The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1877-03-03
Saturday. March 8. ls77.
NEWSPAPERS AND NEWSPAPER
MEN IN ROCK ISLAND
COUNTY.
BY J. B, DAEFoRTR, JR.

NO. a..
THE NORTHWESTERN ADvERTIsER.-lo45.
In the summer of lS45 there was a
good deal of talk among the Wings in re-
gard to starting Wing newspaper. The
only paper then 10 Rock Island was Dem
ocratic in politics and the Wings being in
a majority feared for their ultimate supre-
macy unless they had an organ Various pro-
jects were considered, and while being talk
ed over the Rev p Horatio Gatchell, former
ly Of Cincinnati, but who had then been here
about year as a Campbellite preacher,
together with young Miles Conway, con-
cluded to start an independent paper, and
was announced in the Upper MiSStSsip-
plan and Rock Island Republican, in its
issue of September IS, lS45, as follows:
THE INDEPENDENT REPUBLICAN
This is the title OF a newspaper about to be COM
menced In this place, by DOct. Horatio p Gatchell
aud Mr.. Miles W. Conway, Jr. The former is
talented preacher Of the Disciples denomination,
usually called Campbellttee, and the latter young
gentleman OF ability and character,
The prospectus indicates that the paper will be
entirely independent Of the consideration and dis
cussiOu Of political views, but does not give the
political views OF either gentleman.
We infer that the paper will be open to the dis
eussion pro and con- Of political subjects.
We sorry that the publishers have nCtI Sc
lected some other name than Republican, "thst be-
ing part Of title--but successful the art pre-
SENTATIVE OF all arts
This reused the Wing office to
action. A fearlessly Independent pager
was not what they wanted, and in the next
issue Of the Mssissippidn, October 2,
lS45i the following appeared;
ANOTHER NEW PAPER.
We made mention, In our last of a new paper
about 10 DC started In this place, under the super
attendance of DR.. Gatchell, which we understand.
from the prospectus, IL TO be independent" in poll
uCH. Since then, we have learned, from pretty
good authority, that a gentleman OF our town has
In contemplation the establishment Of Wing
journal, 20 be commenced this fall or early the
coming spring. From the gentleman's long resi-
dence among US, and from his well known attain
ments as practical printer, we have no doubt he
Will meet a generous patronage, not only from the
Wings as party, but from the public generally.
No files Of the paper can be found, but
in the AississiDpian of Nov. l3, lS45, was
an editorial beginning as follows:
Sanders, Of the Davenport gazette says that the
NorH'rssirrH AdUerttser IT," etc. etc.
1t is evident from these extracts, that
the paper was started on its voyage some
time between Oct. 2 and Nov. Is, 1916
probably about the LIST of November, 1S45,
aud that some sort Of a modification of
the original intention of Gatchell and Con-
way had taken place, by which the paper
was to be high toned, uuexceptiouablt
Wing paper
have made good deal of effort to fine
the whereabouts of DIR. Gatchell, hopinl
thus to ind the original files of the paper
and to learn some facts from him con
nected with its beginning, but have moi
been able to get track of him. Judge
Wilkinson met him in Chicago year oil
two ago, but neglected to preserve his
address.
1t is stated, by old citizens, that he cam,
here from Cincinnati, about l843 or 1914
as a Campbellite preacher; that he hat
been educated as a physician, and wa
generally called 'Dr" Gatchell; that h
was about 30 or 50 years of age at tina
time, and that he used to preach to yer,
large audiences in the court house. HI
did not think the cause he advocated will
so much zeal, eloquence and ability woulc
be best subserved by organizing his pecu
culiar sect into society, but that he coulC
do more good by being a sort of world
preacher; that he used to draw large
from all denominations, and that b
preached religion and not sectarlansn
while he remained here, always drawin
large audiences. He had formerly reside,
at New Harmony, Indiana, near the Rob
ert Dale Owen enthusiasts, and took grea
delight in combating their peculiar thee
ries especially was he eloquent and con
vincing when combating infdel theories
After being here year or so he went t.
Dubuque and bought a press and type an
landed it on our levee. Mr.. JohI
Thompson, now living, was then the on
drayman in town and he remembers o
hauling the material from the boat landing
10 n small frame building on Miles Con
ways lot where Conway had a house AM
kept the post office. This was on the ives
side OF Beaver street, corner of Mississippi
street.-the lot west Of M, Negus's ole
place and where Judge Lynde..resided pre-
vious to building his present residence
The beginning Of the Northwesteran Ad
Uertiser was there.
On the 18th of Nov. 1S45, Miles w
Conway, Jr., died. He was popular
talented and very promising youg man
His death was a great Encouragement t.
DIR. Gatchell. He had just started hi,
paper and counted much on the aid of THU
excellent young man. 1t did not prove
success under his management; it was toC
scholarly for the times it gave too LITTLE
attention to political and local matters, ant
he soon sold the establishment.
DR., Gatchell is spoken of by all as
man of remarkable talent; pleasant II
manner; social and genial with all
and favorite with his associates. He La
many warm admirers yet living here.
In an article published by me som
years ago it was stated that DIR. Gatchel
rendered efficient service in his paper i
terreting out and bringing to punishment
the murderers of Col. Davenport, bu
this was an error, for his paper was NO
then in existence. The murder was com
mitted on the 4th of July l845, and tn
murderers were caught and tried an
hung before his paper was started. Thei