Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-12-14
TC0PrRIGHT sECURED-l
CLEARFIELD COUNTY:
OR, "REMINISCENCES OF THE PAST

Or "REMINISCENCES OF THE PAST.
In 1927, the building which has been re-
modelled and is now occupied by L. ]. Grams,
Esq, as his office, was used by Christopher
Kratzer and George S. Irwin as a printing Of
fee. At this period they commenced the pub
LEGATION OF a county paper named the PeRnsyl-
ra1iq Banner The establishment was SMALL
but it was in that day quite an undertaking to
start paper in this neck of woods. The type
we're procured in Pittsburg a screw for the
press was manufactured in Philipsburg, and
The framework of the press was made by Mr.
krstzer ont OF maple tree which he cut in
the neighboring forest. The paper was Dem
ocratic in its proclivities and compared favor
ably with its cOtemporaries in point of matter
and mechanical execution. Mr.. kratzer only
remained in connection with the office a few
months, and then sold his in uterest to his part
uer. We are not aware that during this time
he derived much reputation an editor, but
know that since then in his public and private
relations he has earned the name Of consci-
eHtious and upright officer, good citizen,
and honest and worthy man. The estab-
lishment soon passed into the hands of Thom-
IS Moore and S. Townsend Shugart, the latter
Icing now first assistant in the Patent Office,
" asiiington city, post which he has held for
many years and where, in the discharge of his
duties, his promptness and his urbanity have
gained him many friends. In the fall of 1880
Joseph ". Martin, an Attorney at Law who re-
moved here from Milton, Pa, became the edi-
tor and publisher. Whilst the paper was con-
ducted by Mr. Martin it was warm in its adyo-
cacy of a National Bank, high Tariff, and
the favorite measures of the Whig party. Mr..
Martin was not a practical printer. He engag-
ed William l.. Moore, of Centre county, TO
come out here in 1881, and take charge of the
office. Mr. Moore published the paper until
November 1881, entered into partnership with
Matthew Brown, and they became the propre-
tors and editors. Brown was at this time en-
gagged in the Mercantile business in Clearfeld.
He was citizen of Lycoming county, had
acted as Treasurer there, and then removed 10
this county. When he reached here he had
with him six-horse load of goods, which he
unpacked and commenced selling in room
in an old building where the Mansion House
now stands. He had little business tact, was
close and pcnurious-Oit, through economy,
going barefootcd even when on journey. He
would sometimes say to his customers, eyes |
have the article-the price is so much-if you
intend to buy will show it to you.'' His
goods were seldom marked at less than one per
cent, (Archy Campbeil;s per centage of course)
and when other stores were established and
we're out of goods his would sell. He left
here some years ago. The Pennsylvania Ban
Her whilst owned by Moore & Brown professed
to be Neutral in politics, and published for Ell
ther party such articles as they desired. But
whilst protesting neutrality, many political ar
ticlcs appeared. Moore was a Democrat and
Brown Whig. Each editor wrote or selected
such articles as he pleased for publication,and
when of political tendency, signed them Jul
rfor or Senior editor. The Democratic party
was in the ascendancy in the county The
members were not satisfied with paper which
protesting neutrality only contained articles
which neutraliZed each other, and desired the
publication of a sheet which should be the or
gan of the party. With this object IN vie"
the ClearfeId Democrat was established aoout
I83i-William Bigler being the editor and
publisher. split in the Democratic party,
and change in the management OF the Ban
ner. made the rival papers organs of the differ
ent wings of the Democratic party. In the
triangular fight for Governor, the democrat
supported Henry a. Muhlenberg ana the Ban
ner George Wolf. Mr.. Brown had sofa MS ih'
terest in the Banner to Levi L. Tate CITIZEN
of this county. now editor Of the Columbia
Democrat, and the paper was then enlarged
and published under the name of the Pioneer
and Banner. The Gubernatorial contest was
conducted with much warmth in the county.
1t was characterized by personal abuse and vi
tuperation and engendered much bad hiood
aud hostile feeling. One cause of the inter-
nal strife was, that Thomas Hemphill, who had
been selected as delegate to the convention
through the nstrumentality of the friends oi
Governor Wolf in Centre and Clearheld coun-