Brookville American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1858-1861, 1858-04-16

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seen old KY Rodgers you've seen tn
elephant, and not till then.
For the Brookville American.
History Of Printing in Brookville.
| FnoM 1920 TO 1925.
Some time in the year 1929, Morris 4
Scott, sold out their establishment I,
g. w. & ID. w. Hutchen. We omitte,
to state Morris & Scott changed tn,
name of the paper from Plain Dealer
TO Brookville Inquirer, sometime be
tween 1917 and 1920. The Hutoheni
lwsre both practical printers, but nj tha
iday, but little celebrated 40 editors. -
Since then, however, O. w. Hutcher
has earned name as vigorous writer
while his character has improved bu,
little for stability. In ono thing at leas,
Charley has always been reliable, M
one ever doubted his Democracy. II,
was q natural member of tha. party
and has done much service for his mas
ter. But be has been but poorly paid
for his devotion. In fact there was nc
need Of paying him. He would keep in
the traces without any such influences
Wore we commissioned To select true
specimen Of Democracy Of the present
day, 70 send abroad for exhibition, c.
w. Hutchen, is the man we should 80.
lect. In saying this, We hope our rea.
ders will not understand us M saying
anything derogatory TO his character.
or many years we have thought that
the leaders Of Democracy were not hon.
est in their professions or practice
But Charles w. Hutchen was not OF the
Bright, Willard, Robinson or Jim Lane
class Of politicians. Whilst they fight
sololy for plunder and for themselves,
hc fought valiantly because il was the
natural bent Of his soul. He never
looked for higher reward, than TO
hear those shout, for whom he labored.
We never thought he had any corrupt
motives in his Jealous support Of the
worst men. IL was sort Of an instinct
that led him that way-a fatality he
could not resist. Privately he had
many good traits Of character. IL he
did not pay his debts, it was offset on
the ground that he had as many claims
on others unpaid.
Of his partner, d. w. Hutchen, we
have nothing to say.
We were a constant reader Of their
paper all Of the time it was published
by them. Its columns were made in
teresting by articles from the pens of
Col. John L. MKinney, VIM. r. Morris,
then law student, now Of Cincinnati,
Rev. Augustus Jocelyn, Gen. James
Noble, &c. The paper at that day had
a large field for circulation. In north
west direction it had no com petitors.-
There was paper at this time at Vim
Gems, called the Sun, and edited by
Elihu Stout. There wero some papers
in the southern part of the State, but
none north of Brookville and Vincen-
nes. What subject for thought -
How haa the tide swept westward |
we nave before us the "BrookvilIe
Inquirer" Of October IS, 1923, "Publish-
ed by Robt. John & Co., publishers of
the laws of the United States, vol V.
No. 90. From this it would appear as
If it was not published continuously, as
volI. No. 2l was dated March 25th,
18l7-six years and seven months
while the volume and numbsr shows
only five years and two weeks. Part
of this may be attributed to the usual
excuses of country papers-"out of pa
per''-"wife sick"-"Publisher on a
spree" But the paper must have been
suspended for some time in the years
1878 or 1919, as we have no recollection
of its suspension in 1920 '2l or %.
The paper in no place informs us who
Mr.. Johns partner was. But we are
not astonished that Mr.. Johns name
was only given to the public. Newton
Hannah was his partner. His charac.
ter was not such as to give character or
dignity to the Press. He did not con
tinue connected with the Inquirer, but
a short time, for the Presidential elec-
ton of 1924 was very exciting, and MIR.
John and Mr.. Hannah differing in their
preferences, il soon brought about a dis
solution by "mutual consent" Shortly
after their dissolution Mr.. Hannah left
Indiana and went south, where 1t is
said he died suddenly in avery elevated
position.
But the Inquirer never gave Mr..
John full credit for his talent and indus
try. from the fact that his duties were
so various at the time that he could
give it but little attention. He was
keepiug tavern, sheriff OF the county,
and we believe Justice Of the Peace.
For noar 40 years Nv. John was an
active business man in Franklin county,
and held the most responsible offices,
during which time he had various rever.
ses in his private affairs, still we never
heard a whisper against his industry,
fidelity, honesty or integrity. Amidst
political contests, no one was 80 viie as
TO cast suspicion upon his character'
Ho Is the only man we ever knew VINO
had so much TO do with public affairs,
who conducted himself 80 circumspect-
Iv as 10 still the tongue Of the SANDER
ar. Every impulse Of his heart was
honest. Neither friend or foe could
propose a scheme TO him whore the hon.
estv Of IL was the least doubtful, but
would receive from him plain reouke
In poltics he would not succeed unless
IL was done on tho fairest principies.-
In private he was equally as scrupuiou'
to the principles OF right.
Our first interview with him gave u,
a favorable opinion Of the man. And
long years Of the most Intimate acquaIn
tance has only confirmed our first Inn
pressions. II was when we werc boy
twelvo yoars old, we were subpoened al
witness 70 testify before him, Th'