CHAPTER V.

Seneca Patriot-Printing-press-Independent Chronicle-Tiffin Gazette -Van Burenite-Seneca Advertiser-Whig Standard-CholeraCourt-house-Jail and Sherif's house-Bank.

On the 4th day of August, 1832, was issued the first number of the "Seneca Patriot," the first paper printed in the county. This sheet, E. Brown, editor, and J. H. Brown, proprietor, was offered to subscribers, at one dollar and twenty-five cents, per year, in advance.

"We propose," says the editor, "to insert occasionally, as near as may be, an equal proportion of matter, to be published under the following general heads-Clay Politics, Jackson Politics, and Anti-masonic Politics. By this means, each reader attached to the several parties, may find something suited to his party taste, and political feelings." In three months from this, however, he broke up his neutrality, and came out a thorough Jackson Patriot. Says he, we go for Democratic principles and Jackson, against all combinations."

The history of the press, used in this office, is somewhat remarkable. It was brought to Washington, Pennsylvania, by a Mr. Colerick, prior to the year 1800, from some place on the Atlantic coast. It was removed from Washington, to Wellsburg, Virginia, about the year 1820, by J. P. McArdle. From thence, it was removed to Mount Vernon; thence, to Clinton, and finally, from the latter place to Norwalk, in 1827. Here it became the property of the Messrs. Browns, and by them was

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taken to Sandusky City in 1830; and at length brought to Tiffin, in 1832.

"It must be acknowledged, that this venerable press, in the service of half a century, has earned at least the reputation of a faithful herald of a noisy world.' It has no doubt emblazoned to the world the achievements of many an eminent statesman, and probably chronicled, as they occurred, the stirring events which gave our government its national existence. Commencing its tour of pilgrimage upon the Atlantic coast, it has wound its way to the fancied 'far west.' It is, indeed, a relic of other days. He who would compare, at this day, that sturdy lever with the vast improvements made upon its like, since its first days, would behold one of the most astonishing and remarkable evidences of human skill ever developed in any branch of scientific or mechanical invention.

"If this be the first press (and it doubtless was) that crossed the Alleghanies, it should become the property of the west ; and here be preserved, to attest the improvements made in the ‘art preservative of arts.'"*

After the dissolution of the firm which published the "Seneca Patriot," Mr. Alonzo Rawson purchased the office, and published the "Independent Chronicle." He disposed of the establishment to J. F. Reed, who commenced the "Tiffin Gazette" which was published some time by him, and subsequently by Joseph Howard, who was succeeded by S. A. Griswold, Esq., the latter gentleman discontinuing it in the fall of 1842.

In 1840, a second printing-press was brought to Tiffin by an association, and in July of that year the first number of a paper entitled the "Van Burenite and Seneca County Advertiser," was issued by "H. Cronise and others." This paper was published until the fall of 1841, when it was discontinued.—

* Seneca Advertiser.

In the spring of 1842, the office was purchased by John G. Breslin, who issued the first number of the "Seneca Advertiser" on the 6th of May of the same year. The publication of this paper is still continued by the same proprietor.

"We shall advocate," says the editor, in the first number of this paper, "with a becoming zeal, and dignifiedly in manner, the great Democratic Republican principles, as established and taught by THOMAS JEFFERSON. That ours is a government of specified and limited-not general powers, and ought so to be strictly observed to attain the ends for which it was established -all must admit.

"The few and venerable patriots, who, when our government dated its existence, were upon the bright summit of glory, and have lived till this late day, are willing to exclaim that our system of government has eminently exceeded the most sanguine expectations of those who achieved the glorious victory upon which it was established, and become an object, not only of admiration, but of envy and emulation by all the world.

“It is, therefore, our duty, rendered imperious by the position we occupy as a nation, to preserve for its character as pure and untarnished as the bright and illustrious spirit of liberty which dictated its existence among its framers; and still serve as a beacon-light to the benighted, and a home for the oppressed of mankind, the object for which the blood of our forefathers and heroes—and labor of our sages have been bestowed to obtain.

"In regard to the present federal administration, we unhesitatingly declare, that we will war against it and its measures an unyielding opposition. We would banish from us all prejudice-cast off all party predilection, and admonish the American people to view the awful and deplorable condition of our country, brought about by the short federal predomination of

one year, and ask themselves if this is the 'change' to which they were invited.

"The Democracy, who in trying times have been entreated to rally and rescue our government must appreciate the present as a crisis equally important, and prepare to restore her from the dominion of an unprincipled and reckless political party, who are now plunging her into debt, disgrace, and dishonor, regardless of consequences. We shall endeavor to maintain a courteous, but decided position, in regard to the principles we intend promulgating, and in discussion have a strict observance for the truth of what shall appear in our paper.

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"With these remarks, we throw ourselves upon the support of our friends in the cause of Democracy, and by an honest, fearless and independent course, we hope to merit the support which they shall be pleased to bestow upon us."

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On the 18th of November, 1845, the first number of the Whig Standard," was issued by Geo. L. Wharton, editor.— This paper is still printed at Tiffin. The following is the conclusion of the editor's "Salutatory :”

"We shall enter our protest against the Locofoco party, and labor ardently for the preservation of those principles bequeathed to us by the patriots of the Revolution-the principles of the Whig party-a party whose origin was our country's Revolution, and whose fidelity and patriotism achieved our Independence. Upon this broad platform we shall stand, adhering firmly to liberty, despising anarchy and despotism with an eye single to the interest of our country, feeling assured that, upon the integrity of the Whig party, rests our destiny as a nation." On the 9th day of June, 1832, the Cholera, that fearful scourge of nations, made its appearance in America. It commenced among some newly arrived Irish immigrants in Canada, and proceeded rapidly along the valleys of the St. Lawrence,

Champlain and Hudson, and on the 26th of the same month, several cases occurred in New York. A great proportion of the inhabitants left the place in dismay; but, notwithstanding the reduction of numbers, the ravages of the disease were appalling! It spread with great rapidity throughout the states of New York and Michigan, and along the Ohio and Mississippi to the gulf of Mexico.

From New York, it went along the Atlantic coast, as far as North Carolina, and apparently followed the great routs of travel, both on land and water. It did not, however, make its appearance in this county, until the 19th of August, 1834.— Its ravages were confined entirely to the town of Tiffin, though some died in the country after they had left the place. The first person that fell a victim to this disease, was the wife of John Hubble. During its continuance, sixty-three died, and many more were attacked, but recovered. All that could, left the town, and scattered in various parts of the county. Those with whom it proved fatal, were principally of the poorer class of foreigners. One thing is quite remarkable. During the whole time that it prevailed in this county the wind blew from the north; and as soon as it changed, the fatality ceased!

The most general disease which at present prevails in the county, and indeed ever has, since its first settlement, is bilious fever. This disease makes its appearance periodically, commencing the latter part of summer, and continuing until the close of autumn, prevailing more extensively, and with increased severity, during the month of September. It is more common along the Sandusky and its tributaries than in other sections of the county.*

* A correspondent, speaking of early times, remarks: "It was then quite sicklynone of the comforts of life, such as groceries, or store-goods, were to be had nearer than Sandusky or Huron. Many suffered, and probably died, for the want of proper care.-There was no physician nearer than at Lower Sandusky, (Dr. Brainard,) and I have seen people carrying boards on their backs, two miles through the woods of which coffins were