at different times until January, 1879, when he was appointed on of the Committtee Clerks of the Indiana Senate. Mr. Williams, while in Muncie, also acted as correspondent for several of the metropolitan dailies, and was one of the charter members of that stanch organization, the Muncie Literary and Scientific Association. At the adjournment of the General Assembly, Mr. Williams returned to Muncie, remaining until the middle of April, 1879, when he followed the family of father to Georgia, taking, on his arrival at Macon, the city editorship of the Central Georgia Weekly, which position he held until February, 1880, leaving Macon for Rome, Ga., at which place he accepted the position of city editor on the Rome Daily Tribune (filling occasionally the position of political editor) until August, when he resigned his place and returned to Muncie, August 28, 1880. On the 21st of September, he became the junior of the present firm, and assumed the political editorship of the Democrat, which is aggressively Democratic. Mr. Williams has made many friends and a few enemies during his residence in Muncie, covering a period of five years, all of whom respect him as a young man of sterling qualities and a trechant wielder of the pen.
Since the above has been placed in type, the firm of Davis & Williams have dissolved, and the Democrat, on February 17, 1881, was merged into the Observer, under the editorial and business management of Mr. L. A. Kirkwood, and accomplished writer and excellent newspaper man. Mr. Walter L. Davis is now (April 1881) is connected with the Daily News.