Book and Stationery business. Instead of procuring articles in either branch of business in New-York, as is now the case, Merchants were very generally through the West, supplied from his establishment, swelling his sales from 20 to $30,000 a year. The whole of this immense business, aside and in connection with the other branches of industry in which he was engaged, was done under his own eye. He was thus compelled to work all day—and, to keep up the Editorial department of his paper, and his private correspondence, write half the night.
Many apprentices have gone forth from his employ, and many of them can bear ample testimony to the substantial benefits they have received, in their efforts to buffet the waves of fortune, at his hands. These efforts have always been received with favor by him, and he has never been backward in contributing to their complete success. He is the oldest representative of the Newspaper Press in Western New-York, now living, and is looked upon with no little veneration and regard by those who are now actively engaged in that branch of business.
It must be recollected that in 1803, the "Repository and Advertiser" was the only medium for the distribution of the intelligence of the day, west of Utica—that its materials were rude and uncouth—yet at this establishment was done all the job work for the land offices, together with the legal and business advertising, for all the region west of Onondaga, and in some instances, from Canada. Its circulation was about 1000. The mode of circulating papers, at that day, is by no means devoid of interest—but I am disposed to let Mr. Bemis tell it in his own way:—
"Not the least interesting part of the "Repository" establishment, was the post-riding, or mode of distribution, which affords an amusing contrast to the present lightning way of doing things. The most important route was the western, and he who supplied it was, in those days, of as great consequence as is now the superintendent of a railroad. Imagine a small, hump-back, cross-eyed, deaf—old man—and you may see honest Ezra Metcalf, who was as trustworthy as he was ugly—mounted on a skunk horse, and you have the post-rider. And now for his business: In an old-fashioned pair of saddle-bags, were stowed from 150 to 200 papers. On the top of this was a small portmanteau, containing the United States Mail, with a padlock; but whether the key was intrusted to the rider, as it might safely have been, is not remembered. Thus mounted, with tin horn in hand, which he blew when he got in the saddle, he set off,
'The herald of a noisy world,
News from all quarters lumbering at his back.'
"The arrival and departure of 'old uncle Ezra,' was an event, and caused a gathering of divers citizens, who felt as much anxiety about it, and what he carried and fetched, as do our citizens for the movements of the railroad cars. Errands were sent by him, and he always had some word from our neighbors who lived thirty or a hundred miles off. Once in three months he would bring from the postmasters at Fort Niagara, Lewiston, Buffalo, Batavia, and other settlements, lists of letters to be published. His route from Canandaigua and back, was as follows: first, via Boughton Hill and Mann's Mills to Northfield, and the Genesee River, which he forded. This was a point where a tavern, a saw-mill, and a few other 'improvements,' were found. Thence north to Handford's Landing, perhaps to Charlotte, at the River's mouth, where was a store-house, and a few other buildings; then back to the Ridge Road, which led by Oak Orchard tp Lewiston, then down to Youngstown and Fort Niagara. Returning to Lewiston, he went up the River to the Falls, and to New Amsterdam, on Buffalo Creek, an Indian trading place where the whites had a few stores. This was his western terminus. Homeward, he came by the Four Mile Creek, Eleven Mile Creek, and Vandeventer's to Batavia, the seat of the Holland Land Company, and a place of some note; thence to Ganson's Settlement, the Genesee River through Hartford, Charleston, and Bloomfield, and Canandaigua, where he was waited for every Saturday, having been five days in performing his circuit."
This is a primitive picture, but many is the man and the woman still living, who can bear witness to its truthfulness—who can well remember the almost feverish anxiety with which the day of the coming of "old Ezra" was looked for by the tenants of the vast wilderness, and the joy or sorrow he was wont to bring among them, according to the tenor of the despatches of which he was the bearer. The above is also a picture of early Printing in Western New-York. I can only hope that Mr. Bemis, one of its earliest pioneers, may yet long be spared among us, as a noble monument of fair and upright dealing—and that when he shall be finally gathered to his fathers, he may be welcomed with, "well done, good and faithful servant."
Isaac Tiffany, the founder of the "Ontario Freeman," in 1803, was originally from New-Hampshire. He first settled at Niagara, U. C, where he was for a time, Government, or King's Printer. His widow, who over fifty years ago bore him company from his native state, is still living, and a resident of Lockport. He was the father of Judge Tiffany, of Adrian, Michigan. The time of his death is not known.
John A. Stevens commenced the publication of the "Ontario Messenger" in 1806. He was a kind, affectionate and good hearted man, and very generally esteemed by all who knew him. He died some fifteen years since.
James Bogart, in 1806, established the "Geneva Gazette," and continued at its head for 27 years. The same paper is still continued, but it is in other hands, and whose I am unable to learn from the materials placed in my hands. These omissions are perplexing, but the fault is not mine. Mr. Bogart after leaving the Press has been Collector of Canal Tolls at Geneva, and still occupies a prominent position among the intelligent citizens of that thriving and delightful Village.
Of Eben Eaton, I can say nothing, for his name is not mentioned, except that he established a paper at Geneva in 1800.
A. N. Phillips, who commenced the publication of the "Republican" at Canandaigua in 1824,
