The Portland daily press., 1884-01-09
Journali.m in oxford Csun.y.

journalism in Oxford County.
The semi-centennial anniversary Of the
founding of the Oxford Democrat Is made the
occasion for the publication of detailed his
tory Of that paper and sketch OF the prouni-
nent historical features Of journalism 10 Maine
from the pen of DR.. Lapham of Augusta. The
first newspaper ever published in Maine was
started in Falmouth, now Portland, by Thoua-
as B. Wait in 17S5. 1t was weekly, and was
called the Falmouth Gazette and Weekly Ad-
vertiser. The first semi-weekly was started In
Portland by John K. Baker, bui died after
brief existence. The Daily Advertiser was
first published in 1901. In 1903 the Weekly
Argus was started, and in 1895 the Daily Ar
gus OF eighty newspapers started In Maine
prior to and including the year 1888, only the
Portland Advertiser. Eastern Argus Eastport
Sentinel, Christian Mirror, lions Advocate,
Kennebec Journal, Maine Farmer and Belfast
Journal still exist.
The first paper established in Oxford County
was the North Star. 1t appeared at Fryeburg
in 1898, and its publisher was Elijah Russell Of
that town. The paper also went BY the name
Of Russell's Echo, title that indicates that
the days of impersonal journalism had not
then arrived. The size of the paper was IS by
"a inches, about half the size of the Daily
Press of to-day, and its subscription price vas
$l.50 per year. 1t lived less than one yesr.
No attempt at journalism was again made in
the county until 1924, when Asa Barton issued
the first number of the Oxford Observer at
Paris Hill. Mr., Barton, Decides Publishing
the paper, kept what he called the "Oxford
County bookstore After two years the pspsr
was removed to Norway, where its publication
was continued. In 1928 William P. Phelps
became associated with Mr.. Barton, and the
next year Barton sold his interest to William
E. Goodenow, and year latsr the paper passed
entirely into Mr.. Goodenow's hands, and It's
name was changed to "The Politician" and
William A. Evans became its editor The
Politician espoused the cause OF the Wings and
its publication was continued by Mr.. Goode.
now until 1885, when it was sold to the Hon.
Horatio King and consolidated with the JET
fersonian," which had been started at Paris In
1928 by Mr.. King and Hannibal Hamlin. Az
ter the papers were consolidated Mr.. Hamiin
retired and moved to Hampden, where he be-
gan the practice OF the law, and Mr.. King took
tinued to publish 1t for seven years, when IL
was discontinued.
After selling out his interest in the Observer
Mr.. Barton began the publication Of small
family paper called "The Village Spy" at Nor
- but it perished after a very brief exist
snce. IN .Gss fcSslMV NJ Goodenow, who was thsn
publishing "The Politician, !" andsi andsiSsk :Ss also
~ lIa1
nal of the Times" but three months expert
ence was sufficient to convince him of the un-
profssblsness Of the venture.
In jane 1885 Mr.. Barton, whose repeated
failures had not cured him of the Newspaper
mania, started the Oxford Oracle at Norway.
He issued seven numbers and then sold out to
George W. Millett of Norway ard Octavius
Kipgof Paris. They moved the paper to Paris
Hill, and on the Goth day OF August, 1888,
issued the first number OF the Oxford
Democrat. The name was descriptive Of the
politics Of the paper. Mr.. joseph G. Cole, BIZ
profession lawyer, became It's political sdi-
tor. Mr.. Cole conducted the paper for seven
years when he retired aud Col. Millett, one Of
the publishers, became editor. The election of
Harrison in 1910 proved serious blow to tho
proprietor Of the Democrat, and 1t apparently
required six months of rest for him to recover,
as no paper appeared from Oct. q, 1910, the
week before the Presidential election, until
May IL, 1841. Meanwhile Tyler had become
President By the death of Harrison and had be-
trayed the Whig party and virtually gone over
to the Democrats, and this fact seems to have
had very inspiriting effect upon the proprie-
tor of the Democrat. In 1S47 ths paper vas
enlarged and improved in many respects. Two
years later it was burned out, and for a few
months its publication was suspended in oonse-
quence. Iu February, 1850, 1t appeared again
in brand new suit, and among its announce
ments was one of the addition Of "Mr Geo.
L. Mellen, lately of the Boston Weekly Muse
um, to the editorial staff Oct 25, 1850, Mr. MIL
lett sold out to Mr.. Mellen, who with Gen. VIM.
K. Kimball, clerk of the courts, 8. d. Hutch
inson, register of deeds, and Nathan M. Marble
continued the publication OF the papsr. Janua-
ry 2, 1852, it was announced that Mr.. Mellen
bad become sole proprietor and Mr.. George f.
Emery editor. Mr.. Emery retired after lit
tie over year of service and was succeeded by
DR.. Thomas 81. Brown. Under DIR. Brown the
paper heartily supported Gov. Hubbard and
the Maine liquor law. In. 1858 the paper was
sold to Hon. Noah Prince Of Buckfield and
supported the nomination of Anson P. Morrill,
for governor against Albert Pillsbury, the reg
u'ar Democratic candidate. Mr. Pfinos pub
lished the paper until 1855 when 1t was sold to
Rufus S. Stevens and VIM. Pidgin. the firm
name being w. A. Pidgin & Co. DR.. Brown
continued to act as political editor and Mr..
Mellen, who had formerly owned the paper,
became local editor. An agricultural depart
ment was added under the management OF Da-
RUS Forbes. This department was discontinued
In 1859. In 1886 Darius Forbes appeared az
proprietor with John j. Perry as political edi-
tor. There was, however, no real change
in the management, and in 1857
William A. Pidgin & 90. again sp-
pear as publishers. Mr.. PidRin had them,
however, become sole owner. He continued
to publish the paper with John j. Perry as
editor until Nov Is, 1857, when 1t wss sold to
Col. Fred E. Shaw, who became editor as well
as proprietor In 1874 Mr. Shaw sold third
interest to George II. Watkins, who had been
foreman 10 the Office and later in the wear the
whole core rn passed into Mr.. wakinss
hands. DR.. Thomas H. Brown again became
political editor and continued tn,il 1878. when
Mr.. Watkins assumed the editor snip which be
holds to-day.