Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-06-09

JOHN poRR.
tie hand press. 1t was cordially re-
ctIVeu IN The community, and IT'S pub
fishers at once took the high place in
the estimation of all that their charac-
terand ability meritcd for them. Though
not a word concerning politics had APP
peared in the salutatory address. the
paper at once took decided stand on
national and State issues, for II had
been intended from the first that a
leading characteristic of the Jouina
should be that of political paper Mr..
Severance was IA broad-nlnded stu
dent of politics, and from the hrst
welded a vigorous and intelligent pen
that made the influence Of the pap'r
widely felt, and won the respect OF all
for it's brilliant young editor.
At the end of the second volume the
editors say: Our success has not been
sucn as to Halter our vanity much, but 1t
has yet been sufficient to encourage us
to continued eXertion." About this
time the office of the Journal was
changed from the Branch building, at
the corner of Bridge and Water streets
to new building erected on winthrop
street, near the present railroad Cross
ing. Here ii remained six years. In
1858 another change was made, and
the journal established itself in the
third story of new brick building
erected by the Citizens bank, at the
corner or Oak and Water streets,
where the Granite National bank now
stands. This continued the Journal S
home until 1857.
on the Sd of November. 1927, the
Journals first rival appeared in the
field. 1t was the Name Patriot and
State Gazette and was of the Jack
sonian political faith. Many a wordy
war was waged between the two, and
it is needless to say that Mr.. Sever
ance won more than his share of the
victories. In 81 the Maine Patriot
was succeeded by the Age" that long
continued the immediate political OPP
ponent of the Journal. In welcoming
the Age into existence, Mr.. Severance
expressed the hope that no offensive
personalities would mark their inter
course This wish, unhappily, was
not always gratified.
At the beginning of the fourth vol
ume the Journal was slightly enlarged,
an inch being added to both the
length and the breadth of the pages,
while the paper appeared in neat,
new dress of type. At the beginning
OF 1888, when the paper was eight
years old, more important enlarge
ment was made, a column being added
to each page and the columns being
proportionally heightened. This step
was rendered necessary by the growing
demands for more space to touch upon
the engrossing themes of public inter
est.
When the Maine Legislature. in 1892.
met at Augusta for the first time,
Eaton 4 Severance decided to issue a
daily edition during the session. This
was quite an undertaking. but they
entered upon it bravely and made a
success of the venture. The daily edi-
ton was a very modest affair. 12X9
inches, with three columns to each of
the four pages. The price was one
dollar for the session. This did not in
terfere with the regular form and ap-
pearance of the weekly. The daily edi-
ton went under the name of the
Maine Daily Journal" This contin-
ued through three successive sessions,
and then the larger Tri-Weekly Jour-
nal was established for the time of
the legislative sessions, and was con-
tinued until 1870. 1t appeared on
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
mornings. An arrangement was reached
in 1S41 whereby the Age, which also
issued a tri-weekly edition during the
session, appeared on the alternate
mornings. At times, before the Daily
Kennebec Journal was established,
both daily and tri-weekly editions We're
issued during the legislative season.
RETIREMENT OF MIR. EATON
SEVERANCE & DORR.
In June, 1888, the firm of Eaton &
Severance, which had continued Since
the establishment of the paper eight
and half years before, was dissolved.
The Journal now had about 800 sub
scribers. Mr.. Eaton, who had been the
senior partner and business man of the
firm, disposed of his interest to Mr..
Severance. After remaining for some
time disconnected from newspaper en-
terprises, Mr.. Eaton, in 1874, purchased
the Maine Farmer, then published in
Winthrop, moved it to Augusta, en-
larged it, and by his untiring energy
and industry made it one Of the most
valuable and profitable publications OF
the State. Mr.. Eaton retired from the
Farmer in 1858. He continued to reside
in Augusta, an honored citizen, and
went to his rest in 1890.
Mr.. Severance, with the issue Of July
q nr,h1f0har Qdi-