Letter from Wm. T. O’Bryant
Founder
of “The Republican” Newspaper
Written
on December 6, 1909
This
letter was in reply for a historical sketch of the first days of
the Republican. A copy of this article can be found at the
Putnam County Historical Museum.
Dear Sir,
In order to comply with your request, to give a historical sketch of the first days of the life of the paper over which you now preside as managing editor, I shall have to rely solely upon memory, as I have no reliable data to draw upon for accurate information.
It has been a little over forty-four years since the first issue of the Republican was given to free breezes of old Putnam.
On a hot day in August 1865, the writer arrived in Unionville on horseback. The date on or about the 20th. Another individual of some note, arrived the same day to set up in the jewelry business. This was C.A. Francisco, and his good wife. If brother Frank can tell the date he arrived, that would settle the date upon which I came to town. Through correspondence with Col. Shelton and A.J. Hoskinson, who were members of the law firm of Shelton & Hoskinson, I was induced to come to Unionville to begin the publication of the newspaper.
I was then working on a weekly paper at Mound City, Illinois, near Cairo, at a fair salary. A mutual friend who had started a paper at Milan, called the Milan Radical, gave the above firm my name as a suitable young man who would serve their purpose.
The Civil War had closed in the spring of that year, and Missouri had not fully recovered its equanimity after the internal strife of the previous four years. However, immediately after the close of hostilities, a great many people of the Central Western States, came to Missouri to settle. Putnam received many new people at this time, and the population soon settled to business, and has prospered until Putnam is now among the best counties in the northern part of the state. H.D, Marshall was the county clerk, Col. Shelton was the circuit clerk and recorder, and James Spencer was sheriff. Col. J.B. Harper was the representative in the legislature. The people of the county got the habit of electing Col. Harper representative and kept it up for several terms. He always “made good” and was regarded as one of the best men in any legislative body of which he was a member. He gave Putnam a standing in the legislature above its neighbors.
It will be remembered by the older citizens that the Republican Party, at that time had a handle to its name. It was known as the Radical party. Afterwards it became hyphenated, and they called it the Radical-Republican party and Chas. D. Drake was its prophet.
Drake plushed a very drastic constitution through the convention, which disfrancised nearly all the Democrates; by making it necessary to take a test oath before they became qualified voters, which a lage percentage of the people refused totake. Later on; in the ealy ‘70’s the Globe-Democrat, B. Gratz Brown, Wm. Grosvenor, Joseph Pulitzer, and other prominent Republicans in the state, organized a formidable rebellion against the Drake constitution, which resulted in its overthrow, and landing B. Gratz Brwon in the Governor’s chair. But this is not what I intended to write about. I must say, however, before dismissing my political history, that there were not any unterrified democrats in Putnam County at that time. There were a few terrified ones, who had not fully recovered from the terrors of the Civil War. They came later, aided by the Liberal Republican movement. Even Dr. Hart was once announced in the Republican, as a Radical-Republican commissioner, I think it was. He came around to the office and protested against such an announcement, but I insisted that it would not hurt him in the canvass, and that announcement stood. His being announced thus, was probably my fault.
When I arrived in Unionville there were probably one hundred and fifty people there, all told. There was a group of small houses scattered around the old courthouse, with several small stores around the public square. Farsha, Staples & Company had recently put in a very fair stock, on the corner, cow occupied by the Jackson Mercantile Company.
On arriving in the town, my first purpose seemed to be to find Hoskinson, who was responsible for my coming. I soon found him in Col. Shelton’s hay field, putting up hay. If I remember correctly, I think he was barefooted. I same from Illinois where lawyers had not been in the habit of going barefooted, and it seemed rather funny to me. However, it did not take long to tell why I was there.
He knocked off work at once, and conducted me to H.D. Marshall who had possession of a small printing outfit. We found it in one of the office rooms of the courthouse where, it had been stored, unused during the war. The whole thing was in a chaotic condition. The type was well worn and mostly in “pie”. I was very young and full of ambition, and aspiration, anxious to use the lever that moves the world, so Mr. Marshall and I were not long coming to terms and the pile of ‘pie” become my property for $350.00, part on time. The residue was soon paid, however, because of the large amount of legal printing ready to be done as soon as the paper was started. It is proper to state here that my brother, A.W. O’Bryant, joined me in the publication of the Republican. During his residence here, a son was born to him and Mrs. O’Bryant. That son, in partnership with his brother, is now publishing one of the most prosperous country newspapers in southern Illinois, at Ashley, Washington County. He is also mayor of the town.
After purchasing the outfit, the next thing of importance was to get it in running order. Dr. J.R. Stille has a son, Frank, who was inclined to learn the printing business, so engaging Frank, he and I worked industriously for two or three weeks setting up “pie” and then distributing the type into the cases. Finally we finished straightening of the type, and press. The next thing to do was to make a roller. I had seen them made, but had no experience in their manufacture. In this case, it must be done from start to finish. Later we could buy the composition already made. In this case it was only necessary to melt and run into the mold, and your roller was made. I got together the different ingredients and began experimenting and after several trails, I brought forth a pretty fair roller. The work of preparing the first issue moved along rather slowly, as the greater part of the work must be done by myself. Frank had not leaned much about setting type as yet. The old Argus, a former paper had been printed with the material. Its columns were about one third wider than those of the Republican now, so I made it up in the same measure, which prevented us getting more than five columns to the page. Therefore, the first year or so, the paper was a five column, four page paper. Frank and I got the first issue ready for the waiting public. It was issued on the eleventh day of September, 1865, a date I shall never forget, as it was the first issue of the paper gotten out, almost alone and with my name at its head as editor. I was a boy proud of my work, as the paper made a respectable appearance, considering the material and other difficulties, under which we were compelled to labor. The county officials then in office gave much assistance and encouragement for which I often feel thankful, to this day. The people did not crowd around the office door clamoring to get their names on the list of regular subscribers, as I fully expected, but they came along slowly. Captain J. R. Ault, a respected citizen now dead, was the first man who paid his money for a subscription in advance, I think Uncle Jimmie Brasfield was the next.
Time went on and the paper prospered reasonably well. F.H. Stille was at one time a partner in the publication. He died of cholera in about 1873, then I ran along alone for a time. After which H.H. Hounsom of Lancaster bought an interest, and assisted me more in the mechanical department than anything else. He, however, was a good business partner. He was followed by G.S. Nicholas, formerly of Linneus, who was a newspaper writer of ability. He remained with The Republican until his death. Soon after this, Alex R. Webb came upon the scene. The Nicholas interest was purchased by L.W. Conger, who had recently come to Unionville to conduct a banking business. He placed Mr. Webb in charge of it, and the firm of O’Bryant & Webb were the publishers.
Webb was a brilliant fellow, but somewhat erratic. He was given the managing editorship. He was versatile, able and pungent-had grown up in his father’s newspaper office in Hudson, New York. An incident occurred while Webb was connected with The Republican which was of doubtful political consistency, but it seemed expedient at the time. The representative in congress, Mr. Hyde, in dispensing patronage, had mortally offended the management of the Republican, to such an extent that the paper refused to support his for reelection. Judge DeBolt was the opposing candidate. The judge was always very popular in Putnam County, having been on the circuit bench there for years. The Republican did not hoist his name at he head, but gave him its support. DeBolt was elected by a good majority. The Republican was given the credit of making one congressman and unmaking another by the vote directly influenced by its action in this campaign. What ever of blame or credit for this, belongs to Webb, for he had full control of the paper at the time. The writer was lying off and farming that year for his health.
Webb afterward went on the Republic of St. Louis and remained with that paper, until he was appointed by the first administration of President Cleveland, minister to the Philippines, which place he held for eight or ten years.
The St. Louis Republic in its centennial edition, said of him, “That Alex R. Webb was the most versatile man ever connected with that paper, he could fill any position from managing editor to the composing room; do a song and dance in vaudeville, take a show on the road, or conduct a circus’. When the firm of O’Bryant U Webb dissolved into thin air, the paper went into the hands of H.N. Webb who conducted until his death. The rest is recent history. G.N. Stille, I believe followed H. N. Webb as the publisher, and sold out to the firm of Conger and Martin.
The churches in Putnam County forty years ago were few and far between. The only church building was a hard-shell Baptist down near Hartfprd. The older Christian Church was the first building in town. Soon after, however, the Methodist Church was erected.
When I arrived in town, Uncle Billie Burns, a Untied Brethren, Mr. N. Norman, a Methodist, and Elder Humphrey, a Christian, did most of the preaching for the county. The old courthouse was used by all denominations for the services.
Putnam was at times, as freaky as Kansas, in political action. It often ran after strange gods. When greenback idea was strongest Putnam went for it to such an extent that they carried the county. This resulted in election Dr. Gray to the legislature, who introduced a resolution in that body looking to the division of the state, making the river the line between the two states to be formed. It is hardly necessary to say that nothing came of the proposition.
The social side of the early history of Unionville must not be forgotten. The social gatherings and parties held at the Eareckson House, way back when Jess Campbell was young, Z.T. Brawford as a fly dancer, and W.H. Walker was always ready to come in and ‘have a time’. H.D. Marshall and Dr. Hart never failed to come with their best dancing “pumps”. Bill Phillips did the “fiddling” and Jess Campbell, the “calling”. Jess was fine in this line. These social times were very enjoyable to the participants, all of whom probably remember them with pleasure.
At this time Unionville was over fifty miles from railroad communication. The nearest road was the H & St.. Joe at Brookfield or Laclede, but our people did not use this route. During the Civil War our trade was turned into Iowa and Ottumwa was the nearest shipping point. Our merchants, either bought their goods there, or buying them elsewhere they were shipped there and brought to Unionville by teams.
James Goul, of blessed memory, did a great deal of this kind of teaming in his life. He devoted all his time to freighting goods with his team. This was the source of our paper supply, which The Republican adopted. Uncle Jim Goul always had room in his load for a few bundles of print paper. If we run out, the issue must wait until the freight wagon arrived.
I will never be known, except by those who had these experiences, how much we needed a railroad in Putnam County at that time.
Finally a proposition was made to the county by the promoters of the present line, which was accepted by the county court, Judge Thomas Pollock being the presiding judge at the time. The court agreed to issue bonds to the amount of $150,000, which created quite a storm center around the ears of Judge Pollock, especially in the distant ends of the county, where the road id not propose to run.
However, the bonds were issued, the road built, and paid for, and the people have received the worth of the money, even if they id not get a first class road. It was a good thing at the time, as lit was the only way a railroad could be gotten.
We are glad the county had a presiding judge who had the nerve to take the necessary steps to get a railroad through. Judge Pollock deserves more than to have a small town named for him, when we consider the improved freight facilities brought about by his action.
Railroad promoters no longer ask counties to issue bonds for their construction, possibly because they know they would not get them. Railroads are built now because it is supposed they are needed, and will pay a dividend. It was not always so.
The mail facilities of Putnam County, were “horseback” routes up to the time the railroad was completed. If I remember correctly, we had a route running from Milan, Missouri to Centerville, Iowa, down today and back tomorrow, this route connecting with a route from Laclede to Milan. The daily papers then, were three days old when we received them. How would the present population of Unionville like this sort of thing? This is the way we had it until the railroad came in 1872.
These are some other reminiscences I must refer to. Did you ever hear of Hugh Marshall and Old Riley? They were boon companions a good many years ago. Old Riley was a horse. It would be unnecessary to tell this to an old citizen because everybody in the county knows Old Riley and Hugh. When you saw one the other was not far away.
Hugh was a mighty hunter, he and Old Riley. It was no trick at all for them to bring in a “buck” when deer were plentiful down in the “East End”. I remember on one occasion, seeing Hugh and Old Riley coming into town with a rope tied to a “buck” and the other end around Old Riley’s neck, thus Hugh and Old Riley were dragging the deer over the snow, making easy sledding of it. On one occasion Hugh paced Old Riley from Milan, in about two hours. Old Riley was a pacer from Pacerville. He has long since been called to his fathers. Hugh loved him, as no man ever loved a horse.
On a mild September day, in 1865, another young man from Illinois came to Unionville. He wore “store bought clothes” was well educated, and competent. He opened a school of penmanship and the Editor of ‘The Republican’ was his pupil, although his present penmanship would not indicate it.
The old timers has already guessed that I refer to R.F. Little. “Bob” has been in the town ever since. Early in his career, he lost his heart. He met a sprightly, black-eyed maiden of West Virginia, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Browning, who had recently settled in Putnam, and he capitulated at once. They were married and lived happily ever afterward. Bob has become one of the oldest citizens of the town. He served a term as circuit clerk and recorder and no more competent many ever filled that office.
This writer was soon found at the feet of one of Putnam’s fair damsels, and never let up until she married him to get rid of him. This important event was consummated in December 1866. The maiden was the oldest daughter of ex-sheriff Applegate.
In due time sons and daughters were born to them. The first born, a son, who came in March 1868. The editor spoke of the matter in a way that seemed to make a ‘hit’. We could not now, quote the item. It was taken up, however, by the humorous press of the country, and went so far as to be printed in the Danbury News, of Danbury, Conn.
That boy today has developed into one of the most artistic job printers in Missouri. He has submitted specimens of his handiwork, in a contest, with London and New York artists, and carried off second prize. The good is when we consider his work was done in a Missouri county newspaper office. He is employed by Robertson & Ball of the “Gallatin Democrat”. The Robertson’s here mentioned one ran the Democrat in Unionville.
Along in those early days, I must not forget to mention a pioneer music teacher in the person of Dr. W. Williams, who came from Iowa. He opened a singing school in the courthouse. Everything was held in the courthouse. The young Editor of course desired to become noted for his vocal powers, and was the first or among the first to subscribe for a full scholarship, and gave his attention to developing voice culture. We often wonder if Dr. Williams would be proud of his pupil, if he should him warble now.
F.H. Wentworth came at an early day to assist in developing Unionville, and has made good. B.H. Bonfoey came later and struck the soul of Putnam by marrying one of her fair daughters. Bon is a ‘live wire’ and has done the town much goo.
There are many other things I would love to discuss in this connection, may old associates in and about Unionville of whom I often think. It seems more like home, yet, than any other place.
James Turner came to Unionville with the railroad, and conducted a sore to supply the people engaged in its construction. After this was over he continued in business and was soon doing very large general store business, perhaps the largest ever before conducted in the town or county. His character was such that he had the respect and love of the whole people. His work for the moral uplifting of the people will not be forgotten. His sincerity and honest of purpose always stood out most prominently. Everyone believed in Jim Turner. He was a most complete example of good citizenship.
George Roth was another valuable citizen who came with or about the time of the railroad was completed. Gorge has been a builder of the town. He has erected more nice dwellings than any other man. His work in this line can be seen in any part of the city.
Since “The Republican” began to issue, a baby boy has been born in Putnam County who has filled the office of Lieutenant Governor and has acted frequently as Governor of the great state of Missouri, and has had the honor of being nominated by popular vote of one of the great political parties for the office of United States Senator. Of course you all know I refer to Gov. McKinley. Thus we see that Putnam can produce other great things as well as corn, cattle, and fine horses.
Our children were all born there, parents on both sides are buried there, and the told town is a dear spot.
W.T. O’Bryant
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