The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-10-18
HAD A BATH In
A BARREL OF INK
Excitement Attends the Early Suspen'
sion Of the Plttston Item.
TWO OF THE OWNERS DISAGREE
Professor shiei Tried TO Pick the
Forms to Pieces but Manager AN
drews Objected and Pushed the
Professor Into a Barrel of Ink.
owner. of the Paper Had a Lively
Experience on Their Investment.



Pittston, oct. 1.-THE Pittston Item,
a morning paper published here by the
Item Publishing company. suspended
operations yesterday morning.
The Item was started September Q,
1895. as an afternoon paper. The COM
pany was composed of Joseph II. An
drews, George wilmer, F. p. Cosper,
William Devanney, Professor Robert
Shel and II. T. Gregory. Mr. Andrews
was business manager and Mr.. Wilmer,
editor. Soon after the paper was start
ed the partners commenced quarrelinS
among themselves.
In December of the same year the
first break-up in the firm occurred and
Mr.. Devanney, who had charge of the
circulation department, left the firm.
Upon the opening of the presidential
campaign, Editor Wilmer wrote an edl-
torial uphGlding the Bryan issues. The
editorial. which was against the prin-
ciples of the paper, created consider
able talk and Manager Andrews, who
is a prominent Republican, came in
for considerable abuse. AS a result of
the trouble Mr.. Wilnar's interest was
purchased by Mr.. Andrews. In few
months afterwards Mr.. Cosper desired
pany. He made a proposition to dis
pose of his share for $l,400. Several
payments were made on the settlement
but they finally stopped. During the
middle of the present year Mr.. Cosper
entered an execution against the bust
ness for 81 400 and Deputy Sheriff Will
liams levied on the office and con-
tents.
RUMORS OF SUSPENSION.
For several months past rumors were
rife on the streets that the Item was
about to suspend publication. Manag-
er Andrews, however, continued to run
the business. During the past two
weeks Mr.. Andrews resolved to discon-
tinue publication and late Friday af-
ternoon decided that Saturday morn
ings issue would be the last.
In the meantime Professor Shiel, one
Of the remaining members of the firm,
heard Of the action to be taken by
Mr.. Andrews, without consulting the
other members of the firm, and decided
to interfere and if possible stop tha
publication of the farewell article. He
entered the office and was shown a
proof of the article. 1t did not meet his
approval. Manager Andrews, in the
course of the article, took occasion to
place the blame of the trouble on the
other persons who originally composed
the company. He thanked the friends
of the It.m for their past assistance
and forgave its enemies.
1t became apparent soon after Profess
sor Shiel had read the article that
there would be trouble.
While the forms Ware being carried
from the composing room to the press
the professor made several efforts to
lift the type out of the form. This he
failed to accomplish. After two hun
dred papers had been printed Professor
Shiel took the papers outside and ap-
piled a lighted match. Manager An
drews then warned the dissenting
member of the company to desist.
Professor Shi-l refused and made an
other effort to secure more papers.
SHOWED IN A BARREL OF INK.
Manager Andrews objected and the
prof sssOr was showed in a barrel of
ink. Things assumed a serious nature
at that time and it looked as if the
readers of the Item would be without
their faVorite paper. After some dill
Guilty, however sufficient papers We're
secured TO supply the SubScrlberS ana
the carriers We're sent out on their re-
speCtiVe routes.
The former members of the firm say
they intend to enter suit against Mr..
Andrews for damages as they claim
that the article published in the last is
sue of the paper was Gerogatory to
them. 1t is also expected that the re-
naming members of the firm will see
whether or not Mr.. Andrews acted cor
rectly in suspending publication with
out consulting their wishes.
The Item was changed to a morning
paper on April 5 of the present year
and seemed to be making money for the
members of the firm. From present
Indication, it is likely that in a few
days another paper will be started in
the city, and that it will probably up
hold the Democratic principles.