THE UPPER MISSISSIPPIAN

 

The second paper in Rock Island , was started on the 8th of October, 1840 . It was a Whig paper, started in the heat of the political excitement of that year, though late in the campaign. It was "published weekly, and simultaneously in Stephenson, Rock Island County , Ill. , and Davenport, Scott County , Iowa Territory . Its editors and proprietors were not at first announced, but all communications were to be addressed to Daniel Crist. Several leading Whigs aided Crist in the enterprise. It started as a six column paper, 22x30 inches in size, at $2.50 per year in advance. The name of Daniel Crist is as indissolubly associated with its early history as a Whig paper, as that of Hon. Holmon G. Reynolds is with its close, as a Democratic paper.

Mr. Crist was a native of Pennsylvania , and had formerly published the Allegheny Republican, a Whig paper, in Allegheny County , New York . He came to the State of Illinois first in 1834, and again in 1836, stopping at Ellisville, in Fulton Co. In 1840 he came to Rock Island , and started the Upper Mississippian. The paper had an eventful, almost tragic history, and is more spoken of by old settlers than any other early institution. Mr. Crist, besides editing the paper, engaged in many enterprises before leaving Rock Island in 1852; after that, his career was quite changeable and eventful. In about 1860 he went to California , where he died Nov. 14, 1874 . at the age of 68 years. He was a man of good natural abilities, but not highly educated.

The principal characters connected with the Upper Mississippian were Mr. Crist and Hon. Harmon G. Reynolds. The latter was a leading democrat, a polished gentleman, a man of large ability, of untiring energy, a sympathizer with and leader of the masses. Dr. Silas Reed had also considerable to do in furnishing editorial matter for the paper. Dr. Reed lived here a little over two years, from June, 1839, to February, 1841, and was appointed by President Harrison, Surveyor General of Missouri and Illinois .

The paper was first published in a log cabin on Mississippi street , two numbers being issued there; the third contained a notice of its removal "to the 'White House' on Illinois street , one square above the Rock Island House." The Rock Island National Bank now occupies the place. January 7, 1841 , John G. Powers became editor and proprietor, and D. Crist printer.

Mr. Power's connection with the paper was only nominal. From March 19, 1841 , Daniel Crist conducted it to the close of that volume, Jan. 1, 1842 , Mr. Powers being "proprietor of the press." At that date his (Powers) name disappears from the paper. June 10, 1841 , the office was removed to the second story of John & C. Swortwonts' wagon shop, a building on the corner of Washington and Illinois streets. From Jan. 1, 1842 , till Dec. 1844, the paper was edited and managed by Daniel Crist. Nov. 24, 1842 , a new press was purchased for the paper, the old press having been seized and taken under a writ of replevin by J. G. Powers, making it necessary to print the issue for that week on the Gazette press in Davenport . March 23, 1844 , Thomas Gregg, formerly editor of the Warsaw Message, became assistant editor, continuing till Oct. 5th of the same year. In Dee., 1844, the paper was assumed by Harmon G. Reynolds, Esq., who changed the heading to Upper Mississippian and Rock Island Republican. Its office was on Eagle street , north of the Rock Island House. In April, 1845, it was removed to Mr. Buford's building, opposite the Eagle Hotel, on Buffalo street .

Mr. Reynolds' life was an eventful one. He was one of the most prominent, able and influential of the old settlers here. He was a lawyer by profession, having been admitted to the bar at Montpelier , Vt . He came to Rock Island in June, 1837; practiced law till 1850; taught school several years; served in various public offices, as State's Attorney, Probate Justice, County Judge , both here and in Knox County . In 1847 he was Postmaster of Rock Island; in 1854 held the same office at Knoxville ; was assistant clerk of the Constitutional Convention in 1847, and of the House of Representatives in 1849 and 1861. Mr. Reynolds was a very prominent Mason; in 1858 he removed to Springfield, and in 1862 commenced the publication of the Masonic Trowell, which in five years reached a subscription list ot 12,800. He now resides and practices law in Marshall County, Kansas.

June 26, 1845, Henry C. Randall became publisher and proprietor. Then it became the firm of H. C. Randall & Co., which was dissolved August 14, 1845. Mr. Reynolds continued the paper alone for a short time. In 1847 Jonah Case appeared as proprietor, and H. G. Reynolds editor. Col. Danforth says: "The last copy of the paper I have is dated Feb. 23, 1847," and thinks this "was about the last of the Upper Mississippian and Rock Island Republican." It expired early in 1847.

Historic Rock Island

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