The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-06-19

lOTCe eQuaIleu only Dy lDaL WnlCU Keeps Lilc
planets In their orbits. Newspapers are only
vehicles on which 1t sometimes travels. They
serve to lnbricate It's path; but when they get
in its way, they are sweptas the chaf before
the whirlwind. Not only did the proprietor
of the Miscellany learn this: but he also
learned that the highest mission of the true
newspaper man Is TO seek only that which
tends to develop the peace. prosperity and
general welfare OF those amongst whom his
lot may be cast. especially remembering al
ways to be on his guard against designing In
dividualS who would clandestinely divert his
trust for the furtherance Of their own selfish
ends.
About this time, the late John l.. NJ iller and
Samuel w. Melton, saw the opportunity that
was presented, and In the fall of 1854, they
purchased the plant of The Miscellany. They
sidered a splendid new outfit for q country
newspaper, employed L. NJ. Grist as publish
er, and on the 4th day OF January; 1883.
brought out the first issue of The YOrkville
Enquirer.
The Enquirer was 7.coumn folio. Messrs.
Miller e. Melton kept the paper up to high
tion by according liberal patronage. After
about two years, however, Messrs. Miller &
Melton began TO grow tired Of their venture,
and on the 18th of March, lS5S, l.. M. Grist be-
came the proprietor OF the plant and good
will of the paper; agreeing TO pay $1,000 for
the plant-Sl 900 per annum for three years. =,
Though The Enquirer was now pretty we'll
established, Mr.. Grist fully realized that he
The fact is, he had made pretty bad trade.
When the war broke out he had made two
pay ments on the purchase money. Leaving
the office In The charge of his father, Mr.. L.
NJ. Grst enlisted in the war.
Upon his return from the war after the sur
render, the paper was temporarily suspended
until August, 1865, when Johu p. Grlst. L. NJ:
effort to re-establish the paper which had been
started fifty years ago.
Fifty years Is long time for one man TO re-
main in active business: The proprietor OF
the Enquirer had long intended to retire from
his labors al the end OF 1890. alter the compile
tion OF the fiftleth year of his connection with
the printing business. But for reasons al
ready stated he still continues. On the goth
of March. 1895. the present firm was organ
lied: l.. Nj. Grist. and his SONS J.. George
Grist. w. D. Grist. O. E. Grist, A. NJ. Grist,
r. NJ. Grist, and all being printers and equal
From 1866 to 1890, the career Of The Enquir-
er was one of the most uninterrupted pros.
perity, highly satisfat tory to lis management
and a large majority of its patrons. In It's
and steadfast in the line its proprietor
had marked out Financially IL felt the stress
OF hard times as the people felt 1t, and 1t pros
pered as the people prospered: Always CIV
itself on always receiving from the people
The best they have In return.
In November, 1890, the entire plant OF The
Enquirer, valued at something like $4,000.
was QesLroy Gu ny d HIS. lHo ioso W VIC PIo-
prietor was heavy. The accumulations OF a
lifetime were swept away almost at breath.
and 1t looked, to some people. as If the career
of The Yorkville Enquirer was at an end.
But not SO. 1t soon developed that while the
proprietor was severely crippled, he had
hosts of friends who were as true as steel. and
they rallied TO his support In the hour Of his
need. AS result the Enquirer is on its feet
again.
The above extracts are from an entertaining
history of the Enquirer covering more than a
page of the paper.
The centre Of the paper contains fine pic.
lures OF the present proprietors as well as
that of the father OF Mr.. L. NJ. Grist. and the
grandfather of the other members of the
firm.
We have thought so much of this issue of
the Enquirer that we have had the whole page
framed-in fact the whole paper is placed be-
hind the glass. The only regret that we have
Is that the account is not all on one page. We
would suggest that when the Messrs. Grist
print a companion issue for this about fifty
years hence, that they put all the historical
part on the front page.
The Messrs. Grist stand at the head Of their
profession. No better Typography or finer
printing can be found anywhere, and the Ia
Dor and ability expended In editing the paper
is not surpassed by any newspaper OF our ac-
quaintance. II is a marvel of beauty and
taste. and the paper Ia on the topmost wave
OF prosperity