Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-02-05
HUNTINGTON PAPERS.
Their Ups and Downs Under Many
Proprietors.
AN EDITOR WHO Is A REPUBLICAN
But Has Goodly Number or Old Scores to
10 Wipe 0ut-Beauty and Rich
ness of Section Of Which
Little is Known.
Special 10 the Register.

HUNTINGTON, w. Va, February 4.-The
progress of this, the best advertised city
in America, is indeed surprising. The ele-
ments Of progress must be here in the city,
as the surrounding country does not seem
to be able to contribute much to the growth
and progress Of the place. One think re-
msrkable, is where the FIVE weekly news.
papers and two monthiies published here
draw their support from. The surround
ing country is not reading one, and over
in Ohio they have no use for West Vir.
ginia paper, lis their idea of the matter,
hence, the principle support is from the
citizens OF Huntington, which by the way
speaks well for the intelligence Of the city.
Your correspondent fell in with one who
happened 10 be we'll posted in the history
Of Huntington's journalism, and a brief
review OF the same may be Of interest to
the REGISTER readers, as it will recall some
interesting episodes in the history OF the
city and other localities. In February,
1874, the only Democratic paper in the
town and edited by w. +. Wallace, was
purchased by John t. Gibson, Esq, and
named the Commercial. In politics the
paper was Independent Republican, aud
under Mr.. Gibson's management became
quite popular, as it dealt fairly with all
questions of public interest, and
Defended the Right ON all Occasions.
By this course Mr.. Gibson numbers
amongst his warmest friends to-day many
Of the Democrats OF Cabell an1 adjoining
counties. The Commercial has the largest
circulation and is the brightest and most
spicy paper published in the city. Owing
10 i'll health Mr.. Gibson retired from the
editorial chair in August, 1883, and the
paper passed under the control OF his son,
W. A. Gibson, who is a chip of the old
block, and the Commercial is still up 10
the former andard. II the senior Gi1sons
health will permit, he will probably enter
the field of journalism during the ap
preaching Presidential campaign, and
WELD his trenchant pen in the cause of
RepubliCsnism, and besides this he hiss
sone old scores 10 settle mp and before the
campaign is ended you may expect 20 see
the fur fly occasionally.
During the same year, lN14, the Demo
Gratis purchased the Independent, a neutral
papertpublishs by DR.. G. q. Chase, aud At
the masthead flung to the breeze the ban
ner of Democracy. Under the manage
ment OF John J. Gilbert, Esq, as editor,
the Advertiser, as it was christened, prom.
ised to become the popular organ OF the
party but unfortunately for Mr.. Gilbert,
he tecame involved in
Sensational Scandal.
in which be and Mrs. Calhoun, wife Of the
then superintendent of the q. & o. Rail.
way, at Huntington, were the principals,
and the steamer Bostona the scene OF the
feeling in the matter, Mr.. Gilbert was
forced to ttire from the Advertiser and
left the State. He was succeeded by Major
w. S. DOwner, who it will be remembered
was in command Of the United States Ar.
mory at Harpers Ferry at the time OF toe
lSSIbJRidiEo lISbR REoyR rphidt cid Iaafsy. ih0fb umaRts
;Downer passed to the reward 81 well spent
life. After the death OF the lanented
Downer, the paper passed into the hands
of the present talented editor Of the Mich.
olas Chronicle, Howard Templeton, and
AT. Burnett, the celebrated detective oil
Cha rleston, as joint editors and publishers.
In lS7S Templeton K Burnett sold the paper
to Hon. +. A. Bennett, well and fayoraoly
known as a former efficient and popular
Auditor OF State. The banner OF Democ'
rscy still floats from the mast head OF the
Advertiser.
In 1882 the Republican was started by
Mr.. J. J. Peterson and is the exponent OF
Stalwart Republicanism. During the same
wear the Democrats started another paper
called the News, which was conducted one
wear by Messrs. Shumate & Lacy, when
they sold out to Mr.. Wesley Peyton, who
is at present editor and publisher. One In
event in this sketch OF liuhtng'
ton journalism was overlooked In lhe order
of lis occurrence, and that was the resusci'
tation in 1876 Of the old Argus, by w. +.
Wallace, the former editor and publisher,
when IL became the organ OF an extreme
coterie in the Republican party, whose OBJ
ipct was to oust John T. Gibson, OF the
Commercial, from the Huntington post
office, and in which
II wouId Have Failed
! = :: -; been for the personal interfer.
Archie Campbell Of the Wheeling
.rucer. The public may wonder
v bat the Intelligencer had 10 do with the
Huntington post office, but there Is no
doubt but Cam pbell made il his business
10 interview the then President, Garfield.
snd in the largusge OF ex Governor Foster OF
Ohio on ths at occasion, "Ginsou's goose was
cooked" After the removal OF Gibson
without cause, the Argus assumed neu-
trail position which It has .ince maintained.
The above isa brief, outline OF the history
Of the rise and progtess OF the 1--we weekly
papers OF Huntington. The two month.
lies noted are, the Methodist, edited by
Presiding Elder Prickftt, Of the VI. 4.
Church, and the Odd Fellows Advocate, by
Geo. A. Flooding. Both journals are we'll
edittdi ard thoroughly sl,ve to the inter
ests of the causes which they represent.
Slv.ra! attempts have been msde to es.
,sblish daily, one or two Of which h1ur-
isbed for a se0son, end then, like Jonah's
courd, ~ithered away. When Hluiineton
can boast Of frw ttnusard more poPGia.
ton, then q good daily Will iiourish sld
live.