Chapter XXXVII: Journalism in Orange County (3)

In 1853 an Englishman, John Williams, took up the fight where the _Mirror_ dropped it, and started _The Sentinel._ With the proverbial pugnacity of a "Johnny Bull," Mr. Williams thought he needed more paper weapons with which to fight the "drink evil," and so, in the autumn of 1854 he issued a campaign paper which he called _The Precursor of Temperance,_ and which died with the fall campaign. _The Sentinel_ lived until 1855, in which year Mr. Williams went to Middletown and in the _Whig Press_ office began issuing the _Hardwareman's Newspaper,_ the precursor of the _Iron Age,_ the leading organ to-day of the iron industry in this country, and which is now---or was recently--published by his son, David Williams, in New York City.

April 22, 1869, James Henry Norton and William Henry Nearpass began the publication of the _Evening Gazette._ It was a five-column folio, set in bourgeois type, was published tri-weekly, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Soon afterward appeared the weekly edition, _The Family Gazette,_ afterward changed to _The Port Jervis Weekly Gazette._ It was started on the third floor of the brick building then just built by Cook & Burrell as an umbrella factory at No. 92 Pike street, now (March, 1908), occupied by Johnson & Stoll's furniture store. Thence it moved to Westbrook's Hall, the third floor of the building now occupied by the J. W. Dalley Co., Nos. 66-68 Pike street; thence to its present quarters in the Mondon Building, 90 Pike street, corner of Pike and Ball streets. The tri-weekly became a daily afternoon issue, January 17, 1881. It is now a well-equipped office, has a Mergenthaler Linotype machine, and all the accessories of a good country newspaper.

E. G. Fowler's _Morning Call_ appeared on Sunday morning, April 4, 1880. It was printed in the Masterson Building, No. 10 Ball street. The _Morning Index_ appeared in an upper floor of the Hornbeck Building, now the Swift Beef House on Jersey avenue. The _Sunbeams_ and _Farm Guide_ were issued from _The Union_ office, and _Church Life_ and _Academy Miscellany_ from _The Gazette_ office. _The Bulletin_ is the name of a two-column folio that is issued occasionally in political and exciting local campaigns, from the press of printer P. J. Gaudy, on Ball street. It doesn't appear very often, but when it does it makes a sensation.

AT WARWICK.

The beautiful village of Warwick, the "Queen Village" of New York State, has two well-established, ably-edited, well-printed and influential weekly newspapers, reflecting with no exaggeration the sentiment and conditions of the Warwick valley--a land rich in nature's bounties, lavishly endowed with all the charms of rural romanticism and pastoral fervency.

The first paper published in Warwick, so far as present records are obtainable, was the _Doctrinal Advocate and Monitor._ It was probably started as early as 1845--possibly earlier--and was edited or conducted by Elder Jewett as an exponent of the Old School Baptist doctrine. In 1846 this _Monitor_ was merged with Elder Gilbert Beebe's _Signs of the Times,_ and for a while the latter paper was published under both titles.

The second paper started there was the _Warwick Advertiser,_ the first number of which made its appearance January 27, 1866. It was a well-printed, neat, newsy, and bright paper from the first, and age not only does not dim its luster, but seems to add to its sprightliness. Its first editor and proprietor was Leonard Cox, who was an elder in the Old School Baptist church of Warwick for a few years. It was independent, or rather neutral, in politics, but catered to the religious and moral sentiment as well as the local interests of the community, from its inception, and has never ceased to act as a propagandist theological, political, social and formal. Within three years Elder Cox sold the plant to John L. Servin, a local lawyer and farmer, a man of high standing and education. In 1873 Mr. Servin transferred the business to his associate editor, Daniel F. Welling, a practical printer, but took back the concern within the year and soon afterward sold the same to Samuel J. Stewart and Joshua C. Wilson. A few years later Mr. Wilson sold his interest to Dewitt C. Demorest, a workman in the office, who, after a year or two, transferred his share back to Mr. Stewart, who remained sole proprietor until April 1, 1882, when the plant was purchased by its present owner and able editor, Hiram Tate. Under Mr. Tate's management the _Advertiser_ became an advocate of the politics of the republican party, of which it has since remained a staunch and fearless supporter. The _Advertiser_ has been a factor of no little importance in the growth and general well-being of the village and Warwick valley. After a careful campaign of education on that special subject, it was largely instrumental in bringing about the now very popular and certainly sensible style of fenceless dooryards and lawns, so prevalent in Warwick as to excite the admiration of all tasteful visitors, and one of the distinguishing factors in earning for the place the well-merited title of the "Queen Village." It was also largely through the efforts of the _Advertiser_ that a teacher in music and elocution has been added to the Warwick schools. Other betterments in local affairs have been brought about by this paper's efforts, and the _Advertiser_ is certainly a paper of high tone and a credit to the Warwick valley.

The third newspaper to make its appearance in Warwick was the _Warwick Valley Dispatch,_ which has been a success from its start. It was established in June, 1885, by George F. Ketchum, who has since been its fearless editor and publisher. The _Dispatch_ has prospered under Mr. Ketchum's continuous and wise management of nearly twenty-three years, and has been a potent factor in shaping the progressive development of the village and town of Warwick. Its columns have been especially devoted to school improvement, the _Dispatch_ and its editor taking a leading part in the movement for two modern brick school houses--primary and high school--during the twelve years that Mr. Ketchum served as a member of the Warwick board of education, he being president of the board when the high school was built. It is generally acknowledged that the successful outcome of this agitation was largely due to the influence of the _Dispatch_ and its editor. The paper has been a leader in all efforts to secure improvements for the village and the valley, especially for increased water supply, fine streets, and roads, and the development of Warwick as a summer resort. The paper also heartily advanced the formation of the Warwick Valley Telephone Company, the Warwick Realty Company and the Warwick Knife Company. Politically the Dispatch is democratic, and is recognized as the most influential exponent of democracy in this section of the State. For a dozen years its editor has been chairman of the democratic county committee, during which time the influence of the Dispatch has been markedly shown in shaping the policy of the party in Orange County, and in the favorable results achieved for its candidates at the polls, although the county has a normal republican majority. The paper has gained a large local circulation because of its newsy features, and is respected for its fairness and fearlessness in controversy. The Dispatch was started as a nine-column four-page newspaper, and was first printed in a small frame building on Main street, adjoining the Warwick Valley Hotel. Since 1889 it has been comfortably housed in a brick structure known as "The Dispatch Building," which was erected on Main street by Thomas Burd, and is equipped with modern presses and a Simplex typesetting machine. Although Mr. Ketchum has always personally controlled the editorial policy of the Dispatch, Isaac W. Litchfield was a partner with him in its business from 1889 to 1894, and much of the reputation of the _Dispatch_ is due to his bright humor and facile pen.

CORNWALL PAPERS.

Cornwall, or rather Cornwall-on-Hudson, has had its full share of journalistic ups and downs. Through the courtesy of L. G. Goodenough, editor and proprietor of the _Local-Press_ of that place, the writer learns that the first paper, probably, issued in that interesting old town appeared April 15, 1871. It was called _The Cornwall Paper:_ "A Local Record of Things New and Old." It was published by P. P. Hazen, of Cornwall, in conjunction with A. A. Bensel, Ferry Building, Newburgh. It was stipulated, in the editorial announcement, that unless the necessary support in the way of subscriptions, etc., was received, the project would have to be abandoned. Mr. Goodenough has a copy of Volume 1, No. 1, of _The Cornwall Paper,_ and as no other number seems to be in existence, it is assumed the requisite "support" never materialized, and that the paper practically "died aborning."

To a woman belongs the credit of having started the first regularly issued paper in this village. _The Cornwall Times_ appeared May 24, 1875, with Miss S. J. A. Hussey, a highly educated woman, as editor and proprietor. The _Times_ was continued for at least six years, and with credit to herself and to Cornwall. Miss Hussey died February 21, 1898, aged seventy-nine years. Her declining days were passed practically as a recluse in a cabin on Round Top Mountain, which she owned, and where she seemed to be happiest, efforts of relatives to persuade her to live with them proving unavailing.

The _Cornwall Reflector_ was started about 1877 by John Lee, and later was edited by H. H. Snelling, an elderly gentleman of ability and a forceful writer. He continued as editor for ten years, and until failing eyesight forced him to retire, and he went to a St. Louis home for the blind, where he died in the early nineties, after having become totally blind.

In 1879 appeared the _Cornwall Mirror._ It was published at Highland Falls by James C. Merritt, and was represented in Cornwall by various persons at different times.

In April, 1888, the _Cornwall Local_ appeared, under the management of H. A. Gates, and was an excellent paper. In September, 1889, he disposed of the _Local_ plant to C. P. Brate, of Albany, who induced his brother-in-law, Thomas Pendell, to become its editor and publisher. In June, 1892, the paper came under the present efficient management of L. G. Goodenough. Mr. Pendell became connected with the New York _Herald,_ later with the Middletown _Sunday Forum,_ which he removed to Massena, N. Y., whence he went to Peekskill and then to Poughkeepsie. For the past fifteen years the _Local_ has been conducted by L. G. Goodenough, and is a particularly handsome, bright and ably-edited local journal. Practically the paper's former politics was classed as "independent." In 1896 Mr. Goodenough made it distinctly and avowedly republican, and, as such, it has become an influential member of the county's republican press. In 1859 Mr. Goodenough purchased Mr. Merritt's _Cornwall Mirror,_ merging it with the _Local._ Recently the name _Local-Press_ was adopted as more significant of a newspaper than the name _Local._ The _Local-Press_ is an eight-page weekly, issued Thursdays at $1.50 a year, and with an average circulation for the year 1907 of 1,225 copies.

In October, 1898, S. T. Morehouse started a paper known as the _Cornwall Courier._ It was conducted by Mr. Morehouse, by his son Claude, by the well-known writer Creswell MacLaughlin, Bernard Call, Clark J. Brown, Clayton Brown, and William Clark. It lived until 1906.

WALDEN NEWSPAPERS.

Walden has two good, newsy weekly papers. So far as the writer can ascertain the first paper started there was by Stephen H. Sayer, who, at Middletown, in 1866, started the _Rising Sun,_ and at Montgomery the _Wallkill Valley Times_ (1868), and the _Dollar Weekly_ (1869). Mr. Sayer started at Walden in 1869 the _Walden Recorder,_ but suffered it to go down. In 1870 Chauncey B. Reed resumed its publication and called it the _Walden Recorder and Herald,_ but subsequently dropped the _Recorder,_ and it has since appeared as the _Walden Herald._ It is now edited by Ward Winfield. It is a well-printed seven-column folio, and devoted entirely to local and general news.

The _Walden Citizen was_ established in 1887 by Jacob Sears, and had its first home over John Simpson's cigar store. The outfit consisted of a Washington hand press and a small quantity of type. After struggling a year, the ownership passed into the hands of a Mr. Scudder, and the plant was removed to the top floor of what is now the Fowler building. Soon afterward Eugen Abel, a practical printer, and Prof. D. C. Dominick, principal of the high school, purchased the concern, enlarged the paper and plant, and were getting the business on a profitable basis when, in 1898, a fire swept everything away. The paper was revived, however, and soon afterward Whitfield Gibbs became owner of the plant and speedily put the paper on solid footing and made it a leading republican paper. John Barringer succeeded Mr. Gibbs, and since March, 1903, the Rev. J. H. Reid has been editor and publisher. The paper is republican in politics, and Mr. Reid makes it a lively publication.

MISCELLANEOUS.

It is not generally known that for two years (1884-1886) the _United States Official Postal Guide_ for New York City was printed in Orange County. A. M. May & Co. had the contract and the printing was done by William H. Nearpass at the _Port Jervis Gazette_ office.

Of the papers at Pine Bush, Monroe, Washingtonville and Chester, mention has already been made.

In the number of publications Newburgh leads with about forty publications or changes from one to another; Middletown comes next with 22, Port Jervis with 15, Goshen with 13, and Montgomery with 7.

Bloomingburg is in Sullivan County. So is New Vernon. But each is on the south slope of the Shawangunk range and on the Shawangunk Kill, which divides the counties of Orange and Sullivan. In each place there was once a paper that practically was an Orange County production, and depended to a greater or less extent on this county for its support. The first was the _Signs of the Times_ in about 1883. The other was the _Sullivan Whig_ at Bloomingburg, in 1846. The former was Elder Beebe's Old School Baptist organ; the latter John W. Hasbrouck found at Bloomingburg in 1846, where he began to learn the printing trade.

INCIDENTS.

As an auxiliary incident of Orange County journalism, it may not be entirely out of place to record some facts regarding journalism in Pike County, Pa., opposite Port Jervis. In 1846 or 1847 James J. McNally removed the material of the _Goshen Sentinel_ to Milford, in Pike County, and started the _Pike County Democrat,_ July 14, 1849. It was a seven-column folio. In 1852 he changed its name to the _Milford Herald._ Some time afterward John M. Heller purchased the plant, and put in charge John B. Adams and Harry Heller, the son of J. M. Heller. It passed to several owners, and when O. H. Mott took it, in January 1, 1878, he for some unknown reason changed its name to the _Milford Dispatch,_ which it remains, and now, 1908, it is edited by Josiah F. Terwilliger.

But the first paper in Milford was _The Eagle of the North,_ in 1827, with T. A. Wells, printer. In 1828 it became _The Northern Eagle and Milford Monitor,_ under Benjamin A. Bidwell. Somewhere between 1831 and 1840 the paper disappeared. A second _Northern Eagle_ appeared February 6, 1864, started by Dr. Edward Halliday. It was a red-hot republican journal, and, as might be inferred, had a small constituency in that land of 991 democratic and only a few republican voters, and it died January 1, 1866.

MORE OR LESS PERSONAL.

Orange County's pioneer journalists have been gathered to their fathers. Of the second generation there remains one--as if to link the memories of the first with the fast-reclining activities of the third generation of newspaper workers. And that one relic of the dead past is a woman, now in the sunset of life. Dr. Lydia Saver Hasbrouck is with us yet; a landmark in Orange County journalism--honored by those who know her best, beloved by kindred, respected by all. The twilight of her years is closing pleasantly at her beautiful home on Linden avenue, Middletown.

Of the third generation but few remain of printers, reporters, editors, publishers. The frosts of many winters have silvered their heads, but the "strength of years" finds a few of them still struggling with the insatiable demand of modern type-setting appliances for "copy" and the bustle and rush of daily newspaper life.

At this point it is interesting to take a look at the individuals, the characters--the men and women who have been on the scene of action, and who are there now. We have examined their work--the news and other papers and publications they have produced; we have scanned them in the best light afforded, refracted and reflected, and to know somewhat of those who, in their own and often crude way wrought these paper tablets of thought, let us again look over the field.

MANDEVILLE AND WESTCOTT--The first names to appear--the first characters to attract our attention--are those of David Mandeville and David M. Westcott as publishers of the _Goshen Repository_ (1788), "at the Academy." What relations they had with the old Goshen Academy, or why the _Repository_ was started "at the Academy" is not apparent. Victor M. Drake wrote from his recollections that David M. Westcott "was a practical printer and editor, who served a portion of his time in Benjamin Franklin's old printing office in Philadelphia, though, of course, not under Franklin's mastership. He was born in Cornwall of humble parentage, and in early life was apprenticed to a farmer, and afterward learned the printer's trade. His wife was the daughter of Coe Gale, one of the early settlers of Goshen, by whom he had five daughters and three sons, Mandeville, Nathan, and William. Nathan was clerk of Orange County from 1844 to 1855. David M. Prescott," continues Mr. Drake's recollections, "was not only a good practical printer, but a good merchant and farmer, an able editor, and a trustworthy public servant; he was county clerk in 1815 and 1821, member of assembly in 1828, state senator in 1831-34, and filled many other stations of honor and trust. He acted as editor of the _Independent Republican_ for a long time after Mr. Cheevey was struck down with paralysis. I have repeatedly called him from his labors on the farm to write editorials for the _Republican_," says Mr. Drake, "for such was the high state of party feeling that its public would trust no other man than 'little Dave Westcott' with the responsibility of editing that paper in critical election times." Such, then, was the character and standing of the first editor in Orange County. That he was a man whose character, whose personality, and whose extraordinary abilities stand clearly silhouetted against Time's somber background, is apparent to the reader and the student of history.

CAREY, LUCIUS--The name of Lucius Carey appears next as the printer of the _Newburgh Packet_ in 1795. Beyond the announcement that he was the son-in-law of the Rev. John Close, he cuts no illustrious figure.

DENNISTON, DAVID--David Denniston appears on the scene in 1797 as the purchaser of the _Packet_ from Carey, and as changing the name to that of _The Mirror._ He was early in the field as a printer, having a shop in Newburgh in 1796, when he got out a bound pamphlet or book for the Rev. R. Watson, entitled "An Apology for the Bible." Mr. Ruttenber says he was of the New Windsor stock of Dennistons. Mr. Denniston was certainly a busy man, and a thinker. He died in Newburgh, December 13, 1803, of malignant fever, having up to that time been connected, at different times, from 1796 or earlier, to 1803, with the _American Citizen and Watch-Tower,_ of New York City, and _The Mirror, The Citizen,_ and the _Rights of Man,_ in Newburgh.

SCHULTZ, JACOB--A local contemporary of Mr. Denniston was Jacob Schultz, also of New Windsor, where he was born April 23, 1776, and February 14, 1799, married Anna, daughter of John Denniston, of that town. He first appears in the journalistic field as editor and proprietor of the _New Windsor Gazette._ When this paper came into existence is not known, though it was as early as, and probably some time prior to, 1799, for in that year he moved the paper and plant to Newburgh. In 1818 he retired to a small farm in the town of New Windsor, where he erected a substantial stone house, and where, in rural pursuits and pleasures, he passed the remainder of his days, and was gathered to his fathers in 1859, aged eighty-three years.

WINFIELD, DR. ELIAS--Next on the scene is Dr. Elias Winfield, who, in 1799, started the _Rights of Man,_ and later removed to Kingston, and was lost to subsequent Orange County history.

HEURTIN, JOHN G. AND WILLIAM--John G. and William Heurtin are heard of in 1800 as purchasers of the _Goshen Repository,_ the name of which they changed to that of the _Orange County Patriot._ They seem to have retired from public view after 1803, when the _Patriot_ passed into the hands of Gabriel Denton and William A. Carpenter, and became _The Friend of Truth._

DENTON, GABRIEL--Gabriel Denton appears in 1801 as purchaser of the interest of William Heurtin in the _Orange County Patriot._ In 1803 Mr. Denton sold his interest to William A. Carpenter. In 1804 Mr. Denton began the publication of the _Orange County Gazette_ at Goshen. In 1808 he started in Goshen the _Orange County Patriot and Spirit of Seventy-six._ Mr. Denton seems to have been industrious as a founder of newspapers, but others must have reaped the reward, for his last days were passed in the Orange County poorhouse.

COLES, DENNIS--The name of Dennis Coles appears in 1803 as starting the _Recorder of the Times,_ in Newburgh.

GAZLAY, WARD M--In 1804 Ward M. Gazlay appears on the scene for the first time. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and became engaged in the printing business at Goshen as the purchaser of the _Friend of Truth,_ the successor of the _Repository_ and the _Patriot._ He changed its name to that of the _Orange Eagle._ His office was destroyed by fire in 1805, and with the remnants he drove into Newburgh, purchased the _Recorder of the Times,_ of Dennis Coles, and changed its name to the _Political Index,_ under which name it continued until 1829. The _Recorder_ claimed to be Republican in politics, but was generally regarded as representing the Federalists and Burrites. When Mr. Gazlay merged the _Times_ with his Goshen paper, and evolved therefrom, at Newburgh the _Political Index,_ the interests of the Republican party were apparently consolidated. It supported Jefferson and Madison, and the War of 1812. Jonathan Fisk wrote the editorials for the _Index,_ and with the inspiration of this able man's articles, the _Index_ cared little for its only contemporary, the _Orange County Patriot,_ a Federalist paper, and the latter retired to Goshen, whence it came, to become the _Goshen Democrat._ He sold his _Index_ to Charles M. Cushman, in 1829. Mr. Gazlay served as a magistrate in the village of Newburgh for some years, and died there in April, 1836, aged fifty-four years. His wife was Bridget, daughter of Jonathan and Bridget Carter, by whom he had three sons.

BEACH, CYRUS; PRATT, LUTHER--At Montgomery, May 6, 1806, appeared the names of Cyrus Beach and Luther Pratt, as printers, or rather publishers, "for the proprietors," of the _Orange County Republican._ The proprietors were twenty-four "patriotic citizens of the county." Pratt's name remained connected with the paper until 1818, when it became the _Independent Republican,_ with James A. Cheevey as its proprietor.

HENDRIE, R. C. S--The name of R. C. S. Hendrie appears in Goshen between 1822 and 1834, through coming into proprietorship of the _Patriot._ He sold it to F. T. Parsons, who changed its name to the _Goshen Democrat,_ February 22, 1834. In 1843 Mr. Hendrie started the _True Whig,_ and two years later sold it to Mead & Son, who united it with the _Democrat_ under the name of the _Democrat and Whig._

CROWELL, T. B--T. B. Crowell appeared in 1812 as the publisher of the _Patriot,_ and in 1822 as its proprietor. Then he passed from the scene.

VANDYCK, HENRY H.--In 1832 the name of Henry H. Vandyck appears, in connection with the purchase of the _Independent Republican_ at Goshen. In 1836 he was elected to the State Senate. In October, 1839, he became proprietor of the _Newburgh Telegraph._ His course in favoring the building of the Erie Railroad--a terrible commercial blow to Newburgh--was so displeasing to the people of Newburgh that he disposed of the paper to Elias Pitts, and left. He went to Albany, and became editor of the _Albany Atlas,_ and was later elected Comptroller of the State. He was a Democrat of the Jackson school.

VAIL, LEBBEUS L.--Lebbeus Lothrop Vail was born at Middletown, in 1793. His father was Squire Izaiah Vail, a farmer and miller, and his mother, Azuba Horton. Mr. Vail, after engaging in various occupations, finally started at Goshen the _Signs of the Times_ in 1832. In 1843 Vail and Denton started the _Democratic Standard,_ which afterwards came into the possession of his son Hector, who changed its name to the _Goshen Clarion._

Mr. Vail was a highly popular citizen, and was elected county clerk for two terms by handsome majorities. He died in 1849, and was buried in Middletown, but the remains were afterwards transferred to Goshen. Mr. Vail was married to Sally Moon, who lived until 1876.

CUSHMAN, CHARLES M.--Charles M. Cushman in 1829 purchased Gazlay's _Political Index_ at Newburgh. He changed it to the _Orange Telegraph_ and later to the _Newburgh Telegraph._ Mr. Ruttenber says of him that he was a descendant of Robert Cushman, one of the original company of Pilgrims who sailed for the New World August 5, 1620 (O. S.) He was born in Washington County, N. Y., March 20, 1802, served as an apprentice in Rutland, Vt., and subsequently in Boston; and retired from printing in 1839. He was one of the founders of the Newburgh public libraries, and also helped to establish the Quassaic Bank, and also the Newburgh Savings Bank. In 1853 he was chosen to represent the first assembly district of Orange County in the legislature. In June, 1832, he married Mary, fourth daughter of Captain John Birdsall. He died without issue at Rhinebeck, June 1, 1859.

SPALDING, JOHN D.--A contemporary of Mr. Cushman was John D. Spalding or Spaulding. He was born in Salem, Mass., January, 1800, and came to Newburgh in 1815 with his father, the Rev. Joshua Spaulding, of the Presbyterian Church. He served an apprenticeship as "devil" with Ward M. Gazlay, was subsequently connected with the _Newburgh Gazette_ and the _Journal,_ for about thirty-eight years. He married Elizabeth L., daughter of Rev. John Johnston, D.D., of Newburgh, and died August 22, 1853, in his fifty-fourth year. He was survived by several children.

PITTS, ELIAS--Elias Pitts practically succeeded Mr. Cushman in Newburgh journalism. He was born in Columbia County, N. Y., in 1810, graduated at the Kinderhook Academy, served an apprenticeship in the _Kinderhook Sentinel,_ and became interested in the paper. Later he was in the editorial department of the _Rochester Advertiser,_ and succeeded Mr. VanDyck on the _Newburgh Telegraph_ in the winter of 1840, which continued until 1850. He was next heard of at Poughkeepsie as editor of the _Poughkeepsie American._ Soon after 1853 he received an appointment to a clerkship in the State Department at Washington, which continued until his death at Washington, July 21, 1854. His first wife was Elizabeth, daughter of John Jamieson, of Newburgh. His second wife was Margaret, daughter of John Whited.

It is practically at this point that we come to the parting of the ways--the passing of the real pioneers in Orange County journalism. The generation has come and gone, so far as activity is concerned, and we find coming on the stage new actors. They were, however, evidently of the same mould of character, infusing into their work their personality, and stamping on their productions the ineffable marks of strong individuality.

SECOND GENERATION JOURNALISTS.

DRAKE, VICTOR M.--First and clearly foremost in the second generation of early journalists was Victor M. Drake. He was born at Milford, Pa., March 20, 1813. His father was Rufus J., a son of Francis Drake, of Blooming Grove, Orange County, N. Y. From the seventeenth century the family had lived in Orange County, in the towns of Goshen and Chester. His great-grandfather, Joseph Drake, was said to be a lineal descendant of Sir Francis Drake, of England, who died in 1794. The mother of V. M. Drake was Rhoda Pierson, a daughter of Rachel Bull, whose mother was a sister of Mary DeWitt, the mother of DeWitt Clinton. At the age of eleven years, Victor M. Drake entered the office of the Goshen _Independent Republican,_ where he served as apprentice, journeyman, editor and proprietor of the paper, and in 1846 he became connected with the _New Jersey Herald,_ at Newton, as reporter, editor and proprietor, remaining there until 1871. Mr. Drake lived an abstemious, careful, circumspect life, and died in Goshen in 1894, and his remains repose in the cemetery at that place.

Frank M. Drake, the present able and dignified editor and proprietor of the Goshen _Independent Republican,_ is a son of this venerable and respected journalist, who infused a high standard in local journalism, and left a name that should ever be revered in Orange County newspaper circles.

BEEBE, ELDER GILBERT--Elder Gilbert Beebe, the editor of the old-school Baptist publication, the _Signs of the Times,_ of Middletown, for nearly half a century, was the son of David Beebe and Eunice Case. He was born at Norwich, Conn., November 25, 1800, and died May 2, 1881 at his home in Middletown, N. Y. He was of the old-school Baptist faith and was licensed to preach in 1818. In 1823 he married at New York City, Miss Phoebe A. Cunningham, and the same year he was ordained pastor of the Baptist Church at Ramapo, N. Y. After serving pastorates in this church and the Baptist Church at New Vernon, he moved to Middletown, N. Y., in 1847, which place henceforth became his home, where the remainder of his life was passed in editorial work on the _Signs,_ which he moved there in 1848, and in expounding the Baptist faith as stated supply for several nearby churches.

When Elder Gilbert Beebe became editor of the _Signs of the Times,_ a David had entered the theological field, armed with the slings of regeneration, the rocks of inspiration, and the strength of devoutness--backed by a printing press and waiting shrines. He was a worker, and became a power in the land. When Elder Beebe passed away the old-school Baptist creed lost its leader, and no one seems to have risen to take his place; the stage of Orange County journalism lost one of its most picturesque figures, the field one of its unique landmarks--a type of preacher and editor that has already passed, never to return.

MEAD, CHARLES--A contemporary of Victor M. Drake was Charles Mead, though born six years later, November 19, 1819, at Newburgh. His father was Xenophon Mead, and his mother was Abigail, daughter of Moses Burr, a relative of Aaron Burr. Charles Mead was educated under the then well-known Goshen teacher, Nathaniel Webb. At the age of fifteen years he was apprenticed in the office of the _Orange County Patriot,_ under William B. Wright, who afterward became judge of the supreme court of New York State. He went to Carbondale, Pa., in 1839, and remained one year as editor of the _Carbondale Journal._ In 1841-42 he was employed on _Graham's Magazine,_ in Philadelphia. May 9, 1842, he married Caroline A., daughter of Daniel Worden, of Goshen, who died November 11, 1880. Shortly after his marriage he purchased the _Goshen Democrat_ of the heirs of Frederick T. Parsons. In 1865 he associated with him his son, William B. Mead, and January 1, 1892, sold his interest to Edwin L. Roys. His second wife was Miss Fannie Jackson, of Goshen. Mr. Mead lived a quiet, unobtrusive life, and made his paper a handsomely printed, model conservative Republican journal. He died April 22, 1893, and his remains repose in St. John's cemetery, Goshen.

McNALLY, JAMES J.--One of the men who left their impress on the printing art in Orange County, as well as in Sussex and Pike Counties, was the venerable James J. McNally. He learned the printing trade in the office of the _Signs of the Times_ at New Vernon. Thence he went to Newton, N. J., and worked on the _New Jersey Herald._ From there he went to Milford, Pa., where, it is believed, he started the _Pike County Democrat,_ which became the _Milford Herald,_ now the _Dispatch._ In the spring of 1852 he went to Goshen and bought the _Independent Republican,_ which, seven years later, he sold to Isaac V. Montanye. In the spring of 1859 he again went to Newton, N. J., this time as the editor and proprietor of the _New Jersey Herald._ This paper he finally sold and returned to Goshen, and again became owner of the _Independent Republican._ In 1869 he sold the same to Edward M. Ruttenber. The same year he became owner of the _Newburgh Telegraph,_ daily and weekly, purchasing the same of A. A. Bensel. In 1874 he sold it to Dr. Cooper, of Warwick. For a short time he conducted a grocery store in Middletown, then became connected with the _Carmel Courier._ In 1882 he went to Monroe and started the _Monroe Herald._ In 1888 he started at Goshen the _Goshen News,_ and for a time conducted both of these publications, printing them at Goshen. This he continued until the spring of 1892, when he died, and both publications ceased. Mr. McNally was a good printer, a sharp, witty writer, and an energetic worker. His son, William C. McNally, is the owner and editor of the Ellenville (Ulster County) _Press._

RUTTENBER, EDWARD M.--Edward M. Ruttenber was born in Bennington, Vt., July 17, 1824, entered the office of the _Vermont Gazette_ in 1837, as a "printer's devil," came to Newburgh in 1838, as an apprentice to Charles M. Cushman, an old friend of his father, on the _Newburgh Telegraph._ Three years later he entered the office of the _Newburgh Gazette,_ where he remained until 1845, when he became foreman of the _Telegraph,_ then owned by Elias Pitts. In May, 1850, he purchased the _Newburgh Telegraph,_ and successfully conducted the same until 1857. It was a weekly, printed on a hand-press. To Mr. Ruttenber belongs the honor of bringing to Orange County the first steam-power press, on which the _Telegraph_ was printed in 1853. In 1851 the _Telegraph_ absorbed the _Newburgh Excelsior,_ and the _Gazette_ in 1857. Early in 1857 Mr. Ruttenber and E. W. Gray began issuing the _Daily News_ from the office of the _Telegraph._ Mr. Ruttenber sold the plant late in 1857, repurchased it in 1859, sold it in 1861, repurchased it in 1866, and in 1867 sold it to A. A. Bensel. In 1869 he and James J. McNally became owners of the plant. In the autumn of that year Mr. Ruttenber retired, to become part owner of the _Goshen Independent Republican,_ which in 1870, he sold to H. P. Kimber. After leaving that paper he and a younger son started a job printing office in Newburgh. From July, 1863, to January, 1865, when he resigned, Mr. Ruttenber was engaged in the Bureau of Military Records at Albany. Added to his other accomplishments Mr. Ruttenber delved deeply and learnedly into historical lore, and became the first authority on Indian nomenclature and the author of four or five valuable historical works. The first was a "History of Newburgh" (1859); the next was a work entitled "Obstructions to Navigation of Hudson's River": next "A History of the Flags of the Volunteer Regiments of the State of New York." A "History of the Indian Tribes of Hudson's River" followed, and is a work that is now in great demand. In 1875 he began in serial form a "History of Orange County." His last work was "Footprints of the Red Men," containing Indian geographical names in the valleys of the Hudson, Mohawk and Delaware, their location and probable meaning. This was issued in 1906, and was published under the auspices of the New York State Historical Association. In addition to his journalistic and historical work, Mr. Ruttenber found time to work in local educational matters, and in 1870 had served twelve years as a member of the Newburgh board of education. In 1846 Mr. Ruttenber married Matilda A., daughter of Mark McIntyre, of Newburgh, to whom two sons were born: Charles B., who became a musician of considerable repute, and Walker F., associated with his father in the printing business, and editor and publisher of the _Newburgh Telegram._ Edward M. Ruttenber died in December, 1907, aged eighty-three years, deeply loved by his family and those who knew him best, and respected and honored by all. He was a man of genial temperament, companionable, and the evening of life found him amiable, courteous, warm-hearted, lovable. Orange County was greatly enriched by his coming, and impoverished by his going. His grave on the banks of the historic Hudson, in the hillside city of his adoption, should ever be kept green.

HASBROUCK, JOHN W.--John Whitbeck Hasbrouck, the son of Richard Hasbrouck and Mary Johnson, was born at Woodstock, Ulster County, N. Y., November 20, 1821. In 1834 the parents of John W. Hasbrouck removed from Woodstock to Kingston, where the subject of this sketch completed his education at the famous Kingston Academy, and began his journalistic career in 1845 with the _Kingston Journal._ In the spring of 1846 Mr. Hasbrouck purchased the _Sullivan Whig_ at Bloomingburg, Sullivan County, but disposed of it in 1851, and the same year went to Middletown, where he started the _Whig Press,_ which later became the _Orange County Press,_ merging finally into the _Times-Press_ in 1906. Mr. Hasbrouck retired both from his paper and active journalism in 1868, though his graceful pen was never entirely idle until stilled by the Great Destroyer in 1907.

Mr. Hasbrouck married Miss Lydia Sayer, M.D., of Warwick, N. Y., July 27, 1856, who still survives him. He found in this cultured lady a true help meet, one with ready brain and brawn, and together, hand in hand, they traveled down life's pathway, with a harmony seldom paralleled, and the parting of the ways found them with silvered heads and the harvest of autumn goldened by the rays of life's declining sun.

HASBROUCK, DR. LYDIA SAYER, was born December 20, 1827, in the town of Warwick, N. Y. She early determined to fit herself for a professional life, and graduated at the Hygiea Therapeutic College in New York, with the degree of doctor of medicine. Mrs. Hasbrouck's life-work has been chiefly that of an educator, lecturer and physician, and her connection with Orange County journalism was of brief duration. For eight years she was editor of her husband's paper, the _Sybil,_ a semi-monthly reform paper, and she started a paper called the _Liberal Sentinel._

MONTANYE, ISAAC V.--Isaac V. Montanye was born May 3, 1825, on the eastern slope of the Shawangunk Mountain near New Vernon, and died December 26, 1906, in the eighty-second year of his age. He entered the office of the Goshen _Independent Republican_ in the early forties, as an apprentice under Victor M. Drake. In 1846 Mr. Montanye and John S. Clark purchased the _Independent_ of the late Moses B. Swezey, who had succeeded V. M. Drake. Later Mr. Montanye purchased Mr. Clark's interest, and, in 1853, sold the paper to James J. McNally, and in 1875 became, for the second time, the owner of the _Independent Republican._ A few years later he again sold the plant to James J. McNally. In 1876 he became owner of the plant for the third time, having this time purchased it of T. P. McElrath. In 1883 he disposed of his interest to his son Lucien Montanye, and Frank Drake. He had been connected with the _State Journal_ in Madison, Wis., the _Mercury_ at Middletown, the _Telegraph_ at Newburgh, the _Index_ at Port Jervis, and the _Record_ at Washingtonville. He started the latter two papers, and was connected with the _Record_ when he died. Mr. Montanye installed the first cylinder press, turned by hand, in Orange County, which he set up in the office of the _Independent Republican_ in 1850, replacing the old hand-press. He also installed the first newspaper folding machine in the _Middletown Mercury._ In 1870 Mr. Montanye was elected member of assembly from the second district of Orange County, and later secured an appointment in the New York custom-house. In 1899 he resigned this position, and, with his grandson, Montanye Rightmyer, established the _Orange County Record_ at Washingtonville.

MARTIN, CYRUS B.--Cyrus B. Martin appeared in the field in 1861, when he became the purchaser of the _Highland Chieftain,_ and changed its name to the _Newburgh Daily Journal,_ which it retains to this day.

Mr. Martin was born in Argyle, Washington County, N. Y., September 6, 1830, and having early learned the printer's trade, was employed as a compositor on the _Albany Journal,_ where he remained from 1850 to 1855, when he became one of the editors of the _Chenango Telegraph,_ published at Norwich, N. Y. He continued on this paper until he purchased the present _Newburgh Daily Journal_ in 1861. Upon severing his connection with the latter publication in 1877, he returned to Norwich, where various interests demanded his care and attention. He became president of that great industry known as the David Maydole Hammer Company, and also president of the Chenango County Bank. He departed this life some years ago while still actively engaged in business duties.

RITCHIE, SAMUEL--Samuel Ritchie, who as editor and part proprietor of the _Newburgh Daily Journal,_ and president of the Newburgh Journal Company, has been connected with that paper for over thirty-one years, was born at Larne, Ireland, July 3, 1836. He was the son of Robert L. and Sarah E. Ritchie, and came to Newburgh in 1839, where, with the exception of one year, he has resided ever since. He was for many years connected with the _Newburgh Daily Journal_ in a reportorial capacity and as city editor, and on March 1, 1877, with Messrs. Hull and Rodine, he purchased that paper from Cyrus B. Martin, and became its editor, remaining such to the present time.

Mr. Ritchie has long been recognized as an able editorial writer, and being possessed of a keen wit, he wields a trenchant pen. His kindly nature, however, has ever rendered him cautious against wantonly injuring the feelings of others, and now, in the evening of life, he reaps the reward of his upright conduct, in the regard and esteem of his fellow-men.

HULL, FRANK S--Frank S. Hull, for many years part proprietor of the _Newburgh Daily Journal,_ and at present the vice-president and treasurer of the Newburgh Journal Company, was born in Newburgh, June 6, 1853. He became while a boy highly interested in printing and successfully carried on several amateur periodicals. Upon the retirement of Cyrus B. Martin, in 1877, from the management of the _Newburgh Daily Journal,_ he was one of the three gentlemen who purchased the former's interest, and has remained connected with that paper ever since.

TUCKER, JOHN F.--John F. Tucker was born in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., on July 3, 1850, and after leaving school became connected with the _Poughkeepsie Eagle._ He left that paper in 1872 to take charge of the Government printing office at West Point, where he remained for twelve years, resigning in 1884 to become city editor of the _Newburgh Register._ With that paper he remained connected as city editor, part proprietor and sole editor, until its suspension in February, 1908. Mr. Tucker has been one of the hardest workers among newspaper men, and ever noted for the conscientious manner in which he discharged the various duties allotted to him. For many years he has been the secretary of the Newburgh Board of Trade, and to his efficiency in office, and active interest in every movement likely to benefit his city, is due a great part of the success attained by the Board of Trade.

THIRD GENERATION JOURNALISTS.

The most recent of the old school of second generation journalists to pass away was the Hon. Isaac V. Montanye, of the _Orange County Record,_ at Washingtonville, who died December 6, 1906, and in December, 1907, Edward Ruttenber of Newburgh.

There now remains on the stage of life only Mrs. Hasbrouck of the second generation; and of the third generation, Gilbert Van Sciver, Middletown; Isaac F. Guiwits, Kansas City; Samuel Ritchie, Newburgh; William H. Nearpass, Port Jervis; William T. Doty, Port Jervis; Evander B. Willis, California. These are named in the order of their appearance in the journalistic field of Orange County, rather than with reference to their ages.

VAN SCIVER, GILBERT--Probably the oldest male printer in the county to-day is Gilbert Van Sciver, of Middletown. He has been almost continuously "in the harness" since 1852 until two years ago (1906), when the _Press_ and _Times_ of that city united. He became an apprentice in the office of John W. Hasbrouck's _Whig Press_ in 1852, when the office was located in the building on North and Depot streets, opposite the carpet-bag factory. In 1857 he went to New York and was there employed as a journeyman for eight years. In 1865 he returned to Middletown, and was re-employed in the _Press_ office, and there remained until the paper lost its identity and merged with the _Times._

NORTON, JAMES H.--August 10, 1854, the name of James H. Norton first appeared in Orange County journalism. On that date Mr. Norton purchased the _Tri-States Union_ of Port Jervis, of Lucius F. Barnes, and there then entered Orange County a journalistic genius--a talent that was destined to cut a most important figure in the newspaper life of the county and far beyond its boundaries. James Henry Norton was born at Goshen, Connecticut, in May, 1823, and after a common school education in his native town, he was admitted to the bar before he was twenty-one years old, and was appointed District Attorney of Wayne County, Pa. He finally decided to abandon the law for journalism, and purchased and edited the _Wayne County Herald_ at Honesdale, and some years later sold the plant and went to Boonville, Oneida County, N. Y., where he started the _Boonville Ledger_ in partnership with H. B. Beardsley. From Boonville he came to Port Jervis in 1854 and purchased the _Tri-States Union,_ which he edited until 1861. In 1862 he removed to Middletown and purchased G. J. Beebe's _Middletown Mercury,_ which he and Isaac F. Guiwits made the brightest country newspaper in the United States. In 1867 he disposed of his interest in the _Mercury_ to Isaac V. Montanye, and April 22, 1869, he and William H. Nearpass started the _Evening Gazette,_ tri-weekly, at Port Jervis. A few years later, in company with W. H. Nearpass and I. F. Guiwits, he organized a concern known as the Franklin Printing Company, for printing "patent insides" for country newspapers, and in 1882-3 started _The News_ at Middletown, which he sold to Charles Conkling. His later work was as correspondent for the _Sun, Herald_ and _Times._ In 1847 he married Miss Elizabeth Monson at Bethany, Pa. He died January 20, 1894, at his home in Middletown, and his remains rest in Hillside Cemetery.

GUIWITS, ISAAC F.--Shortly after Mr. Norton came to Orange County, he induced a bright young printer from "up State" to join him in Port Jervis as a journeyman, and Isaac F. Guiwits came, then a mere boy. But he had talents, and Mr. Norton knew it. Young Guiwits accompanied Mr. Norton to Middletown, and the two made the _Middletown Mercury_ the great country newspaper that it became in the '60's. In 1869 Mr. Guiwits started the first daily newspaper in Middletown, the _Daily Mail._ Later he was connected with the Franklin Printing Company, and when that merged with the New York Newspaper Union, and became the Union Printing Company, Mr. Guiwits still retained an interest and a position, and he was sent to St. Louis and later to Kansas City to manage a branch of the concern. His wife, who was a Miss Mackey, of Middletown, died four years ago, since which time Mr. Guiwits's health has steadily declined. Three years ago he went to Los Angeles, California, where he died at the age of sixty-nine, March 25, 1908. Mr. Guiwits was one of the most graceful writers that ever adorned the Orange County press.

FRIEND, DR. JOSEPH D.--One of the able editorial writers on the Democratic papers in Middletown from about 1860 to his death in the '80's, was Dr. Joseph D. Friend. He was a regular medical practitioner, but preferred newspaper work, and many of the stirring editorials in the _Mercury,_ the _Mail_ and the _Argus_ were from his trenchant pen. For a time he owned the _Mail,_ and when it was merged with the _Mercury,_ he became a partner with George H. Thompson, from which he retired in 1874. Dr. Friend was a genial, whole-souled man, and the writer remembers him as one who gave him encouragement, kind words, and good advice at a time when such were needed and did the most good.

NEARPASS, WILLIAM H.--William Henry Nearpass was born in Montague township, Sussex County, N. J., May 9, 1840, being the son of Michael Nearpass and Charlotte E. Stewart. He removed with his parents to Port Jervis in 1856, and attended the schools there until he was nineteen, when he embarked in mercantile pursuits which he successfully pursued until he retired from business to devote himself to journalism. With Evi Shinier he became the proprietor of the _Gazette,_ and has retained his interest in that successful publication ever since.

Mr. Nearpass has always been an active Democrat and very influential in his party's counsels, having held various village offices, and elected supervisor of the county nineteen times.

Mr. Nearpass has always enjoyed the highest esteem of his fellow citizens, for his character has ever been above reproach, while every public duty has been faithfully and ably discharged. During the many years he has been the editor of the _Gazette,_ he has never used its columns for the gratification of private spite or the furtherance of selfish interests, but has always hewed close to the Golden Rule in all his walks of life; and now the afternoon of his career finds him with a blameless life, a clear conscience, a love for his fellow mortals that no faults of others, injuries, assaults or misconceptions have ever chilled.

Mr. Nearpass was twice married, his first wife being Miss Anna W. Newman, of Brooklyn, L. I., who died in 1879. On September 8, 1881, he married Miss Josephine Westfall near Port Jervis.

DOTY, WILLIAM T.--Mr. Doty was born at Crabtree's Corner, Sussex County, N. J., March 11, 1847. His parents were Jonathan Fisk Doty and Phoebe Jane Van Wert Doty. Mr. Doty is a descendant of Edward Doten or Doty, who came over in the Mayflower and settled at Plymouth, Mass., in 1620. His mother was one of the Van Wert or Van Wart family, one of whom assisted in the capture of Major Andre. Mr. Doty received a good education in the public and best private schools of that day.