Page:History of the Press in Western New York (1847).djvu/78

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74

they go to the south-west or north-west, or indeed to any point of the compass. Comfortable and expeditious Blodgett! The voluminousness of thy periphery indicateth the epicure; upon the pullets thou sacrificest, are the pin-feathers of youth; thy warm cakes are done deliciously brown; thy yellow butter, thy irreproachable eggs, thy unimpeachable coffee—my mnemnocal palate remembers them all. Murder Creek, too is in thy vicinity; as it goes moaning onward under the rude bridge that spans it, the reflection of bright red mills upon its shore as they give back the sunbeam, gives it murder's proper hue and 'damned spot.' The tradition is, that a poor crazy old man was killed here by the Indians, many years ago, in the early settlement of the country:

'May he be true, may he be no so'
We'll grant it is, and let it go so.'

At any rate, (Blodgett, I thank thee for the sentence,) if Richville hath the memory of death, it hath likewise, and in full profusion, the means of life."

—— Peek, whose first name I have not been able to learn, although diligent inquiry has been made, died in this Village in the fall of 1811, while engaged in the publication, with Blodgett, of the "Cornucopia."

David C. Miller. It cannot be denied but what Miller possessed a very considerable degree of talent, and a reasonable share of shrewdness. All will remember the conspicuous part he bore in the exciting times which followed the abduction of William Morgan, in 1826. Miller was afterwards elected County Clerk—took the stump as a candidate for Congress—was defeated, and finally left, in 1832, or '33, cursing the party, or its leaders, as guilty of ingratitude. The last intelligence of this man located him at Cleveland, Ohio.

Oran Follett continued the publication of the "Spirit of the Times," until 1825, when he sold out. In the fall of 1824, he was returned a member of the Legislature from this County. After disposing of the "Times," he united with Day & Haskins in the publication of a paper at Buffalo. From thence he removed to Sandusky City, Ohio, where he now resides, and is President of the Board of Public Works in that State.

Frederick Follett, his successor in the publication of the "Times," continued it from 1825 until 1840, with an interruption of one year—then published the Times & Journal, until 1843—since which time he has been serving the public in the capacity of Post Master of the Village of Batavia.

J. O. Balch, the founder of the "Le Roy Gazette," the last I heard of him, he was a resident of the State of Illinois. Whether he is still in the Printing business, or what are his prospects in life, is more than I can say.

Elisha Starr is still living, and a resident of Milwaukie, Wisconsin—a clever, good natured, easy soul, well calculated to pioneer the way to fortune for others, but never ready to grasp it for himself. I hope the "blind goddess" will yet see fit to force a fortune upon him.

Beriah B. Hotchkin. The whereabouts of this branch of the Corps Editorial of Genesee County is unknown to me.

Henry D. Wade, some years since, took up his line of march for the West, and at one time was figuring as Cashier of a Bank in Illinois.

There were a number of owners of the "Gazette" after this, but as they did not belong to the Craft, we are disposed to pass them by until we come to

Franklin L. Goodrich. This gentleman is still in the land of the living—and at present has charge of the mechanical part of the Republican Advocate.

Cyrus Thompson, who had charge of the "Gazette" from l838 to 1840 has left the case and taken a stand upon the soil. In other words, he has turned farmer.

Charles B. Thomson, who is now the editor and proprietor of the "Gazette," is doing better, I hope, in the way of his profession, than his predecessors. The paper seems to be better sustained, and has every indication of affording a good living.

Orestes A. Brownson, who edited the "Genesee Republican," is now, and has been for a number of years, the Editor of the New England Review—a man of great and acknowledged talent, but somewhat ultra and impracticable in his views. The following story is told in connection with this gentleman:—Some years since, while in England, the Hon. Daniel Webster called upon Lord Brougham. Various topics formed the theme of conversation, until finally the literature of America was touched upon. Being aware that Webster and Brownson were inhabitants of the same city. Lord Brougham made the following inquiry of his visitor:—"I suppose, Mr. Webster, you are well acquainted with Mr. Brownson?" With real or affected ignorance of the subject of inquiry, Mr. Webster replied, "Brownson, Brownson—what Brownson do you mean, Sir?" "Why, O. A. Brownson, to be sure. Sir." "I do not know the man," replied Mr. Webster. "Well, then," answered Lord Brougham, "permit me to tell you, Sir, that you have not the honor of an acquaintance with one of the greatest writers in America!"

Andrew W. Young is still living. He resides at Warsaw, in the County of Wyoming. Since leaving the Printing business, Mr. Young has turned author, and his work, upon the "Science of Government," designed for a School Book, has met with an extensive sale, and is deservedly popular. Mr. Young has been twice elected to the legislature from Wyoming, and was returned a member of the late Convention to revise the Constitution of this State, from the same County