Page:History of the Press in Western New York (1847).djvu/56

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entitled, "Alow and Aloft—on Board and on Shore," 178 duodecimo pp. It was designed to aid in the great Temperance Reformation, to which it doubtless contributed, as the work speedily attained to a second edition. He served an apprenticeship to the business with Marshall & Dean, in Rochester. Their office subsequently passing into the hands of Mr. William Ailing, he was elevated to its superintendence, which station he occupied for a number of years, and until Mr. A., in the spring of 1844, disposed of his office to Messrs. Canfield & Warren, when he removed, with his family to New-York city, to enter into the service of John T. Trow & Co., as proof reader in their extensive Book establishment. He had occupied this situation, however, but a brief period, when he was obliged to desist, on account of an affection of one of his legs, which had now assumed a serious aspect, caused by a severe injury received on board ship while crossing the Atlantic several years previous. It was now deemed necessary to resort to amputation. To this he calmly resigned, but was soon pained by the discovery that a cure was not to be expected, as the operation was performed below the seat of the disease. Disheartened and in this deplorable condition, in the fall of 1845, amid great bodily suffering, be returned to his friends in Western New-York. He finally reached the residence of his brother-in-law, Mr. Eber Kendall, then of Lockport, where he lingered but a few days, when he was relieved by death of his earthly sufferings.

Henry Cook and Samuel P. Allen, both Printers, are the Editors of the Daily Democrat, and exhibit great industry and perseverance in the conduct of their paper.

William A. Welles. This gentleman is a Printer, a Sailor, a Traveller, and a Writer of considerable ability. All who attended the last year's Festival, or have read its proceedings, are better acquainted with his life and history than I can hope to make them. He is evidently a genius, but the best energies of his life have been spent in ministering to the gratification of a roving propensity.

The "Rochester Daily American," is in the hands of L. & L. R. Jerome. This paper is of but recent comparative origin, but it has already assumed an important position among the newspaper press of the city where it is published. Its proprietors are energetic and persevering in their business. Alexander Mann is the Editor of this paper, and seems to be admirably adapted to the duties of his station. Recently, as before stated, Dr. Daniel Lee and R. D. Jones have become associated with Mr. M.

With this sketch, brief and imperfect as it is, I must close the notice of the Newspaper Press of Monroe County. Many, and I doubt not, worthy members of the Craft have been passed by in silence. It has not been my desire to do so—but ignorance of their personal history has compelled me to take this course. Upon this, I rest my plea of justification. From what I know of the Jurors in this case, I anticipate a triumphant acquittal.

ERIE COUNTY.

The Newspaper Press in this County, since the first attempt to plant its standard there in 1811, has undergone many changes and fluctuations. This is more or less true in regard to most kinds of business, but holds peculiarly so in regard to the Newspaper Press, in its infancy, in all sections of our country. The pioneers—those who clear the way for its introduction, rarely reap the reward that is due them. After struggling through the night of adversity, and just as the dawn of brighter hopes is about to break upon them, they are haunted by the ghost of accumulated debts, the result, generally, of neglect and indifference on the part of those who were most strenuous for the undertaking, but who, having accomplished their own ambitions and selfish purposes, now turn a cold shoulder upon him who has been mainly instrumental in their advancement. Young adventurers should be on their guard against the tricks of such men. I do not intend these remarks particularly for the County of Erie—they will apply, like the weather calculations of an Almanac, to almost any meridian.

The first paper established in this County, the "Buffalo Gazette," was issued on the 3d of October, 1811, by Smith H. and Hezekiah A. Salisbury, brothers. In Jany. 1818, S. H. Salisbury transferred his interest to Wm. A. Carpenter. In the April following, Mr. Carpenter disposed of his share in the establishment to H. A. Salisbury, his partner, who changed the title of the paper to "Niagara Patriot." On the separate organization of Erie County, in 1820, the title of the paper was again changed to "Buffalo Patriot." In 1826, Mr. Carpenter again occupied the "chair Editorial." It was, however, for a time vacated by him, and his place occupied by Harvey Newcomb, in 1829, who continued in it for about a year, when it was again resumed by Mr. Carpenter, who occupied it until 1834. The first number of the "Daily Commercial Advertiser" was issued from the same office on the 1st of January, 1835, and was under the Editorial charge of Guy H. Salisbury, whose health compelled him to withdraw from it at the close of the same year. On the 1st of January, 1836, Bradford A. Manchester purchased one half of the establishment, and it was conducted under the firm of Salisbury & Manchester, and under the editorial charge, at one time, of Dr. Thomas M. Foote, and for a short period, of Theodore C. Peters. On the 1st of July of the same year,