Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-01-28


Millett had erected for an office was do.
stroyed by fire, and tho property was "A
total loss. In few months the paper
was again issued. Geo. i. Nellen had
learned tho business in tho Democrat OF
foe; but had been engaged in Boston, in
the publication Of the Boston Museum.
for some time. The paper was printed
in the shop of John r. Merrill. and was
n handsome seven column folio. The in
terest of Col. Nillstt WAS purchased by
politicians in Paris, and subsequently by
Mr.. Mcllen, who published the paper un.
Ill 1853, at which time he received the
appointment OF mail agent from Portland
TO Bangor. 1t was then purchased by n
number OF gentlemen, and appeared in
the name or Noah Prince, who owned
one.lilteenth of the paper. 1t was DUR
ing Mr.. Mellen's proprietorship that Geo.
+. Emery. Esq, undertook. as editor. to
correct within the democratic organizs-
ton some Of The pro.slayery and other
sentiments which he then believed began
10 disfigure it's record. With graceful
pen he entered upon the task; but imme.
diately found himself in tho midst of n
bitter personal controversy with various
members of his own party. The contro.
rersy was really Introductory to that
which followed; and the causes which
gave rise TO it. and the measures inyoly-
ed in it,wsro At that time apparently iden.
tical.
During the last year OF Mr.. Mellen'S
ownership the temperance and anti.
slavery sentiment of the County, and e.-
pecially of this State. created much dis.
cussion and threatened division OF the
Democratic party. The crushing out"
letter OF Hon. Caleb Cushing-Prcsidont
Piorce'r Secretary Of State-followed by
Gyo. IIubbard's signature to moro
stringent liquor law, fastened this event.
For these Causes the Oxford Democrat.
now became the nucleus of q rebellion,
rallying TO its standard u host OF support.
ers, ripo for opposition TO what thoy be-
lievcd to be errors of policy and party
organization.
Under the new proprietorship, tho in
side OF the paper (now called bogus by
It's opponents) was under the editorial
charge oil Thomas II. Brown, N. d., IN
able writer. who vigorously sustained
the political conflict against the Norway
Advertiser, then edited by Rev. &. X.
Shaw. who very zealously upheld and
advocated the pro.slavory policy of the
Democratic party. The Democrat was
the first paper in Maine that openly re-
volted and left the party, and fought
alone in the campaign which resulted in
the election OF Hon. Arson p. Morrill, IS
Governor In 1855 the interest of the
shareholders WAS purchased by X. 5.
Stevens and W. A. Pidgin, the paper
appearing in the firm name OF w. \.
Pdgin & Co. In 1856 Mr.. Stevens TO
tired from tho firm. DR.. Brown continu
ed to edit the paper for about three years,
when Hon. John J. Perry became his
successor. rs political editor.--th dulie.
of sllice editor devolving upon Mr.. Pid-
gin, who gave more prominence to local
matters. and organized the system OF
loca! correspondence for which the pa
per has become so well known. In 1867
the paper was purchased by Col. Fred. L
Shaw, who enlarged the paper (Which
had been cut down during the war; to its
original size of 30 by %, and by the aid
of new apparatus put new dress upon
it. The circulation Q,30O at the time of
purchase) was soon increased to 1850.
OXFORD REGISTER.
The publication oil the Oxford Register
was commenced Oct. l, 1869, by NJ. and
0. +. Watson OF Biddeford, under the
firm OF Watson Bros. Geo. X. Shaw,
editor; Samuel Il. Carter. local editor
and business manager. The paper was
printed at the Office of the Maine Demo-
crat. Biddeiord. April 2S, 1871. n print
ing. office was established at Paris Hill,
and the first number was printed here;
the size changed from au eight TO
seven column paper; Mr.. Corter retiring,
and c. NJ. Watson, son OF The senior pro-
pretor, taking his place. Oct. 20, 1871,
Samuel K. Carter purchased the paper OF
Messrs. Watson, and became sole editor
and proprietor.
BETHEL.
Bethel Courier.
This paper was issued at Bethel under
the copartnership Of ID. Cady and +.
Smith. It's first number bears date. Dec.
II, 1858. After the fourth issue, Mr..
Cady sold out his interest to Mr. Smith,
and copartnerh:p was formed by +.
Smith and James Nutting, rs proprietors.
Most of tho editorial matter from its COM
mencoment was written by n. I. True,
though this fact was not generally known
until he was publicly announced as edit.
or, July Is, 1859. At this date. Smith
sold out to Nutting, who was sole pro.
prietor until the 10th number Of Vol. H.,
when, i'll health compelling him to seek
different employment, he sold ont his in
tercst in the paper to j. Alden Smith. A
card, job, and hand-press was now pro-
cured, and the appearance of the paper
much improved. DR.. True continued rs
.litnr until Innn : 1861 uhnn hn rn.