Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-08-13
SIMPLE ANNALS OF FUDGETOWN.
BY CHIPS.
CHAPTER VI.
THE FUDGETOWN MOUNTAINEER.

We have done with the rise and progress of
music in Fudgetown, and, perhaps, many of our
readers are glad Of it. We shall now endeavor
to give history Of the press from the impor-
tant epoch of its establishment in Fudgetown
up to the present writing.
The original press first set In motion In Fudge
town was second hand Ran,age worked by
hand power, the form being linked with huge
balls, which the pressman, with every impress
ion, would roll or wriggle on an nk-board, strike
together, and then distribute over the FORM
This done, the sheet would be placed on the
tynpan, turned upon the form, and with one
or two lusty pulls the work would be DONE
Rather slow process when compared with the
quick-working machines of the present day.
The enterprizing young man who established
the Moatntaaneer understood his business, so far
as setting Of type, locking up the form and
working the machine was concerned, but he
was wofully deficient in the qualifications of an
editor-an office which he voted himself more
for economy s sake than for the desire Of being
considered Rte1ateMr. He had been promised
the county printing by the sheriff, and the judge
and clerk of the court had persuaded him that
something might be made out of the court doc
uments that were to be printed. His force con-
sisted Of himself, an apprentice and negro
''devil;" he dividing his time between the
GULL pUOluS- duO IuC CultOlldA NuAAA'
The first creak of press in a comparative
wilderness! 1t was strange music to the deni-
zens of the hills and Valleys they focked from
all parts OF the country to see the "crltter,
and learn something Of the ''art preservatiye OF
all arts. 1t was strange to hear the OLD Ram
age groan, to hear the grinning sdeviI' sing,
while he beat in proper rhythm as he dlstrlbu-
the ink from ball to ball and then over the
type The people gaped with eyes wide open
as the sheets were cast off and the process OF
setting type was looked upon as Satanic IN
vention
Laws marcy!' exclaimed an old lady,
placing her spectacles firmly on the ridge OF her
nose, and watching the compositor as he filled
spoke to the busy world, who'd thought
it? Sixty years have lived in these parts, and
l never see d the like afore. How In the name
Of wonder does the man know which to pick
up? And, vow he's putting them into that
thing um backwards l never expected to I'VE
to see sich carvings on-the world is certainly
coming to an eend -
The first number of the newspaper was issued !;
the people received it with great exultatlon,
and read it over and over in order that the con-
tents might be well digested. Fudgetown be,
came great city-in perspective the small
river that meandered past it swelled until 1t RI
soiiou .mo MdleStlc n4loslssippl- AZ" A"A'o
and skiffs that foated upon its waters became
immense steamers, and ample factories, worked
by exhaustless water power sprung up in every
direction
The salutatory of the editor to his ''enlight-
ened patrons foreshadowed many brilliant
changes and the good people swallowed every
word that was printed. They accordingly raised
the price of building lots, began to talk of con-
structing market-house OF brick and planting
a number of pumps in various, localities. The
town council met in serious deliberation on the
propriety of paving the streets and applying to
the Legislature for city charter:
We have file of the original Mountaaneer
before us, and will crafty the reader with few
extracts. The following is portion OF the sa-
lutatory which created such an excitement
among the populace:
'Already we see mighty city looming up
before our mind S eye. Ships are at anchor In
it's ample harbor, (Eudgetown has no harbor at
present, but with proper energy on the part OF
the people, one may be constructed the pro-
ducts of all quarters of the globe are emptied
into our lap-the wharves are crowded with
merchandise, (wharves are built on piles run
ming into the water, and are used to unload YES
sells with facility. The mighty deep gives up
its treasures foreign potentates acknowledge
our industry and enterprise, and we become a
community TO U6 CuflOus w hOoA CAC 1dIlS
of the shuttle-the hum of the steam engine
the roar Of the forge and the clatter of the mill
Rows of warehouses and princely palaces, fill
up up the glorious vision-while thronged streets
and busy artizans add to the pleasant prospect.
| All this we foresee if the enlightened citizens
of Fudeetown extend their patronage to the
Mountaineer and advertise freely. No better
indication of the prosperity ofa place can be
had than the prosperity OF the press-and nc
better evidence Of thriving T II business can be
made than run "a go cGumns
| port in our arduous undertaking-eand you may
| ook to us for support in yours Come forwarc
hen like men and swell our list
The following extracts from subsequent mum
bers of the flaming weekly will show the tact o
the editor, who, being aware that the conducto
| of a public journal should know everything-o
pretend to, kept an Encyolopedia on hand s.
as to be ready for reply to his inquisitive cor
respondents.