Page:History of the Press in Western New York (1847).djvu/52

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its name changed to that of "Evening Advocate." Mr. Frost afterwards disposed of his interest to Alonzo Bennet. It was thus continued for about a year, when it passed into the hands of John I. Reilly & Co., and was merged in the "Evening Post." This firm continued the Post, in connection with a large weekly called the "Western New-Yorker," until the first of January, 1843, when they came into the hands of Erastus Shepard, who continued them until the November following, when they were both discontinued.

In 1840, William A. Welles commenced the publication of the "Rochester Daily Whig," and continued it through the political campaign of that year, when it was thrown up.

Abiathar M. Harris and Thomas H. Hyatt started a paper at Brockport, but at what time, I am unable to say. It was afterwards in the hands of Jeremiah O. Balch, and at a still later period in the hands of Ansel Warren. A paper is now in existence in that village, called the "Brockport Watchman," and is conducted by Edwin T. Bridges.

A paper was commenced at Honeoye Falls, in 1840, by Mr. Hough. How long it was continued is not stated.

The "Voice of Truth, and Glad Tidings of the Kingdom at Hand," a weekly Second Advent paper was commenced on the 1st of February, 1844, by Elder Joseph Marsh, who still continues its publication.

On the 23rd of December, 1844, Leonard Jerome and Josiah M. Patterson commenced the publication of the "Rochester Daily American," Alexander Mann, Editor. A weekly paper was also issued at the same time. In July, 1845, Lawrence R. Jerome became interested as co-partner in the establishment, and it was conducted under the firm of J. M. Patterson & Co. until January 1st, 1846, when it became the property of Leonard and Lawrence R. Jerome exclusively, by whom it has since been published, under the firm of Jerome & Brother. In September, 1846, Dr. Daniel Lee became associated with Mr. Mann in the editorial department, and in March, 1847, Reuben D. Jones became one of the editors of that paper.

The "Genesee Evangelist" was commenced in the city of Rochester, in the spring of 1846, by Rev. John E. Robie. It is respectable in size and appearance, and is said to be the first weekly religious newspaper in the nation which has an existence or was ever projected at the low price of one dollar a year. It is not denominational in its character, though its editor and proprietor is a minister in one of the evangelical churches. The paper is said to have been well received wherever it has become known, and to bid fair for a long and healthful existence.

The "Genesee Olio," a literary paper, by Franklin Cowdrey—and the "Christian Offering," a religious paper, by S. B. Shaw, both semi-monthlies, are also published at Rochester.

[In addition to the papers already enumerated, the following have been published in Rochester during the last nine years, for a period varying from three to eighteen months but none of which have now an existence there. Particulars are not known:—The "Watchman," an infidel paper, weekly, by Delazon Smith. "Daily Sun," neutral, by Alfred Oakley. The "Jeffersonian," a daily political paper, by Thomas L. Nichols. The "Penny Preacher," a small religious publication, issued weekly, by Erastus Shepard. The "Western Luminary," a Universalist paper, printed weekly, by Rev. J. M. Cook, and others, but now published in Buffalo. The "True Genesee Farmer," devoted to agriculture, N. Goodsell, Editor, a monthly paper, by Wm. A. Welles. The "Medical Truth Teller," devoted to the Thomsonian practice, by Dr. Justin Gates. The "Evening Advocate," a small daily paper, neutral, by Alonzo Bennet & Robert A. Willson. The "Rochester Telegraph," a small weekly publication, devoted to items of news, neutral, by George A. Knapp. The "Youth's Temperance Banner," monthly, published by the Executive Committee of the Youth's Temperance Society, of Rochester.—Eds. American.]

It is by no means to be taken for granted, that the above list comprises all the papers that have been commenced in the city of Rochester—but it is all the Committee have furnished me with.

This, then, is the extent of the Newspaper Press in Monroe County. From the data furnished me, I have endeavored to present the facts as they exist in reference to those establishments. I now propose to take a survey of the battle-field, and trace out, so far as it can be done, the personal history of those who have been actors in the scenes described. First, then, let us call up the case of

AUGUSTINE G. DAUBY. This gentleman, as before stated, was the first person who attempted to plant the standard of the Press in Monroe County. He was a pupil of Ira Merrill, and learned the "art and mystery of type setting" at Utica. Mr. D. is a fine and noble specimen of the Craft, and very justly enjoys the confidence and esteem of all, who, in the social relations of life, or in a business capacity, are thrown in his way. In 1816, by means of a small patrimony, he was enabled to purchase a Ramage Press, and such other materials as were deemed necessary, and with this "setting out," he launched his bark at the "Mill Yard," and forthwith issued to the "dwellers in the wilderness" the first number of the "Rochester Gazette." Various successes attended this new undertaking in a new country. Sometimes he was cheered by the opening view before him, and at others depressed by the difficulties that are inseparable from such an undertaking, and under such circumstances. In this way he struggled on for a little more than three years, and was just beginning to reap the reward that he so justly merited, when all his hopes and expectations were nipped in the bud by the destruction of his office, by fire! This catastrophe befel him on the 7th of December, 1819. Efforts were immediately made to put the young Printer on his legs again, and through the kindness of the citizens, the April following, 1820, saw Mr. Dauby again in the "full tide of successful experiment." In 1821, he disposed of the establishment to Levi W. Sibley, and returning to Utica, started the "Oneida Observer." Near