CHAPTER V. THE WESTERN STAR. The "Western Star," the only Democratic paper in the county that has weathered the journalistic storms, and retains its name to the present time, was started December 15, 1843, by Washington Bigler and William Denlinger, both of whom came from the eastern part of the state, under the firm name of Bigler & Denlinger. The paper was a six column folio, and was printed in a row of old wooden buildings that stood at the south end of the Potter hotel, now the site of tbft Parkview hotel. It was removed in 1844 to a brick building where the Buchanan block now stands, and in 1845 to a brick build- ing now known as the Merz building. Mr. Bigler was a brother of the famous Bigler brothers, John and William, who were chosen Governor respectively of the States of California and Pennsyl- vania, on the same day in 1851. He retired from the firm January Y, 1846. In September of the same year, Mr. Denlinger tem- porarily retired from the paper, and was succeeded by Major John Irons of the "Fayette Genius of Liberty," XJniontown, Pa., who came to his new duties with con- siderable experience and reputation as a newspaper man. The paper appeared in a new dress and enlarged form.
