Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-19


As we hope to live for centuries 70
come we may bo considered IN our
youth a hardy and vigorous youth
which looks back with pleasure upon the
DAYS of infancy, and from which, we
trust. We have derived experience and
strength enough to enable us TO make
the best use OF the years that may DO
hereafter vouchsaied MS.
We shall not admit that We are old
until we have done growing; until we
find that there are no more improve
ments we can make no more news We
can reach no moro subscribers we can
serve. and no more duties to the public
we can perform. When that time comes
we shall be content TO be boxed up and
hauled away to that capacious but undis-
coverable receptacle which holds the re-
mains Of so many deceased newspaper
enterprises
In October, 1850, Mr.. JAMES A. CO.
wARDrN and Mr.. W. II. DAVIS, both
practical printers experienced IN the
newspaper business. formed co-partner-
ship with the determination TO publish
newspaper. There were at that time
four dailies here-viz., the Wing,
the Republican, the Times, and the
Enquirer, while tho Examiner was
a widely-circulated semi-weeklY. In the
opinion Of the projectors of the Dis
patch none OF these quite met the com
munity's want, and they resolved to
print a sheet which would represent
their idea of progressive journalism.
At that date Richmond WAS a city OF
$1,000 inhabitants. The railroad bust
ness was in its infancy and the interior
OF Virgins, or rather great part OF 1t,
was reached only by stage and horse
mails. There was great difficulty III
getting intelligence and not few obsta-
cles 10 the circulation OF it. Most OF the
existing dailies were engaged in the dis
cussion OF political questions and were
moro or less organs Of party, and while
they employed able editors and made
room in their columns for long commu-
nications, they had hardly begun TO
realize the value of reporters and tele-
graphic correspondents
1t is fact which any one who searches
through old Richmond newspaper files
may verify for himself, that before
and up 10 the time OF which we speak
some OF the most momentous events IN
the history Of Virginia, occurring right
here in the capital, we're scarcely noticed
in the city papers. An item that would
produce a page OF readable matter now
was dismissed in few lines then. But
Congress and the General Assembly
were well reported political conven-
tions national. State, city, and county
had all the attention they deserved, ano
more, really, while liberal extracts were
made from foreign exchanges weeks old
The chief fault seemed to be that
the editors did not enter into sympathy
with the everyday life OF the people.
The Dispatoh undertook to cultivate this
new field. While it never ignored poll
tics it proceeded TO make a speciality o
Richmond and Virginia news, and rs The
telegraphic service extended its tele
graphic news column grew in length anC
Importance. The aim was to give to thu
public a clean, compact daily, with thu
best local and teegrsphic news, en-,
calm and conservative editorials on al
topics that required discussion.
Mr.. HuaH K. PLRAsASrs was the frs
editor. The office OF the paper Wa
established on Governor street in
small framed house in rear OF tn
lot on which now stands the buildin
used by the Western Union Telegrap
Company. The first edition was min
hundred copies For months sncces
seemed doubtful The people wer
welded to their old papers The nav
conner had fair circulation, but got lit
tie advertising patronage. MIR. DAU
coon gave up in despair, but Nh. o.
wARDE resolutely continued. la fe'
years complete success crowned the ne
venture. IL became the great city pspe
and rapidly extended its circulation
the country.
The war came on. Great armies o
sembled about Richmond The Di
patch became the soldiers favorite az
Its circulation grew to such proportion
that the presses often ran until II and
o'clock in the day. while soldiers blookC
the sidewalks and impatiently waited /,
copies to take 10 the camps
A chapter of the DispatcRs wa
history could be easily written al
would be very interesting, but this
not the place for it. The problem "
20 get men to make up the necessa
q force, the paper TO print upon, a
y types and presses 20 supply those wo
out in constant service. The firm h
now become CowARDw & HAMMERsLE
Mr.. OLIyxR p. BALDWIN had succeed
Mr. PLKAsAyTs IS editor the pape
home was at tho southeast corner
Main and Thirteenth streets where I
Office OF the Old Dominion Steamsh
Company nov is). and though in t
paralysis Of business inevitable in |
sieged city the paper had few advert'
ments, il bad eli the circulation
wanted.
Internationally came and with 1t
destruction by FIRE Of the greater part
The business section Of the city. I
Dispatch Office was utterly destroys
Nothing was saved. The surrender
Richmond and the collapse OF the 20
federacy we're almost simultaneous.
uas COMMON calamity which inyolv
our young republic and our hishsr
fnsiaeibls army. our property IN slave
<.,,t hanks. currency. ana credit O