He is also a practical Printer, and one of the best of the craft, and through his exertions much has been contributed to the advancement of the art in Erie County.
Bradford A. Manchester, Jas. O. Brayman and Guy H. Salisbury, are the Editors and proprietors of the "Buffalo Courier," and are entitled to great credit for the perseverance, industry and skill with which they prosecute their calling.
It must not be expected that I can follow out the innumerable number of names that have been connected, at one time and another, with the Newspaper Press of Erie County. Although it would be a pleasure to do so, still I am fearful such a course would be the means of augmenting these pages unnecessarily, or at least beyond what the Committee might have anticipated of me. There are many names honorably connected with the Press in this County, and who have contributed in no small degree to its ultimate success, through all, and the many and serious difficulties it has encountered, whose personal history it would give me pleasure to narrate, were it not for the reason above assigned.
The history of the Press in this county is one of admonition and should be received as a lesson of caution by the aspirants for political or literary fame. Men who make politics a trade, are bad councellors to the young who are about to engage in the establishment of a newspaper. Generally, they are the first to volunteer their counsel, and promise aid—but in nine cases out of ten, "they have an ax to grind," and no sooner is that accomplished, than their promises are forgotten. The wants, and the business of a place, should be the guides in such a case. A want of attention to these simple rules would save many a young man from the mortification of a failure, and consequent embarrassment through life. Besides, there would not be so many ephemeral publications thrust upon the world, and by this means dividing a patronage among four, that is scarcely competent to sustain one well conducted newspaper. The great mortality that has prevailed among the Newspaper press of Erie County is by no means an isolated case. Other counties, and other sections of country, present a similar state of things. If properly heeded by those who are to come after us, the lesson may be of infinite value.
CATTARAGUS COUNTY.
At a comparatively early day the attention of the Craft seems to have been directed to the intellectual wants of the inhabitants of this County.—It only adds another to the innumerable evidences already in hand, of the untiring perseverance and industry of Printers. Cattaraugus at the early day indicated, offered no peculiar inducements which called for the establishment of a Press within its borders. It may have had advantages, prospectively—but they have proved ideal and imaginary. But an opening was thought to present itself, and a Printer stood ready to embrace the opportunity.
In 1818, Benjamin Franklin Smead established at Olean, a paper called the "Allegany Mercury," which he continued about two years.
In 1826, Richard Hill commenced the publication of a paper at Ellicottville, which was continued for about three years.
G. N. Starr, in 1829, began the "Lodi Freeman and Messenger," at the Village of Lodi. He continued at its head for something like three years, when it passed into the hands of E. Hough; soon after which event it ceased to be published.
The "Ellicottville Republican," by Deloss E. Sill, was started in 1833, and continued for one year, when it was transferred to R. H. Shankland, by whom it has been continued under the title of "Cattaraugus Republican."
Rufus W. Griswold made another attempt, in 1836, to establish a paper at Olean, which he dignified with the title of "Olean Advocate." Its existence was brief—the old complaint, want of adequate support, soon killed it off. Out of the ruins of the "Advocate," like the Phoenix from the ashes, sprung the "Olean Times," by Dudley Bryan, who continued it for a year, and it then passed into the hands of Mr. Woodcock. Another year's probation, and the "Times" ended its career.
The "Cattaraugus Whig," by Deloss E. Sill, was commenced at Ellicottville, in 1840, and is still published by the original proprietor.
In 1842, J. J. Strong commenced at the Village of Randolph, the publication of the "Randolph Herald," which he continued for one year.
The prospect before Mr. Smead, when he located himself at Olean, must have been anything else than flattering to the young and joyous aspirations of a youthful adventurer after fame and fortune. But I am told he was strongly tinctured with the love of novelty, spiced with the spirit of adventure. He thought, no doubt, from the topography of the country, that Olean at some future day was to rise up and be dignified with the title of true greatness—that a city in embryo lay hid among the waving forest, and like the cold and inanimate marble, it only required the effort of man to speak it into existence! As a powerful engine in this great and wonder-working process, a Press was necessary, and Fate stamped her seal upon Mr. Smead as the man to undertake it. He was a man of industry and perseverance, and contended stoutly against the tide that set against his hopes, but all in vain. Olean refused the destiny he had marked out for her, and in retaliation for so much and deep ingratitude, Mr. Smead abandoned her to her fate. The gentleman under con-
