"THE FOURTH ESTATE"

(An overview of Tuscarawas County Newspapers)

"The Tuscarawas Chronicle" was the first, and for many years the only newspaper published in Tuscarawas County. It was launched into existence by James PATRICK, a native of Belfast, Ireland (See Chapter XI) on August 24 1819. The first issue was a four-column folio, 11 x 18 inches in size and was published at a subscription price of $2.00 per year. Mr. Patrick remained its publisher and editor until 1834 when he sold it to Samuel DOUGLAS who renamed it the "Tuscarawas Advocate". Two years later he re-purchased the paper and published it until the spring of 1846 when hesold the establishment to his son, Andrew PATRICK.

In 1865, J. L. MCILVAINE and William A PITTINGER came into possession of the Advocate by purchase but soon after Mr. PITTENGER sold his interest to Mr. MCILVAINE who published it for many years. It was subsequently consolidated with the "Tribune" and published under the name of "The Advocate-Tribune" of which Mr. Wilson A. KORNS, a fine citizen, was the publisher for many years. The Daily Reporter of Dover purchased The Advocate-Tribune from Mr. KORNS in the early twenties and later suspended its publication. In its earlier days, the Advocate was a staunch adherent of Whig politics and thereafter it and The Advocate-Tribune were unwavering in its feality to the Rebublican party.

A paper called the "Ohio Democrat" started publication in Dover by HILL and MITCHENER on August 1, 1839. It was published in Dover until 1840 when it suspended operations.

In May 1841 the paper was re-established by Charles H. MITCHENER and C. H. MATHEWS and moved to New Philadelphia. Its growth at first was very slow because the county then was strongly Whig. Under the direction of various individuals who were active in the publication for many years the paper had a slow but steady growth. In June 1870, C. H. MATHEWS, Jesse D. ELLIOT and O. H. HOOVER became the sole owners and they continued publication under the name of Mathews, Elliot & Co.

In March 1900, William T. ALBERSON of Ashland, Ohio, an experienced editor and manager of the Ashland Press for many years came to New Philadelphia and purchased and consolidated the "Ohio Democrat" and the "New Philadelphia Times". He published a new paper called the "Ohio Democrat and Times". In 1903, he established the "Daily Times", the first permanent daily in New Philadelphia. He managed and edited both the "Ohio Democrat and Times" a weekly, and the "Daily Times", a daily, until January 14, 1907 when he sold both papers to the Democrat Publishing Co. Mr. J. E. HURST, Sr., one of Tuscarawas County's outstanding citizens was the editor and publisher of the Daily Times for many years. When he died he was suceeded by Joseph E. HURST, Jr., his son, and under his capable and dynamic leadership, the Daily Times became and still is one of the outstanding daily newspapers in this section of the state. Publication of the Ohio Democrat and Times was suspended shortly after Mr. ALBERSON sold his interests to the Democrat Publishing Co.

From 1805 to 1872, a number of newspapers attempted publication in Dover under various names which included, the "Commercial Advertiser" ; the "Buckeye"; the "Citizen"; "Deutshe in Ohio"; the "National Leader" a Greenback paper; and the "Iron Valley Times". All of the foregoing were short lived and went out of existence.

The "Iron Valley Reporter", subsequently became "The Daily Reporter" a daily paper, and was published for a long time by the Tuscarawas Publishing Co. under the capable leadership and management of A. A. HOOPINGARNER, Publisher, E. A. BARTHELMEH, Business Manager and Henry C. HAGLOCH, Managing Editor. Several years ago, The Daily Reporter was acquired by Oliver C. BOLTON and was published by Tuscarawas Publishers, Inc. It is now owned by the Manfield Journal Company. Ralph POSTLETHWAITE is the General Manager and Harry YOCKEY is its capable and energetic Editor.

The Daily Reporter has a wide circulation in Tuscarawas County and its environs and has an outspoken editorial policy. It is independent in politics.

A second "Tuscarawas Chronicle" was started in New Philadelphia in 1865 by V. P. WILSON. In 1869 it was sold to PITTENGER & Co. who removed the paper to Dennison. In the fall of the same year it was established in Uhrichsville. William A. PITTINGER was its managing head until 1876 when it was purchased by James E. GRAHAM. It was subsequently acquired by William H. STOUTT, a fine Christian gentleman, who made it a daily. It is still published by his descendants under the title, "The Evening Chronicle". The Chronicle has always been Republican in politics.

"The Tuscarawas County Democrat" began publication in Uhrichsville September 10, 1879 by J. E. FISHER. It was Democratic in politics and for a time was very influential and had a large circulation. It is no longer published.

In 1879, William A. PITTENGER founded "The Dennison Paragraph" and published it as a weekly in Dennison until June 22, 1889 when it became a daily under the name of "The Daily Paragraph". It was published for a number of years by Mr. PITTENGER and subsequent owners but suspended operations following the Railroad Shop Strike in the early twenties. (S33 Chapter XXVI).

Newcomerstown has had a number of newspapers during its history. The first was the "Saturday Visitor" established on June 7, 1871by A. W. JOHNS, H. H. BEECH and Dr. A. M. BEERS. It changed ownership and names several times. These titles included the "Ohio Independent", and "The Newcomerstown Argus". The Argus was destroyed by fire in 1877.

On January 1, 1878 a paper called the "Eye" began publication. In March 1882, it was purchased by A. C. HURSEY who rechristened it, "The Newcomerstown Index". The Index had a long and successful history. John T. DUFF, a former educator was its editor and publisher for many years.

In 1888, a second newspaper was established in Newcomerstown which was published under the name "The Newcomerstown News" by M. O. JULIEN. This paper was very successful and influential. A number of years ago it purchased the "Index" and both papers were consolidated as a single weekly publication. Its present name is the "Newcomerstown News and Index". Max K. JULIEN is the present publisher and C. W. PHILLIPS is its Secretary and Treasurer.

Other weekly newspapers have been established in Tuscarawas County. These included the "Baltic American", "The Strasburg Record" , "The Mineral City Pointer", and "The Sugarcreek Budget". All of these have ceased publication with the exception of the Budget.

"The Mineral City Pointer" was founded by William HOSICK on January 1 1887. Mr. HOSICK was a former teacher. He was the editor of a paper in Medina, and later was the editor of "The Macksburg Margin", before coming to Mineral Point now called Mineral City. Mr. HOSICK never married. His paper was independent in politics,, promoted civic pride and advocated temperance. The "Mineral City Pointer" had a long and successful life, but it soon passed out of existence following Mr. HOSICK's demise.

The "Sugarcreek Budget" has been published at Sugarcreek for many years. It is a weekly publication devoted principally to the Amish population in and around Sugarcreek and surrounding counties. It also has a wide circulation in many other counties of Ohio, and in many of the states of the Union as well as foreign countries. Mr. S. A. SMITH was its editor for many years.

A German Language Newspaper was started in New Philadelphia on May 13, 1869 by a Mr. MONTAG and Frederick WALTER. It was called "Der Deutshe Boebachter". In 1872 S. R. MINNIG purchased Mr. MONTAG's interest and thereafter it was published under the name of WALTER and MINNIG. It was Democratic in politics and had a wide circulation in Tuscarawas County because a large portion of the population of the county was of German and Swiss descent. The paper died a natural death when German was gradually abandoned as a spoken language in the homes and many churches of Tuscarawas County.

Other important news outlets in Tuscarawas County includes Radio Station W.J.E.R. located at 646 Boulevard,, Dover Ohio, established by Agnes Jane GREER of Morgantown, West Virginia, a daughter of Jeremiah E. REEVES (See Chapter XIX) in 1950 and Radio Station W.B.T.C. located at Uhrichsville, Ohio, and founded by James NATOLI in 1963.

~from These Are My Jewels by John H. Lamneck, 1966. pp111-114

Samuel Allen SMITH was the son of George SMITH and Sarah ARMBRUST. He was married to Grace Viola RICHARDSON, daughter of James Monroe and Minnie Jane (BASH) Richardson. He was the printer and owner of The Budget from 1920 - 1950. The paper was purchased in 1950 by his son, George Richardson SMITH, who had been editor and manager since 1936. In 1974, George R. sold The Budget but stayed on as Associate Editor. The first Editor for The Budget was Julius Miller "J. M." Richardson. (Information from personal genealogy file and Sugarcreek Centennial Scribe.)

My special thanks to Richard Rayle for correcting my misprint of the parents of Grace Viola Richardson!