Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1886-02-05
COL. SIM. IL. DONAvIN,
The Man Who Is Giving the Payne
Buodlo Gang Unpleasant Thoughts.

cd snch a rumpus by reproducing the
charges made by Allen o. Myers and GER
tain disappointed Democrats and the Re
publicans, is native of Shippensbnrg. Pa.
lie learned the printing business in that
village and subsequently worked at his
trade at Carlisle, Pa. When lie reached
mans estate lie taught school in Jefferson
county, Virginia, and Tor sometime alter
ward was the editor of the Charlestown,
Virginia (now West Virginia) Free Press
He lived in Chnrlestown at the time of
John Browns raid upon Harper's Ferry,
ten miles distant, saw good deal OF the
JOHN Brown war and was an eye witness
OF his execution. His report of the stir
ring events at Harpers Ferry and Charles
town for the Baltimore Exchange, secured
for him position on The staff OF that pa
per.
During the war Col. Donavin command
ed regiment oil Home Guards for twenty
tour hours, and with his regiment was
"scattered" at Carlisle when General Ew-
ellis forces entered that town in 1868.
This is the only event of a warike char
| acter recorded in Col. Donavins history
except all incident that "might have BEEN
to which Allen o. Myers would have been
a party.
After the war Colonel Donavin removed
with his aged father and mother to Della
ware, Ohio. His versatile disposition led
hlm into politics and he was elected Clerk
of the Senate during the administration oi
Gov. William Allen. Some years after he
returned TO Baltimore, and WAS again en-
ploycd on the Exchange. and then went 10
New York where lie was on the staff OF the
New York World under the management
Of Mr.. Hurlburt.
When Polk was door-keeper Of the Ma
tional House Of Representatives he made
Donavin his assistant, but he soon resign
ed his place, as lie said, because he would
not be corrupted. He then became mana.
ger of the Baltimore Evening Bulletin
He disposed of that paper in 1880 and re-
turned to Ohio.
For long time lie had his eye upon th,
Columbus Times, which he believed ht
could make great and profitable centra
organ OF the Democracy of the State
While waiting for an opportunity TO get {
hold on the Times he connected himsel
with the Tennessenns, n colored concer
troupe, managed by his brother John.
In 1884 the Times passed out Of til,
hands of Mr.. John G. Thompson and wal
sold. Col. D!onavin purchased the paper
formed company and took charge of il
in March of that year, two months after
Mr.. Payne was elected Senator. The
Times had advocated the interests OF Mr.
Pendleon very warmly, and burned tive
bridges behind it," Col. Donavin belongs
to the Mossback wing of the Democracy
and the Times was run in that line under
Donavin's Administrations. The paper was
not n success largely because the friends oi
l-Mr. Payne who had been estranged from
it never returned to it's support. II was
badly managed financially, and in six
months the Colonel WAS obliged to "skin''
around among his friends for money. He
morlgaged the paper TO raise money TO
keep il running and finally had to give it
up and let it go. His troubles drove him
to an old habit and those who had known
him for many years were panied TO zee
the change. But he never lost heart. lie
is man of The most sanguine tempera-
ment, ard in the midst of his deepest
trouble will hold up his head and respond
to the greeting of friends with, 81 never
felt better in my life." Since his mis.or-
tune in losing his newspaper, he has drift
ed back tnd forth between Columbus and
Washington, and during the campaign
last fall took most active part in be half
Of Gov. Hoadly and the Democratic ticket.
He was candidate for nomination for
Senator from the Delaware -Muskingum
district and was barely defeated last fall.
He Ia very popular in his district and has
rarely failed TO accomplish any political
endS to he attained at his immediate home
In 1854 he was selected delegate to
the Chicago National Democratic Con-
venton. There he labored faithfully for
his old friend Allen G. Thurman, and was
at one time very hopeful that the old Ro
man would be nominated. He supported
Cleveland maniully in the Times. Dur
ing the campaign Allen o. Myers made
HIM target of abuse IN the Cincinnati
Enquirer. Donavin sqnelched Myers IN
an eight line editorial In the Times, and
Myers has never used his name since in his
correspondence.
1t has been said that Col. Donavin want
ed the place OF postmaster ut Delaw are,
and that his particular grievance against
Senator Payne was the appointment of nn-
other. The truth ia Col. D1nayin did moi
want the place, Lut was using hia influence
in favor Of Mr.. Newcomer, editor of the
Delaware Herald, who did not get 1t. He
was also great friend OF Editor McGregor
OF the C,ntOD Democrat, who also failed 10
obtain the pOstmast ership that he desired
at Canton. IL was Donavin's disapponl-
ment IN the defeat of his friends that ang--
cred him toward Mr.. Payne, and not n
personal grieyar CO. There ia no more
kindly or big-hearied man in the
1 world than Colonel Dnnavn when he
is himseli His one falling transforms
him. IL was in his transformed state that
Gen. Boyhiun, Of the Commercial Gazette,
found him, and he was induced To write
| what IN Ina sober moments he never wunld
have written.
Among his warmeai friends are some Of
the men whose character he has attacked,
and this makes his conduct the more to he
deplored, for the wrong lie has done them
cannot be easily repaired. What is print
ed against an innocent man will be remem-
hered long after words spoken have been
forgotten.
Colonel DoDayin Is bachelor of 80,
I'ortly Gsure, full face rudy compile zion,
large head covered with suit "a hair NJ
white Ms a shock Of ripe wheat. His full
mouslache Ia black and his nndimmed
eyes beam kindly upon everyone he meets.
Ills molher, grand old lady of SO years.
!, still living at Delaware.