The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-07
HOW A PAPER DIED.
vigilautes Crushed the San
Francisco Herald"
RISE or THE ALTA CALIFORNIA.
Mr. Charles Prosch's Interesting Remin-
iscences OF journalism ON the
Coast in Early Days.


The following account of early newspa-
per days in San Francisco, furnished oy
Mr.. Charles Prosch. who was on the Alta
California will be read with peculiar in
terest in view of the recent suspension OF
the famous old Alta:
In 1885, when Jim Casey murdered James
King, of William. the three morning papers pub
lishcd In San Francisco were the Herald, oy
John Nugcnt; the Alta California. by a stock
company, and the True Californian, by Newell q
soule. There were also two evening papers, OF
which the Bulletin, BY James King. OF William,
was one. The competition between the morn
ing papers was damaging N the extreme; 10
much so that but one tthe Heroldl more than
made expenses, the expenses OF the Others ex'
ceeding their earnings. Newell started his pa
per with determination TO crush out the otn-
ers; and the most speedy way to do that ne
thought, was to reduce the rates OF advertising
to figures that utterly destroyed its value IS
means Of support So be at once solicited aud
inserted advertisements for $50 per month that
previously paid 500 and upwards. The price OF
composition was then 81. 50 per thousand ems
Newell had accumulated 500 while setting
type at $l.50 to 81 per thousand, and fattereo
himself with the hope OF not only crushing his
same time. Having accomplished these two OBJ
jects, he would then restore the old rates OF adj
vertising. which would soon replace the money
he was now rapidly sinking and add many
thousands to his pile. He forgot the fact that II
is easier to pull down than build UP structure,
no matter what its character may be. His asso-
ciate, Frank Soule, was the most polished and
forcible writer for the press then in California
and this gave him no small advantage.
At that me- fha aunfiQnaafa of San EraQcfGcO
were an organized body, aud annually let their
advertising by contract to the lowest bidder.
The auction advertisements filled q page OF the
paper having the contract, the pay was sure at
the end of each month, and. though the price
was reduced by competition from year to year,
they were still very desirable and profitable. In
1856 the Herald was the fortunate possessor OF
this patronage, and by reason of it was the only
paper that more than made expenses. Briefly
this was the condition of the press in that city
when Casey murdered King for denouncing him
in the Bulletin
On the night OF the murder the leading bust
ness men OF San Francisco met to discuss the
murder and adopt measures to put stop to the
lawlessness prevailing in the city. William t.
Coleman, recently visitor in Seattle, presided
at this and all subsequent meetings. The choice
of Coleman for presiding officer was peculiarly
happy one. Though young in years. he presid-
ed with dignity and decorum that would have
reflected credit upon any court of justice in the
land AS the session OF the business men
heightened, their numbers increased. Midnight
saw majority of the merchants of the city as
sembled. Each of the newspapers had one or
two representatives present.
Hour succeeded hour, and yet they deliberat-
ed. The subject on which they deliberated was
not unknown outside. Members of the vicious
element throughout the city, though not adj
United to the meeting, knew that the best citi-
zeus of San Francisco were in council to decide
upon their fate. Friends and associates of Casey
trembled for themselves and for him.
At about o'clock in the morning. after thor
oughly canvassing and adopting mode of pro-
ceedure, the citizens decided to organize Wig
ilance committee, hang Casey and Cora (the
latter for numbering U. g. Marshal Richardson)
and Danish from the city all disreputable char
acters. The morning papers named above held
back their forms until this conclusion was
reached, when each inserted leading editorial
expressive of its views of the action of the cit
izens. The Herald denounced the meeting and
its action as uuealled for; the True Californian
was non-committal. neither approving nor con-
demning the action; the Alta California, in
strong and unequivocai terms, endorsed the
conclusion arrived at
A REMARKABLE SCENE.
Now followed one OF the most remarkable
scenes ever witnessed by the writer. At about
IL o'clock on the morning of this memorable
day, as entered Montgomery street from Clay,
my attention was attracted to an unusual num-
Der OF people vending their way to the Herald
Office, two doors below Sacramento street. on
Montgomery. Curious to know what drew the
crowd there, went as far as the door and looked
in and listened for a few moments The count
ing-r was crowded with men, while ON the
sidewalk was another crowd waiting their turn
to enter, All were there on the same GRAND.
Take out my advertisement" "stop my paper"
were the words uttered by the men as thew an
preached the counter; each remaining only long
enough to enable the clerk to find his name on
the books and check 1t of. Long before reached
the office the same scene was being enacted; not
until the day was nearly spent did the crowd
diminish in number. Into the night and
the following day this thing was continued.
the number of callers growing gradually less
until no more remained to withdraw their
patronage
DEATH OF THE HERALD.
One more edition OF the paper was issued
1t appeared next morning on a sheet one fourth
its former size. In an editorial Mr. Nupent
made a labored effort to vindicate the course Of
his paper, and predicted a speedy reaction in
the sentiments OF the people. Then the Herald
died. The reaction predicted never came
While the event just related was taking place
on Montgomery street an unbroken line of men
was seen passing down Sacramento street To the
rooms occupied by the vigilance Committee.
Here the names of volunteert, all eager to serve
in the ranks of the committee, were being en-
rolled unremittingly until the army OF law and
order numbered 5000 or 1000. These embraced
the best citizens OF San Francisco; none were
enrolled whose character was open to suspicion.
All were either personally known to the leaders
or had somebody to vouch for them.
FATAL MISTAKE OF NUGESr
No journalist ever made mistake 40 ovick,v
fatal. The men whom he sought to save from
the clutches OF the vigilance committee, being
neither subscribers nor advertisers, Contributed
nothing to the support of the paper. Every one
of them richly deserved hanging or imprison-
ment Those he condemned, on the contrary.
were the people who sustained by their patron.
age the journal he published. 1t is hardly nos.
sible TO conceive an act of greater folly than
John Nugent was guilty OF in this instance.
The alto California fell heir to the lucrative pat
ronage Nugent had forfeited while fba r..