Scharf, Thomas J., History of Delaware, 1609-1888. Volume One- pp. 450-470. CHAPTER XXIII. THE PRESS OF DELAWARE. IT has been a matter of just pride to the descendants of the settlers of Penn’s colony that the printing-press was at work in Philadelphia within four years of the foundation, and it naturally follows, from the close political, social and business connections existing between the Philadelphians and the people of the three counties on the Delaware, that the latter shared in the circumstances and sentiments which attended the birth of journalism in this vicinity and promoted its growth. The first paper published in the colonies was the Boston News Letter, the earliest number of which bore date of April 29, 1704. Next came the Boston Gazette, which sent out its first issue on December 21, 1719, and the next day, December 22d, Andrew Bradford printed at Philadelphia the initial number of the American Weekly Mercury. It was on a pot half-sheet (fifteen by twelve and one-half inches), about a page of ordinary letter paper, in other words, and bore the imprint, "Philadelphia: Printed by Andrew Bradford and sold by him and John Copson." In 1721 Copson’s name was dropped, and the imprint altered to "Philadelphia: Printed and sold by Andrew Bradford at the Bible in Second Street, and also by William Bradford, in New York, where advertisements are taken in." Its appearance and make-up are thus described:* "The Mercury sometimes appeared on a whole sheet of pot, in type of various sizes, as small pica, pica and english. It appeared weekly, generally on Tuesday; but the day of publication was varied. Price, ten shillings per annum. Editorial matter seldom appeared, and so little notice was taken of passing events in the city, with which at that time everybody was supposed to be acquainted, that little information with regard to local affairs is to be found in the paper. It was principally made up of extracts from foreign journals several months old, with a few badly-printed advertisements. Two cuts, coarsely engraved and intended as ornaments, were placed at the head, one on each side of the title; that on the left was a small figure of Mercury, represented on foot, with extended wings and bearing his caduceus. The other was the representation of a postman riding at full speed. These cuts were sometimes shifted, and for the sake of variety Mercury and the postman exchanged places." On December 24, 1728, was established the second newspaper in the colony, the Universal Instructor in all Arts and Sciences and Pennsylvania Gazette, the founder of which was Samuel Keimer, the eccentric and pedantic printer, in whose office Benjamin Franklin set type and worked the press. Within a year it passed into the hands of Franklin & Meredith, who lopped off most of Keimer’s pretentious title, and as the Pennsylvania Gazette it entered upon a famous career of influence and usefulness. Following it came the Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser, established in 1742 by William Bradford, nephew of Andrew, and the Pennsylvania Chronicle and Universal Advertiser, first issued by Wm. Goddard in 1767. But before Mr. Goddard had embarked upon his enterprise Delaware had ceased to be dependent upon Philadelphia for printing and publication. It is fair to presume that she had conferred a proportionate degree of patronage upon Bradford and his early successors, and that her more ambitious men came to yearn for a press in their midst. At any rate, James Adams came to Wilmington in 1761 from Philadelphia, where he had been in the employ of Franklin & Hall. He was a native of Ireland and learned the art at Londonderry, from whence he emigrated when of age. He began business for himself in Philadelphia about 1760, but removed his press to Wilmington the next year and published his "Proposals for Printing a Newspaper." He received sufficient encouragement to start a weekly entitled the Wilmington Chronicle, which, after six months, was discontinued. He continued his printing-office, however, and from it were issued some publications for the colonial government, several small works on religious subjects and an annual almanac. He also bound and sold books, and up to 1775 was the only printer in Delaware.** After the failure of the Chronicle he confined himself for some years to the other branches of his work, but in 1789 he and his son, Samuel, were publishing the Delaware and Eastern Shore Advertiser at Wilmington. He died near the close of 1792 and bequeathed his business to his sons. Two of them, Samuel and John, established a press at New Castle, and the edition of the Delaware laws, published in 1797, bears their imprint and that of the town. The elder Adams was a man of much importance in his day and highly esteemed. James Wilson in 1799 began the publication at Wilmington of the Mirror of the Times, a paper which advocated the principles of the Federal party and supported the administration of John Adams, then President of the United States. It was printed on beautiful snow white paper, a novelty in those days, which was made at the Gilpin Paper-Mills, up the Brandywine from Wilmington. The process of manufacture was then new and was the invention of Thomas D. Gilpin, one of the owners of the mill and a native of Wilmington. The Mirror of the Times appeared as semi-weekly, printed on Wednesdays and Saturdays on a Franklin press. The motto under the title was the following significant couplet: "Here sovereign truth for man’s just rights contends, Alike unawed by foes, unswayed by friends." Mr. Wilson *** was an able editor and produced a strong and intelligent paper measured by the standard of his time, but he was not making a fortune. When the New Castle County elections of 1802 took place at the town of New Castle, he announced to his patrons that he would spend the whole day at Captain Caleb Bennett’s tavern there, where he "would wait with his account-books open, hoping that all subscribers will call on him and inquire after the condition of his purse, which was affected by a lingering consumptive complaint." The next trial that this newspaper-man had to contend with was the yellow fewer, which prevailed in Wilmington in the fall of 1802. In the issue of October 23d of that year he said: "The publication of the Mirror will be suspended for a short time, until our hands are willing to return from the country, whither they have retired at present, on account of the ill state of health in our borough. Patrons will be remunerated for any deficiency caused by these imperious circumstances by occasional extra-papers in the future." Within three weeks the hands returned to their cases and the Mirror reappeared at the original price, $4.00 per year. It was then the editor announced that "intelligence, essays, communications will be received and promptly attended to if postpaid." In March, 1803, Mr. Wilson informed his patrons that he would "wait on them at Christiana Bridge and New Castle for full settlement of arrearages, as circumstances rendered immediate payment necessary." He further said that he did not want any of them to say "call again." In 1809 he changed the name of the paper to the American Watchman and a few months later purchased the Republican, merged the two papers in one, and conducted it as a vigorous supporter of the administration of James Madison during the War of 1812–15. It was now an ardent anti-Federalist journal, whose columns during that eventful period teemed with patriotism. M. Risely was assistant editor for several years. The Christian Repository was published by Peter Brynberg at the corner of Fourth and Shipley Streets before 1800. The Federal Ark appeared as a Wilmington newspaper in 1803. The Museum of Delaware, "a political, literary and miscellaneous" weekly, was started by Joseph Jones Saturday, June 30, 1804. It continued six years. (4*) Of the papers issued in Wilmington, the Delaware Gazette, its able and early rival, the Journal, the various publications that were merged with these papers from time to time, and the Commercial— Wilmington’s first daily— have, by successive purchase and consolidation, been merged with the Every Evening, now one of the leading newspapers of the State. The Delaware Gazette was established in 1784 by Jacob Craig. Of its early history but little is known, except from the volume for the year 1787, which was preserved and is now in possession of the Historical Society of Delaware. A perusal of this volume shows that the paper was conducted on the same plan as other newspapers of its day— that is, devoted exclusively to foreign news, national politics and miscellany, with no local publications whatever, save those referring to political contests and the advertisements. After an existence of several years the Gazette was sold to Moses Bradford, a well-known citizen and father of the late United States Judge E.G. Bradford, who subsequently disposed of the concern to Major Samuel Harker. The latter conducted the paper for a number of years, and under his management it assumed a prominent tone and character among the newspapers of that day, with whom it discussed questions of national import with freedom, equality and vigor. Established as a weekly, the paper continued as such until about 1820, when it was issued semi-weekly. The date of this change is not known, as the bound volumes now in existence do not date prior to 1822, and the change had then been made for some time. The paper, at this latter date, was published by Samuel Harker, at No. 15 Market Street. It supported the Federal ticket in the State election of that year, consisting of James Booth for Governor and Louis McLane for Representative in Congress. It bore at its head the motto, "Faithful and Fearless," which had been adopted by Major Harker on assuming control of the paper, and was maintained as long as it continued in existence. In 1825 the office of publication was removed to No. 6 Market Street, and in 1827 to No. 17 East Water Street. On August 27th of the latter year another change was made to No. 4 Market Street. For years the paper had been a pronounced advocate of the Federal party, but in 1825 the editor announced his disapproval of the selection of John Quincy Adams for the Presidency by the House of Representatives, and a change of political sentiment began, which eventuated, in 1828, in the paper heartily supporting General Jackson for President. On December 12, 1828, the Gazette absorbed by purchase the American Watchman, Mr. Wilson’s paper, which had already bought out the Republican and also the Patriot, the latter only a campaign sheet established to aid in the election of Jackson to the Presidency. After the consolidation the Gazette was changed to the Delaware Gazette and American Watchman. In 1830 it was sold by Major Harker to his brother, John Newton Harker, who, on June 10, 1834, sold the establishment to D.A.J. Upham, under whose management the paper was, July 1st of the same year, considerably enlarged. December 13, 1836, editorial announcement was made of the fact that John C. Klonegar would carry on the practical business of the office, Mr. Upham continuing as editor. In 1838 John Newton Harker again purchased the paper and returned to the old name of the Delaware Gazette. Mr. Upham emigrated to Wisconsin, and subsequently became mayor of Milwaukee and Governor of the State. The next change in proprietorship was on November 4, 1842, when H. Bosee, who had been proprietor of the Cecil Gazette, published at Elkton, Md., bought an interest in the paper, and the firm of Harker & Bosee was formed. This arrangement existed but a short time, as on January 1, 1843, the firm was dissolved, and announcement was made that H. Bosee and Caleb P. Johnson had purchased Mr. Harker’s entire interest in the paper. Within a year— or January 1, 1844— the firm of Bosee & Johnson dissolved, and John Newton Harker again appeared as one of the proprietors, the firm then being Harker & Johnson. On January 1, 1845, Mr. Harker resold his interest to H. Bosee, and the firm of Johnson & Bosee was formed. Next year, on January 28, 1846, Mr. Bosee again sold out to John Newton Harker, and the firm became Harker & Johnson once more. On February 17th of this year the paper was enlarged, and William Huffington was announced as editor. On February 9, 1847, John Newton Harker permanently retired from the paper, and was succeeded by William Penn Chandler, as part owner and editor-in-chief. The firm then became Johnson & Chandler. Mr. Chandler was a lawyer and an able writer. Harker & Johnson, in 1844, removed their office to the new Temperance Hall building, No. 2 East Fourth St., and in March, 1853, Mr. Johnson bought the property No. 416 Market St., and removed the Gazette office to it, where the paper was still published in 1883. The firm of Johnson & Chandler continued until January 1, 1853, when Mr. Chandler retired and C.P. Johnson became sole editor and proprietor. Under his management the paper grew and prospered, and for years the Gazette was one of the most influential papers of the vicinity. During the troublesome times of the Civil War, when many Democratic papers were in constant difficulties with the dominant party, Mr. Johnson conducted the paper with rare judgment and discretion, and with loyalty to the party whose principles he supported, as well as to the general government. During all this time the Gazette had been a weekly and semi-weekly publication, but on April 1, 1872, Mr. Johnson converted the semi-weekly into a daily, still continuing the weekly edition. John Johnson, the grandfather of Caleb Parker Johnson, the subject of this sketch, came to America from England prior to the Revolution of 1776, and settled in, or near, Darby, Pa. He shortly after married Hannah Mitchell, the daughter of Benjamin Mitchell, a Quaker gentleman of that place, whose wife’s maiden-name was Rudolph, a niece of Tobias Rudolph, of Elkton, Maryland. When the War for Independence was declared, John Johnson joined the patriots and served in a light horse company. Being a fine scholar, he was promoted to the responsible position of commissary, which he held until the close of the war. Some time after, he removed to the "Head of Elk Landing," to take charge of the grain business for Tobias Rudolph, large quantities of wheat and corn from Pennsylvania being then sent by vessels to Baltimore. The vessel by which he was coming from the latter city became frozen up, and desiring to reach his family, Mr. Johnson undertook to walk over the river on the ice and was drowned. Thus his family became scattered. John Johnson, his youngest child, was put in care of Tobias Rudolph, and, receiving a fair education, learned the tailoring business. He served as a private in several campaigns in the War of 1812, and married Margaret Alexander. Six children were born to them, of whom Caleb Parker Johnson was the youngest son, Joseph M. dying when a lad of ten years. John A. Johnson, for many years favorably known in Cecil County, Maryland, as an extensive lumber merchant, was the eldest son. Caleb Parker Johnson was born in Elkton, Cecil County, Maryland, on the 14th of February, 1820. He attended school until he was about twelve years of age, when he entered as an apprentice to the printing business with Richard P. Bayley, publisher of the Cecil Republican. When this paper ceased publication he engaged with Lambert A. Wilmer and George W. Veazey, publishers of The Central Courant, and afterwards, in 1834–35, with Henry Bosee, on the Cecil Gazette. Having become proficient in the business appertaining to a country newspaper office, in 1837 the young printer left his native town and found employment at the profession he desired to be master of, in the cities of Philadelphia, New York, Baltimore and Washington. He spent the winters of 1840–41 in the latter city, and visited the Capitol frequently. Returning to Philadelphia, he "took a case" in the composing-room of L. Johnson & Co.’s stereotyping establishment, and continued there until November, 1842, when he was induced by Mr. Bosee, his former employer, to come to Wilmington and purchase one-half interest in the Delaware Gazette, then a Democratic weekly paper, published by John N. Harker and Henry Bosee. On the 1st of January, 1843, the Delaware Gazette changed hands and appeared with the names of Henry Bosee and C.P. Johnson as publishers. From that time the Gazette was under the successful management of Mr. Johnson, although one-half of it was owned for ten years by either J.N. Harker, Henry Bosee, or William Penn Chandler. On the 1st of January, 1853, Mr. Johnson bought the remaining interest in the Delaware Gazette, and became the sole owner and editor. Introducing steam presses, he increased the circulation of the Gazette and made it rank as one of the most reliable and potent Democratic newspapers in the Middle States. Delaware, which at that time had not given a Democratic majority for many years, was soon turned over to the Democratic party mainly through the determined advocacy of a more liberal policy in the State, through a Constitutional Convention. Sustaining the war with Mexico, the annexation of Texas and the acquisition of California and New Mexico, and the settlement of the northwestern boundary, the Gazette and Mr. Johnson became so popular in his party that he was for many years made the sole custodian of all the returns of nominations and elections, and in no instance was ever fraud found. The arduous duties of editor, reporter and manager were frequently performed by Mr. Johnson for months at a time, and no publisher on the Peninsula enjoyed greater credit. While the Gazette remained thirty-nine and a half years, from January, 1843, to May, 1882, under the control of Mr. Johnson, it was the most prosperous and successful newspaper in Delaware. An eminent gentleman, one who has been a constant reader of the Gazette for thirty years, remarks that "during the period Mr. Johnson was in control of the Gazette, from 1843 to 1882, the paper was a political and social power. It was emphatically the organ of the Democratic party of the State of Delaware in the highest sense. It gave direction to the best Democratic thought as well as voiced the party sentiment. The gifted men of the party sought its columns to reach their constituents, and its editorial rooms were frequented by the leaders of the party for information and counsel. Party policy, principles and platforms were largely moulded and controlled by its able suggestions. In the rural districts it was a frequent saying: ‘The Delaware Gazette is the Democratic Bible.’ The moral tone of the paper was unexceptionable. Its columns were closed to merely personal, scandalous and obscene articles, while full of general news and valuable information, making it a welcome weekly visitor to the family fireside. A first-class newspaper, healthy in tone, morals and politics, vigorous and able in a marked degree." In 1848, Mr. Johnson married Ann Eliza, eldest daughter of Thomas Young, who was subsequently twice elected mayor of Wilmington. Unfortunately, this lady died in 1849, and in 1853, Mr. Johnson married Martha Bush Young, fourth daughter of Thomas Young. The fruit of this union, which has been happy and prosperous, is found in a family of six children,— three sons: Horace Cole, Caleb Parker and Albert Sidney, and three daughters: Martha Young, Helen Hales and Lola Alexander Johnson. Mr. Johnson has always been held to be one of Wilmington’s most honorable and liberal business men. He has contributed his influence and his money to every great improvement, having been a subscriber to the stock of every railroad built through Wilmington since 1842, and to the Odd Fellows’, Masonic and Institute Halls, and was never known to evade or refuse the payment of a debt, but suffered the loss of many thousands of dollars rather than resort to legal modes for collections. His name was prominent in nearly all the Democratic county meetings and State conventions, as secretary or delegate, and on one or two occasions he was requested to allow his name to be used for nomination for Governor and Representative in Congress. But he neither asked nor sought office, and when appointed United States marshal for the Delaware District by President Johnson in 1866, resigned after holding the position about a year. On May 1, 1882, Mr. Johnson sold the daily and weekly Gazette and the entire printing establishment to J.B. Bell and Merris Taylor, who then became proprietors, under the firm-name of Bell & Taylor. The new firm did not meet with the success that had attended previous proprietors. They purchased the establishment at the instance of a number of Democratic politicians, but did not receive the support expected. The obligations assumed by the new firm were too heavy to be borne by them alone, and on December 10, 1883, the old Gazette, after an existence of ninety-nine years, was sold to the proprietors of Every Evening, and merged into that paper. Mr. Bell now devotes himself exclusively to the Sunday Star, which he started before going into the Gazette venture, and Mr. Taylor is connected with the Every Evening. The Delaware Journal, for years the rival and contemporary of the Gazette, was first issued on April 24, 1827. The firm of Robert Porter & Son were proprietors, and Moses Bradford was the editor. It was issued semi-weeekly, and was a staunch Whig paper, supporting John Quincy Adams for the Presidency with great vigor throughout the national campaign of the following year. The office of publication was at No. 97 Market Street. In 1835 it was published by Porter & Mitchell, and a year later Robert & J.B. Porter became the publishers. During this time Moses Bradford retired from the editorial chair, and was succeeded by William P. Brobson, a talented Wilmington lawyer of that day, and a clear, vigorous writer. On December 10, 1838, by reason of the death of Robert Porter, Henry H.J. Naff associated himself with J.B. Porter in the publication of the paper, and the firm became Porter & Naff. In the Presidential campaign of 1844 the paper ardently supported Henry Clay, and mourned greatly at his defeat, though its grief was mitigated by the fact that its vigorous work had kept Delaware safely moored in the Whig column. Mr. Naff continued as editor of the Journal until 1849, when he retired to accept the postmastership of Wilmington. He lived to a ripe old age, was an active member of the Board of Education for years and was regarded as one of Wilmington’s most honored and respected citizens. He was succeeded in the Journal office by Henry Eckel, the firm becoming Porter & Eckel, with Joseph M. Barr as editor. The latter was soon succeeded by John A. Alderdice, a prominent lawyer and politician, who purchased J.B. Porter’s interest, the firm then being Eckel & Co. Mr. Alderdice continued as editor of the Journal until 1855. In this year the Statesman, which had been established the previous year by James F. Hayward, was sold to the Journal, after an existence of only nine months. The papers were merged, under the title of Journal and Statesman. In this year Dr. James F. Wilson (son of the James Wilson who published the old American Watchman) purchased Mr. Alderdice’s interest, and Joshua T. Heald also became a member of the firm, but remained so only a few months. The firm of Eckel & Co. (Mr. Eckel and Dr. Wilson) continued until 1862, when Mr. Eckel became sole proprietor of the establishment and editor of the paper. Henry Eckel, one of the most worthy and useful citizens of Wilmington, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., December 30, 1816. His father was a German. His mother was a native of Philadelphia of German ancestry. Mr. Eckel is thus a true type of a successful German-American. From his mother, who lived to an advanced age, he inherited vigor both of physical and mental constitution. From her also he derived those moral characteristics which have been always so prominent in shaping his prosperous career. In his well-prolonged life six months would probably cover the time during which he has been disabled by physical illness. Smaller perhaps (even) than this proportion of his natural life, is that of the willful errors which even his rivals or critics would charge to his account in the course of an exceptionally upright life. Because of the death of his father, his early scholastic education was limited. He enjoyed the advantages of the instruction given (on Chester Street) in his native city, at the first Model School of the Lancasterian system. A period of three years covered his privileges at this school, and afforded him all the opportunity he ever had to attend a scholastic institution. Graduating without formalities at the Model School on Chester Street, he at once entered that wider school of "life in earnest" in which he has since had large experience and success. Guided, perhaps, by the development of his special aptitudes at the Model School, Mr. Eckel selected a printing-office as probably best adapted to his traits and capabilities. He began as a "printer’s devil," about the year 1829, in the office of Messrs. Crissy & Goodman. Devoting himself with characteristic conscientiousness to his business, he advanced, in due time, step by step, through all the grades of his vocation, up to journeyman and managing editor, and proprietor. Wishing to escape from the crowded city to the freer air of a country neighborhood, he came in 1849 from Philadelphia to Wilmington to work, on lower terms also, as a journeyman in the office of Messrs. Porter & Naff, who were at that time publishing the Delaware State Journal, the leading Whig paper in Delaware. Here, observing the defective and coarse style of printing prevailing, he addressed himself with his acquired skill to the task of producing finer typographical work than could then be found in the State. He was successful in his endeavor, and was instrumental in bringing his chosen art up to the high standard that it now maintains in Wilmington. Among the strong elements in Mr. Eckel’s character, one which has been specially prominent is his indomitable perseverance. Despair of accomplishment found no abiding-place with him in any undertaking approved by his judgment and conscience. Having once settled in his mind that the thing proposed could be and ought to be done, and by him, he addressed himself to the work and considered that failure was not to be thought of. The result was, success. Straightforward in endeavor, with an unconquerable aversion to bribes and chicanery, a fixed ambition to be true and pure and faithful, with a resolute inflexibility of purpose and devotion to the right, Mr. Eckel has attained an enduring and acknowledged success. Preferring his chosen vocation and aware of the unnumbered snares of public office, Mr. Eckel has declined to accept lucrative appointments under the government. In this spirit he declined the position of postmaster at Wilmington, which had been offered to him during the administration of President Lincoln. As editor of the Delaware State Journal, Mr. Eckel thought he could better serve the cause of his country, and in this position he remained until 1872. As a citizen, however, he has not declined service for the public good. If he declined places of profit in which emolument exceeded labor, he has not refused to serve his fellow-citizens in positions of responsibility where the labor exceeded the reward. Mr. Eckel has been identified with every public interest of Wilmington for nearly forty years. For twenty-two years, first as journeyman, and finally as editor of the State Journal, his energies were devoted through that paper and otherwise to the widest developement, in the largest and most liberal sense, of every enterprise, civil and religious, which promised substantial benefit to the city of his choice. He has served the interests of the city as a member of the Boards of Health and of Education. At a great sacrifice of personal ease and pleasure, he has rendered invaluable service as a member of the City Council, of which he is now the presiding officer. In politics he is a consistent, conservative Democrat, of the Jeffersonian school, always devoted to pure politics and cordially abhorring the disreputable finesse of the demagogue. In religion, Mr. Eckel and his wife, who is also a native of Philadelphia, are esteemed members of the Presbyterian denomination. He is also a member of the Masonic order and of the order of Odd Fellows. In the latter organization he has rendered conspicious service and done much to shape its laws and policy through a period of thirty-seven years. He has a pleasant home and family at his residence on King Street, in Wilmington. Mr. Eckel has two children,— a daughter, Laura I., who resides with her parents, and a son, Edward Henry, now taking the usual course of preparation for active service as a minister in the Protestant Episcopal Church. He is pursuing his studies at the General Theological Seminary in New York City. The Journal supported the Republican party until 1868, when it became Democratic in politics. On May 1, 1872, Mr. Eckel turned the semi-weekly issue into a daily, but a month later he sold the Journal and Statesman to the proprietors of Every Evening. During its existence the paper was for years published in the building on the southeast corner of Fifth and Market Streets, but in 1869 Mr. Eckel removed the establishment to the building No. 510 Market Street, adjoining the City Hall. Wilmington had no permanent daily paper until 1866. About 1857 an attempt was made by Henry L. Bonsall, of Camden, N.J., to establish a paper under the name of the Daily Enterprise, but it did not last a week. No other attempt was made until 1866, when a Mr. Tyler canvassed the town for subscriptions and advertisements for a daily paper he proposed to start. Before he had proceeded far, Howard M. Jenkins and Wilmer Atkinson came here from Norristown, Pa., purchased of Mr. Tyler the interest he had then acquired in the field, established a complete newspaper and job printing-office at the southwest corner of Fifth and Market Streets, and on October 1, 1856, issued the first number of the Wilmington Daily Commercial, a Republican journal. The paper prospered, and a weekly edition, called the Delaware Tribune, was soon added. Until 1873 the establishment was in good financial shape, but the protracted panic that began that year evidently had its effect upon the proprietors. In the summer of 1876 it was reduced in size, and the price lowered from two cents to one cent. This move failed to restore prosperity to a sufficient degree, and on April 2, 1877, the paper was sold to the proprietors of Every Evening, which paper thus absorbed the first daily, as it had already acquired the two oldest weekly publications of the State. The Commercial job office was sold to Ferris Brothers, by which firm it is still conducted. Of the publishers, Mr. Jenkins, who was the editor of the Commercial, is now editor of the Weekly American, of Philadelphia, and Mr. Atkinson is publisher of the Farm Journal, also of Philadelphia. The Every Evening that thus gathered in, one by one, its aged rivals, was first issued on September 4, 1871, by William T. Croasdale and Gilbert G. Cameron, under the firm-name of Croasdale & Cameron. Mr. Croasdale was an editor of some experience, having conducted a weekly paper at Georgetown, Delaware, and been city editor of the Wilmington Daily Commercial from its establishment until that time. Mr. Cameron was a printer and learned the trade in the Republican office. Mr. Croasdale conceived the idea of the Every Evening, and was firm in the belief that a bright, newsy, independent paper, at one cent per copy, would succeed in Wilmington. The starting was on a very modest scale. Two rooms were secured on the second floor of the building, No. 4 E. Third street, one for a composing room and the other for an editorial room and a business office. The paper was printed at the establishment of the James & Webb Printing and Stationery Company, a few doors away. The venture was a success from the start. The paper was bright, newsy and cheap, and the people were at once attracted to it. Mr. Croasdale was not only a pleasing and vigorous editorial writer, but had a keen eye for news, and the paper from the start established a reputation for giving, promptly and fully, all the important events of the day. In less than six months it had acquired a circulation of over 2500 copies daily, figures that were then deemed enormous. The subject of increased accommodations and better press facilities had begun to bother the proprietors, when an opportunity to secure both was afforded by purchasing the Daily Journal and its weekly issue, the Delaware State Journal and Statesman, then published by Henry Eckel at No. 510 Market Street. The purchase was consummated about the 1st of June, 1872, and Every Evening’s plant was removed to the Journal’s quarters, which were convenient and commodious. The Journal was merged into Every Evening, and the Delaware State Journal and Statesman continued as the weekly issue of the united papers. With this change Every Evening’s growth continued, and its circulation increased so rapidly that a fast double-cylinder press had to be put in. Within a year after the removal the circulation of the paper reached 6000 copies daily. In 1875 the paper was disposed of to the "Every Evening Publishing Company," Messrs. Croasdale & Cameron retaining a controlling interest in the concern and Mr. Croasdale continuing as editor. Two years later, on May 1, 1877, the younger journal surprised the community by buying out its older daily contemporary, the Commercial. The latter paper was merged into Every Evening, and its weekly edition, the Delaware Tribune, lost its identity in the Delaware State Journal and Statesman. The Commercial, at that time, was published in the large building as the south-west corner of Fifth and Market Streets, and to this location the Every Evening plant was removed. By reason of this consolidation it was deemed advisable to increase the size of the paper to an eight-column folio, and this demanded an increase in price to two cents. The circulation fell off somewhat in consequence, but the paper increased its already excellent news features to such an extent that it soon regained those customers that had been temporarily frightened off by the increase in its selling prices. In 1882 the sale of the building in which the office was located, rendered it necessary to seek new quarters, and the lot immediately in the rear, fronting on Fifth and Shipley Streets, was secured. Upon this site the company erected a four-story brick building, especially adapted to the newspaper business, and possessing all the arrangements and conveniences necessary for the successful management of a leading newspaper. Here the paper is now published, and it will, doubtless, continue in these comfortable quarters for years to come. On December 10, 1883, the Every Evening Publishing Company purchased from Messrs. Bell & Taylor the Daily Gazette and its weekly issue, the Delaware Gazette. The Daily Gazette was merged into the Every Evening, the full title of that paper being Every Evening Commercial and Gazette. The Gazette’s weekly issue was merged into Every Evening’s weekly issue, under the title of the Delaware Gazette and State Journal. In this shape the Every Evening publications have since continued, ever increasing in circulation and influence, and forming a prosperous and profitable newspaper property. The title of the proprietary company has recently been changed to the Every Evening Printing Company, and Messrs. Croasdale & Cameron, the original proprietors, are no longer connected with it. Mr. Croasdale, in March, 1882, went to Baltimore and assumed editorial control of the Day of that city. He subsequently went to New York, was for several months editor of the New York Star, which position he resigned to become an editorial worker on Henry George’s labor journal, the Standard. He is prominently identified with the Labor party of New York City and State. Mr. Cameron is now connected with the mercantile agency of R.G. Dun & Co. Edward N. Vallandigham succeeded Mr. Croasdale as editor of Every Evening. He is now on the staff of the New York Mail and Express, and was succeeded on Every Evening by the president editor, George W. Humphry. John M. Whitford is the capable business manager of the paper. Dr. William Gibbons edited and published the Berean, a religious journal, from 1824 to 1827. William Penn Chandler, in January, 1847, began the publication of the Delaware State Democrat. Previous to this he had been an assistant editor of the Gazette. In February, 1847, he became a partner with C.P. Johnson in the publication of the Gazette. Blue Hen’s Chicken was the significant title of a paper started August 22, 1845, by William T. Jeandell and Francis Vincent. It devoted more space and attention to local news than any paper previously published in the State. In 1847 Mr. Jeandell sold his interest to Augustine Maillé, a Frenchman, and three months later Francis Vincent became sole proprietor. He continued to publish court proceedings and the reports of public bodies, and gave accounts of the erection of new buildings, the manufacturing interests and all noted improvements in Wilmington, as a leading feature of his paper. In 1846 its editorial columns advocated the transfer of the political power in the State from the hands of the Whigs to the Democrats, and in 1852 favored the calling of the convention which revised the State Constitution. The paper was bought in 1854 by Dr. James F. Heyward, then mayor of Wilmington, and who had previously published the Statesman. He united the two, and called them the Statesman and Blue Hen’s Chicken,— an ardent anti-slavery organ, which he continued to publish for about a year, and then sold out to Henry Eckel, who united it with the State Journal. Francis Vincent was born in England in 1822, and came to this country at the age of seventeen years, and learned the printer’s trade in the office of the Delaware Gazette, and gained a reputation as a newspaper man of enterprise in his management of the journal above-mentioned. He joined the Republican party when it was organized. In 1861 he bought the Commonwealth, changed its name to the Blue Hen’s Chicken,— the same title as the paper he previously owned,— and continued it as an ultra Republican journal until the fall of 1863, when he sold it. In 1868 he wrote an essay for the Cobden Club of London, recommending an Anglo-Saxon Confederation, and in 1875 was elected an honorary member of that club. He was an alderman of Wilmington from 1864 to 1869, and city treasurer from 1873 to 1879. He died June 23, 1884. Francis Vincent was a man of a great deal of general information, and during his whole life was a diligent student. In 1870 he published one volume on the early history of Delaware. Dr. John Lofland, known, as the "Milford Bard," in his early days lived in the town of Milford, and while there wrote a number of poems which appeared in the columns of the Delaware Gazette. He was also a contributor to the Philadelphia Casket and the Saturday Evening Post. A few of his productions were poetical gems. In 1847 he became an associate editor of the Blue Hen’s Chicken, and wrote a great many stories and sketches for that paper. He died in Wilmington, January 21, 1849, age forty-nine years, and his remains were interred in St. Andrew’s Church-yard. The Delaware Inquirer was started during the political campaign of 1860 by James Montgomery. It advocated the election of Stephen A. Douglas as President of the United States. It continued for about five years under the proprietorship of its founder. It was then bought by James B. Riggs, who continued it a few months, when its publication ceased. The Morning Herald, the first morning daily paper published in the State, was an outgrowth of the Wilmington Advertiser, a small advertising sheet, started by George Chance in connection with his job printing establishment. The leading spirit in the establishment of the Morning Herald was John O’Bryne, Esq., a leading member of the Philadelphia bar, who came to Wilmington and took up his residence. It was controlled by three of his sons and a sister, Miss Catherine O’Bryne, under the firm-name of George O’Bryne & Co. The first number was issued in August, 1876, and for some months it gave promise of vigor and long life, but it soon showed lack of management, and got tangled up financially, but continued to appear until March, 1880, when it passed into the hands of John H. Emerson, one of the pioneer newspaper men of the Peninsula, who, with Henry C. Conrad, a member of the New Castle County bar, soon afterwards started the Morning News. The Morning News (5*) was first published under this name on March 1, 1880, the property then being owned by Henry C. Conrad and John A. Emerson, under the firm-name of Emerson & Conrad. It was a new venture in Wilmington journalism, and was especially distinguished by securing the news service of the New York Associated Press, which had never before been done by a Delaware paper. It was Republican in politics, and at once took advanced ground on many of the unsettled questions of State reform. After four months of hard work, chiefly devoted to the organization of the paper, Mr. Emerson withdrew from the firm, and Isaac R. Pennypacker, the well-known editorial writer of Philadelphia, took his place. The firm of Conrad & Pennypacker conducted the journal with much ability until January, 1882, when Mr. Conrad, the senior partner, decided to resume his law practice. The property was accordingly purchased by the News Publishing Company, a stock association, organized under a charter obtained by Conrad & Pennypacker from the Legislature. The stockholders, at the time of this sale and reorganization, consisted of the late owners, a number of representative manufacturers, merchants and professional men of Wilmington, the late Isaac Henderson, formerly joint owner with the late William Cullen Bryant of the New York Evening Post for forty years, and Watson R. Sperry, a graduate of Yale University in the class of ’71, who had held an editorial desk in the office of the Evening Post from the date of his graduation until the sale of that journal by Mr. Henderson and Mr. Bryant’s heirs, and during the last six years of this period had been the managing editor, and after Mr. Bryant’s death had been for about three years the responsible editor. Mr. Henderson and Mr. Sperry were the principal stockholders, and the latter became editor-in-chief. The controlling stockholders are Mr. Sperry and Edgar M. Hoopes. Mr. Hoopes is a product of the Western Reserve, Ohio, and after completing his education, received a thorough newspaper business training in the counting-rooms of the Chicago Times and the Cleveland Leader. He is secretary of the company and business manager of The Morning News, and has direct charge of all its business affairs. Mr. Sperry, in addition to exercising full editorial control, is the president and treasurer of the company. The paper was at once enlarged, its reportorial force increased, and its general usefulness much extended. Three months later it was moved from Shipley street into the Morning News Building, its present handsome and commodious quarters, at No. 511 Market Street. The News became at once an enterprising force in the community. Municipal, State and national politics received a large share of its attention, and the fierceness with which it discussed local abuses is gauged, probably, by the fact that during the first eighteen months of its progress under the new management three different libel suits were brought against it. The justice of its criticisms may also be measured by the consequent fact that not one of these suits was pressed to a conclusion. On April 6, 1883, the first number of the Weekly Morning News was issued, a journal that has since become deservedly popular, partly on the ground that it publishes weekly, probably, more local news of the city and the Delaware and Maryland Peninsula than any of its sixty odd contemporaries. In December, 1884, the daily News went safely through the ordeal of a printers’ strike, ordered by the Typographical Union, which took exception to a non-union employee. The paper did not miss a single issue, and in a week thereafter was running along as usual, with a non-union force of printers, which has been retained up to the present time, and which is now organized as part of the Delaware Fraternity, No. 4, of the National Printers’ Protective Fraternity. In the spring of 1886 the great morocco strike of the city of Wilmington occurred, when, on March 23d, at noon, over fifteen hundred morocco workers walked out at the command of the Executive Committee of the Knights of Labor. The strike was so sudden, so general and so ruinous to the business interests of the city, that the community was paralyzed. The following morning the News, giving a full account of the strike itself and the causes or motives that led to it, expressed in unmistakable and forcible words its judgment that the strike was wrong and wicked in inception, and that it would result not only injuriously to the community, but disastrously to the strikers. This position it maintained alone among all the journals of the city for fully two weeks, or until the brunt of the bitter contest was over. In the mean time, however, on March 31st, the Typographical Union ordered a boycott on the paper, mainly on the ground that it was opposing the demands of "organized labor," and all the usual methods of boycotters were employed to break it down. But this act proved a failure, as it brought to the journal the prompt and generous support of the business portion of the community. The News has always avowed its sympathy with the real welfare of workingmen, but in its utterances has declared that property rights which have been established by successful workingmen must be protected from other workingmen who were trying by a short-cut to secure the rewards of successful labor without working for them. The News has labored indefatigably for the many reforms that are now being agitated in Delaware. It has urged earnestly and unceasingly upon its constituents the necessity for a Constitutional Convention, and has advocated district representation, elective county officers, a free ballot and the suppression of bribery. In local affairs it waged a relentless war against the policy-writers and other gamblers who had fastened themselves upon the city, and in this particular it saw its labors crowned in the partial suppression of these social vampires in the autumn of 1887. It also very early discarded from its columns all lottery advertisements, and discussed the matter so thoroughly that these advertisements do not appear now in the other reputable newspapers of the State. The News is the only general morning newspaper in the State, and it therefore fills a very large and important place in the dissemination of news and opinions in the territory between the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays, which includes Wilmington, and which is peculiarly its field. While it has been and is now stanchly Republican in opinion, its readers are very largely divided between the two great political parties, and under the impetus of the recent movement for a Constitutional Convention, of which it had long been the especial and earnest champion, its influence was greatly extended among the liberal people of all parties and factions. The Morning News has been enlarged three times since it came under its present management, and is now a four-page paper of eight columns each. It has just added to its plant a fresh dress of type and one of Hoe’s improved and fast-printing presses, with folders. It prides itself upon having built up a solid and profitable business without depending upon political patronage, its customers coming to it because they find its advertising columns of service to them. It is published daily, except on Sunday, and is sold at two cents a copy. The Delaware Republican under its present name was first published as a weekly in Wilmington in February, 1841. Henry Cannon began the publication of the Republican in Georgetown in 1839. In 1841 he came to Wilmington and, with John H. Barr as partner, merged the two journals last named into the Delaware Republican. A few months later William T. Jeandell and William S. Mills, both printers, purchased the interest of John H. Barr, and the paper was continued under the name of Cannon & Co. In less than a year this partnership was dissolved by Henry Cannon disposing of his share in the business to John A. Allderdice, who in 1853 was mayor of Wilmington, having been elected by the Whig party. Disputes arose among the three partners and the paper passed under the control of gentlemen appointed by the Court of Chancery. In 1844 Henry S. Evans, of West Chester, purchased the Republican and placed it under the editorial management of his brother, Columbus P. Evans. Shortly afterwards, in February, 1845, George W. Vernon, the present senior proprietor of the Republican, joined Mr. Evans in its publication, and the firm became Evans & Vernon, which continued until the death of Mr. Evans, in 1845, when Mr. Vernon became sole proprietor. In 1860 the Republican favored the election of Bell and Everett as candidates for President and Vice-President of the United States, but during the Civil War it was an ardent supporter of the administration of Abraham Lincoln, and since then has always advocated the principles of the Republican party in local and national affairs. The office of the paper until 1848 was at the southwest corner of Third and Market Streets, Wilmington. In the same year it was removed to the southeast corner of the same streets, where it was published until 1866, when the proprietor, George W. Vernon, bought of the heirs of Daniel Hully the present site at the southeast corner of Third and King Streets, upon which he erected the present offices. Mr. Vernon is a native of Chester County, Pennsylvania, and when a boy learned the art of printing in the office of the West Chester Village Record with Henry S. Evans. Among his associates in the office of the Record were Bayard Taylor, Judge William Butler, Edward Paxson and Columbus P. Evans, afterwards his partner. Since he first came to Wilmington, in 1845, Mr. Vernon has devoted his entire time and attention to the Republican. In 1874 he established the Daily Republican, a prosperous paper published in the afternoon. A few years ago Mr. Vernon took into partnership his three sons— W. Scott, George F. and Howard E. Vernon. At the session of 1877 the General Assembly incorporated the Republican Printing and Publishing Company, which has since conducted the paper. Captain Columbus P. Evans, who, for nine years, was a partner in the publication of the Republican, was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, September 6, 1824. His father died when he was nine years old and his mother moved to West Chester, where she trained and educated her children. At fourteen he entered the office of the Village Record as an apprentice. In 1844, when but twenty years old, he took charge of the Republican, and the next year, as has been stated, took in as partner George W. Vernon. In 1847, as second lieutenant of Company F, Eleventh Regiment of United States Infantry, he went to Mexico and participated with his command in all the battles of General Scott’s triumphant march from Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico. At Molino del Rey he led the advance at the storming of the enemy’s works, and with his own hands captured the sword of a Mexican officer. At Chapultepec he was in command of his company. He was promoted to first lieutenant in February, 1848, and the same year breveted captain for gallant and meritorious conduct in the war. On February 20, 1849, he was presented with a sword by the Delaware Legislature. After the close of the war, in 1848, he returned to his duties in the newspaper office, was mayor of Wilmington, elected by the Whig party in 1851. In 1853, being prostrated with consumption, he went to spend the remainder of his days in West Chester with his sister. He died there Feb. 19, 1854, at the age of thirty years. The Delaware Sentinel was started in Wilmington by a faction of the Whig party in 1840, with William Naudain as editor. Its career was not successful, and at the end of nine months from the date of its origin, a committee of gentlemen who were financially interested in it, headed by Dr. James W. Thomson, took charge of it and changed the name to the Delaware Democrat. The Delaware Pioneer, a weekly, twenty-two by twenty-four inches, published by Frederick Haehnle, made its appearance in 1859 as the first paper in Delaware printed in the German language. Herman Rau owned it from 1861 to the time of his death, in 1876, when Francis Sheu, who was then business manager, purchased it. In January, 1881, he established the Freie Presse, a daily, twenty-four by thirty inches, also a German paper. He continued to be the owner and editor of both journals until September, 1886, when he died. His widow, Nannette Sheu, has since owned them, Gustavus Sheu, her son, being the editor. These papers circulate quite extensively among the six thousand German-speaking people in Wilmington and vicinity, and are also taken and read in all the counties of the State. They are both independent in politics and are devoted to news and general literature. Francis Sheu was a native of Wûrtemberg, Germany, and emigrated to Philadelphia in 1849, where he remained several years in the printing business, and then for fourteen years conducted a German paper in Egg Harbor, New Jersey. He afterwards published the Sonntags Zeitung in Philadelphia, until he removed to Wilmington. The Peninsula Methodist is the only religious newspaper now published in Delaware, and is devoted to the interest of the Wilmington Methodist Episcopal Conference. It was started in 1875, under the name of the Conference Worker, by W.S. Armour and Charles H. Sentman. At the end of six months Mr. Armour retired and F.J. Lindsay and R.F. Cochran became associated with Mr. Sentman in its publication. A year later Charles H. Sentman became sole proprietor and continued until June 16, 1884, when he sold the paper to J. Miller Thomas, who, on June 28th following, first issued it under its present name. It is an eight-page paper, nineteen by thirteen and a half inches. Rev. T. Snowden Thomas is the editor, and his son, the proprietor, is assistant editor. The Wilmingtonian was established April 1, 1882, by the present editor and proprietor, Dr. Henry C. Snitcher, as a journal treating upon subjects of domestic and sanitary science. The demands of the times called for an occasional expression of opinion upon current questions of social, religious and political nature, and finally every phase of interest to the community was given attention. Politically it is an independent Democratic journal in discussing State and national affairs. In county and city affairs it aims to indorse and sustain the best man for office. The Wilmingtonian still retains its earliest phase of a family journal and in that field finds its largest success. It is a four-page, seven-column weekly and is printed and published at 211 Shipley Street. J.E. Nicholson, now of Baltimore, was associated with Dr. Snitcher until 1884; since that date Mr. J. Travers Jones has assisted in the editorial management. The Farm and Home, a weekly eight page agricultural and family paper, was started in Dover October 15, 1885, by Wesley Webb, its present editor and proprietor. He continued to publish it at the State capital until October 20, 1887, when he removed it to Wilmington. In 1886 the Ploughshare, published in Wilmington, was merged with this journal. The Weekly Times was published in Wilmington from October, 1886, to February, 1887; the Delaware Prohibitionist from September 13, 1884, to September 17, 1886; and the Temperance Herald in 1882. The first Sunday paper published in Wilmington was the Sunday Dispatch, and was started by Francis Sheu in 1878. It continued two and a half years. In 1880, D. Taylor Bradford started the Sunday Mirror. It suspended publication at the end of five months. William P. Bancroft published the Sunday Critic for two years. It succeeded the Sunday Mirror mentioned above. The Sunday Republic was started in December, 1887; Charles H. Vary, editor, and W.S. McNair, assistant editor and business manager. The Sunday Morning Star first appeared March 6, 1881, with Jerome B. Bell as editor and proprietor, and it has since prospered under his management. He was born in Camden County, North Carolina, came to Wilmington in 1871, learned the art of printing in the office of Every Evening, filled various positions on that paper and was its managing editor when he embarked in his present enterprise. The Star at first was a six-column folio twenty by thirty inches; at the end of ten weeks it was enlarged to twenty-two by thirty-four inches, and three months later to twenty-three by thirty-eight inches, and on July 8, 1883, to its present size, twenty-five by forty inches. It is devoted to general news and literature, and aims to treat the subject of politics as news. In 1887 the paper was purchased by the Star Publishing Company. The People’s Witness was established December 4, 1886, by Worthington Brinckley. It is the only newspaper in Delaware published in the interests of the colored people, and is quite liberally patronized by them. It is an eight-page journal, and is published at 826 King Street. The Standard, the semimonthly organ of the Delaware Conference of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, was issued from this office for one year, and is now published in Philadelphia. DOVER. The Federal Ark, the organ of the Federalist party, was the first newspaper printed in Dover. It was started in 1802, but ceased publication a year or two later. The Delaware Herald appeared in 1805, and disappeared the next year. Augustus M. Schee was its publisher. The Record and Federal Advertiser was started by J. Robinson, on February 7, 1825, in the interests of John Quincy Adams as a candidate for President. The paper had a brief existence. Samuel F. Shinn in 1822 and the following year published the Delaware Intelligencer. William Huffington, mayor of Wilmington in 1856, published the Delaware Register and Farmer’s Magazine in Dover, the first number being issued in February, 1838. It was an ably-edited monthly, and ceased to exist with the close of the second volume in January, 1839. Samuel Kimmey, who published the Register, ran a paper in Dover for two years, and William Wharton, in 1851, began a Whig organ, called the Sentinel. After being published for three years, it ceased. The Delaware State Reporter, with George W.S. Nicholson editor and proprietor, first appeared March 1, 1853, as a Democratic paper. It opposed the cause of temperance, and was continued by the founder until August 1, 1859, when William Sharp purchased it and conducted it a few months, when its types and presses were sold in Philadelphia. The Protectionist was published for a short time in Dover. The Delawarean, a weekly newspaper, was established May 7, 1859, by a stock company, with James Kirk as editor. It has since been the State organ of the Democratic party, and has always been favorably known in journalism for the strength and character of its political editorials. Another feature worthy of note is its excellent mechanical execution. The paper was conducted by James Kirk until March 4, 1876, when Hon. Eli Saulsbury became proprietor, and Charles E. Fenn manager. On the 1st of January, 1884, John F. Saulsbury and John P. Saulsbury succeeded to the ownership. The latter retired from the business in January, 1887, and it is now continued by John F. Saulsbury, who was born in Mispillion Hundred. He is a prominent leader in Delaware politics. His editorials are vigorous and fearless in tone. Mr. Saulsbury has been a clerk and member of the House of Representatives. It is an eight-column folio, twenty-eight by forty-two inches. The State Sentinel, a weekly, was established at Dover May 15, 1874, by Henry W. Cannon, its present editor and proprietor, who is a native of Kent County. The Sentinel is a representative Republican journal, and fills an important position in the journalism of the State. Originally this paper was a seven-column folio, twenty-eight by thirty-two inches. On October 2, 1875, it was enlarged to nine columns, thirty by forty-four inches. The office is in the Burton Block, corner of State and Lookerman Streets. The Sentinel is a well-conducted local newspaper, is edited with ability and is neat and attractive in appearance. The Index, an eight-column folio, Democratic newspaper, was started July 21, 1887, under the editorship of H.C. Carpenter, with F.M. Dunn as manager. It is a bright, newsy and enterprising weekly. The office is at the northwest corner of Lockerman and Bradford Streets, Dover. GEORGETOWN. The Republican and Peninsula Advertiser, the pioneer newspaper in Georgetown, made its first appearance in 1835. William S. McCalla, who came from Philadelphia, was its editor and proprietor. About 1838 he sold it to Thomas Sipple and returned to the Quaker City, where, for many years, he published the Episcopal Recorder, a church journal. Thomas Sipple continued the paper for a time, when it ceased publication. The Super-Luminary began its publications in the county-seat of Sussex in 1836. It published the proposals for the erection of the new jail; the next year fell a victim to "the great panic of 1837," and ceased publication. In 1839 Henry H. Cannon started the Georgetown Republican, which for a short time was the only paper published in the State outside of Wilmington. In 1841 he moved his paper to Delaware’s metropolis, united it with the Sentinel and, with John H. Barr as partner, founded the Delaware Republican. The history of this journal is given on a preceding page. The Union originated September 11, 1863. It stood up bravely for the administration of Abraham Lincoln, and received considerable patronage from Governor Cannon. L.W. Wallazz was its first editor, J.P. McGuigan its second and William T. Croasdale, one of the founders of the Every Evening, at Wilmington, its last. It ceased publication about the latter part of 1865. The Sussex Journal was established by Colonel William Fiske Townsend, of Easton, Md., who bought the type and presses of the Union. The first number of the Journal was issued August 9, 1867. It has since exerted a commanding influence in the lower part of the State, and is a well-conducted newspaper. Colonel Townsend was editor and proprietor until the time of his death, November 24, 1879. David T. Marvel and McKendree Downham bought the Journal February 7, 1880, and continued it under the firmname of Marvel & Downham, with the former as editor. In January, 1882, J.B. Clark became editor with Mr. Marvel. On January 27, 1883, Mr. Marvel retired and Clark & Downham continued as publishers, with J.B. Clark as editor. It is an eight-column journal. The Delaware Democrat was founded at Georgetown, January 7, 1882, by the Delaware Democrat Publishing Company, composed of John R. McFee, John H. Paynter, now a judge of the Superior Court of Delaware, Edwin R. Paynter and William B. Tomlinson. These gentlemen a few days before purchased the plant of the Delaware Inquirer, and with its types and presses began the publication of the Delaware Democrat, a weekly newspaper, with John H. Paynter as editor, and Edwin R. Paynter manager, Charles W. McFee acting as associate. The paper was soon enlarged and a valuable power-press substituted for the old hand-press. In 1884 the company built a handsome building to the rear of the court-house, using the upper part for its own purposes and leasing offices on the lower floor. In politics the paper has always been strongly Democratic, and has exerted no little influence in the county and State. Though the number of newspapers has greatly increased in the county since the Democrat was established, its circulation has steadily increased until the number of subscribers exceed that of the paper it succeeded. In April, 1887, upon the appointment of John H. Paynter to the position of a judge of the Superior Court of Delaware, Edwin R. Paynter succeeded to the editorship. The paper is established upon a firm foundation, and is growing in circulation and influence. MILFORD. The Milford Beacon was founded in 1848 by John H. Emerson, afterwards editor of the Union, published at Denton, Md. He sold the Beacon, in 1851, to Colonel J. Hart Conrad, of Philadelphia. Colonel Conrad died the next year, and the paper was purchased by James B. Mahan, who previously was its foreman and assistant editor. George W. Mahan, a brother, was taken into the business as a partner, and the paper was continued by the Mahan Brothers at Milford until 1859, when its name was changed to the Diamond State and the office removed to New Castle, where the paper was continued under the same management. The Sussex Journal was started in South Milford in 1856, but did not succeed. In 1857 the name of the Beacon was revived in a newspaper started by a Mr. Chambers, from Maryland, and he, soon after its inception, sold it to W.W. Austin, who discontinued it in a few months. In the same year, 1857, two other papers were started in Milford,— the Peninsular News and Advertiser, by James D. Prettyman, and the Observer, by Truitt & Ennis. Three newspapers seemed to be more than were needed, and the result was the discontinuance of the Beacon and the Observer and the survival of the News and Advertiser. The latter had a stormy and varied existence. It was an ultra Republican journal, favored the abolition of slavery, and was the first organ of the Republican party published in the State of Delaware. In answer to a call a public meeting was held to decide whether or not the community would allow the paper to continue. A committee was appointed by the meeting to wait upon Dr. John S. Prettyman, the editor, and urge that he modify the tone of his paper. He, however, continued it in the same spirit. Its ownership, however, changed hands several times, E.P. Aldred, James B. Mahan and W.H. Hutchins succeeding each other as proprietors until it was discontinued, after an existence of six years. The Milford Statesman was published for a short time by Mr. Briggs, of Wilmington. In 1867 James B. Mahan again came to the front and started the Milford Argus. In a few months it was sold to the Revell Brothers, who published it about a year when J. Lowery & Co. purchased it and changed the name to Our Mutual Friend. In 1870 it passed into the hands of General Levi Harris & Co., who ran it a year, when Dr. John S. Prettyman purchased the whole establishment, and in 1872 started the Peninsula News and Advertiser, associating with himself Dr. W.C. Davidson as editor, and William P. Corsa as publisher. Dr. Prettyman continued to control it for several years, and in January, 1880, sold it to his son, Harry H. Prettyman, who, in March, 1880, took in Henry Harris, of Michigan, as a partner. In August, 1880, Henry L. Hynson bought Prettyman’s interest and it was published by Harris & Hynson until November, 1881, when H.L. Hynson became sole proprietor, by whom it is at present ably conducted. Its circulation and patronage is continually increasing, being a live and popular journal. The Milford Chronicle was started October 1, 1878, by Julius E. Scott and Theodore Townsend. On January 1, 1881, Mr. Scott sold his interest to William P. Corsa, and it was published by them until 1883, when Wm. Corsa went out and R. H. Gilman, as a representative of the Democrat party, was taken into partnership. This plan did not work satisfactorily, and in 1886 Mr. Townsend purchased a controlling interest in it, since which time it has been independent in politics. The Chronicle is a live, progressive newspaper, and influential in the community where it circulates. William P. Corsa was prominent in 1873 in stimulating the Delaware Fruit-Growers’ Association, from which the fruit drying and evaporating business, which has so advanced Milford’s prosperity, was greatly extended. Mr. Townsend was a traveling correspondent for New York and Philadelphia papers before he came to Milford. He has served four terms as member of the Council. SMYRNA. The Delaware Star, first issued in 1832, and continued but a short time, was the pioneer newspaper in Smyrna. Mr. Mitchell was its owner. Samuel L. Jones began the Smyrna Telegraph in 1849. It was a fair local paper, but was discontinued within two years from the time of starting. Abraham Poulson secured the presses and type, and for three years, beginning in March, 1851, was engaged in the publication, in the same town, of the Delaware Herald, a temperance paper. On March 22, 1854, he sold it to his son, Thomas L. Poulson, and Robert D. Hoffecker. In July of the same year Mr. Hoffecker purchased the interest of his partner and changed its name to the Smyrna Times. Thomas L. Poulson entered the ministry, and afterwards attained success in that profession. The Smyrna Times, which has since continued, was the first permanently established newspaper in the town. It grew in public favor, with Robert D. Hoffecker as its editor and publisher, and its circulation increased. During the Civil War it was a strong defender of the Union cause, and ardently supported the administration of President Lincoln. In 1865 Joseph H. Hoffecker, a brother of the former proprietor, purchased the Times and successfully conducted it until 1877, when, on account of impaired health, he retired. Robert D. Hoffecker then returned to the journal which he founded, and has since been its proprietor. The Smyrna Record was established by F.S. Phelps, June 30, 1883, as an eight-column folio. The motto of the founder was "Our town and county first— the world afterward." The paper, as an advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, soon secured a considerable circulation, and nine months after the first issue it was enlarged to a nine-column sheet, and its circulation extended. In May, 1886, the paper passed by sale from its founder into the hands of G.B. Taylor and H.D. Boyer, and under the editorship of the former has pursued the general policy mapped out by its founder. Mr. Boyer withdrew from the business management in the following September, and it has since been under the exclusive control of Mr. Taylor. With the first issue of 1887 it was changed to an eight-page, six-column paper of the standard size, presenting an excellent typographical appearance. The patronage of the paper has been excellent, being derived from a town of three thousand inhabitants, and a surrounding country thickly populated by citizens of more than average means and intelligence. NEW CASTLE. The Gazette, founded in 1836 by Enoch Camp, and the Diamond State and Record, established a few years later by George W. Mahan, were the first newspaper venture, in the town of New Castle. Neither one-was continued more than a year or two. The New Castle Star was founded by Joseph C. White, who still retains an interest. Samuel H. Black is associated with him. NEWARK. The Saturday Visitor, the pioneer newspaper in Newark, was first issued February 11, 1876, by J.H. Rowlenson, who, after the sixth issue appeared, decided to call it the Newark Record. The centennial year had not quite ended when J.M. Armstrong, of New York, bought it. He sold out to Samuel D. McCartney, of Philadelphia, who preferred the name of Ledger. Scarce a year had gone by after the change, when L. Theodore Esling succeeded to its ownership. He continued it as the Newark Ledger, of which he was the editor and proprietor until his death, in January, 1881. It was suspended for three months, and the right and title were purchased by Major F.A.G. Handy, of Washington.His brother, Egbert G. Handy, was placed in charge, and four months later, changed its name to the Delaware Ledger, its present name. Under this management it was published for two years, and then purchased by the present editors and proprietors, J.M. & L.K. Bowen, who came to Newark from Elkton, Md. They changed it from an independent to a Democratic newspaper, disposed of the old type and presses and refitted their printing-office. In 1885 they obtained a steam printing-press. The Delaware Good Templar first appeared in April, 1861, as a four-page monthly, devoted to the interests of the Grand Lodge of Independent Order of Good Templars. At the annual session of the Grand Lodge at Felton, on the 20th and 21st of October, of the same year, the Good Templar was adopted as its official organ. In April, 1871, the sheet was enlarged to eight pages and a share of its columns appropriated to the W.C.T.U. of Delaware and its auxiliaries. This is the only paper published exclusively in the interest of temperance in the State. It is published at the Ledger office in Newark, and is edited by Fred. E. McKinsey. MIDDLETOWN. The first newspaper in the southern part of New Castle County was the Middletown Transcript, established January 4, 1868, by Henry & Wm. D. Vanderford. It continued a joint enterprise till March 21st of that year, when Henry Vanderford became the sole owner and editor. On January 1, 1870, Charles Hamilton Vanderford became the proprietor. He was sole owner till June 29, 1872, when he associated with himself Edward Reynolds, who, September 28th of the same year, purchased the entire interest. W. Scott Way, the next editor, bought the newspaper and took charge of the office November 1, 1877, and continued until June 27, 1885, when he sold out to John B. & Alexander L. Moreau, the present owners and editors. On December 25, 1884, a job printing office was opened in Middletown, by C.J. Freeman and F.W. Reeve. In January following they decided to establish the New Era in connection with their job work. The first issue appeared January 29, 1885. The paper was conducted by them till May, 1886, when F.W. Reeve sold his half-interest to M.W. Weber, and since that time Freeman & Weber have been editors and proprietors. SEAFORD. In 1869 Donoho & Stevens founded the Seaford Record, at Seaford. It was neutral in politics. Mr. Stevens sold his interest to his son, who, with Mr. Donoho, continued to publish it, changing the name to the Sussex Record. In 1872 it was sold to a Mr. Kavano, of Maryland, who changed the name to the Sussex Democrat, and afterwards to the Seaford Democrat. The paper soon suspended. In 1882 the Seaford Enterprise was established by Rev. C.W, Teasdale, and Charles D. Judson was placed in editorial charge. Mr. Teasdale sold out to Samuel D. Gordon, who was proprietor one year, when the paper reverted to Mr. Teasdale, who next disposed of his interest to Ulysses S. Roop. The name was changed to the Seaford Item, but Mr. Teasdale again came into possession and removed the plant to Vienna, Maryland. On the 3d of July, 1886, J.E. Griffenberg began the publication of the Delaware Weekly Review at Harrington, but at the end of seven weeks transferred the office to Seaford, where the Review has since been published. The first issue at Seaford bears date August 21, 1886. Mr. Griffenberg was editor and proprietor until February, 1887, when the ownership passed into the hands of Review Publishing Company, of which Mr. Griffenberg is managing editor. The paper is independent in politics, and has much patronage. DELAWARE CITY. On July 2, 1887, the Delaware City News made its first appearance. The paper is published by the News Publication Company and is edited and managed by Chas. W.B. Marshall. LEWES. The Breakwater Light, a seven-column folio, was first issued August 12, 1871, by its present editor and proprietor, Dr. I.H.D. Knowles. It is the only newspaper published in the town of Lewes, and is independent in politics. HARRINGTON. Joseph E. Horney and Robert Downs, July 7, 1883, established the Harrington Enterprise, a seven-column folio. It is conducted by B. Howard Johnson and is Democratic in politics. LAUREL. The Laurel Gazette, the only paper ever published in the town of Laurel, was established August 15, 1885, by Samuel D. Gordon and C.W. Kinney. On January 9, 1886, it was sold to the Laurel Publishing Company. Joseph F. Smith was made business manager and Samuel D. Gordon editor. October 12, 1887, Samuel D. Gordon purchased the entire interest and has since been editor and proprietor. LITERARY MEN.— Delaware has not been unprolific in the number of her sons who have made lasting names as workers in journalism and general literature. It is true that the majority of her native writers have achieved their renown outside the State in which they were born, but in each instance their training and work is in some manner connected with the soil and the institutions of their birth-place. Her journalism has been notably a training-school for professional newspaper men who have achieved distinction in broader fields, but who never forgot that they began their careers in the Diamond State and received there their most useful tuition and experience. The authors and journalists whose names have become famous make a goodly roll, and sketches of some of their lives and accomplishments are herewith appended: Rev. Dr. Samuel Davies, a prominent Presbyterian divine and scholar, was born in New Castle County, November 8, 1723. His father, Davis Davies, a pious Welsh farmer, gave him a careful religious education and he was subsequently sent to Mr. Blair’s school at Fogg’s Manor. He was licensed to preach July 30, 1746, and ordained February 19, 1747. He officiated at various points in Hanover County, Virginia, where dissenters of the established Episcopal Church of that section, being objectionable to the civil authorities, his success led to a controversy between Dr. Davies and the King’s attorney-general, as to whether the English act of toleration extended to Virginia, which question was subsequently decided in the affirmative. In 1753 Dr. Davies was sent with Gilbert Tennent to England to solicit aid for the College of New Jersey, in which labor he was successful and preached with much acceptance in England and Scotland. He returned in February, 1755, and resumed his ministerial work. The same year the First Virginia Presbytery was established mainly through his efforts. On July 26, 1759, he succeeded Jonathan Edwards as president of New Jersey College. His sermons were published in London, in 1767, in five volumes, and ran through several editions in Great Britain and this country. Dr. Davies was an elegant preacher and also wrote poetry of considerable merit. He died in Princeton, N.J., February 4, 1761. His son, Col. William Davies, left New Jersey College in 1755, and entered the army as an officer, enjoying the esteem of General Washington. He was an efficient sub-inspector under Steuben in 1778. He was afterwards in the auditor’s office, Richmond, and removed to Sussex County, where he died. Rev. James Anderson, prominent among the clergy of New Castle in the early part of the eighteenth century, was born in Scotland November 17, 1678, He was the first Presbyterian minister of New York. He was ordained by the Irvine Presbytery November 17, 1708, with a view to his settlement in Virginia, but he located at New Castle, where he remained until October, 1717, when he took charge of a new church in New York City. He was installed in August, 1727, in Donegal, Pa., where he died July 16, 1740. Isaac Collins, a prominent publisher, was born in Delaware, February 16, 1746, and died in Burlington, N.J., March 21, 1817. He acquired his trade as printer and removed to Philadelphia. In 1770, having been appointed printer to George III., he went to Burlington. In 1778 he removed to Trenton, and published the first quarto family Bible in this country. In 1796 he removed to New York, but returned to Burlington in 1808. He was for several years one of the governors of the New York Hospital, and several of his sons became prominent as New York booksellers and publishers. Rev. James Patriot Wilson, D.D., a writer of considerable note, a lawyer and a divine, was born in Lewes, February 21, 1760. He was a graduate in 1788 of the University of Pennsylvania, which institution conferred on him the degree of D.D. in 1807. Dr. Wilson studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1790, and became distinguished in his profession. He afterward studied theology, and from 1806 to his death was pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. Among his contributions to literature were published "Lectures on the Parables and the Historical Parts of the New Testament," 8vo., 1810; "Introduction to Hebrew," 1812; "Essay on Grammar," 1817; "Common Objections to Christianity," 1829; "Hope of Immortality," 1829; "Primitive Government of Christian Churches," 1833, etc. Dr. Wilson died in Bucks County, Pa., December 10, 1830. Dr. John M. Harvey, celebrated as a poet, was born in Sussex County March 9, 1789. He was the second son of Thomas Harvey, of Revolutionary fame. The family emigrated to Tennessee in 1791, and subsequently removed to Louisiana. Dr. John Harvey settled in Bardstown, Ky., where he died January 15, 1825. After the death of his wife, in 1818, he went to Europe, and, receiving a naval appointment, spent several years at Buenos Ayres. He then conducted a political paper at Savannah. Of his poems, "Chrystallina," a fairy tale, appeared in 1816. Other productions were published in the Western Literary Journal, and among them "Echo and the Lover" obtained a wide celebrity. Elizabeth Margaret Chandler, celebrated in literature by reason of her poetical works, was born at Centre, near Wilmington, December 24, 1807. She was the daughter of Thomas Chandler, a Quaker farmer, and was educated at the Friends’ school in Philadelphia. Her poetical talent developed early, and at eighteen years of age she wrote "The Slave Ship," which secured the prize offered by the Casket magazine. The majority of her subsequent productions were first published in a Philadelphia antislavery periodical called the Genius of Universal Emancipation. All of her poetical works, with a memoir by Benjamin Lundy, were published in Philadelphia in 1836. She removed to Tecumseh, Michigan, in 1830 and died November 22, 1834. James Barton Longacre, the distinguished engraver, was a descendant of the early Swedish settlers on the Delaware. He was born in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, August 11, 1794. He served his apprenticeship as historical and portrait engraver with Murray of Philadelphia, and from 1819 to 1831 was engaged in illustrating some of the best works issuing from the American press. From 1834–39, with James Herring, of New York, he published four volumes of the "National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans," which he afterward completed alone, many of the portraits being from Mr. Longacre’s drawings from life. During the last quarter century of his life he was engraver at the United States Mint, and all the new coins issued during that period were made by Mr. Longacre from his original designs. He was commissioned by the Chilian government to superintend the remodeling of the coinage of that country, and completed the task a year before his death, which occurred in Philadelphia January 1, 1869. Rev. Morgan Edwards, A.M., a Welsh Baptist, became pastor of the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia in 1761, upon the recommendation of the celebrated John Gill, D.D., of London. He resigned this pastorate in 1771, and removed to Pencader Hundred, near Newark, Del., where he lived until his death, January 28, 1795. He was the founder of Brown University, in Rhode Island, and was a deeply learned scholar. He was the pioneer Baptist historian in this country, and traveled extensively in collecting what he called his "Materials toward a history of the Baptist Churches in all the colonies." It was to have been completed in twelve volumes. The first volume was issued in 1770, and treated of the churches in Pennsylvania. The next volume, which was upon the New Jersey Baptists, was issued in 1792. His history of the Rhode Island Baptists was published in 1867, by the Rhode Island Historical Society. Volume iii., which contains the history of the early Baptists in Delaware, was published in 1885, by the Pennsylvania Historical Society in its Magazine, and ran through two numbers, with an introduction by Hon. H.G. Jones. This volume is also published separately. The most of Morgan Edwards’ historical writing was doubtless performed during his twenty-four years’ residence in Delaware. The original sheets of his "History of the Delaware Baptists," in possession of the American Baptist Historical Society, 1420 Chestnut Street, Phila., is like all his manuscript, a model of exactness and beauty. Rev. Abel Moragan, a Baptist divine, born at Welsh Tract, Del., in 1713, was one of the ablest men of his day. He wrote some of the most important documents published by the Philadelphia Baptist Association. In 1742 he accepted the challenge from Rev. Samuel Finley, afterwards president of Princeton College, N.J., to discuss the baptismal question. After the discussion Mr. Finley wrote "A Charitable Plea for the Speechless," to which Mr. Morgan replied in his "Anti-Paedo-Rantism," or Mr. Finley’s "Charitable Plea for the Speechless" examined and refuted; the "Baptism of Believers Maintained and the Mode of it by Immersion Vindicated," which was printed by Benjamin Franklin, in Philadelphia, in 1747, now sells for twelve dollars or more. Philip Hughes, a noted Baptist minister of Delaware and Virginia, came to Wilmington about 1785, where he published a book on Baptism and another of Hymns, some of which were of his own composition. Rev. David Jones, A.M., a chaplain in the American army during the Revolution, born in New Castle Co., Delaware, in 1736, and ancestor of Hon. H.G. Jones, of Philadelphia, was the author of several works. There was a journal of two visits made to some of the Indian nations west of the Ohio River in 1772 and 1773, published in 1773, and reprinted in New York by J. Sabin in 1865; a treatise on "The Work of the Holy Spirit;" a treatise on "The Laying on of Hands," and another on the same subject in reply to Rev. Samuel Jones, D.D., and to Peter Edwards’ "Candid Reasons Examined." Gouverneur Emerson, M.D., was born in Kent County, Delaware. In 1818 and the two years succeeding he made a long voyage at sea as surgeon of a merchantman. He practiced medicine with success in Philadelphia. He possessed a decided literary taste, writing mostly on agricultural, medical and statistical subjects. He prepared a series of tables exhibiting the rate of mortality in Philadelphia and its causes during thirty years from 1807. Among his contributions to the literature of agriculture is the "Farmers’ and Planters’ Encyclopedia of Rural Affairs," an octavo of 1300 pages, replete with valuable information. He was the first to introduce Peruvian guano in the Atlantic States, and to recognize the great advantages of the phosphatic and other concentrated fertilizers, proving their good effects on his own extensive farms in Delaware. His last work was a translation from the French of De Play’s remarkable treatise on "Organization of Labor." Dr. Emerson succeeded in making interesting everything he wrote. He was a member of the American Philosophical Society, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the United States Agricultural Society, the Philadelphia Horticultural Society, the United States Pomological Society and the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia. He died at his residence on Walnut Street, Philadelphia, in July, 1874. Benjamin Ferris, of whom a sketch appears in the "History of Wilmington," wrote a "History of the original Settlements on the Delaware," a work of three hundred and twelve pages, containing a vast fund of interesting and valuable historical information, obtained by several years of diligent research. It was published, in 1846, by Wilson & Heald. Copies of the work are now very rare. Hezekiah Niles was perhaps the most useful contribution Delaware ever made to the ranks of the journalists and historians of the United States. If it were ever attempted to collect the records of this nation for the middle period of the first half of the present century without the aid of Niles’ Register, the work would be lamentably incomplete and unreliable. As an industrious, painstaking and accurate gatherer of the public events of his time he has never been surpassed in the field of journalism. He was born October 10, 1777, in Chester County, Pa., at a farmhouse near Jefferis’ Ford, to which his parents had fled from Wilmington during the campaign in which occurred the battle of the Brandywine and the occupation of the city by the British. He was educated in Wilmington, and learned the art of printing as an apprentice. It is a tradition that before he had served his time he could set type faster and present a cleaner proof than any other compositor in America. In 1800 he became the junior member of the firm of Bonsall & Niles, book publishers, at Wilmington, but they did not meet with financial success and Mr. Niles abandoned the composing stick and the printer’s form for steady work with his pen. The firm was, in fact, wrecked on their re-publication of "The Political Writings of Governor John Dickinson," in which they invested a large amount of money, and failed to obtain any adequate return. Mr. Niles entered journalism as the author of humorous papers entitled "Quilldriving, by Geoffrey Thickneck" and edited a daily paper in Baltimore for a short time. On September 7, 1811, he began at Batimore the publication of Niles’ Register, a weekly paper in which was concisely and faithfully epitomized the live news of the time. He retired from the management of the Register on September 3, 1836, turning it over to the sole control of his son, William Ogden Niles, who had been associated with him since 1827. On September 2, 1837, the son removed his publication office to Washington and issued the weekly there under the name of Niles’ National Register, but on May 4, 1839, it was returned to Baltimore. Hezekiah Niles had become disabled by paralysis and returned to Wilmington, as he said, "to die and be buried with his kindred." His death took place April 2, 1839, and on October 19th his widow sold the Register to Jeremiah Hughes who continued to publish it until February 26, 1848, when it ceased to exist. It was resumed in Philadelphia in July, 1849, under the charge of Charles Beatty, but it was not a success. William Ogden Niles died in Philadelphia, July 8, 1858. Hezekiah, Niles also compiled a valuable work entitled "Principles and Acts of the Revolution." He was one of the most potent advocates of the American system of tariff protection to home industries, and his writings are still quoted. His labor was often performed in conjunction with his friend, Matthew Carey, of Philadelphia. Dr. Cornelius G. Comegys, known to literature by his "History of Medicine," published in 1856, was born in Delaware and removed to Cincinnati, where he was Professor of Institutes of Medicine in Miami College. His father was Gov. Cornelius P. Comegys. Dr. Thomas B. Wilson, the distinguished naturalist and scientist, who died at Newark, March 15, 1865, was born in Philadelphia January 17, 1807. He was educated at the Friends’ School in Philadelphia and in England. In 1822 he studied pharmacy, and after devoting several years to it applied himself to geology. In 1828 he adopted medicine as a profession and after graduating, in 1830, went to Paris and continued his studies, taking up also zoology, botany and geology. He afterward attended a medical course in Dublin, and returned home, and, owing to failing health, soon applied himself to botany and ornithology as a means of relaxation and recuperation. In 1832 he removed to Chester County and remained there with his brother several years and subsequently bought a farm in that section. He devoted himself assiduously to natural sciences, and secured at home and abroad the valuable collections of plants, birds, insects, etc., which make him justly celebrated and famous. In 1841 he removed with his brother to Newark, where he settled permanently, continuing his scientific researches and contributed both time and money to them. He was one of the principal benefactors of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia and of the Entomological Society of the same city, and was chiefly instrumental in providing their collections, library and buildings. His contribution of birds to the Academy of Natural Sciences aggregated twenty-eight thousand specimens, nearly all of which were mounted. He also donated extensive collections of minerals and fossils to the same institution. Of the fifty thousand insects in the Entomological Society, the majority were donations from Dr. Wilson. He also contributed largely to the Episcopal Church building in Newark, Dr. Wilson’s remains were taken to Philadelphia for interment and his funeral was attended by some of the leading scientists of this country. He was one of the most prominent naturalists of his day, laboring zealously to advance the peculiar branches in which he was so deeply interested and expending liberally of his ample means in prosecuting the work and assisting the institutions founded to perpetuate its results. Rev. Richard B. Cook, D.D., pastor of the Second Baptist Church, Wilmington, is the author of the following works: "The Early and Later Baptists," being a history of the Baptists of Delaware from 1703 to 1880, of 156 pages, illustrated, and which reached a circulation of 1000, and is published by the American Baptist Publication Society, Philadelphia; "The Story of the Baptists," being a popular general history of the Baptists, of 450 pages, with over 100 illustrations, and which, in three years, has reached a circulation of 20,000 copies. Besides, Dr. Cook is author of smaller productions, such as "Baptist Leadership in Education;" "History of the Second Baptist Church, Wilmington, for the first fifty years of its existence;" "History of the Baptists in Delaware;" in the "Encyclopedia of Delaware," and several sketches in Dr. Cathcart’s "Baptist Encyclopedia." Rev. Alfred Lee, D.D., late bishop of Delaware, and formerly rector of St. Andrew’s Church, Wilmington, was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, September 9, 1807. He studied law and practiced in Norwich, 1831–33. In the latter year he entered the General Theological Seminary in New York, and was ordained deacon in June, 1837, and priest a year later. From September, 1838, to September, 1841, he was pastor of Calvary Church, Rockdale, Pennsylvania, and on October 12, 1841, was consecrated bishop of Delaware. Bishop Lee wrote a "Life of the Apostle Peter," in 1852; "Life of St. John," and "Treatise on Baptism," 1854; "Memoir of Miss Susan Allibone," 8vo., 1856; and "The Harbinger of Christ," 12mo., 1857. He died in April, 1887. Isaac Lea, LL.D., the distinguished author and naturalist, was born in Wilmington, March 4, 1792, of Quaker ancestry. At the age of fifteen years he was placed under the care of an elder brother in Philadelphia and devoted his leisure to the collection and study of fossils and minerals. In 1815 he became a member of the Philadelphia Academy of Sciences, and soon after published his first paper in the journal of the academy, describing the minerals in the neighborhood of Philadelphia. He married a daughter of Matthew Carey, and from 1821 to 1851 was associated with Mr. Carey in the publishing business. In 1827, Mr. Lea began a series of memoirs on new forms of fresh water and land-shells, which were continued for many years. In 1832 he visited Europe and the following year published "Contributions to Geology," describing two hundred and twenty-eight species of tertiary fossils from Alabama. In December, 1858, he was elected president of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences and was a member of many scientific organizations of America and Europe. He also published, in 1851, "Description of a new genus of the family of Melaniana," and in 1852, "Fossil footmarks in the red sandstones of Pottsville," and "Synopsis of the family of Naiades." Allibone contains a list of fifty-five of Dr. Lea’s publications. George Alfred Townsend, the active newspaper writer and author, was born on Market Street between Front and the Court-House Square, Georgetown, Del., January 30, 1841. He was the son of Rev. Stephen and Mary Milbourne Townsend, who were of one of the earliest peninsula families, which probably came from Virginia to Somerset and Worcester Counties, Md., early in the seventeenth century. One of Sir Walter Raleigh’s "Adventurers" for Virginia in 1620, as set down in Captain John Smith’s history, was "Leonard Townson," and the shipping lists to Jamestown of about the same date mention John and Richard Townsend as having embarked. Rev. Stephen Townsend was born in what is called the Forest, between Princess Anne and Snow Hill, in 1808. He turned from the carpenter’s business to become a Methodist minister, and filled the pastoral relation in almost every county of the whole peninsula, dying in Philadelphia, August, 1881. He graduated in medicine at the age of forty-eight and also earned the degree of Doctor of Philosophy as a student in the Pennsylvania University at the age of seventy. His wife died in 1868, aged sixty-six. She was a woman of strong will and great local acumen. They are interred at South Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, in Mr. Townsend’s lot, where is also an inscription commemorative of Dr. Stephen Emory Townsend, their oldest son, killed in the Nicaraguan War, 1856. The third and youngest child,— all sons,— Dr. Ralph Milbourne Townsend, married Ida Hollingsworth, of Wilmington, Delaware, daughter of the eminent ship-builder, and lies interred in the Hollingsworth vault, Brandywine Cemetery. George Alfred Townsend moved with his itinerating minister father till he was fourteen years old, and attended the academic departments of Washington College, Chestertown, Md., and of Delaware College, Newark. After 1855 the homestead was in Philadelphia, his mother ceasing to travel, and Mr. Townsend graduated at the Philadelphia High School in February, 1860, and went upon the daily newspaper press next day. At the school he had published and written for newspapers, and he commenced to compose in prose and verse at the age of fourteen. The local coloring of the Delaware peninsula affected his work for years, and in 1880 he collected "Tales of the Chesapeake" which contains the Delaware tales of "The Ticking Stone" and "The Big Idiot," the latter a painstaking picture of old New Castle in the time of the Dutch, the former a psychological tale of the White Clay Creek country. In the same book is the long colonial poem "Herman of Bohemia Manor." Much earlier than this Mr. Townsend had written "Swedes and Finns," "John Dickinson," "Arnold Naudain," and other Delaware ballads. In 1869 he delivered the college poem at Delaware College, showing an accurate recollection of the minutest scenes and characters there, though he had been but ten years old when at Newark Academy. In 1880 he visited General Torbert and the venerable Mrs. Richards at Georgetown,— the latter present at his birth,— and recited the Fourth of July ballad "Caesar Rodney’s Ride." In 1884 Mr. Townsend wrote the historical novel with the quaint title of "The Entailed Hat, or Patty Cannon’s times," a work of great imagination and historical construction, every locality of which was visited to insure freshness in the picturing; it is the topographical and antiquarian romance of this peninsula, the vivid characters being passed through Seaford, Laurel, Georgetown, Lewes, the great Cypress Swamp, Dagsborough, Rehoboth Beach, Dover and Wilmington. The subject of the story is the kidnappers, who stole free people of color out of Delaware as long as slavery had a legal and commercial existence, and it contains sketches of John M. Clayton, Jonathan Hunn and Thomas Garrett. Literature has been the industrious by-play of Mr. Townsend’s comprehensive newspaper life of nearly thirty years, in which he has been engaged by every journal and publication of means and enterprise in the land. Commencing in the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Press, he was the first to rehabilitate local reporting and editing in the Quaker City. At the breaking out of the Civil War he became the youngest and most cultivated of the war correspondents, first for the New York Herald and afterward for the New York World. In the latter paper his battle of Five Forks, closing scenes about Richmond, and letters on President Lincoln’s murder, created such a furor that he was called to lecture all over the country; and has lectured at intervals ever since and delivered public addresses before the Army of the Potomac Society, Dickinson College and many other institutions. For almost twenty years he reinvested his earnings in foreign and home travel, books and experience, until he settled down in New York, at the age of thirty-nine, master of every department of his craft, from political and physical correspondence to belle lettres. He has made six voyages to Europe, reported the war of 1866 between Prussia and Austria, has crossed the American continent and British America three times and visited every State and Territory in the Union, and the West Indies. In 1862 he was writing for the Cornhill Magazine, and other publications in London. Nearly every great public event in American recent history has passed under his eye. For the past eighteen years his newspaper engagements have mainly been in the great West, where his pseudonym of "Gath" is better known than George Alfred Townsend. In 1886, Mr. Townsend published a sequel to the "Entailed Hat," called "Katy of Catoctin, or the Chain-breakers," a story of the John Brown raid and of the Civil War, located in the South Mountain country of Maryland, where he has built his country-house and ultimate family-seat, called "Gapland." It stands on the old battle-ground of Crampton’s Gap, and consists of large and picturesque stone buildings, at an elevation of one thousand feet above the neighboring Potomac River and valleys. Mr. Townsend has published several other volumes, as "Campaigns of a Non-Combatant," 1865; "The New World Compared with the Old," 1869, 750 pages; Poems, 1870; "Lost Abroad," a story, 1871; "Washington Outside and Inside," 1873; "Bohemian Days," tales, 1881; "Poetical Addresses," 1883; "President Cromwell," an historical drama, 1885. He has nearly ready to issue, "Tales at Gapland," and "Dr. Priestley, or the Federalists," a novel. No journalist in the country disconnected from proprietary ownership in the journals has been as generally employed, as well rewarded or has occupied so many fields. The qualities of his writings are their informing power, breadth and fertility of treatment, boldness of depiction, temerity in the face of clamor, sympathy for the beaten and poetical quality. His newspaper work is nearly all dictated to shorthand writers, and he has been known to prepare twelve thousand words of copy for the press in one day. Mr. Townsend married, in 1865, Miss Rhodes, of Philadelphia, and has two children and two grandchildren, while himself still under forty-seven years of age. Felix O.C. Darley, the artist, who resides at Claymont, Delaware, was born June 23, 1822. At an early age he was placed by his parents in a mercantile establishment, where he devoted his leisure to drawing, and, receiving from the publisher of the Saturday Museum a handsome sum for a few designs, he applied himself wholly to that pursuit. For several years he was employed by large publishing houses in Philadelphia, and soon acquired a distinguished reputation. The series published in the "Library of Humorous American Works" was very popular in the Southern and Western States. In 1848 he removed to New York, where he illustrated "The Sketch Book," "Knickerbocker," etc. He had previously made a series of designs in outline from Judd’s novel of "Margaret," which were published in 1856. The committee of the American Art Union commissioned him to illustrate in similar style Irving’s "Rip Van Winkle" and his "Legend of Sleepy Hollow," both of which are highly creditable productions. Offers were made to him to settle in London, which he declined. He has also been engaged in the preparation of vignettes for bank-notes, and in illustrating Cooper’s works; has executed the "Massacre at Wyoming," and four other Revolutionary pieces of merit, and has contributed designs to Irving’s "Life of Washington," Dickens’and Sims’novels. Another of his works is an illustration of the wedding procession in Longfellow’s poems of "The Courtship of Miles Standish." For Prince Napoleon, when in New York, he executed four drawings illustrative of American life— "The Unwilling Laborer," "Repose," "The Blacksmith’s Shop" and "Emigrants attacked by the Indians." Among his pictures of the late Civil War are "Giving Comfort to the Enemy "and" Dahlgren’s Charge at Fredericksburg." He married the daughter of Warren Colburn. Henry Lea Tatnall, justly called the "Father of Wilmington Art," was born in Brandywine Village, Del., in the old historic Tatnall mansion, December 31, 1829. He was of the fifth generation in direct line of descent from Robert Tatnall, of Leicestershire, England, who died in his native land in 1715. The widow, with her five children, emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1725. Edward Tatnall, the youngest of these children, was married in 1735, to Elizabeth Pennock, in Friends’ Meeting, at London Grove, Chester County, removing to Wilmington as their future home. Joseph Tatnall was the third of five children by this marriage, and the grandfather of Henry Lea Tatnall, and the first of the name to engage in the milling business on the Brandywine at Wilmington, being also the first president of the Bank of Delaware. He was married, in 1765, to Elizabeth Lea. Edward Tatnall, the sixth of their seven children, was born in 1782, and married, in 1809, to Margery Paxson; and the subject of this sketch was the eleventh of twelve children by this marriage. Being of Quaker parentage, he was educated according to the custom of Friends at Westtown Boarding-School, in Chester County, an institution exclusively their own, receiving a plain but thorough and substantial education, as Friends deemed it not only inexpedient but unnecessary to give their children anything beyond that, trusting very properly to the home training and influence to further develop mental and moral culture. After leaving school he entered the celebrated flour-mills of Tatnall & Lea as clerk, where he remained but a few months, on account of the dust giving him asthma. It was there he accidentally picked up an old violin, belonging to a colored man employed in the mill, and played two or three tunes upon it, without ever having received any instructions, or being aware himself that he could do so. This was the first intimation of the hidden talent which was destined to perform such an important part, later in life. He was of a very inquisitive turn of mind, determined always to know the whys and wherefores of everything. His spare moments in early life were not idly spent. It was one of his pastimes to frequent the shipyards, opposite the mills on the Brandywine, where, with his knife, he would sit and chisel model after model. He made a perfect model of a ship, rigging it out correctly, and even manned it with little wooden sailors, which is in possession of his family at the present time. Leaving the mill, he turned his attention to farming, and took great pleasure in agricultural pursuits. In 1851 he married Caroline Gibbons, daughter of Doctor William and Rebecca Donaldson Gibbons, and the youngest of fourteen children. In 1856 they left the country and moved to Wilmington, residing for a few years on West Street, where they purchased the old Gibbons mansion, and the square upon which it stood, known as "Vernon Place." At the time the house was built there were but two others between it and Market Street, and it commanded an uninterrupted view of the Delaware River from New Castle to Edgemoor. Mr. Tatnall engaged in the lumber business successfully for some years, identifying himself with the business interests of the city. Socially, he was most genial, bright and hospitable. His individuality was most pronounced, and his attachments strong and lasting. His good fellowship was ever apparent and the enthusiasm, frankness and openness of his nature, with his entertaining originality in conversation, made him a welcome guest everywhere, and drew about him a large circle of warm friends. He cultivated his musical talent, which showed itself in early life, entirely himself, never having taken a lesson, and became a most proficient performer on the violin, accompanying his children, upon whom he bestowed a liberal musical education upon the piano, organ and other instruments, realizing the safeguard he was throwing around them, by leaving no stone unturned to make the home the most attractive spot on earth to them. Besides this, he published many original compositions, and set to music several campaign songs. His celebrated "Rail Splitter’s Polka," composed for the Lincoln campaign, was played by all the bands of the North at that time. His residence at that period was opposite the United States Hospital Tilton, and it was always thrown open with its grounds to the sick and wounded soldiers, while many a poor home-sick fellow’s heart was cheered by his hospitality and the sweet tones from his violin. When about forty years of age he had the opportunity of seeing Philadelphia’s noted artist, Hamilton, at work on a marine view in his studio, and was struck with the magical effects produced by his brush. His criticisms of the artist’s work were so intelligent that his friends encouraged him to try painting himself, which he did. Mr Tatnall’s own story of his first attempt was a strange one. Mr. George Hetzel, Pittsburg’s celebrated landscape artist, was in Wilmington, at work in Rudolph’s Gallery, then newly opened. Being there one day when Mr. Hetzel was absent, Mr. Rudolph playfully bantered Mr. Tatnall to compete with him in painting a picture. Mr. Tatnall demurred, saying, he knew nothing about painting, but was persuaded to try his hand. Two easels, with paints, brushes and canvas, were at hand, and each sitting down in the same sportive spirit in which the contest was projected, the work commenced. Soon after they started, Mr. Rudolph was called away, leaving Mr. Tatnall alone in the gallery. Mr. Tatnall averred he had no distinct recollection of what followed, until he seemed to awake as from a dream or trance, and found upon his easel a complete painting, a river scene with vessels under sail, and was conscious of his friend standing behind him, admiring his picture, and acknowledging himself out of the race. It was soon manifest that he had a decided genius for that branch of the fine arts, and his friends induced him to fit up a studio over his counting-house, where the intervals of business were devoted to applying himself to the study of the principles and the practice of marine and landscape painting. His success was rapid and extraordinary, and in a few years his orders were so numerous that he turned the lumber business over to his sons and opened a studio in more commodious quarters and devoted the remainder of his life to his adopted profession. At the time of the formation of the "Delaware Artists’ Association" he was elected president, unanimously. This was a faithful recognition of his talent and his services, and an assurance that around his name clustered all that exists of the earlier art aspirations of Wilmington and of Delaware, and naturally entitles him to be called the father of art in his native city and State. He has well earned the title, and it will descend to posterity, adding new laurels to a family name already shown prominence in Delaware. He was an earnest student of nature, spending the summer and autumnal months in the woods beside the murmuring brooks, watching all the varying aspects they presented under light and shadow, in sunshine and in storm. Along his beloved Brandywine, on Shellpot Creek, and at Kiamensi, and also Mt. Desert, he found beautiful landscapes, which were transferred to his canvas with great fidelity of drawing and perspective and truthfulness of color. When asked one day how he could account for his being able to paint such pictures without ever having taken even a lesson in drawing, he replied, "I cannot answer you, except by saying, I do not do it myself— it is an inspiration." "Do you understand mixing colors, and know just what you want?" "I know nothing about them; my hand goes right to the one the picture calls for." He was ingenious in mechanics— his easel, palette, painting-box and other paraphernalia for out-door work were marvelous contrivances, affording facilities for work not obtainable by most of the painters’ outfits of the present day. He died at the age of fifty-six years, just as he was taking high rank in the list of American painters, and when the highest honors of his profession seemed within his grasp. In addition to all his other attainments, he was also a natural born architect, having draughted several of the finest residences in Wilmington for his numerous friends. But his busy, useful life is ended here on earth, being crowned with the assurance left, that in another sphere of existence he will attain to an immeasurably higher, broader and grander realization of the aspirations of his inmost soul than ever could have been reached in this earthly life. * "History of Philadelphia," Scharf & Westcott, vol. i., p. 227. ** "History of Printing in America," by Isaiah Thomas, Worcester, Mass., 1810, vol. ii., p. 125. *** James Wilson was born August 24,1764, in Harford County, Md. He learned the printer’s trade in Wilmington, with Mr. Craig, publisher of the Delaware Gazette. Soon after starting the Mirror he opened a book-store at what is now 417 Market Street, then known as the "Sign of Shakespeare," and also had a book-bindery on Shipley Street. He died in 1841, aged seventy-seven years. His son, Alfred, succeeded as proprietor of the book-store. It was later owned by another son, E.A. Wilson, and Joshua T. Heald. One of his daughters is Mrs Joseph C. Seeds, of Wilmington. (4*) By Merris Taylor. (5*) By Frederic E. Bach.