Untitled Document

The Press.

The first paper started in Cambridge, and the first in Henry County, issued its first number on Feb. 18. 1853. It was called the Henry County Gazette, and was edited by J. W. Eystra. This paper and all the material connected with the office were afterwards sold to the citizens of Kewanee, and removed to that place, where the name was changed to the Henry County Dial. The editor,. Mr. Hyatt, soon after went to Geneseo, where he established the Geneseo Republic. About November, 1857, the press and materials in the Galva Watchman office were purchased and remov ed to Cambridge by Judge Tillson, Dr. A. A. Dunn, V. M. Ayres, and H. W. Wells. Dr. Dunn was established as editor, and the name changed to the Chronicle. He remained until I860 in this place. That year, Patten and Denison leased the office and fixtures from the company, and continued Dr. Dunn as editor for one year, when Mr. Patten purchased Mr. Denisons interest, and (,Dr. Dunn going to the army)., assumed entire editorial control. He kept charge until 1866, when he was succeeded by Everett & Casson. who. on May 16, 1867, sold to the present editor and proprietor, Mr. George C. Smithe. He has now entire control, having purchased the office and all the material, and issues a paper which fully merits its name.

The Prairie Chief was started in Galva in April. 1868, and for a time printed in the office of the Galva Union. In September of that year, Mr. F. B. Seaton purchased the office of the Stark County Democrat at Toulon, and removed to that place. He changed the name to Prairie Chief, and remained there till December, 1871, when he rented the office of the Cambridge Democrat, and removed to that place. This paper had been started and conducted by one Rock, who proved a most disreputable character. Immediately on Mr. Seaton taking charge, a change was made, and an excellent weekly paper-started. He changed the name to Prairie Chief, and although in a county largely Republican in polities, the paper

has a large circulation.

CAMBRIDGE DEMOCRAT.

In the Spring of 1869, feeling the need of a Democratic paper cen trally located in the county, S. P. Cady and I. G.Ayers commenced a correspondence with Mr. J. L. Rock of Chicago, commercial editor of the Chicago Times, with a view of establishing a Democratic paper in Cam bridge, which resulted in receiving a proposition from Mr. Rock that if $1,500 was raised to purchase presses and material he would furnish an equal amount, and would come and take charge of the paper, with the understanding that at the expiration of the year he was to have the material by refunding the $1,500 and 10 per cent. A meeting was called at the court-house, which was largely attended by the Democrats of this vicinity, and the proposition met with general favor. At this meeting $800 was subscribed, and a committee appointed to raise the balance, which they succeeded in doing very soon. A committee was then sent to Chicago to superintend the purchase and shipment of presses, type, etc. In due time the material arrived, and was set up in the room over the harness shop of H. P. Hart, and July 28, 1869, the first issue of the Cambridge Democrat made its appearance, greatly to the satisfaction of its god-parents. The paper remained under the management of Mr. Rock but a short time. The 20th of November of the same year found him in such straitened circumstances that he was forced to dispose of the paper to Morrison Francis and R. Heber Hinmaa, who employed Mr. I. G. Ayers, then a law student with Mr. W. H. Shepard, to take charge of the editorial and financial management. Mr. Ayers continued the editor until Nov. 29, 1871, at which time Messrs. Francis & Hinman Tented the office to Mr. B. W. Seaton, who removed the Prairie Chief from Toulon, Stark County, to this place, commenced and continues its issue here.

History of Henry County

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Illinois Ancestors