Newspapers in Marietta

Marietta Intelligencer, September 19, 1839

Mr. Gates:  You enquire concerning the history of the Marietta Press.

The first newspaper published in Marietta, was the OHIO GAZETTE, AND TERRITORIAL AND VIRGINIA HERALD, by Wyllys Silliman.  Its publication commenced December 18, 1801. I know of no existing file of its numbers excepting that which Mr. Arius Nye has reserved and bound, commencing with number three, and ending August 17, 1802. (This we believe, was the third paper commenced in the State. The first newspaper published northwest of the Ohio was issued at Cincinnati, Nov. 9, 1793. It was called the "Centinel of the North-Western Territory." Its motto was, "Open to all parties, but influenced by non." It was edited by William Maxwell. After changing its name and owner, in 1796, it was continued till 1800.)

I have in possession, an imperfect copy of the first number, lent me by Francis Devol, Esq.  It was found among the papers of Capt. Jonathan Devol, who was one of Gen. Rufus Putnam's primitive band, and a distinguished first settler.

The Ohio Gazette was published till about 1811, the latter part of the time by Israel Fairlamb, and not always regularly.  I believe that Elijah Backus and Nathaniel Gates, now of Gallipolis, were, at different times, engaged in the management of it.

The next newspaper establishment in Marietta was THE COMMENTATOR, by James B. Gardiner.  It commenced in 1807, and was continued by Mr. Gardiner about a year.  In 1809, if my recollection is right, the Commentator was resumed by Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Joseph Israel, now or lately a publisher in Clarksburg, Va.  I had nearly a complete set of the Commentator, bound, which I lent to the Xenia Anti-Jacksonites, thro' Mr. Hammond in 1828.  I regret to say the volume has never been returned.  Will they correct this procedure?

It is now about twenty nine years since I commenced the publication of the WESTERN SPECTATOR.  It extended to two and a half volumes, from October, 1810, to July, 1813.

In the spring of 1813, Messrs. David Everett, from Boston, and Timothy Buell and Daniel H. Buell, of Marietta, commenced the AMERICAN FRIEND.  Mr. Everett died within no very long time after.  Mr. Royal Prentiss became an associate, and not very long after, the sole proprietor of the establishment.  Mr. Prentiss will doubtless give you a correct history of this publication during the long period in which he was publisher and editor.

Messrs. John Delafield, Jr., and Edward W. Nye bought the establishment in 1833.  Mr. Prentiss, during most of the time in which he published, had a double title - THE AMERICAN FRIEND AND MARIETTA GAZETTE.  The first title was omitted after he sold it.  Pazzi Lapham, E. W. Nye, C. Emerson, and Isaac Maxon have conducted it at various times since.

The MARIETTA MINERVA was commenced Sept. 3, 1823, by A. V. D. Joline, who afterwards became associated with his brother, John K. Joline. (At this time it zealously advocated the claims of Henry Clay for the Presidency.) In 1827 its title was changed to the Washington County Pilot. The publication has been continued at intervals, under the title of the MARIETTA PILOT - the MARIETTA DEMOCRAT, and again of the PILOT - conducted latterly by C. B. Flood.

If time and health permit, I may hereafter give you something further of the history of our newspaper press.  In the meantime I ask you to append hereto an extract from the opening address of the OHIO GAZETTE, to the then citizens of Western Virginia.

I am, sir, respectfully,

Caleb Emerson.

From the first number of the Ohio Gazette:

"The Editor this day, on presenting to the public the first number of this Gazette, is not ignorant that an apology is necessary for the alteration of its title.  He might rest this apology on the gratitude which he feels, and ought to feel for the generous and extensive patronage he has received from the inhabitants of the western parts of Virginia; but this would be taking a ground more limited than that which he wishes to occupy.  He is, indeed, proud in having this opportunity, at this time, and by this measure, to give to his Fellow-Citizens, on both sides of the Ohio, a pledge of his equal regard, and an example of that liberality of sentiment, which is not only so decorous in private character, but which forms so important a pillar in the fabric of social and political happiness.

"Breathing the same air - having the same wants - being capable of the same pleasures - talking the same language - living under the same national government, what is there to limit or divide our affections?  A river!  A river whose kindred branches we inhabit - whose current, mild and unbroken, though composed of a thousand tributary streams, affords us an impressive lesson of unity and peace!

"Surely this country ought to become one of the happiest under Heaven! blessed with a friendly climate - a rich and diversified soil - a rapidly encreasing population - and separated on all sides from the rest of the world by lakes and mountains, we form a world of our own, which can be ruined only by our own follies. Shall we admit that of all the most fatal, a spirit of discord.

"At present we enjoy the protection of a Government recognizing an equality of rights, and having liberty for its basis; may it be perpetual! but may we never forget that the best guarantors of our freedom will ultimately be found in the justness of our principles and the harmony of our feelings!"

The following facts we have obtained principally from Mr. Royal Prentiss.

The American Friend was established and the first number printed by Thomas G. Ransom, for David Everett, T. Buell and D. H. Buell, April 24, 1812.  It was edited by David Everett.  Mr. Everett died in December 1813.  The paper was still printed by Ransom for T. & D. H. Buell, the latter of whom edited it until April 1814.  It was then printed and published by T. & D. H. Buell and R. Prentiss, in company, till January 1816, when R. Prentiss purchased the establishment, and after a suspension till March, the publication was continued by him until June 19, 1823.  It was then enlarged to a super-royal sheet and printed and published by R. & G. Prentiss under the title of American Friend and Marietta Gazette till August 1826, when it was again published by R. Prentiss, till May 1833.  The establishment was then sold to Messrs. Delafield & Nye, and by them published under the title of the Marietta Gazette.  Mr. Delafield was afterwards sole proprietor and sold the establishment to Pazzi Lapham, now Editor of the Xenia Torch Light.  Mr. Lapham conducted the paper something less than a year, when he sold it to Mr. E. W. Nye, who conducted it a short time, when he sold to Caleb Emerson, Esq., who continued it until Mr. Maxon, the present proprietor, purchased it, nearly two years since.

Proclamation by the Governor

Marietta Intelligencer, December 8, 1842

In conformity with the pious usages of Christian and civilized nations, and with a view to impress upon all minds a humble dependence upon, and cheerful submission to, the Divine Ruler of all people, the Legislature did, on the 7th day of March, 1842, resolve "That the Governor be requested to issue within the present year his proclamation to the citizens of this State, recommending to them the observance of a day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God, for his blessings to us as a people.

By virtue of the authority thus given by the General Assembly, I, THOMAS CORWIN, Governor of the State of Ohio, do set apart Thursday, the twenty-second day of December next, to be observed as a day of humble thanksgiving to Almighty God, throughout the State of Ohio.

It is especially enjoined upon the good people of the State on that day to refrain from their several temporal pursuits and assemble themselves together at their customary places devoted to religious worship; that they heartily invoke the continuance of those blessings which have hitherto characterized our history as a people, and implore the divine pardon for our forgetfulness of mercy and frequent abuse of the great privileges with which our State has been indulged.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and have caused the Great Seal of the State to be affixed at Columbus, this twenty-ninth day of November, A.D., 1842, and of the Independence of the United States, the sixty-seventh.

Thomas Corwin.

By the Governor:

J. Sloane, Secretary of State

 

History of the Log Cabin on the Armory Lot - Putnam Street

The Marietta Leader, June 26 1888

Marietta, June 23, '88

My Dear Sir:

I have not the time at my command just now to write to you in full of the cabin. Dr. Hildreth in his Pioneer History says:

"In the month of September 1788 the Cornplanter, principal chief of the Seneca tribe, with about forty Indians arrived at Fort Harmar escorted by a company of soldiers. This chief was an influential man with the six nations, and very friendly to the United States.

A son of the celebrated Brant, with two hundred warriors, was at the falls of the Muskingum in November, and sent a messenger to Gov. St. Clair with the request that the treaty might be held at that place. He returned a mild, but decided refusal.

On the 13th December about two hundred Indians from the different tribes arrived at the garrison.

The following day the council fire was kindled in the Council house, which was a large log house that stood near the north east bastion, on the outside of the fort.

Governor St. Clair was quite ill with an attach of the gout, to which he was subject, during the course of the treaty, and was carried daily by the soldiers in a large chair to the Council.

The treaty was on the 9th of January 1789, signed by Governor St. Clair and 24 of the chief men of the six nations."  

But how about the cabin, say you?

Dr. Hildreth says the Council was in a log house that stood near the northeast bastion of the outside of the fort. What became of that log house?

David Barber, Esq., (son of Col. Levi Barber) who died last year, and who from childhood lived near the old fort location, repeatedly told me that Solomon Dickey removed and lived in that log house near the west bank of the Muskingum. Capt. Levi Barber, who was born in the same locality, and never lived elsewhere, repeatedly told me the same thing and in one of his recent long illnesses, we visited the old cabin, which he identified and reaffirmed what he often before had to me stated.

The oldest son of Esq. Dickey says that this is the identical cabin in which the family lived from about 1818 to the death of his father, which occurred as he thinks in 1835.

I distinctly remember Solomon Dickey. He was a character in his day and generations. I remember to have heard him on one public occasion (rather in a boastful way) claim that he lived in a log cabin that had the Indian smell on it yet, and further claiming it as the house in which St. Clair's treaty was held.

I have written to a very old lady at Mansfield who should know much on this subject.

I might here add that all above claimed is verified by the recollections of a very old and honorable man who from childhood lived in this county and only left us five years ago, and is now among us to renew old friendship.

George M. Woodbridge.

Street Lamps

The Marietta Republican, October 29, 1858

The gas lamps put up on our streets by the city authorities are of great service of a dark night. They are not only a great convenience, but a protection against burglars and incendiaries. Were the gas as cheap here as in many cities, our Council would doubtless order twice as many lamps put up.

 

Harmar Market House

Marietta Intelligencer, September 12, 1839

The authorities of Harmar have erected a new market house 23 feet by 50, with wings of 7 feet width on each side. The lower story is of brick and stone, 9 feet between joints. The upper story is of wood, 11 feet in the clear. The building is capped by a cupola about 15 feet in height. The building is convenient, and on the whole it makes a very neat and respectable appearance.