Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-10-30
History Of a Remarkable Printer aud
the Remarkable Newspaper That
lie Published.
Made a Millionaire in Month. lie
Starts a Daily and Bosses Big
Mining Town.
Final Downfall of the Town, the
Journal. and the Journalist
A Romance of Old Time
California.

In the exciting days of 40 and so the
town of Meadow Lake, Nevada county,
Cal, was an enterprising city of about 49,
600 inhabitants. saysssa ] etter from FL
Nerano, Cal. to the st. Louis Globe
Democrat. 1t was surrounded by some
of the richest placer mines in California,
and those many got the idea that the
town was destined to be the metropo-
lis of the west, but the mines were
finally exhausted and the fortune-seekers
drew away from the spot, the merchants
closed their stores, the saloon doors
were all nailed up, and now the visitor to
that section witnessed the spectacle of
broad streets flankea by empty buildings
that are falling into ruins. Doors that
have been torn from their hinges by the
wind reveal the interior OF saloons with
bottles of liquor standing on the shelves
just as they we're left by their proprietors
more than a quarter of century ago.
Not soul now dweils in the town. The
streets are filed with rank growth of
weeds and the wooden sidewalks have
fallen into dust.
On the main street. about half wav to
the southern extremity of the town. stands
d twO-Storied building of unhewn stone.
This building is In good condition with
the exception of the broken windows and
small portion of the roof which has been
crushed In by slide of snow from the side
OF the mountain that towers over it, The
building IN the days of 50 was the publi-
cation Office of the Meadow Lake Daily
Herald, a seven column, eight-page paper
that was run to satisfy the whim Of one of
the luckiest and at the same time one of
the most unfortunate men who were all
conspicuous during the California gold
craZe.
James Gagan was the editor and pro-
prietor of the Daily Herald. He was a
jolly Irish printer who claimed royal an
c9stry, and when he had funds he threw
his money around in a reckless way that
proved him high liver when circumstan-
ces permitted. Gagan had worked his
way through the printing establishments
of the gulf coast to California, and, getting
the gold craze, he abandoned type setting
for time and set out for Meadow Lake
on foot He mad a hard trip over the
mountains, and when at the end of four
weeks he walked into Meadow Lake he
was q sorry-looking sight, weather beaten
and ragged, but not at al down-hearted,
for he was typical tourist printer, and
his spirit was always among the clouds.
Gagan had money enough in his pocket
to enable him to purchase a mining cuff
ut secoud hand, and, friendless and alone.
he ser ont for the diggings back of the
town. IN a remote canyon, through which
ran small stream Of water, Gagan stabed
off claim and set at work He struck
color at the first blow of the pick, and
at the close of the day he had taken out
s., 500 worth Of geld dust. The canyon
L, i o41I boz
month Gagan labored alone, visiting the
town only when he was obliged to pro-
cure provisions. AT the end of the fourth
his paintings" having increased in value
each day. With leather belt full of shin
ing gold he returned to Meadow Lake and
made his rich find known In the gold
dust he had ample evidence that his story
was true. and he found no trouble in dis
posing of his claim at price that ran his
wealth into the millions.
| The population of Meadow Lake had
now grown to to 10000 inhabitants, and
as yet the field was opon to newspaper en-
terprise. Gagan was quick to see this af-
! t r he was out of the mines, and he set 10
work establishing the Herald. In those da. s
there was not railroad within hundred
/
! the place was by rough trail over the
mountains, but Gagen had money and a
disposition to spend it; so he Immediately
set about building a two-storied stone
structure to be occupied as a printing Of
| fee In a few weeks the building was
ready for occupancy, and Gagan set out
for the east for the purpose of purchasing
a newspaper plant. 1t was nearly three
months before he returned, but he brought
with him a frst-class outfit, including a
cylinder press and a steam-engine. In
due time the Herald was issued and it
was perfect newspaper geographically.
The business men of the town patronized
it literally, and every man in the town
subscribed for it. Single copies sold at a
bits, or so cents each, and the subscription
price was 500. The circulation of the
Herald at one time reached 5000 daily,
but'Gagan was sinking money in the ven
ture very rapidly. To get printers to
come to the town and work he was obliged
to pay them 500 day, and his other en-
ployes were paid CORES pondingly high
wages. Paper laid down in the Herald
establishment at that early day cost
great deal, as it was bought in the east,
shipped around the Horn, and carried to
the town On pack mules. Gaean was
| obliged to keep a train of twenty-five
mules, with half as many drivers. on the
| road between San Francisco and Meadow
| Lake week in and week out This cost
great deal of money.
Gagan was the leading man of the town.
| If there was dispute to be settled Gagan
was the man to settle it. The case was
laid before him, he took it under advise
ment, and reviewed the case and announc-
ed his decision through the editorial
| columns of the Herald. If there was a
| family in the town in need Of financial aid
an appeal was made to Gagan, and the as
sistance asked for was always granted. If
| there was murder, and there were many
of them in those wild days, Gagan was in
| variably called upon to preach the funeral
sermon. If there was celebration Gagan
was always the orator of the day Gagan
was liberal liver, and when the mood
came over him, which was often, he would
walk into a SALON, purchase the contents,
and invite crowd In from the street to
help themselves. He was tall, slightly
built agile man. and he dressed in the most
faultIess style His hair, as black as night
fell about his shoulders and his waxed
mustacl and pointed in 1erial gave him
the appearance of quack doctor of the
present day. He was generous to fault,
and one time. when a smallpox epidemic
struck the town, Gagan bought a building.
turned 1t into hospital. hired nurses,
bought medicine, and paid the bills out OF
his own pocket. His good nature got the
best of his sense, and at the end of three
wears Ga oan found tbe end of his n;1rsa